2 INTRODUCTION. 



of us lead a sedentary life; we are not natural, but oftei. 

 highly artificial, in our mode of living. We move about, but 

 little, whereas the animal abounds in motion. We concen- 

 trate our energy upon mental effort, thus diverting a large 

 share of our sum total of energy away from the process of 

 nutrition. We often shut ourselves up in rooms too nearly 

 air-tight. We eat poorly chosen and ill-prepared food. We 

 devour it in haste, often when we are in a condition unfit for 

 taking food. In short, we too frequently disobey the laws of 

 Nature. Now, Nature punishes every violation of her laws. 

 She never forgives, never forgets. Whether we trespass in 

 ignorance or wittingly, she punishes. But while Nature pun- 

 ishes disobedience, she, on the other hand, gives rewards for 

 obedience to her laws. Health and happiness are her re- 

 wards. Are they not sufficient ? We may abuse her kind- 

 ness ; but she never sleeps, never fails to notice. We may, 

 for a time, think we are to escape ; but we find the punish- 

 ment, though delayed, perhaps the more severe. 



The out-of-door worker may not suffer so much from igno- 

 rance in these matters. From the character of his occupa- 

 tion, he to a certain extent is obliged to obey Nature. He 

 gets enough fresh air. His bodily exertion generally brings 

 a hearty appetite, vigorous digestion, active circulation of the 

 blood. Still, he would greatly profit by knowing something as 

 to the nature of his food, its wholesomeness or unwholesome- 

 ness. The fact that he gets along fairly well is no proof that 

 he always does the best thing. His natural mode of life may 

 keep him in tolerably good condition in spite of his violation 

 of certain laws ; but he could undoubtedly learn much as to 

 economy in the purchase, preparation, and proper combination 

 of foods. 



But with those of us who strive to lead " the intellectual 

 life," the price of our culture is high. We often do so at the 



