FONG WAN - Library

influence upon the lungs and the large intestines. Its watery fluid
naturally goes through the kidneys, and their sub-organ, the bladder.
When lettuce is taken cold and raw, it quenches the heat, the fire
element, of the human system. Therefore, people who are cold-blooded,
or have low blood pressure, or who lack blood heat in the stomach or
other organs, should not eat raw lettuce very often. It should be
cooked with a, small slice of ginger to equalize its effects.
When lettuce is eaten by hot-blooded people,
it cleanses the over-
heated blood of the fire element in the stomach, the lungs, and the large
intestines. Lettuce taken on an empty stomach sometimes acts as a
physic. If people eat lettuce too frequently, their intestines are liable
to become filled with harmful germs. Dysentery and Colitis may result.
WATER CHESTNUTS
/In (South China, water chestnuts grow in (the water just as do the
water lilies. The chestnuts are eaten raw as a fruit and also used in
cooking. The peel is dark brown while the inside is snowy white.
Water chestnuts are brittle, sweet in taste, and readily digestible. The
Chinese export them to all parts of the world where Chinese Chop Suey
is cooked. .
In America, fruit grows and ripens under the heat of the sun. It
thus absorbs much heat (the fire element) and has a certain percent-
age of acidity. Many persons who eat considerable fruit suffer with
an annoying feeling, having a grating sensation, or are troubled with
ulcers of the stomach.
Water chestnuts are free from, acidity ano} have a tendency to rid
the blood of fever. In making a beverage for -children that have high
fever, the Chinese mash the chestnuts and boil them in water with a
small quantity of sugar. In (a preparing dish for the table, the Chinese
slice them and cook with minced pork. This dish is known as Water
Chestnut 'Chop iSuey; it is especially well prepared at the New Shang-
hai Cafe, 425 Tenth Street, Oakland.
RECIPES FOR PREPARING NOURISHING CHINESE DISHES
NOTE : The Chinese eat but two hearty meals a day, while at noon
they take only a light lunch which may consist of steam patties, conge,
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