CHAPTER XXIII 

 THE CONTROL OF HEALTH 



Personal Hygiene. As one's usefulness in the world 

 depends directly on the quantity and quality of mental and 

 physical energy he has to spend, it is necessary to know the 

 important factors which contribute to personal health and 

 efficiency such as in food, exercise, sleep, etc. We cannot 

 exercise too great care in the selection, preparation and eating 

 of our food, or we shall yet condemn ourselves to ill-health by 

 our unwisdom. 



Foods. Our food should be selected with reference to a 

 proper balance of elements as outlined in Chapter III. Pro- 

 teids, carbohydrates, and fats are all vitally necessary, as well 

 as certain constituents (vitamines) found in vegetables and 

 milk. The action of vitamines is not yet thoroughly under- 

 stood, but it is known they play a very important role. 



Excess of any food qualities to the exclusion of others will 

 finally, though not immediately, reduce the body to weakness; 

 this must never be forgotten. 



Constipation, or the failure of food materials to be steadily 

 carried through the digestive tube, results in abnormal decom- 

 position and the formation of poisons which, absorbed, cir- 

 culate through and injure the whole body. This condition 

 can be avoided in most cases (a) by the use of coarse breads, 

 bran, graham, and the like; (6) by the use of leafy vegetables, 

 the larger part of which are never absorbed but become a 

 ''roughage" which, in contact with the intestinal wall, pro- 

 vokes peristalsis; (c) by the right use of fats and oils; (d) by 

 the use of fruits. The old saying, " An apple a day keeps the 



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