T H E VEGAN SOCIETY Founded November,
1944
Veganism is the practice of living on the products of the plant kingdom— to the exclusion of all animal foods—proceeding from a wide consideration of man's true place in nature. The objects of the Vegan Society are to provide in thought and practice for the advance of veganism, and to relate veganism to every aspect of creative co-operation between man and nature.
President: Mr. JOHN HERON, Honorary Secretary: Mrs. MURIEL Kent. (RAVensbourne 2809). Honorary
Treasurer:
Miss
, Reigate, Surrey. , Bromley,
DRAKE,
London,
WINIFRED SIMMONS,
N.W.LL.
Hon. Asst. Treasurer: London, N.19.
Miss
CHRISTINA
,
HARVEY,
Minimum subscription, which includes " The Vegan," 10s. Od. per annum, payable in January. Life Membership, £8 8s. Od.
THE
VEGAN
JOURNAL OF THE V E G A N Editor : Mr.
JOHN HERON,
SOCIETY
, Reigate, Surrey.
Assistant Editor: Mr. JACK SANDERSON, , Lawrence Street, London, S.W.3. Advertisements: H. H. GREAVES LTD., 1 0 6 / 1 1 0 Lordship Lane, London, S.E.22. Published quarterly: Annual subcription, 4s. 8d. post free : single copies, la. 2d. post free. Obtainable from the Hon. Secretary.
BRANCHES OF THE SOCIETY A N D SECRETARIES YORKSHIRE.—Miss Stella Rex, Nr. Leeds. M I D L A N D S — M r . Don Burton, Warwicks. MANCHESTER.—Mrs. Ann E. Schofield, showe. SCOTTISH SECTION.—Miss Dina M. Sutherland, Liberton, Edinburgh, 9.
, Garforth, , Stratford-on-Avon, , Wythen-
(Please communicate with your nearest Branch Secretary)
THE V E G A N Journal
Vol. X
of the Vegan
Summer. 1957
Society
No. 5
EDITORIAL Right Action Right action is practical action. How strangely this truth needs to be affirmed to-day. On all sides we have apologias from those who cleverly argue the need for compromise, accommodation, " realism " and so on. Well, it is true that we have to be realistic. Man is a fallen creature, society is in a fallen state. We cannot all at once redeem either ourselves or our fellows. But, we can be quite clear in our minds, firstly, as to what the ideal way of life is ; and secondly, just how far at any moment we can apply it. To do this we need not only to re-affirm continually our ideals, to re-awaken them ever and again within us, but also repeatedly to sit in judgment upon ourselves, to scrutinise our progress, our lives, our ethics, our diverse relationships. There is always room for improvement, always space for some innovation, some new experiment, some extension of right practice, or reduction of false habit. With veganism, we start in a modest, realistic way: no extremes, no excessive fads or fancies. A wise, balanced, eminently sensible way of feeding with a strong accent on the development of the inner nature—a steady mind, calm emotions, a concentrated will, each distinctive in its manifestation, yet all harmonised, balanced and blended by the wise overshadowing of the Higher Self within. This spiritual accent has a great deal to do with man's true diet. If anything is true for man, it is true for the whole man, not just for his body only or his mind only. And the applicability of what is true depends upon the whole man being brought to bear on its expression. Thus the true diet for man both meets his physical needs and is most conducive to the development of his inner nature. But it is also one that actually requires, as a mode of its practicality, that the inner being shall step forth from the inner sanctuary and manifest through the outer personality right 1
down, in fact, into the living tissues of the physical vehicle. The spiritual self is called upon to awake and pour down into the outer garments those subtle essences and radiant energies to which it alone has access. Veganism is a multifarious practice. We must look up, we must look out and about, we must look down : up to that Highest Power whither all our aspirations flow, out and about to the dietetic experiences of others, to the findings of nutritional investigation, to the wisest teachings of living reform, down into the life processes of our own physical vehicle so that we may become attuned to its needs and requirements. A watchful and responsive eye cast simultaneously in three directions; also observing with care the cycles and rhythms of our destiny, that strange ebb and flow of light and dark, trial and respite, arduous toil and greater relaxation.
JOHN HERON.
