and spiced dishes which
are made up in so many ways to tempt the appetite, of alcohol in every
form, of meat to the extent often consumed by the well-to-do, of pastry
and such indigestible food as heavy cakes, of fried food in general;
and, on the other hand, the adoption of a diet largely consisting of
milk, cheese, eggs, butter, cereals, root and green vegetables, fruits,
and nuts. It will not be found an expensive diet; on the contrary, it
is remarkably cheap; it will give little trouble, for but little
cooking will be needed. It may require some little effort at first, and
some breakings with social customs, but far less of both than will be
imagined. Seeing that a large part of disease is ultimately traceable
to a rich and stimulating diet, and to too much food in general,
simplicity is imperative on all who seek for the preservation of
health. Eat less, eat better (or more slowly, with perfect
mastication), eat simpler foods at your meals, eat at these meals only
when you require it, and never between your meals. Such eating will
ensure good digestion, good assimilation, good blood, and good health.

Diet and Corpulence.--A tendency to obesity should always be carefully
checked by attention to diet and exercise (_see_ Exercise). The
fattening foods are those which contain either fat or carbonaceous
substances. Carbonaceous substances are found in bread, sugar,
arrowroot, puddings in general, pastry, potatoes. The fats, such as
butter, cream, and animal fat, should be much restricted in their use.
As we have above indicated, however, it is not wise, as many corpulent
people do in their efforts to get rid of this superabundance of fat, to
make up for their restriction by an increase in the quantity of meat
consumed. Cheese, peas, beans, buttermilk, and oatmeal might with
advantage be drawn upon instead. At the same time, if the circulation
is good it is well with such proteid diet to increase the amount of
water drunk during the day, as this helps to eliminate the waste which
would otherwise overtax the kidneys. Green vegetables and fruits should
form a large part of the diet.

It must be remembered that it is dangerous to strike out at once all
fattening foods from the diet; many have injured their health
permanently by such injudicious haste, and brought on floating kidneys,
etc. Remember, also, that exercise is a much safer reducer of fat than
a very great reduction in diet, unless there has been a decided
t