CHAPTER XV 



DEATH 



141. DURING the earlier years of life and up 

 to the period of adolescence, the body increases 

 in size and weight. The processes of growth 

 are in excess of those of waste. After adoles- 

 cence, the body may remain for many years 

 without much variation in bulk and weight ; 

 but even before middle life signs of decay and 

 degeneration are noticeable, especially in cer- 

 tain organs. Grey hairs appear, the teeth decay, 

 there may be a diminution in the elasticity 

 of parts and in the power of the muscles, and 

 there may be slow changes in some of the 

 internal organs that are still compatible with 

 ordinary health. In advanced life these 

 changes become more apparent. Some have 

 supposed that such changes may be due 

 to the action of poisonous substances, formed 



mainly in the alimentary canal, and even the 

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