T H E VEGAN SOCIETY Founded Novetnber, 1944
Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence and compassion for all life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from animals. Veganism remembers man's responsibilities to the earth and its resources and seeks to bring about a healthy soil and plant kingdom and a proper use of the materials of the earth. President : Mrs. E. B. SHRIGLEY, Deputy-President: Mr. JACK SANDERSON, Essex. Vice-Presidents
:
Dr. FREY
ELLIS,
Dr.
, Purley, Surrey. Upminster, CATHERINE
NIMMO,
Mr.
DUGALD
SEMPLE.
Honorary Secretary : Mrs. EVA BATT, Honorary Treasurer : Miss WINIFRED SIMMONS, N . W . I 1.
Enfield, Middlesex. , London,
Committee : M r s . SERENA COLES, T h e L A D Y D O W D I N G , M r s . M U R I E L D R A K E , D r . FREY E L L I S , M r . M A R T I N M C C U L L O C H , M i s s MABEL S I M M O N S , M r s . DOROTHY THOMSON, M r s . CONSTANCE W H I T E .
Vegan Distribution Secretary : Mrs. S. OOLES, Purley, Surrey. Commodities Investigator : Mrs. CONSTANCE W H I T E , Road, London, W.2. M i n i m u m subscription, which includes " T h e Vegan," 15s. per annum (and 7s. 6d. for each additional member of one family at same residence); 7s. 6d. if age under 18; payable in January. Life Membership, ÂŁ10 10s. Od.
THE
VEGAN
J O U R N A L OF T H E V E G A N SOCIETY Editor : Mr. JACK SANDERSON, Upminster, Essex. Advertisements : H. H . G R E A V E S LTD., 106/110 Lordship Lane, London, S.E.22. Published quarterly : Annual subscription, 7s. post free; single copies, Is. 9d. post free. Obtainable from the Hon. Secretary.
LITERATURE " Declaration and Rules of the Vegan Society." 2 page leaflet. Free. " T h e Reasons for Veganism.'' 4 page leaflet. Free. " Vegan Protein Nutrition." 12 page leaflet. Is. 3d. post free. " A Handbook of Practical Veganism." 24 pages with cover. Obtainable from the Hon. Secretary. 2s. 9d. post free. " The Vegetarian and Vegan Food Guide." 2s. 6d. post free.
THE Journal Vol: XII
VEGAN of the Vegan Society Autumn,
1962
No. 9
EDITORIAL Seven silent sentinels standing on the hilltop, Their long lean trunks Shadowed against a dusky sky, • Guarding the dawn jealously From contact with the careless earth, Sleeping at its post. T.H.E.A. Most of us will have treasured memories of trees—standing in the sky as the day is loth to leave and the stars pierce tw,ilight—or when they receive the golden light of a new and diffuse it into a series of leafy patterns which delight the and quicken the mind. All trees, from the tiniest saplings to the forest kings, come under man's dominion, and collective man should pause from time to time to consider his stewardship. W i t h o u t an adequate tree cover, all life upon earth will gradually die, as the trees play a leading part in conserving the moisture that is fundamental to life. The process of wanton destruction of trees carried out ruthlessly over recent centuries has 'begun to be reversed in our time, and the deliberate policy of tree planting on a large scale has been initiated. Efforts to deal with past and present soil erosion are in hand, and men's thoughts and actions are turning towards the deserts of the world—first to stop their advance and to contain them, then to transform them into centres of new and well-planned life. Man's evolution undoubtedly is helped by books and papers of all kinds, b u t it is certainly a sobering thought that a single issue of a New York newspaper consumes 15,000 trees, and this surely is an unwise use of our heritage. It tends to monocropping, whereas a blend of many varieties tends to produce a healthier environment for all the life concerned and assists out the day eye
one vital function of tree life—for their roots to bring up the trace elements from various levels, to enrich the life that feeds, directly or indirectly, off the fallen leaves. W i t h suitable forethought and planning at all levels, from the individual gardener to United Nations Organisations, the trees can be used to make the world more productive and more beautiful, and with the greater use of fruit- and nut-bearing trees, can be of great assistance in helping to solve the world's present and future food problems. In our own country, let us grow more blossom trees in our gardens and parks, and let us plant more fruit and nut trees in public gardens and roads, and let it be a point of honour that these trees be looked after by youth organisations and the produce gathered and supplied to deserving societies. Let there be more study groups devoted to our tree resources and tfree planning, and let our vision lead outside our own country and encompass the world—there is a great work to be done, and great is the need. J. SANDERSON. (The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the views of other writers.) UPON TREES FELLED F O R PRINT The sacrificial page is opened; N o w bring the brown benediction of coSee A n d the sepia toast, The domestic pair that await Their regular consummation at nine. N o w the persistency of print Pushes all else aside ; The black upon white A n d the whip of words That scourge the heart; The dark diversity on the pure Homogeneity of light. .
2
The potency of print . Breeding secret fears That flee like fauns From the stealthy leopards of the mind ; The pitiless prying print For which the tortured trees Trembled their life away A s the shark-toothed saw Made music in their wooden flesh While from the great green galaxy above Came the soft sea sigh A s the leaves sent their petition to the clouds That gazed inquisitively down Upon the ringed secret of its quiet heart, The serpent swallowing its own tail.
The centre and the circumference Coiled in the solid bark, Counting the tranquil hours. Of its innocent journey Which began in the orchard of Eden Before man bartered beauty for a bank note, A n d with terrible accuracy Measured "the breadth of his own soul, Then buried Mother Nature With the fitting epitaph: " She lived a part of 'all that breathed, Her heart and mind were once our own, But she has died that we might be The children of Technology." DOROTHY
THOMSON.
VEGAN MEETINGS (Open to Members and Interested Friends) October.—The Annual General Meeting will be 'held on Saturday, October 20th, 1962, at 2.30 p.m. at the headquarters of the London Vegetarian Society, 53 Marloes Road, Kensington, London, W.8 (down the side of Pontings, Kensington). The final draft of the revised Rules will be approved so as to comply with the new laws concerning charities, and there will be the ordinary business followed by refreshments (tickets 2s.), speakers, and a social evening (including a " Questions and Answers" session) which provides an excellent chance to meet old friends and make new ones. Some new foods and commodities will be shown. D O attend if you can, and make your special contribution to the meeting. If this is not possible, post in your ideas, suggestions, and nomination to the Secretary, as early as possible. November.—We shall take part in the " Beauty Without Cruelty " meetings to be held at the Ivanhoe Hotel, Bloomsbury Street, on November 16th, when the Vegan Society will give a display of vegan foods. All kinds of non-animal goods will be on view. There will be separate sessions at 2.45 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., and admission is by tickets obtainable from The Lady Dowding, Oakgates, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (state clearly the name, address, number of tickets, and either afternoon or evening). Annual Dinner.—The Annual Vega Dinner will be held in London towards Easter, and full details will be given in our next issue. 3
OTHER MEETINGS October.—On Saturday, October 6th, at 2.30 p.m., the Plantmilk Society will be holding its A . G . M . at the Friends House, Euston Road (facing Euston Station), London. On Friday, October 19th, at 7 p.m., at 50 Gloucester Place, London, W . l , Prof. A. D. McDonald, M.D., will speak on the Research Defence Society and its attitude to animal experiments. M r . Wilfred Risdon, editor of The Animals' Defender, will present the opposing view. Questions will be invited. Mrs. Kathleen Keleny informs us that she is running a Week's Course of Vegan Cookery at her Guest House at Coombe Lodge, Wotton-under-Edge (Tel.: 3165), Glos., from October 20th-27th. Tuition 2 guineas per week or 8s. 6d. per day. N o v e m b e r — O n Friday, November 16th, at 7 p.m., at 50 Gloucester Place, W . l , Dr. Harry R. Lillie, M.B., Ch.B., B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E., will speak on " W e are the Guardians," with screen illustrations. There will be reports of recent meetings in our next issue. J O R D A N S F A S H I O N SHOES Ladies' Vynil Flatties are available in various colours at lis., and a flattie tie shoe in various colours at 14s. l i d . There is also a range of fashion shoes, both in medium and high heels, in the all-plastic variety, at 29s. lid.—35s. l i d . This vynil and plastic footwear is obtainable at the following branches of Jordans Fashion Shoes: 1-2 East Street, Southampton ; 91 Commercial Road, Portsmouth ; 54 North Street, Brighton ; 14 Oxford Street, Swansea ; 141 Commercial Street, N e w p o r t ; 117 High Street, Cheltenham; 156 Briggate, Leeds; 17 Temple Street, Birmingham 2 ; 96 Rye Lane, Peckham, London, S.E.15 ; 9 Chapel Market, Islington, London, N . l ; 59-61 Hampstead Road, London, N . l ; 136 & 136a Seven Sisters Road, Holloway, London, N.7 ; 12 Silver Street, Durham ; 68 Stepney Street, Llanelly, South Wales. The Fassola material about which we wrote earlier is now available in ladies' shoes. A court shoe in this material, with medium or high heels, is on sale in Lennards Shoe Shops and, we believe, elsewhere, at around 20s. a pair. It is with pleasure that we can assure our readers that Estolan Hair Conditioner does not now contain Lanolin. A n order banning monkey meat from Canton restaurants informs the Chinese that " monkeys possess many of the traits exhibited by men." The monkeys are said to appreciate the protective intent of the order while resenting its wording. Christian Science Monitor.
