NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
206
The general conclusion to be drawn from these investigations on the Bengali
is that his physical development—the actual amount of protoplasmic tissue as
distinguished from fatty tissue—is only such as could be expected from the miser-
able level of nitrogenous metabolism to which he attains—is on a par, in fact,.
with his diet.
We have seen that the average Bengali's nitrogenous metabolism is 6 germs.
per day—the prisoner's being 7.55 grms.—and that it is our aim to raise the latter
to 9 germs., or 0.180 germs. per kilo of body-weight.
II. The Behari.—We have no very detailed study of the Behari to present, but
such is not absolutely essential for our present purpose. As admirably pointed out
by Benedict, experimental evidence is rapidly accumulating to show that the
quantity of food required has a very intimate relation to body-weight; and that
the actual amount of protoplasmic tissue apparently exercises a marked influence
on the food requirements. The converse of this most certainly holds in the develop-
ment of the individual and in different races, i.e., the muscular development may
be looked on as a function of the diet or, more particularly, of the absorbable
protein of the diet. In this connection we may instance the bountiful supply of
protein provided by nature in the milk of the mother for infant nurture; the success
that has attended the treatment of consumption and other diseases by the systematic
administration of a diet of high nutritive value; the remarkable results obtained
by the Weir-Mitchell line of treatment: in all of these the protoplasmic tissues are
being built up by increasing the nitrogenous intake, in some cases, enormously.
Further, it is very probable that the great decrease in the incidence of phthisis
in England is largely due to the superiority of the present-day dietaries of the
mass of the population.
When we examine the Behari and contrast him with the Bengali we find that
he obeys the same biological law—his protoplasmic development is a function of
the absorbable protein of his diet. We have seen that the Behari jail diet pro-
vides for a level of nitrogenous metabolism which is 2 grms. per man higher than
the Bengali diet. Accepting the same average for the food of the people of Behar
generally, this would mean the metabolism of 8 grms. of nitrogen (the Bengali's
being 6 grms. daily). That is, the level of nitrogenous metabolism is at least 20
per cent. higher in the Behari than in the Bengali. In accordance with this we find
in the Behari a much better physical development, greater capabilities for muscular
exertion, a distinctly greater degree of vivacity, briskness and sprightliness of
manner. The body-weight, and, what is really of most importance, the actual
quantity of protoplasmic tissues, is also on a higher scale of development. It may
be taken that the average weight of the Bengali is to that of the Behari as 110
labs. to 120 lbs. This difference of 10 lbs. on the average is practically entirely to
207
be accounted for by the greater muscular development—the framework, etc., in
the two people being, to all intents and purposes, the same.
When we come to an examination of the hill tribes it will be seen that the
characteristics mentioned above, the beginnings, as it were, of which are to be
found in the Behari, are exceedingly prominent in the people around Darjeeling.
They are so much in evidence that, if there were no other differences, they would
form an outstanding feature of demarcation between the Bengali and tribes living
on a highly assimilable protein diet. In the hill people there are no signs
of the slackness, want of vigour, tonelessness, general slowness of reaction, and
other physiological attributes difficult to describe, detect and measure, which, to
those who have lived amongst the people of Bengal, form some of the distin-
guishing characteristics of the ordinary working population. Self-absorption
and want of interest in the incidents of every-day life, little power of attention,
observation or concentration of thought—these are some of the attributes of
all but the better classes and better-fed of the Bengalis. 1 T h e B e h a r i d o e s n o t
show these characteristics to anything like the same extent, and for these and other
reasons we may place him on a scale superior to the Bengali but inferior to hill
men. We consider it will be readily admitted by those who have lived amongst
both races that the Behari is, on the average, by fully 20 per cent. a more
capable individual than the average Bengali of the same class.
Now the question arises: Are there any other factors except differences in
diet that will satisfactorily account for this higher level of physical development
and general well-being? We believe that the presence of wheat as a component
part of the diet sufficiently explains the situation; however, we shall examine some
of the objections that have been brought against the view that defective nutrition
results from a low protein intake.
