Doctor, Would You Call The Tomato A Vegetable Or A Fruit?

"The tomato is classed as a vegetable, although in reality it is a fruit. It is used much more extensively in this country than in any other."

Is That Because It Is Better Known?

"Hardly that, although the tomato has not been used for as many years as most of the other vegetables. Many people can remember when tomatoes first came into general use, and it is probably not more than 25 years since the modern varieties were introduced."

What Properties Has The Tomato?

"Different analyses show different results, ranging from 89 to 96 per cent water, one to two per cent of tissue forming food, I per cent of mineral matter, and about 3 per cent sugar, starch and gum, with considerable wastematerials."

Doctor, I Was Under The Impression That The Tomato Had A Great Deal Of Acid In It?

"So it has; the fruit contains malic and oxalic acids, the seeds oxalic acid, amounting to about half of one per cent."

Has It Any Value As A Food?

"It could hardly be called a good food to use continually for several reasons. There is too much acid, besides the seeds are very objectionable. They are really sharp and have a tendency to irritate the mucous membranes."

Is There Anything That You Can Recommend Them For, Doctor?

"They certainly can be recommended for their flavor, for few vegetables equal them as an appetizer and under some conditions, they also aid in the digestion of proteid or tissue forming foods. This is because of their acid. They are also slightly laxative, due to the effect of the acids and seeds."

I Have Heard People Say That They Cause Cancer, Is There Anything In This Charge?

"That is nonsense, but it may have some foundation in this; that people do not distinguish between ulcer and cancer. The sharp acid that they contain together with the irritating seeds, might have a tendency to start an inflammation in which the seeds could collect and cause an ulcer, but an ulcer is so widely different from a cancer that they have no necessary relation.

How Should Tomatoes Be Used?

"Tomatoes may be eaten raw or cooked but they are really more of a medicine than a food. They should not be used at" all when there is an acid condition of the stomach, and their use is very doubtful for any persons having rheumatism or a tendency to the formation of gal! stones on account of the oxalic acid in them. It is better for a relish such as tomato catsup with the seeds removed than for any other purpose. They may be cooked and if so, should only be stewed in earthen or porcelain vessels, never coming in contact with any kind of metal. Canned tomatoes are sometimes bad on account of solder or poorly tinned cans leaving acid to come in contact with the iron, which makes a dangerous compound. No tin cans should be used but once, and it would be far better and safer if tomatoes were canned in glass or stone jars. They will keep just as well in glass as in tin if the jars are carefully wrapped with brown paper or kept in a dark place. "Lettuce is a green vegetable of not much value for nourishment."

What Is Its Use Then, Doctor?

"Well, it contains a mild sedative substance which is useful under certain conditions and in some diseases."