I have entered somewhat fully into one or two of the theories associated with the dietetic problem, so as to enable each individual reader to realise for himself the difficulties surrounding the subject, and if possible to aid him in selecting the best diet for himself. I am particularly anxious to emphasise the fact that my references have been entirely connected with the healthy person. In this liberty-loving country there is too frequently manifested a disposition to decide questions which are entirely outside of the individual realm and for which expert knowledge is really essential. I have no quarrel with the healthy man who strikes out a particular dietetic line for himself, and maintains the highest possible vigour of mind and body thereupon. He has solved a most important problem for himself. But where in such manner one succeeds in effecting a satisfactory solution, many drive sheer on to the rocks of disaster.

I would therefore advise everyone who contemplates making any serious change in his diet, a change for example out of harmony with the established diet of the country or district in which he lives, to submit the proposed alterations to his medical attendant, and in the event of his approval to present himself for medical examination at more or less frequent intervals. This warning has no special reference to any one system, for I am acquainted with individuals living on the most diverse systems who are yet able to maintain themselves in perfect health, but because I am convinced that the malign influence of some dietetic systems is so seductive that it would be well to check it before it has attained serious proportions.

It is imperative, however, for the unhealthy individual to make no experiments on his body, but to place himself under the guidance of a medical expert who will enable him to select the best foods or system to suit his diseased condition.

A reference to the day's menu which I have already detailed will prove that I adhere to the orthodox arrangement of the meals usually observed in this country. The stomach requires something over four hours after breakfast and something over five hours after a substantial midday meal to empty itself, and to load it with food at any shorter interval or to do violence to the body by fixing any much longer interval is likely to lead to trouble. Still it is a very complacent organ, in witness whereof one has only to reflect upon the five or six daily opportunities for the more or less serious ingestion of food in a hydropathic, and the six or seven similar opportunities on a transatlantic liner. I confess I have been filled with amazement at the impunity with which people can, on occasion if not regularly, abrogate all the dietetic laws of health, at least as far as the occurrence of serious indigestion is concerned, though doubtless the demon of obesity or excessive thinness, of gout, rheumatism, or constipation, patiently awaits at their elbow to take possession when opportunity serves.

For such individuals the problem of careful mastication does not exist, and if they have ever heard of the famous Horace Fletcher, they have quietly ignored his teaching and consigned his practice to oblivion. Their mission on earth may not be precisely that of living to eat, but on the other hand they are entirely ignorant of, or prepared to despise, those who only eat to live. Eating is a pleasure, and in this pleasure loving and seeking age the pleasures of the table are not forgotten. Happy the man who can afford to swallow his food after a few perfunctory movements of his jaws, the best evidence of his eupeptic condition. Still happier the man, however, who having recognised his tendency to dyspepsia faithfully chews every bite until at least all the solid elements it contains are reduced to such a state that they can be swallowed with every certainty of digestion. Even if the number of chews should approach the three or four hundred for each bite, I am not inclined to hold him up to public derision, for I can promise him relief for his indigestion and ultimately permanent cure, if he will only persevere.

I must not trespass on my space in connection with this great subject, often called "Fletcherism," further than to indicate that there is every reason to believe, from scientific evidence of the highest character, that the nutritive requirements of the body are distinctly diminished by the practice of careful mastication. From every point of view, therefore, it is true economy to encourage it, for apart from the financial reason involved, it is judicious to prevent the expenditure of needless energy in the body. Every particle of food beyond what is actually required for the repair of the tissues and the supply of requisite energy is not only superfluous, but involves a loss of energy in digesting and excreting it. Huge eaters are not therefore necessarily nor usually the best workers, for experience proves that the man who settles down to his regular daily occupation soon recognises that to be efficient he must limit his consumption of food. Only during a well-earned holiday can he afford to indulge his appetite, and that for a very restricted period. On all hands it is admitted that longevity is rarely attained by the excessive feeder, whereas good health and great age are perfectly consistent with the consumption of a very moderate amount of food.

It is quite in the nature of things for my readers to desire some information on what precisely constitutes moderation, and I must confess that this is a question not easily answered. A rough-and-ready guide is found in the suggestion that one should never rise from the table with the appetite completely satisfied, but this of course presupposes a hearty appetite and a healthy condition of mind and body. At the same time it must be admitted that there is much truth in the statement, for the appetite, properly interpreted, is Nature's method of estimating the nutritive requirements of the body, and never fails the man who has honestly earned it.

It is difficult to say just how far it is legitimate to institute measures for tempting the appetite, as it is called. Everything which would contribute to rendering plain food plainly cooked more attractive, such as scrupulous cleanliness, table decorations, beautiful flowers and congenial company, should be welcomed, but the addition of complicated dishes and sauces, entrees, condiments, alcoholic liquor and liqueurs, is sure to lead to a violation of the law of moderation.

The secret of good health and long life is to be found in eating a sufficiency of food at regular intervals, in engaging in a regular but not too laborious daily occupation, in keeping the body clean and the mind cheerful, in having sufficient rest and recreation, and in making moderation in all things the watchword of the whole life.