THE CHEMISTRY OF FOOD 81 



11. How does this substance find its way into the body? 

 Meat, milk, and other articles obtained from the animal king- 

 dom contain it, and it is abundantly stored away also in the 

 grains from which our bread is made in wheat, rye, and 

 Indian corn. In early life, while the body is growing, the 

 supplies of this substance should be carefully provided. The 

 evil effects of the deprivation of it are too often and painfully 

 evident in the softening of the bones, and in the predisposition 

 to curvature of the spine deformities which are most deplor- 

 able and which continue through life. 



12. Iron. This substance is probably the most abundant 

 and widely diffused of the metals. It is found in most of 

 the vegetables, and is a very important component of animal 

 tissues. It enters into the composition of human blood in 

 about one part per thousand. Ordinarily, the food conveys to 

 the system enough iron for its use, but it must sometimes be 

 introduced separately as a remedy, especially after great loss 

 of blood, or after some wasting disease. Under its influence 

 the blood seems to be rapidly restored, and a natural color of 

 the lips and skin replaces the pallor caused by disease. 



13. Other Inorganic Substances. In addition to the sub- 

 stances mentioned, the mineral kingdom supplies compounds 

 of soda, potash, and magnesia, which are essential for the use 

 of the body. They occur in small quantities in the body, and 

 enter it in combination with the various articles of diet. 



14. Organic Substances. These substances are derived from 

 the vegetable and animal creations. They comprise all those 



their growth and the perfecting of their grains ; hence it is supplied 

 artificially by the farmer. A diet deficient in substances yielding the 

 phosphate of lime is injurious to man, and should be avoided. Its 

 presence in wheat-flour accounts in part for the fact that our ordinary 

 loaf of bread makes so good a * staff of life,' and that it is, and has been, 

 so widely used as an article of food by the strongest and most vigorous 

 races of mankind." Lankester's Manual. 



11. How does lime find its way into the body ? Early life? Effect of its deprivation ? 



12. Iron, its abundance and diffusion ? Where found ? What part of the blood is it f 

 How supplied to the system ? In case of loss of blood or wasting disease ? 



13. Soda, potash, and magnesia ? How do they occur ? 



14. Organic substances, whence derived ? What do they comprise ? Groups ? 



