The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-07-04
Meran and the Grape Cure.

A writer in Chanbers's Journal says OF
peculiar feature of life at Meran, in the
fyrol: ,.,.o,,.u4 bo,.
| the absorbing occupation of life is-eatlng
grapes. The first thing one does on arrlv-
ing at Meran is to buy basket; and the
visitor is to be seen at seven the next morn
ing, gay and exultant, buying grapes, to
fill his purchase of the evening before,
wondering much at their cheapness YET
discovering, after very few days expert
ence, that he paid rather highly in giving
at once the price demanded. For grapes
of the richest bloom and most delicious
flavor are to be seen all around; they hang
in purple punches over all the hills, in
every garden, round every cottage porch;
carts and baskets full of them are brought
into the town every morning, and they
lie heaped on stalls in glorious profusion,
at the corners of the streets. Everybody
who comes takes the grape-cure,' to the
extent of eating more grapes than he ever
did before in his life, unless he prefers figs,
which are almost as plentiful and excellent.
But propose now to speak OF those lnVa-
lids suffering from bronchial affections, or
incipient consumption, or other complaints
for whom this most agreeable OF medicines
has been prescribed. No quantity ofgrapes
sidered as a true and energetic grape-cure
less than this is mere pleasant dallying.
The patient begins with one or two pounds
a day, dividing the quantity into three
portions-one taken an hour before break
| fast, the next between that and dinner
! (which takes place at 1890 or l at least, at
Meran), and the last portion in the after
noon or evening, an hour before the last
meal of the day. The grapes must be eat
en- in the open air, an injunction ebeyed
| to the letter at Meran, as every
body walks about eating grapes all
day long, unless you prefer tax
ing one of your three portions sitting
| iu your veranda, gazing lazily out over the
lovely country. After couple of days,
the quantity is to be increased by half a
pound, until it reaches three or four
! pounds. This is often sufficient-deper-
dent, of course, upon the nature of the
disease, the progress it has made, etc.
Many people eat six pounds daily, although
as many os eight is said to be unusual.
Patients are not to be discouraged if they
| feel less well after three or four days OF
grape-eating; this is not seldom Nhe case !;
| but this crisis being past, they speedily feel
! the benefit of the treatment. One great
advantage of the grape-cure is, that no
special diet is enforced. Food in any way
| trying to the digestion is, of course, for
hidden and other fruit is i'll general not
recommended; but after eating from four
to six pounds of grapes daily. one does not
feel any particular inclination for further
indulgencein Pomona's bounties. Grapes,
containing a large quantity of nourish-
ment, have very satisfying effect on the
appetite generally, and less of other food
is required; and in cases where the cure is
taking good effect, the patient gains in
weight, and, after while, in strength also.
AS there are some diseases of the respira-
tory organs for which the grape-cure is
rather Injurious than otherwise, it is neces-
sary to consult ply stefan before under
taking it. The cure occupies from four to
six weeks. and during September and Oc-
tober the grapes are at their best. Early
ones are to be obtained in August and late
ones in November, but they are neither so
good nor so efficacious; the country, too,
is in its greatest beauty during the height of
the grape season. Not but what April lisa
charming month at Meran, when the album
dant almond and apricot trees are mass of
blossom, and when the traveller, returning
home after winter passed in Italy, is
I tempted to linger awhile in the pretty little
town before proceeding northward.'