For the masses in all lands the usual diet is still mainly of foods locally and inexpensively produced. Transported or expensive foods become available only with increasing prosperity. Consumption of these is therefore an index of this.

Meat, the most costly of common foods, has become more widespread in its use, though the amount eaten is somewhat controlled by climate, and its use by individuals is decreased where diet is directed by science. By workers as a class it is needed in larger quantity than by others, whose building food may come somewhat more largely from other protein foods.

Scientific investigation is showing the food-consumption of different nations.

Meat-Consumption (per Capita Annually) 1910-1913

Australia 250 1b.

United States 130 "

Germany 115 "

England 105 "

Belgium and Holland 75 lb. France 74 "

Austria-Hungary 64 "

Spain 49 lb. Russia 48 " Italy 23 "

In Germany over three times as much meat is now eaten as a century ago; then it was little more than in Italy now.

German Meat-Consumption 1816-1907

Meat Consumed By Workers And Others (Per Capita Yearly)

Artisans 44.8 kilos.

Laborers 16.5 ".

(farm and day).

Middle class.

Lower 15 kilos Upper 10.5 ".

Higher class 12 kilos [kilo = 2.2 lb].

(All data from Professor Max Rubner's "Changes in the Food of the Masses.").

Similar studies for other nations have not been made so complete as this on meat-consumption.

Fatigue - Rest Body As A Chemical Laboratory. Fatigue

Work performed by any one of the body-cells produces waste products and other changes in the cells. Up to a certain limit, work, with the resulting changes in the cells, is beneficial and improves the physical condition of the cells, but when the work is excessive, too prolonged, or too fast, waste products begin to accumulate, the cells become exhausted, the proper changes fail, and if the cells are not properly rested, damage results. If the work is continued without proper rest, early breaking down and failure of the individual to perform his task are the final results. - B. S. Warren in Public-Health Report.

Rest in its effect upon the body has been experimentally studied by science. At the end of a week of monotonous work the reactions of the body are distinctly more sluggish than at the beginning, after a day of change. The sensitiveness and elasticity of the body as well as its energy are thus revived. One day of rest in seven science considers needed for preservation of body-elasticity and recuperative power. Recreation, not inactivity, is the body's weekly rest-need. The body that does not change its activity not only loses its power to change but also wears out soon.

Further study is being made of different daily activities to ascertain the hours of work propitious for health; also to what kinds of recreation the body makes the fullest wholesome response.

It has long been known that eight to nine hours of sleep are required daily to give the adult body healthful activity in its living-processes.

The body is a great chemical laboratory which is constantly dealing with a variety of chemical compounds, and the processes are of a complex and unique nature. . . . The proteins, the carbohydrates, fats, etc. have to undergo many changes in the course of their amalgamation with the tissues of the body. They are ultimately subjected to regressive (disintegrating) processes and are eliminated from the body in the form of relatively simple compounds, such as carbonic acid, urea, and uric acid. This long series of physiologic changes, with the intermediate products, is at present only known to us in part. . . . This chain of events may result in the production not only of useful and indifferent substances but also of injurious and toxic bodies; while any check to the normal processes of elimination may lead to an accumulation in the system of normal waste products and a consequent intoxication (poisoning). - Allan Macfadyen in Clinical Journal.