Is Vegetarianism a Fad?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIII, 26 March 1904, Page 63

Is Vegetarianism a Fad?

To most people the vegetarian is a crank or a faddist. It is not so very long since the idea prevailed that the staple part of his diet consisted of potatoes and cabbage, and the contempt with which he was referred to was sufficient to deter many a one from abandoning the ffesh pots. Nowadays, however, food reform is making progress, and the vegetarian is to be found in all spheres of life. A vast number of clergymen, doctors, journalists, and youthful aspirants to health and strength are to be numbered amongst the supporters of vegetarianism. This revival of interest in the subject leads many to believe that vegetarianism is a fad—a thing of the moment. To enlighten such as these it might be pointed out that a bloodless diet was advocated and followed by the majority of the ancient Roman, Greek and Indian philosophers. Among them we have historic- reef rds of Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Ovid, Diogenes, Seneca, Plutarch, and Bhudda. Turning to the ancient Christian Church, we find such men as Tertullian, ( lenient of Alexandria, and John Chrysostom. Archbishop of Constantinople, denouncing in emphatic language the fish-eating habits of that age. When ws come to more modern times there is no lack of famous writers and thinkers who have abstained from flesh foods for various reasons. Benjamin Franklin, Thomson. Milton, Pope. Swedenborg, Newton. Goldsmith. Shelley, and Wesley were all vegetarians, and tlie mere mention of their names in this connection should convince us that humane and healthy dieting ought to be more generally adopted in this country than it is. In ‘-Queen Mab,” VII. and IX., the poet sings of a time when it will be said of Man—■‘No longer now He slays the lamb that looks him in the face. Ami horribly devours his mangled flesh. Which, still avenging nature’s broken la w. Kindled all putrid humours in his frame, All evil passii ns. and all vain belief. Hatred, despair. and loathing in his mind. The germs of misery, death, disease am! crime."’ That flesh foods kindle all the •putrid humours” in man’s frame may not be generally believed, but many medical imn and scientists who have made a sludy of diet tell us, with various degrees of emphasis, that such foods are impure and not conducive to good health.