122 OUR BODIES AND HOW WE LIVE 



172. How much to eat. The quantity of food which is 

 needed to keep the body in good health varies greatly 

 according to circumstances. The greater the amount of 

 exercise, the more food is called for to supply the waste. 



During the time of growth, a still greater quantity is 

 needed to build up new tissues ; hence growing children 

 generally have a good appetite and a vigorous digestion. 

 This is often true of persons who are recovering from 

 some long and wasting sickness. 



The quantity of food also depends very much upon one's 

 business. Those who work hard and long need a goodly 

 amount of nutritious food. Those who work indoors can 

 get along with a smaller quantity. In cold weather, or in 

 cold climates, a greater quantity of food is necessary than 

 in warm weather or in a tropical climate. 



173. The 111 Effects of eating too much. An appetite 

 for plain, simple, well-cooked food is a safe guide to follow. 

 Every person in good health and with moderate exercise 

 should have a keen appetite for his food, and enjoy it. 



Young, growing, and vigorous persons should eat plain 

 food until the appetite is fully satisfied, provided they have 

 enough exercise, both mental and bodily. 



It is easy to know when we are eating too much. An 

 overworked stomach makes its condition known by a sense 

 of fullness, uneasiness, drowsiness after meals, and some- 

 times a real distress. 



is joined by the small intestine. It is a hollow tube about three or four 

 inches long, and about the thickness of a lead pencil. From a surgical 

 point of view, it is of great importance because it is subject to sudden 

 inflammation. In many cases an operation is necessary for the relief of the 

 patient. The great English surgeon, Treves, operated one thousand times 

 for appendicitis without the loss of a single patient. The use of antiseptics 

 in recent surgery has made such brilliant results possible (Fig. 79). 



