history of soy yogurt, soy acidophilus milk and other ... - SoyInfo Center

• Summary: “Masson, of Geneva, discovered in certain
Oriental milk preparations a new lactic acid-forming
ferment. Metchnikoff investigated this new bacillus and
found it to possess extraordinary powers and great resistance,
far superior to the ferments of kumyss [koumiss, kumis,
kumiss], kefi r, and other ferments previously known. The
ferment is commonly used with milk in a form resembling
kumyss or sour milk.
“The milk preparation containing this ferment has been
used in Egypt under the name of Leben; in Bulgaria it is
known as yoghourt or yaghourt. It is also used in Turkey
and other Oriental countries. Metchnikoff, of the Pasteur
Institute, Combe, Bourget, and many other European
authorities make large use of this ferment in the treatment
of intestinal autointoxication which investigation by these
and other authorities has shown to be responsible for a
large number of chronic diseases, particularly many cases
of arteriosclerosis, Bright’s disease, skin maladies, chronic
rheumatism. rheumatoid arthritis and chronic biliousness...”
“Yogurt cures by driving out the disease-producing
germs in the intestinal tract and substituting a harmless
species instead. It is easily the most valuable remedy ever
discovered for Intestinal Autointoxication.
“Hitherto this remedy has not been available in this
country. It may now be secured, freshly prepared and of
superior quality.
“We have succeeded in preparing this ferment in
concentrated form so that it may be administered in capsules.
“Packages containing four dozen capsules, each postpaid,
$1.00.
“Manufactured and sold by The Yogurt Company,...”
Note: This is the earliest English-language document
seen (Sept. 2012) with the word “Yogurt” (regardless of
spelling) in the title. This yogurt is made from dairy / animal
milk. Address: Battle Creek, Michigan.
7. Metchnikoff, Elie. 1907. The prolongation of life:
Optimistic studies. The English translation edited by P.
Chalmers Mitchell. London: W. Heinemann. New York: G.P.
Putnam’s Sons. xx + 343 p. Index. 23 cm. Reprinted in 1908,
1910, 1912. [50+ ref]
• Summary: This book (which was originally published in
1907 in French–in Paris–under the title Essais optimistes) is
divided into six parts; within each are several chapters. Part
I. The investigation of old age: The problems of senility,
theories of the causation of senility, mechanism of senility.
Part II. Longevity in the animal kingdom: Theories of
longevity, longevity in the animal kingdom, the digestive
system and senility, microbes as the cause of senility (incl.
“Relations between longevity and the intestinal fl ora”),
duration of human life. Part III. Investigations on natural
death: Natural death amongst plants, natural deaths in the
animal world, natural death amongst human beings.
Part IV. Should we try to prolong human life?: The
HISTORY OF SOY YOGURT & CULTURED SOYMILK 21
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benefi t to humanity, suggestions for the prolongation of life,
diseases that shorten life, intestinal putrefaction shortens
life, lactic acid as inhibiting intestinal putrefaction (The
development of the intestinal fl ora in man,... means of
preventing the putrefaction of food, lactic fermentation and
its anti-putrescent action, experiments on man and mice,
longevity in races which use soured milk, comparative study
of the different soured milks, properties of the Bulgarian
Bacillus, means of preventing intestinal putrefaction with the
help of microbes).
Part V. Psychical rudiments in man: Rudimentary
organs in man, human traits of character inherited from apes,
somnambulism and hysteria as mental relics. Part VI. Some
points in the history of social animals: The individual and the
race, insect societies, society and the individual in the human
race. Part VII. Pessimism and optimism: Prevalence of
pessimism, analysis of pessimism, pessimism in its relation
to health and age. Part VIII. Goethe and Faust: Goethe’s
youth, Goethe and optimism, Goethe’s old age, Goethe and
‘Faust,’ the old age of Faust. Part IX. Science and morality:
Utilitarian and intuitive morality, morality and human nature,
individualism, orthobiosis.
In this book (see pages 168-80) the word “yahourth”
appears many times. Today (Sept. 2012) we generally spell
this word “yogurt” or “yoghurt.”
The author popularized the use of bulgaricus buttermilk
and yogurt cultures to promote longevity. He believed that
Lactobacillus bulgaricus can colonize the intestinal tract of
humans, preventing putrefaction and thereby prolonging life.
Soy is not mentioned. Interesting comments on this book are
found in Elmer V. McCollum’s A History of Nutrition (1957).
The author, Il’ia Il’ich Mechnikov, lived 1845-1916. The
book is a translation from the French of Essais Optimistes,
and a sequel to the author’s Études sur la Nature humaine
issued in English translation under the title The nature of
Man (1903). Address: Sub-director, The Pasteur Inst., Paris.
8. Naturopath and Herald of Health (The) (New York City).
1908. A remarkable discovery. 9(9):269-71. Sept.
• Summary: “J.H. Kellogg, M.D., writes in the last issue of
“Good Health” about: Masson of Geneva who, “in studying
certain Bulgarian fermented milk preparations, discovered
a new lactic acid forming ferment with superior properties.
Prof. Metchnikoff of the Pasteur Institute who recognized
the importance of this discovery. “Chronic autointoxication
is unquestionably a factor in nearly all chronic disorders,...”
“This new ferment in concentrated form is furnished in this
country under the name of ‘Yogurt’”
9. Good Health Supplies. 1908. Metchnikoff on long life
(Ad). Good Health (British) 6(10):333. Oct.
• Summary: “Professor Metchnikoff’s assertion that life is
shortened by the accumulation of poisonous waste matters in
the alimentary canal is receiving a good deal of attention, and