Some writers inveigh against the use of butter as universally pernicious; but they might with equal reason condemn all vegetable oils, which form a considerable part of diet in the southern climates, and seem to have been beneficially intended by nature for that purpose. Butter, like every other oily substance, has doubtless a relaxing quality, and if retained long in the stomach is liable to become rancid; but, if eaten in moderation, it will not produce those effects. It is, however, improper in bilious constitutions. The worst consequence produced by butter, when eaten with bread, is that it obstructs the discharge of saliva in the act of mastication or chewing, by which means the food is not so easily digested. To obviate this effect, it would be a commendable practice at breakfast, first to eat some dry bread, and chew it well, till the salivary glands were exhausted, and afterwards to eat it with butter. By these means such a quantity of saliva might be carried into the stomach as would be sufficient for the purpose of digestion. Cheese is likewise reprobated by many as extremely unwholesome.

It is doubtless not easy of digestion; and when eaten in a great quantity, may overload the stomach; but if eaten sparingly, its tenacity may be dissolved by the digestive juices, and it may yield a wholesome, though not very nourishing, chyle. Toasted cheese is agreeable to most palates, but it is rendered more indigestible by that process.