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nutritious in themselves. Highly flavored foods are not 
the most wholesome and their use cannot be so general nor 
long-continued as others. A craving for them is not an 
indication of good health. Frequently they are used to 
tempt or stimulate the appetite of persons who are not in 
need of food and who would be benefitted by omitting it. 
Condiments are flavoring agents of very strong flavor, 
with which is usually associated more or less pungency, so 
that they are capable of exerting a strong stimulus upon 
the appetite and digestion. Their continuous moderate use 
is not inconsistent with a state of health, nor is it neces- 
sarily injurious. Their excessive or unnecessary use tends 
generally toward the weakening of the natural healthy 
functions of nutrition. When, however, the appetite or 
digestion is so impaired that the subject is threatened with 
deficient nutrition, the use of condiments is proper and 
often of great value. Condiments thus occupy a sort of 
intermediate position between ordinary flavoring agents 
and such medicines as bitters and other stomachics. The 
latter are remedial agents, used in case of impairment of 
health, while the former may be regarded as prophylactics, 
intended to prevent a threatened impairment. 
THE GINGER FAMILY (Zingiberaceae) 
1396-1404. Ginger.—The rootstock of Zingiber Zingiber (L.) Karst. Native of 
tropical Asia and cultivated in all tropical regions. Unless otherwise 
stated, the samples were presented by F. H. Leggett & Company, of New 
York. 
1396. African ginger.—Ginger grown in Africa. This variety is prepared by 
stripping off the bark from the flat sides, dipping in boiling water to destroy 
its vitality, and drying. It is of excellent strength but dark-colored, and 
produces dark-colored preparations. 
1397. The same in a ground condition. 
1398. East Indian Race ginger.—Ginger produced in the East Indies and prepared 
like African ginger. 
1399. The same in a ground state. 
1399.1. Calicut ginger.—A variety of East Indian ginger, presented by H. H. 
Rusby. 
1400. Unbleached Jamaica ginger.—This is the most expensive variety of com- 
mercial ginger, cultivated and prepared in Jamaica, West Indies. The 
rhizomes are very carefully dug to avoid bruising, then soaked in water and 
