r66 THE VITAL PROCESSES 



used, so as to give it time to cool, settle, and replace the ait 

 driven off by the boiling. 



Care of the Bowels. In considering the hygiene of 

 the alimentary canal, the fact that it is used as a means 

 of separating the impurities from the body must not be 

 overlooked. Frequently, through lack of exercise, negli- 

 gence in evacuating the bowels, or other causes, a weak- 

 ened condition of the canal is induced which results in the 

 retention of impurities beyond the time when they should 

 be discharged. This is a great annoyance and at the same 

 time a menace to the health. 



In most cases this condition can be relieved, and pre- 

 vented from recurring, by observing the following habits : 

 i. Have a regular time each day for evacuating the bowels. 

 This is a most important factor in securing the necessary 

 movements. 2. Drink a cup of cold water on rising in the 

 morning and on retiring at night. 3. Eat generously of 

 fruits and other coarse foods, such as corn bread, oatmeal, 

 hominy, cabbage, etc. 4. Practice persistently such exer- 

 cises as bring the abdominal muscles into play. These 

 exercises strengthen indirectly the muscles of the canal. 

 5. Avoid overwork, especially of the nervous system. 



Alcohol and Digestion. Though exciting temporarily a 

 greater flow of the digestive fluids, alcoholic drinks taken 

 in any but very small quantities are considered detrimental 

 to the work of digestion. Large doses retard the action 

 of enzymes, inflame the mucous lining of the stomach, 1 and 



1 Dr. William Beaumont, an American surgeon of the last century, made a series 

 of observations upon a human stomach (that of Alexis St. Martin) having an arti- 

 ficial opening, the result of a gunshot wound. Much of our knowledge of the 

 digestion of different foods was obtained through these observations. In spite of 

 the protests of his physician, St. Martin would occasionally indulge in strong drink 

 and always with the same result the lining of the stomach became much inflamed 

 and very sensitive.and the natural processes of digestion were temporarily suspended. 



