Sterilized and cooled milk may be carried by means of the vacuum bottle for use with children or the sick, and the portable stove will enable the boiling and sterilizing of water, when a larger supply is needed than can be carried in a vacuum bottle. By its means, also, a hot drink can be prepared for the aged, the invalid, or other individual, when necessary, as in an emergency. All fried and greasy food and unripe fruits should be avoided. One had better lessen the amount of food than suffer the gastric difficulties occasioned by too much fatty food. Hard whole wheat crackers with fruit and milk can be had at almost any eating house. These give a well-balanced meal and are often preferable to prepared dishes. Fresh fruit, especially the acid fruits, should form a large part of the diet. The traveler, on extended journeys, should always provide some of the easily carried condensed foods, so that if the food obtained by the way is unpalatable or illy prepared, or in case food is unobtainable, the needs of the system may be met. Beef meal, whole wheat or oatmeal crackers, malted milk, chocolate, meat extracts, etc., occupy little space and may often prove invaluable. Tablets of soda and also of lime are easily carried and may be used when soda water or lime water is needed as in nausea or indigestion. If it is possible, the water drunk while traveling should be boiled. The bowels must be kept active and fresh fruits and water are the best aids in accomplishing this. The remedies recommended for car sickness or seasickness are legion; what is an aid in one case is almost or quite without avail in another. Lemon juice or a slice of lemon in the mouth is generally of most avail, though lime water in some cases has proven of service. Attacks can often be mitigated or avoided by not starting on a journey when overtired, by light eating for several days previous to beginning a journey, with care in securing good elimination and plenty of fresh air. If traveling by boat a reclining chair on deck is far preferable to lying in a berth in a stuffy stateroom. Nausea can often be prevented or remedied by deep breathing or by the sipping of hot water with a little soda. FOOTNOTES: [10] For table of weights see pages 357-359. CHAPTER IX DIETS _Before giving any diets, let me first of all impress the importance of eating slowly, of good cheer, of light conversation during a meal, and of thoroughly masticating the food. Remember it is the food assimilated which nourishes._ The following diets allow sufficient food for average conditions, when the vital organs are normal. Fruit, as previously stated, contains a very small quantity of nutrition. It is more valuable for its diuretic effect, and to stimulate the appetite; for this reason it may well be eaten before a meal.