Hungbeef

Dried-beef; jerked-beef. Hunger, n. [A. S. hunger, hung or; Ger., Dan., and Sw.hunger; Icel. hungr; Sansk. kanz, to desire, kangha, desire.] Desire of food; an uneasy sensation, occasioned by the want of food; a craving of food by the stomach; craving appetite; a strong or eager desire. (Physiol.) A peculiar sensation experienced in the region of the stomach, in consequence of the want of solid food. The sensation of hunger is at first rather agreeable, but it quickly becomes unpleasant, when prolonged. The sense of keen appetite is always delightful when there is a prospect of satisfying it; but that sinking in the stomach which ensues soon changes from uneasine to absolute pain, which rapidly becomes acute; and if aliment be still held back, the sensation produced is as if the stomach were being torn by pincers. A state of general exhaustion, feverishne , headache, light-headed ne , often pa ing into madne , follows. The whole being seems absorbed in one desire, before which even maternal instinct has been known to give way, and mothers have disputed with their companions for the flesh of their dead infants. The physiological causes of H. are not well understood, and great differences exist in the opinion of scientific men. In one sense, we may all be said to know what hunger is; in another sense, however, no man can enlighten us. We have all experienced it: but as yet science has been unable to furnish any sufficient explanations. Between the agreeable stimulus called appe tite and the terrible agony of starvation there are infinite gradations. In all living organisms, waste and re pair go on with an ince ant and reciprocal activity Not the slightest movement of the body occurs, not a thought pa es through the brain, without some part of the substance of the body being sacrificed. Thus the body is like a furnace, in which the fuel is constantly