VITALITY . . . UNLIMITED! By JANET E. LING, S.R.N., S.C.M. M a y 2nd, 1960, was a day to remember. O u r first-born, Julia Helen, arrived, turning the scales at 8 lbs. " O h ! isn't she wonderful," I exclaimed, noticing the fascinating dimple on one of her cheeks. It didn't seem long before she began to chuckle, and now, years later, she is still chuckling. She is a bundle of happiness. She is in t o everything, never stops chattering, and has u n b o u n d i n g energy from dawn to dusk. She is absolutely full of vitality and makes her impact on everyone!
Mr. Ling and his daughter, Janet. Readers will be interested to know that Mr. Ling is the Secretary of Plantmilk Ltd., the company formed to market the new plantmilk. The recipe? " Pinta m i l k a d a y " ? N o , she has never had a glass of milk in her l i f e ; she has never sipped the stuff. Plantmilk? Yes, this has been her standby. Beef steaks? N o , indeed no. She has never tasted anything from the slaughter house. Nutmeats? Yes ; she loves them. A born vegetarian, a born vegan? Yes . . . but it is so natural. Surely all children would be the same with wise parental guidance. W h a t pattern 5
has the guidance followed? Perhaps it would be helpful to readers to give a brief resume of her progress from birth to date. She was breast fed for nine months. Contrary to orthodox customs, she had her introduction to food (at 15 weeks) by way of sieved fruit and vegetables, instead of cereal. She was not given cereal until a fortnight later. I then gave her Holle (spoon-fed). Holle is a wholewheat cereal. I weaned her off the breast over a period of two months, by giving up one feed a day every fortnight. A t this stage I put her on her first plantmilk. A t that time it was called Wanderlac. It is now known as Velactine. It is a soya-based powder,'containing, among other nutrients, the vital Vitamin B 12 . I found I had to " flavour " it slightly with fruit juice to make it palatable for Julia first of all, but I soon found that the " flavouring " was not necessary. It appeared wise to give her Radiostol (a vegetarian source of Vitamin D , either in liquid or tablet form) during the winter months to make up for any Vitamin D she was not getting from eggs and cow's milk. Julia now eats the same food as we do, and has a healthy appetite. She is particularly fond of raw fruit. She has wholemeal bread, and has only had white bread of rare occasions when she has attended parties, etc. Her " sweeties " (as she calls them) are in the form of seedless raisins. According to orthodox standards, she has always been slightly underweight, but this has not worried me because she has been so healthy. She is well " covered " and is not at all skinny. She did not commence teething until thirteen months. By twenty-six months she had. cut sixteen of her twenty milk teeth, without any trouble at all ; in fact, I did not know she was cutting her first double tooth until it was quite visible. Her general progress has been most satisfactory, and the health visitor, and also the doctor at the clinic, have both commented n o how forward she has always been, mentally. (They not knowing she is a vegetarian!) She has not been vaccinated, and has had no inoculations or medicine of any kind. She started crawling at seven months, was pulling herself up at ten months, and was walking on her own at fifteen months. She now has an extensive vocabulary and is well able to carry on a long and intelligent conversation. She has a great sense of humour, and enjoys herself to the full. She now has a four-month-old brother (Trevor Martin) and loves him immensely, showing no signs of jealousy at all. I can only give a broad outline in such a short article, but will be pleased to give more detail to anyone who is interested. [The Editor will be pleased to forward any correspondence.]
6
CIVET By F. V. WELLS, M.R.I., F.C.S. (Founder Chairman
of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great
Britain)
Civet is considered to rank among the twenty most important raw materials used in perfumery. Although its odour is, to modern tastes, highly unpleasant in concentrated form, it proves extremely valuable in dilution. It not only adds warmth and smoothness, but improves the diffusive power of other perfumery materials. Civet comes mainly from Abyssinia, where the civet cat is kept in captivity for this purpose. In a fairly recent paper on African Civet (1959) by Dr. Pierre Dubois, President of the S.T.P.F. and Technical Director of Perfumery Millot, reference is made to a document on this subject prepared by the Bonaparte Expedition into Egypt, according to which the natives commence by introducing into the scent pouch a lump of butter. After this, they let the animal hang by its feet, shaking and beating it, and, in a word, exciting its anger by all possible means. When the animal is sufficiently enraged the civet is abundantly secreted and is removed from the pouch with the butter. Dubois denies that this is the exact method now used, but he admits that the animals remain savage and generally upset in captivity. I quote from his monograph: " The extraction is not so painful if delicately carried out, and this calls for great experience. It is necessary to use maximum care to avoid wounding the animal, and to replace the extracted civet with a mixture of butter and wax. If this practice is neglected, inflammation can be produced sufficient to bring about the death of the animal within 48 hours. Brehm says that the pouch is sometimes washed with coconut milk in order to relieve pain." Steffen Arctander, in his book published in 1960, adds that the " contents of one average Zebu horn represents the production from one civet cat in four years. During this period the animal will consume something like the raw meat from 50 sheep and the poor cat, frequently teased in its narrow cage, will have undergone 400-800 painful scrapings of its glands. The raw meat, the narrow cage, and the teasing are all means of increasing the production of the civet excretion, which is scraped off at regular intervals while the cat is caged." I think I might mention that these cats are nearly always males,' although a commercially inferior civet secretion is also obtainable from the female. In the male, the sac or pouch is situated on the ventral face of the genital organ, between the testicles and the prepucial orifice. By utilising the scientific resources of the modern perfumery 7
industry, it is quite possible to develop and use artificial substitutes for natural civet, which are themselves completely free from animal-derived materials. One of the most important synthetics in this respect is the expensive Civettone, concerning which W . A . Poucher has written: " Employed in fine perfumery in exactly the same manner as civet, it possesses the advantage of a clean odour, and in high-class scents is much esteemed." Castoreum This is a secretion from the male or female beaver, obtained from a gland situated near the sexual organs. It comes chiefly from Canada and the U.S.S.R. Though considerably less expensive than civet, it is not so highly esteemed or widely used. In fact, its use has noticeably decreased during the past 20 or 30 years. Although the beaver is not kept in captivity like the civet, I have no doubt that it is often trapped by methods involving cruelty. And, of course, it loses its life. I, personally, have gone over entirely to my own substitutes (non-animal) for civet, castoreum, musk, and ambergris. VEGANIC GARDENING For a long time now it has been possible for vegetarians to see demonstrations of vegetarian cookery, and now there are regular courses available at various centres throughout the country. In recent years, from time to time, there have been lectures and demonstrations on vegan cookery and food preparation, whilst vegan refreshments have been provided at scores of meetings. Our magazine has provided hundreds of vegan recipes down the years, and booklets of recipes have been, and are being, provided today (see notices elsewhere in this issue). Booklets have been published and many lists and articles printed on vegan commodities, and many other societies are now issuing similar lists. Displays of such goods have been put on at various centres (see notice of one in this issue), and more and more of the public are choosing their foods and commodities from these lists and displays. But there are not many places on the earth where veganic (as against organic) gardening can be seen in action, and so the following venture is worthy of our wholehearted support. V E G A N I C G A R D E N I N G DEMONSTRATION CENTRE It is proposed to establish a small demonstration centre for training horticultural workers and gardeners in veganic (vegetable, organic, and natural minerals only) methods of gardening. The project would be for propaganda purposes only, under the direction of K. Dalziel O'Brien. Anyone interested in establishing and supporting such a project is invited to get in touch with R . Dalziel O'Brien, Burghfield Road, Reading, Berkshire.
8
CHRISTMAS FARE By M A B E L
SIMMONS
Fruit Soup (Hot or Cold). Hazelnut Stuffed Roast, Onion Gravy, Braised Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, Roast Potatoes. Christmas Pudding. Mince Pies. Coffee.
Fruit Soup 1 lb. apples. pints of water. Rind and juice of j lemon.
2 oz. Barbados sugar, 2 cloves.
