For the great majority of cases it is not necessary to strain the peptonized beef, for the portions remaining undissolved are so softened under the action of the extractum pancreatis that they are diffused in an almost impalpable condition—in a form readily susceptible to digestion in the body.
Chicken meat, alone or mixed with an equal portion of beef, may be prepared in the same way.
A cereal gruel of wheat, arrowroot, etc., may be incorporated with the beef, thus giving a food combination that is often highly desirable.
The gruel is prepared in the usual manner, the dry cereal mixed perfectly smooth with cold water and cooked slowly in a double boiler until gelatinized. Four ounces of this gruel may be added to the meat paste, liquor, water and peptonizing powder as directed above, and the further details of the process carried out just as with the beef alone.
The extractum pancreatis will at the same time digest both the meat and starch (of the gruel). The broth with the cereal is more agreeable than when made of meat alone.
The peptonized beef or peptonized beef and cereal may also be made into a jelly.
PEPTONIZED OYSTERS.
To a half-dozen large oysters with their juice add a half-pint of cold water; heat in a saucepan to boiling, and boil briskly for a few minutes; pour off the broth and set it aside.
Mince the oysters finely and reduce to a paste with a potato-masher in a wooden bowl; put in a glass jar with the broth and add:
| Extractum pancreatis, | 15 grs.; |
| Soda bicarbonate, | 15 grs. |
| Mixed thoroughly into one powder. | |