The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-19
CHINESE EAT WHOLESOME FOOD.
Popular misconceptions of the Diet OF
the Disciples of Confucius.


the Disciples of Confucius.
From the Forum.
The cuisine of the Chinese and the
mode and ceremonies attending their
feasts have done much to give them a
somewhat extraordinary reputation.
Globe trotters, striving to make their
letters brilliant and their books sensa-
tonal, have told such wonderful tales
of bird-nest soup. canine hams. grimal-
kin fricasseeS, rats, snakes, worms and
other culinary novelties, served up in
such marvellous styles and eaten with
such apparent relish, that their readers
naturally take it for granted that these
things form large proportion of the
food of the people of China.
Generally speaking, the diet of the
Chinese is sufficient in variety, whole
some and we'll cooked, even If their
methods are essentially different from
our own. Doubtless many of the dishes
found are extremely unpalatable to
Americans because of the quantity or
nut Gil used and by reason of the pun
gent flavor of the large amount or gar
lie introduced. In the latter respect,
however, the dishes Of Southern Europe
are equally objectionable. AS to the
assortment Of food, it has been said that
there is wider difference, perhaps, be-
tween the rich and poor Of China than
of any other country.
II is probably true that the Chinese
use greater variety of meats than 90
the people of other countries, although
but little land Is set apart for grazing
or for the cultivation of food for live
stock. Beef is not a common meat,
principally because Of the Buddhistic
prejudices against killing any animal.
and particularly such useful one.
Since hogs can be so economically
reared, pork Is undoubtedly, after rice,
the leading article of food. This is
eaten in every form, and one may say
that every part of the animal is uti'-
ICED for food. Horse flesh. Venison.
antelope and bear are often seen, but
in passing through the markets pork,
mutton and fowls are the most con-
spicuous
For fish the Chinese have an onni-
vorous appetite; nothing from the
water. either fresh or salt, being re-
jected. A few kittens and puppies may
be offered for sale in cages. Those
which are intended for the table are fed
upon grain and clean food: SO that, II
the nature of this food be considered.
it is far more wholesome than Is the
unclean hog. To assert that cats and
dogs form a staple article of food is
pure fiction.
One may live for years in a Chinese
city without seeing rats or mice offered
for sale as food. They are sold for
medicine, but even for this purpose
they are not so easily caught as TO %
cheap The treatment to which the
common people often subject unfortun-
ate rats which have been caught in the
granary initiates against the notion
that these animals are selected as
choice tid-bits for the table. Because
| the rats steal their most precious arti-
Gle of food, rice, the Chinese hold that
they are criminals of the deepest dye
and that they merit the worst kind OF
torture RlarlS dogs and cats are favor
ties among the most superstitious ma
tives of the south. These animals in
variably command a higher price than
others and are eaten at midsummer in
the belief that the meat insures both
health and strength for the ensuing
year The blood of all animals is taken.
so far as concerns religious scruples,
except by Buddhist priests. by few Of
the stricter laymen, and, of course, by
the Mohammedans, of whom there are
quite number in the northern part OF
the country.