Vitality Supreme | Page 5

is
part of the function of the liver to bring about chemical changes in
albuminous foods which make it possible for the tissues to assimilate
these. It also has much to do with bringing about certain chemical
changes in sugar or dextrose. Furthermore, the liver has an important
function in connection with the excretion of broken-down bodily tissue,
converting this dead matter into a form in which it can be filtered out of
the blood by the kidneys. Failure of the liver to perform its work
satisfactorily will upset the digestive and functional system, or may
lead to an accumulation of uric acid in the body, possibly resulting in
rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, disturbances of circulation and other evils.
When your liver "goes on strike" you may expect trouble in general. A
normal condition of the entire body depends upon perfect and
continuous functioning of the liver in cooperation with all the other
vital organs. The same may be said of the pancreas, spleen, the thyroid
gland and other organs which have a special function to perform. The
body is really a combination of all these various parts and functions,
and without strength and activity in all of them, simultaneous and
harmonious, not one of these interdependent parts could do its work,
and the body as a whole would be thrown into a state of disease.
Strength of the internal organs is infinitely more important than mere
muscular strength, if one could properly make a comparison.
How, therefore, shall we build this internal, functional strength? Can
our organs be made to function more satisfactorily? How may we
promote their greater activity?
It will be the purpose of the succeeding chapters in this volume to point
out how the vital organs may be strengthened and the sum total of one's
vitality thereby increased. It is true that internal strength is more
important than external muscular strength, but the fact is that they go
together. As a general thing, by building muscular strength one is able

at the same time to develop internal strength. The influence of exercise
in purifying the blood and in promoting activity in all the internal
organs really strengthens the "department of the interior" at the same
time that it develops the muscles concerned. Muscular stagnation
means organic stagnation, to a very large degree. To be thoroughly
alive and to enjoy the possession of unlimited vitality it is necessary to
be both muscularly and functionally active. The requirements of Nature,
or what are more commonly termed the "laws of Nature," in reference
to all these bodily functions must be strictly observed, for it is only
under such conditions that life and health can be maintained at their
best.
The body may be regarded as a machine. Why not make it a strong
machine, and as perfect as possible? Its efficiency means everything. If
you had an engine, a motorcycle, a sewing machine or a printing press
that was a very poor machine, you would like to exchange it for a better
one, would you not? You would even spend large sums of money to
secure a better machine to take the place of the poor one. But if your
body is imperfect, inefficient, weak, rusty and clogged up with grit, dirt
and all the waste products due to the "wear" in the bodily structures,
you seem nevertheless entirely satisfied. You go on from day to day
and from year to year without thinking of the possibility of getting a
better physical equipment. But why not consider the body in the same
light as any other machine that is of value to you. Your body is the
thing that keeps you alive. If it is a poor instrument, then it is more
important that you should get a better one than that you should buy a
new engine or new printing-press or new sewing-machine. The only
difference is, that it is within your power to get a better body machine
by building up the one that you have. You can repair it, you can add to
its vitality, you can strengthen the functional system, you can make it
more perfect and efficient. You can make it a high-power machine that
will be of real value in any undertaking that you may wish to carry out.
You can make it strong instead of weak, and you can thus enjoy that
superabundant vitality without which life is hardly worth the living.
CHAPTER III

: The Proper Bodily Posture
The very great value of maintaining the body in a proper position
cannot be too strongly emphasized. Man is the only animal that walks
erect. He is the only animal in whom old age brings a forward bending
of the spine. The hanging head, which is the attitude of hopelessness,
and which is caused to a