PROPER DIET FOR HOT WEATHER. 373 



undoubtedly arise from errors in dieting, that is, in the quantities 

 of food taken, in its not being adapted to the constitutional re- 

 quirements and environment of the individual, in its not being 

 properly estimated in its constituents, or applicability to the sea- 

 son of the year ; and if, as I said at the commencement of this 

 article, people would take as much trouble in adapting the food 

 to suit their needs as they do in so many other things of minor 

 importance, they would enjoy life more, and see more of it. It is 

 astonishing what a complete change in diet will do. Change in 

 diet acts like change in air, and is a potent factor in the treat- 

 ment of those conditions that indicate exhaustion of the nerv- 

 ous system, and, as a corollary, general collapse. Man is some- 

 thing like a steam-engine, and he requires fuel according to the 

 work he has to do. The driver of an express train does not have 

 his engine fed as the driver of a slow train does, and so it is with 

 the human engine. The fuel in this case should be to a certain 

 extent adjusted as to whether it is to be utilized for intellectual 

 or muscular work ; and if this is done, a large amount of intel- 

 lectual or physical work may be accomplished without strain. 

 But if these facts are ignored, the complex mechanism on which 

 the happiness and well-being of perhaps even a nation may de- 

 pend, will collapse like a house of cards. 



When the diet is properly regulated for the different seasons 

 of the year in regard to its constituents, there is seldom any 

 necessity to take what some people are so fond of doing, that is, 

 purgative medicines in the spring and in autumn. A little alka- 

 line aperient, such as the " Franz Josef " mineral water, may be 

 taken at any season with benefit by people who live well and who 

 are of sedentary habits, but beyond this it is a mistake to take 

 irritating and powerful purgatives during the early spring and 

 summer, as they are sure to set up diarrhoea that may go on for 

 some time, especially if unreasonable quantities of fruit be in- 

 dulged in. Fruit in itself is laxative in its effects, and though 

 beneficial, as before borne out, if not taken in excess, will with 

 some people, when more is taken than should be, set up persistent 

 and troublesome irritation throughout the digestive tract. This 

 was one of the evils attending the "grape cure," so much in vogue 

 a few years ago. 



In every well-appointed household, dinner is unquestionably 

 the most important meal of the day, and a fashion in regard to 

 this has lately crept into use, which is neither physiologically 

 correct nor conducive to its enjoyment. I refer to the custom 

 now prevalent of commencing dinner with some anchovy toast, 

 caviare, or sardines on bread and butter, or some other savory of 

 a like nature. The proper commencement of dinner should be 

 the old-fashioned dish of good soup, and for this reason : that it 



