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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.08.01*END** +[Portions of this header are copyright (C) 2001 by Michael S. Hart +and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.] +[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales +of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or +software or any other related product without express permission.] + + + + + +This etext was produced by Richard and Margie Druery +E-mail - richardandmargie@mail.com + + + + + +WARNINGS AND DISCLAIMERS + +Transcriber's Note: This tract on health, like many published last +century, is essentially an advertisement of a particular form of +treatment invented and sold by the author. While it is of interest +in historical terms, it should not be relied upon as medical advice. + +This e-text "Royal Road To Health" is for historical and educational +purposes only. This antiquated information is not presented with the +intention of diagnosing or prescribing. + +No responsibility, liability or warranty, express or implied, is +assumed by the author or any distributer of this book. Anyone can +distribute this book freely any way they want, as long as all this +information contained in this book remains like it is now. . . . +(no changes, additions, or deletions). + + + + + +THE ROYAL ROAD TO HEALTH +OR THE SECRET OF +HEALTH WITHOUT DRUGS. + +By Chas. A. Tyrrell + + + + +TO MY WIFE. + +Whose Enthusiasm, and unflagging interest in all matters pertaining to +health is excelled by none, and who has been a faithful coworker in +building up the system treating disease by hygienic methods herein set +forth, + +This book is affectionately dedicated. + + +Copyright 1907 + +By + +Charles A. Tyrrell, M.D. + + +DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAM + +ILLUSTRATING THE + +DIGESTIVE ORGANS OF MAN. + + +1. Esophagus or Gullet. +2. Cardiac end of Stomach. +3. Pyloric end of Stomach. +4. Duodenum. +5, 6. Convolutions of Small Intestine. +7. Caecum. +7* Vermiform appendage of Caecum, called the appendicula + vermiformis. +8. Ascending Colon. +9, 10. Transverse Colon. +11. Descending Colon. +12. Sigmoid Flexure, the last curve of the Colon before it + terminates in the Rectum. +13. Rectum, the terminal part of the Colon. +14. Anus, posterior opening of the alimentary canal, through which the + excrements are expelled. +15. Lobes of the Liver, raised and turned back. +16. Hepatic Duct, which carries the bile from the liver to the Cystic + and Common Bile Ducts. +17. Cystic Duct. +18. Gall Bladder. +19. Common Bile Duct. +20. Pancreas, the gland which secretes the pancreatic juice. +21. Pancreatic Duct, entering the Duodunum with the Common Bile Duct. + + + + +PREFACE + +TO THE ONE HUNDREDTH EDITION. + +In presenting to the public the one hundredth edition of this work, it +is a matter for profound gratification to be able to state that the +treatment described in its pages has steadily increased in public +favor since its introduction. Tens of thousands of grateful people +testify to its efficiency, not only as a remedial process, but better +still, as a preventive of disease. Truth must ever prevail, and this +treatment being based on natural law (which is unerring), must achieve +the desired result, which is the restoration and preservation of +health. + +This edition has been completely revised and much of it rewritten, +and, while the essential principles remain unchanged, some slight +departures from previously expressed opinions may be noted; for in the +years that have elapsed since the first edition saw the light, some +notable advances have been made in rational therapeutics and +dietetics, and no one can afford to lag behind the car of Progress. + +The arrangement of the book has been still farther altered, by adding +another part, making nine in all, each part being devoted to a special +phase of the general subject, thus simplifying it, and making its +principles easier of application. Quotations have been freely made +from articles written during the past three years by the author, in +his capacity as editor of "Health," and several new formulas for the +treatment of important diseases have been added to those that have +appeared in previous editions. + +While painfully conscious that the critically disposed may find +something to condemn in its pages, the work is sent forth with the +fervent hope, that despite any defects it may possess it may, in the +future, as in the past, prove the means of restoring to suffering +thousands the possession of their natural and rightful heritage +health. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +PART 1. + +DRUGGING PROVED UNSCIENTIFIC. + +Health is wealth. The truth about "Materia Medica." Medical +opinions on drugs they do not cure disease. Opinions of +British physicians. The most important medical discoveries +made by laymen. There is no "law of cure," only a condition. +Drugs do not act on the system, but are acted upon. + +PART II. + +THE TRUE CAUSE OF DISEASE. + +Only one cause of disease. There is only one disease, but +many modifications. Digestion and assimilation explained. +Evil effects of the retention of waste. The horrors of +faecal impaction. How auto infection is accomplished. The +mysteries of the circulation. Disease shown to be the result +of imperfect elimination. + +PART III. + +RATIONAL HYGIENIC TREATMENT. + +Nature cures, not the physician. The action of microbes. The +cathartic habit. The true action of cathartics explained, +and popular suppositions corrected. A correct solution of +the difficulty. "Flushing the colon" as an ancient practice. +Dr. Turner's post mortem experiences. Colon distortion +illustrated. Objections to the ordinary appliances danger in +using the long, flexible catheter. Invention of the "J. B. +L. Cascade," and description of it. + +PART IV. + +HOW TO USE IT. + +The complete process of "flushing the colon" explained, step +by step, so that even a child might understand it. +Objections answered. Advice to users of the treatment. + +PART V. + +PRACTICAL HYGIENE. + +Longevity man's natural heritage. The care of the body +absolute cleanliness rare. The function of water in the +human organism. Hot water the natural scavenger. The bath. +Description of the skin, and its function. Hints on bathing. +The wet sheet pack. Importance of fresh air. Interchange of +gases in the lungs. Ventilation. Prof. Willard Parker on +impure air. The function of the heart. The therapeutic value +of sunlight. + +PART VI. + +EXERCISE. + +Motion is life. Effect of exercise on the fluids of the +body. How the tissues are nourished. Exercise for invalids. +Complete system of breathing exercises for developing the +lungs. Improved system of physical exercises, calling into +play every muscle of the body ensuring harmonious +development. Special nerve exercise. how to stand and how to +walk. All the above exercises plainly illustrated. + +PART VII. + +THE DIET QUESTION. + +The replacement of waste. Appetite and hunger. The evils of +gluttony. Vegetarianism versus flesh eating. Diet, a +question of latitude. The cause of old age. Cretinism. +Danger of earthy matters in food substances. Fruits are +ideal foods. The true value of bread. Classification of the +ingredients of food substances. Table of proportions. Table +of digestive values. Vegetarianism discussed. A mixed diet +the most reasonable. How to eat. Liquids at meals. When to +eat. The no breakfast plan. The effects of alcohol, tea and +coffee. Improper habits of eating. The influence of mind +upon digestion. The advantages of regularity. Nature's +bookkeeping. + +PART VIII. + +TREATMENT OF DISEASE. + +Complete formulas of treatment (with dietary rules) for over +fifty different diseases, including Consumption, +Appendicitis, Locomotor Ataxia, Paralysis, Dyspepsia, +Pneumonia, Diabetes Mellitus, Uterine troubles, etc. Also +all the principal ailments of children. + +PART IX. + +SOME HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS. + +Disease is the result of the operation of natural law don't +dread it. Don't treat symptoms; treat the fundamental cause. +Pain is Nature's danger signal. Prevention is better than +cure. The elements of prevention. Importance of a knowledge +of physiology. The body, the vehicle of expression for the +mind. The strenuous life. Tear worse than wear. The +importance of reserve energy. The effect of the mind on the +body. The human body as a bank. The importance of a daily +balance. Cultivate cheerfulness. The habit of happiness. The +folly of squandering health. Medicine and surgery compared. +What children should be taught. The final word. + + +APPENDIX. + +Instructions for massage. How to use the stomach bath by +three different methods. How to improvise the Turkish Bath +in your own home, without apparatus. How to use the wet +sheet pack. How to care for the "Cascade". + + + + +THE ROYAL ROAD TO HEALTH. + + + +PART I. + +DRUGGING PROVED UNSCIENTIFIC. + +It is one of the most profound mysteries of our civilization, and has +been one of the most perplexing and discouraging phenomena of human +existence, that, while the world at large has maintained an ever +increasing "medical profession," whose members are popularly supposed +to be competent to deal with all the ills that flesh is heir to; still +there has always been a long list of what are termed "incurable +diseases." But the immense strides made, in recent years, in every +branch of modern science, has led the thinking public to consider such +a condition of things as an outrageous libel on the God of Nature, and +to question whether there can be such a thing as an incurable disease. + +Health is such an inestimable blessing, that the individual who shall +devise means to preserve it, or to restore it, when lost, is deserving +of all the thanks and honors that a grateful community can bestow. +Unfortunately, there are very few who estimate life at its true value, +until they are confronted with the grim destroyer, Death. No one can +fully appreciate the priceless blessings of health, until they feel +that it has slipped from their grasp. The oft quoted phrase, "Health +is Wealth," is truly a concrete expression of wisdom, for without the +former, the latter is well nigh an impossibility. But its interference +with the activities of life is one of the least evils of sickness, for +perfect health is the very salt and spice of life; without it, +existence is "weary, stale, flat and unprofitable." + +But let none despair, for it is my purpose to show how those who enjoy +the blessing of robust health may preserve it indefinitely, and how +those who have lost it may regain it with access of vigor, and once +more feel that life is indeed worth living. In presenting a new system +of medication, it is necessary to attack the existing systems, and +hence, I am placed in a delicate position, for of all the problems +ever presented for the ingenuity of man to solve, undoubtedly the most +difficult is, how to present new facts so as not to offend old errors; +for individuals are very prone to regard arguments levelled against +their opinions as direct attacks upon their personality; and not a few +of them mistake their own deeply rooted prejudices for established +certainties. + +I shall endeavor to show that the practice of administering drugs to +cure disease is a fallacy, and in so doing, I am bound to incur the +condemnation of my brother practitioners, who prescribe drugs, and the +druggists who vend them. + +It may safely be asserted that the drug system of treating disease +would be destroyed if it were to be critically examined; in fact, to +defend it is provocative of unmistakable damage to it. If it is once +subjected to the analysis of calm reason its defects become palpable +to the meanest understanding. + +There are three principal schools of medicine, each with a distinctive +title, but they are all one in essential principles. They may differ +in unimportant details; but in the main premises they are a unit. They +all believe in the principle of "curing one disease by producing +another." In other words, their practice is, to induce a drug disease +to cure a primary one, for this is exactly what is done when drugs are +administered, in pathological conditions as we shall prove later on by +testimony from authorities on medical practice. + +The materia medica of the schools, to-day, includes upwards of two +thousand substances the number increasing daily and when viewed +dispassionately it presents what? A list of drugs, chemicals, dye- +stuffs, all subversive of organic structures. They are all +antagonistic to living matter: all produce disease when brought in +contact in any manner with the living domain as a matter of fact, all +are poisons. Now, what logical standing can a system have, that +employs, as remedies for diseases, those things that produce disease +in healthy persons? No advocate of the drug system has ever advanced a +reason that would bear one moment's scientific examination, why +poisonous substances should be administered to the sick, and no one +will ever be able to give a satisfactory explanation of the theory +that underlies the practice, for none exists. When once the public +fully grasps the true import of this glaring anomaly, the days of the +drug system will be numbered. + +Physicians of ability and long experience, who have devoted their +lives to the relief of suffering humanity, both in this and other +countries, have declared after close observation, that they were fully +and thoroughly convinced that medicines do not cure patients, that +they do not assist Nature's process of cure, so much as they retard +it, and, that they are more hurtful than remedial in all diseases. A +still larger number have reached the same conclusion with regard to +certain complaints, such as scarlet fever, croup, pneumonia, cholera, +rheumatism, diphtheria, measles, small-pox, dysentery, and typhoid +fever, and that in every case where they have abandoned +all medicine, abjured all drugs and potions, their success has been +marvellously increased. + +Professor B. F. Parker, of the New York Medical College, once said to +a medical class: "I have recently given no medicine in the treatment +of measles and scarlet fever, and I have had excellent success." + +Dr. Snow, Health Officer of Providence, R. I., reported for the +information of his professional brethren, through the Boston Medical +and Surgical Journal that he had treated all the cases of small-pox, +which had prevailed endemically in that city, without a particle of +medicine, and that all of the cases some of which were very grave ones +recovered. + +Dr. John Bell, Professor of Materia Medica in one of the Philadelphia +Colleges, and also in the Medical College of Baltimore, testified in a +work which he published ("Bell on Baths"), that he and others had +treated many cases of scarlet fever with bathing, and without +medicines of any kind, and without losing a patient. + +Dr. Ames, of Montgomery, Alabama, some years since published in the +New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, his experience and +observation in the treatment of pneumonia. He had been led to notice +for many years, that patients who were treated with the ordinary +remedies--bleeding, mercury, and remedies--breeding certain +complications which always aggravated the malady, and rendered the +convalescence more lingering and recovery less complete. Such patients +were always liable to collapses and re-lapses; to "run into typhoid"; +to sink suddenly, and die very unexpectedly. + +He noticed particularly that patients who took calomel and antimony +were found, on post-mortem examinations, to have serious and even +fatal inflammation of the stomach and small intestines, attended with +great prostration, delirium, and other symptoms of drug poisoning. +These "complications" were nothing more or less than drug diseases. +And Dr. Ames found, on changing his plan of treatment to milder and +simpler remedies, that he lost no patients. + +The late Professor Win. Tully, M.D., of Yale College, and of the +Vermont Academy of Medicine at Gastleton, Vt., informed his medical +class, that on one occasion the typhoid pneumonia was so fatal in some +places in the valley of the Connecticut River, that the people became +suspicious that the physicians were doing more harm than good; and in +their desperation they actually combined against the doctors and +refused to employ them at all; "after which," said Professor Tully, +"no deaths occurred." And I might add, as an historical incident of +some pertinency in this place, that regular physicians were once +banished from Rome, so fatal did their practice seem, so far as the +people could judge of it. + +The great Magendie, of France, who long stood at the very head of +Physiology and Pathology in the French Academy which, by the way, has +claimed to be, and perhaps is, the most learned body of men in the +world performed this experiment. He divided the patients of one of the +large Paris hospitals into three classes. To one he prescribed the +common remedies of the books. To the second he administered only the +common simples of domestic practice. And to the third class he gave no +medicine at all. The result was, those who took less medicine did +better than those who took more, and those who took no medicine did +the best of all. + +Magendie also divided his typhoid fever patients into two classes, to +one of whom he prescribed the ordinary remedies, and to the other no +medicines at all, relying wholly on such nursing and such attention to +Hygiene as the vital instincts demanded and common sense suggested. Of +the patients who were treated the usual way, he lost the usual +proportion, about one-fourth. And of those who took no medicine, he +lost none. And what opinion has Magendie left on record of the popular +healing art? He said to his medical class, "Gentlemen, medicine is a +great humbug." + +In the face of such damaging testimony from prominent representatives +of the medical profession, it becomes exceedingly difficult to place +any reliance on the drug remedies prescribed by them. + +The melancholy truth is, that drug medication has become an integral +part of our domestic economy. At no time in history has the +consumption of drugs even approximated the present rate. Enormous sums +of money are invested in manufacturing and distributing them, and the +physicians of the various schools, being educated to prescribe them, a +mutual bond of interest has grown up between doctor and druggist, +which is not at all surprising. The medical profession, as a whole is, +and ever has been eminently conservative, and this fact, in connection +with its traditional predilection for drugs causes its members to +resolutely set their faces against any remedial process that runs +counter to the theories they imbibed at college. They look askance +at all such things and regard them as dangerous experiments, and +assert that their dignity will not permit them to recognize any +irregular practice, or any form of quackery. + +Dignity! When was dignity ever known to save a life? Most humanity +continue to suffer because the medical profession (blindly following +in the rut of custom) fail to see anything superior to the antiquated +system of treating disease by drugging, which many of its ablest +members condemn as unreliable? + +It is with all schools of medicine as it is with each individual +practitioner of the healing art the less faith they have in medicine, +the more they have in Hygiene; hence those who prescribe little or no +medicine, are invariably and necessarily more attentive to Hygiene, +which always was, and ever will be, all that there is really good, +useful, or curative in medication. Such physicians are more careful to +supply the vital organism with whatever of air, light, temperature, +food, water, exercise or rest, etc., it needs in its struggle for +health, and to remove all vitiating influences all poisons, +impurities, or disturbing influences of any kind. This is hygienic +medication, the natural and rational method of cure, and the more +closely it is examined, the more strongly it will commend itself to +reason. + +It is a lamentable fact that the preservation of health is not taught +in the medical schools, neither is it explained in their books, and +judging from general practice not much regard is attached to it in +their prescriptions. But when the inevitable typhoid or malaria +appears as an inevitable consequence of neglected precautions, the +physician can drug without mercy, and, as we contend, on most +illogical grounds. + +Who imagines for one instant, that quinine is a poison? Who is not +aware that arsenic is a deadly poison? And yet physicians and medical +journals calmly and gravely assert that arsenic is the better article +of the two, and recommend it as a substitute for quinine. Can any +intelligent person believe that a comparatively harmless tonic, and an +intense poison are perfect equivalents for each other? + +It is stated on reliable authority, that during the civil war, +hundreds of sick soldiers implored the nurses to throw away their +medicine. They feared drugs worse than bullets, and not without +reason. + +It is a curious fact that young physicians prescribe more medicine +than the older ones. + +Said the venerable Professor Alexander H. Stevens M.D., of the New +York College of Physicians and Surgeons: "Young practitioners are a +most hopeful class of community. They are sure of success. They start +out in life with twenty remedies for every disease; and after an +experience of thirty years or less they find twenty diseases for every +remedy." And again: "The older physicians grow, the more skeptical +they become of the virtues of medicine, and the more they are disposed +to trust to the powers of Nature." + +The effect of drugging a person, is to lock up the actual causes of +the disease in the system; thus producing permanent and worse +diseases. It is in accordance with common sense that they should be +expelled, not retained. What is known as disease, is nothing more or +less than the struggle of Nature, to cast out impurities, and this +remedial effort should be regulated, and assisted, not obstructed by +administering drugs, which only complicate the situation, by producing +more disease. + +No man can fight two enemies better than one, and, to give drugs to a +system already struggling to regain its normal condition, is like +tying the hands of a man who is beset by enemies. The truth is, that +the real nature of disease is misapprehended by the popular schools of +medicine, and until broader views obtain a lodgment among them, it is +useless to hope for any alteration or improvement in the antiquated +system of drugging. "Who shall decide, when doctors disagree ?" is an +oft Quoted sentence, and, the following conflicting opinions from +prominent physicians show conclusively how little is actually known of +the action of drugs upon the human system, by those who administer +them right and left. + +Says the "United States Dispensatory," "Medicines are those articles +which make sanative impressions on the body." This may be important +if, true. But, per contra, says Professor Martin Paine, M.D., of the +New York University Medical School, in his "Institutes of Medicine": +"Remedial agents are essentially morbific in their operations." + +But again says Professor Paine: "Remedial agents operate in the same +manner as do the remote causes of disease." This seems to be a very +distinct announcement that remedies are themselves causes of disease. +And yet again: "In the administration of medicines we cure one disease +by producing another." This is both important and true. + +Professor Paine quotes approvingly the famous professional adage, in +good technical Latin, + +"Ubi virus, ibi vitus," + +which, being translated, means, "our strongest poisons are our best +remedies." + +Says Professor Alonzo Clark, M.D., of the New York College of +Physicians and Surgeons: "All of our curative agents are poisons, and +as a consequence, every dose diminishes the patient's vitality." + +Says Professor Joseph M. Smith, M.D., of the same school: "All +medicines which enter the circulation poison the blood in the same +manner as do the poisons that produce disease." + +Says Professor St. John, of the New York Medical College : "All +medicines are poisonous." + +Says Professor B. R. Peaslee, MD., of the same school: "The +administration of powerful medicines is the most fruitful cause of +derangements of the digestion." + +Says Professor H. G. Cox, M.D., of the same school: "The fewer +remedies you employ in any disease, the better for your patients." + +Says Professor E. H. Davis, M.D., of the New York Medical College: +"The modus operandi of medicines is still a very obscure subject. We +know that they operate, but exactly how they operate is entirely +unknown." + +Says Professor J. W. Carson, M.D., of the New York University Medical +School: "We do not know whether our patients recover because we give +medicines, or because Nature cures them." + +Says Professor E. S. Carr, of the same school: "All drugs are more or +less adulterated; and as not more than one physician in a hundred has +sufficient knowledge in chemistry to detect impurities, the physician +seldom knows just how much of a remedy he is prescribing." + +The authors disagree in many things; but all concur in the fact that +medicines produce diseases; that their effects are wholly uncertain, +and that we know nothing whatever of their modus operandi. + +But now comes in the testimony of the venerable Professor Joseph M. +Smith, M.D., who says: "Drugs do not cure diseases; disease is always +cured by the vis medicatrix naturae." + +And Professor Clark further complicates the problem before us by +declaring that, "Physicians have hurried thousands to their graves who +would have recovered if left to Nature." And again: "In scarlet fever +you have nothing to do but to rely on the vis medicatrix naturae." + +Says Professor Gross: "Of the essence of disease very little is known; +indeed, nothing at all." And says Professor George B. Wood, M.D., of +Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia ("Wood's Practice of +Medicine"): "Efforts have been made to reach the elements of disease; +but not very successfully; because we have not yet learned the +essential nature of the healthy actions, and +cannot understand their derangements." + +On the other side of the Atlantic the claims of the existing medical +schools to popular favor, do not appear to rest upon any surer basis +than they do here, if we may judge from the following opinions +expressed by some of the most eminent authorities in the British +Kingdom: + +"The medical practice of our days is, at the best, a most uncertain +and unsatisfactory system; it has neither philosophy nor common sense +to commend it to confidence." DR. EVANS, Fellow of the Royal College, +London. + +"There has been a great increase of medical men of late, but, upon my +life, diseases have increased in proportion." JOHN ABERNETHY, M.D., +"The Good," of London. + +"Gentlemen, ninety-nine out of every hundred medical facts are medical +lies; and medical doctrines are, for the most part, stark, staring +nonsense." Prof. GREGORY, of Edinburgh, author of a work on "Theory +and Practice of Physic." + +"It cannot be denied that the present system of medicine is a burning +shame to its professors, if indeed a series of vague and uncertain +incongruities deserves to be called by that name. How rarely do our +medicines do good! How often do they make our patients really worse! I +fearlessly assert, that in most cases the sufferer would be safer +without a physician than with one. I have seen enough of the +malpractice of my professional. brethren to warrant the strong +language I employ." Dr. RAMAGE, Fellow of the Royal College, London. + +"The present practice of medicine is a reproach to the name of +Science, while its professors give evidence of an almost total +ignorance of the nature and proper treatment of disease. Nine times +out of ten, our miscalled remedies are absolutely injurious to our +patients, suffering under diseases of whose real character and cause +we are most culpably ignorant." Prof. JAMEISON, of Edinburgh. + +Assuredly the uncertain and most unsatisfactory art that we call +medical science, is no science at all, but a jumble of inconsistent +opinions; of conclusions hastily and often incorrectly drawn; of facts +misunderstood or perverted; of comparisons without analogy; of +hypotheses without reason, and theories not only useless, but +dangerous." Dublin Medical Journal. + +"Some patients get well with the aid of medicine; more without it; and +still more in spite of it." SIR JOHN FORBES, M.D., F.R.S. + +"Thousands are annually slaughtered in the quiet of the sick-room.' +Governments should at once either banish medical men, and proscribe +their blundering art, or they should adopt some better means to +protect the lives of the people than at present prevail, when they +look far less after the practice of this dangerous profession, and the +murders committed in it, than after the lowest trades." Dr FRANK, an +eminent author and practitioner. + +"Our actual information or knowledge of disease does not increase in +proportion to our experimental practice. Every dose of medicine given +is a blind experiment upon the vitality of the patient." Dr. BOSTOCK, +author of "History of Medicine." + +"The science of medicine is a barbarous jargon, and the effects of our +medicines on the human system in the highest degree uncertain; except, +indeed, that they have destroyed more lives than war, pestilence, and +famine combined." JOHN MASON GOOD, M.D., F.R.S., author of "Book of +Nature," "A System of Nosology," "Study of Medicine," etc. + +"I declare as my conscientious conviction, founded on long experience +and reflection, that if there were not a single physician, surgeon, +man midwife, chemist, apothecary, druggist, nor drug on the face of +the earth, there would be less sickness and less mortality than now +prevail." JAS. JOHNSON, M.D., F.R.S., Editor of the Medico- +Chirurgical Review. + +So it comes to this, that during three thousand years remedies have +been accumulating until between two and three thousand drugs are +recorded in the archives of the medical profession, and yet we have +the admission of some of the highest authorities on the subject that +the nature of disease is still a mystery, that the "modus operandi" of +drugs is equally obscure, and that in consequence there is profound +uncertainty as to the relation of drugs to the diseases for which they +are prescribed. + +Can one cause cure another. Can a poison expel a poison? Can the human +system throw off two burdens better than one? If such a proposition +were submitted to us in any other domain we would indignantly resent +it as an insult to our intelligence. + +There can be no question but that the public are largely responsible +for the existing condition of things, for whatever they demand they +can obtain, in obedience to the inexorable law of supply and demand: +which accounts for the rapidly increasing interest in hygiene. An +eminent authority on therapeutics says: + +"The medical profession holds a most false relation to society. Its +honors and emoluments are measured, not by the good, but by the evil +it does. The physician who keeps some member of the family of his rich +neighbor on a bed of sickness for months or years, may secure to +himself thereby both fame and fortune; while the other who would +restore the patient to health in a week or two, will be neither +appreciated nor understood. If a physician, in treating a simple +fever, which if left to itself or to Nature would terminate in health +in two or three weeks, drugs the patient into half a dozen chronic +diseases, and nearly kills himself half a dozen times, and prolongs +his sufferings for months, he will receive much money and many thanks +for carrying him safely through so many complications, relapses, and +collapses. But if he cures in a single week, and leaves him perfectly +sound, the pay will be small, and the thanks nowhere, because he has +not been very sick! + +"I know many of you will say, 'My physician is a very excellent man and +a good scholar I have all confidence in him.' But what if his system +is false? Is your confidence in him or in his system? If in his +system, you are to be pitied. If in him, take his good advice and +refuse his bad medicine." + +The Caucasian has not much to learn from the Mongolian, it is true, +but the public might safely imitate the Chinese in dealing with their +physicians. A Chinaman of rank pays his physician a retaining salary +so long as he remains in health, but, the instant he gets sick, the +salary ceases. Manifestly, it is a common sense proceeding. The doctor +has a vital interest in preserving the health of his client, since +sickness entails a pecuniary loss; and best of all, the patient +escapes having his system drenched with drugs. There is no valid +reason why there should be any such thing as serious sickness; nor +would there be if Hygiene were taught, and practised, and the whole +materia medica consigned to oblivion. As Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes +said, "If all drugs were thrown into the sea, it would be so much +better for man, but so much worse for the fishes." + +Now, the remedies of the Hygienic system, which I advocate, comprehend +everything except poisons. The drug system rejects almost everything +but poisons. My system rejects only poisons, and adopts everything +else. I welcome anything that possesses remedial value, provided it is +in accordance with the laws of Nature, and am equally ready to accept +suggestions from the laity, as from fellow practitioners. I am ready +to submit everything thus presented, to the test of experiment, and +employ it if found worthy. + +In this regard I may, without vanity, lay claim to the possession of a +more progressive spirit than the members of the drug schools, for +their disincilination to adopt anything new in the treatment of +disease has passed into a proverb. It might naturally be supposed that +any one who should come forward with a discovery by which the +suffering portion. of the human family would be benefited, would be +welcomed with open arms by the medical fraternity, or, that at least +he would be allowed a hearing, but unfortunately it is not so. + +Even if the discoverer be one of themselves, they are apt to regard +his proposition with a certain amount of distrust, but if he happens +to be a layman they instantly stand upon their dignity denounce all +irregular practice and raise the cry of quack. + +In justice, however, it must be said that there are members of +liberal, broad minded men in the medical profession who recognize the +fact that brains are not monopolized by physicians, and who are +perfectly willing to accord credit where it is due, as the following +opinions will show. + +Dr. A. O'Leary, Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, says: + +"The best things in the healing art have been done by those who never +had a diploma the first Caesarian section, lithotomy, the use of +cinchona, of ether as an anaesthetic, the treatment of the air +passages by inhalation, the water cure and medicated baths, +electricity as a healing agent, and magnetism, faith cure, mind cure, +etc." + +Prof. Waterhouse, writing to the learned Dr. Mitchell, of New York, +says: + +"I am, indeed, so disgusted with learned quackery that I take some +interest in honest, humane, and strongminded empiricism; for it has +done more for our art, in all ages and all countries, than all the +universities since the time of Charlemagne." + +Professor Benj. Rush, of the greatest and oldest Allopathic College in +America, says: + +"Remember how many of our most useful remedies have been discovered by +quacks. Do not therefore be afraid of conversing with them, and of +profiting by their ignorance and temerity. Medicine has its pharisees +as well as religion. But the spirit of this sect is as unfriendly to +the advancement of medicine as it is to Christian charity. In the +pursuit of medical knowledge let me advise you to converse with nurses +and old women. They will often suggest facts in the history and cure +of disease which have escaped the most sagacious observers of nature. +By so doing, we may discover laws of the animal economy which have no +place in our system of Nosology, or in our theories of physic. The +practice of physic hath been more improved by the casual experiments +of illiterate nations, and the rash ones of vagabond quacks, than by +all the once celebrated professors of it, and the theoretic teachers +in the several schools of Europe, very few of whom have furnished us +with one new medicine, or have taught us better to use our old ones, +or have in any one instance at all, improved the art of curing +disease." + +Dr. Adam Smith says: + +"After denouncing Paracelsus as a quack, the regular medical +profession stole his `quack-silver' mercury; after calling Jenner an +imposter it adopted his discovery of vaccination; after dubbing Harvey +a humbug it was forced to swallow his theory of the circulation of the +blood." + +Professor J. Rodes Buchanan, Boston, says: + +"Mozart, Hoffman, Ole Bull, and Blind Tom were born with a mastery of +music, as Zerah Colburn with a mastery of mathematics, as others are +born with a mastery of the mystery of life and disease, like +Greatrakes, Newton, Hutton, Sweet and Stephens, born doctors, and +score of similar renown." + +Professor Charles W. Emerson, M.D., the well known resident of the +Monroe Conservatory of Oratory, of Boston, says: + +"The progress in therapeutics has and still continues to come from the +unlearned. Common people give us our improvements and the school men +spend their time in giving Greek and Latin names to these +improvements, and building metaphysical theories around them." + +This is a heavy indictment against the medical profession, as a body, +but truth and justice compel me to state that most of the foregoing +statements were made some years ago, and that intolerance can no +longer be charged against them as it could, even in the last +generation. Nor can we close our eyes to the fact that thousands of +highminded physicians are devoting their time and energies +to the amelioration of disease. Scarcely a month passes in which some +convention of physicians is not held to consider the best means of +dealing with some particular malady, and a large number of the +attending physicians at those conventions contribute their time and +experience at considerable financial loss to themselves. + +In the ranks of the medical body there are able and honorable men who +would adorn any profession--men who have sacrificed health, wealth and +happiness in their devotion to the cause of suffering humanity the +pages of history are full of instances of such heroism. But of what +avail is it to have the most perfect examples of humanity for +physicians, if the system they practice is an erroneous one? It is +impossible to secure good results with bad methods. We must have a +sure foundation, if we expect to raise an abiding structure. And that +is why I am in opposition to the existing method of treating disease. +Not because of any feeling against the physician individually, but for +the reason that I consider their system based upon error upon a false +conception of the true nature of disease, and of the relation of drugs +to the human system. + +There is a tradition in the orthodox medical schools, that all +curative processes are dependent upon, and act only in accordance +With, an established law the "Law of Cure." + +But although all the schools are a unit in believing in the existence +and operation of such a law, no two of them agree upon a definition of +it. Their theories concerning this all important law are as +diametrically opposite as the poles. For instance, the Allopaths +define it as "contraria contrariis curantur," which is simply the law +of opposition. But the Homeopaths take a widely different view of the +matter, their definition of it being "similia similibus curantur," +which is, practically, the law of agreement; while the Eclectics +declare that "sanative medication" is the law. + +This diversity of opinion is not by any means unique, for the tendency +to disagreement among physicians is proverbial; but the unfortunate +layman who is the person most vitally interested in the matter, is at +a loss what to believe among this conflict of definitions, and +naturally asks, Who is right? + +I answer, unequivocally, not one! They are all wrong. This so-called +"Law of Cure" is a purely imaginary affair; one of the many +misconceptions peculiar to the medical schools, originating in a false +conception of the true nature of disease. There is no such thing as a +law of cure! There is a condition of cure, and that is, obedience. +Nature has provided penalties for disobedience, and is inexorable in +exacting payment; but she does not provide remedies. If there is one +thing absolutely certain in nature, it is the unfaltering sequence of +cause and effect. Nature never stultifies herself. It is impossible to +imagine nature providing penalties for violation of her laws, and then +furnishing remedies to make those penalties negatory. + +It is a lamentable fact that the medical profession, as a body, +entertain a totally erroneous conception of the true nature of +disease, and its legitimate function in the economy of nature. Instead +of recognizing it as a beneficent remedial process, which, if properly +aided, will work out the salvation of the patient, they antagonize it +at every turn, and endeavor to suppress the symptoms, which are its +legitimate expressions. + +The whole thing is a huge misconception, the failure to understand the +true relation between living and dead substances. According to the +United States Dispensatory, medicines are those substances That make +sanative impressions on the body. + +A false definition of a word leads to a false system of remedial +practice, based upon that definition. What is an impression? Is it the +action of a dead substance, which cannot act upon a living substance +that can? Assuredly not! Is it not rather the recognition by the +living substance of the lifeless one? The whole theory of drug action +is easily explainable on this hypothesis. Drugs--inert substances--do +not act upon the living organism, but are acted upon, with a view to +their