The New Declaration and Roles Enclosed with this issue is a copy of the new Declaration and Rules which were adopted at the Special General Meeting of the Society, held in London, on April 13th this year (for a report of the meeting, see page 15). They do not represent a sudden and abrupt change, but have emerged after a long and careful period of thought and preparation to give expression to a new spirit which has gradually and progressively been at work within the Society. The President and Secretary will be glad to reply in detail to any queries which Members may have concerning the various changes involved. A New Cover Drawing This issue also introduces on our cover a brilliant and inspiring drawing, for the execution of which we are extremely grateful to Mr. Nigel J. Sinclair. He is a young artist dedicated, he tells us, " to the task of portraying truth in line and form. Not the truth in the beauty of Earth's surface—nature's varied face—but rather the Absolute Truth surrounding, above and below, within and without Earth: the truth as hidden in the esoteric .meaning of nature and as it manifests itself in relative human experience." H e describes his drawings as " visual mystical poems ", and the drawing on our cover as " a visual poem on the correct relationships of the main kingdoms of planet Earth " whereby " man in wisdom, love and power ' redeems ' nature ". (Further details of his work appear in a small announcement on page 15.) New Literature The Committee is in the process of arranging for new literature to be published by the Society. This will most likely take the form of a series of booklets and pamphlets dealing with various aspects of veganism. When the time is ripe, full details will be printed in The Vegan. 2
15th World Vegetarian Congress in India, November, 1957 Unfortunately no officers of the Vegan Society will be able to attend the Congress as delegates, but the Society would like to take this opportunity of extending its heart-felt good wishes for the success of this great and important meeting of eastern and western vegetarians. The hosts in Delhi will be the Vegetarian Society of India, with whom we are already linked in friendship and good-will. The Vegan Library The Library is now with the Editor, at , Reigate, Surrey. It continues to grow gradually, and we now have over 200 books and pamphlets. We would remind members that gifts of books on a wide range of subjects broadly related to living reform and humanitarianism will be gratefully received. Also needed are text-books and reference books on all aspects of science, particularly botany, zoology and bio-chemistry. Further subjects of importance are psychology, new thought, yoga and so on. The Committee has decided to allocate a small sum of the Society's money each year towards building up the library, so that there will be a comprehensive and useful selection of books available to members when we eventually become established in our own premises. Meanwhile, it is intended to commence a scheme for postal borrowing. Members (only) are asked to send 1/6 in stamps of small denominations, with their request for a book, and to return the book within three weeks of receiving it. Only one book at a time may be borrowed. Lists of library books will appear in The Vegan from time to time. Herewith follows the first list. Books that are starred advocate, refer to, or make provision for, veganism in one form or another. * Vital Facts About Foods, by Otto Carqu6. *The Fountain of Youth, by Arnold de Vries. * Abundant Health, by Julius Gilbert White. *No Animal Food, by Rupert H. Wheldon. *Mucusless-Diet Healing System, by Prof. Arnold Ehret. *Vegetarian Cookery, by Dr. Pietro Rotondi (entirely vegan). *Your Vegetarian Baby, by Dr. Pietro Rotondi. *Food Science for All, by M. Bircher Benner, M.D. *Children's Diet, by M. Bircher Benner, M.D. Food for the Golden Age, by Frank Wilson. The Recovery of Culture, by Henry Bailey Stevens. Kinship With All Life, by J. Allen Boone. Intensive Gardening, by Dalziel O'Brien. Soil Fertility, Renewal and Preservation, by Ehrenfried PfeifFer. Compost for Garden Plot or Thousand Acre Farm, by F. H. Billington. J.H. 3
THE FIRST APPROACH TO WORLD GUARDIANSHIP VERA STANLEY ALDER
As pioneers in the vanguard of practical idealism, the vegans are continually broadening their outlook and taking in new vistas and horizons on the path that lies ahead. In this quickly changing world extreme flexibility of viewpoint is essential, for truth is an ever-changing phenomenon—because truth is alive\ It is not a set of dead facts which can be pinned down and preserved. It is the living essence behind outward manifestation. An inspired seeker, therefore, goes for the hidden core of his subject, and comes face to face with realisation in the realm where no words are. In our search for the truth about the new quality of Guardianship which is emerging amongst mankind we will have to recognise that it is a way of life—which at the same time explains and reveals life to us. For, essentially, it is the expression of love, that impersonal love which shines as does the sun, heart of our universe, equally upon all creatures. Impersonal love, by which we mean love free from the self, goes out to another with one thought only —the good of that other. It therefore identifies itself with that other so perfectly that all his needs, aspirations and difficulties are clearer than one's own. Such love, which in its action we call Guardianship, becomes clairvoyant, intuitive, inspired—what you will. The point is, it gets to know, it brings wisdom. In our study of Guardianship we will seek for our true relationship to each of the kingdoms of nature. There is the first kingdom, the so-called lowest, which we name the mineral kingdom. Then there is the second in appearance, the plant kingdom, which was followed by the third, the animal kingdom. The fourth to appear was the human kingdom, and the last of which we became aware was the fifth or spiritual kingdom. It is perhaps wrong to consider any kingdom as " higher or lower." They are merely at different stages or achieving a different task. In some ways the intelligence of a cell in the body of a man far surpasses his own. And certain insects such as ants, practised the arts of agriculture aeons before men knew anything about it. The kingdoms of nature are all interdependent, taking from and giving to each other in the wonderful process which we call symbiosis. If we isolate any portion of our study or neglect any other, we will remain forever outside true realisation and real mastery of our subject. So although we divide our search into categories, we will find that the powers of Guardianship depend upon our understanding of the interactions and repercussions inherent between all grades of life. Furthermore, in all humility we may assume that God's plans depend upon our co-operation, just as we depend for our progress upon, the quality of our own bodily cells. 4
Man stands in a remarkable position in the earthly scheme. His nature and his activities constitute a place of meeting for all the other kingdoms. In a way he is the hub in the wheel of creation, and the intermediary between all living things. His power to produce effects for good or bad amongst all the creatures and the elements of the planet has recently been shown up in all its terrible potentiality. He is, in fact, the cornerstone of God's blue-print of progress and growth. His future is one of mystery and glory as yet unimagined. Therefore, in our study of Guardianship of the kingdoms, we must begin with the human kingdom, the kingpin of the whole pattern. For the first thing that man should learn is the truth about himself, and the way in which he can exert Guardianship over himself, which is his first responsibility. This, when discovered, will give him the clue to his relationship with all the other kingdoms. How can we discover the secret of ourselves? Throughout history Messiahs and Teachers have appeared, to enlighten us as to the way we should go. Their teachings have resulted in rathei crystallised orthodox religions and creeds, behind which, however, the essence, the truth, still remains for those who seek it. The Ancient Egyptians taught that the World Teacher, the " Ever-Coming One ", appears every two thousand or so years, to indicate humanity's next step along the path of progress. Those of us who are Christians believe, in this connection, that the return of the Christ lies definitely ahead. (Under the name of the " Matreya," the Buddhists also look for such a return.) It would seem that we have the immense responsibility of preparing for such an event. This will entail the purifying of our bodies, so that our heightened vibrations may be enabled to recognise and support the lofty impact. The vegans and similar groups around the world, are pressing forward, even if unconsciously, in this preparation. What a wonderful day it will be when the magnitude of their goal finally dawns upon them. So the first part of our study should be to ascertain the practice of Guardianship over the self, mind, heart and body. We will find that we are promptly brought face to face with our bloodguiltiness towards the animal kingdom, upon which hangs our world economy and social life, and upon which depends our treatment of the other kingdoms also. Whilst determining, therefore, what should be our relationship with the animal kingdom, we will perforce bring our utter exploitation of the plant kingdom under review. In our search for the right way of making restitution and restoration, we will be faced with our complete abuse of the soil, and brought up against our responsibility towards the mineral kingdom, which includes the stupendous problem of atomic energy. The mineral kingdom embraces, of course, the " elements " of air, fire, water and earth, all of which we have been brazenly polluting and disrupting. 5
When, after much fascinating exploration, we have discerned a way of living which will demonstrate guardianship instead of exploitation towards all of God's created world, a great mystery will be revealed to us. We will have discovered the nature of the fruits which we, the human kingdom, are able to offer to the fifth kingdom in nature, the spiritual kingdom. We will understand at last our true relationship to the Hierarchy, of Angels, Archangels and all the company of Heaven.
