Previous to this time her eldest son, showing symptoms of irritation of the brain, subsisted upon rice. From this the entire family came to living almost totally upon rice. As usual, she made very elaborate preparations for her confinement; her physician, nurse and friends were engaged. At the end of nine months she was awakened with the “breaking of the waters.” She aroused her husband. He thought he had better go for a doctor. “Why, there is no use,” she said, “I have not a particle of pain.” However, he feared there was something wrong, and after calling her sister, went with all possible haste for medical aid. The sister, too, was alarmed, and went to the next door to call a neighbor. Before either returned, while Mrs. C. was entirely alone, the child was born, _without the sensation of pain_. Mrs. C. had talked her experience over many times with her husband and friends, and was never able to account for the very marked difference in her confinements until at my _conversations_ she heard me expound the “rice and fruit diet” theory. With tears streaming from her eyes she recounted her story; she said: “I am so glad to know that this is not the result of chance--that it is the truth and philosophy by which all may profit.” Mrs. C. is a true woman; she told me she was willing her name and experience should be used for the benefit of others, and handed me this testimony: “This is to certify that I know what Dr. Stockham teaches in regard to ‘Fruit Diet’ is true. When pregnant with my last child, I accidentally lived upon rice and fruit, and my child was born with comparatively no pain or sensible effort; could not get a physician in time, nor did I need one. In four previous deliveries I had physicians with me over twenty-four hours, and had prolonged and severe labors. I can account for the difference only through the fruit and rice diet. L. T. COLBURN, May 2, 1882. _Eureka, Kansas._ Food and drink should be chosen that lack in bone forming materials. The carbonaceous elements of the grains are not objectionable, while to prevent inflammation the free use of _fats_ and _sweets_ should be avoided. Of the legumina and grains: beans, barley, rye and oats, in order, contain the largest amount of mineral product; wheat not quite so much; corn, almost none. Lean meat, chicken, oysters, clams, lobster, crab, etc., abound in the mineral salts. All garden vegetables, save beans, are desirable. Eggs, wheat and milk can be used moderately. _Feast on fruits freely_ should be the pregnant woman’s motto. The oxygen of acid fruits unite with the carbon, hence besides dissolving the phosphates tends to prevent inflammation.