The relator of the following experience was conversant with the early
researches of the elder author and gave mastication a trial for a
time. He gave it too painful attention, as is apt to be the case with
beginners, and the strain made the practice tedious and undoubtedly
inhibited the secretion of the digestive juices, the same as worry and
other distractions are known to do. After a very short trial Mr. Low
declared that he could not get enough nourishment within reasonable
time and came to the conclusion that much chewing did not agree with
him although it might with others. With the issue of the reports of the
Cambridge and Yale tests, however, the suggestion was given another
trial, with the result, up to date, as reported below:
"I thank you very much for the copy of Dr. Kellogg's book, the 'Living
Temple,' just received. I have not had time to read it, but in looking
over the chapter headings and knowing Dr. Kellogg's worth as an
authority on matters of foods and diet I know that there is much of
value for me in the book. I am much interested in that 'Chewing Song'
that has been dedicated to you by Dr. Kellogg and think the idea an
excellent one.
"I have for some time been chewing _à la Fletcher_ and find it of great
advantage. It is getting to be automatic and is losing its irksomeness.
Indeed it already seems natural and produces some results not 'set down
in the book.' For instance, I have no desire for meats and foods which
do not lend themselves to the Fletcher method. This in itself is a
great advantage.
"By the way, I have not eaten meat since the 20th of last October
(nearly a year), and I find I have gained greatly. I only desire
two meals a day except when the exigencies of travel make a _light_
breakfast agreeable and desirable. By these means I have gained nerve
force wonderfully and my muscular strength and endurance have increased
so that I walk long distances and climb mountains easily. In fact, I
do now with pleasure and avidity what I could not formerly do at all.
They are the sort of things that are supposed to require a 'strong meat
diet' but which under such a diet were impossible to me. Mastication
and thorough mouth-treatment seem to allow the appetite to prescribe
what my body needs and this is the essence and substance of your
discovery. It pleases me very much that Drs. Kellogg and Dewey have
confirmed your researches and find that your claims are not over-drawn.
They have such splendid opportunities to test things dietetic and
are such open-minded, natural-born altruists that their confirmation
counts for even more than that of the very conservative men in Science
who stand for scientific authority and who want a thing thrice proven
before they give it endorsement.
"I think my experience will be especially comforting to you because of
my repeated trials and lapses. I can see now how important it is for
one to practise careful mouth-treatment until the habit is acquired
and the performance becomes automatic. There is no doubt in my mind but
what there is a natural protection given us by nature which has been
lost by perversion. I feel confident that you will get ultimate credit
for the re-establishment of a rational habit of eating which, under
normal conditions of food supply, is a protector against premature
swallowing of food.
"G---- has seen the result in me and he is dropping meat to a great
extent and his breakfasts have dwindled to a mere fraction of what they
formerly were. The same is true of M----."