The term "Fletcherising," or "Fletcherizing," as applied to food has
come into use without the suggestion of the nominee to a new filtering
fame, and promises to spread; hence it is well to explain just what the
term means.
Under the so-called "Fletcherizing" process, the mouth becomes a filter
with most facile appliances for protecting the delicate alimentary
canal from straining and poisoning. Instead of the "Pasteur Filter"
for the purification of water and the "pasteurisation" of foods by
sterilisation, the "Fletcher Filter" both separates and prepares
whatever is given it to treat more perfectly than any mechanical or
chemical device can do.
Dr. Kellogg appears in evidence often in this volume, and also with
much appreciated strength of indorsement in the "A. B.-Z. of Our Own
Nutrition"; but it is because he knows the value of the discovery of
the natural food filter, has enormous chance to test it practically,
and generously assists the reform with the might of his conviction.
Hence the author has still another letter of his in hand from which to
quote.
"BATTLE CREEK, MICH., Oct 26, 1903.
"MR. HORACE FLETCHER, NEW YORK.
"DEAR FRIEND:--I have yours of October 4th. I should have answered it
before, but have been away from home.
"I appreciate very much your offer to send me a memorandum of the
work done in Cambridge, also a plan of the work at Yale. You have had
a most interesting experience with eminent physiologists, and it has
led you deep into the question of nutrition. I shall appreciate very
much suggestions from you with reference to subjects for experimental
work, and other suggestions which may occur to you respecting the
methods, etc. I am sure your wide experience will be a great help to
us. The more I test your ideas the more confidence I have in them.
"What you say about the wonderful effect of mastication is certainly
correct. I observed it right away as soon as I began to practise
_Fletcherizing_. By the way, I wrote an article for the last number
of my journal, GOOD HEALTH, about "Fletcherizing" food, and I see our
colleagues are already taking it up. One of my most able associates,
Dr. J. A. Read, who has charge of our sanitarium in Philadelphia,
gave a lecture last Thursday night to his patients on "Fletcherizing"
food, and his audience was greatly interested. I am sure you deserve
to have your name immortalised, as Pasteur's has been. I mention
"Fletcherizing" in almost every lecture I give to our patients. I
think most of our patients are "Fletcherizing" and are getting great
good from it, also a large proportion of our six hundred nurses and
other employees.
"Awaiting a letter of suggestions at your convenience, I remain,
"As ever your friend,
"(Signed) J. H. KELLOGG."
"Fletcherizing" does not consist only and merely of careful chewing.
Careful chewing, with cheerful attention, will secure the comminution,
insalivation, and all necessary chemical preparation for perfect
digestion, and will separate hard and indigestible matter from the food
mass put into the mouth for treatment; but it is the whole environment
of the act which counts the best results.
Cheerfulness is as important as chewing; and if persons cannot be
cheerful during a meal they had better not eat. Not eating will not
hurt them in the least, but lack of cheerfulness will defeat the
object of the meal by causing more or less indigestion; and hence it
not only _does no good to eat when not cheerful, but actually does
harm_. Haste and lack of cheerfulness are about the same in effect on
digestion. You have no idea how much real nutriment you can get into
your system in five minutes if you are industrious with your munching
and are cheerful about it; so don't hurry when you have full ten
minutes, or perhaps twenty minutes, for taking nourishment.
You cannot go faster than Nature will let you, and it is profitable to
study Nature and watch her constantly for her proper cue. Don't try to
get ahead of her or you may sink in mud or into deep water.
Hence the author begs of those who heed his suggestions, especially if
they give them his name, to respect them in all their essentials. Don't
chew anything when you are mad or when you are sad, but only when you
are glad that you are alive and glad that you have the appetite of a
live person and one that is well earned.
That is as much a part of the "Fletcherizing" process as munching, and
one should never forget it.
So, please, when you "Fletcherize," if you "Fletcherize" at all, do it
well and completely and do not half do it and then condemn the method.
The method is all right, notwithstanding the name which has been
attached to it, for it is simply Nature's method.