174 MIXED DIET. 



would have to eat about four pounds. a day ; meanwhile twice 

 as much carbon as is needed would be taken, thus throwing 

 an undue amount of work upon the digestive organs. Again, 

 one would need to consume about six pounds of meat to get 

 the requisite amount of carbon, and six times as much nitro- 

 gen as is needed would be taken ; to get rid of this extra 

 nitrogen would severely tax the kidneys and liver. 



In cold climates a large amount of fat is consumed, while 

 in the tropics starch is the chief food. Our appetites call for 

 more of the fatty foods during the winter season. 



While common experience has led people to adopt a mixed 

 diet, the proportions of the different foodstuffs is not always 

 what it should be. The proportions of the foodstuffs (exclu- 

 sive of water) may be roughly stated as about 1 part of pro- 

 teid, 1 part of fat, 3 parts of carbohydrates. But this will 

 vary somewhat with the amount of work done, and other 

 varying conditions. (See Tables of Dietaries in Appendix.) 



The so-called " vegetarians " recognize the need of proteid 

 food ; and most of them seek proteid in eggs, milk, and cheese. 

 But these are animal products, and the name " vegetarian " is 

 inconsistent. They are merely "anti-meat eaters." If they 

 do actually succeed in getting enough proteids from the le- 

 gumes and the grains, the complete digestion of which is diffi- 

 cult, they are, as Professor Martin says, to be congratulated 

 on having digestive powers that can stand such a strain. 

 That we are adapted for using flesh as part of our food is 

 indicated in at least two anatomical features : (1) we have 

 canine teeth, though not so fully developed as in the carniv- 

 ora ; (2) the intestine in carnivora is very short, that of the 

 herbivora very long, but in man intermediate. 



Tea owes its stimulating effects to a substance called 

 Thein. This is a stimulant to the nervous system, and if not 

 too strong is not followed by a subsequent depression. Tea 



