This section is from the book "Choice Dishes At Small Cost", by A. G. Payne. See also: Larousse Gastronomique.
Take a pound of lean gravy beef, cut it into very small pieces, and place it in a basin with a pint of cold water. Press the beef with a spoon, and extract as much of the juice as you can: then place it in a saucepan and let it simmer (not boil) on the fire, gently, for an hour. Skim, and add a little salt, and strain it off. The meat and water can be placed in a jug and put in the oven.
Very young children dislike salt. Nature's food is sweet. Therefore, when doctors order beef-tea, use sugar instead of salt. This is the common practice in London hospitals.
Sometimes beef-tea is wanted in a great hurry. Cut up the meat, say one pound, very small, and place it in a basin with half a pint of water or less. Press thoroughly with a spoon for some time, make it hot, and strain it at once. The meat can be put back, and be simmered with some more water to make more.
Sometimes invalids tire of beef-tea. In this case, mix a little wine with the beef-tea, and, if liked, sugar instead of salt. Let it get cold, when it will be a jelly. This jelly will be an agreeable change.
 
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