434 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
meat, consisting as it does to a large extent of nucleo-proteid, 
which yields nuclein during digestion. Now it has been recently 
proved that nuclein is an important source of uric acid; and 
therefore it must be the more prudent course for persons goutily 
disposed to avoid the dietetic use of these articles of food. More- 
over, ‘“ sheep’s liver furnishes over 6 per cent of xanthic acid, a 
uric, or gouty element;” thus teaches Dr. Haig. As long ago as 
1710, in Solomon, Matthew Prior bade his readers “‘ try if life be 
worth the liver’s care”; and Mr. Punch has more lately borrowed 
the play of words: “Is life worth living ?” he asks, and replies 
humorously, ‘“‘ that depends on the liver.” 
The good city of Liverpool gets its name not from the bile- 
making organ, but from the Ibis (Falcinellus igneus ), a bird 
which when adult has its plumage mainly- liver-coloured, or 
hepatic. Curative preparations, and methods for making them, 
from liver of the calf, sheep, and domestic fowl are described at 
length in Kitchen Physic. The help afforded against active 
bleeding from the lungs in consumptive disease by giving fresh, 
healthy animal liver daily as a food, in small quantities, three or 
four ounces, lightly cooked, and because of its ferment as coagu- 
lating the blood, has been definitely explained. The same liver 
dried and powdered, if administered as a medicament, is similarly 
of efficient service, though in a less degree. 
LOBSTER, AND CRAB. 
In general physical composition the Lobster (Homaris vulgaris), 
and the sea shore Crab (Cancer pagurus), are practically identical, 
being crustacean, with a skeleton formed mainly of “ chitin,” 
a peculiar gelatin sparingly soluble in the stomach. Also in 1ts 
shell the lobster owns a resinous substance, brownish-green until 
boiled, and then turning to a bright red. This gives a particular 
odour and taste to lobster broth. The flesh of a Jobster contains 
much soluble gelatin. Butler in his Hudibras makes use of this 
creature for a simile :— 
** The sun had long since in the lap 
Of Thetis taken out his nap, 
And, like a lobster boiled, the morn 
From black to red began to turn.” 
Nevertheless when Alice in Wonderland stood up before the 
Gryphon to repeat a nursery rhyme, she told a somewhat different 
story : 
