A STRONG VEGETARIAN ARGUMENT.
By W. F. Martin
A FEW years ago, if one dared to advocate a vegetarian diet, he was looked upon as an extremist. Candid persons, however, were willing to give thought to the question, with the result that to-day vegetarians have in their ranks some of the brightest minds in the world. Very frequently something comes to light regarding flesh-eating that adds an argument against the practise, and incidently adds adherents to vegetarianism. Recently a dairy herd at Renton, Wash. was condemned on account of tuberculosis, and fifteen cows were ordered killed. Seven of them were so diseased that they were relegated to the fertilizer's tank; as it was stated their meat was not fit to go on the market. The remaining eight were effected by the disease yet in its early stage. These cows were slaughtered and placed on the market in Tacoma. Of course their flesh went into hundreds of homes and was eaten by men, women, and children. One of the city papers gave a full account of the matter, and called for an investigation; but it turned out that the dairy man and butcher had the sanction of the meat inspector in placing the meat for sale. By a technicality in the law, animals infected with tuberculosis to such an extent as to render their milk unsafe, can yet be slaughtered, put on the block, and sold to patrons of the meat market. Is it any wonder that the great white plague is spreading, and that all about us strong men and women are smitten with the dread disease? The agitation regarding this especial case blew over in a few days, and flesh lovers went on eating steak; yet another link is added to the arguments for the original bill of fare given to our first parents in their Eden home. See Gen. 1:26-29.