in the stomach, causing
indigestion and other disorders. It should be noted, however, that the
overlapping may be due to overeating as well as to eating too frequently.

*Dangers from Impure Food.*--Food is frequently the carrier of disease
germs and for this reason requires close inspection (page 128). Typhoid
fever, a most dangerous disease, is usually contracted through either
impure food or impure water (Chapter XXIII). One safeguard against disease
germs, as stated above, is thorough cooking. Too much care cannot be
exercised with reference to the water for drinking purposes. Water which
is not perfectly clear, which smells of decaying material, or which forms
a sediment on standing is usually not fit to drink. It can, however, be
rendered comparatively harmless by boiling. The objections which many
people have to drinking boiled water are removed when it is boiled the day
before it is used, so as to give it time to cool, settle, and replace the
air driven off by the boiling.

*Care of the Bowels.*--In considering the hygiene of the alimentary canal,
the fact that it is used as a means of separating the impurities from the
body must not be overlooked. Frequently, through lack of exercise,
negligence in evacuating the bowels, or other causes, a weakened condition
of the canal is induced which results in the retention of impurities
beyond the time when they should be discharged. This is a great annoyance
and at the same time a menace to the health.

In most cases this condition can be relieved, and prevented from
recurring, by observing the following habits: 1. Have a regular time each
day for evacuating the bowels. This is a most important factor in securing
the necessary movements. 2. Drink a cup of cold water on rising in the
morning and on retiring at night. 3. Eat generously of fruits and other
coarse foods, such as corn bread, oatmeal, hominy, cabbage, etc. 4.
Practice persistently such exercises as bring the abdominal muscles into
play. These exercises strengthen indirectly the muscles of the canal. 5.
Avoid overwork, especially of the nervous system.

*Alcohol and Digestion.*--Though exciting temporarily a greater flow of the
digestive fluids, alcoholic drinks taken in any but very small quantities
are considered detrimental to the work of digestion. Large doses retard
the action of enzymes, inflame the mucous lining of the stomach,(65) and
bring about a diseased condition of the liver. It may be noted, how