FOOD AND DRINK 93 



last much longer there being cases recorded where men have 

 lived twenty days and over without taking any solid food. 

 (Bead Note 2.) 



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 sed- 

 entary. 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 proportions : 

 the mineral kingdom furnishes three and one-half pounds, in- 

 cluding water and salt ; the vegetable kingdom, one and one- 

 half pounds, including bread, vegetables, and fruits; the 

 animal kingdom, one pound, comprising meat, eggs, butter, and 

 the like. This quantity is about one twenty-fourth the weight 



2. Hunger and Thirst. " We none of us object to a sharp-set appe- 

 tite ; that is 'by no means unpleasant, especially when there is food at 

 hand ; but if this is not the case, it soon becomes a craving passion a 

 strong impelling power. The cravings of hunger have done much for this 

 world; 'look where we^may, we see it as the motive power which sets 

 the vast array of human machinery in action. ' Hunger is also the incen- 

 tive which directs our attention to the system's need for food, and if it 

 be sharp enough the most loathsome substances are greedily devoured. 

 By it has man, and civilized man, too, been driven to feed upon the 

 putrid corpse of his comrade. Hunger is one of the great forces in action 

 in the preservation of the life of the individual ; and the fear of it is one 

 of the strongest incentives to action. But the pangs of hunger are toler- 

 able in comparison with the tortures of raging thirst. In fact, so terrible 

 are the latter that they form one of the cruelest tortures which man can 

 inflict on -man; so cruel a torture, indeed, that it has rarely been used, 

 except in cases of bitter personal animosity, by others than brutal Eastern 

 tyrants, or bigots under the influence of religious fanaticism." Fother- 

 gill on the Maintenance of Health. 



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

 climates? Habits? 



fi. Quantity of food daily ? How divided ? Compare with the weight of the body. _ 



