94 FOOD AND DRINK 



north subsist almost wholly on animal food, while those living 

 in hot climates have bountiful supplies of delicious fruits with 

 which to satisfy all their bodily wants. One race subsists 

 upon the banana, another upon the blubber of seals. In 

 temperate climates, a diet composed partly of vegetable and 

 partly of animal food is preferred. (Bead Note 6.) 



9. The important point to consider is, however, not one of 

 origin, but whether the chemical principles (mentioned in the 

 last chapter) enter into the composition of the diet. A purely 

 vegetable diet may be selected which would contain all the 

 principles necessary to sustain life. It is recorded of Louis 

 Cornaro, a Venetian noble, that he supported himself comfort- 

 ably for fifty-eight years on a daily allowance of twelve ounces 

 of vegetable food, and about a pint of light wine. On the 

 other hand, the food of John the Baptist, consisting of 

 "locusts and wild honey,' 7 is an example of the sustaining 

 power of a diet chiefly animal in its origin. 



10. In our climate, those who lead active lives crave an 

 allowance of animal food ; and it has been found by experience 

 that with it they can accomplish more work and are less sub- 

 ject to fatigue, than without it. Among nations where an 

 exclusively vegetable diet is employed, indigestion is a dis- 

 order especially prevalent. (Bead Note 7.) 



6. Different Effects of Animal and Vegetable Food. "Raw meat 

 gives fierceness to animals, and would do the same to man. This is so 

 true that the English, who eat their meat underdone, seem to partake of 

 this fierceness more or less, as shown in pride, hatred, and contempt of 

 other nations." De La Mettrie. 



"The carnivora are, in general, stronger, bolder, and more pugnacious 

 than the herbivora on which they prey ; in like manner, those nations 

 who live on vegetable food differ in disposition from such as live on 

 flesh." Liebig. 



7. A Mixed Diet affords the Best Results. "The mixed diet to 

 which the inclination of man in temperate climates seems usually to lead 

 him, when circumstances allow that inclination to develop itself freely, 

 appears to be fully conformable to the construction of his dental and 

 digestive apparatus, as well as to his instinctive cravings. And whilst 



9. The point to consider ? Vegetable diet ? Louis Cornaro ? John the Baptist ? 

 10. What has been found in our climate ? Exclusive vegetable diet ? 



