252 LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 



transmuted into solids, but pass off by the kidneys, 

 as every body knows. 



If, indeed, the fluid drink contains solid matters 

 suspended in it, then these solid matters can be 

 assimilated to the solid body, and so are capable of 

 nourishing- it ; as in the instance of broths, barley- 

 water, &c. &c. : but the fluid, in which these solid 

 particles were suspended, must pass out of the body 

 by the kidneys. 



If, then, it be said, that although wine is incapable 

 of nourishing the body wholly and by itself alone, 

 it may yet contain some nourishment, it is clear 

 that this nourishment must depend upon whatever 

 solid particles are suspended in it. 



Now, if you evaporate a glass of wine on a shallow 

 plate, whatever solid matter it contains will be left 

 dry upon the plate ; and this will be found to amount 

 to about as much as may be laid on the extreme point 

 of a penknife blade; and a portion by no means 

 all, but a portion of this solid matter, I will readily 

 concede, is capable of nourishing the body a por- 

 tion which is about equal to one-third of the flour 

 contained in a single grain of wheat. 



But, still, I am entitled to ask what good you 

 propose to yourself by drinking wine ? Because, 

 if you really drink it for the sake of the nutriment 



