314 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
to-morrow, and jam yesterday, but never jam to-day.” “It 
must come to jam to-day,” Alice objected. ‘‘ No, it can’t,” 
said the Queen; “ it’s jam every other day; to-day isn’t any 
other day, you know.” 
GAME. 
SPEAKING collectively, ‘“ Game ” signifies creatures taken in 
the chase; with us it includes Venison (of the Deer), Grouse, 
Hare, Partridge, Pheasant, Snipe, and Woodcock. The flesh 
_ of such “‘ game ”’ is finer in texture than that of butcher’s meat, 
| and does not so soon become putrid. When a domestic animal 
_ is placed under the same conditions as a wild one its flesh in the 
_ course of time assumes the closer texture, and other character- 
__ istics of game, as seen by the instance of Welsh Mountain mutton. 
If sent to table shortly after being killed these creatures of the 
chase are tough, and insipid; but when game is allowed to hang 
for some time in a whole condition there takes place the gradual 
creation of a chemical acid by fermentation in the flesh, which 
becomes strongly acid ; also the muscular tissues grow tender, and 
after some time traces of hydrogen sulphides are liberated. The 
characteristic flavours of the game are in direct proportion to 
the amount of these sulphides, or mercaptans, thus set free, but 
not to putrefactive compounds. Such birds as Partridge, 
Plover, Snipe, Pheasant, Woodcock, and the like are particularly 
appropriate food for the sick, partly as dainties, but more’ 
especially by reason of the nutrient properties which they 
contain. They are remarkably rich in mineral salts, especially 
the phosphates, which are so much needed when the system has 
become exhausted by disease. Birds which feed mainly on 
grains, such as the Partridge, and the Pheasant, will keep a long 
while in cold weather ; but birds with dark flesh, living chiefly 
on animal food, quickly undergo decay. Game of white meat 
should be done well in cooking; that with dark flesh should 
be rare. The dangerous microbes which are at first associated 
with decomposition of game, are presently succeeded by other 
microbes which are harmless. Therefore if game be eaten at its 
preliminary stage of putrefaction it may produce serious ill effects ; 
whilst these do not ensue after partaking of game kept longer until 
tender, and succulent. According to Julius Cesar (Scaliger), the 
Partridge came originally from Mount Olympus, and has always 
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