Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-10-30
DECAYING FOOD.

All vegetable and animal productions have a
tendency TO decomposition. This decomposi-
ton may be partial by returning to the proxi-
mate elements, or total by returning to its ulti-
mate Thus when an apple decays its juice
passes first through the sugar fermentation
and afterward through the vinous, and remains
as vinegar this is a partial decomposition.
But when potato decays, it passes at once in
to utter dissolution The popularity of these
decompositions which demands our attention is,
its contagious nature, the decomposition of one
particle being communicated to the adjoining
ones and by these to the next. and so onward
The fermentation of yeast is such decomposi-
ton. When mixed with dough it communi-
Gates its action throughout the mass and if the
fermentation is allowed to continue the dough
becomes first sour and at last entirely decom-
posed. This power of assimilation by contact
is quite universal in all varieties of decay, both
IN vegetable and animal substances. Even
living substances are affected by contact
Many diseases are known to arise from the
reception into the lungs of decaying vegetable
matter in the air. Drinking stagnant WATER that
is, water flied with decaying vegetable and ami
nal substance, begets the most malignant dis
cases. Establishments in cities which emit of
fensiyc efmvia, such as slaughter houses, sta
bles, glue and soap manufactures are always
brooding nests of conagon. Nor is it very
material whether he decaying matter be intro
duced by air into the lungs. or by food into the
stomach. Contact is as efectual in one case as
the other-contact of the dccaying with the
living fluids and northumberland decomposi-
ton as readily communicated. In the one in
stance the decay is nearly complete, in the
other hut Just commenced, but this is a differ
ancc in degree rather than Of kind. In either
small amount Ct material is sufficient to trans
nit the tendency to dsorgonization. The less
juicy vegetables manifest their first change by
what is donominotcd ,cHting In this condition
the nutritious qualities are much injured and
the indisestihiiity greatly increased.
The more juicy fruits spoil or decay with
much greater ropidity, and the decomposition is
more complete. Peas and oucumbers 'ciH, but
strawberries, tomatoes, and similar fruits decay.
The one may not be as injurious as the other,
but both are noxious, and may engender a
chemical condition very difficult to control.
Now it is to be observed that but a small
portion of the ordinary supplies of our large
cities is in proper condition when offered in
market. The desire Of securing the high pri.
ces of the earliest products induces the gather,
ing of the first gowth while yet unripe, and of
that which remains till fully matured the sue
culent fruits and vegetables commence decay
before reaching the termination OF the distan
ces large quantities are transported. Eaten
freely by those Who deem anything from the
country health!ul, to their surprise it is found
to be detrimental, till after repeated ri,ls they
arrive reluctantly AT the conclusion that meats
are safer food III summer han vegetables. Nor
is it to he deni,d that too frequently this CON
cusion is just.
Here lbs The cholc tyoujic the rcgetaJles If
the city aIe mot the vegetables Of the couHi,g.
The latter are usually gathered and eaten al tie
time OF their perfection, the former before or
after; in either of which cases their chemical
constitution, as We lave seen, is not that Of the
rpenel fruit the one is digeshe, nutritious,
and cooling the other either ucld aud irrita-
ting or inIigcstiblc and poisonous.
These chemical f.c> fully explain all the re-
suits attendant upon eating fruit and vegetables
When eaten fresh gathered in the country, they
fully answer the character we have assigned
them as being the most heathlul and beneficial
of summer toodi in the city, after leagues Of
transportation under burning sun, and hours
of storage in addition, they are weA adapted to
justify the common suspicion as to their sani-
tary qualities.
The country man, as he gathers the full crown
and luscious products Of his own fields, may
know he is receiving for himself and those he
provides for gifts from the goddess OF health.
The citizen. as he returns from the market
may well reflect whether the goddess of health
or traffic resides in that mart. Though The So
luton of the whole case is SO simple, the rene
dy appears far less so.
II is difficult to get sufficient supplies Of
proper vegetable food for a densely populated
city; so difficult, in fact, that we shall do a bet.
ter service by indicating what is our best means
of meeting the case as it stands than of indi-
eating its remedy;
/. 1t is better to do without vegetables alto
gether than to use them in any other than their
prime condition
2. No intelligent provider for household
ought ever to bring into his home fruits, ber-
res, or vegetables green, unripe, over-ripe,
wilted or dccayed.
3. Produce purchased in marke because it
is cheap or under price is culpohle economy it
is paying half price for what is not only worth
less but worse.
A. Salads, lettuce, kale, cucumbcrs, peas, and
green corn wilt under any circumstances in a
few hours and should therefore be eaten the
same day gathered. Peas should be picked,
shelled, and cooked Immediately.
8. Berries, melons, tomatoes and all similar
juicy fruits, having but brief interim between
The unrpe and decaying condition, are always
just objects of suspicion and intelligent exami-
nation.
The decomposition ofanimal substances is still
more rapid, complete and offensive to the sys-
fem DecavinO meats taken into the stomach
cannot fail to act more or less directly and de.
cisively, and i, will be good fortune if immedi-
ate nausea or other violent action remove them
from the system with no greater or more per-
manent disturbance.
The meats most liable to faint are those
transported a considerable distance, such as fish,
oysters, and chickens. Much also of the sailed
leef and pork in market in summer is in SINH
lar condition, having hung in the stall till il