INTRODUCTION. 15 



such fruits as peaches and grapes is allowed. In scarlet 

 fever and diphtheria, native and foreign fruits are most 

 useful. He concludes: " There is scarcely a disease ac- 

 companied with fever but grapes and bananas may be free- 

 ly given to the patient. In the treatment of dysentery I 

 would very much prefer ripe, sound fi'uits, peaches espe- 

 cially, to any medicine that can be suggested." 



Confirmatory of the therapeutic value of fruit is a re- 

 markable cure recorded in an English Medical Journal, 

 "The Lancet" some time ago. The case was that of a 

 child three years of age who had been ill during' half hia 

 lifetime. Covered from head to foot with ulcers, blind and 

 in constant pain it seemed as if death alone could bring 

 reUef. Eight eminent medical men had pronounced him in- 

 curable and the ninth began his almost hopeless task with 

 a determination to try the virtue of fruit. The boy's 

 diet consisted almost entirely of ripe fruits and sugar or 

 honey. He was allowed to eat grapes, cherries, apples, pears, 

 plums and such other fruits as could be obtained, either 

 in their natural state or cooked. 



Within three days the mass of rimning ulcers which 

 covered the little body showed signs of amendment. He 

 soon began to open his eyes for the first time in over a 

 year, and at the end of three and a half months the child 

 was pronounced cured. His skin had become remarkably 

 clear and fair while the swollen features had returned to 

 their wonted appearance. Other noteworthy cases might 

 be repeatedly cited, but all illustrate the same important 

 principle. 



It is a curioas fact that those who show high intelli- 

 gence in other regards, are often lamentably deficient in 

 respect to physical habits, especially to diet. 



