Fruits and farinacea the proper food of man

Front matter

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Preface

TO

THE FIRST EDITION

The views advocated in the following pages differ so widely from those generally held by writers on dietetics, and are so diametrically opposed to the ' habits and customs of society in this country, that I am by no means sanguine of making many proselytes ; but what will man not attempt, when fully convinced that he is laboring in the cause of truth ? If perfectly satisfied that he has arrived at a correct and important result, opposition will only redouble his ardor in supporting and spreading the doctrine he has espoused. His steady perseverance in its defence will frequently expose him to the charge of enthusiasm or egotism ; these, in fact, seem almost necessary to the man who would successfully advocate any new or not generally received opinion : every one is warm in what he considers a good cause ; and he who observes the majority of society indifferent to the truth which he believes himself to possess, can scarcely avoid displaying the characteristics of the egotist.

By defending a fruit and farinaceous diet among my own friends, I have frequently incurred similar charges ; I cannot, therefore, expect to be more leniently treated by literary and scientific critics. Perhaps, also, I may be accused of presumption, for daring to controvert points upon which physiologists are so generally agreed. It is very far from my wish to convey an impression that I place either my talents or acquirements on a par with those of the many learned and scientific discoverers who have written upon the subject, and whose views differ from my own : yet men of indifferent abilities have sometimes, by a steady and persevering attention to evidence, arrived at truths which have escaped the notice of more powerful intellects ;

Vi PREFACE.

and " so limited is the human capacity, that the most exalted genius, and the deepest powers of investigation, have not been able to raise their possessors above the errors and prejudices of their age, on subjects wliich have not been made the peculiar object of their reflection." I therefore hope that my investigations will not be found so devoid of interest as some may at a first glance suppose ; nor my deductions so wide of the truth as a reference to the long-established dietetic habits of my countrymen may seem to indicate : but whatever judgment the public may pass upon the opinions here advocated, at least it will be a satisfaction to feel that I have written with a sincere desire of benefiting society in general ; and more especially its members who suffer from dyspepsia and other diseases. He who undertakes to bring a new or neglected subject before the public, finds it exceedingly difficult to adopt the best arrangement of which it will admit ; and the probability is, that he will not defend his views with that clearness and force which, when more generally canvassed, might be brought to their support. Hence arguments which may appear forcible and conclusive to a person whose attention has been long and steadily directed to the subject, and who has viewed it in all its bearings, may be totally inadequate to produce conviction in others who have thought little about it.

" Perhaps," as has been well observed, " the best mode of leading another to the apprehension of truth, is to show how we ourselves were convinced : and, in the announcement of a new discovery, it is always well to explain how we were first impressed with the idea, and afterwards proceeded ; for nature always tells her own tale best, and in the most impressive way : by so doing, we in some measure place others in a similar position with ourselves, and enable them to judge through the same evidence which has convinced us." In accordance with this remark, I may briefly state, that I read an Essay on " Manifestations of Mind," about ten years ago, to the members of a small Literary Society, and attempted to trace the phenomena of sensation, from the lowest up to the highest forms of animated being. After the reading of the paper, and an interesting discussion on the similarity of structure in the organs of sense, and the resemblance of the nervous and cerebral development, in the superior classes of animals, to those of man, the following question occurred to me : — " Is man justified in slaughtering animals for his food ; seeing that, by means of a beautifully-organized structure, they are rendered exquisitely sensible both of pleasure and pain ?"

The answer I mentally returned to the inquiry was : " If the flesh of animals be necessary to the health, happiness, and longevity of man, then

PREFACE. vii the law of self-preservation will warrant his taking the life of animals ; — provided he be guilty of no cruelty, and cause no unnecessary pain to the animal which he sacrifices to supply his wants ; but if upon further inquiry it should appear that the life of man can be preserved, his health and strength maintained, his pleasure and happiness continued or rendered more pure and satisfactory, and the period of his mortal existence unabbreviated or prolonged, by a diet of which the flesh of animals forms no part, — then would neither wisdom nor benevolence sanction the horrid cruelties that are daily perpetrated, in order to pamper the perverted appetites of man."

Believing the subject to be one of great interest, I determined to investigate it impartially, and resolved to adopt practically whatsoever should appear to be the plain dictates of nature. After carefully consulting the writings of Moses, traditionary records, comparative anatomy, physiology, chemistry, general history, and private experience, I arrived at the firm conviction, that the flesh of animals is not only unnecessary, but decidedly prejudicial to man's health and well-being. I therefore discontinued it, as an article of diet ; and, persevering in spite of the fears and remonstrances of my friends, I was soon rewarded with better health and more real enjoyment than I had experienced during many years.