Dr. J. H. Kellogg, perhaps one of the strongest vegetarian advocates in the
United States, favoured us, through. Professor Benedict,with the following criticism
of our finding, regarding the important rôle played by diet, and especially protein,
in the nutrition of the Bengali, published in the memoir already referred to :-
"The weakest part of the report from my stand point is the remarks which
the investigator makes in relation to the defective nutrition resulting from the low
protein dietary. I do not think it is at all fair to attribute the lack of endurance
often seen among the Indians to the low protein diet. There are so many factors
which certainly should be taken into consideration: among these are their sexual
excesses, the depressing effects of the very hot, damp climate in which they
live and which predisposes to lack of exercise, the injurious effects of excessive
1 The inhabitants of Bengal who live close to the sea-coast and rivers are said to be much more muscular
and capable of performing much more work than those inland; fish forms a large part of the diet of the class
referred to.
208
prolonged exposure to the actinic rays of the sun, the cause of debility to which
Professor Woodruff of the United States army has been calling attention with
some considerable show of evidence. Still another factor of importance is the
immature age at which these people usually marry. Many of the Indians, how
ever, are strong and robust people. I understand that an Indian regiment made
up entirely of natives is the finest lot of men in His Majesty's Service."
Now in this apparently fair and honest criticism there are put forward several
definite causes to account for the acknowledged low standard of nutrition in the
Bengali, with its accompanying inferior muscular development, lack of endurance,
and poor capacity for work.
To enumerate these,—Dr. Kellogg thinks that sexual excesses, bad climate
actinic rays of the sun, immature age of marriage are causes of more import-
ance than diet in the defective development of the Bengali.
We agree that these causes have undoubtedly an influence in retarding growth
and lowering the general standard of physique, and, if there were no means of
estimating their effects, it would be very difficult to say that they are not quite
sufficient—as Dr. Kellogg believes—to account for the relative differences between
Bengalis and Europeans.
Many objections to them immediately arise, for instance as regards climate
and the actinic rays of the sun—Europeans, Eurasians and the better-fed Bengalis
all are equally exposed to these influences, yet retain their energy. Sexual excesses
we have enquired into, and, while masturbation may be, and probably is, more
prevalent, excessive sexual congress is chiefly practised by the better classes, who
can afford luxuries and possess the stamina fully to satisfy their desires. Im
mature marriage is undoubtedly a factor, but there are customs with a tendency
to neutralise its ill-effects : the husband and wife do not live together until the
wife reaches puberty—the husband is usually several years older than the wife, and
the wife spends about one-third of each year away from her husband at her
father's house or with relatives. Another effort of nature to maintain the standard
is shown by the relatively higher death-rate amongst the children born early in
marriage life in fact the death-rate amongst children in a large city like Calcutta
is appalling—showing the weeding out of degenerates in a very thorough manner.
But, while these replies to Dr. Kellogg's criticisms are important in showing that
his objections do not cover the whole ground, it is evident that they are too inde-
-finite to be measured and appraised at their full value, which would, even at the
best, be only a matter of opinion, one school of thought looking on them from a
point of view different to that of another school.
In order, therefore, to get more definite and precise information as to the
effects of diet per se we have extended our enquiries to different tribes—and in
209
future will do so to different races—in which the several factors enumerated by
Dr. Kellogg are common to all, the dietaries forming the main point of difference.
In this way we can eliminate the influence of the sun's rays, early marriages,
climate, sexual excesses, etc., in fact everything except the rile played by diet—or
more particularly, absorbable protein—in the different conditions that go to make
one class superior to another, or one tribe or race superior to another tribe or race.
At present we are dealing with the Bengali and Behari, and we have no hesita-
tion in stating that the Behari is a stronger, healthier, more capable individual
in every respect than the Bengali—when the same classes are compared, such as
the working cooly or the average prisoner in the jails of Lower Bengal and Behar.
This fact is evidenced by the Beharis' higher body-weight, and even stronger
grounds for this opinion are afforded by the general appearance and demeanour
of the two classes. They are altogether brighter, fitter and more energetic in
their movements.
The only possible explanation of these differences from Dr. Kellogg's stand-
point would be the influence of climate. Behar is drier than Bengal, and has a
temperature slightly lower in the cold weather, but much hotter during the summer.
The differences in climate, however, are only marked between the extremes
of Bengal and Behar, whereas wherever we find a change from a diet of rice and dal
to one containing wheat in addition the superiority of the Behari at once becomes
evident.
All the factors that Dr. Kellogg lays stress on are present in both Behar and
Bengal and cannot account for the inferiority of the Bengali in physique and
general capabilities.