expulsion from the living domain. If it were not so, if drugs +really acted upon the various organs, then their action should be +equally as effective after death as before. But no, nature resents the +introduction of foreign substances into the human economy, and exerts +all her powers to cast out the intruders. + +Now, as all substances incapable of physiological use are foreign, +such as particles of worn out tissue, the waste products of digestion, +etc., and their presence in the animal economy inimical to the general +welfare, the depurating organs are called into active play to expel +the offending substances; and the increased physiological activity, +and (in the case of actual lesion) the increased flow of blood to the +parts, for the purpose of repair, cause a rise in temperature, +commonly known as fever, which is one of the most frequent symptoms of +what is generally recognized as disease; thus establishing the fact, +indisputably, that disease is purely and simply a remedial process, +either for purposes of repair or purification. + +The practice, therefore, of increasing the deposits in the physical +system by the introduction of drugs (foreign substances) is in direct +opposition to physiological law, and has no scientific foundation +whatever. + +From the countless remedies of the pharmacopceia we can select +substances that if administered to a healthy person will produce +almost any known form of disease thus: brandy, cayenne pepper and +quinine, will induce inflammatory fever; scammony and ipecac will +cause cholera morbus; nitre, calomel and opium, will provoke typhoid +or typhus fever; digitalis will cause Asiatic, or spasmodic cholera; +cod liver oil and sulphur promote scurvy, and all the cathartic family +inevitably cause diarrhcea, the disease in each case being nothing +more than the effort of Nature to get rid of these troublesome +intruders. + +Drugs do not, as their advocates claim, select their special organ +with a view of acting upon it, but are acted upon by that particular +organ for the purpose of ridding the system of the drug. + +It follows, therefore, as a perfectly legitimate and logical +deduction, that, if the system of administering drugs is founded upon +a wrong conception of their relation to the human organism, then any +theoretical "law of cure" predicated upon drug action must necessarily +be equally fallacious and untrustworthy. + +As stated before, the simple fact is, that there is no law of cure, +only a condition and that condition--obedience, by which is meant a +course of treatment in harmony with Nature. + +The older physicians grow the more they rely upon the vis medicatrix +naturae, which is, after all, the only remedial force, and one totally +beyond their control. The physician can no more perform cures than the +farmer can make his crops grow. In each case, all that can be done is +to employ all the methods that cumulative wisdom can suggest to make +the conditions as favorable as possible, and leave the rest to Mother +Nature, who is not in the habit of making mistakes, and whose unerring +methods would cure ninety per cent. of all diseased conditions, if her +beneficent intentions were not frustrated by well-meant, but +nevertheless pernicious, drug interference. + + + +PART II. + +THE TRUE CAUSE OF DISEASE. + +At this point the reader will doubtless be tempered to exclaim: "Well, +you have demonstrated to your own satisfaction that the medical +profession entertains erroneous opinions as to the true nature of +disease, and also that drugs are absolutely useless--nay, injurious--in +such conditions: but is this all? Having destroyed our trust in drugs, +what have you to offer in their stead?" To which perfectly natural +query, I gladly reply, I have a system of treatment to propound, a +system that has triumphantly stood the test of years, a system that +must commend itself to every intelligent reader, because it is +strictly in accordance with natural law. + +But before I proceed to explain it, I desire to announce my own theory +respecting disease--a theory essentially radical in its character, and +of which I am the originator, and that is: + +THERE IS ONLY ONE CAUSE OF DISEASE. + +This may sound strange, for the majority of people imagine that there +is a different and specific cause for every ailment, and physicians +generally do not combat the opinion. But as a matter of fact, there is +only one disease, although its manifestations are various, and there +is only one cause for it, and that is the retention of waste matters +in the system. These substances may be in the gaseous, liquid or solid +form, but they are foreign bodies, inimical to the welfare of the +organism, and their presence must result in derangement of bodily +function. + +The great need of the present day is adequate instruction in +physiology and hygiene, that humanity may not only know how to secure +the restoration of health, when lost, but by attention to +physiological and sanitary laws may retain good health indefinitely. +The body is the theatre of constant change. The process of tearing +down and building up proceed without intermission during life. If +construction exceeds destruction, the result is health; but just as +surely as destruction exceeds repair, disease is the result. But +during every moment of life waste is being formed by the destruction +of tissue, and this effete material must be promptly removed if the +individual would enjoy health. Nature has provided adequate means for +the removal of these substances which are valueless to the economy, +the retention of which obstructs and irritates the complex mechanism +of the system, the principal avenues for its expulsion being the +lungs, the skin and the intestinal canal. The latter is infinitely +more important than the others, since by it the waste products of +digestion are expelled. If it fails to promptly fulfil its office, +every vital function is interfered with; and in addition the fluid +portion of the semi-liquid waste is re-absorbed directly into the +circulation, redepositing in the very fountain of life, matter which +the system has thrown off as worthless. Should the system be exposed +to a chill, while in this condition, a congestion of the surface +excretory vessels takes place; and practically the whole work of +elimination is thrown upon the already hard-worked kidneys, frequently +resulting in uraemic poisoning and death. + +The presence of a grain of sand in a watch will retard its movements, +if not arrest them altogether. What, then, must be the result of an +accumulation of impurities in the physical system? The finely adjusted +balance that is capable of weighing the thousandth part of a grain, +is carefully protected under a glass cover, for even impalpable dust +would clog its movements. Reflect, then, upon the amount of friction +that must be perpetually going on in the human organism owing to the +retention of effete matter! And since not even the most cunning +product of man's handiwork can compare with the intricate mechanism of +the body, the importance of eliminating the waste becomes manifest. +Here, in a nutshell, lies the secret of disease. + +Let us now consider how the retention of waste affects the system--how +the deleterious effects are produced. There are three factors at work +in this process, mechanical, gaseous and absorptive, the last named +being infinitely the most pernicious. We will first consider the +mechanical. + +Nature has beautifully apportioned the space in the abdominal cavity, +each part of the viscera having ample room for the performance of its +special function, but any abnormal increase in size of any part of the +contents of the cavity must necessarily create disturbance. Now, when +the food leaves the stomach, where it has been churned into a +pulpaceous mass, it passes into the duodenum or second stomach, where +it receives an augmentation of liquid material from the liver and +pancreas; consequently, when it reaches the small intestine, where +absorption takes place, it is in a well diluted condition. During its +passage through the small intestine, the nutrient portion of the +ingesta is abstracted from it by the villi (small hair-like processes) +with which the small intestine is thickly studded, so that at the end +of its journey of about twenty-two feet (if digestion is normal) all +that is of value to the organism has been appropriated--the remainder +being refuse. This waste product passes into the colon, or large +intestine, and should be promptly expelled. If prompt expulsion does +not take place, this is what happens: The fluid portion of this semi- +liquid waste is re-absorbed through the walls of the colon directly +into the circulation, a percentage of the solids being deposited on +the walls of the intestine. This process of accretion goes on from day +to day, week to week, month to month, until it not infrequently +happens that the colon becomes distended to several times its natural +size. Instances are on record, where these abnormal accumulations of +faecal matter in the colon have been mistaken for enlargement of the +liver, and even pregnancy. A surgeon in London has a preparation of +the colon measuring some twenty inches in circumference, containing +three gallons of faecal matter, and even larger accumulations have +been reported. The foregoing instances are, of course, exceptional +ones, but it is safe to assert that seventy per cent. of the colons of +the human family (living under civilized conditions) are impacted, and +some of them terribly so. It is impossible to estimate the amount of +evil caused by an engorged colon monopolizing two or three times its +allotted space in the abdominal cavity, crowding and hampering the +other organs in their work. + +But the effects of direct mechanical pressure are not the only ones. +The accumulations in the colon necessarily arrest the free passage of +the product of the small intestine, and that, in turn, causes undue +retention of food in the stomach, with consequent fermentation; while +the irritation, due to pressure on the nerve terminals by the +distension, and by the encrusted matter adhering to the intestinal +wall, is simply incalculable. + +The effects of gaseous accumulations in the alimentary canal are not +thoroughly understood at present--that is--the pathological effects. The +more direct effects, as manifested in abdominal distension, and the +terrible distress that frequently follows eating, are unfortunately, but +too well known. The reader does not need to be told that during the +decomposition of organic substances, gases are evolved, and no matter +where the process goes on, the results are always the same. Owing to the +causes previously mentioned, the intestinal canal usually offers special +facilities for the production of gases, owing to the retention of +partially digested food, in a medium highly favorable to fermentation. A +moderate amount of sulphuretted hydrogen, and also carburetted hydrogen +is always present in the colon, normally, to preserve moderate +distention of the walls, while the gases usually found in the stomach +and small intestine, are oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbonic acid. +What functional disturbances may arise from the presence of these +gaseous substances in excess in the system is, at present, largely a +matter of conjecture, but it is known that a stream of carbonic acid +gas, or hydrogen continuously directed against a muscle will cause +paralysis of that structure. The expansive force of gases is too well +known to need comment, and the force with which they will at times +distend the abdominal wall points irresistibly to the conclusion that +such an amount of force exerted against vital organs cannot be otherwise +than productive of serious harm. It is not at all improbable that many +cases of hernia and uterine displacement may be due to this hitherto +unsuspected cause. That they penetrate the neighboring tissues is an +established fact, and it is quite conceivable that their action upon the +nervous system though the medium of the circulation may lie at the root +of many of the cases of neurasthenia that are now so prevalent. + +But the auto-infection that results from the absorption of the liquid +waste into the blood supply is by far the most serious feature. The +blood is the life. From it the system obtains all the material for the +formation of fresh tissue, and it is a practical impossibility for +good, healthy structures to be built up from a tainted blood current. +Why is it that the vegetation on the banks of a stream, on which a +manufacturing town is located, is invariably stunted and withered? +Because the water that should nourish it is polluted by the refuse +poured into it, and no amount of deodorants or disinfectants will +prove of any avail to restore the devitalized vegetation, but will +rather aggravate the trouble. But cut off the source of pollution, and +in an incredibly short space of time the vegetation will take on a new +1ease of life. + +This liquid refuse in the colon is composed of substances for which +the system has no further use--it has rejected them; consequently they +are foreign bodies, and as such, are the equivalent of poisons. The +colon, in this condition, is a perfect hot-bed for the breeding of all +kinds of poisonous germs, and the action of cathartics aggravates the +condition by filling the pouched portions of the colon with a foul +liquid which facilitates the absorption of the ptomaines and +leucomaines through the mucous coat of the intestine. It is known now, +that as much as three-fourths of this foul putrid substance may be +absorbed, carrying into the system poisonous germs and excrementitious +matter. Dr. Murchison states, "that a circulation is constantly taking +place between the fluid contents of the bowel and the blood, the +existence of which, till within the last few years, was quite unknown, +and which even now is too little heeded." And Dr. Parker says, "It is +now known, that in varying degrees there is a constant transit of +fluid from the blood into the alimentary canal, and as rapid +absorption." It is also stated on reliable authority, "that every +portion of the blood may, and possibly does, pass several times into +the alimentary canal in twenty-four hours." Prof. I. I. Metchinkoff +recently stated in a lecture at Paris: "Particularly injurious are the +microbes of the large intestines. Thence, they penetrate into the +blood and impair it alike by their presence and the products they +yield--ptomaines, alkaloids, etc. The auto intoxication of the organism +and poisoning through microbes is an established fact." + +Having shown that the average colon is a fertile breeding ground for +all kinds of poisonous germs, and that they are conveyed into the +circulation by the interchange of fluids in that organ, it may be +interesting to explain how these germs are conveyed to, and deposited +in the various organs of the body. + +We have in our bodies a system of canals called arteries and veins, +having their head at the heart, which is the main pump that keeps the +blood in motion. The arterial circulation consists of those channels +which convey the blood--supposed pure blood--away from the heart to the +different parts of the body, loaded with the life-giving principle of +sustenance, invigoration and heat, while the veins or venous +circulation conveys to the heart and lungs the impure blood, loaded +many times with disease-breeding germs. + +Now, in the blood, as it courses through our bodies, are myriads of +little vessels called corpuscles; these are what give the blood a red +color. There are also a smaller number of white corpuscles, that are +known as phagocytes, whose mission is to destroy micro-organisms that +are prejudicial to life. In order that you may know their use, I, for +convenience sake and to make my meaning better understood, will call +them little war vessels, loaded with soldiers, and the soldiers have +in their vessels a furnace whose fire never goes out. These vessels +and their little warriors are continually sailing through our bodies, +hunting for germs of disease, that they catch and throw into their +furnace and burn them up. Now, suppose we take a violent cold, thus +closing the pores of the skin, and that at the same time the colon is +engorged, two of the most important outlets for the filth and decayed +matter of our bodies are closed up--for the life of our bodies is one +continual process of building anew and tearing down; these two most +important sewers are now closed. These little vessels now have their +hands full, catching disease-bearing germs that nature cannot throw +out through the colon or pores of the skin--both being closed--and we +call this condition of things fever. The white corpuscle has but two +dumping places now, the lungs or kidneys. Suppose that in the colon is +the tubercular ulcer, breeding the bacillus of consumption, and they +are absorbed into the circulation. Ordinarily the white corpuscles +would be able to destroy them, but now they are so overworked that the +tubercular germ lands in the lung tissue alive and well, ready to +commence his work of destruction and death. The person developes a +hacking cough, and finally goes to the doctor, and he, if he knows his +business, probably finds tuberculosis well established. Typhoid fever +has its nursery solely in the colon, and gets possession of the +citadel of life in the same way as any other germ or contagious +disease. What a terrible battle there must be going on in us between +our life-preservers and the germs of disease. + +Is it any wonder that people die of premature old age, of apoplexy, +paralysis, dropsy, consumption, and the thousand and one maladies that +scourge humanity? And is it not unreasonable to pour a few grains of +diluted drugs into the stomach to purify the blood--even granting for +the sake of argument that such a purpose could be accomplished by that +means--when occupying nearly one-half of the abdominal cavity is an +engorged intestine reeking with filth so foul that carrion is as the +odor of roses compared to it, and which is being steadily absorbed +into the circulation? If a man were to act as foolishly as that in his +business, his friends would quickly petition the courts to appoint a +guardian for him. + +It may be asked, why has not this discovery been made before? In the +first place, the colon has had but scant attention paid to it in the +dissecting room, until of late years the appendicitis craze has +awakened some interest in it. Its importance was not realized--the +circulatory and nervous systems receiving the lion's share of +attention. In the second place, in holding post-mortems the +organ was avoided, cut off, if in the way, and thrown into the slop +bucket. It was known to be always full, but no one ever asked whether +or not it was natural in its fullness of faecal matter, and as a +result, probably the profession knows the least about this important +organ, of any in the human body. Strange, is it not, that among the +seven thousand physicians ground out and polished in the mills of +wisdom each year, that there was not one who had originality enough to +ask the question, Is it natural that this scent bag of filth should +always be so full of putrid matter that we cannot abide one moment +with it? And, inasmuch as it is so, is it not a great detriment at +least to our health to carry this mass of filth around with us, from +day to day, from week to week, and from year to year--absorbing its +poison back into the circulation? Strange that these questions did not +present themselves to some one of the enterprising youths of our +original young America. + +The muscular fibres of the intestines are circular and longitudinal. +In the large intestine the longitudinal fibres are shorter than the +tube itself, which length permits the formation of loculi (cavities). +These become the seat of faecal accumulations, only too often +unnoticed by the physician. It is undoubtedly a fact that the loculi +of the colon contain small faecal accumulations extending over weeks, +months, or even years. Their presence produces symptoms varying all +the way from a little catarrhal irritation up to the most diverse, and +in some instances serious, reflex disturbances. When the loculi only +are filled, the main channel of the colon is undisturbed. The most +common parts of the colon to become enlarged are the sigmoid flexure +and the caecum (see diagram in beginning of book), but accumulations +may occur in any part of the colon. The ascending colon is much more +often filled in life than the books would lead us to believe; indeed, +it may be said that chronic accumulations are oftener to be found in +the ascending than in the descending colon, which is also contrary to +the assertions of the authors. This is due partly to the fact that the +contents of the colon have to rise in opposition to gravity, and +partly to the semi-paralyzed condition of the muscular coat of the +colon through inactivity. When the accumulations are large, the +increased weight of the colon tends to displace it; and if in the +transverse colon, that portion may be depressed, even into the pelvis. + +The mass may be so enormous as to press upon any organ located in the +abdomen, interfering