"Cocoa is a preparation made from the bean or seeds of the cacao tree."

What Is Its Composition?

"It contains a very large per cent, of oil, theobromine, which is very similar to the caffeine in coffee, and theine in tea. The cocoa also contains a little albumen, starch, fiber and mineral matter."

Where Does Cocoa Come From?

"Principally from the West Indies, Brazil and the northern countries of South America."

How Is Cocoa Prepared?

"The seeds grow in a pod and are removed, dried, fermented and then ground. Each manufacturer of cocoa, of course, having peculiar ways of preparing his product."

How Are The Ordinary Preparations Made?

"After the seeds have been treated as described, they are made into a paste, to which starch and sugar is added."

Do You Consider It A Good Drink?

"It is less injurious than tea or coffee, and owing to the amount of oil it contains, it is much richer than either of those. People who do not tolerate fats or oils, should not drink cocoa. It is slightly stimulating, and contains some insoluble matter. Some people do not like cocoa, because it presents an unsightly appearance, on account of a scum of oil appearing on top of the cup. If this is not relished, it may be skimmed off, either with bread or in some other way. Cocoa butter is said to be a very agreeable and useful oil."

For What Purpose?

"Many people prefer cocoa butter to any other fat or oil for table use. It melts at a very low temperature, and is very easily dissolved. It is also used to a very considerable extent for the administration of drugs in capsules or suppositories, and for anointing the skin in eruptive fevers; also useful as inunction while massaging."

"Chocolate is made from the same material as cocoa, but is deprived of part of the oil (it is supposed that chocolate contains some of the husks, as well as the seeds). It is not quite so rich, ordinarily, as cocoa, and some people prefer it. Chocolate is also used extensively in confectionery. It might very well be used to flavor foods to make them more palatable. It is also a nutritious food when taken alone."

Doctor, You Don't Seem To Favor Chocolate For General Use; You Say That Tea And Coffee Are Both Very Harmful, And That Many Who Use Them Are Really Tea And Coffee Inebriates; Now, Recognizing The Universal Desire For Some Drink, What Can They Drink That Will Not Harm Them?

"Cereal coffee. The Sanitarium Food Co. make what they call Caramel Cereal. It is a pleasant and harmless drink, and will greatly benefit the nervous, anaemic and dyspeptic. It has no particular food value, and its manufacturers claim none. The benefits of any cereal coffee are purely negative, and in that lies their value; they do not poison; coffee does. Claims for great nourishment from cereal coffees cannot be sustained."

"Doctor, you stated awhile ago that tea and coffee were abused to such an extent that their effects were almost as far-reaching as alochol."

"Yes; but I did not mean by that that the effects were as violent."