INTRODUCTIOK. l3 



veloptnent, yet their diet is chiefly bread with cherries, 

 figs, dates, mulberries or other fruits. 



In short, the experience nf mankind shows that simple 

 food including much fruit, conduces to strength and lon- 

 gevity. 



HYGIENIC VALUE OP FRTTIT. 



K it be generally known that all food is both nutritive 

 and stimulative, it is not, certainly, remembered that on 

 the proper bSlance between nutrition and stimulation, de- 

 pends perfect enjoyment of existence and health. 



These, in fact, are synonymous terms. To feel an 

 abounding and elastic vigor, to have a continual sense of 

 power, to be able to use bod.y and mind at will in a world 

 where everything around and above incites to exertion 

 and attainment, are certainly what should be eagerly 

 sought. Much as has been said upon the subject of diet 

 in this regard, the use of pure fruits and grains cannot be 

 too much insisted upon. 



Among the authorities upon this subject are some of the 

 most progressive physicians and scientists of the age. 



"Writing to the " Medical Classics " very lately. Dr. Fer- 

 dinand Seeger says : 



" It is an obseirvation not less important than true, that 

 by attending merely to a proper diet, a phlegmatic tem- 

 perament may frequently be changed into a sanguine one, 

 and the hypochondriac may be so altered as to become a 

 cheerful member of societj'. The eating of fruit at the 

 commencement of a meal, while it pi-esents a bland or con- 

 genial material to the delicate lining of the alimentary or- 

 gans, forming a welcome precursor to more substantial ar- 

 ticles, and is, to home extent, a safeguard against the over- 

 feeding which comes from reserving the fruit till the 

 stomach is already overloaded with enough, perhaps too 



