146 ANIMAL-SENTIENT FORCES. [i. 



Instinct for Food. 



281. By the pre-arrangement of nature (263), whenever food 

 is wanting, there arises in the stomach of the animal an uneasy 

 sensation termed hungriness [Nuchternheit], and one which 

 ever}' animal dislikes (280). This is the sensational stimulus of 

 the instinct for food (Hunger), which consists in a strong effort 

 to excite the sensations in the stomach antagonistic to this 

 unpleasant external sensation, or, in other words, to feel the 

 stomach filled with food ; this being the design of the Creator 

 in the instinct and its object in the animal, although the latter 

 knows nothing whatever of that object (266). Everything 

 that excites an unpleasant external sensation in the stomach 

 develops the sensational stimulus of the instinct, as long fast- 

 ing, a too quick digestion, acrid fluids in the stomach, sto- 

 machic remedies, &c. The sensational stimulus manifests its 

 sentient actions in the vital movements, which it influences the . 

 more powerfully in proportion as it is excessive (271), as is 

 shown by faintness, in which the movements of the heart, of 

 the blood, and of respiration are manifestly changed, and these 

 actions are contra-natural (276, iv). In so far as the sensa- 

 tional stimulus is a foreseeing of a future repletion of the 

 stomach, it manifests its sentient actions therein, so that it 

 produces imperfectly in the stomach, and in the mechanism 

 of the instinct, the same movements which actual repletion 

 or the satisfaction of the instinct excites (271-72). Hunger, 

 therefore, acts on the mechanical machines appointed to re- 

 ceive food, and to co- operate in nutrition, as the stomach, 

 bowels, throat, salivary glands, &c. ; for it stimulates them to 

 discharge their natural functions (170 — 174), and which reple- 

 tion of the stomach in particular develops in them. Hence, 

 in hunger, the stomach and intestines are more vividly moved, 

 and rumble (212), the salivary glands pour out fluid, so that 

 the mouth waters, and the other digestive fluids, including the 

 bile, are discharged, &c. We purposely avoid noticing in this, 

 as well as all other special instincts, the sentient actions of all 

 the associated secondary conceptions, so as to avoid confusion 

 in stating the sentient actions proper to the instinct itself. 

 We pass over, also, the processes of digestion, although partly 

 belonging to the subject, inasmuch as it is already discussed 

 in physiological works. ( Vide Haller's ' Physiology.^) 



