Human Physiology. 



quantity of food, and thereby destroy health and shorten life. 

 Temperance in regard to quantity, and a wise choice in the 

 quality of food, are among the most important of the conditions 

 of health. 



Man can live from the cradle to the grave in perfect health, 

 and the full use of all his faculties, without resorting to any 

 stimulant, any narcotic, any intoxicant. Yet stimulating bever- 

 ages, as wine and beer, which have alcohol for their basis, have 

 been used from the remotest periods of human history and in 

 Eastern Asia, tea. Later, the distillation of alcohol was dis- 

 covered in Europe, coffee came from Arabia, and the tobacco- 

 plant of America has spread around the world. It is hard to 

 see that the world is in any way the better for the common use 

 of its intoxicants and narcotics. Even the mildest of them are 

 of doubtful benefit ; and where pure water can be obtained, it 

 is the best, as it is the most natural drink of man. 



It must be admitted, however, that the experience of the 

 southern nations of Europe does not seem to be unfavourable 

 to the common use of light pure wines, which are seldom drunk 

 to intoxication, and do not produce the disease and demorali- 

 sation caused by the use of heavy and drugged beers and spirits 

 in this country. 



Tea, coffee, tobacco, opium, &c., are not necessary to health. 

 They contain no element of nutrition in any quantity which 

 makes them of the least importance as food. If they diminish 

 waste, or the signs of waste, such action is injurious; for they 

 keep matter in the body which ought to be cast out of it. They 

 all, like alcohol, excite, and thereby weaken the nervous system, 

 and may therefore more properly be treated of in the chapter 

 on the causes of disease. 



Clothing, and that larger clothing, the shelter of our houses, 

 I have already alluded to. In our houses we want shelter from 

 cold, heat, high winds, and moisture a genial temperature, 

 absence ot damp, plenty of light, free ventilation, and all that 



