decomposition, they are also signs of the death of life substance and of living organism, the products of which are harmful unless removed from the functioning body. When the elimination of these toxins has reached the point that rebuilding is demanded lest the body die, hunger will manifest itself. Hunger is the abiding law of animal existence; it is not a creation of man nor of the animal, but is the signal of instinct by which all animate creatures know that food is needed for the repair and growth of the organism. And, with its manifestation, the clean tongue, the sweet breath, and normal life symptoms return.
In functional disease the fast may be carried to its logical end without a particle of anxiety, for the law of hunger marks the limit beyond which abstinence cannot continue lest death occur. And to this nature has added another safeguard, almost its equal in importance. Resident in the body there exists at all times a supply of tissue pabulum for use in repair and growth, both ordinary and extraordinary. This is constantly called upon for the nourishment and upbuilding of nerves and brain, and the latter never suffer deterioration in substance
