The great advantage of methodical long mastication has been shown by Harry Campbell,[306] Horace Fletcher,[307] and Van Sommeren, of Venice. According to their recommendation it would be necessary to masticate food until it has almost lost its taste. It certainly requires long practice, especially in the case of fast eaters, to acquire the habit of prolonged mastication, for nothing is so difficult as to give up habits indulged in since childhood. Fast eating is not only injurious to health, but if indulged in in company, it is a breach of good manners. Footnote 306: “Observation on Mastication,” Lancet, vol. ii, 1903. Footnote 307: Horace Fletcher: “The A, B-Z of Nutrition,” New York, 1904. The authorities on thorough mastication also claim that by so doing they are able to do with less food, which is the more readily to be believed, as they are able to digest and absorb everything better, their food leaves less residue, and they profit more by what they eat than do fast eaters and bad masticators. Good mastication means also good exercise for the teeth, the good condition of which is of the utmost importance for a healthy digestion just as it is important for all other organs of the body. When we eat fast we are inclined to wash down the imperfectly masticated food by large quantities of water, which may be prejudicial, as we are thus too freely diluting the contents of the stomach. Many women abstain from drinking at their meals for fear of getting fat, which is an erroneous idea, as Prof. Van Noorden has shown that this cannot produce obesity.[308] On the other hand, not drinking during meals may lead to bad results. We are accustomed to take most of the water we drink with our meals; not taking any at meals may largely decrease the amount of fluid in the body, which has many bad effects. As shown by Pawlow, and also by Bickel, more stomach juice is secreted when the body contains more fluid. Then drinking a certain amount of water at meals may assist in the absorption of the food. There is also the great advantage that by the aid of fluids the end-products of nitrogenous matters, which have toxic actions, may be more easily eliminated from the body than with a dry diet. We believe it is preferable to take even an excess of water, than none at all, with meals, and there are many people who have no appetite unless they drink while eating. Footnote 308: v. Noorden: “Die Fettsucht,” Nothnagel’s Handbuch. The question whether after meals we should rest or take exercise must be answered individually; those suffering from obesity or other disorders of metabolism, like gout or diabetes, had better take some form of exercise after a meal, while weak persons should rest. In general, a short walk after meals, and then remaining quiet for an hour, will prove to be best; but mental occupation for at least an hour after meals should be strictly prohibited.