HUNGER AND THIRST 139 



expressed by the sensation of hunger, when it relates to solid or semi- 

 solid matters, and of thirst, when it relates to water. 



HUNGER AND THIRST 



The term hunger may be applied to all degrees of that peculiar want 

 felt by the system, that leads to the ingestion of nutritive substances. 

 Its first manifestations are, perhaps, best expressed by the term "appetite " ; 

 a sensation by no means disagreeable, and one that may be excited by 

 the sight, smell, or even the recollection of savory articles, at times when 

 it does not depend on a want in the system. In the ordinary and moder- 

 ate development of appetite for food, it is impossible to say that the 

 sensation is referable to any distinct part or organ. It is influenced in 

 some degree by habit ; in many persons, the feeling being experienced 

 at or near the hours when food ordinarily is taken. If not gratified, the 

 appetite is rapidly intensified until it becomes actual hunger. Except 

 when the quantity of food taken is unnecessarily large, the appetite 

 simply disappears on the introduction of food into the stomach, and gives 

 place to the sense of satisfaction that accompanies the undisturbed and 

 normal action of the digestive organs. 



It has been observed that children and old persons do not endure 

 deprivation of food so well as adults. This was noted in the case of the 

 wreck of the frigate Medtisa. After the wreck, one hundred and fifty 

 persons, of all ages, were exposed on a raft for thirteen days, with hardly 

 any food. Out of this number only fifteen survived ; and the children, 

 the young persons and the aged were the first to succumb. 



In cold climates and during the winter season in temperate climates, 

 the desire for food is notably increased and the tastes are somewhat modi- 

 fied. Animal food, particularly fats, are more agreeable at that time, 

 and the quantity of nutriment demanded by the system is considerably 

 increased. In many persons the difference in the appetite in warm and 

 in cold seasons is very marked. . 



If food is not taken in obedience to the demands of the system as 

 expressed by the appetite, the sensation of hunger becomes most distress- 

 ing. It is then manifested by a peculiar and indescribable sensation in 

 the stomach, which soon becomes developed into actual pain. This 

 usually is accompanied with intense pain in the head and a feeling of 

 general distress, which soon render the satisfaction of this imperative de- 

 mand on the part of the system the absorbing idea of existence. Furious 

 delirium frequently supervenes after a few days of complete abstinence ; 

 and this usually is the immediate precursor of death. It is unnecessary 

 to cite the many instances in which murder and cannibalism have been 



