all cereals in protein, fat, and salts; it is also only moderately easy of digestion, 

 so that it is a dangerous delusion which accepts rice as a staple article of diet 

 in this climate. At least 



FIVE POUNDS OF COOKED RICE 



would have to be eaten daily by an acti, man to supply his need for carbohydrates ; 

 meanwhile he would be starved in respect of protein and fat. Such food fads as 

 this are very risky, especially if they are allowed to affect the diet of young folk. 



THE QUESTION OF BEVERAGES 



must also receive attention in these " general considerations," for upon them depend 

 much of our health and comfort. 



Water is the natural beverage for human beings, as it is for most animals. 

 There is no foundation for the current opinion that free drinking of water with 

 meals hampers digestion, by diluting the gastric juice. One pint of water at a meal 

 has no such effect, probably treble that amount would be needed to be detrimental 



HOT WATER IS A VALUABLE BEVERAGE, 



if for no other reason than that, as it passes rapidly through the stomach, its warmth 

 increases advantageously the movement of the stomach-walls and thus conduces to 

 efficient digestion; it is also beneficial because it raises the temperature of the cold 

 food with which it mixes. All food must reach a temperature of at least 100 Fahr. 

 before the process of digestion can proceed. Cold water as well as hot softens the 

 food received into the stomach, assisting it to dissolve. 



WATER IS AN INDISPENSABLE AGENT IN EXCRETION, 



for it passes rapidly into the intestines, is readily absorbed, and by increasing the 

 fulness of the blood-vessels promotes intestinal movement 'and secretion. Large 

 quantities of water passing through the intestines cleanses them also, and thus 

 reduces a tendency to intestinal fermentation. 



HENCE, RESTRICTION IN THE AMOUNT OF WATER DRUNK 



means a whole train of miseries, such as gout, because waste matters are liable 

 to " loiter " in the tissues instead of being thoroughly washed out of them. 



"SOFT DRINKS" 



have certain definite dietetic advantages. They consist of natural or artificially 

 prepared water highly charged with carbonic-acid gas, with the addition of soda, 

 potash, ginger, sugar, or flavouring matters. The gas is an aid to digestion. 

 Chemically, it promotes an abundant secretion of gastric juice; mechanically, the 

 bubbling-up of the gas through the contents of the stomach helps to break them 

 up into particles, so that larger and more numerous surfaces come in contact with 

 the digestive juice. 



Lemonade, orangeade, etc., contain about 1 oz. of sugar per bottle, which may 

 explain their refreshing influence on cyclists or athletes when fatigued; but with 

 some people they disagree, a result which may be due to the amount of sugar 

 present, or to the employment of mineral instead of vegetable acid in their manu- 

 facture, the effects of which on the body are directly opposed. 



TEA AND COFFEE ARE PLEASANT BEVERAGES, 



and quite legitimate if made and drunk under correct conditions. In health they 

 exercise no disturbing influence; indeed, they are great aids to mental work and 

 " oil the wheels of life " by their gentle stimulation of the brain and nervous 

 system. 



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