Category: History

A fascinating read, from  1900, by G. M. TOWNSEND, in the Los Angeles Herald newspaper, promoting the Hygienic Vegetarian  restaurant on Third Street, between Hill and Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles.

THE VIRTUES OF VEGETARIANISM

Furnishes All the Nourishment of Meat Without Its Poisons—Beneficial Effects on the Temperament

Is vegetarianism merely a passing fad, or have Its theories a rational basis in fact? Let any one put this question to one of the 400 or more vegetarians of this city, and he will learn that if this doctrine of living is a passing fad it has been a long time passing. The followers of Buddha have been for over 2,500 years strict vegetarians, for the prohibition against the killing of animals is one of the foremost of the doctrines taught by Buddha. Among the ancient philosophers of Greece and Rome, Pythagoras, Hesiod, Socrates, Plutarch, Seneca, were all believers in and teachers of the doctrine that man should live on vegetable food alone. The belief is certainly oid enough to be entitled to consideration.

This movement in modern times was started early in the present century, and among those who have advocated it may be found many names of prominence in the scientific and literary world. Shelley, Gray, Pope, Milton. Rousseau, Laniartine, Buffon, Schopenhauer, were all opposed to the eating of flesh.

Vegetarianism was one of the principles dominant in the well remembered “Brook Farm” experiment, which numbered among it participants such familiar names as Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau, Horace Greeley, Charles Dana, Margaret Fuller, Bronson Alcott.

It is commonly held by those opposed to vegetarianism that entire abstinence from a meat diet always results, to a greater or less extent, in loss of vitality and power of endurance, and a consequent lessening of mental energy.

The vegetarians, in reply to this, say that every element of nutrition that we require in our foods comes either directly or indirectly from the vegetable kingdom, and that in eating animal food we are really obtaining these elements at second hand, and in a more or les deteriorated condition than if direct from vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts; that a rational vegetarian diet properly varied, so as to combine in right proportion those food elements required by the system, will supply all the needed nourishment without the poisonous elements contained in meat. It is also hefd that : the increased strength that we think we get from the use of animal food is to a certain extent, but, of course, not entirely so, merely a nerve stimulation caused by the poisons of decomposing meat, analagous to the nerve stimulation caused by alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The vegetarians further bring forward as an argument for abstinence from a flesh diet the spread of disease among domestic animals used for food, of which tuberculosis among cattle is an example, and, as is well known, is one of the most potent causes of tuberculosis in the human race.

It is a familiar truth that in America the common people eat very much more meat than in any other country in the world, and it is commonly said by physicians that stomach trouble, digestive disorders and dyspepsia are far more prevalent here than in any other country; that in fact we are sometimes called a nation of dyspeptics.

Regarding the question as to whether a vegetarian diet will give sufficient nourishment to one who is under a great physical strain, it is worthy of note that Miller, Gimm and Aronson, men who have all achieved prominence in sixday bicycle races, were all trained on a purely vegetable diet.

The effect of a vegetarian diet as opposed to a meat diet on the temperament is a subject offering much In the way of discussion. It is a generally conceded fact that stimulants of all sorts tend directly toward exciting the baser passions and animal instincts, and have’a deteriorating effect on the higher faculties. A vegetarian diet, plain, simple, non-stimulating, but nourishing, tends to produce a more normal condition of mind as well as body.

Among other desirable effects on temperament claimed for this mode of living is that it very materially lessons nervousness and irritability by removing the nerve stimulation and consequent reaction which accompanies a flesh dietary.

Two prominent English physicians, T. Lander Brunton and the late Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson, have given much attention to diet in its relation to alcoholism, and say positively that they believe the seeds of a large amount of intemperance are sown by feeding growing children on stimulating food, thus causing abnormal irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, and loading up to a desire for stimulants of a stronger nature.

Possibly the best argument of all for a vegetarian diet will be afforded by a visit to the Vegetarian Hygienic restaurant in this city, where one may see the practical result of this doctrine. The restaurant itself is an attractive place, neat and well appointed, and you cannot help being favorably Impressed. As you look about at the people assembled there, handsome young women, robust, healthy looking men, and well preserved old men and women, you will admit that they look as healthy and well nourished as any gathering of flesh eaters. Another point in which the observer is favorably impressed is in the refined and thoughtful appearance these people as a whole present, and the entire absence of the undesirable elements of the community.

From considerations of economy there is much to be said in favor of vegetarianism. When one considers the variety and quality of food, and the service obtainable for a sum less than one pays for a very ordinary dinner elsewhere, the comparison is very much in favor of the menu of the vegetarian restaurant, of which the following is a fair sample:

Surely in no place in the world are conditions more favorable (or the spread of this movement than here in Southern California, with its perfect climate, where fruit and vegetables reach the highest state of perfection and are to be had from one year’s end to the other at prices which place them within the means of every one. It is reasonable to suppose that the vegetarian mode of living may become very popular here when people become more familiar with the appetizing meals which can be prepared from purely vegetable materials.

The leaders in this movement are the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent association, having establishments in various parts of the world, one of the largest of which is at Rattle Creek, Mich. There are also local associations in various states and foreign countries, each having supervision over the work of its own particular district. All these associations are incorporated, and it is a point worthy of notice that accordirg to the articles of incorporation no individual draws any profits or dividends, but all profits are applied to extending the movement, of which the object is the cure of disease and the disseminating of the principles of healthful and hygienic living.

The sanitarium and restaurant on Third street, which is under the management of Dr. F. B. Moran is conducted under the supervision of the California branch of the association.
G. M. TOWNSEND.

Los Angeles Herald 1900