Carrot, average Boiled ... Bread, fresh, Wheaten (3h. 30m.), Com (3h. I5m.) ... Baked, av. Turnips (flat) Boiled ... Butter ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Melted ... Beet Boiled ... Green Com and Beaus Boiled ... 16 1NTH0DUCTI0N. ordinary articles of the mixed diet and Vegetarian S3'stems, under twenty heads in each table, as we have above presented them ; when, on taking the average time of digestion for each, we find the difference of 23m. 33s. ; not, as might have been supposed from ordinary impression and the prescriptions of the medical faculty, in favour of the flesh of animals as food, but precisely in the other direction, and in favour of the Vegetarian articles of diet given in the tables. W e would not from the above facts as to the digestibility of food, be understood to attribute the blame of the erroneous im- pressions which prevail, altogether to the medical faculty. The fact is, as above stated, that these views, both as to the composi- tion and the digestibility of food, are only of recent date, and do not form part of the knowledge of the gi'eat mass of the medical profession, who prescribe under the combined influences of the old impressions and popular tastes upon the subject. It is also too much to expect that the medical profession can be left in freedom to speak in accordance with their knowledge upon these subjects, or that of the consumption of alcoholic beverages, in opposition to the strong and popular- prejudices to be contended with, even in the few instances where the facts above presented (which are rather the incidental acquirement, than the actual communication of present medical teaching) are known to mem- bers of the profession. It is quite true that in times past, as well as now, there have always been eminent men of the medi- cal profession who have supported views in favour of abstinence from flesh as food ; and some there now are, who, like Dr. Mattson of Boston, and the physicians and surgeons who have joined the Vegetarian organisation, “having formerly in common with their medical brethren believed that the flesh of animals, as food, was essential to the full development of the physical constitution, have, since facts opposed to this belief have been presented to their attention, seen abundant reason for changing their opinions, and now ibllow out abstinence from the flesh of animals, as food, in their own cases, and prescribe this in all others where the prejudiees of society will permit them.” We conceive, therefore, that society has more to blame its o\vn INTRODUCTIOK. 17 strong appetites upon these sxibjects than the medical profession, wliich may have many things to say which cannot now be borne, and we look to the progress of knowledge to reinstate this class of professional men in their true position of advisers to secure hc^th, instead of being, as is now generally the case, called, in the perversions of society, only to minister to the results of error and disease.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Carrot, average Boiled ... Bread, fresh, Wheaten (3h. 30m.), Com (3h. I5m.) ... Baked, av. Turnips (flat) Boiled ... Butter ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Melted ... Beet Boiled ... Green Com and Beaus Boiled ... INTRODUCTION. ordinary articles of the mixed diet and Vegetarian S3'stems, under twenty heads in each table, as we have above presented them ; when, on taking the average time of digestion for each, we find the difference of 23m. 33s. ; not, as might have been supposed from ordinary impression and the prescriptions of the medical faculty, in favour of the flesh of animals as food, but precisely in the other direction, and in favour of the Vegetarian articles of diet given in the tables. W e would not from the above facts as to the digestibility of food, be understood to attribute the blame of the erroneous impressions which prevail, altogether to the medical faculty. The fact is, as above stated, that these views, both as to the composition and the digestibility of food, are only of recent date, and do not form part of the knowledge of the great mass of the medical profession, who prescribe under the combined influences of the old impressions and popular tastes upon the subject. It is also too much to expect that the medical profession can be left in freedom to speak in accordance with their knowledge upon these subjects, or that of the consumption of alcoholic beverages, in opposition to the strong and popular- prejudices to be contended with, even in the few instances where the facts above presented (which are rather the incidental acquirement, than the actual communication of present medical teaching) are known to members of the profession. It is quite true that in times past, as well as now, there have always been eminent men of the medical profession who have supported views in favour of abstinence from flesh as food ; and some there now are, who, like Dr. Mattson of Boston, and the physicians and surgeons who have joined the Vegetarian organisation, “having formerly in common with their medical brethren believed that the flesh of animals, as food, was essential to the full development of the physical constitution, have, since facts opposed to this belief have been presented to their attention, seen abundant reason for changing their opinions, and now follow out abstinence from the flesh of animals, as food, in their own cases, and prescribe this in all others where the prejudiees of society will permit them.” We conceive, therefore, that society has more to blame its own strong appetites upon these subjects than the medical profession, which may have many things to say which cannot now be borne, and we look to the progress of knowledge to reinstate this class of professional men in their true position of advisers to secure health, instead of being, as is now generally the case, called, in the perversions of society, only to minister to the results of error and disease.

Vegetarian cookery