VEGETABLES. 713 
persons. Seeing, too, that the pulse-rate is diminished under 
a diet mainly vegetable, this diet is quite to be commended 
for conditions of a troubled, excitable heart, or for muscular 
thickening of its walls; but not for states of heart enfeebled 
from weakness, or incompetency. Again, a marked addition 
of vegetables to the diet is very useful in various cases of skin 
disorder, and for scrofulous affections. At a Congress of the 
Berlin Medical Society (1902) where vegetarianism was discussed, 
as to whether, or not, it makes for general health, the opinion 
arrived at, after arguments had been fairly advanced on both 
sides, was that ‘“‘ exclusive vegetarianism is not good for mankind. 
For instance, albumin cannot be obtained of proper quality, and 
in sufficient amounts from such a regimen; and therefore, as 
one serious disadvantage, vegetarians are less able to resist 
infection than persons unrestricted in their dietary.” 
Generally speaking, all foods abounding in cellulose, and which 
leave a considerable amount of its residue unnegotiated within the 
intestines, serve to stimulate the propelling peristaltic action 
thereof on this ballast, and to promote its passage onwards; in 
which way constipation is prevented, when the bowel energy has 
become torpid unless some aid of this kind is afforded. Such 
foods are wholesome green vegetables, oatmeal, wholemeal bread, 
and some fruits. Furthermore, these vegetable foods, which are 
Tich in cellulose, possess certain laxative properties due to the 
organic acids which they contain, and to the fermentative 
processes they undergo within the bowels. It is an indisputable 
fact that vegetarians are remarkably free from such gouty 
disorders as arise through lithic acid in the blood, leading to 
gravel, and stone in the bladder; and numerous persons who 
suffered therefrom before becoming vegetarians, have subse- 
quently altogether escaped. ‘‘ I’ve found a sovereign cure for 
the gout, Sammy,” said Mr. Weller, the elder (Pickwick). “ The 
gout is a complaint as arises from too much ease, and comfort. 
If ever you’re attacked with the gout, Sir” (to Mr. Pickwick), 
“jist you marry a widder as has got a good loud woice, with a 
decent notion of usin’ it, and you'll never have the gout agin. 
It’s a capital perscription, Sir; I takes it reg’lar, and I can 
warrant it to drive away any illness as is caused by too much 
jollity.” 
A paramount advantage derived from vegetable foods is 
gained because of their constitution being altogether of a 
