The virtues of tea thus drank are as considerable, as its bad qualities when ill managed. In this manner, it strengthens the stomach, and assists digestion: it keeps the body from emptiness, without loading it: the appetite for dinner will be the better for it; and the digestion will be also more perfect. Tea in this quantity is sufficient also for the great purpose of diluting; and it refreshes the spirits more than any other liquid.
The best drink at meals is malt liquor, not too strong: small ale is better than table-beer; because it will keep to a due time for safe use.
Some wine is necessary to old men: and according to the constitution, and former manner of life, more may be born by some without inconvenience. Of all wines sack is the best, if it can be obtained genuine; and the next best is mountain.
As occasion shall require, the supper foods here directed may be used by way of dinner; and broths may even be necessary sometimes for breakfast. When the stomach cannot digest solids, these liquid nourishments should supply the place: and when more nourishing things are wanted, a broth breakfast is excellent. Vipers are extolled, but ’tis an idle fancy: I have found, on repeated trials, broth of veal, and chickens, is much better.
CHAP. IV.
Of the foods persons in years should avoid.
Every thing that is heavy, and hard of digestion, must be avoided. Tho’ vegetables may be thought innocent; too much of them will in some cases prove hurtful: and there are certain kinds that should be let alone entirely.
Carrots are to be avoided, no weak stomach can digest them: turnips are innocent; and parsnips are nourishing.
Salads should be shunned: cabbage, and all its kinds, breed wind; but asparagus is diuretic; and is excellent against that common old man’s complaint, the gravel.
Bad cheese should be avoided; and there is nothing worse than eating too much butter: but very fine Cheshire cheese; or the Parmezan in a small quantity after other food, are not amiss.
All sharp-tasted things, whether in food or drink, are carefully to be shunned. They cannot be neutral upon the stomach; and they are much more likely to do harm than good.