Gruel is very easily made. Have a pint of water boiling in a skillet;
stir up three or four large spoonfuls of nicely sifted oat-meal, rye,
or Indian, in cold water. Pour it into the skillet while the water
boils. Let it boil eight or ten minutes. Throw in a large handful of
raisins to boil, if the patient is well enough to bear them. When put
in a bowl, add a little salt, white sugar, and nutmeg.