194 



THE VITAL PROCESSES 



from the union of oxygen and food materials at the cells, 

 a lack of either of these will interfere with the production 

 of heat. 



Results of Exhaustion. Through overwork, or excesses 

 in pleasurable pursuits, one may make greater demands 

 upon the energy of his body than it can properly supply. 

 The resulting condition, known as exhaustion, is not only 

 a matter of temporary inconvenience, but may through 

 repetition lead to a serious impairment of the health. It 

 should be noted, in this connection, that the energy of the 

 body is spent in two general ways : first, in carrying on the 

 vital processes ; and second, in the performance of vol- 

 untary activities. Since, in all cases, there is a limit to 

 one's energy, it is easily possible to expend so much in the 

 voluntary activities that the amount left is not sufficient for 

 the vital processes. This leads to various disturbances and, 

 among other things, renders the body less able to supply 

 itself with energy. 



The Problem of Increasing One's Energy. Since the 

 energy supply is kept up through the food and the oxygen, 

 it might be inferred that the introduction of these sub- 

 stances into the body in larger amounts would increase the 

 energy at one's disposal. This does not necessarily follow. 

 Oxidation at the cells is preceded by digestion, absorption, 

 circulation, and assimilation. It is followed and influenced 

 by the removal of wastes from the body. A careful study 

 of the problem leads to the conclusion that while the 

 energy supply to the body does depend upon the intro- 

 duction of the proper amounts of food and oxygen, it also 

 depends upon the efficiency of the vital processes. The 

 maximum amount of energy may, therefore, be expected 

 when the body is in a condition of perfect health. Hence, 

 one desiring to increase the amount of his energy must 