Cut apples into small pieces, add lemon juice and grated rind, also cloves. Put all ingredients into a saucepan with water, simmer until soft. Press through sieve, add sugar. Serve hot or cold. Hazelnut Roast | lb. milled hazelnuts. 2 oz. nutter. \ lb. wholemeal bread Seasoning. crumbs. Thick gravy or wholemeal 1 large onion. sauce. Mix nuts, crumbs, and seasoning together. Cut onion finely ; fry golden brown. Place cooked onions on top of mixture. Pour over about 8 tablespoonfuls of gravy. Stir all gently into a stiff roll. Place on board and smooth over with knife. Cut through centre lengthwise ; it is then ready for the stuffing.
Tomato Stuffing ÂŁ lb. tomatoes. 2 oz. wholemeal crumbs. 1 tablespoonful chopped parsley.
Seasoning. Pinch of thyme. 1 oz. vegetable margarine,
Peel tomatoes, cut up, and cook gently in saucepan with margarine. When soft add all other ingredients. Mix into a stiff roll. Place stuffing on one half of a nut roast, replace the other half. Smooth over with knife. Bake on greased paper and cover with greased paper. 9
Christmas Pudding currants, Grated rind and uice sultanas, £ lemon, raisins. lb. wholemeal bread dates. crumbs, mixed peel. oz. wholemeal flour, suenut. teacupful orange juice, Barbados sugar. nutmeg. chopped nuts (almonds). Wash fruit, cut up dates, mix fruit and sugar together. Grate in suenut, nutmeg, orange and lemon rind, lastly stir in orange juice and half lemon juice. Let the mixture stand overnight. Put into greased basin, cover with greaseproof paper and cloth, steam 8 hours and turn out of basin when cooked. Serve with cashew nut cream. X
2 lb. lb. lb. 1 lb. \ lb. | lb. \ lb. 2 oz.
Mince Pies Mincemeat | lb. sultanas. £ ib. raisins. 4 lb. dates 2 oz. mixed peel. Chop all fruit and add grated together, lastly adding lemon juice. Pastry £ lb. wholemeal £ lb. nutter.
flour.
i lb Barbados sugar. \ lb. grated apples. ^ lb. grated suenut. £ grated nutmeg. Rind and juice of £ lemon. ingredients. Mix all well
Water.
R u b fat into flour, mix with water into a soft dough. Roll out thinly, line patty tins, place mincemeat in, cover with pastry. Prick top. Bake in hot oven 15 to 20 minutes.
PARTY
FARE
Fruit drinks, savoury paste, savoury straws, chocolate and date spread, sultana snaps, chocolate flapjacks, date biscuits, banana and orange jelly, marzipan fruits. Orange and Lemon Drink 2 oranges. 1 large lemon.
2 oz. brown sugar. 1 pint boiling water.
Peel thinly the rind of the oranges and lemons. Place in a jug, pour boiling water over. When cool, remove peel. Add the juice of the oranges and lemons, also sugar. Stir well. 10
Apple Drink \ lb. apples. 2 oz. brown sugar.
1 pint boiling water. Rind of lemon.
Peel and slice apples, place in a jug with sugar and lemon rind, pour boiling water over. Stir. When cold, strain. Chestnut Sandwich Paste lb. chestnuts. Seasoning. 1 oz. wholemeal bread ^ teaspoonful Barmene, crumbs. Marmite, or Vesop. 1 dessertspoonful chopped A few chopped chives, parsley. Celery salt. Place chestnuts in saucepan, cover .with cold water, bring to boil, then peel. When peeled, simmer until cooked. Mash in basin, add a little stock from the cooked chestnuts, making a thick cream. A d d Barmene or Marmite, bread crumbs, finelychopped chives and parsley, lastly seasoning (celery salt). Mix well, it is then ready for use. Savoury Straws ÂŁ lb. wholemeal flour. ^ cup boiling water, oz. margarine. Celery salt. 1 dessertspoonful Barmene, Vesop, or Marmite. R u b fat into flour, add celery salt, mix with Barmene into stiff dough. Roll out thinly, cut into fingers. Bake until golden brown. Chocolate and Date Spread \ lb. dates. Grated rind of \ lemon. 2 tablespoonsful cocoa. Cut up dates, put in saucepan to cook with sufficient water to prevent them burning. Simmer until soft. Sprinkle in cocoa, lastly grated rind of lemon. Beat well; it is then ready for use when cold. Seedless Raisin Snaps 2 oz. seedless raisins. 3 tablespoonsful treacle. 1 oz. brown sugar. 4 oz. wholemeal self2 oz. margarine. raising flour. Put all ingredients into a saucepan, except the flour, make warm but not too hot. Remove from the heat, sprinkle in the flour, beat well. Put teaspoonfuls of mixture on to greased baking sheet. Bake in moderate oven 15 minutes until golden brown. 11
Date Biscuits \ lb. wholemeal flour. ÂŁ lb. margarine. \ lb. chopped dates. Juice of orange. | lb. brown sugar. 2 oz. chopped walnuts. R u b margarine into flour, add sugar, chopped dates, and walnuts ; mix into a stiff dough, roll out thinly, cut into small rounds. Bake in moderate oven for 15 minutes. Banana and Orange Jelly 3 oranges. 1 oz. brown sugar. 4 bananas. Cup of water. 1 teaspoonful agar. Peel rind of oranges thinly, place in saucepan with cup of water, simmer for 15 minutes. Remove peel, add squeezed oranges making ÂŁ pint of liquid. Sprinkle over agar, bring to the boil, add sugar. Slice bananas, put in glasses, pour jelly over. Decorate with cherries cut up, and thin slices of brazil nuts. Marzipan Fruits 4 oz. milled almonds. Juice of small orange. 2 oz. soya flour. A few drops of almond 6 oz. soft brown sugar. essence. M i x all dry ingredients together, add juice of orange and essence of almonds. Make into a stiff ball. Roll out and form into fruits. " Potatoes " to be rolled in cocoa, etc. Mince Pies (As in Christmas Menu)
SOME VEGAN RECIPES (Given by Mrs. K. Kelehy at a recent London Society Cookery Demonstration)
Vegetarian
A U S T R A L I A N SALADS W I T H ENGLISH HERBS Recipes brought back from Australia by Kathleen Keleny, owner of Coombe Lodge Vegetarian Guest House, Wotton-underEdge, Gloucestershire. Hawaiian Salad Petit pois peas Oranges Sliced lemons Sliced Melon Capers Grapes Sliced apples Grated nuts Served on a base of lettuce, tomato, and peppermint.
12
Ambassador Salad Lettuce section Spring onions Radishes Watercress Strip of cucumber Melon strip . Celery Chicory Served on a base of soya beans, grated cabbage, lemon peel, and chopped sage. Cocktail Salad Diced apple Melon Orange peel Tomato Diced orange Pineapple Served on lettuce and chives. Health-Promotion School Salad Grated carrot Grated beetroot Sultanas Wheat germ
Celery Asparagus .
Des. coconut Glace cherries
Grated turnips Chopped figs
Served on parsley and lettuce with Vita Wheat. Senator Salad Bananas Celery Sausage roll Dates Pears Dandelion leaves Served on lettuce and winter savoury.
Spring onions Chicory
Sydney Salad Shredded cabbage Grated carrot
Mint Grated beetroot Chicory Grated turnip Served on watercress.
Wheat germ Fruit ..slice
Scissored Salad Parsley Chives Scissored spinach Parsnips Beetroot Grated carrot Served on scissored figs, chicory, lettuce, and .wholemeal bread. FRENCH
DRESSING
1 cup sunflower oil. i dessertspoon wholemeal flour.
