putrefy/ toxins will be formed/ poisonous gases will
be generated. The most potent cause of disease is
formation of poisons in the digestive tract and their
absorption into the blood-
Habitual overeating will lead to a dilation of the
stomach. If the foods are also prone to ferment or
putrefy, the gases will lead to still further distention
of the walls of the stomach. A distended stomach
does not retain its original elasticity and tone and
hence it becomes weak and loses much of its
efficiency.
Overloading of the stomach may even lead to
sagging or even its displacement from its normal
position. Such structural defects, apart from
worsening the digestion/ will have. other more
serious repercussions. Dr. Lindlahr has shown that
sagging of the stomach may lead to prolapse of the
uterus in the case of women. Displacements of the
uterus are invariably due to pressure occasioned by
sagging or displacement of digestive organs.
Though it is easy to explain the dangers of
overeating/./it is not so easy to say what constitutes
overeating. One cannot exactly say where the line
should be drawn between abstemiousness and
indulgence- I shall give some practical hints which
are applicable to healthy people; but each person
must be his own guide :
1. When the stomach is empty of food (it will
contain some air) it is in a contracted state. As food
enters it/ it slowly expands and provides more room
inside. This expansion goes on till no strain is
felt/ but when there is even a slight strain, the
stomach instead of expanding further expells some
of the air which is imprisoned therein and thus
makes room for more food'. This wind carries the
smell of the food. To this wind the author