It may be concluded—so far as the evidence obtained by contrasting
the Bengali and Behari goes—that diet appears to play the principal part in the
formation of their respective characteristics and general bearing. The difference
in diet, as we have seen, is the substitution of a certain amount of wheat ata for
rice or—translated into its ultimate effect—the metabolism of from 8 to 9 grms.
of nitrogen daily for the average Behari, in place of the metabolism of from 6 to 7
grms. of nitrogen daily for the average Bengali. This line of investigation we
hope to work out fully for some of the finer races of the plains of India and more
particularly of the Punjab ; at present we must rest content with the evidence
afforded by the metabolism of the Bengali and the Behari.
Before passing on to a study of the hill tribes we shall take up the last part
of Dr. Kellogg's criticism, viz., " many of the Indians, however, are strong and
robust people. I understand that an Indian regiment made up entirely of natives
is the finest lot of men in His Majesty's Service." It could hardly be expected
that one who had never been to India would be in a position to differentiate between.
2 E
211
says, "that large meat-eaters are generally more cruel and ferocious than other
men. "
Experiments carried out by feeding one series of young monkeys on vegetable
and another series on a highly animal diet confirm the same opinion—the meat-fed
animals developing into much stronger and far more ferocious adults than those
fed on vegetable material. As we have seen in the work on the nutritive value of
the Bengal jail diets, the addition of meat in any form is a certain means of raising
the level of nitrogenous metabolism. All the evidence we have hitherto been able
to obtain points to a high level of protein interchange in the body being accom-
panied by a high development of physique and manly qualities, whilst under the
opposite conditions, poor physique and a cringing, effeminate disposition alone
can be expected.
In a sentence, we may conclude that manliness in a race is a function of its
diet, and that as a rule "a low state of nutrition is accompanied by torpor or per-
version of conscience ; famine has not rarely brought rapine in its train." The
truth of this conclusion appears from our work on the Behari and Bengali and is
supported by the facts stated regarding the Sikhs, Rajputs, Dogras, Jats and
Brahmins. However, as we have not yet made a detailed study of these tribes, at
the present time we simply instance them to show that the factors that Dr. Kellogg
lays stress on are insufficient to account for the low developmental conditions of
the Bengalis, when contrasted with the Beharis or with any of the great fighting
tribes of the plains of India.
We consider it probable that a thorough survey of the food customs of these
Indian tribes, with careful observation of the effects on their respective develop-
ment and character, will go a long way in helping to clear up many of the points
at issue between the Chittenden school and those opposed thereto, and between
vegetarians and those who believein the advantages of an animal protein forming
a fair proportion of the total nitrogen of the diet.
III. Hill-tribes of Bengal.—By far the, best specimens of the hill-tribes of
Bengal are to be found in Darjeeling district and its neighbourhood.
They may be divided into two great classes, each with two sub-classes :—
I. Bhutias,
1. Tibetan Bhutias and Nepalese Bhutias.
2. Sikkim Bhutias or Lepchas.
II. Nepalese,
1. Chuttries—higher classes (Brahmins).
2. Matwales (Mangar, Jinidar).
These tribes inhabit hills whose height is about 5,000 feet above sea-level. The
climate is not so cold as that of England—misty and wet during most of the
summer months ; cold, bracing and clear in the winter The contrast between
2 E 2
212
the Bengali and the inhabitants of these hills is exceedingly marked. They appear
more like people of different parts of the universe rather than neighbours separated
by barely 50 miles of country. Some of their more prominent characterist cs have
already been alluded to, and strike the new-comer very forcibly. The men, women
and children are jolly, light-hearted, always laughing, joking and chatting, the
children playing, skipping, singing as they run about, very much in the way children
do in England. This is all the very antithesis of What will be found in Bengal
proper and Orissa. The children in Bengal are poor, miserable, pot-bellied little
creatures with little or no joy in their lives compared with these happy-looking,
well-fed children of the hills. The hill-people generally are healthy, strong and
well-developed, some being of really fine physique ; they are full of energy and
capable of the most arduous and sustained muscular exertion.
The loads that even the women and half-grown children are capable of carry
-i ng up the steepest hills are incredible and, until seen with one's own eyes, would
certainly not be believed possible.
