Kitchen Superstitions.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 215, 14 November 1896, Page 3

Kitchen Superstitions.

" Kitchen Superstitions " was the title of . " a most interesting and instructive lecture delivered by Dr J. J. Miller in the Assembly Hall, Collins street, Melbourne, under the auspices of the Australian 'Health Society. The lecturer, made an onslaught on many long-cherished beliefs as to the culinary art. • The first " superstition " assailed was with regard to making soup from bones. Bones, the lecturer stated, are almost entirely devoid of nutriment ; it has been ascertained that in 201 bof beef bones the nutritious matter is soz of fat. Many people make soup from bones, and finding that when it is allowed to become cold it forms a stiff jelly, rejoice over their " rich soup." But the jelly, the lecturer remarked, is simply the glue boiled out of the bones, and it is not only devoid of . nutriment, but is indig"stible. Carnivorous animals fed exclusively upon jellies made by boiling bones die from starvation. Dr Miller then' commented on the prevailing Australian "diet generally condemning it as nnsoientific. and unsuitable to the climate. It is for the -most part a reproduction of the English diet, .which is only fitted for cold latitudes. Ai»oDgst vegetables the carrot is utterly worthlosras an edible, and potatoes lack nutritious properties ; of the latter, 131bs per day would be required to sustain an average man. The lecturer propounded the paradox that baked meat is really boiled and boiled meat actually roasted, but it is questionable if any of those present quite clearly appreciated the subtle scientific methods by which the proposition- was demonstrated. In concluding, Dr Miller said that the Government would be conferring a great boon upon the public if, instead of directing that the boys in State schools should be taught to sew, it provided that the girls there were instructed how to cook. Man is distinguished from the other animals by the fact that he cooks his food, and upon the proper cooking of it depends much of his health and happiness. Indigestion resulting from improper cooking is a great incentive to the drinking of alcohol, and temperance organisations would accomplish far more towards attaining the end they have in view if some of their energies were devoted to C ' influencing the Government to provide for the teaching of cooking in Sate schools.