80 THE HUMAN JiODV. 



All meat is better and more tender for being kept for a 

 time after killing. 



13, Fish, on the other hand, is better when perfectly 

 fresh. It does not differ very much from flesh in its 

 chemical composition ; though it contains more water, and 

 less fat. It is lighter and less stimulating than flesh. 



14, Of shell-fifth, oysters occupy the first place. They 

 are palatable, light, and nourishing. They tempt the 

 appetite of an invalid without distressing his stomach. 

 In spring and early summer, they should not be eaten. 



15, Lobsters, crabs, and shrimps are less digestible. 

 Vinegar and stimulating spices are commonly added to 

 them, which spur up the stomach to its task. They should 

 be avoided by invalids. 



16, Eggs contain much nourishment, solidly packed 

 away for the support of the young fowl before he breaks 

 out of his shell. They are palatable, and easily digested. 



STARCHY POODS. 



17, The starchy foods include all the grains wheat, 

 oats, corn, etc. and vegetables. 



Dried wheat contains, in 100 parts, 66 parts of starch. 



Dried oats contain, in 100 parts, 60 parts of starch. 



Dried rice contains, in 100 parts, 88 parts of starch. 



When we remember that many millions of the human 

 family live chiefly on rice, whose solid substance is almost 

 all starch, we have good proof of the importance of starchy 

 food. 



18, Besides starch, the grains contain mineral matters, 

 fat, sugar, and a substance, similar in chemical composition 

 to meat, called gluten. 



Wheat is, on the whole, the most valuable of the grains 