NEW
FOOD
1 grated pear,
GUIDE
We are pleased to give advance notice of a new Vegetarian and Vegan Food Guide which is expected to be published in October. It will also contain. much useful information on commodities. A review will appear in our Winter issue. It will be 2s. 6d., post free, from the Secretary, and you are invited to send your orders in now. J.S. 13
UPON PREDATORS By DOROTHY
THOMSON
W h e n discussing the controversial problem of the predatory scheme, many people use such haclaieyed phrases as " the survival of the fittest," " Nature red in tooth and claw," and many other similar utterances which they simply echo without having given any really deep thought to the subject. When I first began to consider the almost universally accepted idea and p u t it to the test of my own understanding, it seemed to me quite incompatible with a God of wisdom and infinite com-, passion. Having looked very deeply into this subject, it dawned upon me that if Nature is red in tooth and claw then this must apply to every animal that exists. But we are aware that many animals which are a part of Nature do not live by this rule, and so we see that this premise is a false one. One most significant fact that occurred to me was that those animals which are not themselves a prey to other creatures stronger than themselves d o not multiply too quickly but keep a perfect ' balance. Is it possible that we are putting the cart before the horse, and that it is the predators that create an imbalance by killing some other species which Nature, in her terrible urgency to preserve at all costs, causes to multiply too quickly. One inescapable fact remains: the animals that are preyed upon multiply at a far greater rate than those that are not. If some species were not preyed upon, it is my belief that Nature, in her wisdom, would in time regulate the balance. If a m a n is himself a primate and internally constructed to live on a diet of fruit and nuts, there must have been a time in the long history of the planet when he fell from grace, and, either from depravity or expediency, retrogressed by obtaining his food by killing other creatures. If this were the case, and if, as I believe, man is the medium through which the animal kingdom evolves, he could have reflected this attitude in the animal kingdom. That there is a psychic telepathic relationship between man and the animals no one will d o u b t ; anyone who has kept a pet will see how a dog can pick up the thoughts of its owner and make an immediate response. Through man the lower kingdoms evolve, and it must ever be that in some mysterious way the higher must help the lower in its evolutionary path. W e evolve with the help of those a little further on the path than we are ourselves, and though we do not always interpret the truth that they reveal correctly, the light slowly dawns. In the remote history of ancient Egypt we learn that lions were household pets and had the freedom of the nurseries. If
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they had been savage creatures, how could this have been possible? Even if they had been trained it would not have eliminated a certain amount of risk; perhaps they were, at that time, vegetarian animals, for they certainly were not regarded with fear. It is my belief that the thoughts of man, both good and ill, affect the animal kingdom ; they respond to our emotions, and it is possible for the love and wisdom of a human being to make a savage lion as gentle as a dove. There are many instances of this, and proof is unnecessary. The carnivorous teeth of the primate man could have developed long after his fall because the form always adapts itself to the mode of life of the creature. It is this adaptability that makes the form of any animal subject to the necessary change. The development of the physiological function causes the anatomical variation. In order to avoid misunderstanding, I do not apply my theories to the reptilian age, for, at that time, little of mind had emerged from chaos, and the flaming morning of the world had scarcely cooled to be the cradle of infant life. The experiment had just begun and the great artificer was preparing a suitable form for the future soul to use for its experiences in matter. N o doubt there were great conflicting forces in the earth's tempestuous youth: chaos terrible beyond our weak imagining. Those who have made a study of this subject tell us that many reptiles were vegetarian then. Much, much later, when out of her early travail the world became wiser and older, man would have appeared as a primate. But if man repudiated his higher nature and retrogressed by becoming a meat-eater, this attitude could have reflected itself into the animal kingdom which is evolving through him. Darkness and light are within us all, for we inherit these from our cosmic mother earth. But these opposing forces are the means she uses to bring us to awareness and truth. When the eternal light of truth shines through the darkness, we seek to find an answer and a reconciliation with life. If we believe that compassion is the underlying principle of the universe and if we return to our former way of living in harmony with Nature, then surely the animals will be affected by us, and, by our own purification, we could purify their kingdom, too. Could that be the true meaning of our dominion over them— the power of man to lead them to the light? The future state when man no longer slays his younger brothers, the animals, could be the fulfilling of the prophecy, when the lion shall lie down with the lamb as they formerly did. But only through man living by the law of harmony could this be possible, for then his vibrations would touch the whole of life, for there is nothing in the whole universe so transforming and potent as this power. The law of spirit is to " give," but the law of matter is to " take." W e cannot live by the latter long, for its disintegrating influence soon teaches us that it is 15
the path of pain and sorrow. But our mistakes, in time, will be turned to profit and stored in the soul as conscience. Those who live by the laws of matter alone are red in tooth and claw. This applies not only in its more apparent physical manifestation, but in other aspects of life. W e steal happiness from others that we may obtain it for ourselves ; but such happiness soon turns to sorrow and remorse, as we all know too well. I t is always better to think, when we use a hackneyed phrase, do we believe this thing in the depths of our being—or are we using a term blindly in our anxiety to continue a habit we enjoy or have not the will to break? Only with self-knowledge by an inward turning to the source of truth can we come to illumination, and without the quality of compassion we can never come to truth, for these qualities are, in reality, one and the same. Let us consider well: is Nature really red in tooth and claw, and is this a universal principle or not; and does every creature in the animal world live by this law or not? I believe the day will dawn when the power of love will sweep away this terrible fallacy of despair, but man must learn his lessons through pain and sorrow. The Stream of Life moves ever to the Ocean of the Infinite—what the universal mind intends for us will be fulfilled. The transforming power that moulds us from within can never cease ; the seed will, in its time, become the flowering oak tree, and man himself will become what our imperfect minds cannot yet comprehend. Somewhere there is a. design that we must follow, whether we will it or not, and beneath all the negative influences the transforming quality proceeds. For life will make of us what it will, and, could we but rise above the process and see the plan, we would no longer believe in the terrible fallacy that Nature is red in tooth and claw.
"MUSA SAPIENTUM" or " Fruit of the Wise Men " There is an ancient legend that the sages of India reposed in the shade of the banana trees and refreshed themselves with its fruit, which gave it the name of " Musa Sapientum." Legend or fact, there is no doubt that bananas form an excellent part of the vegan diet. So far as we know, they have not yet been dyed, and, even if sprayed, the thick skins must surely protect the fruit? Messrs. Elders and Fyffes have published a most interesting booklet all about this " Wise Man's Food." Apart from how to grow them—not much use to residents in these islands!—it
16
tells us that, as long ago as 327 B.C., the armies of Alexander the Great found bananas flourishing in India. Man early discovered that the roots, even though dried and carried long distances, would flourish in suitable soil and climate. By the trade which flowed across the Indian Ocean in the first ten centuries of the Christian era, the banana was established on the east coast of Africa. From there the Arabs, who were great traders, carried the fruit from tribe to tribe across equatorial Africa to the Guinea coast on the Atlantic. There it was found by the Portuguese, about 1482, who, recognising its value as a food, carried the plant and its African name, " banana," from the Guinea coast to the Canary Islands. The next step in the world journey of the banana was from these islands, across the Atlantic, to the New World. Credit for this belongs to Friar Tomas de Berlanga, one of the sturdy Spanish priests who followed the conquering forces of his king. A s a missionary, he reached the island of Santo Domingo, in 1516, and, in conformity with the usual practice of ensuring food supplies once a new mission had been established, banana roots were planted. Further plantings followed throughout the islands of the Caribbean Sea, and eventually reached the tropical mainland of Central America. The banana was scarcely known in the British Isles prior to 1890. A n occasional bunch had been brought to these shores by captains of trading steamers from Madeira as far back as 1878, but the banana was more or less regarded as a rare tropical luxury. From 1879 onwards a few bunches were shipped from the Canary Islands, and this trade assumed commercial proportions in the last ten years of the 19th century. It was not, however, until the advent of supplies from the West Indies that the banana entered on the phase of becoming a fruit of popular favour. In March, 1901, the first direct shipment of about 20,000 bunches of bananas from Jamaica (which is about half the size of Wales) reached Bristol aboard s.s. Port Morant, and from that time, apart from the war years 1941-45, Elders and Fyffes, Ltd., have maintained an unbroken connection with the banana industry of the West Indies. The banana plant, when fully grown, reaches from. 15 ft. to 30 ft. in height and measures about 16 in. in .diameter at its base. It is not, however, a tree,.for there is no wood in it. The trunk, or main stem, is composed of thick sheaths wrapped tightly together in overlapping layers. The plant develops rapidly, and the new leaf sheaths growing at the centre of the stalk push the older ones outward, and so enlarge the trunk. The banana plant blossoms nine or ten months after planting. The stem that is to bear the bunch grows up through the centre of the trunk, comes out at the top, and then bends over and 17
downwards. First the tiny bananas turn downwards, but as they grow they turn outwards and upwards towards the sun, and remain so until fully developed. Each plant bears only one single bunch of bananas, the separate fruits numbering anything from 100 to 200. They are ready for harvesting from 13 to 15 months after planting ; and a bunch may vary in weight from 25 lb. to 70 lb. W h e n hurricanes or high winds play havoc with plants in heavy bearing, months of hard work are destroyed in the space of a few minutes. Even when the fruit is to be eaten in the tropics it is not allowed to ripen on the plant. Some consider that the finest flavour is developed only when the fruit is cut green from the plant and ripened afterwards. Bananas are, therefore, harvested in a green condition. The banana has been referred to as " Nature's Bounty," but it has been a hard-won bounty. Farms and plantations covering thousands of acres have been won from virgin jungle ; and roads, railways, and wharves built largely by human endeavour. E.B.
