Appetite is the most important factor in digestion (vide Pawlow).

Normal Appetite is indicated by a desire for some particular simple food accompanied by a "watering of the mouth".

False Appetite is a general discontent of the body, indefinite of description. It is often expressed by "all gone-ness," or stomach craving, and calls for somethings ANYTHING! to smother the discomfort of present or recent indigestion. It is like the thirst which follows a debauch.

Ignore False Appetite, and Wait for a Return of Normal Appetite. It will come as soon as body repairs have been effected by natural agencies and more material is required. No one was ever injured by intelligently and calmly waiting for an appetite. No one ever starved to death for lack of appetite. Most human ills come from forcing appetite, anticipating appetite, abuse of appetite in some form.

Appetite is the most important factor in nutrition. This estimation is based upon evidence given more fully in the various appendices, but the measure of its importance may be briefly stated, as follows: -

First

In its normal state, Appetite is a perfect indicator of the bodily need of nutriment and moisture, both as to quantity and as to the chemical elements required at the moment.

Second

Appetite is a creature of the mind and does not attach to a tissue. It can be as easily changed, from abnormal to normal, by suggestion, as can the mind itself, and is not like a solid, the form or habit of which has been set in a mould. Whoever has once experienced a bad oyster and has abhorred oysters ever after will substantiate this claim regarding the caprices of appetite.

Third

Appetite can be easily comprehended and read and the degrees of its satisfaction understood by simple attention and study for a brief period (vide Van Someren).

Fourth

Attention is necessary to create Appreciation, and appreciation is absolutely necessary to stimulate the secretion and flow of gastric and other digestive juices (vide Pawlow).

Fifth

Anger, or shock of any kind, and WORRY, or any of the pessimistic depressants, stop digestive activity and cause indigestion (vide Cannon).

Sixth

Menticulture should begin with its application to selection (through a normalised appetite) of nutriment for the body, and continue to aid digestion by right thinking. It is very easy to cultivate calm and fortify against surprise, shock, and anger if the nutrition of the body is carefully attended to. The physical and the mental equipments are beautifully reciprocal and necessary to each other in promoting MENTICULTURE.