nstituary formula this methodical deterioration
makes known the number of molecules (acids or other bodies) which are
responsible for the structure of each albumin. These deleterious
formula of proteid matter are not less suggestive than composition
ones. They reveal notable differences between "vegetal" and animal
albumins.

To be sure, animal albumins (beef, veal, mutton, pork, etc.) which we
are offered in an alimentary flesh diet, resemble more nearly the
structure of our own bodily albumins than do the gluten of bread or
the albumin of vegetables. This fact seems actually the best support
of the theory which affirms the superiority of the flesh over the
vegetable diet. Such a remark is therefore well worth discussing by
showing that the consequences which can be deduced from it are
paradoxical, and rest upon hypothesis which, not very acceptable in
theory, are hardly verified in practice.

Admitting that albumin plays in alimentary diet only the plastic part
of reconstruction of used-up corporal matter, it might be advantageous
to ingest but one albumin the composition of which is very similar to
our own. By virtue of the law of least effort such a one in equal
weights ought to be of more service than a foreign albumin, as it
requires less organic work. For man, albumin of animal origin ought to
be more profitable in equal weight than vegetable albumin. In the
organism, indeed, albumin passes through a double labour. After the
intestinal deterioration, followed by a passage through the digestive
mucus membrane, a re-welding of the liberated acids takes place, with
a formation of new albumin.

If, therefore, alimentary albumin's mission is, not to be definitely
burnt up in the organism, but to help in the plastication of the
individual, the more its initial formula approaches the definite one
to which it must attain, the more profitable it becomes, giving out
less useless fragments and waste. Animal albumin approaching more
nearly to human albumin, is also the one whose introduction into the
daily alimentary diet is most rational. This statement seems to be the
defeat of vegetal albumin. But let there be no mistake. It consecrates
at the same time the triumph of anthropophagy, for there could not be
for man a more profitable albumin than his own, or that of his
fellow-man! This should make us pause and reflect, before allowing
this deduction to be accepted.

Besides, these arguments _ad hominem_ do not appear t