WHY I AM A VEGETARIAN RICHARD ST. BARBE BAKER
Founder, The Men of the Trees When that question is fired at me point blank, I find it difficult one to answer, because it has become a way of life. To answer it fully would mean telling my life story and the long way by which I have come. I was not brought up as a vegetarian, although the amount of anything consumed at home other than home-made bread and cheese, vegetables and salads, was infinitesimal. In my case there was no sudden conversion; I cannot claim that I saw the light which transformed my way of life, but I first became conscious of the physical advantage of abstention from meat when, in preparation for settlement in Canada, I went into training on a fruit farm in Hampshire. I camped with the young proprietor, who was a man of character, agile in mind and body, who had made the plunge from a London suburban life to that of a fruit farm in the depth of the country. We had a set of boxing gloves and, when the day's work was done, we used to put on the gloves and devote a few minutes to strenuous sparring. He was in beautiful fettle and although I was taller and had a longer reach, I had to admit his superiority. When camping with him, meat did not enter into our diet; we had eggs, cheese, home-made wholemeal bread, fresh and dried fruit and goat's milk. Up in the north-west of Canada, where I enjoyed 3J years in the wide open spaces, I was told that an ounce of dates was equivalent in food value to a pound of beef so, when I was alone, home-made wholemeal bread and dates became my staple diet. I bought dates by the crate at about 2 cents a pound. When the war came, I was back in England, at Cambridge, and I was put through my cavalry and artillery training and afterwards, in the front line, got so ravenous that one lost sensibility and all one's scruples vanished. In East Africa, where I was in the Forest Service, it was easy to be a vegetarian or even a vegan. In Nigeria, where I lived on a creek, I lapsed sometimes and had fish and ground nut-stew. 6
After years on the equator, I was put on a home-bound boat to die with malaria, and after that ordeal I became more sensitive and found myself drawn more and more to vegetarianism and the vegetarian way of life. When farming in the south of England, the cruelty to animals caused through the demand for meat, was brought home to me very forcibly. We spent our days rearing little calves and lambs, and when the time came for them to go to market, they were boxed up in a lorry and driven off. It must have been a frightening experience for them, and then on the top of it to be poked about by rough strangers and prodded with sticks and again to be boxed up and driven off to an unknown destination. I shrunk from raising creatures to be killed, and gave up farming. As a boy, I was taught never to expect anybody else to do things for me that I could not, or would not, do for myself, and I believe that if everybody had to be their own butcher, there would be a great many more vegetarians. I am convinced that the vegan way of life is the only sane way of life, and realising that the basic cause of tension is growing populations and diminishing food sources, for the past ten years I have devoted much of my time to studying the question of food production and the problems of large scale land reclamation by tree planting. It has been found that in the U.S.A. it takes two and three-quarter acres to feed a person ; in England two and a quarter acres. At one of the New Earth Luncheons which I organized in London, to bring together leading intelligentsia and functionaries, the Secretary of the London Vegetarian Society showed that, if we became vegetarians, we could live on one and a quarter acres. He was followed by the representative of the vegans, who claimed that, if we stopped exploiting animals, an acre of land would support eight people, as in Java. I am convinced that if we could gradually switch from an agricultural to a sylvan economy, there would be ample for all and the tension between east and west would be removed. We now know that there is not sufficient virgin soil in the world to feed animals which we kill to feed ourselves. Besides, it is a roundabout way to get one's food. If Man is the most advanced creature in the animal kingdom and the tree is the highest development in the plant kingdom, surely the fruit of the tree, rather than the carcasses of inferior animals, is the natural diet for man. In my garden in Kenya, I grew fifteen different types of fruits and numerous vegetables. Let us retrace our steps and see where we went wrong. We may discover that the trouble started when man became a herdsman and fought for grazing lands for his flocks and herds. The deserts of the world have been caused by nomadic farming and over-grazing, until to-day there is no virgin land left, so our next move must be to deserts. The greatest desert is the Sahara, and that to-day is the greatest challenge to the world. The task of reclaiming this vast area, the size of Australia and even bigger 7
than the whole of the U.S.A., will need the concerted action of every country. At first sight this would appear to be an impossible task, but I submit that, if it were tackled with the same seriousness and enterprise with which we make war, it could be done. The discovery of the Intercalory Continental Aquifer, a subterranean lake, 500 miles long and 150 miles wide, will help. The battle against the Sahara could employ 22,000,000 workers, which is equivalent to the standing armies of the world to-day. With these workers will be required all the ingenuity of modern science, and if we declare jotal war on this desert instead of upon each other, in eight years we could rehabilitate 100,000,000 in what is now desert, but was once the garden of the earth, with a perfect climate and make it fruitful again. In so doing, we would usher in an era of well-being and prosperity, and mankind everywhere would choose to return to the garden culture and live on the fruit of the earth.
