nuts and other substances suited to his economy. This argument alone should, therefore, as a matter of fact, settle the whole case in favour of vegetarianism as against flesh-eating, without any further or additional proof being necessary. V THE ARGUMENT FROM HYGIENE We have seen in the preceding pages that it is perfectly possible for man to live upon vegetable and kindred foods without necessitating the eating of animal foods of any character—which merely confirms the evidence afforded us by a study of comparative anatomy and physiology. Having thus seen that it is _possible_ for man to live and thrive upon these foods, the question at once arises: Can man thrive _best_ upon such foods? Can he maintain a _higher_ level of vital and bodily health, and of mental and moral powers, upon these foods than he can upon the usual mixed diet of to-day—including meat and its various products? If it can be shown that this is the case—that a man cannot only live, but improve in health and bodily strength on the vegetarian régime—then it will be pretty obvious that this is the diet best suited for man, and the diet upon which he can thrive best. It would, in fact, confirm the argument drawn from comparative anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, and would conclusively prove that man can live and thrive best upon a diet devoid of flesh.[20] [20] “ ... The American must be educated in the principles of the frugivorous diet. ‘Its never too late to learn,’ and ‘now is the appointed time.’ Unquestionably man can live on a diet of fresh meats—proof of which is amply afforded by the very fact that the larger part of the people of the North American continent of to-day are living almost wholly or largely on such a diet. When it comes to a discussion of the relative merits of the two diets ... we need go no further than to chemistry and physiology, which show that the flesh meats do not begin to contain the same amount of nutriment as do the nuts, and some of the other articles of vegetable origin.” “The Art of Living in Good Health,” p. 197. By Daniel S. Sager, M.D.