The history of medicine; and a review of, and objections to, the present prevailing theories on fevers. To which are added observations on diaetetics / [Samuel Davidson].

  • Davidson, Samuel (Surgeon)
Date:
1791
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of medicine; and a review of, and objections to, the present prevailing theories on fevers. To which are added observations on diaetetics / [Samuel Davidson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    135/164 (page 127)
    divide animals into qiiadurupeds^ birds^ and JiJhes; the nutrient principle of thefe, I have already mentioned, is in their gluten, of which fiflies con- tain the greateft quantity; quadrupeds next, and laftly fowls. The ruminating animals afford the beft nourilhment for man; thofe in common ufe are, the the Jheep^ the goat^ the hart, and the hare; to which we have, in this ifland, added the fow, which poffeffes properties very different from the others; other animals are, however, ufed in other countries, which we never thought of here; thus fome eat affes ; the Tartars eat horfes ; the inhabitants of Otaheite, &c. eat dogs ; and it is common enough in France to eat frogs; and we have heard of many who have lived fome time on rats and mice; We are accuftomed to think of eating thefe with horror; but.!, dare fay we might foon have a relifh for them if.we once tailed them.. Ruminating animals are moft ac- ceptable to the human.ftomach from their poffef- fing more of the vegetable nature, I fuppofe, for they all live on vegetables ; and, tho' not the moft nourifhing, they are eafier digefted, and lefs dif- pofed to corruption, than, carnivorous’animals ; whether the flefh of horfes and affes may be as a- greeable, and poflefs as much of the vegetable (for thefe alfo live on vegetables) as cows, &c. I cannot determine; but, for my own part, I can fee no reafon v/hy they may not be very good.