130 DIGESTION 



is the case the digestion and absorption is continued in the 

 large intestine until finally the residue is collected in the 

 rectum and then passed out of the body. There are no 

 distinctive enzymes secreted by the glands of the large 

 intestine, and what little digestion goes on there is due either 

 to secretions which pass through from the small intestine 

 or to bacteria. These bacteria induce fermentation, and 

 cause the putrefaction of certain parts of the fseces. The 

 principal function of the large intestine, therefore, is the 

 removal of indigestible material from the body. In case 

 of over-feeding the fseces will contain more or less nutrient 

 matter which the small intestine was imable to digest and 

 absorb. 



Alcohol ajstd Digestion. 



Alcohol, in small amounts, stimulates the flow of gastric 

 juice and sahva, and this increased flow is accompanied 

 by an increase in the enzyme and hydrochloric acid con- 

 tent of these juices. Furthermore, wheij taken in small 

 quantities, it is itself very quickly absorbed by the blood 

 vessels. Hence, the amount which remains in the stomach 

 at any given time is entirely insufficient to interfere with 

 the action of the digestive fluid upon the nutrients. From 

 these statements, then, it would appear that digestion 

 is aided by the use of small quantities of alcohol. 

 Wherein lies the danger? Aside from the danger of habit 

 forming, which is great and in itself sufficient reason for 

 avoidance of the use of alcohol, the fact that this flow of 

 juices is due to unnatural stimulation is the dangerous 

 feature of its use. 



Natural foods stimulate the flow only to the extent 