THE RATS OF C A M B R I D G E (Translated
from " La Vie Coaire," a French Reform
Magazine)
Certain eminent scientists at Cambridge appear surprised that their laboratory rats, fed on meat, have extremely fragile bones. They conclude from this that the meat is not rich enough in calcium. . . . They are mistaken : the tissues of vertebrates are rich enough in calcium for the normal requirements of bone development. If these rats do not develop normally, this is not consequent upon a calcium deficiency in the food given to them, but is simply due to the fact that rats are not carnivorous animals. These animals are rodents whose basic food is grain. Their teeth, their digestive secretions, the shape and proportions of their stomach and intestine are fitted for this type of food and no other. Thus, they cannot properly digest meat nor, consequently, totally assimilate its substance. Furthermore, the proportion between calcium and phosphorus is not the same in meat as in wheat or dried fruits. The calcium^phosphorus relation is 0.04 for meat, 0.17 for wheat and 1.2 for dried fruits— by no means corresponding to the same physiological requirements. This is above all a problem of the assimilation and fixing of mineral salts. The rat is not by nature fitted to fix the calcium in flesh foods, after digestion and assimilation which can only be abnormal. One should not conclude, therefore, like the Cambridge scientists, that flesh food does not furnish rats with the elements requisite for their bone formation. It should be understood 18
that such food is only fit for carnivores. Except for these it becomes a poison. " And how," the reader may ask, " does this story concern me ? " It concerns us all because we are essentially in the same position as the Cambridge rats : because of an error, repeated from generation to generation, which encourages the concept that " man is omnivorous" when his teeth, the shape and proportions of his digestive apparatus P R O V E that he is frugivorous—an error which makes it permissible for humans to absorb not only meat, but purely chemical "foods".... A n d illustrious professors of the Academy of Medicine are surprised to find that sickness is becoming ever more prevalent in man !
THOUGHTS OF A NEW VEGAN (There are as many roads to veganism as there are vegans. We are always pleased to receive members' accounts of what led them personally to veganism.—EDITOR.) Most children love animals, and I was no exception. A t the age of eight or so I wanted to join the R.S.P.C.A. But about this time I realised that meat came from animals. I accepted this, as I had always eaten meat and my parents saw nothing wrong in it; though, looking back, my mother must have been embarrassed by my questions. I think she may have asked me if I wanted to be a vegetarian—but I didn't know anyone who was, and had no idea what it involved. I didn't fancy being " different " at school, as, at that time, conformity was my religion. But after that, ideas of kindness to animals which are only to be slaughtered seemed absurd and childish. I banished these thoughts to the realm of private fantasy. I watched my father exterminating slugs in the garden, and went in and asked my mother: " W h y did God make slugs? " This was too much for her. She replied: " I don't know. Ask H i m . " To me, this answer was unsatisfactory. It has taken me 20 years to find out why. But the idea of unity persisted. I was deeply shocked in 1945 when our headmaster, a pacifist, explained to us how all kinds of life could be destroyed in a single blow by the atom bomb. I was horrified when, some years later (1954), I realised that even testing of bombs could destroy and pervert life through radio-active fallout. Later on, at college, I was introduced to Per Lagerquist, Swedish author of The Executioner. In this book a most sympathetic picture is painted of the unfortunate man ; how he was both ostracised and worshipped, in a fearful, admiring, superstitious way ; how he married extremely happily and had 19
a son ; how his wife thought she saw the sign of the gallows on its forehead, and destroyed the child ; how he, being the only executioner, was required to bury her alive whilst she still loved him. No one can read of this perversion of Christian doctrine and still believe in capital punishment. Later I joined C.N.D. and visited Direct Actionists in Stafford Jail, some of whom were vegetarians. From them I got the idea that butchery was degrading—in just the same way as capital punishment—both to the doer, and to the society for whom it is done. Shortly afterwards I heard of the. possible health advantages of a vegetarian diet, and I stopped eating meat and fish. It wasn't very successful, and so a vegetarian friend suggested I try a vegan diet, warning me I would die in 30 years! A s I prefer a short life and a merry one, I made the experiment — a n d found it worked. When I discovered the Vegan Society my confidence in the diet was greatly strengthened, and I was able to adopt the vegan philosophy without difficulty. It was not until after I became vegan that I realised that m i l k production involved brutality. I went to feed a beautiful Jersey calf. I forced its head into the bucket and I stuck my fingers into its mouth to get it t o suck. It backed away, and for 40 minutes it refused to drink: it had tasted mother's milk, and such calves will sometimes starve to death rather than drink from a bucket. Gradually the idea of the unity of all life' is coming back. W h a t I regarded in childhood as fantasy, I now see as fact. 1 find great difficulty in conveying this idea to people who are unfamiliar with it. I dare not and will not tell them unless they ask me. But I believe that the gradual acceptance of these ideas will prove essential to the survival of mankind. This idea may seem presumptuous, but God has given us the dignity of being able to co-operate with Him from choice—not from compulsion. W e are therefore justified in doing what we can to help ensure the survival of humanity. Our efforts may be infinitely small—but they are infinitely worthwhile—because they are in tune with life. M i s s FRANCES P E A R S O N . MAJOR
G.
RAYMOND-MORGAN
It is our sad duty to announce the death last month of member Major G. Raymond Morgan, R.E. (Retd.)i F.I.A.A., F.I.A.S., A.I.Struct.E., Fellow of the Property Consultants Society, etc., etc. Major R a y m o n d Morgan has worked long and conscientiously to further interest in our way of life, and was always ready to lend a hand with any project that might enlarge the circle of those who know and understand vegan ideals. His frequent and helpful letters Were a constant source of inspiration and encouragement, and we feel we have lost a true friend and helper. 20
THE STORY OF AN AMERICAN VEGAN (Extracted from the " American Vegetarian," June, 1946) R u b i n Abramowitz is an astonishing young man past 32 years of age. Five years ago a great change came into his life. A friend invited him to various Vegetarian repasts that he found very enjoyable. Then he decided to spend his vacation at C a m p Hygiology and learn all that Dr. Robert Anderson could teach him. There he entered upon a new way of life. To quote Rubin, " I seeped up bucketsful of information- on the Vegetarian way of living. 1 learned it was the idealistic, spiritual, stepping stone to undreamed of heights ; why it was the ideal way to eat for health's sake ; why it was hygienically, morally, and aesthetically, the finest pattern for existence. " I came home an unshakable, convinced Vegetarian and diet reformer beginning by renouncing meat, fish, coffee, tea, cocoa, salt, pepper, white flour and white sugar. Later I gave up the use of all dairy products, then the use of cooked vegetables ; and for a period of eight months I even became a Fruitarian, living on raw fruits, nuts and fruit juices." When War came, since he was a pacifist and conscientious objector, he was sentenced to the Federal Penitentiary, Ashland, Kentucky, for two and a half years. We shall let R u b i n continue his own tale of resistance. " Upon arrival, I informed the examining medical officer, Dr. Janney, that I was a Vegetarian, that I was opposed to injections and the wearing of leather. He advised me to adjust myself to prison life, but I refused. I practically starved for five days because all the foods were cooked with lard or meat extracts. Then special provisions were made for me to receive a Vegetarian diet which was made available to another Vegetarian, too. " T h e day for blood-tests, vaccinations and typhoid shots came. I went with the other men in quarantine down to the prison clinic. When it came to my turn for the blood test, I refused to allow it, whereupon I was brought to see Dr. Janney, the Chief Medical Officer. He argued and pleaded with me to change my mind ; I refused. Guards and the associate Warden were called and force was threatened. The doctor said that he was inclined to give in on the vaccination and typhoid shots, but that I must allow. the blood test. I refused. H e asked whether I would resist, I replied that I would try to stop them from puncturing me. Thereupon the doctor, who was more ethical than any other prison doctor in the United States, had me confined to a room in the Hospital for two weeks. Each day he came round endeavouring to make me change, but I remained adamant. Finally I was released because there was
21
n o evidence of disease. I joined the rest of the prison population o f 450. " I kept after the authorities to let me wear non-leather shoes. After a month and a half of persistent effort, I was permitted to have my canvas shoes forwarded from home. Meanwhile, I was agitating among the ' near-Vegetarians' to j o i n us at the Vegetarian table. Before long 11 men were eating there. I then applied for a transfer from the laundry to the j o b of preparing Vegetarian foods for the V-table. This was allowed although it was the first time such a table had ever been set up in the Bureau of Prisons. I baked bread with soyabean oil or oleo, prepared cooked vegetables without salt and made u p raw salads whenever they could be obtained, privilege was granted, and it grew to 24 satisfied customers. I " Before long other men applied to join the V-table. This will never forget the wonderful experience of preparing nutritious foods for men who really appreciated my efforts. Even the Chief Medical Officer began sending men with stomach disorders to the Vegetarian table. I converted the strongest man in the prison, a champion weight-lifter, to the Vegetarian diet, and today he writes that he has given up even dairy foods. Others told me that my cooking and baking convinced them of the benefits of a Vegetarian diet and that they intended to continue it even after leaving the prison. They were a mixed group at the V-table; pacifists, Jehovah's Witnesses, thieves, and even illegal whiskey makers " The doctor informed me that he was writing a book on prison life and was devoting a whole chapter to Vegetarianism, with myself as the chief subject. I gave him a copy of the - Vegetarian A n t h e m ' and the ' Call of Peace' that I had written. H e told me that he would never forget me. Even the director of the Bureau of Prisons came on a visit and inspected the V-table. Vegetarians in other prisons learned about the V-table, but unfortunately they were not allowed any of our privileges. " I was released after seven months of my prison term with a 4-F rating. I was sent home a free man although deprived of certain rights as a citizen. I was proud that I had withstood the twin forces of the Bureau of Prisons and the medical hierarchy. I had won out on every point. Today I have learned that the Vegetarian table is still going strong at that prison and may become a permanent set up. Thus it can be seen how even one obscure person can become a vital force in the lives of people, provided he is firm no matter what the cost. " A t present I am in Tujunga, California, where I have begun the Ahimsa Co-operative Community, based upon Cooperative action, Vegetarianism and Pacifism. There are only four in our group ; but who knows how big a tree will grow from a tiny seed ? If I am faithful to my plan I am sure that 22
