Fruits and farinacea the proper food of man : being an attempt to prove, from history, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, that the original, natural, and best diet of man is derived from the vegetable kingdom / by John Smith.

  • Smith, John (Writer on vegetarianism)
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fruits and farinacea the proper food of man : being an attempt to prove, from history, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, that the original, natural, and best diet of man is derived from the vegetable kingdom / by John Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return! This, how- ever, should not deter him from investigating the laws of mortahty, and the causes that hasten or protract the period of old age and death. Know thyself! was the advice of the ancient sage ; and it is still farther enforced upon our attention by the well known line of Pope,— The proper study of mankind is man. It should, indeed, be ouc first endeavour to become acquainted witli our position in the universe;—to mai-k the relation in which we stand to siuTOunding objects; to inquire how health and happiness, present and fatiu-e, may be best promoted; diligently and faithfidly to inves- tigate our misconceptions of, or departures from, the laws of nature, by the observance of which health may be maintained, and longevity promoted; and, finaUy, by what means physical and moral evil may be dmnmshed, and the universal reign of peace and hai-mony estabhshed. The man who would enjoy the gi'eatest happiness for the longest period, should first detei-mine the laws that influence health, for upon this depends a material portion of luunan happiness; and, secondly, he should endeavour to discover what subjects ai-e most worthy of Ins close attention and steady pursuit. Cleaidy and fully to ascer- tain these important points, requh-es no sbght con- sideration ; but, having once satisfactorily settled tliese weighty questions,-so far as our. present knowledge will permit us, we should resolutely practise what reason has shown to be most desirable ; and habit, once gained, wiU render the futm-e pursuit easy and pleasant.