[Being a faithful effort to versify the article written by Dr. E.I.
SPRIGGS, at the request of the FOOD CONTROLLER, on the food
requirements of people of different ages and build.]

Good people, who long for a lead
On the paramount crux of the time,
I pray you give diligent heed
To the lessons I weave into rhyme;
And first, let us note, one and all--
Whether living in castles or "digs"--
"Large people need more than the small,"
For that's the first maxim of SPRIGGS.

Now, as most of the food that we eat
Is wanted for keeping us warm,
The requisite quota of heat
Is largely a question of form;
And the ratio of surface to weight,
As anyone readily twigs,
Is the root of the point in debate
As sagely expounded by SPRIGGS.

Hence the more we resemble a sphere
Less heat on the surface is lost,
And the needful supply, it is clear,
Is maintained at less lavish a cost;
'Tis economy, then, to be plump
As partridges, puffins or pigs,
Who are never a prey to the hump,