natural foods principles until the American Vegetarian Society was founded in 1850". Many of the APS members suffered from chronic disease and became vegetarian. It has been described as "likely the first exclusively vegetarian organization in the United States". It was also the first American natural hygiene organization. A notable member of the APS was Mary Gove Nichols, who gave health lectures to women. In 1837, Graham and David Cambell founded The Graham Journal of Health and Longevity. It was "designed to illustrate by facts, and sustain by reason and principles the science of human life as taught by Sylvester Graham". It was edited by Campbell, Secretary of the APR (1837–1839) and five volumes were published. In 1840, the journal merged with the Library of Health, edited by Alcott. American Vegetarian Society In 1850, Alcott, William Metcalfe, Russell Trall, and Graham founded the American Vegetarian Society in New York City, modeled on a similar organization established in Great Britain in 1847. Death Graham died of complications after receiving opium enemas, as directed by his doctor, at the age of 57 at home in Northampton, Massachusetts. His early death was the source of criticism and speculation. Historian Stephen Nissenbaum has written that Graham died "after violating his own strictures by taking liquor and meat in a last desperate attempt to recover his health". Russell Trall, who had visited Graham, noted that he had strayed from a strict vegetarian diet and was prescribed meat by his doctor to increase his blood circulation. Trall wrote that before his death Graham regretted this decision and "fully and verily believed in the theory of vegetable diet as explained in his works". After his death, vegetarians distanced themselves from Grahamism. However, his vegetarian message was disseminated far into the 20th century. Food historians cite Graham as one of the earliest food faddists in America. Selected works Of his numerous publications, the best known are: Treatise on Bread and Bread-Making (1837, and reissued in 2012 by Andrews McMeel Publishing) Lectures on the Science of Human Life (Boston, 1839), of which several editions of the two-volume work were printed in the United States and sales in England were widespread Lectures to Young Men on Chastity. A lecture on epidemic diseases generally: and particularly the spasmodic cholera (1833) A lecture to young men on chastity: intended also for the serious consideration of parents and guardians (1837) See also Graham