350 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
the bodily system, with speedy combustion asa food. The amount 
of this grape sugar varies according to the greater or less warmth 
of the climate in which the different grapes are grown. Tokay 
grapes are the sweetest; next are those of Southern France; 
then of Moselle, Bohemia, and Heidelberg, whilst the fruit of the 
vine in Spain, Italy, and Madeira, is not so well adapted for 
curative purposes. The grape fruit consists of pulp, stones. and 
skin. Within the pulp is contained the grape sugar, together 
with a certain quantity of fruit sugar, which is identical with 
cane sugar. The grape sugar warms (and fattens) speedily, 
being taken up straightway into the circulation without waiting 
to be changed slowly by the saliva; therefore this grape sugar 
serves to repair the waste of burning fever quickly, and to recruit 
the strength promptly when thereby consumed, grapes being at 
such times most grateful to the sufferer. But for the same 
reason they do not suit inflammatory, or gouty persons under 
ordinary circumstances, as well as foods sweetened with cane 
sugar which has to undergo slower chemical conversion into heat, 
and sustenance. The chief ingredients of grape fruit are tannin, 
gum, bitartrate of potash, sulphate of potash, tartrate of lime, 
magnesia, alum, iron, chlorides of potassium, and sodium, 
tartaric, citric, racemic, and malic acids, some albumin, and 
azotized matters, with water. Grapes can supply but little 
nutritious matter for building up the solid structures of the body. 
Sweet grapes act as gentle laxatives, though the stones, if crushed 
are astringent. When taken in any quantity grapes act freely 
on the kidneys, and promote a flow of urine. The acids of the 
fruit are burnt off from their alkaline bases which remain behind, 
and help to neutralise such other gouty acids as they may 
encounter. But for a person in good health, and with sound 
digestion, grapes are excellent to furnish bodily warmth by their 
ready-made sugar, whilst the essential flavours of the aromatic 
fruit are cordial and refreshing. 
Besides being useful against gout by its alkaline base, the 
bitartrate of Potash salt (cream of tartar) in grapes proves of 
remedial use for other affections. It is reputed to have been 
of signal curative service in, or against small-pox. Mr. Rose, of 
Dorking, first gave it in 1826, and with remarkable success, 
losing only one case in over a thousand, and that one compli- 
cated with whooping cough. Likewise the son, Mr. Charles 
Rose, later on gave the remedy against small-pox with equally 
