Scientific Testimony to the Value of Vegetarianism

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1916

Scientific Testimony to the Value of Vegetarianism

FROM a recent number of the Daily Express (London) we quote the following statement made by thirteen British physicians regarding the value of vegetarianism as a diet for mankind:—

“We, the undersigned medical men, having carefully considered the subject of vegetarianism in its scientific aspects, and having put its principles to the practical test of experience, hereby record our emphatic opinion that not only is the practice based on a truly scientific foundation, but that it is conducive to the best physical conditions of human life.

“The diet of vegetarianism provides all the constituents necessary to the building up of the human body, and those constituents, as proved, not by the misleading tests of the chemical and physical laboratory, but by the experience of numerous persons living under normal conditions, are at least as digestible and as assimilable as the corresponding substances obtained from flesh.

“We therefore claim vegetarianism to be scientifically a sound and satisfactory system of dietetics.

“Moreover, considering the liability of cattle and other animals to ailments and diseases of various kinds, and the pure character of food obtained from vegetarian sources, we are convinced that abstinence from flesh food is not only more conducive to health, but from an esthetic point of view, is incomparably superior.

“ROBERT BELL, M. D. “GEORGE BLACK, M. D., Edin. “A. J. H. CRESPI, M. R. C. S. “H. H. S. DORMAN, M. D. “ALBERT GRESSWELL, M. A., M. D. “WALTER R. HADWEN, M. D., L. R. C. P., M. R. C. S. “J. STENSON HOOKER, M. D. “AUGUSTUS JOHNSTON, M. B., M.R.C.S. “H. VALENTINE KNAGGS, M. R. C. S., L. R. C. P. “ALFRED POLSEN, M. D. “ROBERT H. PERKS, M. D., F. R. C. S. “JOHN READ, M. B., C. M. “GEORGE B. WATTERS, M. D.”