The generous diet of adolescence, even of those who undertake active muscular exercise, must, however, be watched with care. The recurrent bilious attack, the frequent headache or migraine, or an increasing deposit of fat, show that the supply of food is greater than the demands of the body require, and must be decreased if health is to be maintained.

"I can accustom my body to ring alarums for food whenever I choose," said the wise Locke; and the regular recurrence of appetite at certain intervals and hours is no certain sign, in such an automatic organ as the stomach, that food is absolutely required by the body. In a very few days a healthy person can easily accustom himself to get hungry at any hour of the day he chooses, or which is convenient for meals.

The Diet Of The Sedentary

If, however, an abundant dietary is dangerous, unless carefully watched by those who take daily active muscular exercise, it is more than dangerous, it is disastrous, to those who lead sedentary lives, or who are brain-workers. The great majority of our adult middle-class population in cities lead sedentary lives; and it may be said unhesitatingly that they, as a rule, consume far too much albuminous food, butcher's meat in particular. The albuminoids of the food, being not fully oxidised in the body by muscular exercise, remain as effete products, and ultimately give rise to dyspepsia, liver complaints, gout, and Bright's disease.