Having derived incalculable advantages from a strict adherence to a fruit and farinaceous diet, and being fully satisfied (after a long and patient investigation of evidence) that it is well adapted to all constitutions, in all climates fit for the residence of man, I can no longer resist the importunity of my friends to publish the result of my experience and inquiries.

Throughout the whole of these investigations I have preferred expressing my sentiments in the language of authors eminent for talents and scientific pursuits, rather than in words of my own ; which must be my excuse for the many disconnected sentences and sudden transitions to be found in the work. On a careful perusal of the whole, I find much to be dissatisfied with ; — arising, in a great measure, from the many interruptions that have occurred during its composition ; and I would gladly have re-written it, had not my avocations forbid the attempt. I therefore solicit the indulgence of the public towards its faults and imperfections.

For much valuable information on the points I have discussed, I am indebted to the works of Drs. Lambe, Grant, Carpenter, Southwood Smith, Prout, Bird, Eoget, Pereira, Dick, and Miiller ; Professors Liebig, Lawrence, and Mulder ; Baron Cuvier, Mr. J. F. Newton, and many others , more especially to the " Lectures on the Science of Human Life," by Mr. Sylvester Graham, of North America ; which I would earnestly recommend to all who feel an interest in the subject.

€(intnits.

Chapter I

Ettdbxce peom thb WKmNGS OF Moses and from Tradttion. — Fruit and Herbs bearing Seed appointed to Man for Food. Golden Age described by Ovid, Yirgll, and others. Man's Expulsion from Paradise. Silver Age, &c. Longevityof the Antediluvians. Man permitted to eat Animal Food after the Deluge. Little Animal Food eaten long after the Deluge. Brazen and Iron Ages. Consequences of a Change of Diet. Fable of Prometheus, &c., - - ^ - - pp. 29-11

CHAPTER n.

Inferences from the original Innocence of Man. — ^Man created in the Divine Imago. Opinion that Man is progressive in Mental and Moral Qualifications - - pp. 41-44

Chapter III

Inferences from the Sensations of Sigut, Smell, and Taste. — Man dependent on Instinct In the Selection of Food. Sight, Smell, and Taste would direct him to Fruit, pp. 44-17

. CHAPTER IV.

Pbepaeations op Animals fob Food,— Fire, and Implements for Killing and Preparing Animals. Summary of Previous Evidence, pp. 47^9

Chapter I

Ettdbitce aftoeded by Compaeative Anatomy. — Instincts of Man deteriorated by Acquire^ Habits. Natural Food of Man not determined by Climate but by Structure. General Characteristics of Carnivorous and Herbivorous Animals. Proper Mode of proceeding in the Inquiry. Teeth— Incisors, Cuspids, Bicuspids, Molars. Articulation of the Lower Jaw. Zygomatic Arch, Temporal and Masseter Muscles. Salivary Glands. Alimentary Canal— Stomach, Colon, Caecum, and Liver. Perspiratory Glands. General Eeview of the Organs, pp. 53-86

Chapter II

Man (strictly speaking) not Omntvoeotts. — ^Intermediate Character of Man's Digestive Organs. The Gastric Juice varies according to the Food. Organs in which Man differs from other Animals. Questionable whether any Animal be strictly Omnivorous. The Quadrumana and their Food. Opinions of Linnseus, Cuvier, Lawrence, Bell, and others. Two Objections answered. Animals trained to live upon and relish Improper Food. Difference between Adaptation and Adaptibility. Improvements of Art inferior to Nature. Province of the Intellectual Faculties, pp. 86-98

CHAPTER HI.

Physiology of Sight, Smell, and Taste. — Objection— Flesh-eating general in various nations, pp. 93-110

Chapter IV

Bensittve and Moeal Feelings of Man. — Slaughtering of Animals opposed to the Exercise of Benevolence and Sjmipathy. Instances of Cruelty to Animals killed for Food. Opinions of others on this Point. Demoralizing Influence of Torturing and Killing Animals. Cases in which Man is justified in Destroying Animals. Objections. "Why wore Oxen, Sheep, &c., created, if not for the use of Man ? If Animals be not killed, they will become too numerous. How could the Land be cultivated without Animal Manure ? The Sum Total of Animal Pleasure is increased by Breeding and Killing Animals for ^ood, pp. 111-123

CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Vegetables contain all the ELEMEinB an© QtrALinEs necessaey foe the Complete NtTTErrioN OF Man. — Processes of Decay and Nutrition. Azotized and Non-azotized Principles of Food. Various Sources of Nitrogen to the Herbivora, &c. Man can be supported by Non-azotized Food. Food of the Carnivora and Herbivora. Nutritive Matter in various Articles of Diet. Convertibility of Starch into Fat, Protein, &c. Benefits resulting to Man from the Action of the Atmosphere on Non-azotized Principles. A Mixed Diet does not contain the best Proportions of Starch, Gluten, &c. Food should vary according to the Character of the Digestive Organs. Time in which various Articles are converted into Chyme. Experiments of Majendie and others. Concentrated Food and Isolated Principles, Dr. Stark's Experiments. Variety of Food not so necessary as a due Admixture of Nutritious and Innutritions Matter. Best Kind of Bread, - pp. 127-157

CHAPTER n.

Experience of Nations and Individc- alb.— Vegetable Diet not a New Doctrine. Opinions of Pythagoras, Plutarch, &c. Various Ancient and Modern Nations have lived on Vegetable Productions, --PP* 157-168

CHAPTER HI.

Fbthts and Faeinacea coNDxrciTE TO Health.— In what Health consists. Food Nutritive and Stimulative. Opinions of Drs. Hufeland, and others. Examples in illustration, pp. 163-170

CHAPTER lY.

Vegetable Food consistent with Physical Strength and AoTrvrrr. — ^Mistaken Notions on this Subject. Stimulation not Strength. More Oxygen required when Animal Food is taken. Protracted Labor endured better on a Vegetable than on an Animal Diet. Instances of Strength in Herbivorous and Frugivorous Animals. Instances of Strength in Nations and Individuals who have lived on Vegetables, - - - - PP. 170-191

CHAPTER V.

Climate and Tempeeatuee.— A greater Degree of Cold may be sustained on Vegetable Diet. Eeasons which induce some to think otherwise, - - - - pp. 191-194

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

Inflttbncb of Azotized Food in peoduoing ceetain Diseases.— On what the States of Health and Disease depend. Opinions of Medical "Writers on the Production of Disease. Ilecent Origin of Certain Diseases. Production and Eetention of Various Acids in the System. Lithic Acid Diathesis; including Gout, Calculi, &c. Dr. "W. Tyler Smith's Opinion respecting Scrofula, &c. Professor Liebig, Dr. Bence Jones, Dr. Prout, and Dr. I Oolding Bird, on the Origin of Lithic Acid. Experiments proving the Incorrectness of .' Lieblg's Views. Dr. Lehmann's Experiments. Production of Lithic Acid by other Means. Authorllles and Cases. Diabetes Mellitus, pp. 194r-214

CHAPTER VII.

iNJXTEiotrs Effects of Animal Food. — ^Utility of Exercise under a highly Azotized Diet. Direct Injuries caused by the Flesh and Milk of Animals. Caries of the Teeth produced by Animal Food. Decay of the Teeth more common now than formerly - pp. 214-219

CHAPTER Vni.

Bekeficial Effects of Vegetable Food on Invalids.— Result of Dr. North's Inquiries on the Subject. Dyspepsia cured by a Fruit and Farinaceous Diet Excellent Effects of this Diet in Phthisis. Its Effects in cases of Scrofula, Scurvy, Epilepsy, Dysentery, and Inflammation. Two remarkable Cases of Ulcers cured by Fruit, &c. Unnecessary Alarms of Persons commencing Vegetable Diet. Fevers, Epidemics, and Accidents, less Fatal on a Vegetable Diet Extreme Debility no Obstacle to the Adoption of a Fruit and Farinaceous Diet, pp. 219-284

CHAPTER IX.

Vegetable Diet peotective against Epidemics. — Wallachians, Brahmins, Otaheitans, Negroes, and Mexican Indians. Cases in illustration by Dr. Alderson, Eev. J. B. Strettles, Mr. S. Graham, and Dr. Copland, Howard the Philanthropist, Chas. Whitlaw and others. Cholera at New York. Shelley's View of the Subject, pp. 234-240

CHAPTER X.

Vegetable Diet conditcive to Symmetry and Normal Development. — Effects of Different Kinds of Food on the Lower Animals. Organs connected with Digestion most readily intluenced. Development most Eegular when the Processes are Slow. Effects of Fruit and Farinacea on Bulk and Weight. Facts from Various Parts of the World in illustration, - ' pp. 241-246

CHAPTER XL

Vegetable Diet coNDucrvE to AcirrENESS and Perfection of the Special Senses.- -Statements of Mr. S. Graham and Dr. Lambe. Case of Caspar Hauaer, - - pp. 247-249

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII.