So far as could be gathered, two factors account for the marked contrasts
between the Bengali and these hill-tribes, viz., climate and diet. The other factors
mentioned by Dr. Kellogg are even more in evidence, particularly sexual excesses,
than in Bengal. While we have no doubt climate has a great deal to do with the
higher scale of general development and capabilities, that it is not the whole story
can be shown by a comparison of the several classes living under practically iden-
tical conditions but with difference in dietary forming the one outstanding
influence on their respective attributes. We can thus by a study of the different
classes eliminate to a very great extent the effects of climate, and appraise at its
proper value the influence of the different dietaries on the physique and general
well-being of the mass of individuals forming the several tribes.
We shall take up the facts that we have been able to collect under the follow-
ing headings :—
(1) Facts of physical development.
(2) Different diets of the several classes.
(3) Investigations on nutrition of prisoners in Darjeeling jail.
(4) Conclusions.
(1) Physical development.—As the number of prisoners in the Darjeeling
jail was very limited—these tribes are usually very well-behaved, only rarely
committing serious crimes—we had. to make arrangements for collecting the
required information outside the jail. This we were able to do in the bazaar,
hospital, Bhutia villages, amongst coolie gangs, etc. The following summary
gives the results obtained :—
Bhutias
.
.
. 140 men examined.
(a) Tibetan Bhutias.
213
Height varies between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 7 inches.
Tallest—5 feet 9 inches.
Shortest—5 feet.
Chest girth varies between 35 and 37 inches.
Greatest—38 inches.
Smallest—32 inches.
(b) Sikkim Bhutias commonly called Lepchas.
Height varies between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches.
Tallest—5 feet 7 inches.
Shortest—5 feet.
Chest girth—the same as in the Tibetan Bhutias.
(Pure Lepchas are slightly smaller in stature than these.)
Nepalese .
. 64 men examined.
Height varies between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 4 inches.
Tallest—5 feet 6 inches.
Shortest—4 feet 8 inches.
Chest girth varies between 32 and 34 inches.
Greatest—36 inches.
Smallest—30 inches.
Nepalese Bhutias are probably the finest specimens of manhood. amongst the
hill-tribes. They eat up to 2 lbs. of meat per day. Coolies drawn from this source
have been found to give the greatest satisfaction in expeditions and explorations
of the Himalayan ranges. Although the hill-men as a class are naturally healthy
and hardy, the Bhutias as a general rule are stronger and better developed than
the Nepalese—the Tibetan Bhutia being a particularly muscular hard-working
individual ; most of the hard. work, such as carrying dandies, rickshaw work, etc.,
being done by them alone.
The women are equally well-developed and capable of the hardest work. Even
the young girls think nothing of carrying the heaviest trunks or boxes up the
very steep paths and roads in Darjeeling and its precincts.
It may be taken generally that the Bhutias do the greater part of the hard
a b o u r ; t h e N e p a l e s e a r e u s u a l l y t o b e f o u n d w o r k i n g a s o r d i n a r y c o o l i e s o r a s
servants.
It will be observed from the statistics collected that the Nepalese are con-
siderably smaller in, stature than the Bhutias. They are also less hardy and less
muscular.
The development of the neck and calf of the Bhutia is very marked for their
height—an average of between 14 and 15 inches being obtained from the measure-
ments.
214
The calf is well-developed also in the Nepalese, but on a somewhat lower scale
than in the Bhutias.
The Bhutia from his earliest years is accustomed to the carrying of weights—
and usually the heaviest weight that he can just stagger under ; as years go on and
strength improves his capacity for weight-carrying gradually increases until in
adult life weights of 200 lbs. and over are easily managed. A working cooly
will go on carrying such burdens all day—making trip after trip in a way
never seen in, Bengal. The constancy of the Bhutia's working capacity is
another noticeable feature when contrasted with the methods of the Bengal cooly,
who, after even the slightest exertion, must have a rest and if possible a sleep.
Amongst the hill-tribes themselves the Nepalese and Tibetan Bhutias are the
finest men in every respect, next come the Sikkim Bhutias and then the Nepalese.
Let us enquire what the dietaries of these tribes show.
(2) The different diets of the several classes.—In order to get the necessary
information on this important point we enlisted the assistance of an Assistant
Surgeon—Assistant Surgeon Swolle—who is himself a hill-man and has full know-
ledge of the language and customs of the different tribes. With his help we were
able to obtain very precise information. The following list gives some idea of
the dietaries of these people under their natural conditions :—
T. —Bhutias
(a) Tibetan Bhutias, also Bhutias from Bhotan (dandywallas, coolies, etc.,
who perform the hardest work).
