CHAPTER XIII. The Nature of Hunger

THE NATURE OF HUNGER

Appetite and hunger--The sensation of hunger--The theory that hunger is a general sensation--Weakness of the assumptions underlying the theory that hunger is a general sensation--Body need may exist without hunger--The theory that hunger is of general origin does not explain the quick onset and the periodicity of the sensation--The theory that hunger is of general origin does not explain the local reference--Hunger not due to emptiness of the stomach--Hunger not due to hydrochloric acid in the empty stomach--Hunger not due to turgescence of the gastric mucous membrane--Hunger the result of contractions--The “empty” stomach and intestines contract--Observations suggesting that contractions cause hunger--The concomitance of contractions and hunger in man 232-266