Vegetable Diet conducive to ueal Sensual Pleasube and Enjoyment, - pp. 249-252

CHAPTER Xm,

Vegetable Diet favorable to Mental Exertion and Intellectual Culture. — Opinions of Theophrastus, Diogenes, and Sir J. Sinclair. Children of Irish Peasants, Caspar Ilauser, and Orphan Asylum of Albany. Children at Syra, St. Croix, and those of the Zulus. Pythagoras, Epicurus, Sir Isaac NeTvton, and others. Effects of a Full Meal of Animal Food, pp. 253-259

CHAPTER XIY.

Vegetable Diet favorable to the Government of the Passions and Peopensities, AND to the Development of Man's Moral Powers. — Connection between Animal Food and the Diffusible Stimulants. Tempers and Dispositions of Carnivorous and Herbivorous Animals. Effects of Feeding the Herbivor* on Animal Food. Nations living principally on Flesh more Cruel than others. Opinions of Porphyry and Lord Byron. Cases in illustration. Effects of Vegetable Diet on Sir Walter Scott. The Propensities prematurely Developed by Animal Diet. Injurious Effects of this Diet on Children. Concluding Remarks, - - - PP- 259-266

CHAPTER XV.

Vegetable Diet favorable to Longevitt!— Progress of Life described by Dr. Southwood Smith. Period of Perfect Development, the only one that can be indefinitely extended. Longevity desirable, when properly considered. Processes of Decay and Eenewal more rapid under an Animal Diet. Chyle and Blood from Vegetable Food more Pure. Ossification of the Tissues hastened by Stimulating Diet Opinions of Hufeland, Celsus, and Lord Bacon. Instances of Longevity in Nations and Individuals. General Comparison of the Effects of Animal and Vegetable Food, - - - - pp. 267-280

CHAPTER XVI.

Diet considered in its Relation to Population and the Moral Progress of Man.— The Organic Laws less studied than the Inorganic. As Population increases, Animal Food becomes scarcer. More Nutriment in Vegetable than in Animal Substances. Effects of a Potato Diet. Man when Carnivorous requires more extensive Supplies than the Lion or Tiger. One Pound of Starch equal to Four Pounds of Flesh. Weight of Animal Food consumed by the Canadian Boatmen, &c. Produce of Animal and Vegetable Food compared. View of the Subject as regards Economy. Population that may be supported by the Land of Great Britain and Ireland. Immense Resources of Food in the Vegetable Kingdom. Variable Proportions of Oxygen and Carbonic Acid in the Atmosphere. Law of Increase of Population. Mr. Alison on the Ratio of Food to Population. Causes of the Downfall of Nations. Anticipated Effects of General Education, ifcc. Consequences of an Advance towar(Ja Moral Perfection, jip. 280-299

CHAPTER XVII.

CoNCLinoiNG Eemaeks.— Best Mode of commencing Vegetable Eegimen. Eulos for the Preservation of Health. Fruit, Grain, Tubers, &c., proper for Human Food. Breakfast, Dinner, Supper, 800-308

Appendix

Note, — A. Acquired Peculiarities, ---------- 809

B. Composition of Urine under Different Kinds of Diet, - - - - 811

C. Proximate Principles and Value of Various Kinds of Grain, Boots, &C., 812

D. Produce of an Acre in Wheat, Oats, &c., 813

NOTES BY DR. TRALL

Absurd Experiments on Animals, ..-...•-••--- 150

A Clergyman on Butchering, 42

All Nutriment formed by Vegetables, ---145

Bathing invigorates the Skin, 141

Bible Authority, 29

Common Objections to Vegetarianism, 162

Diet in relation to Toothache, .--..--»--•--- 217

Digestive Apparatus, 80-83

Effects of Cooking on Flesh, • 47

Effects of Tea and Coffee, 307

Experimental Evidence. ..........87

Food in relation to Animal Hoat, .-.-.-..-••-. 193

Frauds in Flesh and Poultry, 118

Herbivora taught to eat FlesS, ............. 53

Illustrations of the Teeth, 7&-78

Iron in the Blood, 128

Making Food into Blood, 129

Milk-Sickness, 216

Nutritive Quality of Fat, 136

Organization in relation to 3iet, ..-...-•.••--56 Permission to eat Flesh, ----.-•••.•---- 37

Physiological Cook Book, .--308

Pictorial Illustrations, - 57-71

Prevalence of ConsumptEon, .-....•••••••• 168

Sa\t as a Dietetic Article, 209"

Treatment of Gout sual Rheumatism, 209

EXPLANATION OF TEMS

OCCURRING IN THIS WORK,

WHICH ARE NOT USUALLY FOUND IN DICTIONARIES.

