NEW METHOD OF PREPARING FRUIT FOR THE DINNER-TABLE.

In cold weather fruit is often cold, and if heated in an oven may be injured partially or wholly.  Here is, perhaps, a new way of warming fruit which has been tried and proves satisfactory.  Wash the apples, pears, oranges, bananas and wipe them and place on a dish on the dinner-table.  Also place a jug of boiling water and a bowl upon the table.  Then when the fruit is required pour the hot water into the bowl and place the fruit in it and cover with a plate until warm enough to eat comfortably.  Bananas should be peeled before placing in hot water.

 “A.R.”

 HEALTH QUERIES.

 Under this heading our contributor, Dr Valentine Knaggs, deals
 briefly month by month, and according as space permits, with questions
 of general interest to health seekers and others.

 In all Queries relating to health difficulties it is essential that
 full details of the correspondent’s customary diet should be clearly
 given.

Correspondents are earnestly requested to write on one side only of the paper_, giving full name and address, not for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.  When an answer is required by post a stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed._—­[EDS.]

 ECZEMA AS A SIGN OF RETURNING HEALTH.

Mrs M.K. writes:—­Until the last few years I have been subject to sciatica and a certain amount of dry eczema.  About a year ago my health greatly improved, with the exception of the eczema, which has much increased the last year, coming out in large angry spots which irritate.  I am 69, small, spare and white, have never been strong until a year ago, have led a sedentary life, being an artist.  Three years ago I left off eating meat.  My diet at present is: 

     On rising.—­Cup of hot rain-water.

     Breakfast (8 A.M.)—­Unfired Bread with butter and pine nuts;
     cup of weak tea, no sugar.

     At 11.—­One raw apple.

Dinner (1 P.M.)—­One lightly boiled egg or an omelette, with “Artox” home-made bread, and butter conservatively cooked celery or broccoli; stiff milk pudding with eggs in it, or “Artox” pastry.

     Tea (5 P.M.).—­Weak China tea “Artox” bread, and butter, and
     home-made plain cake.

     Supper (8.30).—­Slice of bread and butter; tumblerful of hot
     rain-water sipped at bedtime.

     I have not been able to digest uncooked vegetables, excepting
     lettuce; nor do I eat other fruit than apples; any sweet things
     cause acidity.  I do not suffer with constipation.