27$ On Chrofiic DebiUtij 



siderable experience, Lisbon wine, or any of the lighter 

 wines, uniformly cause or increase costiveness in myself, 

 while a few glasses of very good old Madeira usually re- 

 lieve that troublesome complaint. The former becomes 

 acid ; the latter usually relieves acidity. It ought per- 

 haps to be added, that rye bread, and the various prepara- 

 tions of maize, are commonly laxative, to persons whose 

 digestion is unimpaired. 



The only preparations of buckwheat, with which I am 

 acquainted, are pancakes, which are fried in fat, and boil- 

 ed puddings. No food can be much worse than^ie for- 

 mer, for debilitated stomachs ; as it so quickly ferments, 

 and turns sour, occasioning flatulence, costiveness, head- 

 ache, &c. None of the other Cerealia ai^e used as food 

 in this country, within my knowledge. 



Of other preparations of the several species of this class 

 are, puddings, pies, and cakes. Of puddings, none but 

 those which are very simple, should be ventured on. — 

 Those only which I would recommend, are boiled rice, 

 and boiled bread, previously dried and pounded. Flour 

 puddings are too glutinous, and insoluble, and occasion, 

 as do all the richer puddings also, in dyspeptics, the same 

 disagreeable consequences. Every species of pie, and 

 every kind of cake, except that which is very simple, are 

 unsafe. It can scarcely be necessary to observe, that of 

 the sauces customarily used with food of this sort, none 

 except those of the simplest kind, are proper. 



Of the effects of milk as an article of diet, I shall only 

 remark, that so far as my observation has extended, it 

 has uniformly proved mischievous to dyspeptic persons. 

 It is too fluid, becomes highly acid, and occasions cos- 

 tiveness, headache, &:c. Old pungent cheese often pro- 

 motes digestion, while that of a contrary character, usu- 

 ally has a pernicious effect. 



Eggs boiled to the consistence of thick cream, are usu- 

 ally safe and considerably nourishing, and very easy upon 

 the stomach. 



Fish are more nourishing, and more easy of digestiouj 

 than vegetables, and less so than flesh. Some kinds are 

 much less digestible, than others. Broiled or boiled fish, 

 are far preferable to those which are fried. Dried salted 



