(59) 



nutritious in themselves. Highly flavored foods are not 

 the most wholesome and their use cannot be so general nor 

 long-continued as others. A craving for them is not an 

 indication of good health. Frequently they are used to 

 tempt or stimulate the appetite of persons who are not in 

 need of food and who would be benefitted by omitting it. 

 Condiments are flavoring agents of very strong flavor, 

 with which is usually associated more or less pungency, so 

 that they are capable of exerting a strong stimulus upon 

 the appetite and digestion. Their continuous moderate use 

 is not inconsistent with a state of health, nor is it neces- 

 sarily injurious. Their excessive or unnecessary use tends 

 generally toward the weakening of the natural healthy 

 functions of nutrition. When, however, the appetite or 

 digestion is so impaired that the subject is threatened with 

 deficient nutrition, the use of condiments is proper and 

 often of great value. Condiments thus occupy a sort of 

 intermediate position between ordinary flavoring agents 

 and such medicines as bitters and other stomachics. The 

 latter are remedial agents, used in case of impairment of 

 health, while the former may be regarded as prophylactics, 

 intended to prevent a threatened impairment. 



THE GINGER FAMILY (Zingiberaceae) 



1 396- 1404. Ginger. — The rootstock of Zingiber Zingiber (L.) Karst. Native of 

 tropical Asia and cultivated in all tropical regions. Unless otherwise 

 stated, the samples were presented by F. H. Leggett & Company, of New 

 York. 



1396. African ginger. — Ginger grown in Africa. This variety is prepared by 



stripping off the bark from the flat sides, dipping in boiling water to destroy 

 its vitality, and drying. It is of excellent strength but dark-colored, and 

 produces dark-colored preparations. 



1397. The same in a ground condition. 



1398. East Indian Race ginger. — Ginger produced in the East Indies and prepared 



like African ginger. 



1399. The same in a ground state. 



1399.1. Calicut ginger. — A variety of East Indian ginger, presented by H. H. 

 Rusby. 



1400. Unbleached Jamaica ginger. — This is the most expensive variety of com- 



mercial ginger, cultivated and prepared in Jamaica, West Indies. The 

 rhizomes are very carefully dug to avoid bruising, then soaked in water and 



