FISH FOODS. 275 
Towards assisting the laxative action of stewed Figs, 
or Prunes, against constipation, it is important to manage a 
proper position of the body as regards the bowels during sleep 
at night. Anatomical arrangements are to be borne in mind 
for this end, as to lying on the proper side at the proper time. 
Thus, for a while after the meal to lie on the right side is correct, 
so that the food undergoing digestion may pass presently out 
of the stomach into the first bowels, and gradually onwards, 
until after some hours it reaches the ascending colon, which 
passes up the right side of the abdomen. At this stage to turn 
over on to the left side will be of service, so that the fecal mass 
may slide along the transverse colon across the top of the 
abdomen into the descending colon, which runs down the left 
side, and so on into the rectum, or lowest bowel, for evacuation 
in the morning without any straining, or hindrance. When a 
relaxed condition of bowels prevails, then just the opposite 
tactics should be pursued. If Figs, instead of being stewed, 
as anti-costive, are steeped overnight in cold, soft water, enough 
to cover them, and perhaps adding a few drops of fresh lemon- 
juice, they will be found nicer, and more efficacious for the 
purpose. 
The fresh Fig does not fructify in this country, because no 
special wasps essential for such a function are available here. 
Caprification, or the fertilizing process, is artificially practised 
in South Italy for ensuring a good crop of Figs. A wild Fig, 
or Caprifig, which is inedible, is suspended upon the tree of the 
edible variety. This Caprifig contains a particular kind of 
wasp, which eats its way out in search of other Caprifigs wherein 
it may lay its eggs; but not finding any such wild Figs, it enters 
the flower of an edible Fig, taking in with itself some fertilizing 
pollen. A supply of these wasps is therefore essential to the 
Fig grower. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or Figs of 
thistles ?”” is an instructive question propounded in Scripture, 
which would bear application to the wild Caprifig. 
FISH FOODS. 
As to the animal characteristics and endowments of Fish, both 
generally, and particularly, a reference may be made to former 
writings, whilst we have now to consider specially the therapeutic 
principles and capabilities of Fish foods regarded as medicinal. 