MILLET JOHN HERON
Millet is the name used for numerous related members of the grass family, Gramineae, cultivated for their small nutritious grain. True millet is the common millet, panicum miliaceum, which is indigenous to the East Indies and to North Australia, but has been cultivated for thousands of years in Egypt, Asia and Mediterranean Europe. Some consider it to have been one of the earliest grains used in breadmaking. It is annual, requires a rich but friable soil, grows to a height of three to four feet, and is characterised by its bristly, much branched, nodding panicles, which contain a profusion of small oval grains. Another species of millet, panicum italica, is of similar origin and distribution and is one of the most wholesome and palatable of Indian cereals. Its grains are very small (1.5 mm. in diameter) and are only half as long as those of common millet, but are exceedingly prolific. German millet, panicum germanicum, is probably a dwarf variety of panicum italica. Both have many shoots rising from a single root and one spike often yields two ounces of grain— a total yield five times that of wheat. And both are extensively used on the Continent in soups, etc. Numerous other species, cultivated in tropical and warmtemperate climates, belong to this vast genus. They include little millet, panicum miliare, barnyard millet cultivated in the U.S.A. but commonly wild in this country. Panicum maximum is the very tall Guinea Grass of tropical Africa which grows to a height of eight feet and yields an abundance of highly nutritious grain. Then there is the Australian millet, panicum decompositum, the grain of which is made into cakes by the aborigines. Panicum spectabile is the Coapim of the Angola and has been acclimatised in Brazil and other tropical countries; similar gigantic species six to seven 8
feet high form field crops in the banks of the Amazons. And so on. Millet has long been the chief cereal of the northern Chinese, who, it is reported, are far superior in physical development to the rice-eating southern Chinese, being both taller and stronger. It is claimed that the chemical composition of millet indicates it to be the most well balanced of all grains. While there are remarkable instances of its sustaining power for humans, it also seems, so far as certain animals are concerned, to be a complete food and to contain all nutritional essentials. Thus when birds are fed on millet (" bird-seed ") they flourish much better than when fed on any other grain ; they do- not thrive at all in fact, if fed on wheat, rye or oats exclusively over a long period. Similarly, Osborne and Mendel found that their unfortunate experimental animals maintained good health indefinitely on an exclusive millet diet, which thus seemed to provide them with all essential amino acids and other factors; but diets of other grains led in time to some nutritional deficiency. It is also claimed for millet that it is an alkaline-forming grain in contrast to wheat, rye and oats which are acid-forming. This is because its content of minerals is such that those producing alkalis are in excess of those which are acid-forming. Dr. Gernhardt of the Los Angeles Sanatorium found that when his patients changed from whole wheat and whole rye to millet, their urine turned from an acid to an alkaline state. Millet is also said to exercise a bland healing action, by virtue of a mucilaginous substance it contains, upon the gastro-intestinal tract, and to be one of the most easily digested of all cereals. All this suggests that millet is a valuable food which could be an important addition to the vegan diet. It can be obtained either whole or decorticated (i.e., with the brittle outer husk removed). Because of its husk, whole millet needs to be ground down into a flour, by an electric mixer or home flour-mill, before it can be used : it can be purchased for 1/- per lb. at any pet-shop, where it is stocked as bird-seed—the kind that has been cleaned, and is a pale cream in colour, is quite suitable for human consumption. My local pet-shop owner tells me he has recently sold a considerable amount of the pale millet to housewives: an article in a woman's magazine stressed the valuable protein in millet and gave recipes incorporating it, hence there was a temporary craze for its use. Decorticated millet can be bought for 3/- per lb. at certain delicatessens and stores specialising in continental and oriental foods: it can be used direct. Millet flour clearly has a wide range of uses, as bread, biscuits, a thickening agent and so on. I am at present experimenting with it in various ways. Decorticated millet is particularly valuable in soups and stews. Readers who have recipes and suggestions are invited to send them in without delay. 9
NUTRITION FORUM JACK SANDERSON
In our previous issue, the questions introduced some of the terms used in the subject of Nutrition, and gave a brief outline of the digestive system. It is a fact that only a tiny percentage know much about the working of the various systems within the human body, and so the questions in this issue are mostly concerned with the actual process of digestion. The writer wishes to thank the many readers who have written to him, and hopes to print a selection of points from letters in the next issue. The reader is invited to think out his or her own answer to each question before looking at the answers given. QUESTIONS
1. What is meant by the terms: (i) Ingestion, (ii) Digestion, (iii) Absorption and (iv) Excretion? 2. When does food really become part of the body? 3. Which are the organs of excretion? 4. What is the approximate length of the: (a) Oesophagus (or gullet)? (b) Small intestine (including its sections separately)? (c) Large intestine (including its sections separately)? (d) Whole alimentary tract? 5. What is the approximate width of the: (a) Small intestine? (b) Large intestine? 6. Into which three sections does the proceeds of digestion naturally divide? 7. What is the purpose of mechanical digestion? 8. What are the mechanical processes of digestion? 9. What is the purpose of chemical digestion? 10. What are the chemical results of digestion? ANSWERS
1. (i) Ingestion is the taking in of food into the digestive tract (or alimentary canal). (ii) Digestion is, broadly speaking, the sum of all the processes which render food available to the body. In this sense it includes those cooking and manufacturing processes which begin the changes that the digestive organs complete. Digestion is essentially a breaking down process by which food is converted into an absorbable form. (iii) Absorption. The end products of the digestive process are (a) food in fluid form, (b) waste matter. By absorption 10
