Smyrna times., 1857-07-29
Things that We Eat.

One OF the most potent questions among al
people-one that will sooner raise clamor o.
tumult than anything else, if interfered with
is that of food. Man, like all other animals, i.
disposed to be contented and satisfied when
"feasting on the good things of life," and no
sooner Is an attempt made to lessen his ra-
lions" than his hand is ready to war against
ruler. prince or potentate The little item of
Tea raised rebellion in Boston which eventu-
ally wrested from King George his richest pro-
vince, and the cry of I" two dollars a dav and
roast beef' is said to have elevated candi-
didate TO the Presidential chair of our great
hePubfIc. Though all are united in the great
question of cheap food, yet, in what constitutes
proper food there are various opinions One
journal asserts that much money is uselesslv
thr'wn away for animal food--that vegetables
are better suited to mans condition, besides be-
ing much cheaper; while another fancies it sees
IN such opinions streak Of fsnaticism of the
Greely and Garrison school, and throws the
whole system aside as something insdious and
fearful. The true course is, neither extreme.
but proper use of both animal and vegetable, |
the latter largely predominating. This is |
based upon true. practical, common.sense, |
scientific theory. In the history of Nations we
have both the above theories exemplifed that
OF the Populous nation of Hindosian, whose re-
iigIon fOrbds the use of all animal food. and
the inhabitants of many Of the islands of the
sea- who subsist mainly upon beast, fish and
fowl. The New York Express says, it is a
subject OF sensible remark by all who properly
consider the matter, that scruples and preiu-
dces by which We endeavor to thwart the dis
pensatons of Providence are more than idle
One of the most absurd of these is the fancy
some people have for depriving themselves OF
the materials which have been placed at our 4
disposal for the purpose of food. Many persons
appear really TO esteem it virtue to condemn {
themselves to entire absence from animal food. /
Others regulate their diet according to notions
which examination in the light of science would
speedily explode.
An old Roman law prohibited the use of !
poultry; aud they considered delicacies many \
things we could not be induced to taste. On /
the other hand, pork, which is among us a favo. q
rite meat, has been the abomination of the East
ern nations. The old Britons denied themselves 8
hare, goose aud fowl. Il
1t we look at the habits of various nations o
with regard 10 diet, we can hardly discover any,
thng belonging to the animal or vegetable
Kingdoms that has not been, at one time or ano. "
ther, used as food. Experience also has taught p
us what kinds of food are most nutritious. and b.
Science has explained why they are so The
nrst great principle in regard to food seems 10
De that as the constituents of the blood may be
arranged IN the four classes of water-salts- d
substances containing nitrogen, as the albumen .
aud hbrln % the muscles and substances con-
'anmg no nitrogen, as fat-so in food the same j
Tour constituents should be present, for the SUBJ
stances cannot be converted into each other.- pl
All four are contained in animal and vegetable ul
lo~d' and IN milk. The similarity, in compost III
'lon, between fat and the sugar and starch III
which form the chief part of vegetables, has p'
long been known to be very close but il is also
discovered that vegetables contain substance n
identical with the ibrin of blood. These ele- nj
meats. however. are ia different proportions in W
liffereat substances. to
From the fables, that Hercules lived on beef :, -
Ind figs. and that Chron fed Achilles, in his De
nfancy, upon the marrow of lions and bulls
We zee that the ancients had correct notion of IS
ne value Of animal food. To do work. food :.
'eh IN nitrogen is requisite. Highest in this "
cals stand the flesh of the mammala; that of o,
darker color is rather more nutritious than n
White meat; tie hest of birds and fish is less
nutritious than that Of mammals Neither al
amen nor fatty Substances are alone capable wi
{ afiording proper nourishmeDt 1t is probable th
hat fat and other non-nitrogenous substances Ts
asrely serve for the purpose of respiration BY an
means of their carbon. Kt
Man is an Omnivorous animal--neither on
egeiarian nor uutionarian--and the permits ha
iOn given by Divine Providence to " slay and
at" as well as TO use the fruits of the field for
bod. is significant of the certainty that our Go
ealth and Comfort will be best promoted BY ty,
Onpliance With this wise provision. ser