become
inert, the dough therefore retaining its toughness, and power of
holding water. Sulphate of copper, and lime, will act in a like manner.
Fortunately, however, these adulterations would seem to have become
things of the past; and it is comforting to learn, on capable authority
(Gtoodfellow), what may now be considered a certain fact, that the
bread supplied to the people of England is practically pure." We may
note that the crust of bread contains eight times as much soluble
nutrient proteid as the crumb ; also three times as much nitrogenous
(muscle-building) matter, half as much again of starch
(warmth-producing), and less than half as much water. A considerable
portion of protein (a valuable constituent of wheat) is withheld in the
coarser parts of the grain,—the bran, and pollard, —which, if left in
the bread, would resist the action of the digestive juices, and defy
digestion. But these valuable food-salts may be utilized by making "
Bran-tea," which is specially beneficial for children affected with
rickets. Such a " tea " may be readily brewed by putting one measure of
ordinary coarse wheat-bran into three measures of the same size of
fast-boiling water, and allowing it to simmer steadily for not less
than thirty minutes. A small lump of cane-sugar, if added, will help to
maintain the full boiling-point of the water. The liquor should be then
strained through a sieve, and may be used as a tea ; also in making
stock for soup, or barley-water ; as well as for boiling rice therein.
Again, bran serves excellent purposes for outward use. Foot-baths
prepared therewith are of capital service for relieving gouty limbs, as
well as for affording comfort, and ease to tender feet. For which uses
some bran should be put looselv in a large flannel