CHAPTER V 

 ORIGIN AND NATURE OF FERMENTED DRINKS 



118. Healthful Juices from Ripe Fruits. If we are 

 thirsty and we do not wish to drink water, we can relieve 

 our thirst by the juice of ripe fruits, like grapes, oranges, 

 apples, pears, and peaches. These fruit juices are made 

 up largely of water sweetened with sugar which nature 

 prepares in them as the fruit ripens, and each is flavored 

 according to its kind. Such juices, as we use them fresh 

 from the fruit, are refreshing and healthful. 



Now, if we crush one of these ripe fruits and pour a little 

 of its juice into a tumbler and let it stand in the air of 

 ordinary temperature, we all know what will happen. It 

 will remain a healthful drink for a few hours only. A scum 

 appears on the surface, bubbles begin to rise, and there is 

 an unpleasant taste to the liquid. In brief, we say that the 

 fruit juice has turned sour or has begun to "work." 



119. Decay a Great Law of Nature. All animal and 

 vegetable matter, as we have learned iri the Introduction, 

 is made up of various simple substances, gases, liquids, 

 and solids. Now, it is one of nature's laws that when plant 

 or animal matter ceases to live, the different substances 

 composing it shall be set free for use again in forming 

 new combinations. A living thing, like a plant or animal, 

 dies and is exposed to the contact of air. To the life 

 which has left it, succeeds life under other forms. 



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