The one thing upon which these three sects agree is in the diminished amount of food, and so the only conception which appears to unite them is the fundamental doctrine of moderation, which has not only been taught from time immemorial, but is actually practised by all sensible men at the present time.

But a close examination of each of the minor systems propounded will disclose the fact that in addition to, or because of, its other more specific features, the principle of moderation is the most valuable factor it possesses. Reviewing them seriatim, we note that the doctrine of hyperpyrsemia was enunciated by its author less as a diet for everyday life than as a therapeutic agency in the treatment of various neuroses and chronic recurring maladies; but nevertheless its prominent characteristic is a notable reduction of the carbonaceous principles as well as of the total caloric value of the food. The advice is also proffered that not only will this dietetic restriction be found of value during an attack, but that if it continue to be practised with intelligence there will be infinitely less chance of the supervention of any further attack of the disease which necessitated the treatment.

The very designation salt-free diet is suggestive of restriction in the daily menu, and to most people deprivation of even the added chloride of sodium would necessarily be associated with a lessened appetite, and therefore a diminished consumption of food. The same significance would not perhaps apply to the acalcic diet, but one who is compelled to subsist on lime-free food has by no means a wide range of choice and must perforce content himself with a very limited menu. Even where the addition of salts is advocated, as in Lahmann's system, it is only because he assures us that a more accurate measurement of the items of our daily diet is a necessity. The deprivation of animal food which he advocates unduly interferes with the proper balancing of the ration, and so compels the addition of artificial salts to supplement the otherwise inefficient amount of nutriment in the dietary. Provision of the appropriate quantity and proportion of mineral salts in the daily bill of fare enables the nutritive requirements of the body to be satisfactorily discharged on a smaller supply of food.

The increased potations of water consumed at the various spas are only necessary because of the too liberal allowances of victuals which most of the victims have consumed since their previous visit, while on the other hand limitation of the supply of drinking water or other fluid is necessarily accompanied by a diminished appetite. But in both these methods of dietetic procedure a severely restricted allowance of food is carefully counselled.