with its functions; thus we may have pressure on +the liver that arrests the flow of bile; or, upon the urinary organs, +crippling their functions. + +Of course, such excessive accumulations occur only exceptionally, and +it is not to these that attention is particularly drawn, because when +they are so excessive, any physician can detect them by palpation +(touch). + +It is to the minor accumulations particularly, that I wish to draw +attention--the accumulations that we see in the majority of patients +who visit our offices. Such patients assure us that the bowels move +daily, but the color of their complexions, and the condition of their +tongues, are enough to assure us that they are the victims of +costiveness. + +Daily movements of the bowels are no sign that the colon is not +impacted; in fact, the worst cases of costiveness that we ever see are +those in which daily movements of the bowels occur. The diagnosis of +faecal accumulations is facilitated by inquiring as to the color of +the daily discharges. A black or a very dark green color almost always +indicates the faeces are ancient. + +Prompt discharge of food refuse is indicated by more or less yellow +color. It would be interesting to inquire why fresh faces are yellow +and ancient faeces are dark. + +Such patients have digestive fermentations to torment them, resulting +in flatulent distension which encroaches on the cavity of the chest, +which in excessive cases may cause short and rapid breathing, +irregular heart action, disturbed circulation in the brain, with +vertigo and headache. An over-distended caecum, or sigmoid flexure, +from pressure, may produce dropsy, numbness or cramps in the right or +left lower extremity. + +The reports of the Post-mortem examination of the colons of hundreds +of subjects reveals a series of horrors more weird and ghastly than +were ever penned by Eugene Sue, or Emile Zola. The mind shrinks in +dismay at the appalling revelations, and shudders at the possibly of +the "human form divine" becoming such a peripatetic charnel house. + +Is it any wonder that the average human system, being thus saturated +with impurities, should succumb to the first exciting cause? Is it +not, in fact, a greater marvel that the rate of mortality is not even +higher than at present? + +My object in publishing this book is to point out the true cause of +disease, together with the means for its prevention and cure, and +that, too, by a simple and inexpensive method of hygienic treatment, +which has proved eminently successful in tens of thousands of cases, +which is perfectly harmless and natural in its action, and absolutely +free from even the suspicion of a drug. + + + +PART III. + +RATIONAL HYGIENIC TREATMENT. + +Having striven to explain in an intelligible manner the true nature +and cause of disease, and to point out the inadequacy of the drug +system of treatment to combat pathological conditions successfully +(not from any lack of intention on the part of the drug practitioners: +but from the unreliability of their methods), I shall now proceed to +lay before you the system of treatment which it is proposed to +substitute in its stead, and I unhesitatingly affirm that it will be +found so simple, so inexpensive and so obviously based on common sense +and true hygienic principles, that the thoughtful reader cannot fail +to give it his unqualified endorsement, and will be lost in wonder +that any one should fail to adopt it, when made acquainted with its +simplicity and its marvellous results. + +In an old comedy, which used to delight our fore-fathers, the hero, +Felix O'Callaghan, defines the practice of medicine as "the art of +amusing the patient while Nature performs the cure." In that sentence, +the dramatist (unwittingly perhaps) embodied a great truth. Nature, +and Nature only, can effect a cure. Fresh air, sunlight, pure water, +diet and exercise are the great curative agents provided by Nature, +and all that the physician can do, no matter to what school be +belongs, is to remove as far as possible all existing impediments, and +to see that the hygienic conditions are made as favorable as possible. +For the rest, Nature, the marvellous builder, will, in her own +mysterious way, build up fresh tissue, and, slowly but surely, repair +the ravages made by disease. No one would dare to say that the farmer +made the corn grow. He does all that the science of agriculture tells +him is needful to furnish proper conditions for growth, but there he +must stop--the rest must be left to Nature. Then, since disease is a +wasting of tissue, and recovery a building up, it is a palpable +absurdity to credit a physician with a cure. All that he can do is to +cooperate with Nature, by seeing that none of her laws are violated, +and insisting that nothing whatever shall obstruct her beneficent +functions. + +Whether for the preservation of health, or the treatment of disease, +when present, the chief thing is to cleanse the colon. It is useless +to attempt to get rid of the effects while the cause is present. + +If the principal drain in a dwelling becomes choked, what is the +consequence? The noxious and pestilent gases generated by the +accumulated filth having no outlet, are forced back into the building, +poisoning the atmosphere, and breeding contagion among the +inhabitants. Deodorizing and disinfecting will simply be a waste of +time and material, until the drain is cleared. The colon is the main +drain of the human body, and if it be necessary, for sanitary reasons, +to keep the house drains clean, how vitally important is it to keep +the main outlet of the physical system free from obstructions. + +Or, to use another homely illustration, when your coal stove has been +run continuously for a long time, as a natural result it becomes clogged +with cinders and ashes, causing the fire to burn badly. You encourage it +with fresh fuel, rake it and shake it but without avail--the +accumulations of debris are too great. You remove a portion, but its +place is taken by more substance from above. At length you resort to the +measure you should have employed at first--you "dump the grate" and start +a fresh fire. The moral is obvious: dump the grate of the human +system--in other words, empty the colon. + +It has been previously shown that an impacted colon is neither more +nor less than a prolific hot-bed for the wholesale breeding of disease +germs--microbes--those infinitesimal organisms which science has +demonstrated to be the cause of many phases of disease, or rather, the +toxins (poisons) they produce, cause disease. Of course, there are +harmless micro-organisms as well as hurtful ones; in fact, a large +proportion of them are beneficial rather than otherwise; but some of +them (notably the tubercle bacillus) are so intimately associated with +disease that it is next to impossible to doubt their responsibility. + +The sphere of the microbe is absolutely without limit. He is equally +at ease in the air, the earth, and the water. He makes himself at home +in our beverages and our foods. Our mouths furnish desirable lurking +places for him, our hair, and finger-nails are favorite posts of +vantage; while he delights to disport himself in our blood. He is the +active agent of decay, and the prime cause of disease. He is the most +selfish of parasites. The world for a long time disregarded him, but +now acknowledges him as one of the mightiest of conquerers; for while +other devastators have slain thousands, millions have fallen beneath +his insidious attacks. He is a foe to be dreaded, for he is forever +lying in ambush for fresh victims. + +Microbes breed in fermentation, consequently, every particle of +undigested food remaining in the stomach or intestines becomes an +ideal nursery for their propagation. It has been demonstrated that +food that has been subjected to the action of the gastric juice +decomposes far more rapidly than that which has not--hence, with +imperfect digestion, fermentation quickly takes place. If microbes are +now introduced into the system, either by contact with sick persons, +inhaling impure air in crowded public buildings, or breathing in the +dust on ill-kept streets, there is danger ahead; for if the recipient +is not in a sound, physical condition, the microbes (finding congenial +lodgment), multiply with the most marvellous rapidity, permeating +every portion of the tissue--causing, in fact, DECOMPOSITION WHILE +STILL ALIVE. + +Every particle of animal or vegetable matter, even if only a single +grain in weight, by exposure to the air, putrefies, breeds, and +attracts to itself thousands of microbes, and becomes a center of +infection. Thus, in a piece of street dirt containing organic matter, +we may find upon examination, the germs of typhoid fever, diphtheria, +scarlet fever, or consumption. When this piece of dirt is dried by the +sun and pulverized by horses' hoofs, the particles of dirt are caught +up by the wind, and sent whirling through the air, to be drawn into +the lungs by those within reach, Of course, every one who breathes in +the microbes of some particular disease does not catch it, or we +should soon all be dead, but those who have not the resisting power of +sound bodies to kill these germs, before they have time to set up +their peculiar inflammation, are apt to realize the evil effects, a +week, a month, or even a year afterwards. + +It is evident then that to cure disease we must get rid of all +fermentation in the system, and thus prevent the further breeding of +microbes and to prevent disease we must get the system into such a +sound, healthy condition that disease germs cannot obtain a lodgment +in it. + +Now, this can only be accomplished by thoroughly cleansing the colon, +and keeping it absolutely clean, thus preventing further contamination +of the blood current--the fountain of life. + +The intelligent reader, recognizing the absolute correctness of the +foregoing proposition, will naturally ask, "Can such a thing be +accomplished, and how?" We beg to assure the reader, most +emphatically, that it can, but not by the means usually employed. It +is perfectly plain that the cleansing process cannot be effected by +cathartics, for at the best, they only afford temporary relief +(witness the growth of the cathartic habit), while on an impacted mass +such as is commonly present in the colon, the influence they can exert +is practically nil. The common experience of those afflicted with +constipation is, that they commence with a laxative, gradually +increasing the quantity and frequency of the dose until it fails to +act at all. Then they resort to a cathartic, with a similar +experience, when it is exchanged for a more powerful one, and then for +another still more powerful, until at last, it becomes impossible to +move the bowels without a powerful dose. + +That this is no overdrawn picture many of my readers will bear +witness, and my brother practitioners can amply corroborate the +statement, for they fully recognize the vital importance of removing +the waste from the system. The pity of it is that they still persist +in employing such a crude and ineffective method. + +Do any of my readers know how a cathartic acts? + +It is popularly supposed that the drug passes from the stomach into +the small intestines, rendering their contents more liquid; then +passes into the colon, producing the same effect upon its more solid +contents, thus causing an evacuation. Many people have no conception, +whatever, of the modus operandi of a purgative drug, simply believing +that it acts in a certain mysterious manner, but the above described +process is generally believed to be the correct one by those who have +thought upon the matter, but lack physiological knowledge. It is a +huge mistake. + +Any purgative drug, whether aperient, laxative or cathartic, is +dissolved in the stomach by the action of the gastric juice--in fact, +goes through the same digestive process as the food that is eaten, +that is, it passes into the small intestines and is there absorbed +into the circulation. + +By its irritation of the nerves, the secretory and excretory processes +of the system are stimulated into abnormal action, and an extra quantity +of fluid is poured into the colon to dissolve the accumulated mass; +which is about as scientific a proceeding as pouring a quart of water +into a washbowl on the upper floor of a dwelling to clear away an +obstruction in the main drain of the building. And, again, as previously +stated, the action of laxatives and cathartics, especially the variety +known as hydrogo-cathartics (watery), fill the ano-rectal cavity and the +loculi, or folds of the colon, with a foul watery solution that is a +perpetual source of irritation to the sensitive mucous surface, +hastening and intensifying the process of auto-infection by absorption, +that is constantly going on. + +And what about the enormous drain upon the vital forces? Who is not +familiar with the feeling of exhaustion when the reaction sets in +after the employment of such methods of relief? How can it be +otherwise? These stimulants to defecation are like the applications of +the whip to the jaded horse-they excite the system to make a supreme +effort in the required direction, but the reaction is disastrous in +the extreme. With the repeated demands upon the delicate nervous +system incidental to constant catharsis is it any wonder that we are +so constantly confronted with cases of nervous collapse? The wonder +would be if it were otherwise. + +Nor are these the only objections to be urged against purgative +medication. Its effects upon the digestive functions is, in the +highest degree, destructive. It would be next to impossible to find an +individual addicted to the use of cathartics whose digestion was not, +practically, a wreck. It is true, that a large part of the digestive +disturbance in such cases is due to the obstructed condition +of the colon, and the consequent undue retention of food in the +stomach, until fermentation sets in; but no inconsiderable share of +the trouble is due to the action of the drugs, by repeated over- +stimulation of the nervous system, and perpetual irritation of the +delicate absorbent vessels. + +Viewed from whatever standpoint we may choose, the employment of drugs +to relieve an overcharged colon is both unsatisfactory and +unscientific. + +And yet there is a simple and effective method of dealing with this +trouble; of removing the accumulations, no matter how large they may +be; of thoroughly cleansing and purifying that important organ, the +colon, without the least demand upon the vital forces, and that is by + +WASHING IT OUT. + +In plain English, the preservation and restoration of health depends +entirely upon cleanliness, especially internal cleanliness, and to +attain that condition which we are told is next to godliness, there is +nothing equal to water--especially "hot water, which is the great +scavenger of nature." + +Strange, that such an obviously common-sense proceeding should not be +universal, is it not? I do not claim to be the discoverer of this +method of internal purification, for it is in reality of ancient +origin, as we have it on good authority that it was practised by the +ancient Egyptians, who, it is believed, acquired their knowledge from +observing a bird called the Ibis, a species of Egyptian snipe. The +food of this bird, gathered on the banks of the Nile, was of a very +constipating character, and it was observed, by the earliest +naturalists, to suck up the water of the river and using its long bill +for a syringe, inject it into its anus, thus relieving itself. Pliny +says this habit of the Ibis first suggested the use of clysters to the +ancient Egyptian doctors, known to be the first medical practitioners +of any nation, not excepting the Chinese. [See Naturalis Historia, +Lib. VIII., Dap. 41, Hague 1518. + +Another writer, viz., Christianus Langius, says, that this bird when +attacked with constipation at some distance from the river, and not +able to fly from weakness, would be seen to crawl to the water's edge +with drooping wings and there take its rectal treatment, when in a few +minutes it would fly away in full vigor of regained strength. + +Nor do I even claim to have rediscovered this system of treatment, +although it is a common practice in these days to revamp old theories +and discoveries, and try to foist them upon the public as entirely new +propositions. The credit for the resuscitation of this ancient +remedial practice belongs, without doubt, to Dr. A. Wilford Hall, of +New York, who practiced the treatment on himself for forty years +before giving its principles to the public, thereby fully proving its +merits. + +The following experience from the pen of Dr. H. T. Turner, of +Washington, affords incontestable proof of the allegation made, that +the colon is the seat of disease, and his testimony should be read +with extreme care. It is no fanciful, theoretical statement, but the +ghastly revelation of an appalling reality. While reading his +statement, the reader will do well to refer to the engraving, +representing the digestive apparatus, at the commencement of this +book, as it will greatly facilitate his comprehension of the matter. + +"In 1880 I lost a patient with inflammation of the bowels, and +requested of the friends the privilege of holding a post-mortem +examination, as I was satisfied that there was some foreign substance +in or near the Ileo-coecal valve, or in that apparently useless +appendage, the Appendicula Vermiformis. (See explanation of +engraving.) + +"The autopsy developed a quantity of grape seed and popcorn, filling +the lower enlarged pouch of the colon and the opening into the +Appendicula Vermiformis. This, from the mortified and blackened +condition of the colon alone, indicated that my diagnosis was correct. +I opened the colon throughout its entire length of five feet, and +found it filled with faecal matter encrusted on its walls and into the +folds of the colon, in many places dry and hard as slate, and so +completely obstructing the passage of the bowels as to throw him into +violent colic (as his friends stated), sometimes as often as twice a +month, for years, and that powerful doses of physic was his only +relief; that all the doctors had agreed that it was bilious colic. I +observed that this crusted matter was evidently of long standing, the +result of years of accumulation, and although the remote cause, not +the immediate cause of his death. The sigmoid-flexure (see engraving), +or bend in the colon on the left side, was especially full, and +distended to double its natural size, filling the gut uniformly, with +a small hole the size of one's little finger through the center, +through which the recent faecal matter passed. In the lower part of +the sigmoid-flexure, just before descending to form the rectum, and in +the left hand upper corner of the colon as it turns toward the right, +were pockets eaten out of the hardened faecal matter, in which were +eggs of worms and quite a quantity of maggots, which had eaten into +the sensitive mucous membrane, causing serious inflammation of the +colon and its adjacent parts, and as recent investigation has +established as a fact, were the cause of his hemorrhoids, or piles, +which I learned were of years' standing. The whole length of the colon +was in a state of chronic inflammation; still this man considered +himself well and healthy until the unfortunate eating of the grape +seed and popcorn, and had no trouble in getting his life insured in +one of the best companies in America. + +"I have been thus explicit in this description, from the fact that +recent investigation has developed the fact that in the discovery +described above, I had found but a prototype of at least seven-tenths +of the human family in civilized life--the real cause of all diseases +of the human body, excepting the grape seed and popcorn. That I had +found the fountain of premature old age and death, for, as surprising +as it may seem, out of 284 cases of autopsies held of late on the +colon (they representing in their death nearly all the diseases known +to our climate), but twenty-eight colons were found to be free from +hardened, adhered matter, and in their normal healthy state, and that +the 256 were all more or less as described above, except, perhaps, the +grape seeds and popcorn. In many of them the colon was distended to +double its natural size throughout its whole length, with a small hole +through the center, and as far as could be learned, these last cases +spoken of had regular evacuations of the bowels each day. Many of the +colons contained large maggots from four to six inches long, and +pockets of eggs and maggots, while blood and pus were frequently +present." + +The question is often asked, and naturally so, why this unnatural +accumulation is in the colon? The horse and ox promptly obey the call +of nature; they know no time or place, and are blessed with clean +colons. So are the natives of Africa. But the demands of civilized +life insist upon a time and place. Business, etiquette, opportunity, +and a thousand and one excuses stand continually in the way, and +nature's call is put off to a more convenient time and place. + +How many people are not presentable to themselves or friends, owing to +the