CHAPTER I.

TIMES OF EATING.

The selection of food only one element in sound digestion--Other conditions essential--Times of eating--No stated hours for eating--Five or six hours of interval between meals generally sufficient--But must vary according to circumstances--Habit has much influence--Proper time for breakfast depends on constitution, health, and mode of life--Interval required between breakfast and dinner--Best time for dinner--Circumstances in which lunch is proper--Late dinners considered--Their propriety dependent on mode of life--Tea and coffee as a third meal, useful in certain circumstances--Supper considered--General rule as to meals--Nature admits of variety--illustrations--but requires the observance of principle in our rules, 187–217