Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 edition. Excerpt: ... tribe of men on the face of the whole earth--both continents and islands--in all periods of time, when accurately understood, concur to demonstrate this general law of the human species; that, all other things being right, whether man subsists on vegetable or animal food, the more perfectly his diet is adapted in simplicity, plainness, and naturalness, to the constitutional laws of his nature, the more perfectly all the interests of that nature are sustained. LECTURE FOURTEEN. Having extensively exemplified the doctrines laid down by the general experience of mankind, so far as the importance of a plain, simple, and natural diet is concerned, we are now prepared to inquire, -- WHAT IS THE NATURAL DIETETIC CHARACTER OF MAN? The prevailing opinion on this subject, in our country and in many parts of Europe, is, that man is naturally an omnivorous animal; that the highest and most permanent good of his nature requires that he should subsist on. a mixed diet of vegetable and animal substances. Custom is the only authority for this opinion with the mass of those who entertain it. But many naturalists and physiologists have endeavored to support it by what they have supposed to be the indications of man's alimentary organs. It s an important truth, however, that naturalists and physiologists, even when they claim to be strictly governed by the principles of inductive reasoning, are not unfrequently as erroneous in their apprehension and interpretation of facts, and as absurd in their conclusions, as the unscientific multitude, who are governed entirely by tradition, custom, habit, and feeling. Buffon, whose writings have certainly as just a claim to poetry as "to sound science, thus expresses himself on this subject: "If a man were obliged to...
