The Laurel Health Cookery: A Collection of Practical Suggestions and Recipes for the Preparation of Non-Flesh Foods in Palatable and Attractive Ways

largely of salt; give up bottled pickles; keep fiery spiced food out of your stomach; eat fruit with your meals, and the irritation which calls for so much drink will cease to exist. But if anything is needed to quench thirst, pure water drunk some little time before or after a meal is all that nature requires.” INVALID FOODS “Diet in the hands of an expert is far more effective than drugs. I speak from a large experience in both systems.”--_“Food and Condition.” Dr. Yorke Davis, London._ “In many cases of sickness the very best remedy is for the patient to fast for a meal or two, that the overworked organs of digestion may have an opportunity to rest.” “A fruit diet for a few days has often brought great relief to brain workers.” “Many times a short period of entire abstinence from food, followed by simple, moderate eating, has led to recovery through nature’s own recuperative effort. An abstemious diet for a month or two would convince many sufferers that the path of self-denial is the path to health.” “There are some who would be benefited more by abstinence from food for a day or two every week than by any amount of treatment or medical advice. To fast one day a week would be of incalculable benefit to them.” Suggestions Whatever food is taken to the sick should be prepared and served daintily and neatly. If the tray cloth is ever so coarse or only a paper napkin, have it clean; use the daintiest and prettiest china to be found and serve the food in small quantities, without any drops or streaks on the edge of the dishes. A flower or leaf by the side of the plate, will give zest to the food. Food should be simple, nutritious and easily digested. Suitable dishes are scattered all through the book. Among the soups are the broths and others, supplying the needs of different cases. There are toasts in variety; they may be served in delicate squares, triangles and crescents. Rice flour blanc mange, sea moss blanc mange, buttermilk,