Vegetarianism has, from the first, steadily
pursued its way, making no loud boasts,
but drawing converts to its theories until to-day there are hundreds in
every state in the Union. Vegetarians build their theory on the single
fact that all nutritive matter is formed by vegetables; that although
animals appropriate nutrition they never form it, and that when men eal
animal food, they take on the unhealthy conditions of the very animal
they feed upon.
People say that man requires a certain amount of fat. Well, so h«i.
does, but here again comes the vegetarian who says that " the vegetable
world furnishes it generously. Seeds and nuts have been found far supe
rior to animal fats."
Flesh eaters also bring forward the argument that animal food musi
be more readily assimilated than vegetable, because the people who liv«'
upon it are generally fleshy. This the vegetarians claim is a false theory
To be well nourished is to replenish tissues, not to accumulate fat. The
increase of flesh beyond a proper amount becomes a disease, and they ask
408
HEALTH PARAMOUNT TO ALL ELSE. 409
if " it is not a fact that thin people will endure illness far better than those
whose adipose tissue is extreme?"
From a humane point as Avell as a health point of view, vegetarianism
has made many converts. Thousands who are not quite ready to declare
themselves vegetarians have diminished their use of meat very materially
within the last year. By this means, a demand for fruits, cereals, vege-
tables and nuts has sprung up that we hope will bring its reward in
increased health and greater mental activity.
It is true that the whole earth teems with fine food and it will ever
yield bounteously to her children. No article of diet supplies nutriment
so cheaply and with less trouble than cereals and vegetables. Take, for
instance Indian corn. At the time America was discovered the inhabitants
lived almost exclusively upon this cereal. Rice furnishes more human
beings nourishment than any other article in existence. In the vegetable
world, there need be no adulterations. The articles can be produced in
such quantities that they should continue to be pure and within the reach
of all.
Fruits, of which there is a bewildering variety, have a large place in
the list of health preservers. Every fruit contains substances designed
to inspire and humanize Its votary. The juices are cool and healing and
greatly assist In digestion.
Nuts also are nature's choicest food products, and were doubtless
intended by the creator to constitute, with fruits, man's chief diet. Man's
greatest burden bearer — the horse — by nature lives solely on a vegetable
diet. It hauls heavy loads with no seeming effort. DeLesseps said that
the Suez Canal, a wonderful achievement, could never have been built by
any meat-eating people In the world. The climate being hot, they could
not have endured It. The work was accomplished by Armenians, who
live most upon barley. DeLesseps himself became a vegetarian and
remained so during his life. The elephant, the strongest of all animals,
lives entirely upon plant life, and so we might go on, but suffice It to say
that vegetarianism is bound to grow and the quicker we spare the blessed
lambs and innocent calves, the healthier and happier we will be.
Page 286
Presented as published in 1917. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Vegetarianism has, from the first, steadily pursued its way, making no loud boasts, but drawing converts to its theories until to-day there are hundreds in every state in the Union. Vegetarians build their theory on the single fact that all nutritive matter is formed by vegetables; that although animals appropriate nutrition they never form it, and that when men eat animal food, they take on the unhealthy conditions of the very animal they feed upon.
People say that man requires a certain amount of fat. Well, so it does, but here again comes the vegetarian who says that " the vegetable world furnishes it generously. Seeds and nuts have been found far superior to animal fats."
Flesh eaters also bring forward the argument that animal food musi be more readily assimilated than vegetable, because the people who live upon it are generally fleshy. This the vegetarians claim is a false theory To be well nourished is to replenish tissues, not to accumulate fat. The increase of flesh beyond a proper amount becomes a disease, and they ask
if " it is not a fact that thin people will endure illness far better than those whose adipose tissue is extreme?"
From a humane point as well as a health point of view, vegetarianism has made many converts. Thousands who are not quite ready to declare themselves vegetarians have diminished their use of meat very materially within the last year. By this means, a demand for fruits, cereals, vegetables and nuts has sprung up that we hope will bring its reward in increased health and greater mental activity.
It is true that the whole earth teems with fine food and it will ever yield bounteously to her children. No article of diet supplies nutriment so cheaply and with less trouble than cereals and vegetables. Take, for instance Indian corn. At the time America was discovered the inhabitants lived almost exclusively upon this cereal. Rice furnishes more human beings nourishment than any other article in existence. In the vegetable world, there need be no adulterations. The articles can be produced in such quantities that they should continue to be pure and within the reach of all.
Fruits, of which there is a bewildering variety, have a large place in the list of health preservers. Every fruit contains substances designed to inspire and humanize its votary. The juices are cool and healing and greatly assist in digestion.
Nuts also are nature's choicest food products, and were doubtless intended by the creator to constitute, with fruits, man's chief diet. Man's greatest burden bearer — the horse — by nature lives solely on a vegetable diet. It hauls heavy loads with no seeming effort. DeLesseps said that the Suez Canal, a wonderful achievement, could never have been built by any meat-eating people in the world. The climate being hot, they could not have endured it. The work was accomplished by Armenians, who live most upon barley. DeLesseps himself became a vegetarian and remained so during his life. The elephant, the strongest of all animals, lives entirely upon plant life, and so we might go on, but suffice it to say that vegetarianism is bound to grow and the quicker we spare the blessed lambs and innocent calves, the healthier and happier we will be.