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608 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
universal contagion, the scorbute, to which we of this nation, 
and most other Islanders are obnoxious ; yet since the Nasturtia 
(Cresses) are simply, and alone, as it were, the most effectual, 
and powerful agents in conquering, and expunging that cruel 
enemy, it were proper to show what remedies there are contained 
in our magazine of Sallet plants, upon all occasions rightly 
marshal’d, and skilfully applied.” The lesser garden vegetables, 
put together uncooked in a bowl so as to be temptingly and 
toothsomely combined, form Salads, which are both salubrious, 
and appetizing. The Lettuce usually takes the lead therein, 
Cresses being added, Beetroot, Endive, Spring Onions, Radishes, 
and sometimes a few fresh, young Dandelion leaves. As such 
vegetables, when eaten raw, are apt to ferment in the stomach, 
and as they have very little stimulating power on that organ, 
some condimentary dressing is usually intermixed with them, 
as pepper, salt, mustard, etc.; vinegar also is added, not only 
for its grateful sharpness, but, further, because of its solvent 
action on the fibrous parts of stalk, leaf, and root, which are 
otherwise somewhat indigestible. Lucca Oil is considered by 
most persons a necessary complement, though it tends to prevent. 
access within the stomach of digestive juices to the inner substance 
of the vegetables, and therefore makes the salad disagree with 
weakly folk. “Salad Oyl,” as Evelyn teaches, ‘“ should not 
be high-coloured, or yellow, but of a pallid olive-green.” 
“Pepper (Piper) being of approved virtue against all flatulency, 
and generally all crudities whatsoever, is a never to be omitted 
ingredient of our sallets, provided it be not too minutely beaten 
(as oft we find it) to an almost impalpable dust; which is 
very pernicious, and frequently adheres, and sticks in the 
folds of the stomach, where, instead of promoting concoction it 
often causes a Cardialgium, and fires the blood; it should there- 
fore be grossly contused only.” A French proverb pertinently 
says :— 
- nee vin ne boit aprés Salade 
Est en danger d’étre malade.” 
Respecting vinegar, it must be noted that this, as practically a 
mineral acid, is of fixed composition, and does not undergo disin- 
tegration when taken with foods, like the organic acids of fruits, 
and vegetables; in nearly all of which the potash is combined — 
therewith, and is given off into the blood during digestion. 
nies, because of the fruits being acid (though readily 