putrid smell of their bodies, so that in polite society strong +colognes and other perfumes are used. Show me a woman who girts her +waist with corsets or any tight clothing, and I will warrant you that +the smell from her body will be sickening in the extreme. The special +reason for this is, that the lacing comes immediately where the +transverse colon crosses her body. Now, if the sigmoid-flexure becomes +loaded, because of its folding upon itself, how much more will the +transverse colon become clogged if unnaturally folded upon itself by +compression from each side folding it, as demonstrated in some +instances, almost double the whole length, into two extra elbows, +where it, if natural; is straight (see engraving on next page). Many +reasons have been given by physiologists and humanitarians, why it is +injurious for the lady to lace, but this reason outweighs them all. +Wear the clothing loose, clean out the colon and heal it up, and you +will smell sweet, and life will be a continual blessing; for if the +main sewer in the body is closed or clogged, nature has but three +other outlets: the capillaries or pores of the skin, the lungs in +exhalation, or the kidneys. If the colon is clogged, the penned-up +acid permeations of the stomach and duodenum will have to seek other +outlets, which is indicated by the putrid smell of the body and a foul +breath with finally dyspepsia, and what is usually termed biliousness, +torpid liver, etc. + +The condition of the colon (the physiological sewer) in the average +adult having been demonstrated, does it need any argument to convince +the intelligent thinker that the most rational and practical manner of +dealing with this hot-bed of filth and breeding place of disease, is +to wash it out? + +With me, it has passed beyond the theoretical stage, for I have in my +office fully 15,000 grateful letters from patients who have used this +process, under my direction, with the most astounding results; +scarcely a disease known to humanity, but has been relieved, and in +ninety-five per cent. of cases, cures effected; while tens of +thousands of gratifying messages have reached me from time to time; +nor is the testimony in its favor confined to the laity, for hundreds +of physicians (including some of the most prominent authorities) +testify to the wonderfully beneficial results achieved by its use. + +We now come to the most important feature of the subject--the means for +putting it into practice, for it will readily be admitted that such an +admirable and common-sense method of treatment should have the most +perfect means procurable for its application, but until the present +time the available means have remained crude and undeveloped. This, +however, is scarcely to be wondered at. It is the history of all +important discoveries. + +Those great natural forces, steam and electricity, although their +value was recognized, yet required the aid of inventive genius to +develop their possibilities; in fact, it has required three-fourths of +a century to bring the locomotive to its present state of perfection, +while the potentialities of electricity are as yet only surmised. This +being so in matters that offer a rich pecuniary harvest to the +inventor, it is little matter for surprise that improvement in a means +of combating disease should progress slowly. In the first place, it +was a new departure, unheralded to the world, and frowned upon by the +members of the orthodox medical schools; consequently there was no +tempting bait of a handsome profit to encourage the inventor, and +until lately the indifference to matters pertaining to health was +proverbial. + +When Dr. Hall commenced his famous experimentation upon himself, the +only appliance available for the purpose was the old-fashioned bulb +syringe, which is simply a flexible rubber tube with an egg-shaped +receptacle in the center. One end of the tube is inserted in the +rectum, while the other end is immersed in a vessel of water, the +injection of the fluid being accomplished by alternately compressing +and relaxing the bulbous portion. It is needless to say that the +process of "flushing the colon" copiously, the only effectual way, was +a tedious, inconvenient and imperfect matter with such a crude +appliance. After the lapse of a great number of years the "gravity" or +"fountain" syringe was invented, which consisted of a rubber bag with +a long flexible tube attached to its lower end. The bag was suspended +from a nail or hook several feet above the individual, the water being +forced into the body by gravity, the pressure being increased or +diminished by raising or lowering the bag. This was a distinct advance +upon the bulb syringe, but it still left a great deal to be desired. +In the first place, they are both exceedingly tedious, a serious +objection in the case of weakly or elderly people; secondly, both +methods necessitate the uncovering of the lower portion of the body, +which is decidedly unpleasant; and, most serious of all, it is +impossible to prevent the admission of air into the intestine, and +that is a fruitful source of pain and discomfort. It should, however, +be borne in mind that both of these appliances were devised for an +entirely different class of operation (namely, vaginal douching), +and were only used for intestinal treatment because there was nothing +better at hand. + +Another method, sometimes employed by progressive physicians, consists +in using, in connection with the fountain syringe, a tube from +eighteen to twenty-four inches in length, made of a firm but flexible +variety of rubber. This was introduced (its entire length) into the +body, the theory being that it was necessary to get behind the +impacted mass and force it out ahead of the water, which was +theoretically correct, but in practice found sadly wanting. In the +first place, the opening in the eye of the tube became clogged with +the faecal matter, and, secondly, with the double tube employed for +the return flow, the opening was too small to allow of the passage of +solid substances. The introduction of the catheter is a process +requiring considerable skill, and a perfect acquaintance with the +anatomy of the parts, so that personal use of it is practically +impossible, or, at least, attended with considerable danger. An +examination of the diagram of the digestive apparatus at the beginning +of the book will enable the reader to understand the difficulties +attending its introduction, since it has to pass the sigmoid flexure +(No. 12), and the splenic flexure--that angle of the colon where the +transverse portion turns to descend. With such a tortuous road to +travel, the risk of injury to the sensitive mucous membrane is +excessive--hence this instrument should never be used by the patient +upon himself. + +The author, however, felt that there must be an easier and more +effective method of irrigating that important organ--the colon--and one +unattended with any risk, and determined, if possible, to devise some +better way. After much patient and tireless experimenting he invented +and perfected the "J. B. L. Cascade," a mechanical appliance which +completely rids the process of all its objectionable features, and +enables young and old, weak and strong, to use the treatment without +the possibility of danger. It achieves the desired result far more +effectively than any other known apparatus, with the least possible +inconvenience to the patient, and yet so gently and easily that the +operation, so far from being distressing or disagreeable, becomes a +positive gratification. + +The letters J. B. L. are the initials of the words Joy, Beauty, Life, +which aptly indicate its purpose and effects, for we confidently claim +that its use will infallibly confer these three great blessings, it +being the one safe and sanative method of regaining and preserving +health. Without health there is no joy in life, and perfect beauty +cannot possibly exist, while with health life becomes indeed worth +living. + +One of the gravest objections to all the hitherto existing appliances +is the construction of the nozzle, or tube, that is inserted in the +body, and through which the water is conveyed. These are all (without +exception) made with an aperature in the end, or extreme tip, the +consequence being that a small jet of water is continuously directed +upon one spot in the delicate and sensitive mucous membrane. With +water at the necessary temperature this is a source of grave danger, +and likely to result in serious injury, by causing a separation of the +various layers of which the membrane is composed. When this separation +occurs little slits occur in the rectal lining, in which faecal matter +lodges, ultimately forming what are known as pockets, causing, first, +irritation, then inflammation, and, finally, results in "proctitis"-- +chronic inflammation of the intestinal canal. The best authorities +agree in condemning the direct jet, while rectal specialists regard it +as one of their chief aids to income. + +With these facts in view, the construction of my "injection point," or +entering tube, engaged the special attention, finally, with the result +that a most successful means of overcoming this dangerous objection +has been provided. Instead of the opening in the end, the tip is made +absolutely solid, so that the impact of the entering water is not felt +at all, while it is provided with six rows of perforations on the +sides, through which the water is evenly diffused over the walls of +the rectum, which is a most desirable thing in cases of hemorrhoids or +rectal inflammations. It is also so constructed that the natural +constriction of the sphincter muscles holds it firmly in position in +the rectum, and while affording the water free passage into the colon, +it prevents the escape of the fluid externally, thus rendering soiled +garments impossible. + +But the simplicity of the operation is one of its chief advantages, +for the patient sits upon the appliance in ease and comfort while +receiving the cleansing stream, and by following the directions the +time occupied in the operation need not exceed fifteen minutes, or +about one-fourth of the time required by other methods--an unmistakably +valuable saving of time and strain to busy or weakly people. The +faucet is considered by experts as a most valuable feature, on account +of the "dome" portion, which accurately fits the natural arch formed +by the limbs when the body is in the seated position. + +Many people are accustomed to use the bulb and fountain syringes in a +reclining position and some physicians recommend the patient to kneel +in the bath tub, with the body bent well forward: an irksome, +disagreeable position and quite unnecessary. The theory is, that the +water will flow into the body by gravitation, but they overlook the +fact that the ascending and descending portions of the colon, being +parallel in the body, the water, while flowing readily into the +descending portions, would have to flow uphill in the ascending +portions and by the time it reached there, the force would be +exhausted. The weight of the body furnishes greater force, which is +proportioned to the size and bulk of the patient, but is not +perceptible to him, on account of the solid construction of the tip of +the "injection point," while the steady, uniform pressure exerted +serves to distend the walls of the colon and thus liberate adherent +matter. By far the great majority of people, however, use these crude +appliances while seated over a vessel, which is decidedly injurious. +By reference to the diagram of the digestive organs it will be seen +that the "descending colon," that portion which terminates in the +rectum, is larger than either of the other divisions of that organ. In +fact, its capacity (in the average adult) is about three pints, +equivalent to three pounds. Now this weight, in a flexible organ like +the colon, must cause a sagging down, exerting a serious strain upon +its attachments to the abdominal wall, and by its pressure upon the +sphincters will induce prolapse of the rectum. That is one reason why +so many people find it almost impossible to receive enough water to +make the treatment successful. When a physician, or trained nurse, is +administering a high enema, it is a common practice to hold a folded +towel against the rectum, to guard against this pressure and its +possible results. The "dome" portion of the faucet (previously +referred to) affords the desired support, automatically and +effectually prevents any prolapse; while the handle of the faucet, +projecting forward, between the limbs, may be manipulated with the +greatest ease in controlling the flow of water; and, being seated on a +warm cushion, the patient experiences a pleasant, soothing sensation, +which completely allays any nervousness. + +Moreover, realizing the immense advantage to be obtained by attacking +the germs of disease in their chief breeding place, an antiseptic +preparation is introduced into the water used in this remedial +process, which completely and speedily destroys the germs of disease; +but although so potent in its action upon micro-organic life, it is +perfectly harmless, even though a hundred times the necessary quantity +should be forced into the intestinal canal. But it is not alone a germ +destroyer, for it possesses admirable tonic properties, which act upon +the muscular coat of the colon and speedily restores it to its normal +condition. + +Defecation, or the expulsion of waste substance from the bowel is +accompanied by the contraction of the circular fibres of the said +muscular coat, but when constipation has existed for any length of +time, the accumulated matter adhering to the walls of the colon +renders that organ partially, if not wholly rigid, hence the +difficulty of evacuation; consequently, through disuse, the +muscles become to a certain extent atrophied, and require stimulation +to resume their natural function even after the colon has been +cleansed. It is largely owing to the use of this antiseptic "tonic" +that the "Cascade Treatment" has been so successful in cases of +obstinate constipation, as by its use the intestine speedily regains +tone and power. + +I unhesitatingly assert that if the colon be regularly cleansed and +disinfected by this means, any bacilli or bacteria that may have +obtained a lodgment in the system will be quickly destroyed and +expelled--it cannot be otherwise. + +And once the germs of disease are destroyed and their chief breeding +place kept clean by this simple process, and the re-absorption of +poisonous liquid waste into the system thus prevented, Nature, the +great physician, will speedily assert itself and effect a restoration +to health. + +NOTE. + +If the water is not readily expelled do not attempt to force it out by +straining. Instead, flatten in the abdomen by forcibly contracting the +abdominal muscles. + + + +PART IV. + +HOW TO USE IT. + +Having endeavored to show the true nature of disease, the rational +method of treating it, and the superiority of the "Cascade" over all +previously existing methods for carrying the treatment into effect, it +may be well to explain the actual manner of using the "Cascade." + +In the first place, the reservoir should be thoroughly washed out with +slightly warm water, to get. rid of the factory dust. At one time it +was the practice to cleanse them all thoroughly before fitting them, +but purchasers got the impression that they had been used by other +persons, so it was decided to abandon that practice and send them out +with the dust of the factory in them, in proof of their newness. + +Having cleansed the reservoir, the faucet should be shut off and a +level teaspoonful of the antiseptic tonic dissolved in a little warm +water in a cup or glass and poured into the reservoir, which should +then be completely filled with water as hot as the hand can +comfortably bear; not to simply dip the fingers in and withdraw them, +but so that you can immerse the hand and allow it to remain without +discomfort. If tested with a thermometer the water should be from 100 +to 105 degrees Fahr., but the hand is a safer guide, as it prevents +any possible danger from a thermometer out of order, or mistaking a +figure in a poor light. If tested by the hand you are absolutely safe, +since water can he used twenty degrees hotter internally than +externally, but in its passage from the body it would he painful to +the external parts. Hot water is the best solvent for impacted faecal +matter, and, on the other hand, water below the temperature of the +body is likely to cause pain. If the hands are impervious to heat, an +excellent plan is to test the water with the tip of the elbow, which +is a most sensitive part of the body. + +It is necessary that the reservoir should be absolutely full to insure +the exclusion of air, as that is also likely to cause pain, and, in +addition, its presence is likely to prevent the proper reception of +the water, as, according to an established law in physics, two bodies +cannot occupy the same space at the same time. For this reason it is +advisable to solicit the bowels before taking the treatment, as, if +even no faecal matter is expelled, pent-up gases are frequently +liberated. + +The reservoir having been filled as directed and the above directions +carefully observed, the "Cascade" should be laid down and the +"injection point" screwed in. It is then ready for use. Being all +ready, the stick of rectal soap should be dipped in water--to moisten +it--inserted in the rectum and withdrawn. This is simply to lubricate +the passage and facilitate the admission of the "injection point." +Then, standing in front of the seat on which the "Cascade" is lying +(as if preparing to sit down), pass the left hand between the lower +limbs and grasp the handle of the faucet, to guide the "injection +point" into the rectum, and then carefully sit down upon the +"Cascade." When the "injection point" has been completely introduced +and you are comfortably seated, relax the muscles and allow the whole +weight of the body to rest freely on the "Cascade," and turn on the +faucet, partially at first, then, after a few seconds, turn it on +fully and you will readily receive the water. + +The most convenient place to use the "Cascade" is in the bathroom, +placing it on the closet seat; or you will find the ordinary bedroom +"commode" a suitable article for the purpose, but if neither of these +are available, then any firm seat, such as a wooden-seated chair, will +do, but taking care to have a vessel at hand in which to discharge the +contents of the bowel. + +As soon as the faucet is turned on and the water begins to flow into +the body, proceed to practise the following movements: Commencing in +the right groin; stroke firmly but gently, right across the pelvis, or +lower edge of the abdomen, to the left groin, then directly upward +with the hands to a point just above the umbilicus, or navel, then +straight across the body and down to the right groin. These movements +are directly over and along the course of the colon, and if they are +made gently but firmly, the water will be assisted on its course. A +study of the diagram of the digestive apparatus at the commencement of +the book will be of great assistance in enabling you to understand the +reason for and the method of these movements. + +It sometimes happens that after a small quantity of water has been +injected there is a strong desire to expel it, which is sometimes due +to nervousness, induced by the novelty of the operation. If this be +so, shut off the faucet at once and resist the inclination, when, in a +few minutes, the desire will have passed away, then turn on the faucet +again. Be sure to allow the full weight of the body to rest on the +"Cascade," and have no fear. It is the weight of the body itself that +furnishes the motive power and to ease up the pressure defeats the +object. + +As soon as all the water has entered that you feel it possible to +receive, turn off the faucet, rise from the "Cascade," sit over the +closet, or vessel, and allow the contents of the bowel to escape. At +the same time repeat the stroking movement previously described, but +this time reverse it, commencing in the right groin, up, across and +down to the left groin. These movements have a three-fold object: they +assist the water in its passage backward and forward, thus shortening +the time of the treatment; they force along the accumulated matter in +the colon with the current of water, and help to dislodge adherent +matter from the walls of the colon. + +As we proceed on the assumption that the colon is more or less +impacted (which experience shows), we do not anticipate that more than +two quarts will be received at the first treatment, but as the +accumulations are removed by successive treatments, the capacity of +the colon is increased, so that at the end of the second week enough +should be received to completely fill the colon. The amount of water +varies, of course, with the bulk of the individual, but the capacity +of the colon, in the average well-grown adult, is about four quarts, +but even in the case of a person below the average size, it may safely +be assumed that three quarts of water are absolutely necessary for a +successful treatment. + +The presence