180 



HITCHCOCK'S ANATOMY 



to the digestion of animal or vegetable food, or. an admixture 

 of both. 



327. Conclusions. — The kind of food which is the most 

 perfectly adapted to the constitution of man, seems to be de- 

 termined by the following rules, based upon the temperature 

 of the climate, the habits or employments of life, and the 

 health of the individual. 



First. The lower the temperature the greater the amount 

 of animal heat necessary for the support of life, which re- 

 quires the fattest portions of the meat. 



Second. The more active the habits of the individual, and 

 the greater the amount of exposure in the open air, the greater 

 the demand for animal food. 



Third. If the system be suffering under inflammation of 

 any sort, or if there be any tendency to inflammation, animal 

 food should be used very sparingly, or entirely dispensed 

 w T ith. 



Fourth. That diet seems to be the most perfectly adapted 

 to the human constitution in all climates and seasons, which 

 is composed of animal and vegetable food in the proportion of 

 one to two, or one third by weight of animal food to two 

 thirds of vegetable food. This proportion is the basis of the 

 diet scales of the United States and British Navies. 



328. Use of the Lactenls. — The use of the Lacteals is to 

 absorb the Chyle or nutrient material from the contents of the 

 intestines, and .carry it into the general circulation. The 

 force by which this fluid is taken from the alimentary canal, 

 is by no means understood at present, unless it be capillary 

 xttraction. 



329. The Chyle. — The Chyle is a white liquid somewhat 

 thicker than milk, and is made up of a solution of albumen 

 containing minute globules, or cells, which are mostly spher- 



-S?7. What four conclusions are drawn from this whole subject of diet? 328. What is 

 thf function of the Lacteals? What is the force that circulates the Chyle? 329. De. 

 scribe the Chyle. 



