DIET. 155 



as even amounting to a necessity. This observation is also appli- 

 cable to the inconsiderate use of fruits, encouraged by the same 

 parties ; not that I consider fruits, in their own nature, unwhole- 

 some ; for the poorest classes here, at certain seasons of the year, 

 live almost exclusively on mangoes, avocade pears, 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 pro- 

 duce 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 fer- 

 mented 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, intellectual 

 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, imme- 