we mean the passing of this digested fluid (or liquid food) through the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and hence into the blood or lymph. (iv) Excretion is the elimination of indigestible material and of all the waste products resulting from cell activity. 2. When the nutrients into which it has been broken down have been absorbed through the walls of the small intestine. They can then be used by the body either for the provision of heat and energy (from metabolism) or for the formation of tissues which are constantly being renewed. (Food can still be expelled from the stomach by the use of an emetic or by the natural process of being sick.) 3. The excretory system consists of: (i) The urinary organs—kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. (ii) The respiratory system (lungs, etc.). (iii) The digestive system. (iv) The skin. 4. (a) About 9 to 10 inches. (b) About 22 to 24 feet, of which about 10 inches is the duodenum, 7 to 8 feet the jejunum and about 14 to 15 feet the ileum. (c) About 5 feet, of which about 2} inches is the caecum, 4£ feet the colon, 5 inches the rectum and 1 to 1 \ inches the anal canal. (d) About 30 feet. 5. (a) About inches at the beginning, gradually diminishing to about 1 inch. (b) About 2\ inches at the beginning varying to about inches. 6. (i) Mechanical digestion. (ii) Chemical digestion. (iii) Response to environment, and personal inner attitude depending upon conditions of life and personal interpretation of experience. Attractively served food in a happy atmosphere stimulates the flow of the digestive juices. The serving of food with due attention to cleanliness, pleasing appearance as regards colour and arrangement, and, of course, the avoidance of unpleasant odours, all play an important part in the digestive process. Conversely, strong emotion, severe strain, worries of all kinds and excessive fatigue can affect the appetite and inhibit the flow of the digestive juices. Thus one could be fed with the right foods in the right quantities and still suffer malnutrition because of faulty assimilation through emotional and mental interference with the digestive process. 7. It is a necessary preliminary to chemical digestion and moves the food along the digestive tract at the correct rate for chemical 11
digestion. This movement is voluntary until the food enters the gullet from which point voluntary control of its further motion is lost until the time comes for the excretion of the waste products. It enables the food to become lubricated and liquefied and broken down into small particles so as to increase the area of surface on which the digestive fluids can act. The involuntary movement is called peristalsis. 8. (1) Mastication or chewing. (ii) Deglutition or swallowing. (iii) Peristaltic action of the gullet (or oesophagus) which appears as a travelling wave and gradually squeezes the food downwards into the stomach. (iv) The regular squeezing action of the stomach. (v) Peristaltic action of the small intestine and also shorter to-and-fro pendulum movements, as well as rhythmical constrictions of food, all of which stir up the food and cause it to mix with the digestive fluids. (vi) The churning of the large intestine by which from time to time it empties its pouches. Also a few times a day, a mass peristalsis which moves the remains of the food mass from the ascending to the transverse colon. (vii) Defecation in which the waste products are expelled from the colon and rectum by the voluntary and combined action of the contraction of the abdominal muscles, descent of the diaphragm, and intense peristalsis of the colon. 9. Foodstuffs having complex chemical substances with large molecules that could not pass through the mucous membrane of the digestive tract have these broken up into simpler chemical substances with smaller molecules that can pass through the membrane and so be used by the body. This breakdown is produced by enzymes which are secreted into the mouth and digestive tract. 10. Carbohydrates are converted into simple sugars, fats to glycerin and fatty acids, and proteins to amino acids. These along with the mineral salts and vitamins can then be absorbed through the membrane of the digestive tract into the blood stream.
L'HISTOIRE SE REPETE H. S. KRAMER, The Hague, Holland When, about forty years, I had begun the vegetarian way of living, some well-meaning people warned me " that I was on the wrong way." I think that many vegetarians of my age have had the same experience. One day a chief of mine came up to me and said, in a very earnest and suggestive way, that if I did not stop this way of feeding death was sure to follow! 12
Later on, when asking medical advice for a complaint, which already existed when I was still eating meat, the doctor, informed by a friend of mine that I was a vegetarian, advised me to eat at least half a pound (250 grams) of flesh-meat every day. Fortunately my ethical conviction was strong enough not to listen to his foolish advice and I have never regretted it! The general opinion was in these times that man could not do without fleshmeat, and if vegetarians were ill the only cause was their meatless diet! I have known persons who for some reason or other, but apparently not for the right reason, became (lacto) vegetarians, After some time they said very regretfully that even with their cheese, milk and eggs they could not do without meat. The meateaters, among whom even doctors, quite agreed with them: vegetarianism was at fault! I quite admit that, especially some decades ago, vegetarians though abstaining from meat, fed on far too large quantities of dairy products, eggs, peas and beans, often with disastrous results. But this certainly does not prove that a meatless diet is wrong. And nowadays we experience the same sad thing with veganism. If a lacto-vegetarian comes to better views and becomes a vegan, not only doctors, but even lacto-vegetarians think it their duty to warn him that he cannot do without dairy products and eggs, that he is too fanatical and runs great risks. Yet I am inclined to smile at " the risks vegans run," too convinced as I am of the truth and the logic of our principle. I am quite convinced that veganism applied in a sensible way does much good to body and mind. Apart from ethical reasons I should never advise vegans to return to milk, cheese and eggs. In my opinion it is better to consult our vegan doctors and prominent vegans in order to find the best system of vegan feeding. Moreover, I should like to ask whether vegans who have complaints would not have them if they had taken dairy products and eggs? Don't forget that there are thousands of people who have all kinds of more or less serious complaints, and who have never thought of abstaining from anything! We should bear in mind the powerful role of mental attitude in sickness. I will not allow myself to finish this article before referring to two eminent articles published in number 5, Summer 1955, of The Vegan journal, which I had the privilege to read :— The Editorial, by Mr. John Heron—" Veganism and Vitamin B12", and the honest and stimulating article by Mr. Wright Miller—" Veganism or Lacto-vegetarianism," which speak for themselves.
