The Tomato.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 72

The Tomato.

At tbe present time, when the tomato is ii season, and is found daily on nearly e\ery table, the following facts, taken from a handbook on tl^e tomato, will be read with interest: — On all sides we hear of the great demand for tomatoes, and there is every probability of this increasing rather than -diminishing, seeing that, in addition to the appetising nature of this fruit, it possesses important medicinal properties. Once the taste Ls acquired^ for them it will intensify, and in many instances amount to a Tiassion or craving for an unlimited supply." of fruit. To persons whose occupations are of a sedentary character, and who, therefore, are most liable to suffer from liver complaints, no stronger recommendation in favour of tomatoes as a daily article of diet can be found than the opinion expressed by Dr Bennett. This eminent physician declares: "(1) That the tomato is one of tho meet powerful cle-pbstru-ents of the Materia medica, and tbat in all those, affections of the liver and other

organs where calomel is indicated it 13 piobably the most effective and least harmful remedial agent known in the profession; (2) that a chemical extract can be obtained! from it which will altogether supersede the u-o of calomel in ih© euro of diseases; (3) that ho has successfully treated diarrhoea with th:? article alone ; (4) that when used as an article of diet it is almost a sovereign remedy for dyspepsia and indigestion." According to the analysis of Fodere and Hecht, th? tomato was found to contain : (1) A peculiar scid, which is destroyed by a distilling heat, and which is combined by a bitter principal, probably solanin ; (2) a volatile oJ, difficult to separate, and which evaporates with great rapidity; (3) an extra cto-resinous brown matter, of a pitchy ' consistency, having a strong smell, and a ! biiter-sweet taste, soluble in water, and i partly soluble in alcohol and ether; (4) an ' albuminous matter, which readily purifies; ; (5) a little mucous sugar, detected by the smell of caramel at the commencement of combustion ; (6) sulphate of potash, a little chloride of potassium and calcium, pure ! pofash, and probably a vegetable alkaloid, [ wl-ich resides n-meh more abundantly ia ! the lea\es than in the fruit.

Onions as Medicine. — The experience cF those who have tried the onion cure is that it works wonders in restoring a cold-racked system to its normal state. An onion - cure breakfast includes a poached egg on toast, three tabtespoonfuls of fried onions and a cup of coffee. Luncheon of sandwiches made of brown bread, buttered, and filled with finely chopped raw onion, seasoned with salt and pepper, makes the second meal on the schedule. For supper the onions may be fried as for breakfast, and eaten with a chop and a, baked potato. The efficacy of onions is well known to the singers of Italy and Spain, who eat them every day to improve the quality of their voices and keep them smooth. Onion plasters are prescribed to break up hard coughs. They are made of fried onion placed between two pieces of old muslin. The plaster is kept quite hot until the patient is snugly in bed, when it is placed on the chest to stay overnight. Onion syrup is claimed by some to be unequalled as a cure for a bad cold in the chest.