134 THE PROTEIN ELEMENT IN NUTRITION 



already referred to the marvellous results that followed an in- 

 crease in protein of the ration of the Japanese Navy. The 

 importance of a liberal dietary in the treatment of certain patho- 

 logical conditions is well recognized by the medical profession. 

 The lymphocytosis that accompanies digestion has been shown 

 to be much increased by a diet of raw meat, and the modern 

 methods of combating tuberculosis make use of a regimen in 

 which protein is in liberal quantities as the best means of arresting 

 the disease. The marked success that has attended the Weir- 

 Mitchell treatment, one element of which is high protein feeding, 

 is acknowledged on all sides. According to Chittenden's ideas, 

 this heavy protein intake, combined with rest, should set up all 

 manner of ailments. The results are exactly the opposite : the 

 nutrition of the patient is restored and health returns. In India, 

 the home of epidemic diseases, famines or years of scarcity never 

 fail to be accompanied by outbreaks of infections which pick out 

 with unfailing regularity those who have become enfeebled from 

 want of proper food. Examples of the great importance of a 

 high level of nutrition in decreasing the susceptibility to infection 

 could easily be largely multiplied, but enough has been said at 

 present to give us pause before accepting the conclusions arrived 

 at by Chittenden from experiments largely laboratory in nature, 

 and carried out under relatively artificial conditions. 



It has been estimated that over 30 per cent, of the population 

 of the large towns in England and other countries are in a condi- 

 tion of under-nourishment from chronic under-feeding ; the 

 consequences of this is not " increased vigour, improved health, 

 and exhilaration of spirits, but weakness, misery, and degenera- 

 tion." The lethargic appearance of the protein-starved, rice- 

 eating populace of parts of the tropics is in marked contrast to 

 the alert and energetic demeanour of those who, living under 

 absolutely identical conditions as regards climate and customs, 

 are able to afford a dietary in which a sufficient amount of absorb- 

 able protein is present. 



In connection with this thought, the following excerpt from 

 a work by Nietzsche may be quoted : " When a profound dislike 

 for existence gets the upper hand, the after-effects of a great 

 error in diet of which a people has been long guilty comes 

 to light. The spread of Buddhism (not its origin) is thus to a 

 considerable extent dependent on the excessive and almost 

 exclusive rice fare of the Indians, and on the universal enerva- 