13
A FEW SIMPLE SALADS MABEL SIMMONS RUSSIAN SALAD
Cooked carrots, potatoes, peas, beetroot. Cut all vegetables into dice. Make mayonnaise with olive oil, lemon juice and sweeten with brown sugar. Pour mixture over diced vegetables. Serve on lettuce leaves. GREEN
SALAD
Lettuce, watercress, tomatoes, endive or celery. Place lettuce leaves in circles, cut tomatoes in slices, garnish with endive and watercress. Serve with cooked butter beans and mint sauce and new potatoes. Mint sauce is made with lemon juice. DATE AND APPLE SALAD
Dates, apples, lemon juice, milled nuts, lettuce leaves. Grate apples, place on lettuce leaves, chop dates, put on top of apples, pour over a little lemon juice, sprinkle nuts on top. Serve with nut cream. MIXED SALAD Place lettuce leaves on dish, arrange in separate piles grated carrots, chopped watercress, sliced tomatoes, and sliced cucumber. Sprinkle over milled nuts and garnish with chopped parsley.
HUMANE COMMODITIES CHRISTINA HARVEY
Carr and Co. Ltd., Carlisle— Cream Cracker, Oyster Cracker, Small Luncheon, Table Water Biscuits. Hanworth Food Products Ltd., Colnbrook, Bucks— There is now manufactured a chocolate mould for diabetics. It is called " Dietade " and contains cocoa, Irish moss, saccharin and flavouring. The firm also tins beans in tomato sauce, and peas. No salt is added to these products. Health Supply Ltd., Fore Street, Hatfield, H e r t s Date and Brazil Bars have been put on the market recently. A 2 oz. bar costs 5d. Mapleton's Nut Food Co. Ltd., Garston, Liverpool 19— Because of the prohibitive price of almonds, the manufacture of almond nut butter and almond cream has had to be stopped. Vega Restaurant, Leicester Square, W.l— Pineapple and strawberry ice creams served in the restaurant are vegan. Vanilla and Neapolitan Ices contain some milk, unfortunately. 14
Mrs. Coote-Robinson, , Beaufort Street, S.W.3— Mrs. Coote-Robinson runs a postal business only for her cosmetics. The following are vegan: — Lemon Cleansing Cream and Skin Food—2/1, 4/5, 8/3. Tissue Feeding Cream—5/2,9/9. Foundation Cream—4/5. Complexion Milk—3/9, 7/1. Hand Lotion—3/9. " Skinhelth " Lotion—3/9, 7/3. " Linicream "—3/9, 7/3. Herbal Skin Tonics—7/6. Report of Special General Meeting A Special General Meeting of the Society was held at the Friends' International Centre, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.I, at 3 p.m., to consider the Committee's proposed new Declaration and Rules, which had previously been circulated to all Members. The President, Mr. J. Heron, was in the chair, and opened the meeting with a thorough review of all the reasons underlying the proposed changes and additions. The meeting was then thrown open for general discussion, after which a final vote was taken. Twenty-one Members were present, and there was over a two-thirds majority vote in favour of adopting the new proposals which consequently became the new Declaration and Rules of the Society, to replace all previously existing Rules. A public meeting was held at 5 p.m., commencing with excellent vegan refreshments prepared by Miss Mabel Simmons. We were glad to meet and sharfe experiences with several Members, friends and supporters from the provinces. At 6 p.m., Mr. Heron gave a talk on "Veganism and Social Evolution." And at 7.30 p.m., the Rev. Michael Fryer very kindly showed us the fine film " Animal Lovers?" and introduced to the gathering his Crusade Against All Cruelty to Animals. Friendly discussion and talk continued until 9.30 p.m. It was a fruitful and stimulating evening greatly enjoyed by all.
ANNOUNCEMENTS MR. NIGEL J. SINCLAIR
The drawing on our cover is, as mentioned in the editorial pages, the work of Mr. Nigel J. Sinclair, of The Studio, Roselaleham, Ashton, Nr. Exeter, Devon. Any of our readers who may be interested in seeing more of Mr. Sinclair's work may write to him at the above address. He has written and illustrated Anno Domini—An Anthology of Light, published by the Science of Thought Review at 5/-, copies of which he has for sale. Also for sale are photographic reproductions of his pictures, coloured by hand, with such titles as " The Creator," " The Mediator," " Mankind," " Meditation Upon Man," " God and His Universe," " The Heights of Heaven," etc. 15
LA VIE CLAIRE
La Vie Claire is a monthly review published in Paris and edited by Monsieur H.-Ch. Geffroy. It has been founded " by men of good-will to help all those who seek to improve the material condition of man and to encourage his spiritual evolution." It covers all aspects of living reform including psychological and spiritual subjects. And supplied with it is a separate review called " A T a b l e ! " which deals solely with recipes, menus, food facts, recommended commodities, lists of French Health Food Stores and so on. The diet advocated by La Vie Claire is entirely vegan and food reform. Those who read French will find in it much valuable information, and we strongly recommend it to our readers. The annual subscription is 700 francs: your bank will explain to you the method of payment. Address: " La Vie Claire," 5 Tmpasse des Trois-Soeurs, Paris Xle, France.
