VEGETABLES 75 



fact, they are little, if any inferior and have the ad- 

 vantage in some cases of greater cheapness. Corn is 

 especially valuable because it contains more hydrocarbon 

 than wheat and fully as much proteid, although the pro- 

 teid is not in the form of tenacious gluten. 1 



Patent breakfast foods. In recent years, various 

 preparations of cereals have been exploited in the form 

 of patent breakfast foods. These are mainly prepara- 

 tions of wheat, oats, or corn, which have been steamed, 

 baked, or roasted in such a way as to develop appetizing 

 flavors. Their chief value lies in the fact that in the 

 majority of cases they are easily digested. As far as 

 actual nutriment goes, they are very deceptive, since 

 they are so bulky that one has to pay a good deal for 

 very little nutriment. 



Vegetables. Certain of the vegetables, 2 as white pota- 

 toes, sweet potatoes and tapioca, resemble the cereals in 

 that they are rich in starch. Others, as peas, beans and 

 peanuts, are rich in proteid material. Still others, as 

 beets, are rich in sugar. Some vegetables, however, as 

 cabbages and turnips, consist mainly of cellulose, which 

 is so indigestible as to give little nutriment except when 

 young and tender. All vegetables contain organic salts 

 which are essential to health, as has been abundantly 

 proved by sailors, who when deprived of them for long 

 periods become weak and diseased. 3 Vegetables are also 



1 In spite of this, corn is but little used by Europeans as food. 

 When, during a famine in Russia, a large amount of corn wag 

 contributed by America, it was necessary both to show the Rus- 

 sians how to use it and to overcome their prejudice against it. 



5 Peas, beans and peanuts, although popularly known as vege- 

 tables, are really fruits. 



8 Scurvy, which used to be the bane of whalers who went on 

 three-year cruises, has been practically obliterated by the use of 

 canned vegetables and fruits, now made compulsory by the various 

 governments. 



