456 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



were always supplied with an abundance of 'hog and hominy/ not by 

 any means restricted to these articles, but pork or bacon was a standing 

 portion of at least one daily meal. Consumption among them was 

 relatively rare. My observation in this respect was not singular, but 

 accords with all other medical observers of the time, of whom I have 

 knowledge. Conversely, it seems hardly necessary to invite attention 

 to the prevalence of consumption among the same people now, under 

 their changed conditions with regard to diet. ' Hog ' at least is notable 

 by its absence from the daily fare of most of them and no other fat 

 meat has taken its place; and consumption among them is more than 

 twice as great as it was formerly. 



The same observation extends to smaller communities, families and 

 individuals. Consumption is most prevalent among those who are 

 stinted or who stint themselves of 'bacon' and 'butter.' I mention 

 these as ideal and because they are among the most digestible of fat 

 foods ; other fat foods are commendable. Everybody has learned, when 

 it is unfortunately, in most cases, too late, that cod-liver oil is good 

 for consumptives, but few seem to have learned that food of the same 

 character as cod-liver oil, suitable for the table, is preventive of con- 

 sumption. 



In the whole course of my professional observation, now covering 

 a period of more than sixty years, I have never known a family or an 

 individual that was brought up on a liberal supply of butter and 

 bacon who became tuberculous. Moreover, such food fortifies the sys- 

 tem against other diseases as well as consumption; it establishes 

 stamina. 



