310 DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION 



this pouch is given off a small tube about four inches long, closed at the 

 lower end. This tube, the rudiment of what is an important part of the 

 food tube in the lower vertebrates, is called the vermiform appendix- It 

 has come to have unpleasant notoriety in late years, as the site of serious 

 inflammation. 



Constipation. — In the large intestine live millions of bacteria, 

 some of whicli make and give olT poisonous substances known 

 as toxins. These substances are easily absorbed through the 

 walls of the large intestine, and, when they pass into the blood, 

 cause headaches or sometimes serious trouble. Hence it follows 

 that the lower bowel should be emptied of this matter as fre- 

 quently as possible, at least once a day. Constipation is one of 

 the most serious evils the American people have to deal with, and 

 it is largely brought about by the artificial life which v^e lead, with 

 its lack of exercise, fresh air, and sleep. Fruit with meals, espe- 

 cially at breakfast, plenty of water between meals and before 

 breakfast, exercise, particularly of the abdominal muscles, and 

 regular habits will all help to correct this evil. 



Hygienic Habits of Eating ; the Causes and Prevention of Dys- 

 pepsia. — From the contents of the foregoing chapter it is evident 

 that the object of the process of digestion is to break up solid food 

 so that it may be absorbed to form part of the blood. Any habits 

 we may form of thoroughly chewing our food will evidently aid 

 in this process. Undoubtedly much of the distress known ay 

 dyspepsia is due to too hasty meals with consequent lack of proper 

 mastication of food. The message of Mr. Horace Fletcher in 

 bringing before us the need of proper mastication of food and the 

 attendant evils of overeating is one which we cannot afford to 

 ignore. It is a good rule to go away from the table feeling a little 

 hungry. Eating too much overtaxes the digestive organs and pre • 

 vents their working to the best advantage. Still another cause of 

 dyspepsia is eating when in ^fatigued condition. It is always a good 

 plan to rest a short time before eating, especially after any hard man- 

 ual work. We have seen how great a part unpleasant emotions play 

 in preventing peristaltic movements of the food tube. Conversely, 

 pleasant conversation, laughter, and fun will help you to digest your 

 meal. Eating between meals is condemned by physicians because 



