Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-05-06

mat the ruel yaiue ana Vituhihe con-
tent of fresh foods is not lost or re-
duced."
The necessity for vitamiTies In the
dietary is admitted, and this feature IL
being emphasized In current medical
literature.
..While little understood by the pro-
'fession and still less, of course, by the
general public" says Doctor Fitch,
"vitamines, according to the consensus
among research workers in this par
ticular field, are OF definite, organic,
chemical composition easily destroyed
by prolonged exposure to heat. IA
tient research into the subject has es-
tablished the fact that they possess
toxic properties and that even in re-
markably infinitesimal amounts. they
relieve the symptoms Of deficiency dis
ease I'm both man and animals. Clint
cal experimentation has established
the fact that when vftamines are de-
fcient in the dietary the body suffers
and there are soon developed symp-
toms OF deficiency disease.' Vitamines
are essential for growth, development
md the maintenance Of life. Pellagra,
beri-beri, scurvy and other deficiency
diseases are to be controlled or pre-
vented through the administration or
the proper foods, containing the ade'
auate yitamlne content,
1.-THE vitamine content Of fresh foods
is greatest just when the fresh vege-
tables or fruits reach their highest
state of perfection and in meats when
the animal or fowl reaches maturity
and is we'll fed and physically fit. All
vitamlnes originally come from the an
lmal kingdOIn. The COW receives VI
tamines from the green grasses and
cereal foods she ingests and excretes
vitamines I'm her milk the hen receives
yitanlnes from cereal grains and green
herbs and stores them In her flesh
and In the eggs she lays. The heart
necessary to sterilize milk or to ster-
ilize fresh fruits, vegetables and meats
In the canning process destroys the
yitamine content.
contrasted With Dehydration.
ESPECIALLY abroad. extensive expert
ments have been made with the deny
drafting process. Here is some Of the
foreign product" said Doctor Fitch,
indicating little box Of dried food.
at is most attractive in color. but 1t
must be soaked IL hours, and boiled
for more than three hours, and then
meat and stock and seasoning
added to make II Il vegetable soup. and
1t has not been found possible to keep
the worm out Of It and preserve all
the vitamine contents. Sufficient heat
used in the process Of drying destroys
the yitamines. In the new process the
food IL not submitted to such great
heat. or for so long, but the worm does
not get in 1t because OF the seasoning.
The yitamine content IL deficient In
all dehydrated fruits and vegetables
and in picked and sailed meats
According to Doctor Fitch, cases OF
debility In any body of troops should
mt once direct attention to diet.
"No troops can be kept in condition
indefinitely on canned foods alone"
he said. "Tinned and preserved meats
possess no antlscOrbutic (antiscurvy)
more valuable than preserved meat,
must he considered inferior to freshly
killed meat 1t will be seen that views
as to tine value and effect of different
foods have greatly changed In the last
decnde. Meat, considered at one time
the best diet for making strong men,
is shown to be inferior so far as vitam-
70 .,fhA
once held in contempt by meat eaters,
Vegetables of many kinds. when prop
erly cooked, are not only more eco
nomical but more beneficial"
The report Of ]. Delpit Of tho
French commission on the new process
halls 1t as q remarkable discovery that
will literally revOlutlOniZe the process
Of feeding troops In war time. The
reduction in volume and the reduction
In weight, the absolute Interchangeable
ity by cold. heat or cold water are
among the features which recommend
Il to the commission. The difficulty
Of incorporating fresh vegetable prod
ucts in the diet Of the soldier under
all conditions Is touched upon by NJ.
Debit. He considers that the new
process making possible 1.-The pr0vi-
sloning of soldiers with food products
actually consisting OF a great variety
of soups and vegetables will alleviate
his har;l lot to u great extent and CON
tribute to his well being" Hospitals
at the front and behind the lines he
thinks, will find them almost equally
valuable.