The absolute necessity of a free elimination of waste will be readily seen. If the engine is to do its work, the engineer sees that it is kept perfectly clean—otherwise it becomes clogged, works inefficiently, and soon wears out. The same is true in the body—clogging in any part overworks and wears out other parts dependent on the work of the defective one.
Constipation, or a failure of the intestines to eliminate the waste is a grave menace to the system. The poisonous gases accumulating are absorbed by the system.
The blood carries the digested food and the oxygen to the various tissues and organs, which select from among the nutrients offered to them the ones suited to their growth and repair.
It is the universal medium of exchange.
It carries carbon dioxid to the lungs and the wastes of the tissues to the other eliminative organs.
It carries impure material to the purifying organs, and pure material away from them.
When it is lacking in quality or quantity the body suffers and if the lack continues the body dies.
Every organ contributes its share to the work of the blood and every organ takes from the blood some of its elements. If the blood pressure is too low, stagnation may occur. If it is too high an abnormal condition of the system results.
In fact, on the condition of the blood depends the effective working of the entire organism.
Constant effort then should be intelligently exerted to eat the proper foods, to exercise judiciously, to think healthful thoughts, to secure thorough elimination of waste in order that the whole body shall be fit for the work which its owner desires it to do.