SCIENCE OF COMMON THINGS. 2S9 



Starvation and its effects. Food the fuel of the body. 



16OS Why does inhaling air rapidly make the body feel warm? 



Because more oxygen is introduced into the body ; 

 in consequence of which the combustion of the blood is 

 more rapid, the blood itself more heated, and every 

 part of the body is made warmer. 



16O3 When a man is starved what part of the body goes first f 



First the fat, because it is the most combustible ; 

 then, the muscles ; last of all, the brain ; and then the 

 man dies, like a candle which is burnt out. 



1QO4 Why does a man shrink when starved f 



Because the capillary fires feed upon the human 

 body when they are not supplied with food-fuel. A 

 starved man shrinks just as a fire does when it is not 

 supplied with fuel. 



1BO5 What is fuel of the body f 



Food is the fuel of the ~body. The carbon of the 

 food, mixed with the oxygen of the air, evolves heat 

 in the same way that a fire or candle does. 



16O0 Why does hard work produce hunger f 



Because it produces quicker respiration ; by^ which 

 means a larger amount of oxygen is introduced into the 

 lungs, and the capillary combustion increased. Hun- 

 ger is the notice (given by our body) to remind us that 

 our food-fuel must be replenished. 



16O7" Why do persons feel lazy and averse to exercise when they are 

 half-starved or ill fed f 



Because desire for muscular action ceases when the 

 body is not supplied with nutritious food. 



ISO 8 Why do we like strong meat and greasy food when the weather 

 is very cold ? 



Because strong meat and grease contain large pro- 

 portions of carbon and hydrogen, which (when burned 

 in the blood) produce a larger amount of heat than any 

 other kind of food. 



1SO0 Why are the Esquimaux so passionately fond of train oil and 

 whale blubber f 



Because oil and blubber contain large quantities of 

 carbon and hydrogen, which are exceedingly combus- 



