36 ON THE PLACE OF FISH IN 
work, or the alternative decay as a nation, is recognised 
and acted on in open-air sports. Perhaps one or two 
generations of a particular family may go on without 
much muscle, but the consideration is a national one. 
Wo direct Unfortunately we are without any direct evidence 
evidence as to 4. to the value of fish in a hard-working diet. That 
value of fish 
ape fish-eating people are strong and healthy is remarked 
by travellers. But the question is on what fish do 
they live? When the nitrogen value of different fish 
is considered, this is seen to be an important question. 
We have no records of railway making, pile driving, 
or even training being effected on fish. Even in the 
nor for work- attempts to introduce fish into workhouse dietaries, 
house diet. nothing is said of what fish is used. 
The best practical answer that could be given to 
_ “What is the place of fish in a hard-working diet ?” 
Should be = would be for a certain amount of work to be under- 
practically , 
tried. taken on fish instead of meat. 
At present all we can say is, that as far as what 
is commonly called chemistry goes, as apart from 
spectrum analysis investigations, of dissociation, and 
apart from that yet unexplained polarization, there 
seems no reason why cheap fish should not take the 
place of dear meat in a hard-working diet. Fish cost 
nothing to rear. But it must be tried, as it has not 
yet been tried; for though there seems no reason for 
doubt, test tubes and reagents may not cover the 
whole question. If the British workman, after con- 
sidering the facts which chemistry seems to teach, 
such as here sketched out, decides for the future to 
work on fish not twelve hours stale, instead of oatmeal 
or tinned meats, he can do it, always, however, pro- 
viding fish-shoal movements remain as experienced 
