DIGESTION 139 



Recently it has been shown that this belief is not without 

 foundation. The water of the Ganges at Benares contains 

 bacteria which are as tigers among lesser vermin. The germs 

 of cholera and typhoid fever disappear from cultures into which 

 these overbearing microbes are introduced. 



Conditions Requisite for Normal Digestion. When M. Chev- 

 reul, Professor of Chemistry at the Jardins des Plantes of 

 Paris, attained his hundredth year, an interviewer very natur- 

 ally inquired of him, " Have you always had a good diges- 

 tion ?" To this the still vigorous Professor answered: "I 

 really cannot say, for I have never noticed." So long as 

 it is well used, the stomach is an unobtrusive organ. It is 

 tyrannical when it deems itself the victim of inconsiderate 

 treatment. A study of its physiology serves to show that it 

 will work contentedly only upon certain clearly defined terms, of 

 which the following are perhaps the most important : The 

 stomach exacts due warning that its services are wanted. 

 The nerves of smell and taste must announce the approach of 

 food and guarantee its quality. " What may I eat ?" asked 

 a large-framed, strenuous, eager, over-worked barrister of a 

 great physician. " Eat, sir ? You may eat whatever you like. 

 But be quite sure that you do like it." Wise advice. The 

 human race would not have developed its strong preferences 

 for certain kinds of food if all foods were equally suitable to 

 satisfy its needs. Taste is not a matter of fashion. It is 

 the expression of the experience of mankind. Fanciful as 

 civilization has made us, and easily as appetite is perverted, if 

 we are sure that we really like, and want, a food, we may trust 

 that our liking will guide us as safely as it guides a buffalo 

 or a deer. " Eat what you like." Eating with liking carries 

 with it the idea of obtaining the maximum of satisfaction from 

 the exercise of this necessary function. Most things which are 

 reckoned unwholesome are full in flavour or rich in consistency. 

 They satisfy the palate when spread out very thin. It is poor 

 economy to help oneself to caviare with a table-spoon. In 

 the second place, the stomach must be assured that the teeth 

 are doing their proper share of work. Among the many half- 

 truths which every year are exalted to the level of a revela- 

 tion or a rule of conduct is the doctrine of the " chewers " 

 persons who take no meals, but industriously and almost 



