232 PROFESSOR LIONEL S. BEALE, P.R.C.P,, F.R.S., ON 



There is, I venture to think, yet another fashion ahnost 

 as unfair to long-suffering adults. As 1 have reached a 

 considerable age, I may perhaps be permitted, even at the 

 risk of offending some of my friends who are but too kind on 

 occasions of hospitality, in wishing me to partake of a diet 

 which, considered from a vital or physiological point of view, 

 must be termed " too liberal." Many who give chnner parties 

 and invite their friends to enjoy a profusion of rich food, 

 seem to have thought of everything but the necessary water 

 required to dissolve and dilute it, before it can be assimilated, 

 or become of any use physiologically to the organism, and 

 for the want of dilution, some luxuries may act detrimentally. 

 Every guest should have a small bottle of water in his 

 immediate vicinity, so that he may help himself as often as 

 he desires, during the feast, or even before the repast begins. 

 The privilege of belonging to a City Company, or a dining- 

 club, Avould I think be enhanced, and more highly appreciated, 

 if plenty of water, lemonade and such beverages were not 

 considered vulgar, or commonplace and inappropriate. On 

 the few occasions, years ago, when I Avas able to indulge in 

 dinners, I could seldom get water enough to dissolve even 

 the small amount of food a person of my weight ought to 

 take. Wine and beer and other alcoholic beverages that 

 ought not to be asked for, or taken by a rational person 

 desirous of easily digesting his food, Avere in excess, but 

 water pure and simple, was not to be had. To ask for water 

 under such circumstances was sometimes considered an 

 offence. The waiters seem to detest water and even a little 

 bottle of seltzer or other aerated Avater, is not often at 

 hand. 



Pardon me for thus attacking the anti-water custom — but 

 when I think of the required solution of most of the con- 

 stituents of our food soon after meals, before their assimilation 

 is possible, and before they can be of service in the nutrition 

 of our tissues, or of use in the physiological action of tissues 

 and organs, I naturally look for a little modification of views 

 widely entertained concerning eating and drinking in the 

 case of man — the so-called animal. It will give me pleasure 

 to hear any remarks on the questions I have brought forward, 

 and I shall endeavour in answer to any questions arising to 

 explain more clearly the views to which I have committed 

 myself, as far as I am able to do so. (Applause.) 



