HYGIENIC HABITS OF EATING 159 



Large Intestine. — The large intestine has somewhat the same 

 structure as the small intestine, except that it lacks the vilU and 

 has a greater diameter. Considerable absorption, however, takes 

 place through its walls as the mass of food and refuse material is 

 slowly pushed along by the peristaltic movements of the muscles 

 within its walls. 



Vermiform Appendix. — At the point where the smaU intestine 

 widens to form the large intestine, a baglike pouch is formed. 

 From one side of this pouch is given off a small tube, usually about 

 four inches long, closed at the lower end. This tube, the rudiment 

 of what is an important part of the food tube in the lower verte- 

 brates, is called the vermiform appendix. It has come to have un- 

 pleasant notoriety, as the site of many cases of serious inflammation. 



Constipation. — In the large intestine live billions of bacteria, 

 some of which make and give off poisonous substances known as 

 toxins. These substances are easily absorbed through the walls 

 of the large intestine, and, when they pass into the blood, cause 

 headaches and sometimes serious trouble. Hence it follows that 

 the lower bowel should be emptied of this matter as frequently as 

 possible, at least once a day. Constipation is one of the most 

 serious evils the American people have to deal with, and it is 

 largely brought about by the artificial life we lead, with its wrong 

 kinds of food and its lack of exercise, fresh air, and sleep. Fruit 

 with meals, especially at breakfast, plenty of water between meals 

 and before breakfast, and plenty of fresh vegetables and cereals 

 to supply the roughage or waste material sufficient to stimulate 

 the muscles of the lower bowel, all will aid in preventing consti- 

 pation. Exercise, particularly of the abdominal muscles, and 

 regular toilet habits will also help to correct this evil. 



Hygienic Habits of Eating ; the Causes and Prevention of Dys- 

 pepsia. — From the contents of this chapter it is evident that 

 the object of the process of digestion is to break up solid food 

 so that it may be absorbed to form part of the blood. Any habits 

 we may form of thoroughly chewing our food will evidently 

 aid digestion. The smaller the pieces of food the more surface 

 will be presented to the digestive fluids containing the enzymes 

 and the more complete will be the digestion. Undoubtedly much 

 of the distress known as dyspepsia is due to hasty meals with 



