The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-16
sarnrc sunerst;finn.

In the onward progress of civilization
many superstitions viii inevitably be
swept away, and, on the whole it is best
that it should be 50. II is, however, TO be
noted that in out-of- the-way corners of
the earth there is now and then to be
found a superstition based on good solid
reason; and as the various tribes and
races of mankind receive scientific study it
is by no means improbable that the civil
lied man may learn some things from the
savage.
Some Arctic explorers in a Swedish Rus
sian expedition found this out not very
long aso They had been told by the ma
, tives of the Arctic regions that polar
bears iivers should never be eaten, but as
The natives could give no good reason for
this it was regarded as mere supersti-
tious tradition, of no value or meaning. So
the Europeans determined TO eat bear liver
and rejoice in their freedom from the
Nightmares Of the savage brain. The next
POLAR bear they killed they sat around
their smoky fire and ate liver /; was
good. and they voted the meal a success,
all except enc cautious scientist who did
not eat any. He thought il might De well
| to let somebody else do the experimenting,
and in case anything happened there
should be someone to care for the sick or
lay out the dead. Events proved that he
was the wise man. Every one OF the feast
ers was taken violently i'll. and not man
of them will ever again eat polar bear liver
or treat native traditions other than with
a certain measure of respect.
The fact is that. Just as the Mosaic laws
we're evolved through a wise provision of
sanitary necessities. in various savage
tribes religion prescribes certain precau-
ttons Of one sort or another which are
necessary to heal-h. and come TO be con-
sidered part Of the tribal religion because
by these rules the strength anG physical
proves of the people, and hence their
prosperity has been assured. The wise
civilizing agent will take note of all laws
which prevail among savages with whom
he becomes familiar AMI try to discover the
reasons therefor He will also study their
diet and sec in what particulars 1t is
suited TO the climate and conditions in
which they dwell. 1t is more than likely
that they have. through generations OF
usage, discovered the foods best suited TO
preserve health in that particular locality.
and that Europeans who settle there should
eat If not the same articles. at least things
which contain the same nutrtive elements.
For example, it will be observed that nearly
all dweIleTs in tropical countries are fond
of highly seasoned, peppery. and spicy
foods. of strong coffee, and of fruit. The
man of Northern birth who goes to such
climate and lives on the same things
which he ate at home is going to develop
diseases. In the North, sweet, rich food
with plenty OF fat is desirable and the
Tropical inhabitant VINO tries TO live
through a Vermont winter on the same
food which he ate in Louisiana will have
Z hard time. What he needs in a place
Ike that is baked beans with pork and
mclasses, doughnuts. sausage and cheese;
or, II he happens to be in country with
different traditions. hot rich stews. coarse
bread and sweet cakes.
The moral Of it all is that nature teaches
her human children. she does her quad
rupeds what they ought to eat and where
to find IL; but she teaches them, as she
does the animals. by tribes and not by in
diyiduais.