FOODS AND DIETETICS. 8 1 



mental exertion. Coffee increases the action of the intestinal glands and acts 

 as a laxative. After absorption, its active principle, caffein, stimulates the 

 action of the heart, raises the arterial pressure, and excites the action of the 

 brain. Tea acts as an astringent, owing to the tannic acid it contains. One 

 effect of the tannic acid is to coagulate the digestive ferments and to interfere 

 with the activity of the digestive process. 



Alcohol, when introduced into the system in small quantities, undergoes 

 oxidation and contributes to the production of force, and is thus far a food. 

 It excites the gastric glands to increased secretion, improves the digestion, 

 accelerates the action of the heart, and stimulates the activities of the nerve 

 centers. In zymotic diseases, and in all cases of depression of the vital 

 powers, it is most useful as a restorative agent. When taken in excessive 

 quantities, it is eliminated by the lungs and kidneys. The metamorphosis of 

 the tissue is retarded, the elimination of urea and carbonic acid is lessened, 

 the temperature is lowered, the muscular powers are impaired, and the resist- 

 ance to depressing external influences is diminished. When taken through- 

 out a long period of time, alcohol impairs digestion, produces gastric catarrh, 

 and disorders the secreting power bf the hepatic cells. It also diminishes the 

 muscular power and destroys the structure and composition of the cells of the 

 brain and spinal cord. The connective tissue of the body increases in amount, 

 and, subsequently contracting, gives rise to sclerosis. 



A proper combination of various alimentary principles is essential for 

 healthy nutrition, no one class being capable of maintaining life for any 

 definite length of time. 



The protein food in excess promotes the arthritic diathesis, manifesting 

 itself as gout, gravel, etc. 



The oleaginous food in excess gives rise to the bilious diathesis, while a 

 deficiency of it promotes the scrofulous. 



The farinaceous food when long continued in excess, favors the rheumatic 

 diathesis by the development of lactic acid. 



The quantities of the different nutritive materials which are required 

 daily for the growth and repair of the tissues and for the evolution of heat 

 have been variously estimated by different observers. The following table 

 shows the average diet scale of Vierordt, and the amount of waste products to 

 which it would give rise: 



