478 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
With regard to the Kosher meat of the Jews, to make sure of 
the knife used for slaughtering these animals being without flaw 
as to its edge (so as to minimize the pain felt by the beast) it is 
examined four or five times a week, sometimes even daily ; and 
one of the most curious spectacles of the slaughter-house is that 
of the grave and reverend Signors (who are named Dayanim, 
or Judges) passing a searching eye over the knives, and over 
the general arrangements, to see that they are perfect. If 
everything is not religiously correct, the butcher officials may 
expect to be suspended. The beast is cast to the ground, and 
its throat being then cut it bleeds to death. Finally the leaden 
seal, with the word ‘‘ Kosher” imprinted on it, is affixed to the 
carcase, signifying that the meat may be eaten by orthodox 
Jewry. The whole process takes about four and a half minutes 
to execute. 
Englishmen from the time of the middle ages, have always held 
the reputation of being the fiercest fighters, because of eating so 
much meat. But a penalty is paid by thus brutalizing the man 
at the expense of his higher intellectual faculties. Robert Louis 
Stevenson has exemplified this danger in his wonderful story 
of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, twin characters strangely opposite, 
but combined in the same individual, with adverse displays at 
different times ; as already told about in detail (see page 45). 
Respecting Bones, “their utility for alimentation was 
discovered by the dog,” said Cadet Devaux (1803), who imitated 
that animal by breaking up, comminuting, and moistening the 
bones of edible animals. He proved to his satisfaction that 
bones are nutritive, by allowing to dogs the choice between 
soup, and bones, when the animals chose the bones, and left 
the soup. M. Devaux pulverized bones, and called his method 
the “ Solution of the Gordian knot,” and the “ Egg of Columbus.” 
“ But,” said Chevreul (1870), “no person of sound sense and 
taste would consent to drink the bouillon d’os.” 
With respect to the much extolled forms of highly compressed 
meals in lozenge, or tabloid form, now offered to the public, so 
that they who run may eat without the delay of sitting down 
to a time-wasting meal, or so that extra supplies may be carried 
in the pocket, “ there are distinct limits ”’ (says Dr. Hutchison) 
“beyond which the concentration of food cannot be carried ; 
and the idea that food tablets may be prepared one or two of 
which would be the equivalent of an ordinary meal, is found to 
