44 PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH. 



operations of the digestive organs, beyond the mouth, are not 

 submitted to his direction, nor even to his observation. 



80. When we are in good health, and the food is properly 

 selected, prepared, and eaten, we are not conscious of the 

 process of digestion in the stomach ; but if the food be 

 not properly selected or cooked, if we have not faithfully 

 prepared the food, by complete mastication and mixture with 

 the saliva in the mouth, for the next stage of digestion in 

 the stomach, we are painfully conscious of the effort of the 

 stomach to digest that which is unsuitable for its wants and 

 its powers. 



81. Although we are not conscious of the process of 

 digestion from any feeling that we have in the stomach 

 especially, yet there is always a pleasurable sensation 

 throughout the whole frame, which accompanies the proper 

 arid healthy performance of this function; there is a feeling 

 of comfort in the body, and satisfaction in the mind, and 

 usually a glow of cheerfulness attending it. One feels bet- 

 ter, and more disposed to be contented, after his meals. 



82. Our part of this work is to select the food, and pre- 

 pare it, by suitable combinations and cookery, for the mouth. 

 Next, we are to masticate and moisten it in the mouth for 

 the stomach. After this, nature takes care of it. We want, 

 then, some guide to direct us in regard to the quality and 

 quantity of this food, and the time and seasons for eating. 



83. Hunger and appetite are the first apparent guides, and 

 with many, perhaps a majority of mankind, the only guides 

 in the matter of eating. Hunger has been explained ( 42) 

 to be the sensation of want of nutrition in the general sys- 

 tem, connected with the power of digestion in the stomach, 

 and with the readiness of the stomach to supply the gastric 

 juice for this purpose. 



84. It is commonly supposed that hunger is a mere indi- 

 cation of emptiness of the stomach; that as soon as the last 

 meal shall have passed out of this organ, more is wanted ; 

 and that as long as any food remains in it, there is no appe- 

 tite. Neither of these suppositions is correct. The usual 



