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Salads, Wholesomeness Of

For persons of weak digestion, salads as a rule are not suited. When, however, the stomach is equal to the work, they appear generally to exercise a beneficial effect on the system, particularly in the case of salads derived from the tribe of the cruciferous plants, to which the water-cress, radish, mustard, cress, scurvy-grass, and such-like, belong. "Many persons," says a medical writer, "with whom raw vegetables, such as salads, cucumbers, etc., invariably disagree if eaten `undressed,' find the addition of the ordinary salad or `Florence' oil correct the tendency. In this country some individuals have a prejudice against the use of oil. It is difficult to see why it should extend to the beautiful preparation in question." Salads are eaten as a condiment, not as an article of aliment. They are of great use in moderating the excitement of the system which would be produced by a diet composed altogether of animal food, particularly in hot weather. They are also very effective as anti-scorbutics. One should observe moderation, however, in eating salads, and they should be avoided by dyspeptic patients.