SENSE OF HUNGER AND SATIETY. 275 



great part at least, upon the condition of the stomach, yet it is also in- 

 dicative of the condition of the general system ; being extremely strong, 

 when the body has undergone an unusual waste without a due supply of 

 food, even though the stomach be in a state of distention * whilst it is 

 not experienced, if, through the general inactivity of the system, the 

 last supply has not been exhausted, even though the stomach has been 

 long empty. It is well known that, when food is deficient, the attempt 

 to allay the pangs of hunger by filling the stomach with non-nutritious 

 substances, is only temporarily successful ; the feeling soon returning 

 with increased violence, though it has received a temporary check. 

 The reason for this is obviously, that the general system has received 

 no satisfaction, although the stomach has been caused to secrete gastric 

 fluid by the contact of solid matter with its walls ; so that although the 

 state on which hunger immediately depends, has been for a time relieved, 

 this state is soon renewed, unless the solid matter introduced into the 

 stomach be of an alimentary character, and be dissolved and carried 

 into the system. 



485. When the food is nutritious in its character, but of small bulk, 

 experience has shown the advantage of mixing it with noil-nutritious 

 substances, in order to give it bulk and solidity ; for if this be not done, 

 it does not exert its due stimulating influence upon the stomach ; the 

 gastric juice is not poured forth in proper quantity ; and the result is, 

 that neither is the sense of hunger relieved, nor are the wants of the 

 body satisfied. Thus the Kamschatdales are in the habit of mixing 

 earth or sawdust with the train-oil, on which alone they are frequently 

 reduced to live. The Yeddahs or wild hunters of Ceylon, on the same 

 principle, mingle the pounded fibres of soft and decayed wood with the 

 honey on which they feed when meat is not to be had ; and on one of 

 them being asked the reason of the practice, he replied, " I cannot tell 

 you, but I know that the belly must be filled." It has been found that 

 soups and fluid diet are not more readily converted into chyme than 

 solid aliment, and are not alone fit for the support of the body in health ; 

 and it is often to be observed, in disordered states of the stomach, that 

 it can retain a small quantity of easily digested solid food, when a thin 

 broth would be rejected. 



486. The sense of Satiety is the opposite of Hunger ; and like it, 

 depends on two sets of conditions, the state of the stomach, and that 

 of the. general system. It is produced in the first instance by the 

 ingestion of solid matter into the stomach, which gpes rise to the feel- 

 ing of fulness ; but this is only a part of the sensation which ought to 

 be experienced ; and it is only when the act of digestion is being duly 

 performed, and nutritive matter is being absorbed into the vessels, that 

 the peculiar feeling of satisfaction is excited, which indicates that the 

 wants of the system at large are being supplied. It has been very 

 justly remarked by Dr. Beaumont, that the cessation of the demand 

 set up by the system, rather than the positive feeling of satiety, should 

 be the guide in regulating the quantity of food taken into the stomach. 

 The sense of satiety is beyond the point of healthful indulgence ; and is 

 Nature's earliest indication of an abuse and overburden of her powers 