of from three to four quarts of water in the body will +naturally distend the abdomen and produce a little discomfort, but no +apprehension of any harmful result need be entertained. Rest assured +of this: it is absolutely impossible to rupture the colon, unless you +were to use a force pump, and even then, before the point of rupture +could be reached, the pain would be so intense that you would be +compelled to desist. Again, as we have pointed out, the colon is a +wonderfully elastic organ, and it would be an impossibility to distend +it with water to the same extent that it is frequently distended by +faecal accumulations. + +Whenever pain is present during the treatment it is usually due to one +of two things: either the water has not been sufficiently hot, or the +reservoir has not been completely filled, but, if in spite of these +precautions, pain should be present, it will be found advisable, after +a small quantity of water has been injected (say from a pint to a +quart) to shut off the faucet, rise from the "Cascade" and expel it; +then, upon returning to the "Cascade," it will usually be found that +the cleansing of the lower portions of the bowel has removed the +trouble. The same method of procedure holds good when there is any +difficulty in injecting the water. In cases where pain is persistent, +even although all precautions are taken (although such are extremely +rare), a decoction of anise seed made by steeping a tablespoonful of +the seed in a pint of boiling water, added to the water used for +flushing (omitting the antiseptic tonic), will act as an anodyne on +the intestine, and completely subdue the pain. + +The frequency with which the treatment is used will depend upon the +nature of the trouble and the length of time it has existed. In the +great majority of cases it is recommended to be used as follows when +commencing the treatment: The first week use it every night; the +second week every alternate night; after that use it twice a week, or +as occasion seems to demand it. For the simple preservation of health, +twice a week will be found amply sufficient. After using the "Cascade" +it will be found extremely beneficial to inject from a half pint to a +pint of cool water and retain it. This will be found not only a +valuable rectal tonic, but an excellent diuretic as well, as it will +pass off by way of the kidneys, cleansing and purifying those organs. + +The "Cascade" should not be used within three hours after eating a +full meal, as, if both the stomach and transverse colon are distended +at the same time they press upon each other, and the stomach, being +the more sensitive of the two, nausea is likely to be produced; but +although (with the above proviso) the treatment can be used with +benefit at any period during the twenty-four hours, yet, just before +retiring at night is by far the best time to take it, for several +reasons. Firstly, it is usually the most convenient time for the +majority of people. Secondly, it invariably induces a good night's +rest; for no sleeping potion can equal its effects in that direction. +Thirdly, night is Nature's repairing season, when she is busy making +good the ravages of the day--replacing the waste by building fresh +tissue and by putting the system into a cleanly condition and +purifying the blood current; at that season you are co-operating with +Nature and may confidently expect, and will undoubtedly secure, the +best results. + +After using the "Cascade" it is quite possible that there may not be a +movement of the bowels until late the following day. This must not be +considered as evidence of constipation, but simply a lack of matter to +discharge. In a perfectly natural condition of existence there should +be at least two movements of the bowels during the day, but it must be +remembered that the human system has acquired bad habits, and it will +require some time before perfect conditions are re-established. If, +however, from a half pint to a pint of hot water is sipped in the +morning, certainly not less than half an hour before breakfast, it +will stimulate the bowels to action, even though the "Cascade" had +been used the night before, while its cleansing effect upon the +stomach will assist the digestive functions in a marked degree. + +It may be accepted as a truism that success invariably excites envy, +therefore, it is but reasonable that the astounding results that have +attended this method of treatment should have aroused a certain amount +of antagonism. The hardy individual who dares to propose a new +departure in the method of treating disease must be prepared to hear +his theories ridiculed, his system denounced, and, possibly, his +motives impugned. Consequently, it is not surprising that the "Cascade +Treatment" has some objections urged against it. + +The first objection I am confronted with is, "it is not natural." I +willingly concede that point, and will add that neither is an +obstructed and engorged colon natural. + +We are living (in a large measure) an artificial life. In his barbaric +state man obeyed the calls of nature without regard to time or place, +and it is safe to assert that under those conditions an obstructed +colon was an unknown quantity. But in deference to the demands of +civilized life we disregard Nature's calls and defer the response +until a convenient opportunity presents itself, and for this violation +of natural law, a penalty is inflicted. + +An obstructed colon, therefore, being itself unnatural, man is +obviously justified in using the brains that Nature has endowed him +with to cleanse it. An artificial limb is unnatural, but would the +same objection hold good that because a man has had the misfortune to +suffer amputation, he must, therefore, limp through life on crutches, +rather than use the mechanical substitute that man's ingenuity has +devised? + +Common sense teaches us, and experience has amply confirmed the +teaching, that flushing is not only the easiest, but the most +effectual means of accomplishing this purpose; and it is unmistakably +the most harmless, inasmuch as we use Nature's most simple and +effective cleansing agency in the process--pure water. Sickness is in +itself unnatural, and until the system can be restored to its natural +condition reason plainly shows us that we must co-operate with Nature +and assist in removing these impurities from the system, a task which +our disregard of her warnings has prevented her from accomplishing. +Cathartics simply excite the excretory processes, and stimulate Nature +to a violent effort to expel them, the unnatural exertion being +followed by a feeling of languor, for all purgative action is +debilitating. Flushing, on the contrary, acts directly on the +accumulated matter in the colon (which cathartics never do), and, +instead of causing an unnatural excitation of any of the natural +processes, it induces a calm, restful feeling and a sense of profound +relief. + +"It is a debilitating practice," the objectors urge. Here, again, I +join issue. I am in a position to prove a decided negative. + +I have the evidence of thousands of people to the contrary--people who +have tested the treatment, and, setting aside the weight of testimony, +even the most prejudiced mind must admit, that actual, personal +experience is more to be relied on than unsupported theory. + +Dr. Contrary--people said that his patients who had used the treatment +for months, and even years, had steadily gained in strength and flesh +all the time. + +Another favorite objection is that "it causes the intestines to become +weakened and dependent upon this unnatural method." To this I reply +that it is a well known fact that at least fifty per cent, of people +in civilized (?) communities are slaves to the purgative habit, the +system refusing to fulfil its functions without this unnatural +excitation; therefore, if dependence must be placed in something, we +should unhesitatingly give the preference to water, as against +cathartics, but the whole weight of evidence shows that the objection +has no foundation in fact. + +On this subject Dr. Forrest said: "Flushing the colon does not cause a +weakening of the intestines. When this procedure is no longer +necessary, owing to restored health, the intestines have also been +restored and improved in tone and will carry on their functions +unaided." + +Dr. Stevens, who has used the treatment upon himself and patients for +over twenty years, says that it in no wise interferes in his case with +the normal movement of the bowels. To test it in this respect he has +frequently discontinued its use for a week, with the result of a +regular movement, as soon as enough faecal matter had accumulated to +demand it. + +He recommends flushing every two or three days as a preventive of +disease. For over twenty years he has practiced flushing upon himself +as a precaution, and, although now between seventy and eighty years +old, since beginning its use he has never known a day of sickness. + +It is contended by some people, including a percentage of physicians +(who should know better), that the frequent use of this treatment will +so stretch the colon that it will remain permanently distended. This +argument is so totally opposed to physiological law, to say nothing of +experience and common sense, that it is almost laughable. The veriest +tyro in the matter of exercise knows that exercise develops a muscle; +that repeated flexion and extension of the arm, for instance, will +strengthen the muscles of that limb, not cause them to lose their +contractibility. All muscle fibres are alike in structure, except that +some are voluntary, others involuntary, but that difference is simply +due to the difference in the source of nerve supply. There is no +reason that can be shown why the muscles of the colon should lose +their elasticity through exercise in contra-distinction to all the +other muscles of the body, since they are not subjected to any +extraordinary strain, the extreme tension only lasting for a few +seconds, while as soon as the water commences to escape, relaxation +follows, and, in addition, heat acts as a stimulant. The objection +does not even merit serious consideration. + +"It operates against peristalsis," we are told. I deny it, for the +energy evinced by the intestine in expelling the water is proof of +increased peristaltic vigor, if it is proof of anything. And even if +it did suspend peristalsis for a few minutes, is it not a fact that +other natural functions can be suspended for a much longer period, +only to be resumed with unabated vigor? + +Equally absurd, and destitute of foundation, in fact, is the objection +frequently advanced that the washing of the interior surface of the +colon is injurious; as it washes away the fluid that Nature secretes +for the purpose of lubrication. + +Where, in the name of common sense, do they get their authority for +such a statement? Do they not know that such a contention is in direct +opposition to physiological law? Does bathing the external surface of +the body prevent the further excretion of perspiration; or bathing the +eyes destroy the functions of the Meibomian glands? Does the drinking +of water prevent any further discharge of saliva into the mouth, or of +gastric juice into the stomach? If the washing away of a secretion +destroyed the power of the secreting gland, human existence would be +brief indeed. + +The truth is that not one in ten thousand has any practical knowledge +of the subject. They may possess a smattering, and in the endeavor to +make it show to advantage, they draw upon their imagination to supply +the deficiency. On the other hand, I have been making this subject a +constant study for the past twenty years, having had experience in +thousands of cases, and, therefore, contend that my opinion is of more +value than that of the average man--whether physician or layman--and is +at least entitled to respectful consideration. + +Whether the practice of the treatment is to be persisted in will, of +course, depend upon the nature and habits of the patient. If the +pernicious habits that caused the trouble are not abandoned, a +constant resort to the treatment will be necessary. If the patient is +naturally of a costive habit, and has thoroughly weakened his +intestines by a reckless and indiscriminate use of cathartics, it will +require a long persistence in reformed habits before the weakened +bowels will have gained sufficient strength to fulfil their functions +normally. + +It is advisable for elderly people to use it more or less continuously +throughout life, for with advancing years the bowels naturally become +less active, and this simple process offers a valuable means of +assistance to flagging nature at the cost of little, if any, exertion; +in fact, after a, little experience no more will be thought of using +the "Cascade" than of taking a meal. + +I would strictly impress on the minds of those who propose to give +this treatment a trial that, like every other undertaking in life, +thoroughness and persistence are absolutely indispensable to success. +No great end was ever yet achieved except by hard work, +conscientiousness and perseverance, and these three factors are in the +highest degree necessary to restore health to a system from which it +has long been estranged: + +If a chronic, deep-seated disease can be cured in a year, by a home +process, so simple that a child can understand and practise it, the +individual so benefited should consider himself or herself most +fortunate; and few will deny that the end in view--restoration to +health--is a full and ample recompense for the thorough and persistent +effort necessary to attain it. If it were a question of large +pecuniary profit to the patient, it is scarcely necessary to say that +every nerve would be strained to its utmost tension to bring the +coveted prize within his grasp; yet here the reward is of infinitely +greater value, a prize compared with which riches are as dross in +comparison with gold. It is Health, without which the acquisition of +Wealth, is well-nigh impossible, and its possession as profitless to +the possessor as Dead Sea fruit. + +I write thus strongly on this point because there is a large class of +people who dabble in every new system of treatment projected, and toy +with every medicinal device that is placed upon the market. They are +the class from whom the patent medicine vendor draws his enormous +annual profits. Like a bee in a garden of roses, they flit from one +remedy to another, but, unlike that energetic and acquisitive insect, +they do not gather the golden reward they are in search of--health. It +is the purveyor of the nostrum that secures whatever there is of gold. + +They seem to be utterly incapable of continuity of effort, and, unless +they can discern a marked improvement within a week after commencing a +fresh method of treatment, get discouraged and abandon it. To this +class of people I say, in the most emphatic manner, that if they +propose to give this great remedial process a trial and expect to +derive benefit from it, that the cure rests entirely in their own +hands. + +They must persevere. They must be thorough. They must not expect +miraculous results in a few days. Their diseased condition is the +growth of months, perhaps years, and it is the height of unreasoning +folly to expect to be cured in a few weeks. A merchant whose business +has been crippled and who starts in to rebuild it, will consider +himself an extremely fortunate man if, by watchful and untiring +endeavor, he can restore it to a sound and healthy condition in a few +years. Growth is necessarily slow--and this is especially the case with +the human system. Nature will not be hurried. But of one thing they +may rest assured, and that is that if they conscientiously and +persistently practise this simple hygienic treatment they will find +Nature a responsive and willing coadjutor. + +"Heaven fights on the side of the strongest battalions," is a military +aphorism, and Nature ranges herself on the side of the individual who +co-operates with her most faithfully, who, in the struggle for the +regaining of health, brings the greatest amount of determination and +perseverence to the encounter. + +What these irresolute dabblers in "medical fads" need most of all is +to be inoculated with good, sound common sense, but until some method +is discovered for the accomplishment of that psychological feat, they +will continue to run hither and thither after every new remedy, +dallying with all, and deriving benefit from none. + +Here is the testimony of an intelligent man who realizes that the cure +of a chronic disease must necessarily be a gradual process: + +"I was a great sufferer from kidney disease of long standing. The +doctors and the various remedies recommended for this complaint +afforded me no relief. I have now used your treatment for nearly six +months. It is working wonders. While I am not yet entirely cured, I am +a great deal better than I was, and am sure, with the rate of progress +made, in six months more I shall be entirely cured." + +Perseverence in the treatment will achieve results that seem little +short of miraculous to those accustomed to the "hit or miss" methods +that have so long been in use. And best of all, the benefit attained +will be permanent, for the system being thoroughly cleansed, and kept +so, nothing but fresh, firm, healthy tissue is formed, so that after a +year's conscientious treatment the person practising it will be +practically a new being. + + + +PART V. + +PRACTICAL HYGIENE. + +Of all the dangers by which we are menaced, none is so greatly to be +apprehended as ignorance. This is especially true with reference to +health. The majority of people fall easy victims to disease, simply +through ignorance of the fundamental principles that govern health. It +is because they do not rise superior to this ignorance concerning the +health of their bodies that they become the prey of the unscrupulous +charlatans who thrive upon the maladies of humanity, and the patent +medicine vendors whose specious advertisements beguile them of their +money. The humiliating part of it is that these same imposters (in a +large majority of cases) possess but little more knowledge of these +subjects than their dupes, but are absolutely devoid of conscientious +scruples. It behooves every intelligent individual to see that this +reproach is lifted from him. Knowledge is held to be a valuable +possession in every department of life; but in no instance will it yield +greater returns for the investment than in the field of hygiene--in +learning how to keep well. + +It must not be imagined that because the treatment previously +described is such a wonderful curative and preventive of disease that +nothing more is necessary that all other hygienic measures can be +ignored. These bodies of ours were given us for a nobler purpose than +to be the sport of our caprice or neglect. It is our duty to treat +them as a divine trust. + +There is no reason why any human being should die before eighty at +least. With proper care the century mark should be reached in the +majority of cases. This may sound like an extravagant assertion, but +it is absolutely true. It all depends upon taking care of the human +machine. Ask an engineer how long a locomotive would last if drawn at +express speed every day, or if left standing idly on a siding! He will +tell you that over work or disuse are fatal to mechanism, so far as +its capacity for lasting is concerned. Well, the most finished product +of man's handiwork in machinery cannot begin to compare with that +wonderful, complex piece of mechanism--the human body; and if care will +prolong the life of the lifeless machine, the veriest dullard cannot +fail to perceive that the same rule applies with ten-fold force to the +human organism, which possesses within itself the power of +recuperation--a living machine, every atom of which is being daily +replaced as fast as the friction of life disintegrates it. If the +locomotive were capable of being reproduced in like manner--of having +the daily waste of substance replaced during rest by proper attention +to its needs--do you think its owners would ever allow it to wear or +rust out? Would they not bend every energy to prolong its existence +indefinitely? Most assuredly they would. And is the body, the earthly +habitation of the real man, of less importance to himself than the +creations of his own hands? Common sense says, "No!" But daily +experience shows us that the bulk of humanity are far less careful of +the earthly husk that shelters the divine ego than of the machinery +that ministers to their wants. We repeat, there is no reason why man +should not live to be a hundred, or even more, if only proper care be +exercised. The hurry of modern life is fatal to the expectation of +longevity, so also is over-indulgence in the pleasures of the table, +which is one of the besetting sins of the present generation. If from +childhood the care of the human body was made the subject of constant +instruction, the second generation from now would see such a marked +change in the personnel of the race as would astound even the most +sanguine. What if a few less dollars were piled on each other? "Which +is the more to be desired, a perfect, healthful