Adams mentions a child of three who had an instinctive desire to eat mortar.

This baby was rickety and had carious teeth.

It would pick its preferred diet out of the wall, and if prevented would cry loudly.

When deprived of the mortar it would vomit its food until this substance was given to it again.

At the time of report part of the routine duties of the sisters of this boy was to supply him with mortar containing a little sand.
Lime-water was substituted, but he insisted so vigorously on the solid form of food that it had to be replaced in his diet.