78 LIVESTOCK ON THE FAIiM 



juice, etc. These, as well as water, take part in digestion, but 

 these alone, without water, will not digest the feeds. 



The digested feeds go out from the digestive tract into the 

 blood vessels. Here, by means of the blood, these materials 

 or digested food particles are carried to their destination. 

 Some of the material goes to the cells direct to be used while 

 the rest of it is taken to places of storage to be used between 

 meals. 



As a rule, a meal is digested in about two hours. During 

 this time the cells can be supplied direct. But at the same 

 time the balance of the meal which is sufficient to last till the 

 next period of intake, is stored. The liver is one of these 

 storage places. 



When to Drink. — The transportation work, or the carry- 

 ing of the digested food particles, is done by means of the 

 blood stream. The blood is largely water and is forced through 

 the tubes or blood vessels by means of a force pump, the heart. 

 The work of the heart is heavier at, and soon after, mealtime 

 than at any other time of the day. From this it is clearly 

 evident that water. has its greatest use in the body at and 

 soon after mealtime. Experimental evidence by competent 

 authority also shows that best results are possible when con- 

 siderable water is consumed at mealtime. In fact, with 

 many farm animals and with some men, all of the day's sup- 

 ply of water is consumed at mealtime. This is considered 

 by the author to be the best time to drink water. 



The food, however, should not be washed down by means of 

 the water. But the water should be taken at intervals during 

 the meal as well as immediately before and after the meal. 

 At times also, especially after big meals, it is advisable to 

 allow another drink an hour or two after eating. When water 

 is introduced into the stomach it sets the whole machinery of 

 digestion in motion. This then will complete the digestion 

 of the meal and allow the stomach to have a rest before the 

 next meal. 



From the foregoing can be seen what happens when water is 

 taken between meals. The digestive system will not get the 

 necessary rest. The stomach needs rest as Avell as any other 

 organ of the body. A man spends about one-third of his life 



