.

[151] "Food for the Sick," p. 62, by Strouse and Perry.

[152] Sweetened with saccharin.

[153] "Starvation Treatment of Diabetes," by Hill and Eckman.

[154] Courtesy of R. Eckman and D. M. Stewart, University of Michigan
Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

CHAPTER XXI

DISEASES OF THE LIVER

Much of the so-called biliousness from which the human family is so
prone to suffer is nothing more or less than one of Nature's danger
signals by means of which man may understand that some part of the
delicate organism called the human body is being overworked. Close
investigation of these conditions has proved that it is the liver
which has been overtaxed, in many cases to such an extent that in a
measure it slows down, as any overtaxed machine will do, and has
become clogged with material which, owing to its condition, it is not
able to prepare properly and send out on time.

~Work of the Liver.~--When one considers the vast amount of work
performed by this organ, one marvels that so little trouble is
manifested. In another part of this text the functions of the liver
were defined. It was found to be the largest secretory organ in the
body, producing a constant supply of bile by means of which the fats
were dissolved and the digestion and absorption of the other food
materials facilitated. We likewise found that the greater part of the
fuel foods was transformed within this organ into available energy,
either for immediate or future use.

~As a Detoxifying Agent.~--To the liver must also be credited the
detoxifying of the various poisons produced within the body during the
process of metabolism or brought in by way of food. Too much cannot be
said as to the value of the liver in this respect, the importance of
which is made known as soon as anything happens to the organ to put it
even temporarily out of commission.

~Causes of Liver Disorders.~--Is it any wonder, then, that with such
abuses as overeating and drinking, especially of those foods rich in
fats and carbohydrates which depend upon the liver for their
availability in the body, Nature cries aloud for help and for the
comparative rest of this, her largest organ?

The taking of alcohol in excess has been found to bring about tissue
changes in the liver. Hence it must be avoided by individuals with a
tendency to biliousness or to any disease in which the liver is
involved.

~The Bowels.~--The bowels are as a rule constipated, and one of the
first