the product of the larger
part of its food value, until it is absolutely incapable of sustaining
life, and this serious mistake is without question the prime cause of
the prevalence of constipation. The refining of rice by removing the
coating, which contains organic salts, is another process by which is
produced a food that is almost pure starch. The disease beriberi is
now recognized as being due to a diet of polished rice. Where the
natural unpolished rice is used this disease is both prevented and
cured. In refining our sugar a similar denaturing process 'is carried
on. The same is true in the grinding of corn, and in preparing a
whole host of other foods. The practice of "refining" is the great
food crime of the age. In addition to this the average housewife adds to
our difficulties when preparing vegetables and other foods, by
"draining" off the water in which they are cooked, thus throwing away
the invaluable mineral elements which have been dissolved in the liquor
during the process of cooking. The ultimate result of these crimes of
the manufacturer and mistakes of the cook, is that the people are to a
large extent starved, as far as mineral salts are concerned, in spite of
the enormous food supply and the payment of the highest prices.

Though bread is supposed to be the "staff of life," it might reasonably
be termed the "staff of death" when it is made entirely from white flour
and is depended upon exclusively for nourishment. It is well to point
out also that bread of all kinds should be avoided in some cases of
weak digestion. Under such circumstances it often irritates the lining
of the stomach and intestines. When symptoms of this kind are noticed
bread must not be used-more especially when made with yeast. When the
bread is made without yeast and is masticated very thoroughly it may do
no harm. There are instances also in which there is a Strong craving for
white bread and when graham or whole-wheat bread is not appetizing. When
one has an abundant variety of foods and the alimentary canal is
unusually active the desire for white bread can be satisfied without
harmful results. In fact when the diet is varied by numerous articles
of food at one meal considerable white bread can be used if it is
appetizing. Those taking the treatment for constipation recommended in
this book often stimulate the alimentary canal to such an extent
that graham or whole-wheat products are sli