SUMMER MEETING. 10^ 



succulent nature, and containing free acids and principles prone to 

 undergo change, it is apt, when eaten out of due proportion to other 

 food, to act as a disturbing element, and excite derangement of the 

 alimentary canal. This is particularly likely to occur if eaten either in 

 the unripe or overripe state ; in the former case, from the quantity of 

 acid present ; in the latter, from its strong tendency to ferment and 

 decompose within the digestive tract. 



The prevalence of stomach and bowel disorders, noticed during 

 the height of the fruit season, affords proof of the inconveniences that 

 the too free use of fruit may give rise to. The effect of fruit will in- 

 crease the activity of the excretions of the kidneys. The alkaline vege- 

 table salts which it contains become decomposed in the system and 

 converted into carbonate of the alkali, which passes off with the excre- 

 tions of the kidneys. By virtue of this result, fruit is advantageous in 

 gout and other disorders where the excretions of the kidneys show a 

 tendency to throw down deposits of lithic acid. 



In speaking of fruit as a food, we will confine ourselves to the 

 apple, and what we have to say in regard to the apple as food will 

 apply in a large sense to the peach, pear and small fruits, as well as 

 berries. They all contain essentially the same elements, only in dif- 

 ferent proportions. The composition of apple : 



SOLUBLE MATTER IN ONE HUNDRED PARTS. 



Sugar 



Free add (reduced to equivalent In malic acid) . 



Albuminous substances 



Pectous substances 



Ash 



7.58 



1.01 



.22 



2.72 



Apples eaten immediately before bed-time promotes the health 

 generally. Its dietetical as well as alimentary substance is of high 

 order. It contains more phosphoric acid in an easily digestible com- 

 bination than any other vegetable product ; consequently it is a good 

 brain food, and builds up the nervous system ; excites the functions 

 of the liver ; promotes a sound and quiet sleep; disinfects the mouth ; 

 agglutinates the surplus acids of the stomach ; paralyzes hemorrhoidal 



