Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1901 — [?] WE HUNGER AND THIRS [ARTICLE]

[?] WE HUNGER AND THIRS

Ik* Modern Sensation Different Tr—| the Primitive Instinct. Scientists have decided that the sensations popularly called “feeling Jhangry” or “thirsty” are, in modern civilized communities, something entirely different from the primitive instinct of animal life, depending primarily on the condition of the blood, which is indicated in the desire for food, air, and water. That the urgent need of the body for food and water and the occurrence of these specific sensations are not absolutely interdependent, may be demonstrated by temporarily removing the sensation without supplying the craved substance. A piece of sponge introduced into the stomach will remove the sensation of hunger for a time, as will also the simple tightening of the belt. The practice, too, of certain South American Indians of chewing coca leaves for deadening the sense of hunger is well known. A great deal of ordinary drinking is the result of artificial rather than real thirst The true thirst for water depends essentially on the state of the tissues and blood, of which it forms a very large part In actual bulk. The specific sensation of thirst however, is usually due to a roughness or dryness, or congestion of the mucous membranes of the back of the mouth and throat. This may be produced in an artificial degree by a number of local conditions quite independent of the real needs of the tissues and blood. It may come, for instance, from moutb breathing, from excessive smoking, or from eating a large and indigestible meal. So that really the actual sensation of thirst Is not by any means always an indication of the real bodily need for fluids. It is well to remember that one should not drink copiously ut meals, or imbibe very cold water when greatly heated. Firstly, because the subsequent reaction stimulates further thirst, and, secondly, because the excessive coldness may increase the general dryness of the tissues by stimulating perspiration. It is recommended that for all conditions of “throat thirst” one should sip warm water, suck a pebble, take acid fruit or oatmeal water, in preference to drinking copiously of 'old fluids. It has been estimated that in the tropics, when the thermometer ranges for so great a part of the day at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and over, a man requires about a gallon and a half of water a day.— Chicago Record.