18 



(1.) How does it behave in the stomach and intestines? 



(2.) Is it easily digested? 



(3.) To what extent is it absorbed? 



Truly has it been said that 



WE LIVE, NOT BY WHAT WE EAT, BUT BY WHAT WE ABSORB. 



Chemical analysis may show a substance to contain just the right propor- 

 tions of protein, fat, or carbohydrates; it may yield a satisfactory degree of 

 energy in the process of slow combustion ; but, unless it is easy of digestion 

 and unless its nutritive constituents can be absorbed by the blood, it is valueless 

 as food. 



SAWDUST, PETROLEUM, HOOF-PARINGS, 



for example, can pass the first and second tests triumphantly ; but they fail 

 to fulfil either requirement of the third they can neither be digested nor 

 absorbed. 



What is the distinction, you will inquire, between these two 



PROCESSES OF DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION? 



In the first place the digestion of food must precede its absorption. The 



several stages of digestion may be roughly outlined as follows; they are far 



too complicated and elaborate to be described in detail in popular language: 



(a.) The selection of suitable food in market or store. Dirty, stale, 



diseased, bruised, or " sophisticated " foodstuffs should be rejected, 

 (ft.) The proper preparation of the chosen food in the kitchen, either by 



cleansing, manipulation, or the application of heat. (See Bulletin 



36.) 

 (c.) Thorough mastication of the food by the teeth; process of crushing 



and grinding, by which nutritive constituents are set free and large 



surfaces are formed, upon which the digestive secretions may act. 



To " bolt " food is to remain unfed and cruelly to irritate the organs 



of digestion. 

 (d.) The swallowing of the food and the passing of it on to organs and 



secretions thenceforth beyond our control, but the efficiency of which 



are much influenced by a process entirely under our control namely, 



sufficiently prolonged mastication. 

 Every one ought to know that 



PROPERLY CHEWED FOOD 



stimulates the stomach to perform its part efficiently in this marvellous 

 process of digestion. Similarly, while the stomach is accomplishing its own 

 task in masterly fashion, it incites the intestines and pancreas (sweetbread) 

 to an equally high standard of performance. If 



THE WHOLE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 



is to be perfectly carried out, no detail must be slurred over or omitted, other- 

 wise the succeeding stage of nutrition cannot be successfully accomplished. 

 Fortunately, therefore, Nature has kept the greater part of the prolonged 

 process of digestion in her own hands. Were it entrusted to us it would not 

 be half as well performed ; indeed, just as soon as we concentrate our attention 

 upon one or other stage of the journey taken by our food through our bodies, 

 just so soon is the stage interrupted and all sorts of accidents occur. 