I will achieve what I envision ; a Vegetarian Pacifist community, self-sufficient, using only clean culture foods, no animal products in food or clothing, a progressive school with humane teaching and projects. Some day the whole world will learn that ours is the only way to Peace on Earth, Good-will to all men." SHE Readers will remember the reference that was made in our Summer issue to the excellent article on vegetarianism and veganism that appeared in the June issue of She—probably one of the best ever to have appeared in a large circulation magazine. By its side was a smaller article by Justine Glass entitled " In Favour of Meat." In this article the writer referred to what she called (a) the starch danger, (b) the low protein danger, and (c) the mineral deficiency danger. Dr. F. Wokes, the director of the Vegetarian Nutritional Research Centre at Watford, has sent me a copy of a letter he sent to the Editor of She, in which he made the following points : (1) Obesity through excess starch, etc., is commoner amongst meat-eaters than amongst vegetarians. (2) Vegetarian diets on the whole contain as much protein as meat-eaters' diets. (3) Calcium deficiency has not been observed in vegetarians, whilst iron deficiency is less common amongst vegetarians than amongst meat-eaters. Some of the symptoms referred to could be due to a Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can occur also amongst meat-eaters. Dr. Wokes further writes that the statement that " one cup of tea contains as much uric acid as lb. of m e a t " is sheer nonsense. He ends by saying that " . . . if meat toxins can be neutralized by eating fruit and vegetables as she (Justine Glass) suggests, why not avoid all dangers from these toxins by cutting all meat and other flesh foods out of our diets?" The main article itself was very fair and probably introduced a vast number of readers to a definition of veganism and how vegans order their lives—what they think, eat, and wear. We hope that such articles may be featured in many other magazines. J.S. NEWS A N D COMMENT The Vegetarian Nutritional Research Centre has certainly been put firmly on the map by the recent publicity as a result of many newspaper features and T.V. and radio news programmes. These were taken up abroad, and, as a result, a mass of correspondence and enquiries has poured in. These largely centred on the new Plantmilk, the development of which is now in its final stages. Even British farmers have expressed an interest, and some of them have frankly written that they 23
would' be glad to turn over to suitable plant production to free them from the 24 hours a day, 365 days a year ties of looking after farm animals. Jack McClelland, of Belfast, after swimming the Channel, the Straits of Gibraltar, and many other long-distance swims, has received much publicity this summer in connection with his proposed swim from Mallorca to Menorca. When we last heard, he was awaiting the arrival of suitable conditions. A vegetarian since he was 17, and now a dedicated vegan, he is doing splendid work in other ways, too, for, from his home at 329 Antrim Road, Belfast, 15, he runs a free health advisory service, and he will welcome correspondence from readers and enquirers. A Blot in the Law. Under this heading an excellent article appeared in the Daily Mirror of August 11th in connection with operations, without anesthetics, on animals. Much needless pain is caused by such operations as the docking of puppies' tails and the neutering of young male dogs and cats. This large circulation newspaper is doing a continuous and major work in helping to produce improved relations between man and the animal kingdom. Push-Button Beef. Automation is being pressed still further on the farm. After broiler chickens and mass-produced veal, we now have the introduction, from the U.S.A., of the " Feedlot," with calves fed in at one end and bullocks turned out at the other end to provide cheap, pale pink beef for the supermarkets. In the U.S.A. the larger plants may cope with 30,000 head a year, but in Britain they are more likely to be from about 200 to 2,000. The plants are being made more and more automatic, so that the farm worker need only give about two hours a day to check that everything is working properly. W e appear to be moving steadily towards the world Orwell painted in 1984. A de-natured life for the animals, and denatured, tasteless food for the mass of flesh-eaters resulting in a devitalised and sick populace. Changing Tastes. An article recently appeared in the Sunday Times Magazine which reflected some of the changing tastes of our times. Cinemas, public houses, League football, greyhound racing, etc., were listed amongst those activities which were losing public appeal, whilst television, private car-driving, tenpin bowling, and book reading were gaining in interest. A disturbing note appeared under the heading " Foxhunting." In 1939 there were 183 packs ; in 1961 there were 220. During the season, some 50,000 people attend a hunt each week. A new phenomenon is the growth of supporters' clubs. The supporters follow on foot, cycle, or car, and pay 5s. a year. Since the war, 78 such clubs have been formed, each with about 5,000 members.
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This sad trend is, of course, encouraged by the fact that Prince Charles has been taught to shoot grouse, pheasants, hares, etc., and now a stag. A wonderful chance to give a humanitarian lead has been lost. In the Hertfordshire Fox H u n t case referred to in our' Summer issue, an appeal was later successful 'on the grounds that the cruelty was not satisfactorily proved.
CRUSADE AGAINST ALL CRUELTY TO ANIMALS " The animal welfare lobby is highly literate," wrote a Member of Parliament in the Press several months ago when reviewing the type and volume of his daily correspondence during his five years in Parliament. This review also revealed that he had received more letters on animal welfare and teachers' salaries than on any other topics. These facts are encouraging to all of us who write either occasionally or often to our M.P. on various matters of animal welfare in the hope that he may be encouraged to make his voice heard in the House in support of our cause. They reveal that a growing number of intelligent people are taking the trouble to express their views on paper, and to express them well. There is no reason to suppose that this Member's correspondence was radically different from that of his 600-odd other colleagues. W e therefore arrive at the highly encouraging conclusion that, be it ever so slowly, man's responsibilities towards the animals are receiving more consideration by an intelligent section of the electorate than ever before. It is as well for us to keep this fact in our minds when receiving the discouragingly evasive or non-committal replies from M.P.s, which one inevitably does on many occasions. Wellinformed, intelligent letters sent when the occasion demands can be the veritable drop of water which wears away the stone. In general, lack of knowledge or understanding of the problems— or just plain apathy—prevent action from the vast majority of the electorate who, in consequence, take the line of easiestresistance and do nothing. But a major landslide can be started by the rolling of a stone, and provided all those of us who care deeply about animal suffering keep rolling our stones we may see earlier than we dare hope at present a landslide of public opinion towards our cause. In my last report I referred to the production of pate de foie gras in France and the import into Britain of £80,000 worth per year of this expensive " delicacy." Soon after we had circularised every Member of Parliament with our special leaflet and covering, letter appealing for action on this matter, a Question was raised 25
in the House. A s a direct result of this, some weeks later the method of production of pate de foie gras was given publicity in a television programme, and millions of viewers saw the same pictures which appear in the article reproduced by us in our leaflet. Thus the facts were made known to an enormous public, many of whom would hitherto have known nothing of them. The initial response of one M.P., resulting in the television publicity for the facts behind his Question, made the circularising of all M.P.s amply worthwhile. Every determined and sincere effort will bring a result, even though most may not yield the immediately encouraging result just recounted. The important thing is that each individual makes the effort. Man's exploitation of the life around him grows daily, largely fostered by the dictates and demands of big business: animal experimentation increases year by year ; meat production, increasingly involving the intensified methods of rearing, as in broiler houses, goes up day by day ; creatures of the sea—whales and seals—continue to be slaughtered in vast numbers yearly; wild animals are still forced to suffer the dictates of animal trainers in circuses ; living creatures are still hunted to their death in the name of sport. A tremendous amount of work has to be done and this can only be accomplished in even a small measure if everyone who acknowledges that cruelty to animals is to be deplored, whereever it appears, makes a definite and positive stand, and, in addition, seizes every opportunity to make the facts known to the public. We have to tear down the veil of secrecy and convenience which the perpetrators of cruelty are determined shall remain. This veil is the greatest barrier to progress in achieving much-needed reforms. That is why, since its inception, the policy of the Crusade has been to spare no effort in enlightening the unconverted public by every possible means, and particularly by showing them, through the medium of unique and thought-provoking sound films, just at what cost they obtain the commodities used in their everyday lives. W e can take heart from the admission of the M.P. referred to above, but let it act as a spur to us. W e have to work for the creation of an articulate and truly enlightened electorate who' will not take " N o " for an answer. In the words of the Hon. L. T. Dashiell, of the Texas Legislature: " S h o w me the enforced laws of a State for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and I in turn will give you a correct estimate of the refinement, enlightenment, integrity, and equity of that Commonwealth's people." M A R G A R E T A . C O O P E R , Secretary, * Bounds Green Road, London, N . l l .
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BOOK
REVIEW
[The following book might be suitable as a Christmas or birthday present.—EDITOR.]
A Cat in the Window. By Derek Tangye. (Michael Joseph, London, W.C.I. 12s. 6d.) This is a little work devoted entirely to a cat called Monty,, whom its devoted owners contend is the guardian of their home, " Minack," close to a cliff-edge in Cornwall. It starts from the time that the author first saw him as a six-months-old " handful of crushed autumn bracken," at the Savoy Hotel, London. A t the time Mr. Tangye had a liking for dogs, but a dislike of cats, and he would not consider one coming into his home to live, unless confined to the kitchen. But with the initial efforts of his wife Jean plus Monty's character, the author admits, " My complete capitulation was soon complete," and every room was his kingdom, both in their little cottage at Mortlake and later, after removal, at the one in Cornwall. Monty's further .adventures, after living for some years in London, when he went with Derek and Jean Tangye to live away from lit all dn the country cottage they found for themselves in Cornwall, include such unusual but lovely friends as Hubert the gull, Charles the chaffinch, and Tim the robin. The numerous and- enjoyable photographic illustrations enhance the quiet beauty of this delightful record, and although, in my opinion, it is all too short, it .is, .nevertheless, one of quality and has real sentiment and deep feeling for animals, the good earth, and has much to say of traps. To those who refuse to like cats, here is a very delightful and happy book that should help to convert them. It is worthy of a permanently accessible place on your bookshelf. DOUGLAS
DELINQUENCY—JUVENILE
AND
USHER.
OTHERWISE
(An observation from the U.S.A.) At an enormous expense to the nation's tax-payers, the school children of America are being carefully trained in delinquency. We make the accusation in sober earnest, and with great concern for the future. Under the guise of " scientific research" an increasing number of schools, even the elementary schools, are adopting programmes of experimentation on living animals. From the comparatively mild " dietary projects," wherein small creatures are deprived of food elements necessary to their growth and well being, as an " object lesson " in unwise eating habits, to the inexpressibly sadistic dissection of living animals—at times only partially anaesthetized—the nefarious programme is accepted
27
into school curriculum after curriculum. If an occasional alarmed parent should protest it is without avail. ' Instructors agree that the average child is shocked and sickened by these " projects" at first, but they announce with satisfaction that this same child soon becomes " a v i d " (their word for it ! ) in pursuing the subject. At their most impressionable age, to be subjected to a course of training which is represented to them as being approved by the most highly respected authority, derided by their fellows as " chicken," normal children learn to suppress their loathing and conform to the routine demanded by their instructors. Soon, very soon, these naturally well disposed little ones become the potential "delinquents " who provide our news mediums with the ever increasing flood of " teen age " crimes. Some are found torturing dogs and cats ; some, since it is but a short step from the " experiment" on a four-footed animal to the human species—adopt a career of murder, rape, arson, and other unspeakable crimes. What, in God's name, are the Parent-Teacher Associations doing to safeguard the mental and moral health of the Citizens of Tomorrow ? Such pseudo-scientific programmes add nothing to the store of scientific knowledge. Results of each "experiment" are already well established. T O O W E L L E S T A B L I S H E D ! With our money, and with our children, then, our public schools are training delinquents. ' The Schools do not belong to the teachers and school officials— but to the Parents. And so do the children. P A R E N T S — W H A T K I N D O F CITIZENS D O Y O U W A N T T O C O N T R I B U T E TO THE NATION ? From the News Analysis Group, Everett, Washington. READERS' LETTERBOX Dear Sir,—Regarding letter in Summer issue on donkey fat being added to olive oil, I wrote Heath and Heather and received the following reassuring r e p l y — " . . . our suppliers guarantee that the olive oil we bottle is the first pressing Spanish oil coming from the true olive only. We, of course, have no jurisdiction or control over its extraction or packing into the barrels in which we receive it, but we feel ourselves entirely happy with the assurance given to us by the suppliers, who are a firm of the highest repute. This, of course, appLies only to our own olive oil, but at the same time we hope that all companies in this country who distribute olive oil would be just as careful as ourselves. W e note that your information is regarding olive oil from Italy, and the fact that ours comes from Spain should be a safeguard in itself." I also wrote a friend, who is sales manager for George King, M r . Edward Banks, and he replied saying that he has been 28
dubious for some time, and" he himself sticks to Sunprod Sunflower Oil and King's Soya, " as 1 know the origins." I thought this might be of assurance to your members and readers of the journal, probably many vegetarians and food reformers. With best wishes to you and your colleagues. Dorset. EDNA FREELAND. [In another letter Miss Freeland writes: " I have been in touch with Sunprod Sales re their sunflower oil and they assure me Chat it is cold-pressed, unadulterated, has no preservatives or additives, and is 100% pure in the real meaning of the word."— EDITOR.]
Dear Sir,—The following extract is from ' " T h e New and Improved Practical Gardener and Modern Horticulturist," by Charles Mcintosh, C.M., C.H.S., late gardener to the King of the Belgians and now at Dalkeith Palace 1843.' In Chapter 5 I came across this reference to the use of bullocks' blood: — " Blood contains a certain quantity of all the principles found in other animal substances, and is consequently good manure. It may be collected in quantities at the slaughter-houses of butchers in large towns, and also where sugar manufacturies are carried on, bullocks' blood being used there in the process of separating, by the heat of the boiler, the impurities of brown sugar, by the coagulation of its albuminous matter." Whatever may be true today, this old book indicates that sugar in the olden days was not quite as innocent of animal exploitation as it may be today. Personally I find it quite easy to do without sugar, and have done so for the past 15 years. As long as. profit can be made out of by-products, there is little hope of a truly non-animal food trend. I did read somewhere that bullocks' blood was used to gain the extra smooth texture of the chocolate made in continental countries. There was no hint that such was the case over here. Shrewsbury.
E . CRAWFORD.
Dear Sir,—Thanks for printing in the last Vegan " Unnecessary Cruelties Among Farm Animals." I grew up. on a farm and now I realise more fully the awful acts to which I was a party through ignorance. If I can get permission, I want to try to get the article printed over here. You put out an excellent paper and I look forward to each issue. Los Gatos
(Calif.).
LESTER E. HARWOOD.
Dear Sir,—We read in the Vegan and Lady Dowding's Beauty Without Cruelty News Letter that Messrs. Dunlop have withdrawn their looped nylon " Casualaire " shoes for men. Now these humane and well-styled shoes were the answer to a vegan's 29
prayer. The reason given by Dunlop is that these shoes have proved to be a bad selling proposition. Obviously, vegans and vegetarians have only themselves to blame, for if they had created the demand for these shoes instead of being content to wear repulsive leather then the supply of " Casualaires " would have been maintained. O n Saturday, July 21st, I visited the Beauty W i t h o u t Cruelty Garden Fete, where it was a sorry sight to see the males trotting around in their leather footwear! Braintree.
GEORGE E.
WOODS.
[The Editor bought four pairs, and most male vegans known to him bought one or more pairs. Many pairs were worn at the Garden Fete. Many firms did not co-operate properly—perhaps because less profit is made on shoes selling at under 30s.— EDITOR.]
A LETTER F R O M A VICE-PRESIDENT Dear Sir,—Thank you for your article (Summer 1962 issue); it is very good. Hippocrates has also said that, if food cannot cure us, to leave the drugs in the chemist's laboratory. Ardent vegan, as you know I am, I want to say a few words about this splendid article by a veterinary surgeon: " Unnecessary Cruelties A m o n g Farm Animals." In the beginning of the English Vegan Society around 1944, similar impressive articles were written and made into pamphlets, which did a lot of good. Unfortunately they fairly soon were out of print. I know that all this is true and that our country does more or less the same So now, if you will, please, have pamphlets made of this article. Such impressive information may wake up some dainty, cultured, nice ladies, huddled in fur coats and enjoying juicy beefsteaks. W e cannot blame them, as these things are considered to be normal, so it is up to us in a polite and understanding way to try to enlighten them. Even vegetarians do not know the A B C of husbandry, modern batteries, broiler houses, etc., etc. A n d now, Mr. Sanderson, I thank you and your whole staff of the Vegan Society for what you are doing. W e are grateful for any effort towards veganism, as we can never expect Lasting W o r l d Peace as long as we wage the most horrible war against our younger • brothers in slaughter, vivisection, hunting, fishing, etc. Yours for wise co-operation with A L L Life. California.
