The Adair County News

PORK AS FOOD.

Scandinavians Believe It Is Eaten Even In Heaven.

In the sacred books of the Scandinavians pork is represented as the principal food even in heaven. It was the chief food of the Irish in the twelfth century and also of the Anglo-Saxons at an earlier period. In France it was equally common, and Charlemagne kept in his forests immense droves of pigs. Late in the sixteenth century there was a particular disease said to be caused by the quantity of pork eaten in Hungary, and even at present the barbarous Letts are passionately fond of it. In the middle of the sixteenth century Phillip II, when in England generally dined on bacon, of which he ate so much as frequently to make himself very ill. By a singular contradiction the African Mohammedans now "believe that a great enmity exists between hogs and Christians" (Mungo Park). Many medical authors have supposed that pork is particularly unwholesome in hot countries, but this requires confirmation, and it is certain that it is recommended by Arabian physicians and is more generally eaten both in Asia and Africa than is usually believed. The North American Indians are said to have "a disgust for pork." Dobell believes there is more pork eaten in China than all the rest of the world put together. - Buckle's "History of Civilization."