But the most pernicious practice of all is that of drinking ice water at meals, since, in addition to the ill effects described above, it temporarily paralyzes the stomach--driving the blood away from that organ when it is needed most of all. A fact which should not be lost sight of is, that no physical operation, however slight, can be accomplished without the expenditure of force (nervous energy), even though it be only the winking of an eye-lid; and the labor entailed upon the system, of raising the temperature of the stomach to normal figures, after deluging it with ice water, involves a ruinous waste of vital force, in addition to the other reasons urged against it. It cannot be doubted that this essentially American habit is responsible for a large proportion of the dyspepsia that sits like an incubus upon the nation. Every substance taken into the stomach, whether fluid or solid, should be about the same temperature as the body, to be in harmony with natural principles. All condiments promote indigestion. They over-stimulate the stomach, exciting the secreting glands to abnormal action, and irritating the sensitive mucous surface. In addition, they overheat the blood, excite the nervous system, inflame the passions, and are largely responsible for many of the excesses into which men plunge under this unnatural stimulation. WHEN TO EAT Is a question that has excited a great deal of discussion of late years. The publication of Dr. Dewey’s book, extolling the no-breakfast plan, caused the subject to be debated, with considerable fervor for a time, but the matter remains practically where it was. It is impossible to lay down a hard and fast rule that shall govern all cases, a fact that most theorists seem to lose sight of--hence the collapse of so many promising and alluring schemes. For people in health, we strongly advise the three meals a day system, which experience has shown to be successful. They should be moderate in quantity, and should be eaten as follows: The first, from half an hour to an hour after rising (having previously bathed and exercised); the second, not less than four hours afterwards; the third, not less than five hours later. This gives the stomach time to rid itself of one meal before the next is introduced, otherwise the undigested food remaining in the stomach prevents that organ from acting properly on the fresh food. It is for this reason that it is unwise to eat between meals, as, when the stomach is occupied by articles of food in various stages of digestion, undigested portions will pass out with the digested food; not only entailing a serious loss of energy and nutrition, but irritating the intestinal canal and creating unnecessary waste to be eliminated.