2 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
thoughtfully admixed, and carefully handled, will gain well- 
merited promotion in the esteem, and approval of those who 
profit by her important domestic services, instead of employing 
the druggist. 
Nearly three centuries back some such an enlightened practice 
of cure was foreshadowed by Dr. Tobias Venner (1620), “ Doctor 
of Physicke at Bathe, in the Spring and Fall.” When dedicating 
his “ Via Recta ad Vitam longam” to the Right Honourable 
Francis Lord Verulam, Lord High Chancellor of England, “ In 
regard,” wrote he, “ of the worthines, and utilitie of the subject, 
this is “the Dieteticall Part of Physicke, which for preservation 
of health appertaines to all men (but to none, as I suppose, 
more than to your Honour, who, under His Majestie, doth 
chiefly wield the State of our Reipublique”’). Again (in 1685), 
Liebnitz, the famous German philosopher, said, in a letter to 
Denis Papin (who invented the Digester which bears his name) : 
“As regards internal medicine, I hold that this is a mere art 
like that of playing nine-pins, or backgammon. I have often 
wished that a skilful physician should write a book ‘ De curandis 
per dietam morbis,—about curing diseases by means of the diet.” 
“There will come a time,” as a recent writer of note predicts, 
“when no medicines will be administered, except in acute, and 
sudden attacks. Disease will be remedied by foods; the 
intelligent house-mother is testing the value of this assertion 
in the daily ordering of meals for her family, seeing that a newly- 
acquired knowledge of dietetics has put her on the way to such 
enlightenment.” Celery, for instance, is found to be so consti- 
tuted as to be curatively efficacious for persons suffering from 
any form of rheumatism, also for nervous indigestion, and 
kindred nervine troubles. Water-cress contains principles which 
are remedial against scurvy. Pea-nuts, which are rich in fats, 
and proteids, may be specially commended for the rescue of 
diabetics. Onions are almost the best nervine strengtheners 
known, no medicine being equally useful in cases of nervous 
prostration, or so quick to restore, and tone up a jaded physical 
system. Asparagus, by its alkaloids, will induce salutary 
perspiration. Carrots will relieve asthma. Eggs, especially 
their yolks, will disperse jaundice, and can be given for clearing 
the voice. Instead of iron as a chalybeate, the pulp of raw beef, 
or animal blood in black puddings, will prove an efficient 
substitute; whilst the bitter Seville orange will admirably 