( D R . ) CATHERINE
NIMMO.
Dear Sir,—It is essential that we develop the younger side of the Vegan Movement, and I would like to see a British Vegan Y o u t h Movement with its own magazine, The Young Vegan— perhaps it could begin as a small part of the Vegan journal. 30
Some years ago I advocated Youth Hostel Parties to show the vegan way by. their mode of living. Of course, a movement like ours may not attract immediately, in the face of the vast mass of thoughtless living and of large vested interests concerned with maintaining things as they are. I think that the article in She and features of this nature are certainly progressive and valuable to the vegan movement. S. Devon.
EDGAR B. HEWLETT.
Dear Sir,—May I be admitted to the subscription list of the Vegan Society? I would much appreciate correspondence from other vegans, particularly those of long experience—we have been vegans for 15 years. Mount Albert, KATHLEEN PEACE. Auckland, New Zealand.
DANGER!
D E M O C R A C Y AT W O R K !
Dear Sir,—I have just received a copy of Truth for Youth, the journal of the Natural Hygiene Society Youth International, and it included some very interesting letters on a subject of vital importance to us all. These letters and cuttings from San Bernandino (California) newspapers state that at Fort Dix, N.J., Serviceman R . H . Sorge was sentenced to six months' hard labour and the forfeit of roughly two-thirds of his pay for that time, because he would not accept the routine inoculations. Six-foot Mr. Sorge, winner of the 1959 " Mr. North America " and holder of other Health and Strength titles, relies on a strict diet of cereals and vegetables for his body-building programme and claims, rightly we believe, that the injection of poisonous vaccines are unnecessary, and further that they would injure the perfect health which he has built up on vegan foods. How does it all add up? On the one hand we have an Army which complains that only two out of every seven men of age are healthy enough for the Services. This in spite of a luxury diet, including " nourishing" steaks and masses of dairy foods, plus all the benefits of modern medical science and jabs of this and that " protection " at ever more frequent intervals. Against this there is one soldier who will have none of these things and so is as strong and healthy as normal man should be, yet among his overfed, undernourished contemporaries he is an outstanding example of health and strength. So he is locked up and victimised because he has enough sense to know the danger of, and sufficient courage, to refuse, contamination by vaccination. VALENTINE
DOMINEY.
31
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For study, meditation, prayer. 20-foot lounge, d i n i n g r o o m , m o d e r n kitc h e n , b a t h r o o m , etc., a n d 5 or m o r e b e d r o o m s , available for study week-ends. • Apply Lois
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B R I T I S H V E G E T A R I A N Y O U T H M O V E M E N T . A n organisation for people 12—35. Social gatherings, holidays, monthly magazine, etc., organised. Further particulars: Secretary, G. Baryvick, 35 Wenalt Road, Fonna, Neath, Glamorgan. C O S M O P O L I T A N Vegan Community proposed ; if interested please write, DIFFICULTIES I N W R I T I N G 6? S P E A K I N G — H e l p given through correspondence and visit lessons, 5/' each. Children and adults. Dorothy Matthews, B.A., E N G L I S H and cycles, new Exchanges. Your own Butterworth, Manchester.
Continental Scooters and Mopeds, most and used. Three-wheelers, Powerdrive, Terms. Models bought. Please write, dealer, R O N M c K E N Z I E (Proprietor: Vegan Food Reformer), 961 Chester Longford 2100.
makes. Motor Bond, Reliant. 'phone or call. R. McKcnzie Road Strctford,
H E A L T H F O O D STORE. A wide variety of vegan and vegetarian foods is available, including the new plantmilk. Every effort will be made to acquire those vegan foods which are riot easily obtainable, so if you have any difficulty in purchasing certain products, please write to Mrs. . Muriel Drake with your.requirements and suggestions.. Goods willingly sent by post. Postal terms and comprehensive price list sent on request. Blackheath, London, S.E.3. (LEE Green 5811.) 32
HEALTH through N A T U R A L H Y G I E N E . Are you interested in Health achieved naturally and without the exploitation of other human beings and animals? Natural Hygiene is a system of health preservation and restoration which meets these requirements. For literature, send 6d. stamp to: Registrar (G), British Nat. Hygiene Soc., 49 Ravenswood Ave., Tolworth, Surrey. LONG HILL HOUSE, Sands, Farnham, Surrey. Beautiful 4-bedroomed house, in lovely woodland scenery, for Sale, near small Vihara. Good Theosophical Lodge in nearby town. A p p l y : — Tel.: Guildford 67281, or Runfold 2046. M A K E new friends, U.K. and Overseas. Join V.C.C., 34 Honeywell Road, London, S.W.I 1. S.O.S. Ahimsa Organic Nursery needs rehousing or will perish. Owners, Julie and Denis Sterman, Easterdown, Upton, Wiveliscombe, Somerset, both disabled, came from London to grow food organically, later to find tenancy unprotected and outside agricultural and rent acts—landlords have possession—warrant suspended until September 25th, on hardship grounds. Agricultural tenancy two acres arable and cottage sought, West Country preferred. VEGAN, active and adaptable, aged 36, seeks change of employment, or as working partner, small capital available. Box No. 10629. WORLD FORUM. The leading international Vegetarian quarterly. Edited by Mrs. Esm6 Wynne-Tyson. Advocates the vegetarian way of life for physical health and a true relationship between the human and creature kingdoms—without exploitation and cruelty. l/6d. plus 4d. post per copy. 7/6d. per year, post free.—H. H. G R E A V E S LTD., 106/110 Lordship Lane, London, S.E.22.
ESTABLISHMENTS CATERING FOR VEGANS (1/Jd. per line; 20% discount on /our consecutive issues.) BROOK LINN.—Callander, Perthshire. Vegetarian and Vegan meals carefully prepared and attractively served. Comfortable guest house. Near Trossachs and Western Highlands. Mrs. Muriel Chomn. Callander 103. EASTBOURNE.—General nursing, convalescence, rest and nature-cure. Out-patients treated. Edgehill Vegetarian and Vegan Nursing Home, 6 Mill Road. Tel.: 627. EDSTONE, W O O T T O N W A W E N , W A R W I C K S H I R E (near Stratford-onAvon).—Modern Nature Cure Resort and Guest House with every comfort, and compost-grown produce. (Phone: Claverdon 327.) FREE Holiday Accommodation (furnished room) in artist's flat offered to vegan couple or lady in exchange for preparing vegan meals for one man. Write Sea, Sussex. L A K E DISTRICT. Rothay Bank, Grasmere. Attractive guest house for invigorating, refreshing holidays.—Write Isabel James. Tel.: 134. MAJORCA.—Charming flat for two offered. Vegetarian, non-smokers. Ail comforts. Tranquillity and beauty. Some meals provided by arrangement. International stamp please. Mrs. Ritchie: Palma de Mallorca. N O R T H WALES.—Vegan and vegetarian guest house, nr. mountains and sea. Lovely woodland garden. Brochure from Jeannie and George Lake, Plas-y-Coed, Penmaen Park, Llanfairfechan. Tel.: 161. " W O O D C O T E , " Lei ant, St. Ives, Cornwall, it a high-class Vegetarian Food Reform Gueat House in a warm and sheltered situation overlooking the Hayle Estuary. Composted vegetables; home-made wholewheat bread; vegans catered for knowledgeably. Mr. and Mrs. Woolfrey. Tel.: HayTe 3147. Early bookings for Summer very advisable.
The most useful jar in the pantry I
a l t m f i ^ i G / COMPOUND YEAST EXTRACT Barmene i i healthful! Its salt content is biochemically balanced with other important ingredients—and it contains 1.5 microgm. Vitamin B12 per ounce. Less than a teaspoonful in a cup of boiling water makes a sustaining drink.
Barmene is unique! It is the first product of its kind to incorporate fresh vegetable and herb juices, cold pressed to conserve their dietetic qualities. Barmene is delicious! It has a bland, appetising flavour, greatly enhancing the appeal and food value of soups, savouries, etc., to which it is added. Try it, too, spread thinly on bread and butter or unsweetened biscuits, and on jacket potatoes.
I
Barmene it economical! It comes in three sizes: 3i-oz. and 8-oz. polystyrene jars at 2/2 & 3/9 respectively, and a 16-oz. glass jar at only 6/9. Use sparingly to make the most of its delicate flavour.
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