*Order of Taking Food.*—There has been evolved through experience a rather definite order of taking food, which our knowledge of the process of digestion seems to justify. The heavy foods (proteids for the most part) are eaten first; after which are taken starchy foods and fats; and the meal is finished off with sweetmeats and pastry.(64) The scientific arguments for this order are the following: 1. By receiving the first of the gastric flow the proteids can begin digesting without delay. Since these are the main substances acted on in the stomach, the time required for their digestion is shortened by eating them first. 2. Sugar, being of the nature of predigested starch, quickly gets into the blood and _satisfies the relish_ for food. The result of taking sugar first may be to cause one to eat less than he needs and to diminish the activity of the glands. 3. Fat or grease, if taken first, tends to form a coating over the walls of the stomach and around the material to be digested. This prevents the juices from getting to and mixing with the foods upon which they are to act. 4. Starch following the proteids, for the most part, does not so quickly come in contact with the gastric juice. This enables the ptyalin of the saliva to continue its action for a longer time than if the starch were eaten first. *Liquids during the Meal.*—Liquids as ordinarily taken during the meal are objectionable. They tend to diminish the secretion of the saliva and to cause rapid eating. Instead of eating slowly and swallowing the food only so fast as the glands can supply the necessary saliva, the liquid is used to wash the food down. Water or other drinks should be taken after the completion of the meal or when the mouth is completely free from food. Even then it should be taken in small sips. While the taking of a small amount of water in this way does no harm, a large volume has the effect of weakening the gastric juice. Most of the water needed by the body should be taken between meals. *The State of Mind* has much to do with the proper digestion of the food. Worry, anger, fear, and other disturbed mental states are known to check the secretion of fluids and to interfere with the digestive processes. While the cultivation of cheerfulness is important for its general hygienic effects, it is of especial value in relation to digestion. Intense emotions, either during or following the meal, should if possible be avoided. The table is no place for settling difficulties or administering rebuke. The conversation, on the other hand, should be elevating and joy giving, thereby inducing a desirable reactionary influence upon the digestive processes.