Rice.
.
.
.
. . 24 to 28 ozs.
Average value of the diet co
m p u t e d
t o
b e w o r t h
2 8
g r m s .
Meat (beef generally or mutton) . 16 to 20 ozs.
Vegetables (potato, cabbage, carrots,
etc.
.
.
.
. . 6 to 10 ozs.
Butte
.
.
.
. .
4 ozs.
Bread
.
.
.
.
.
6 to 8 ozs. nitrogen or 175 grms. protein, of
which well over 60 per cent. is
derived from an animal source.
Chees
.
.
.
.
.
2 ozs.
Alooholic liquor, a home product
called. murwa
.
.
.
2 pints
Or
Tea prepared. with 11 oz. of tea, butter
and soda .
.
.
.
.
Q > S >
(b) Diet of Tibetan Lamas (priests and those who have not such hard work
as the dandvwallas, etc.).
Rice . .
.
.
.
. 18 to 22 ozs.
Average value computed to be
25. 6 grms. of nitrogen or 160
grms. of protein of which over
60 per cent. is derived from a
animal source.
Meat . .
.
.
.
. 14 to 18 ozs.
Vegetables as befor
.
.
. 6 to 8 ozs.
Chutto (a food prepared from pulse)
8 ozs.
Alcoholic liquor . .
.
.
1—2 pints
215
(c) General diet of the more poorly-fed classes who earn lower wages.
Rice . .
.
.
.
16 to 18 ozs.
Average value computed to be 24
grms. of nitrogen or 150 grms.
. 16 ozs.
Meat . .
.
.
.
Vegetables
.
.
.
. 8 ozs.
protein of which over 70 per
cent. is derived from an animal
source.
2 ozs.
Cheese .
. .
.
.
.
Alcoholic liquor .
.
. 2 pints
(d) Diet of Sikkim Bhutias (hard working classes).
Rice .
.
.
.
.
.
16 ozs.
Average value of the diet com-
Meat .
.
.
.
.
.
16 ozs. puted to be worth 21 grms.
Vegetables, wine, etc. .
.
.
as before
nitrogen or 131 grms. protein
of which over 70 per cent. is
derived from an animal source.
Dal .
.
.
.
.
.
2 ozs.
(e) Diet of Lepchas (poorer classes of Sikkim Bhutias).
Rice.
. .
.
.
. 28 to 30 ozs.
Average value of the diet 18. 5
grms. of nitrogen or 115 grms.
Meat
. .
.
. . 8 to 10 ozs.
Other items same as before.
protein of which about 50 per
cent. is derived from an animal
source.
II.—Nepalese.
(a) Matwali of the higher classes—Chuttries.
Rice
.
.
.
.
.
16 ozs.
Average value of the diet 19. 2
grms. or 120 grms. protein of
which less than 40 per cent. is
derived from an animal source.
Dal .
.
.
.
.
.
4 ozs.
Meat (never beef)
.
.
.
8 ozs.
Vegetables, etc. .
.
.
.
8 ozs.
Alcoholic liquor
.
.
. 1—2 pints
(b) Nepalese matwali (cultivators, coolies of poorer classes).
Rice .
.
. .
. . 24 to 28 ozs.
Average value of the diet 17.5
grms. nitrogen or 110 grms. of
protein of which only a small
percentage is derived from an
animal source.
Dal
.
.
.
.
.
. 4 to 6 ozs.
Meat (when it can be afforded, usually
once a week
.
.
.
8 o z s .
Vegetables and alcoholic liquor .
as before
All drink tea and alcoholic liquor; sometimes maize replaces part of the rice,
and bread is taken when it can be afforded.
These figures only give the averages and are probably rather below than
above the mark. They are quite sufficient to show how very superior the
dietaries of these hill-tribes are compared with those in use in Bengal. The
list discloses remarkable results; it may be taken that the average protein value
of the dietaries of the Bhutias is about 160 grms. and of the Nepalese 115 grms.
The most important point, however, is not the large amount of protein but the
manner in which the total protein is made up. We have shown in detail how
poor the protein absorption is from a diet consisting of rice and dal, and how
marked an influence the addition of an animal protein exerts in raising the level of
absorption.