22 MEALS MEDICINAL 
attending the periodical epoch. To be sure, a stiff glass of gin 
and hot water given at the outset will seldom fail to confer ease 
and comfort, and to tide the patient over the immediate 
paroxysms of pain; but we cannot make sure that the single 
tumblerful of hot toddy taken in this way once a month will 
never be exceeded, or will not seductively lead to frequent 
future similar indulgences. Otherwise the remedy is an 
excellent one. Dr. Hutchison thinks that for diabetic persons, 
who are not also gouty, or of feeble digestive powers, alcohol 
may be very useful as a food, a source of energy, and an econo- 
mizer of the proteids; further as helping materially in the 
digestion of fat. 
Fifty, or more years ago our forefathers would drink liberally 
of Port wine (then of excellent quality, and therefore compara- 
tively harmless), even whilst sojourning at one of the former 
famous hostelries. Thus, Mr. Pickwick, when taking up his abode 
for a time “in very good, old-fashioned, and comfortable quarters, 
to wit, the George and Vulture Tavern (City of London), had 
dined, finished his second pint of particular port, pulled his 
silk handkerchief over his head, put his feet on the fender, and 
thrown himself back in an easy chair, when the entrance of 
his man-servant, Sam Weller, aroused him from his tranquil 
meditations.” Far less satisfactory, however, was the fare 
provided at the “Great White Horse,” Ipswich (1828), where, 
“after the lapse of an hour, a bit of fish, and a steak were served 
up to the travellers (Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Peter Magnus), who, 
when the dinner was cleared away, drew their chairs up to the 
fire, and having ordered a bottle of port (of the worst possible 
kind, at the highest possible price) for the good of the house, 
drank brandy and water for their own.” A gain, “at Mrs. 
Bardell’s house with the red door, in Goswell Street, the hidden 
treasures of her closet comprised sundry plates of oranges and bis- 
cuits, also a bottle of old crusted port, that at one-and-nine, with 
another of the celebrated East India sherry at fourteenpence, 
which were produced in honour of the lodger, and afforded 
unlimited satisfaction to everybody.” 
We are reminded, as the reverse of this picture, by Dr. King 
Chambers, when talking about the mighty hunters, and stalwart, 
robust herdsmen of wild, uncultivated nations, “that as soon as 
coming within the tide of civilization (and alcohol) the day goes 
against them: they fade away childless under our very eyes, 
