DIET. 129 



oranges, and cashews ; and that, at least, without apparent ill 

 effects. I am, on the contrary, therefore, inclined to encourage 

 the moderate use of the cooling produce of the orchard, when 

 maturely ripened. But the indiscriminate and immoderate use 

 of fruits would soon produce its debilitating effects on the 

 digestive organs. Neither should the use of spices be indulged 

 in habitually, except, perhaps, that of black pepper in swampy 

 localities. 



Whenever wholesome spring water can be got, it is by far 

 the best drink ; but this, as also rain water, ought always to be 

 filtered, and the latter rendered more digestible by the addition 

 of a little wine or spirit. Generally speaking, water only, or 

 wine and water, ought to form the basis of common drink ; pure 

 wine or spirit is to be allowed only in exceptional cases, and 

 when the body has been chilled by exposure to wet or cold 

 damps. Beer and porter, however, form a wholesome beverage, 

 particularly in swampy places. As a general rule, no fermented 

 liquors should be taken in the intervals of meals ; and the 

 custom of passing wine after dinner ought to be discountenanced 

 by all persons having pretensions to sobriety. I may boldly 

 decry this as a faulty habit, inasmuch as it tends to accustom 

 individuals to the immoderate use of fermented liquors. By the 

 abuse or even the incautious use of such, the digestive organs, 

 and the stomach especially, soon become deranged; a craving 

 for drink, and repugnance to food, are the first symptoms; 

 disturbed sleep and retching in the morning soon follow, as also 

 general dyspepsia. Meanwhile, the liver becomes affected, 

 together with the nervous system — a step further, delirium 

 tremens supervenes as a complication, and, as a sequel, intel- 

 lectual prostration and moral degradation ; finally, a miserable 

 ! death closes the scene. 



Violent exercise immediately before meals is injurious; 

 muscular action causing a diversion of the blood and nervous 

 | energy to the limbs and the surface generally. If any quantity of 

 food be received ere equilibrium be restored, the stomach is then 

 taken at a disadvantage; as a rule, therefore, at least half an 

 hour's rest should be allowed before partaking of food. Again, 

 immediately after meals, the digestive functions are in the 

 highest degree of activity ; all perturbing causes should then be 

 arefully avoided, and only gentle exercise indulged in. 



