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Chapter III: Water-Drinking.2103
Chapter III: Water-Drinking.
In the preceding chapter, we called your attention to the important part
played by water in the physiological processes of the human system. We
showed you that eighty per cent of the human body is composed of water,
and that the work of the system depends largely upon water. We showed you
that the healthy human being passes off in the shape of urine, perspiration
etc., over two quarts of water every twenty-four hours. Now stop at this
point and consider a moment. Over two quarts of water passed off every
day—then where does it all come from? A portion comes from the liquid
parts of the foods we eat, but the greater part must be placed in the system
by means of water which we drink, else Nature is compelled to draw upon
the fluids of the system for the deficiency, or else go on short allowance. If
she draws on the fluids of the system, of which she has such a great store,
the result is that sooner or later the body will become thin, and dried, and
the person will lack sufficient blood and the other juices and fluids of the
system—this is a logical necessity, for if the reserve is drawn upon, and is
not replenished in like quantity a shortage must occur. But Nature generally
compromises, and rather than deplete the body entirely of its reserve fluids,
she compels the system to work on short allowance, and the result being
that improper and abnormal functioning follows, and the patient suffers