CHAPTER XXXII 

 DIGESTION AND HEALTH 



If cared for and properly used, most modern machinery 

 lasts a long time. But carelessness, overtaxing, or un- 

 skilled running shortens its life and may wreck it. 



One who knows simply how a machine is constructed 

 and how it works is not an engineer. The skilled engineer 

 draws the most energy from his engine with the least 

 strain. He demands no more of it than it is fitted to give 

 and he knows how to handle it to meet different conditions. 



We are the engineers of our bodily machinery. Each 

 part of this intricate machine of ours is intended to have a 

 long life, if properly used. It is not enough for us simply 

 to know how a part works. We must learn how to care 

 for it and how to run it without strain or abuse so that it 

 may produce the energy we need. Why not be better 

 engineers of our human machine? 



Habits Affecting Digestion. It is true that much dis- 

 comfort is caused by improper methods of eating, and that the 

 observance of a few simple rules would help people to avoid some 

 of the ills that they suffer. Since the food, once swallowed, is 

 practically beyond control, it would seem wise to give due atten- 

 tion to those habits in regard to digestion that we can easily modify. 

 Among these habits are intemperate eating, insufficient chewing 

 of the food, eating between meals, lack of a properly rested 

 body and a cheerful state of mind at meal time, violent exercise 

 or hard study just after eating, lack of proper care of the mouth 

 and teeth and of due attention to regularity of excretion of waste 

 from the intestines. 



Intemperate Eating. It does not always occur to people 

 that there can be intemperance in eating as well as in drinking. 

 The habit of overeating is harmful. Some of the food fails to 

 digest and toxins, or poisons, are formed in the intestine, which, 

 when absorbed, affect the nervous system unfavorably. People 



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