foods taken at table, seeing that citric, malic, and other organic
acids which are found distributed throughout the vegetable world are
liable to chemical conversion into oxalic acid through a fermentation or
perverted digestion."

I think the moral of the above is: "Do not drink hard water."
Especially do not cook fruit and vegetables in hard water. They are
nearly always rendered indigestible by such a process, and
"vegetarianism," not the hard water, is often blamed for the sufferings
of the consumers.

Rhubarb is apt to be over-valued as a "spring medicine" on account of
its association with the Turkey rhubarb of _materia medica_. It should
be thoroughly ripe before eating.

I am _not_ recommending Turkey rhubarb.

_Sage._

Sage is said to promote longevity, to quicken the senses and memory, and
to strengthen the nerves.

Sage tea is recommended for pulmonary consumption and for excessive
perspiration of the feet. A teaspoonful of dried sage, or rather more if
the fresh leaves be used, is steeped in half a pint of water for
twenty-four hours. A teacupful is to be taken night and morning.

Sage, like so many of the fragrant herbs, is antiseptic.

_Strawberry._

The strawberry is exceptionally wholesome on account of its being so
easily digested. It is recommended for gout, rheumatism, and the stone.
Also for anaemic patients on account of the iron it contains.

H. Benjafield, M.B., advises anaemic girls to take 1 quart of
strawberries per day, and when these are not obtainable several ripe
bananas.

_Spinach._

Professor Bunge declared that iron should never be taken in its mineral
form, but that those who are in need of an iron tonic should take it as
it exists in vegetables and fruit. To this end he especially commends
spinach.

Dr. Luff puts spinach first on a list of vegetables recommended to
those who suffer from gouty tendencies.

Spinach is very easily digested, and so juicy that no added water is
needed in which to cook it.

_Tomato._

The tomato, according to an American physician, is one of the most
powerful _deobstruents_ (remover of disease particles, and opener of the
natural channels of the body) of the _materia medica_. It should be used
in all affections of the liver, etc., where calomel is indicated.

The superstition that tomatoes are a cause of cancer is absolutely
without foundation. Vegetarian cancer patients who have recovered after
being given up as "hopeless" b