VEGETABLE DIET. 101 



tious particles, which, excite the nervous system so much that it 

 at last becomes exhausted and unstrung. In this state of exhaus- 

 tion unhealthy reaction follows, which brings on a paroxysm and 

 violent desire for spirits and the excitement which they create." 

 G. Biinge, Professor of Physiological Chemistry at the University 

 of Bale, writes, in his book on vegetarianism, page 33 : " The appe- 

 tite of the drunkard is directed almost exclusively to animal food, 

 and vegetarians are quite right when they teach that spirit-drink- 

 ing and excessive use of animal food are in connection with each 

 other." 



Vegetarianism is often called a fad, but it is a healthy and an 

 innocent one, and the natural reaction against the present state of 

 things. It imparts lightness and elasticity to the body, bright- 

 ness and clearness to the mind. The vegetarians I know are all 

 unusually strong, active, and young-looking people for their age : 

 one of them walked without stopping for thirty-four and another 

 time twenty-seven hours, without a rest, while on an excursion 

 in Norway, feats not easily equaled by the most inveterate beef- 

 eater. Traveling, mountain-climbing, all seem easier and less 

 fatiguing on this light and soothing diet ; and why should it not 

 give strength to the limbs and sinews if one reflects that all the 

 strongest animals who do the heaviest work in the world, like 

 horses, oxen, and elephants, are entirely herbivorous ? 



There is, of course, a great deal more to say on so wide a sub- 

 ject, but I have in these pages confined myself almost entirely to 

 my own experiences. Being but a beginner myself, there is much 

 for me to learn, and I have not even touched on the possibilities 

 and probabilities this theme opens out into the domain of psy- 

 chology. But only a few days ago one whose experience and 

 knowledge on this subject are greater than those of most men 

 told me he owed almost everything he had attained in his domain 

 to his strict adherence to a vegetable diet. It certainly gives, to 

 those who live on these lines, a kind of detachment from material 

 things, a sense of calm and content. It is in the hope of helping 

 some who may feel nervous and worried in mind, or ill in body, 

 that I write these lines, to point out a simple remedy everybody 

 can apply. It not only costs nothing, but even puts money in our 

 pockets only, like everything else, it must be governed by good 

 sense and reason in order to be successful. 



It is not my intention to be understood to say that I look upon 

 vegetable diet, even with its necessary accompaniments of fresh 

 air, frequent ablutions, gymnastics, and exercise, as a panacea for 

 everything, and that medicines become useless. We are mortal, 

 and there is no perfection in this imperfect world. Nobody has a 

 greater belief than I have in remedies judiciously given during 

 illness, but it is the many who are out of health and below par, 



