2 It) HANDBOOK OF PHYSIOLOGY. 



F. (3 C.), instead of 1 or 2 F. (.5 to 1 C.), as in health. But a. 

 short time before death, the temperature fell very rapidly, and death 

 ensued when the loss had amounted to about 30 F. (16.2 C.). It has 

 been often said, and with truth, although the statement requires some 

 qualification, that death by starvation is really death by cold ; for not 

 only has it been found that difference of time with regard to the period 

 of the fatal result are attended by the same ultimate loss of heat, but 

 the effect of the application of external warmth to animals cold, and dy- 

 ing from starvation, is more effectual in reviving them than the admin- 

 istration of food. In other words, an animal exhausted by deprivation 

 of nourishment is unable so to digest food as to use it a? fuel, and there- 

 fore is dependent for heat on its supply from without. 



(3.) The symptoms produced by starvation in the human subject are 

 hunger, accompanied, or it may be replaced, by pain, referred to the 

 region of the stomach ; insatiable thirst ; sleeplessness ; general weak- 

 ness and emaciation. The exhalations both from the lungs and skin are 

 foetid, indicating the tendency to decomposition which belongs to badly- 

 nourished tissues ; and death occurs, sometimes after the additional ex- 

 haustion caused by diarrhoea, often with symptoms of nervous disorder, 

 delirium or convulsions. 



(4.) In the human subject death commonly occurs within six to ten 

 days after total deprivation of food. But this period may be consider- 

 ably prolonged by taking a very small quantity of food, or even water 

 only. The cases so frequently related of survival after many days, or 

 even some weeks, of abstinence, have been due either to the last-men- 

 tioned circumstances, or to others no less effectual, which prevented the 

 loss of heat and moisture. Cases in which life has continued after total 

 abstinence from food and drink for many weeks, or months, exist only 

 in the imagination of the vulgar. 



(5. ) The appearances presented after death from starvation are those 

 of general wasting and bloodlessness, the latter condition being least no- 

 ticeable in the brain. The stomach and intestines are empty and con- 

 tracted, and the walls of the latter appear remarkably thinned and 

 almost transparent. The various secretions are scanty or absent, with 

 the exception of the bile, which, somewhat concentrated, usually fills 

 the gall-bladder. All parts of the body readily decompose. 



II. Effects of Improper Diet. 



Experiments on Feeding. Experiments illustrating the ill-effects 

 produced by feeding animals upon one or two alimentary substances only 

 have been often performed. 



Dogs were fed exclusively on sugar and distilled water. During the 

 first seven or eight days they were brisk and active, and took their food 



