The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-02-21
PHILOSOPHY OF STARVATION.


proper supply of oxygen we obtain the heat Civ.
en- out during the oxidation or combustion of that
fuel. In winter when we take exercise In cold
atmosphere, and when, consequently, the amount
OF inspired oxygen increases the necessity for food
containing carbon and hydrogen increases in the
same ratio and by gratifying the appetite thus ex
cited, VIC obtain the most efficient protection against
the most piercing cold. The oxygen taken into
the system given out again In the same form,
both in summer and winter. We expire more
carbon at low than at high temperature, and
require or less carbon in our food In the same
proportion and, consequently, more is respired in
Sweden than in Sicily; and in our own country an
eighth more in winter than in summer. Even il
an equal weight, of food is consumed in hot and
cold climates, Infinite Wisdom has ordained that
very unequal proportions of carbon shall be taken
in. The fruits used by the inhabitants of south
ern climes do not contain, in fresh state, more
than II per cent. of carbon, while the blubber and
train oil which feed the inhabitants of polar re
gions contain 65 to 80 per cent of that element
From the cause, it is comparatively easy tc
be temperate in warm climates, or to bear hunger
for long time under the EQUATOR but cold and
hunger united very soon produce exhaustion. The
animals of prey in the arctic regions, every one
knows, far exceed in voracty those of the torrid
zone. In cold and temperate climates, the air
which necessarily strives to consume the body
urges man to laborious efforts in order to furnish
the means of resistance to its action while in hot
climates the necessity of labor to provide food is
far less urgent Our clothing is merely an equi-
vaent for a certain amount of food The more
warmly we are clothed, the less urgent becomes
the appetite for food. because the loss Of heat by
clothing and consequently the amount of heat to
be supplied by food is diminished If we were to
90 naked, like certain savage tribes or if in hunt
ting or fishing we were exposed to the same degree
of cold as the Samoydes, should be able with
ease to consume half calf and perhas dozen of
taow candles into the bargain daily. We should
then also be able to take the same quantity of
brandy or train oil without bad effect, because the
carbon and hydrogen of these substances would
only suffice to keep up the equilibrium between
the external temperature and that of our bodies.
According to the preceding expositions, the guam
tity Of food is regulated by the number of respra
tions, by the temperature Of the air, and by the
amount of heat given off to the surrounding me-
dium.
The unequal loss of heat in summer and winter,
in cold and hot climates, is not the only cause
which renders necessary unequal quantities Of
food. There other causes which exert very
decided influence Oh the amount of food required.
TO these causes belong bodily, and all kinds of
bodily labor and exerton. The consumption of
mechanical force in the body is always equal to
a waste of matter in the body, and this must be
re stored in the food. When man or animal works
a certain amount of food must be added. Increas-
ed WORK and effort, without corresponding in
crease of food, cannot be continued for any length
of time; the health of the man animal soon 81 YES
way.
The first effect of starvation is the disappearance
of fat. Its carbon and hydrogen have been given
off through the skin and the lungs, in the form Of
oxydised products. 1t is obvious that they have
served to support respiration. In the case of
starving man, 32b ounces of oxygen enter the sys-
tenn daily, and are given out again in combination
with part of his body. Curre mentions the case
Of an individual who was unable to swallow, and
whose body lost 100 lbs in weight duringa month;
and fat pig, overwhelmed in slip Of earth, lived
100 days without food, and was found to have
in weight in that time, more than 120
lbs. The whole history Of hybernating animals,
and the we'll established facts of the periodical
in various animals, of fat which, at
other periods, entirely disappears, proves that the
oxygen in the respiratory process, makes selection
among the substances which are capable Of entering
nto combination with it. 1t combines first and
chiefly with those substances which have the
greatest attraction for it. In the progress of
,showever, it is not only the fat which
disappears, but also, by degrees, all such of the
solids as are capable of being dissolved. In the
wasted bodies of those who have suffered starvation
he muscles are shrunk an unnaturally soft, and
nave lost their contractblity. All these parts of
he body which were capable of entering into
ion have served to protect the remainder of the
rame from the destructive influence Of the atmos-
ohere, Towards the end, the PARTICLES of the
orain begin to undergo the process of oxidation,
md delirium, mania, and death close the scene.