FOOD AND DRINK. 65 



3. Hunger and Thirst. When the system is deprived 

 of its supply of solid food during a longer time than usual, 

 nature gives warning by the sensation of hunger, to 

 repair the losses that have taken place? This sensation 

 or pain appears to be located in the stomach, but it is really 

 a distress of the system at large. Let a sufficient quantity 

 of nourishment be introduced into the system in any other 

 way than by the mouth, and it will appease hunger just as 

 certainly as when taken in the usual manner. 



4. The feeling of thirst, in like manner, is evidence that 

 the system is suffering from the want of water. The 

 apparent seat of the distress of thirst is in the throat ; but 

 the injection of water into the blood-vessels is found to 

 quench thirst, and by the immersion of the body in water, 

 the skin will absorb sufficient to satisfy the demands of the 

 system. The length of time that man can exist without 

 food or drink is estimated to be about seven days. If water 

 alone be supplied, life will last much longer ; there being 

 cases recorded where men have lived twenty days and over, 

 without taking any solid food. 



5. Quantity of Food. The quantity of food required 

 varies greatly, according to the individual and his mode of 

 life. The young, and others who lead active lives, or who 

 live in the open air, require more food than the old, the 

 inactive, or the sedentary. Those who live in cold regions 

 require more than the inhabitants of hot climates. Habit, 

 also, has much to do with the quantity of food required. 

 Some habitually eat and drink more than they actually 

 need, while a few eat less than they should. 



6. The average daily quantity of food and drink for a 

 healthy man of active habits is estimated at six pounds. 

 This amount may be divided in about the following pro- 



3. System deprived of food? Warning? What is the pain ? How proved ? 



4. Feeling of thirst? Seat of the pani ? How proved? Time a person can 

 exist, without food ? 



5. Amount of food required? The young and others? Those living in hot 

 and cold climates ? Habits * 



6. Quantity of food daily ? How divided ? Compare with the weight of t lie body ? 



