Doctor, It Rather Seems As Though You Had Slighted Our Berries?

"Well, the berries are in such great favor, especially the strawberry, that some enthusiasts have said that the 'Lord could have made a better berry than the strawberry, but he didn't.'"

What Properties Has The Strawberry?

"It does not differ as much as one would suppose from other fruits. It contains some more acid than the average apple, not quite so much sugar, and a good deal of waste material or cellulose. The nitrogenous or tissue-forming element of the strawberry is proportionately higher than most of the other fruits. Ordinarily, it is about eighty-eight per cent water."

Is There Any Injury Likely To Result From Using Strawberries?

"Yes, many persons are injured by using stale strawberries. They do not keep but a short time, and like other fruits, when tainted they should be cooked, but the tendency is to merely add sufficient sugar to hide their decay."

Has The Strawberry Any Action Different From That Of Other Fruits?

"Yes, it is more laxative, because of the stimulating effect the small seeds have on the intestines, and if strawberries are used judiciously, they have very great value, as they come early in the season, at a time when their flavor and their acid is needed to clear the system for hot weather. Strawberries make very delicious jelly and jam. They should not be used with milk, because their acid coagulates the milk, causing it to form little hard lumps or clots. Strawberries are charged with being the cause of hives and skin eruptions, but only in people who have some peculiarity - probably an excess of uric acid in the system."

Doctor, You Spoke Of The Acids Coagulating Milk; What Kind Of Acid Does The Strawberry Contain?

"The strawberry contains both malic and citric acid, also potash, lime and soda salts. It is therefore slightly diuretic as well as laxative."

Is The Strawberry Used In Any Other Way, Except As It Is Picked?

"Well, it may be cooked, and used for flavoring other foods."