VEGAN LITERATURE MURIEL DRAKE
Readers may be interested to know that we still have copies of some of the earlier issues of The Vegan. Older members may like to complete their sets where certain copies have been mislaid or given away, whilst fairly new subscribers might be glad to read articles on specific aspects of veganism which have not appeared recently in the journal. Whatever your need or desire in the cause of veganism, write to the Hon. Secretary, who will be pleased to send you copies of these earlier issues at 3/- for half-a-dozen, or 5/- per dozen (including postage). You will be helping both yourselves and the Society. We also have a few copies of certain of the more recent issues. Other literature available, by applying to the Hon. Secretary, includes the following :— " An Address on Veganism," by Donald Watson. 8d. each post free. " Vegan Viewpoint," by Fay K. Henderson. 8d. each post free. " Vegetarian Recipes without Dairy Produce," by Margaret B. Rawls. 8d. each post free. " Aids to a Vegan Diet for Children," by Kathleen V. Mayo. l/2d. each post free. " V e g a n Trade List," compiled by Christina Harvey. l/2d. each post free.
PLANTMILK NEWS A Committee Meeting of the Plaritmilk Society was held on March 31st, in London. Considerable discussion took place concerning the possibilities of plantmilk production in this country. 16
CRUSADE AGAINST ALL CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Since the Rev. Michael Fryer's article on the Crusade appeared in the Spring issue of The Vegan, considerable interest has been shown by readers and a number have joined the campaign. Recent activity has centred round the showing of sound films using the Crusade's new projector. On March 18th a public meeting with films was held in St. Peter's Hall, Bournemouth, and on the 19th Mr. Fryer addressed the local branch of the B.U.A.V. again showing films. More evidence of the interest shown by the vegetarian societies in the work of this campaign was given when Mr. Fryer addressed the Bournemouth Vegetarian Society and showed films on April 10th in the Friends' Meeting House. On April 13th vegan members present at the meeting of their Society in Tavistock Square saw the beautiful new colour film " Animal Lovers?" which the Crusade is using widely in its propaganda for vegetarianism and veganism. This film had its next showing in London at the A.G.M. of the London Vegetarian Society at Caxton Hall, on April 27th, where it was received with great enthusiasm once more. Mr. Fryer was invited to address members and afterwards a number of people joined the Crusade. Several invitations were extended to the Crusade to visit other organisations. May 4th found the Crusade in the Pump Room, Tunbridge Wells, where another successful meeting was held. The evening of the following day, Commander Grist, of Crowborough, a staunch humanitarian, threw open his house to the neighbourhood for a showing of the films and Mr. Fryer's address was received with enthusiasm. Branches of the Crusade are being formed in Tunbridge Wells and Bournemouth. In Sudbury, Suffolk, there has been grave concern over the cruelty inflicted by the use of metal goads on livestock in the cattlemarkets. Holes and bruises are made which can be seen even after the animal has been skinned. The Crusade has recently issued thousands of leaflets asking the public to refuse to buy meat which is marked in this way. An indication of the success of this venture comes in a report from our representative who writes that a local butcher has admitted that the leaflets are " making things hot for them " and that he had a side of pork which no-one would buy. He added, however, that he quite agreed with the effort being made. Film meetings have been arranged for Bristol, Southend, Swindon and Bognor Regis, and other towns to be visited are Folkestone, Hastings, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Lewes, Reading and Wimbledon. Vegan readers in these towns willing to assist should write to Secretary, Hendon, N.W.4. MARGARET A . COOPER,
Secretary.
17
THE VEGAN CORRESPONDENCE BUREAU Co-ordinator: Miss EDNA TOWELL, , Bournemouth, Hants. Will all those who wish to register with the Bureau and thus contact other vegans through it, or who wish to be included on the list for receiving circular letters by Bureau members, please send their names and addresses to the Co-ordinator. The First Circular Letter This is very much more than a letter and consists of a RAW FOOD RESEARCH been prepared by Mr. R. Brierley, of Long Stratton, Norwich, Norfolk. Th of Bureau members and others at the end of April. At the time of writing (May), it is still circulating. This first Bulletin on a very valuable and important subject is excellently produced, and of great interest. If this is a side of veganism in which you are interested or of which you have experiences to relate, send your name and address to the Co-ordinator for inclusion on a later round. The following is the Introduction from Mr. Brierley's first Bulletin. Raw Food Research Bulletins INTRODUCTION
The writer hopes to be in a position soon to issue regular bulletins concerning all aspects of the raw food diet as he feels that there is a very considerable amount to be found out about it throughout the world. There already exists a collection of useful books on the subject, and it is also hoped to include in the bulletins case-histories of people who have experienced the benefits of raw food, unspoilt by heat. The bulletins will not be for sale, and will be issued without charge to all who are interested—as it is felt that the information which can be collected is so very important that to put any charge on it might be to stop some impecunious individuals from taking it. In any event, it would not be desired to make any profit out of the project. These notes are only the beginning of the picture which it is hoped to set out in the initial pamphlet and, when the opportunity arose of circulating these notes through the courtesy of the Vegan Correspondence Bureau, the writer thought he would seize it in order to beg the help and advice of those others in the movement who are interested in and have had experience of the unfired