described in previous
paragraphs.

_Observation._ When taking care of a sick child, the anxiety of the
mother and the sufferings of the child may induce her to give food
when it would be highly injurious. The attending physician is the only
proper person to direct what quantity should be given.

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Why do we eat more in the winter than in the summer? What practical
observation is given? 282. Why should the quantity of food be lessened
as warm weather commences? What would be avoided if this principle
were obeyed? 283. Why should the present condition of the digestive
organs be regarded in reference to the quantity of food? Mention an
instance in which it would be injudicious to give food.

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284. _The quantity of food is modified, in some degree, by habit._ A
healthy person, whose exercise is in pure air, may be accustomed to
take more food than is necessary. The useless excess is removed from
the system by the waste outlets, as the skin, lungs, liver, kidneys,
&c. In such cases, if food is not taken in the usual quantity, there
will be a feeling of emptiness, if not of hunger, from the want of the
usual distention of the stomach. This condition of the digestive
organs may be the result of disease, but it is more frequently
produced by inordinate daily indulgence in eating, amounting almost to
gluttony.

285. _Large quantities of food oppress the stomach, and cause general
languor of the whole body._ This is produced by the extra demands made
on the system for an increased supply of blood and nervous fluid to
enable the stomach to free itself of its burden. Thus, when we intend
to make any extraordinary effort, mental or physical, at least for one
meal, we should eat less food than usual, rather than a greater
quantity.

286. _No more food should be eaten than is barely sufficient to
satisfy the appetite._ Nor should appetite be confounded with taste.
The one is a natural desire for food to supply the wants of the
system; the other is an artificial desire merely to gratify the
palate.

287. Although many things may aid us in determining the quantity of
food proper for an individual, yet there is no certain guide in all
cases. It is maintained by some, that the sensation of hunger or
appetite is always an indication of the want of food, while the
absence of this peculiar sensation is regarded as conclusive evidence
that aliment is not demanded. This assertio