Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-01
Hygienic Information.
MANS DIETETIC NATURE

The potato, which contains - per cent OF
| nut, iment the same as hesh-meat averages,
| is as is well known, the principal article III
the diet of the Irish peasantry; and few por-
tions of the human family are more healthy,
robust athletic and active than they are,
when uncontaminated by intoxicating sub
stances, both alcoholic and narcotic.
Plutarch, a man of great learning and ex-
tensive research, who hourished long after
the stern simplicity OF Roman virtne had
passed away, long after the foundations of
the Roman empire had begun TO crumble
under the influence of luxury and excess
thus expressed his views on human diet: 81
think it were better to accustom ourselves
from youth up to such temperance, as not to
require any flesh meat at all. The vegetable
kingdom-the earth, yields an abundance
not only for nourishment, vigor and strength
but for luxury" A distinguished physician
and chemist, DR.. Comstock, says, The use
of flesh for food, not only often occasions
certain diseases, but renders the consumers
susceptible to nearly all the diseases in very
greatly Increased degree. In fever districts
large meat eaters are the first victims. Nege
tarians are not only less susceptible 20 dis
eases, but suffer less when once attacked by
dangerous maladies. The use of flesh meat
inAames the passions. cultivates the animal
irritable, and often very ferocious and hate
ful. The unnatural sight, or vision, of
bloodshed, in slaughtering animals to eat,
has hardening and brutal effect, creates an
apathy to their sufferings, and disregard
for life, and is thus untavorable TO the culti-
yation and growth of morality.
Experience furnishes the following import
ant testimony. Sacred history establishes
the fact, that the diet of the finest members
of the human family was wholly vegetable.
All scientists agree in this opinion. And
God said, Gen. %, Behold | have given
you every herb bearing seed which is upon
the face of all the earth and every tree in
which is the fruit of yielding seed: TO you
it shall be for meat"
The foundations of all ancient govern
ments which attained celebrity were laid by
vegetarians. This was true of Babylon,
Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome. When the
healthful and unstimulating vegetable diet
was abandoned for animal food, national de-
generacy began. Among modern nations,
those which live the most largely upon flesh,
as do the Laplanders. Esquimaux, Tartars,
Australians, Kamtchatdales and Terre del
Fuegians are found to be the smallest, weak
est and most cowardly and miserable Of any
people dwelling on the globe. As a general
rule, and universally admitted by all intelli
resolute, long lived, robust and well-develop-
ed nations, both physically and mentally,
are those whose diet is almost entirely or ex-
clusively vegetable. The most frequent ex-
amples of great longevity are found among
vegetarians. Conarro, Baron, Capelli, Fran
cisco, Farr who reached the age of 152 years,
Jenkins whose years numbered 1G9, Efiing
ham. Lawrence. Surrington; Drakenburg.
Blackwell. Syphax, Hightower, Prigden,
Rev. John Wesley. and DIR. Mead, of Eng
land, consulting physicians to Queen Eliza
BETH whose age was 1iS years, and hundreds
of other cases might be cited in proof of
this noteworthy statement. Animal food in
flames the blood and engenders disease. A
vegetable diet never poisons the blood, hence
vegetarians generally live twice or thrice as
long. and in far more healthy and cheerful
condition than flesh consumers. HygieHic
EhHilu ILlLsicinn