Page:Fruits and Farinacea the Proper Food of Man.djvu/31

Rh absolutely necessary to man's existence. The fact is that, in all regions of the globe, the diet of man has been determined by the circumstances in which he has been placed, rather than by the exercise of his primitive and uucorrupted instincts, or the rational deductions of a sound understanding.

The following questions, therefore, seem to be suggested for our consideration:—

I. What was the original food of man?

II. Is he so wonderfully constructed, that climate and locality alone determine on what substances he shall feed? Or does his organization, like that of other animals, manifest a special adaptation to one specific kind of food, but with an extensive range of adaptability to the greatest variety of animal and vegetable productions?

III. What is the best food of man; or, what diet do science and experience point out, as best calculated for promoting health, happiness, and longevity?

IV. What seems designed to be hereafter the universal diet of mankind?

I shall now attempt to show, that there are data sufficient for enabling us to solve these important questions; which, although totally independent of each other so far as evidence is concerned, are, notwithstanding, so intimately connected in other respects, that the answer to one being fully established, the others may be legitimately derived as corollaries from it. A distinct line of evidence will be observed, however, in the solution of each question; and I hope ultimately to prove, that fruits and roots, with other farinaceous and succulent vegetables, were the original food of mankind; that they are the natural and best food; and will hereafter become the universal food of our race. After many years' attentive consideration of the subject, I cannot but regard it as materially affecting the interests and happiness of man; and I trust, therefore, the reader will not hastily dismiss the arguments advanced, but will diligently consider and weigh the evidence for himself; biased as little as possible by the pleasurable associations which, upon this subject, are so apt to oppose candid inquiry, to warp the judgment, and to render nugatory the deliberate convictions of the understanding. A delicate morsel is often too strong a temptation to be resisted, even when we know that future pain will be the result of the indiscretion. Arguments, however strong, and reasons, however clear and logical, are 2