The Use of Condiments.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 May 1910, Page 4

The Use of Condiments.

Tho abolition of tho cruet has been solemnly discussed. First salt is banned on fcho ground that it delays digestion or has an unfavourable, action akin to a mild poison, ■and can further act as an emetic; next pepper is convicted of an irritant effect on the gastric organs, as well a.s upon the organs of secretion, and, besides, contains an alkaloid; then vinegar may precipitate an attack of gout, while its usi , . .to produce a colourless complexion is quoted as evidence of its injurious effects; mustard, liko pepper, is an irritiiiiifc also, and its effects ns a. blister are not forgotten, in addition to w.hich it rs .a well-known emetic; lastly, olivo oil is indigestible, coating food with oil, and .so preventing tho gastric juices from doing their beneficent work. On the face of it, wo have here a series of serious indictments which might tempt some to regard the very old institution of the cruet as, after all, a great human error. The acceptance* of such a, view (says the "Lancet") betrays little knowledge. Each item of tho cruet is of decided service in dietetics, nnd wo have something more thon the argument that the use of condiments is merely instinctive to support this statement. The classic experiments of L'awlow have shown how impoTtanfc is the role- of condiments in diet, how it is they improve appetite and increase digestive power. Mustard, pepper, and salt used, of course, in sensible amounts, assist the appetito, give a zest for food, and partly by reflex action, a.s well as local action, stimulate the flow of digestive juices and. ensure healthy assimilation.

Even vinegar is known to have n .softening effect on tough fibres, nnd hence its use is justified in so many instances. Lastly, the use of oil in a salad is a sound physiological procedure, for it supplies an element which is deficient in the salad vegetable, while as a vehicle for the uniform distribution of food maitcrials in the human organism it does excellent service.