It is almost proverbial, that a dram is good for promoting the digestion; but this is an erroneous notion, for though a dram may give a momentary stimulus to the coats of the stomach, it tends to harden the flesh, and of course to make it more indigestible. Smoked hams are a strong meat, and rather fit for a relish than a diet. It is the quality of all salted meats that the fibers become rigid; and therefore more difficult of digestion; and when to this is added smoking, the heat of the chimney occasions the salt to concentrate, and the fat between the muscles sometimes to become rancid. Bacon is also of an indigestible quality, and is apt to turn rancid on weak stomachs; but for those in health it is an excellent food, especially when used with fowl or veal, and even eaten with peas, cabbage or cauliflowers. Goat's flesh is hard and indigestible, but that of kids is tender as well as delicious, and affords good nourishment. Venison, or the flesh of deer, and that of hares, is of a nourishing quality, but it is liable to the inconvenience, that, though much disposed to putrescency of itself, it must be kept for a little time before it becomes tender.

The blood of animals is used as an aliment by the poorer people, but they could not long subsist upon it unless mixed with oatmeal, etc., for it is not very soluble, alone, by the digestive powers of the human stomach, and therefore cannot prove nourishing.