Abstract
The health of the Scottish Highlander appears to be no better than that of the town dwelling Scotsman. Beautiful scenery, tranquility and freedom from the stress of the city do not prevent common degenerative diseases such as peptic ulcer or coronary heart disease.
The researches of T. L. Cleave and others strongly suggests that the increasing consumption of refined, processed food is the cause of these degenerative diseases. Changing food consumption in the Scottish Highlands and throughout the World has been accompanied by changing patterns of disease and by changing agriculture. In many countries imported canneed or preserved food has replaced home grown produce. The small-scale farmer is fast disappearing and is being combined in “collectives”; this results in massive depopulation and causes an imbalance between town and country.
In this country we have not solved this problem of land use which will ensure a sane future. Until our people can enjoy food which is fresh, varied, unrefined and grown on fertile soil our health is not likely to improve.
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