Salt has been accepted as a necessary part of food until the system is so saturated with it that only those who have lived for many years without it can appreciate the feeling of buoyancy that is the natural result of purer blood. The heavy, dull, despondency making people feel so often that "life is not worth while" is largely the reaction of the stimulant of meats, salt, pepper, spices, tea and coffee that are in such common use.

The same effect is more marked with the greater stimulant found in tobacco and alcoholic drinks. Nature constantly rallies to eliminate poison from the blood, and anti-toxins are generated for protection, but even this wise provision of nature to give man a chance to develop, cannot be imposed upon indefinitely. As soon as it is generally known that happiness cannot be increased by the means of injurious luxuries they will be gradually avoided.

Another law is here brought into action. It is the nature of poisonous stimulants to demand more under their deadening influence, and the false idea that "because a little is good more will be better." The mind, body and poison act together - on the road to destruction. When the deceptive premise and painful end is fully understood, the mind is free. Truth destroys error and its hold upon the system. True thoughts arouse greater vitality to purify the blood of its load of poison. Under a direct effort to change a wrong habit, or to use less and less of injurious things, the desire for them is gradually lost instead of increased. A greater love and appreciation of life takes its place. A happiness before unknown is enjoyed.

The idea of seasoning, even with uninjurious kinds, should be like that of the use of perfume. A very little perfume - just the suggestion of the aroma of flowers - is associated with refinement and culture, while cheap perfumery profusely used indicates a lack of genteelness. In fact, it is considered vulgar.

Nature is a perfect chemist. She flavors, sweetens, salts, and peppers every kind of food substance in the most pleasing manner. No one is expected to eat hard, tasteless or offensive things. The sweet nutty flavor of natural grain is most satisfying. The delicate sweetness of milk cannot be improved by any kind of manufactured sugar.

Each vegetable has its own peculiar taste that is largely lost when salted and peppered excessively.

The delicate flavor of fruit is so destroyed by sugar and spices, that jars of preserves and jam must be labeled to tell what they are.

Even butter is better with little or no salt when one is accustomed to so eat it.

In many restaurants in large cities fresh unsalted butter is popular.

Less and less salt should be used by every mother in home cooking until the suggestion at least is all that is demanded.

Besides her perfect system of flavors, nature also has a harmless stimulant or incentive in the form of appetite associated with the necessity of food. It is similar to the emotions and ambitions essential to the fullness of life. When normal it is a perfect guide to the best food and the proper amount, but under the exciting influence of poisons it becomes perverted and even dangerous. Abnormal appetites, the same as abnormal passions and ambitions, cannot be satisfied even through resorting to crime. In fact, there would be much less crime, or none at all, if appetites and passions were not perverted by poisonous food and drink.

It is only the normal appetite supplied with simple natural food that knows peace and fully enjoys life.

It is easy to live and enjoy the best there is, yet people will insist on making life hard.

At present the whole question of diet may be considered according to John Borrough's idea of happiness. He says, "Most people do not know when they are happy." It is just as true that most people do not know when they are well fed. The simple substantial foods not only afford the best nourishment but the greatest pleasure - non-poisonous luxuries being the "flashes of joy" that are desirable occasionally, but will not sustain life or even prove gratifying if indulged constantly. The common mistake of humanity is the belief that the pleasure of living is increased by dissipation, or the excessive indulgence of privileges or luxuries nature intends only for occasional diversion. Ignorance of this law of happiness is the cause of most of the sin and suffering of the world, besides inducing old age and death, hence the great necessity of teaching it more directly from the pulpit, the press, and the public schools for the permanent elevation of the race and the prolongation of human life. It requires a great artist to bring out the high lights of a picture just as it requires a thorough knowledge of scientific living to use luxuries that they may add to one's happiness and longevity, instead of reacting in pain and dissolution.