Abnormal. Irregular, contrary to rule.

Adipose. Fatty, containing fat.

Albumen. A proximate principle existing abundantly in the white of egg. It is also found in animal and vegetable fluids and solids.

Albuminous. Containing the properties of albumen.

Alkali. A metallic or earthy salt, as potash, soda, lime, &c.

Alkaline. Having the properties of an alkali.

Amylaceous. Pertaining to starch or the farinaceous part of grain, &c.

Azote. Called also Nitrogen. A gas which is the basis of nitric acid, and constitutes four-fifths of the atmospheric air.

Azotized. Imbued with azote or nitrogen.

Binoxide. Two equivalents of oxygen combined with a metallic base.

Brachmans. Ancient philosophers of India.

Bronchocele. A tumor on the fore part of the neck ; the Derbyshire neck.

Ccecum. The first portion of the large intestine, perforated at one end only.

Caseine. That ingredient in milk which is neither coagulated spontaneously, like fibrine, nor by heat, like albumen, but by the action of acids alone. It is identical with legumine, and occurs in vegetables.

Cellulose. The cellular substance of plants.

jOerebral. Pertaining to the cerebrum or brain.

Chyme. That particular modification which food assumes after it has undergone the action of the stomach.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS

Chijlopoietic. Having tlie power to change into chyle.

Comparative Anatomij. That branch of anatomy which treats of the anatomy of other animals than man, with a view to compare their structure with that of human beings.

Conventionalities. Artificial agreements in contradistinction to natural obligations.

Development. The organic changes which take place in animals and vegetables, from their embryo state until they arrive at maturity.

Dextrine. The soluble or gummy matter into which the interior substance of starch-globules is convertible by diastase, or by certain acids ; it is convertible into grape-sugar by boiling.

Diastase. A peculiar vegetable principle extracted by water from crushed malt.

Diabetes Mellitus. A generally fatal disease, characterized by an immoderate flow of urine which abounds with sugar.

Diathesis. Particular disposition or habit of body, good or bad.

Enteritis. Inflammation of the intestines.

Entozoa. A general name for those parasitical animals which infest the bodies of other animals, as intestinal worms.

Farimacea. Grain, roots, and other vegetables yielding farina or flour.

Fecula. Starch or farina.

Fibrine. A form of albumen found in animals and vegetables.

Glenoid. A term applied to some articular cavities of bones.

Glucose. Grape-sugar.

Gluten. A tough elastic substance left after washing out the starch from the flour of wheat and other grains ; found also in the juices of certain plants. Coagulated vegetable albumen, soluble in alcohol.

Goitre. The bronchocele or Derbyshire neck.

Ligesta. Aliments taken into the stomach,

Insalivation. The act of mixing with saliva.

Lactic acid. Procured from sour milk or whey.

Legumine. A peculiar vegetable product obtained from peas, beans, kc.

Lithates. Salts formed by lithic acid with a base.

Lithic acid. An acid present in human urine ; sometimes called uric acid

Mesentery. A membrane in the cavity of the abdomen. Its use is to re tain the intestines and their appendages in a proper position.

Miasma. An infectious emanation floating in the air.

Morceau. A bit, a morsel.

Nascent. Beginning to exist ; coming into being. Nitrogen. See Azote.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS.

Normal. According to rule or principle.

Oxide. A compound of oxygen with a metallic base.

Pectin. Vegetable jelly, obtained by boiling ripe fruits with sugar and

water ; or by mixing the juice with alcohol.

Pedicuti. Apterous insects, commonly called lice. Peroxide. A base saturated with oxygen.

Phosphates Combinations of phosphoric acid with lime, soda, potassa, and

other bases.

Protein. A chemical substance derived from albumen, fibrine, and caseine. Protoxide. The lowest compound of oxygen with a metallic base. Purpura hemorrhagica. An eruption of small purple specks and patches,

caused by extravasation of blood under the cuticle. Saccharijiable. Convertible into sugar.

Sodium. The metallic base of soda and common salt. Tabes. A wasting of the body.

Thoracic duct. The trunk of the absorbents.

Tritoxide. Three equivalents of oxygen with a metallic base. Tubercle. A peculiar morbid product occurring in various textures of the

body.

Urate of Soda. A compound of uric acid with sodium. Urea. A constituent of urine.

Uric acid. See lithic acid. /