physique, or a full +purse?" + +To preserve the body in health is an easy matter, if the individual +will only bring the same thoughtful intelligence to bear on the +subject that he does on the ordinary affairs of life. The natural +agencies for the preservation of health are, as previously stated, +Pure Water, Sunlight, Fresh Air, Diet and Exercise. he first three +are furnished "without money and without price" by the all-wise +mother, while the two last simply require a slight exertion of will +power, tempered with intelligence. + +Of the quintette of agencies mentioned above, water is one of the most +important. Water is the original source of all animal life. From it +the earliest species were evolved, and by the natural law of +correlation, it continues to be one of the most important factors in +sustaining existence. Water enters more largely into the composition +of all organic substance than the majority of people dream of, and +this is notably true of the human body. Few people realize that +seventy per cent. of their earthly tenement consists of the fluid in +which they perform their ablutions, yet such is the fact. + +This important physiological truth should be carefully laid to heart, +for it accentuates the vital necessity of imbibing a sufficient +quantity of fluid daily to preserve the proportion in the system +requisite for health! Water is the only known substance that possesses +the power of permeating every cell and fibre of the living organism, +without creating disturbance or irritation. Water is, in +fact, an indispensable necessity for physical existence its excess or +deficit creating abnormal conditions; but the latter is the more +common condition. Being universally present in all the tissues of the +body, water is the principal agent in the elimination of waste +material from the body, according to Nature's plan--hence, for the +preservation of health, every adult should drink from two to three +quarts of water per day, certainly not less than two quarts. One of +the remedial factors in the copious use of water in "flushing the +colon" is that a liberal percentage of it is absorbed through the +walls of the colon, directly into the circulation, thus increasing the +amount in the tissues, and causing more fluid to pass through the +kidneys--cleansing them. + +Hot water is, in reality, a "natural scavenger," but its virtues are +only imperfectly known. As a therapeutic agent it is almost without a +peer, and yet it is so little used that it is practically a dead +letter. Chemists are burning the midnight oil in their laboratories +searching for new weapons with which to fight sepsis, while hot, +boiled water, which is one of the best antiseptics in existence, is +almost ignored. It may be asked why (if it is such an invaluable +remedial agent) it is not more extensively used and advocated? In the +first place, its merits are not generally known. In the second place, +physicians who know of its value hesitate to prescribe it, for the +reason that the majority of patients expect the doctor to prescribe +drugs, and are disappointed if he does not. There is a tendency on the +part of the majority of people to slight that which is near at hand +and easily obtained, in favor of those things which are designated by +mysterious titles, or are difficult of attainment. Man has been so +long accustomed to regard with a species of awe the hieroglyphics on +orthodox prescriptions, that he finds it difficult to dissociate from +it the idea of talismanic power. + +But to return to its uses. Hot water used as a stomach bath (see +description in the appendix at end of book) is a valuable auxiliary in +the preservation and restoration of health. + +By its means the stomach is cleansed of mucous accumulations and +particles of undigested food, thus enabling it to perform its +functions satisfactorily. If, as is often the case (more especially +with dyspeptics) undigested food remains in the stomach, it ferments, +causing what is known as sour stomach, and is productive of many +evils. If we keep the ferment out of the stomach by occasionally +washing it, and prevent the generation of foul gases in the colon, by +regularly flushing it, the bile will effectually prevent any +fermentation in the intestines; and with the body in this cleanly +condition, sickness is well-nigh impossible. But there are external +applications of water, which are equally important for the +preservation of health, and first and foremost is the bath. + +It is a matter of authentic history that the most highly enlightened +and prosperous people of the world have been celebrated for their +devotion to the bath as a means of securing health and vigor as a +means of curing disease, and preventing it, by promoting the activity +of the skin. The excavations at Pompeii show the devotion of the +people to luxurious bathing. The Romans are famous to this day for the +magnificence of their lavatories and the universal use of them by the +rich and poor alike. In Russia the bath is general, from the Czar to +the poorest serf, and through all Finland, Lapland, Sweden and Norway, +no hut is so destitute as not to have its family bath. Equally general +is the custom in Turkey, Egypt and Persia, among all classes from the +Pasha down to the poorest camel driver. Pity it is that we cannot say +as much for the people of our own country. + +Most people are familiar with the aphorism, "cleanliness is next to +godliness," a statement that by implication relegates cleanliness to +the second place, but we would transpose this stated sequence of +conditions, and assign the premier position to cleanliness; for we +contend that purity of soul presupposes purity of body. It is true +that we sometimes find a "jewel in an Ethiop's ear," but it is the +exception that proves the rule. + +But it is not from the moral standpoint that we wish to consider the +subject of physical cleanliness, but from the hygienic. How few people +there are who are really physically clean! The outward semblance of +cleanliness too frequently poses as the real article. Even people who +pride themselves on their cleanliness are frequently guilty of the +unclean practice of sleeping in the underwear they have worn during +the day, and would feel aggrieved if their unclean habit was called by +its right name. Yet, what can be more repulsive to the truly cleanly +individual than the retention, next the body, of garments saturated +with the constant exhalations from the system? Those who think this a +trifling matter, should turn their underwear wrong side outward (after +removing it) when retiring for the night, and in the morning shake it +thoroughly, when they will receive an object lesson in the form of a +cloud of dried effete matter, consisting largely of particles of the +epidermis, removed by abrasion, through the friction of the clothing. +This, being visible, appeals to the sense of sight; but gives no +evidence of the gaseous and liquid refuse matter which was deposited +in the material, and has been allowed to evaporate by the removal of +the clothing. Thus we may see how many so-called cleanly people fall +hopelessly short of true cleanliness. If the individual keeps the +surface of the body clean, by frequent ablutions, the evil is +lessened; but how many people bathe the body daily? As Hamlet says: +"It is a custom more honored in the breach than the observance." Among +the white races of the earth, the English are the greatest devotees of +the daily tub, to which custom their ruddy complexions are largely +due; but Japan is preeminently in the lead in the matter of daily +bathing, for it is doubtful if there could be found in the land of the +"little brown people" a single individual who does not bathe the whole +body daily, unless physically incapacitated. + +The skin is such an important excretory organ that the importance of +keeping its innumerable infinitesimal outlets free from obstruction +cannot be overestimated. As the structure of the skin may not be +understood by the average reader, we will briefly describe this +wonderful depurating organ, that the paramount importance of its +functions may be properly appreciated. + +The skin consists of two layers, the derma, or true skin, and the +epidermis, or cuticle. It is the principal seat of the sense of touch, +and on the surface of the upper layer are the sensitive papillae, +which receive and respond to impressions; and within, or imbedded +beneath it, are organs with special functions, viz., the sweat glands, +hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Its value as a means of +depuration is incalculable, as by it, vast quantities of the aqueous +and gaseous refuse matter is conveyed from the body. By the aid of a +four diameter magnifying glass applied to the skin of the palm of the +hand, the curiously inclined will observe that it is divided into fine +ridges, which are punctured regularly with minute holes. These are the +mouths of the sweat glands, and generally known as the pores of the +skin. Their function is to bring moisture to the surface of the skin; +which is secreted from the blood, and chemical analysis reveals the +fact that this moisture is always more or less loaded with worn-out +and effete matter. It is estimated that there are 3,800 of these +glands in each square inch of skin, and that their total length, in an +ordinary person, if placed end to end, would be ten miles. Then there +are the sebaceous, or oil glands, which oil the skin and keep it +flexible. Now, as the processes of destruction and upbuilding are +perpetually going on in the body, and the skin being one of the +principal avenues by which the refuse is removed, the vital necessity +of keeping this organ perfectly clean becomes apparent at once; for +this refuse matter, if retained in the system, acts as a poison, and +furnishes food for disease germs to feed upon. + +It has been demonstrated by experiment upon dogs from which the hair +had been shorn, that a coat of varnish applied to the body (thus +effectually closing the pores), will cause death in a very short +while. No better object lesson could be given of the imperative +necessity of keeping the skin perfectly clean, if you wish to enjoy +good health. + +It is an easy matter to keep all these miles of tubing in a perfectly +natural and active condition, by a strict observance of the +fundamental principle--cleanliness. Bathe the body daily, complete +immersion, if practicable; if this is not possible, then sponge the +body thoroughly, all over; but if both methods are rendered out of the +question by circumstances, then adopt the best substitute, +namely, vigorous friction with a coarse towel. + +We know it will be urged that the majority of people have not the time +or convenience for this daily process; but when sickness overtakes +them, they have to find time to submit to medical treatment, and in +this, as in other matters of everyday life, the cleanly individual who +is thoroughly in earnest, will "find a way, or make it." + +As to the temperature of the bath, that must, to a great extent, +depend upon the conditions of life, and the predisposition and +susceptibility of the individual; but the cold bath should always be +employed in preference to the warm bath, when conditions permit. The +cold bath is a powerful stimulant to the sympathetic nervous system. +and as that is the great regulator of nutrition, the value of cold +bathing to those afflicted with digestive disturbances will be readily +understood, since all the digestive and assimilative processes are +quickened by it. The glands of the stomach secrete more hydrochloric +acid on account of this stimulus, and a better quality of gastric +juice being thus formed, not only is the digestion improved, but the +system is better enabled to resist microbic invasion. The cold bath +also stimulates the vaso-motor system, which regulates the +circulation, by contracting and dilating the vessels, and increases +the activity of the capillaries or small blood vessels. It thus +increases the resisting power of the skin, by enabling it to reheat +the surface after a chill, and this is the reason why people who +habitually use the cold bath are practically proof against "colds." + +People employed in sedentary occupations are especially benefited by +the cold bath, but should employ a hot bath for three or four minutes +beforehand. It is also especially beneficial to women, as, being an +excellent nerve tonic, it successfully combats all forms of nervous +weakness, and is an admirable preventive of hysteria. + +Children under seven years of age do not bear the application of cold +water very well, and it is advisable not to use the water at a lower +temperature than 700 Fahr., and to employ friction constantly while +administering it; but after that age the temperature may be gradually +lowered. In old age the neutral bath, from 75 to 850 Fahr. will be +found the best for general use, accompanied +by friction. + +The bath, to be thoroughly beneficial, should be taken at one of the +three following portions of the day, immediately upon rising, about +ten o'clock, or just before going to bed. The early morning bath is, +however, immeasurably the best, and if cold, will be found a wonderful +aid in promoting health and vigor, and being such a necessity, +especially in the preservation of health, and the constant practice of +it, strongly urged, we append the following useful suggestions for +guidance: + +A full meal should not be taken in less than half an hour after +bathing. Nor should a bath be taken in less than an hour and a half +after eating a full meal. + +You can bathe with impunity in cold water when the body is perspiring +freely, as long as the breathing is not disturbed, nor the body +exhausted by over-exertion. + +Never bathe in cool or cold water when the body is cold. First restore +warmth by exercise. + +Always wet the head before taking a plunge bath, and the chest also, +if the lungs are weak. + +In cases of sickness, where it becomes necessary to assist Nature in +ridding the system of impurities through the medium of the sweat +glands, the "wet sheet pack" will be found invaluable. It is usually +regarded by those imperfectly acquainted, with its action as simply the +chief factor in a sweating process, but it is more than that. Not only +does it open up the pores and soften the scales of the skin, but it +"draws" the morbid matter from the interior of the body, through the +surface to the pores. It is of immense value in all cases of fever, +especially bilious fever. + +It should be borne in mind that "flushing the colon" should always +precede the use of the "pack." + +If any one doubts the purifying efficacy of this process he can have a +"demonstration strong" by the following experiment: Take any man in +apparently fair health, who is not accustomed to daily bathing, who +lives at a first-class hotel, takes a bottle of wine at dinner, a +glass of brandy and water occasionally, and smokes from three to six +cigars per day. Put him in a pack and let him soak one or two hours. +On taking him out the intolerable stench will convince all persons +present that his blood and secretions were exceedingly befouled and +that a process of depuration is going on rapidly. + +Full directions for the use of the pack will be found at the end of +this work. + +It will be necessary to take into consideration the vitality of the +patient and regulate the temperature of the sheet accordingly. The +best time to use it is about ten in the morning, or nine in the +evening. + +The Turkish bath (see last page) is another important factor in +treating disease, also the hot foot bath, for all disturbances of the +circulation, cramps, spasms and affections of the head and throat. Hot +fomentations, which draw the blood to the seat of pain, thereby +raising the local temperature and affording relief, and wet bandages +for warming and cooling purposes will likewise be found valuable aids. + +Humanity at large has never estimated water at its true value, yet all +the gifts in Pandora's fabled box could never equal that one +inestimable boon of the Creator to the human race. Apart from its +practical value, there is nothing in all the wide domain of Nature +more beautiful, for in all its myriad forms and conditions it appeals +equally to the artistic sense. In the restless ocean, now sleeping +tranquilly in opaline beauty beneath the summer sun, now rising in +foam-crested mountainous waves beneath the winter's biting blast, its +sublimity awes us, In the mighty river, rolling majestically on its +tortuous course, impatient to unite itself with mother ocean, its +resistless energy fascinates us. In the gigantic iceberg, with its +translucent sides of shimmering green, its weird grandeur enthralls +us. In the pearly dew drop, glittering on the trembling leaf, or the +hoar frost, sparkling like a wreath of diamonds in the moon's silvery +rays: in the brawling mountain torrent, or the gentle brook--meandering +peacefully through verdant meadows, in the mighty cataract or the +feathery cascade, in the downy snowflake, or the iridescent icicle--in +each and all of its many witching forms it is beautiful beyond +compare. But its claims to our admiration rest not alone upon its ever +varying beauty. When consumed with thirst, what beverage can equal a +draught of pure, cold water? In sickness its value is simply +incalculable especially in fevers; in fact, the famous lines of Sir +Walter Scott, in praise of woman, might be justly transposed in favor +of water to read thus: + + "When pain and sickness wring the brow, + A health-restoring medium thou." + +And, if we admire it for its beauty and esteem it as a beverage, how +inconceivably should these feelings be intensified by the knowledge +that its remedial virtues are in nowise inferior to its other +qualities! + +The next in importance of the great health agencies is Fresh Air. +Perhaps we ought to class it as the most important, for although +people have been known to live for days without water, yet without air +their hours would be quickly numbered. Air is a vital necessity to the +human organism, and the fresher the better--it cannot be too fresh. The +oxygen gas in the air is the vitalizing element. The blood corpuscles +when they enter the lungs through the capillaries are charged with +carbonic acid gas (which is a deadly poison), but when brought into +contact with the oxygen, for which they have a wonderful affinity, +they immediately absorb it, after ejecting the carbonic acid gas. The +oxygen is at once carried to the heart, and by that marvelous pumping +machine sent bounding through the arteries to contribute to the animal +heat of the body. + +When it is taken into account that the lungs of an average sized man +contain upwards of six hundred millions of minute air cells, the +surface area of which represents many thousands of square feet, the +danger of exposing such a vast area of delicate tissue to the action +of vitiated air can be readily estimated. No matter how nutritious the +food may be that is taken into the stomach, no matter how perfect the +processes of digestion and assimilation are, the blood cannot be +vitalized without fresh air. + +It is estimated that the blood is pumped through the lungs at the rate +of eight hundred quarts per hour, and that during that period it rids +itself of about thirty quarts of carbonic acid gas, and absorbs about +the same amount of oxygen. Think for a moment of the madness of +obstructing this interchange of elements which is perpetually going on +and on which life depends! + +It is more especially during the hours of sleep that fresh, pure air +is needed, for that is when Nature is busiest, repairing and building +up, and calls for larger supplies of oxygen to keep up the internal +fires, but her efforts at repairing waste are rendered futile if you +diminish the supply of the vitalizing element and compel her to use +over again the refuse material she has already cast off. + +The late Prof. Willard Parker, in a lecture delivered before a class +of medical students, made a very forcible illustration of how the air +of a room was vitiated, in the following impressive words: "If, +gentlemen, instead of air you suppose this room filled with pure, +clean water, and that instead of air you were exhaling twenty times a +minute a pint of milk, you can see how soon the water, at first clear +and sparkling, would become hazy and finally opaque; the milk +diffusing itself rapidly through the water, you will thus be able, +also, to appreciate how, at each fresh inspiration you would be taking +in a liquid that grew momentarily more impure. Were we able to +see the air as we see the water, we would at once appreciate how +thoroughly we are contaminating it, and that unless there be some vent +for the air thus vitiated, and some opening large enough to admit a +pure supply of this very valuable material, we will be momentarily +poisoning ourselves, as surely as if we were taking sewage matter into +our stomachs." Don't leave the matter of a good supply of air to +servants. See to it yourself and see that you are not robbed of it. It +would be better to trust your eating to an attendant than your +breathing. Do that yourself. + +In spite of the amount of literature devoted to sanitary