food. N o particular order is at this stage being given to the notes—they are being jotted down as they occur, but they will be re-arranged when the initial material has been collected. It is sincerely hoped that any readers who can make any suggestions will do so. Please write to the address at the top of these notes. Message from a new member of the Bureau A new Bureau member, Miss Evelyn Clements, of , London, S.W.I9, sends the following message: " I am very glad to become a member of the Vegan Correspondence Bureau. If we long for a New Age on earth, we must ourselves, I think, bring into being around ourselves a new way of living. What we want is a passionate discontent with things as they are, not condemnation of others. After all, we are all one humanity and so in the same boat. Some in human semblance are or have become perhaps less than human in their degradation and cruelty, but as rottenness disintegrates, decays and dies, so will the husks of these, and the kernel of light within, if not already extinguished, be freed. 18
If we allow a passionate (and when I use the word ' passionate ' I mean t o imply a dynamic intention)—a passionate discontent to explore our own self-hood, we come to the way of a deep and ever-penetrating self-knowledge which will bring an awakening of responsibility, not only responsibility for everything in ourselves, but a responsibility for world conditions and for our own environment. It will awaken a love we can only know in abnegation of the self and its ways. Then will a new world come into being within and around us, and it will no longer be my world and your world, my race and yours, my country and yours, my religion or yours, but a world which is ours; and ours includes all humans, all creatures, great or small, all kingdoms, indeed the •* old earth ' or Nature herself. This is the NEW AGE, not far away, but at our very door." A Noble Ambition Mrs. Brierley writes to Monsieur Jauzin: " I see from particulars in the last issue of The Vegan that you only wish to correspond with people who wish to help materialise very concrete things. Now in my opinion a system of diet (see my letter in last issue's Bureau) is a concrete thing, especially when allied to the rearing of children—the future. One of our ambitions, when time and money allow, is to adopt unwanted babies so that they have a family upbringing and are reared in certain beliefs and in a certain way of life with the idea that they should go out into the world and spread the ideals with which they grew up." (Extract). Monsieur Jauzin replies: " In reply I beg to inform you that I have nothing to object to in a vegan diet, for young or old. In my opinion the main goal is good health which may be secured 20 per cent by diet and fasting when needed, 20 per cent by relaxation and sleep, 60 per cent by physical culture, open air games and sports every day. Your idea of adopting children to try to make MEN out of them is worthy of praise." (Extract). Other News Mr. Brown has been in long correspondence with Monsieur Jauzin about the possibility of living on the latteT's property 80 kilometres north east of Paris, but finally decided against it. Mr. Brown will send free of charge, to anyone interested, a small leaflet which tells of his ideas on life. Miss Marie Dreyfus, , Burgess Hill, Sussex, would like to meet vegans rather than correspond with them. We hope that vegans living in the area will arrange a meeting with Miss Dreyfus) soon. Monsieur Jauzin has another idea for his property north east of Paris. This is to make it an International Cultural Centre for the Blind. He would be grateful to hear from anyone in this country who would like to help him materialise this proposal.
ANNOUNCEMENTS HARDS—On February 17th, to Molly and Roger Hards, of Brighton —a daughter, Joanna Helen. HERON—On June 2nd, to Althea and John Heron, of Reigate—a sister for Alexander, Elizabeth Hilary. MARRIAGE BURTON-OLDF1ELD—On April 20th, at Rhos-on-Sea, Don Burton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Burton, of Stratford-upon-Avon, to Heather, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield of Rhos-on-Sea. 19
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MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS (2/- per lm«: minimum 2 lines ; 20% discount on four consecutive issues.) ENGLISH and Continental Scooters and Mopeds, most makes. Motor cycles, new and used. Three-wheelers, Powerdrive, Bond, Reliant. Exchanges. Terms. Models bought. Please write, 'phone or call. Your own dealer, RON McKENZIE (Proprietor: R. McKenzie Butterworth, Vegan Food Reformer), 961 Chester Road, Shelford, Manchester. LONgford 2100. SPEAKING & WRITING, taken together, lessons by correspondence or visit, 5/- each. Dorothy Matthews, B.A., , London, N.W.3. PRImrose 5686. STOP SUFFERING!! WRITE! Describe Ailments! American Drug-Less Therapy! Health Center, Adelaide Road, Dublin. (Reply Envelope brings POSITIVE PROOF!). ESTABLISHMENTS CATERING FOR VEGANS (1 /3d. per line; 20% disoount on four 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 Choffin. Callander 103. EASTBOURNE. Edgehill Nursing Home, . Acute, chronic, convalescent rest cure, spiritual healing. Miss M. Fisher, S.R.N., R.F.N., S.C.M. Tel. 627. EDSTONE, WOOTTON WAWEN, WARWICKSHIRE (near Stratfordupon-Avon). Modern house with every comfort, and compost-grown produce. Telephone: Claverdon 327. HINDHEAD, SURREY—Mrs. Nicholson, e ; garden adjoins golf course. Children welcome. Tel.: Hindhead 389. LAKE DISTRICT. Rothay Bank, Grasmere. Attractice guest house for invigorating, refreshing holidays.—Write Isabel James. Tel.: 134. LONDON.—Small vegetarian guest house, 20 mins. London. Terms moderate. Mrs. M. Noble, , Wimbledon. CHE. 3587. NORTH WALES.—Vegan and vegetarian guest house, nr. mountains and sea. Lovely woodland garden. Brochure from Jeannie and George Lake, , Penmaen Park, Llanfairfechan. Tel.: 161. WESTGATE-ON-SEA, KENT.—Holiday Flatlets, self-catering, for Vegans and Vegetarians, 30/- to 50/- each guest. Occasional Vegan meals available ; excellent bathing ; no smoking. Stamp for leaflet. Mrs. Arnaldi, . Tel.: Thanet 31942.
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