The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-26
CHEAP NATIONAL FOOD.
Experience Has Led to the Proper Selrc-
ton by E..ch BODY of Inhm tmnts

ton by Each Body of Inhabitants.
It is only within very recent period that the
science Of nutrition has received much atten-
ton even in scientific way: only within y
very few years that anything has been done to
give popular instruction upon tho subject. II
we had waited. however, for the scientist to
tell us how to live wo might long since have
begun to diminish in numbers. Each race.
perhaps each body Of inhabitants occupying u
given section Of the oarth's surface. appears to
have established by process Of natural selcc-
ton n national food. which can DO procured at
least cost. and which when analysed is found
to contain the nutrients. protein starch. and
fat. in about the right proportion to suit the
conditions Of tho climate.
Beginning with the so-called rice fed nations
or races. whose ration consists in large guam
tity of rice or starchy food it appears that they
add the requisite amount OF nitrogen BY
consuming peas and beans. Living mainly
IN hot countries. they do not need so!much fat
In India the element OF fat is derived from q
peculiar kind OF butter called ghee. In that
combination is found a complete food at tho
least cost.
Moving into Europe. we find that the nutri-
ton Of the working classes of Italy consists
mainly OF polcnta. form OF Indian corn or
maize meal. which in itself is nearly COM
pleto food. but being little short OF nitrogen
a modcum OF cheese Is added. the chief ele.
ment in tho dict OF the Italian. however. being
macaroni and cheese. many Of the cheeses be-
ing made from tho skim milk after the cream
has been taken of. as these are richer in nj
trogen. Macaroni and cheese with salad is
substantially n complete food.
Passing over to Switzerland we again find
cheese furnishing that which is tho most i'm
h hfata ana tne most extensive . In every
moro meat Is eaten. but in tho stock pot. or
POT a" yen. every clement OF meat md vese-
table. including remnants Of bread aud every
thing that contains nutrition. is converted over
into a nearly, complete food. to which the cus-
In England tho relativa scarcity Of meat Is
made up 10y, the abundant consumption OF
cheese. bread and cheese serving NJ the main
stay of the working people. the cheese supply
ing the deficiency Of the wheat in protein. In
Scotland oatmeal Is the main.tny and in the
com plete. nutrition. than, in any other single
Irish. subsisting from choice or from necessity
50 much up9n r"tatocs. are people 20, Of rela-
as n rule not long lived except when removed
to other regions where they can secure more
In the northern nations OF Europe FISH and
rye bread together form cheap and completes
basis ior np,riti N: tho fish consisting Of her:
ring, which supplies n very large amount OF
fat: or 81 sal mon or OF some other varieties.
Crossing the ocean. in New Eng land We lind
is very complete in its proportions OF energy.
The salt iish ball with n Iii OF pork und the
brown bread offer anot her example Of SUBJ
stantialiy complete food.
Passing into Canada we com" to an entirely
different dish. praSr pOrrlig". made into u
combination with coars" crackers and q bit OF
pork. furnishing II strOug and complete ration
ut nj most the minimum Of cost.
Again. moving to tn" S"Ut'l"rn States. tho
customary ration OF the "o!urcd man. which
ho chooses In rrnfcrnn"" To- almost any nther
kind OF food. consists ut three and onc-hulf
pounds Of bacon and peck Of maize meal per
week. to which are al !"i Il few vegetables from
the llcll i. making PERHAPS ~" Cheapest ration
at tho least cost in ratio uthe force II contains
than can be found anywhere. In Mexico tho
"tortila." or bean furnishes tn" nitrogen in
connection with dict Of other materials. very
mcngre NJ the best.
Necessity has probably been tho teacher in
each case: the experience of many genera
tions has probably led to tho final selection.
and the habit OF feeding upon these. enforced
ra,iun- has developed an inherited appetite
for them which in many instances has become
so strong That II change to n different diet.
even as well balanced as thuso named. lends
for the time being to Indigestion and to dis
Case. ! have hcen told that the southern
negro will toe afflicted with dysucrsia If his
customary ration when at WORT IS changed
from he usual hog and hominy 10 either hncpn.
and wheat bread or to corn bread and beoi.
EDWARD ATKINSON,