Thanks to Dean for  pointing out a term which seems to require further
clarification. The  term 'Roussouians' was used not to describe particular
people as much as a tendency, often implicit, that I have noted in the
thinking of a variety of nutritional schools. Nor is the term necessarily
pejorative, but often seems to be an ideological obstacle to obtaining a
more complete picture.  For example,  in many vegetarian writings we find
musings and longings for a 'Golden Age' when the human diet was 'pure' prior
to the 'Fall.' This is evident in the Macrobiotic literature where the goal
is to reach a 'balance' which was presumably attained in 'primordial' times
by 'proper' eating habits. In the Paleo Diet and Price-Pottenger  writings,
the thrust seems overwhelmingly weighted towards extolling the virtues of
ancient and aboriginal nutritional patterns with little attention given to
possible drawbacks of these eating patterns. However, as I pointed out in my
last submission, I recognize that  'these writings are informed by research
in the biological sciences.'  On the other hand, perhaps I have missed a
discussion of possible negative aspects  of what appears to be understood as
constituting the broad outlines of these dietary regimens. If so, I would be
most appreciative of references to correct possible misconceptions.

I tend to agree with Dean that 'Paleodieters' is an inappropriate rubric to
describe those who are investigating and adhering to a 'paleolithic'
nutritional regimen. As I pointed out in my letter in  November, 1998, the
'available information on Paleolithic peoples is so scanty that it seems
specious to believe that one can follow their nutritional practices with
more than a modicum of accuracy.' Thus, to believe that one is a
'Paleodieter' is at best, a loose approximation.  However, it is
understandable that writers on the Symposium List would use the term
'Paleodieters' since the address is  'Archives of PALEODIET.'  Perhaps the
address 'Archives of  NONMONOLITHIC PALEODIET' would be more instructive for
lay writers like myself.

Respectfully,

B. MacLean Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist