21 FEBRUARY 1925, Page 16

POLISHED RICE

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—A friend of mine, on learning that Eastern peoples live so very largely upon rice, has been giving it frequently to her family in the belief that it is of real food value. She now hears of a commodity, polished rice, which is practically worthless—and she is, therefore, most anxious to know whether the ordinary rice upon the market has been de- vitalized ; also whether it is possible to buy it with all its nutrient properties.—I am, Sir, &c., [We believe that the terrible disease Beri-beri is always found in those districts of the East where in recent years polished rice (rice deprived of its vitamines) has been imported and that the disease does not appear where rice in its original form is still used. The rice sold here is usually " polished," hut, fortunately, we get our vitamines from other food.--ED. ,Spectator.]