The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-01-05
Relation of Food TO Morals.

Relation Of Food TO Morals.
1t is very common idea, that tn,
dietetic value of a food is ALWAYS il
proportion to the amount of nutri
tive matter which it contains. This
is not strictly true, or even approx
mately true, as we shall see. In thu
first place, we must take into ac
count the fact that the human bod,
is not made up of solid substances
only. On the contrary, it has but
small per cent, of solids as eompar
ed with its fluid contents, there be
ing about rs per cent OF the latter
or three times as much fluid as ther,
is solid substance. 1t follows, there
fore, that our food, as whole. mus
contain both fluids and solids, anc
these in such proportions as shall
best meet the requirements of tn,
system.
Nature has made a bountiful pro
vision for us in this respect; she ha:
given us not merely the solid grains
with their rich mineral constituents
their gluten, and their wealth OF
amylaccous or starchy matters, but
she has furnished an almost endless
variety Of juicy fruits, many Of them
rich in saccharine elements, delight
full acids, and even mineral salts,
These supply the waste ofiuids that
takes place in summer from exces.
sive perspiration, and they at the
same time administer to the pleas
nre of the palate. Their organic
fluids meet the wants of the body
from day to day; their fine, sub acid
flavor is relished by us in health,
and it is particularly grateful to
the fever parched tongue in sick
ness.
But Nature stops not with these.
Ont of her all-bounteous lap she
gives us the suceulent vegetables.
fresh from the gardens; these fur.
nish great variety of food products,
adapted to our bodily wants, and
agreeable to the taste. 1t is won
derful how many kinds we have, ev-
en- in single latitude, in the way of
garden vegetables and field products.
Many of these are highly nutritious,
not only because of the solid sub
stances which they contain. but in
their abundance Of organic fluid,
each suited TO our needs. When we
consider what bountiful provision
has been made for us, in the way of
fruits, vegetables, and grains. and
that by railroad and other communi-
cation all parts OF the world are
brought together, so that the pro
ducts of every cline come to our ia
bles, it hardly seems necessary to
rely so much on the flesh of animals
for food, as many people do.
In fruits. the wealth of the Pacific
Coast is laid down at our doors; so
are the products of the Gulf States,
fruit and vegetable, and also of the
West Indies. Our ships come to
port stored with the good things of
foreign shores. The Tropics and
the colder North vie with each other
in filing our markets to repletion.
Not only so, even the flesh foods are
gathered in from points remote and
formerly inaccessible: there are
cattle and sheep from thousand
hills. Can we not, at any rate, do
so much of the hog? Less
pork, it seems to me, and even less
beef, with more fruits and vegetables,
would be decided advantage.
Thousands of little children in our
cities, and in the country as well, do
not get half the fruits they need,
even in summer; they are scarce,
and high priced. Can we not, in the
near future, have more fruits, and
less bacon?
1t is fact, land it is time we
were finding it out,-that this living
so largely upon the flesh of animals,
particularly in warm weather, and
in hot climates, is prolific source
Of disease. The blood becomes la
den with putrescent matters, and ty-
phoid and other putrid feyers which
are really filth diseases are the re-
suit. Whereas. those who subsist
chiefly on grains, fruits, and vegeta-
bles, with only moderate supply of
meat, and who are not afraid to take
in a good supply of the fresh air of
Heaven, night and day, are very lit
tie troubled with diseases of any kind,
and seldom die ofsunstroke, apoplexy
or other similar disorders. The fam
lily that lives largely on a flesh Diet
meat three times day,-generally
has plenty of strong coffee, and us
ually the contents of the castor are
used freely, especially the salt and
pepper. This latter substance, by
the way, which is an acrid poison, is
undoubtedly cause of heart disease.
Flies will not touch it, nor will any
other living thing, except man.
Did it ever occur to you, my read
er, that the whole race of drunkards
and all the tobacco users, first "went
to school, with the other and milder
In other words, too
much of animal foods, tea, coffee,
and the condiments, first awakened
in the appetite the desire for still
stronger stimulents. After one is
habituated to these "infammatory
foods y and the beverages that go
with them, it is an easy matter to
begin with the pipe, glass of beer,
perhaps, and then proceed to the liq-
our saloon, whereas, he who lives
upon simple, unstimulating diet
of fruits, farinaceous food, and
plainly cooked vegetables, will have
a loathing so strong for alcoholic
drinks. tobacco, and other stimulants
or narcotics. that he will never
want to taste them.
Let the wives and mothers beware,
then, how they introduce the temp
ter at their own tables, and put pois-
on into their children's mouths.
seasoned food must be held
for much mischief.
Many son or husband has had his
led astry by the viands on
his own table; and many a domestic
with drinks as a factor,
has had its rise in kitchen COM
say nothing of squall-
ing babies, made cross and irritable
by foods that neither the child nor
the mother OUGHT ever to tnuch -