matters, it +is astonishing how little is understood of the principles of +ventilation, and its supreme importance to the general welfare. We do +not, of course, refer to ventilation in its broadest scientific sense, +such as the securing of an adequate air supply in large auditoriums, +for it is a melancholy fact that even our prominent architects not +only display a pitiably deficient grasp of that phase of the subject, +but of the simple, yet fundamental principles of the science, which +every intelligent adult should be familiar with. How many heads of +families, for instance, can intelligently ventilate a sleeping room? +They will open a window for a few minutes in the morning, without +opening the door also, to create a current, and think that is amply +sufficient to displace the accumulated carbon dioxide and other +substances inimical to health. No wonder so many people are tormented +by bad dreams! In sleeping apartments the bed should be in the center +of the room--never near a wall. A current of air should be maintained, +but without a draught upon the bed. It is better to open the window +two inches at the bottom, and the same distance at the top, than to +have it open for a foot either at the top or bottom only. If, through +inclemency of the weather, or other causes, the window can only be +opened for a few minutes, then by waving the door back and forth +rapidly ten or a dozen times, the displacement of the vitiated air +will be infinitely more rapid and thorough. Considering the length of +time that is spent in the sleeping apartment, the paramount importance +of a constant supply of fresh air is readily perceived. No matter how +perfect digestion and assimilation may be, if the blood is not +thoroughly oxygenated, the best of foods fail of their intended +effect. Even the least fastidious would object to drinking water that +had been used for washing purposes by others; yet it is quite as +objectionable to breathe air that is charged with the waste products +of bodies that may even be diseased. It is impossible to overestimate +the importance of ventilation. + +Better let in cold air and put on more bedclothes, as long as you do +not sleep in a draught. + +Oxygen keeps up the animal heat of the body, and you can really keep +warmer in a room with plenty of fresh air than in a close room where +the air is vitiated. + +But in the sick room fresh air is of paramount importance, not only +for the patient, but for the attendants, who are otherwise compelled +to inhale the poisonous exhalations from the diseased body. + +Let no consideration blind you, either in sickness or in health, to +the imperative necessity of plenty of fresh air. + +The next great natural agency, and one to which scant attention is +paid, compared with its hygienic importance, is Light, but more +especially Sunlight. + +Light is essential to life. If by some monstrous cataclysm the sun was +suddenly extinguished, it is impossible to conceive the misery that +would follow. In the event of such a fearful calamity it would require +but a very short time to depopulate the earth. We repeat, light is a +necessity of existence, and it behooves us all to allow it free access +to our dwellings. What if it does bleach carpets and draperies! Its +beneficent effects are not to be measured by yards of wool and silk. +Love of light is as instinctive as the aversion to darkness. Plants +growing in a dark cellar, where but one struggling ray of light +enters, will instinctively grow in the direction of that ray. It is +questionable whether defective lighting is not productive of as much +physical deterioration in the crowded tenement districts as defective +ventilation--certainly it is only secondary in degree. Light is +necessary. Light is free to all, and why human beings endowed with +reason should attempt to exclude it from their dwellings is a thing +that passes comprehension. Give the light free access to your +dwelling. "Let there be light," is as imperative now as when the fiat +went forth at the dawn of creation. + +But Sunlight is the great health-giving agent. The sun is the great +source of life. Its rays stimulate the growth of every living +organism, and there is no doubt but they exert a chemical action upon +living tissue with which we are as yet but imperfectly acquainted. +This fact has been recognized of late years, hence our winter resorts +are liberally supplied with sun parlors, in which those in quest of +health may enjoy the rejuvenating effect of solar heat without +exposing themselves to the inclemency of wintry weather. This is a +revival of an old Roman custom, for the more opulent of that nation +had sun baths on the roofs of their dwellings. Sunshine is as +necessary to robust, vigorous health as either air or water. Then +seize the full enjoyment of it whenever opportunity offers! It is a +stimulant and tonic that has no superior. Go forth into the sunlight +on every possible occasion! It is one of Nature's greatest therapeutic +agents, and she bestows it ungrudgingly, without money and without +price. If you are wise you will avail yourself of her bounty. + +Do not be afraid to let the sunlight penetrate your dwellings, +especially the morning sun. Thrifty housewives are prone to regard the +actions of the sun's rays on their carpets and draperies as disastrous +in the extreme, but its exclusion from their dwelling is far more +disastrous to the health of the inmates. There is, of course, a happy +medium in all things, and, therefore, it is not necessary to have the +sun's rays streaming in through every door and window during the whole +day; but the entire dwelling should be (as far as possible) thrown +open to the vivifying beams of old Sol for a couple of hours in the +morning, which at the same time will thoroughly ventilate the +building. There is more virtue in sunlight than most people are aware +of. Its bactericidal effects are only just beginning to be understood; +but if you desire a healthful dwelling, let God's bright sunshine +freely and frequently penetrate every corner of it. + +It is astonishing how few people there are who properly estimate the +hygienic value of the sun's rays. A valuable lesson on this point may +be learned by observing the lower animals, none of which ever neglect +an opportunity to bask in the sun And the nearer man approaches to his +primitive condition the more he is inclined to follow the example of +the animals. It is a natural instinct which civilization has partially +destroyed in the human race. + +The effect of sunshine is not merely thermal, to warm. and raise the +heat of the body; its rays have chemical and electric functions. As a +clever physician lately explained, it is more than possible that +sunshine produces vibrations and changes of particles in the deeper +tissues of the body, as effective as those of electricity. Many know +by experience that the relief it affords to wearing pain, neuralgic +and inflammatory, is more effective and lasting than that of any +application whatever. + +Those who have faceache should prove it for themselves, sitting in a +sunny window where the warmth falls full on the cheek. + +For nervous debility and insomnia the treatment of all others is rest +in sunshine. Draw the bed to the window and let the patient lie in the +sun for hours. There is no tonic like it--provided the good effects are +not neutralized by ill-feeling. To restore a withered arm, a palsied +or rheumatic limb, or to bring a case of nervous prostration up +speedily, a most efficient part of the treatment would be to expose +the limb or the person as many hours to direct sunlight as the day +would afford. With weak lungs let the sun fall on the chest for hours. +If internal tumor or ulceration is suspected, let the sun burn through +the bear skin directly on the point of disease for hours daily. There +will be no doubt left in the mind that there is a curative power in +the chemical rays +of the sun. + +For the chilliness which causes blue hands and bad color, resort to +the sun; let it almost blister the skin, and the circulation will +answer the attraction. It is a finer stimulous than wine, electricity +or massage, and we are on the verge of great therapeutic discoveries +concerning it. + +Some years ago a London surgeon, by using the sun's rays (presumably +with a lens), removed a wine mark from a lady's face, and destroyed a +malignant growth in the same way. + +Says Dr. Thayer, of San Francisco: + +"During a practice of more than a quarter of a century I have found no +caustic or cautery to compare with solar heat in its beneficial +results. Unlike other caustics, it can be applied with safety on the +most delicate tissues and the system receives this treatment kindly. +The irritation and inflammation following are surprisingly slight and +of short duration, the pain subsiding +immediately on removal of the lens. There is a curative power in the +chemical rays of the sun yet unexplained." + +Women especially need to make systematic trial of the sun's healing +and rejuvenating rays. The woman who wants a cheek like a rose should +pull her sofa pillows into the window and let the sun blaze first on +one cheek and then on the other, and she will gain color warranted not +to wash off. + +Thus it will be seen that the curative properties of sunlight are in +nowise overestimated, but in cases of sickness its beneficial action +is purely supplementary. The system must first be thoroughly cleansed +by "flushing the colon," then, the ground work of improvement being +laid, Fresh Air and Sunlight will prove themselves worthy and +efficient colleagues in the task of restoring health. + +Singly, each is of intrinsic value, but inadequate to cope with +disease single-handed (although they may mitigate it), but combined +they form a Trinity so powerful that disease can never successfully +oppose them. + +The other two factors in Nature's great Health curriculum, namely, +Exercise and Diet, will be considered under separate headings. + + + +PART VI. + +EXERCISE. + +Motion is life. The health of both body and mind depend upon it. +Inaction means stagnation, a condition fatal to health. Hence the +necessity of exercise. As before stated, disuse is as fatal to a piece +of machinery as excessive use; in fact, it is far more likely to rust +out than to wear out. Activity is essential to life and health and can +never be prejudicial, provided that moderation is observed and the +muscular system not strained or overworked. + +There are thousands of miles of minute tubing in the human body--the +arterioles, veins, capillaries and lymphatic vessels. They ramify +through every portion of the body tissues, the first carrying the +vitalized blood for nourishment of the parts, the second returning the +impure blood, charged with the waste of the structures, the third +being the intermediate stage between the first and second, while the +fourth and last, the lymphatic vessels, collect the surplus nutrition +and return it to the circulation. In addition the lymphatics assist in +the conveyance of effete matter. Whenever disease germs are present in +the system, they first manifest themselves in the lymph, but this +fluid being densely populated with phagocyctes (white blood +corpuscles), the micro-organisms are speedily destroyed, if the body +is in a healthy, vigorous condition. + +In view of the vital character of the fluids, activity of motion is +indispensable for the best performance of their separate functions and +exercise supplies the desired stimulus. Whenever a muscle is +contracted the blood is wholly or partially expelled from it +proportionately to the force of the contraction, and in its escape it +carries with it the waste material; but as soon as the muscle is +relaxed fresh blood from the arterial supply re-enters the structure, +bearing fresh nutrition. + +By a wise provision of Nature, the amount of nutrition supplied is +always in excess of the waste products removed; that is, all things +being equal, so that the more exercise a part is subjected to the more +nutrition it receives. This explains the unusual development of +certain parts of the body which are called into excessive use in +certain occupations. But this unsymmetrical development is a thing to +be avoided, as it is usually productive of certain deformities, such +as stoop shoulders and certain peculiarities of gait, which are +plainly noticeable in men employed in certain avocations. + +The reason for this is perfectly simple, and may be expressed in two +words--unequal nutrition--for the muscles that are unduly exercised +appropriate the nutriment that should be equally distributed, so that +the neglected muscles become weakened and stiff. Hence, any system +of exercises designated to develop the body should be so arranged as +to call into play every muscle in the individual, thus insuring +harmonious development in every direction. + +Muscular activity stimulates all the functions of the body. It has a +most beneficial effect upon all the vital processes, digestion, +assimilation and nutrition. The digestive powers work more briskly to +prepare the needed nourishment, and the blood circulates more rapidly +to carry the material for repair to the parts that need it, so that by +moderate physical exercise, judiciously distributed, the whole body is +built up and strengthened, and the result is a suppleness of frame and +a clearness of head that makes life indeed worth living. + +To the invalid it is, of course, idle to talk of active exercise, but +there are certain forms of passive exercise accessible to such people. +Massage, for instance, which, judiciously administered, will do for +the sick, in a modified degree, what active exercise does for the +comparatively well. It will stimulate the circulation in the deeper +tissues, and set the various fluids of the body moving in a beneficial +manner. There is also a mild form of active exercise which may be +practised by those who have the misfortune to be confined to bed, and +that is by tensing the muscles; such as clenching the hands and +contracting the toes, also by gentle contraction of the arms and legs +alternately. + +But one of the most important factors in quickening and stimulating +the movement of the fluids is exercising the lungs, and that can be +accomplished with a fair measure of success even by the bed-ridden. +Every time the chest cavity is emptied by the expiration of the breath +a partial vacuum is created which exerts a tremendous suction power. +It is one of the principal forces concerned in the return of the +venous blood to the heart, but it also exerts a like effect upon the +lymphatic current, hence deep breathing is a valuable exercise for +those unable to take any other. + +In commencing the development of the body by any system of physical +culture, the first and most important thing to do is to develop the +lungs. Good lungs and good digestion go together. Before food can be +assimilated it must undergo oxygenation, which is neither more nor +less than chemical combustion. For this oxygen is necessary, which, +uniting with the carbon of the food, results in oxidation, and as the +amount of oxygen inhaled depends upon the capacity of the lungs, it +will readily be seen how much depends upon those organs. We cannot +inhale too much oxygen, while we can take too much food; therefore, +the greater the lung capacity the better the digestion. + +We referred to the suction power of the empty chest cavity and its +stimulating effect upon the fluids of the body. Now, the greater the +lung capacity the greater the chest expansion and the vacuum produced +by expiration; consequently the stimulating effect upon the fluids is +correspondingly augmented. + +Test your lungs by inhaling a full breath--inflate them to their full +capacity--if it makes you dizzy you are in danger and should proceed at +once to strengthen them. The following simple exercises will speedily +result in improvement and are easy to practice: + +HOW TO EXERCISE THE LUNGS. + +1. When in the open air, walk erect, head up, chin drawn in, shoulders +thrown back, thoroughly inflate the lungs and retain the air for a +second or two, then expel it gently. Practice this several times a +day, and if your employment keeps you in, make time and go out. + +2. The first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, when +you have nothing on but your underclothing, stand with your back +against the wall and fill the lungs to their utmost capacity, then, +retaining the breath gently tap the chest all over with the open +hands. Do this regularly every morning and night, gently at first, but +gradually increasing the length of time for holding +the breath and the force of the blows as the lungs grow stronger. + +3. Stand upright, heels touching, toes turned out. Place the hands on +the hips, the fingers resting on the diaphragm, the thumbs in the soft +part of the back. Now, inflate the lungs and force the air down into +the lower back part of the lungs, forcing out the thumbs. Do this half +a dozen times at first, gradually increasing the number. Women seldom +use this part of the lungs--tight dresses and corsets prevent them. + +4. While in the same position, fill the upper part of the lungs full, +then force the air down into the lower part of the lungs and back +again by alternately contracting the upper and lower muscles of the +chest. Do this repeatedly, for, besides being a good lung developer, +it is an excellent exercise for the liver. + +5. Stand erect, the arms hanging close by the sides, then slowly raise +the arms until they are in +the same position, at the same time gradually taking in a full breath +until the lungs are completely filled, then, after holding the breath +for a few seconds, gradually lower the arms, at the same time +gradually expelling the breath. After doing this a few times while the +lungs are full raise and lower the arms several times quickly. + +6. Hold the arms straight out, then slowly throw them back behind you +as far as possible, at the same time taking a full breath, then bring +them slowly back to the front, as at first, expelling +the breath while doing so. Do this several times, then fully inflate +the lungs, and while holding the breath move the arms backward and +forward, in the same way, but quickly. It is important to inflate and +empty the lungs fully and completely during this exercise. + +COMBINATION LUNG AND MUSCLE EXERCISES. + +7. First rotate the right arm in a circle, downward in front of you a +few times, then reverse the movement. Next, thrust the shoulder back +as far as it will go and rotate the arm in the same +manner. Follow with the left arm in the same manner, then both +alternately, but at the same time relax the arms completely, allowing +them to become perfectly limp, at the same time filling and emptying +the lungs completely. + +8. Lie flat on the floor, face downward, with the elbows bent and the +palms of the hands flat on the floor by the sides, body fully +extended. Then, keeping the body perfectly rigid, raise it up by the +muscles of the arms alone, until it only rests on the arms and toes, +then lower the body gradually until the chest touches the floor, at +the same time exercising the lungs to their fullest extent. This may +be practiced on a bed or couch to commence with, and should be taken +slowly at first, until it can be done half a dozen times without +discomfort. + +9. Stand with the lungs completely and force the air down into the +lower part of the lungs. Then, keeping the lower limbs perfectly +stiff, with muscles tensed, bend the body forward from the middle of +the trunk and while doing this empty the lungs quickly. Then +straighten up again, at the same time filling the lungs. This should +be repeated from 6 to 12 times. Then repeat the operation, but bending +backward instead of forward, paying careful attention to the emptying +and filling of the lungs. Then, with the lungs full and breath +retained, move the body backward and forward quickly several times. + +10. Retaining the same position as in last exercise, move the upper +part of the body to the right a few times, then a few times to the +left, after each movement returning to the upright position. Then move +in the same manner from right to left, alternately. Study and you will +readily understand the nature of these movements, which not only +benefit the lungs, but impart grace +and suppleness to the body. + +11. Still retaining the attitude press the arms and elbows forward as +far as possible, at the same time expelling the breath; then press +them backward as far as possible to force them, at the same time +inflating the lungs to their fullest extent. + +ARM AND FINGER EXERCISES. + +Completely relax the muscles of the fingers and hands, letting the +hands hang limply from the wrists, then shake them up and down and +from side to side, as if cracking a whip. Then rotate them from the +wrists. These movements should all be made with great rapidity, the +hands being rendered as near lifeless as possible. + +12. Next, with the upper part of the arm held out at a right angle +from the body, and the forearm hanging downward, completely relax the +muscles of the elbow. Then shake and rotate the whole of the forearm +in the same manner as described for the hands. + +13. Allow the arms to hang by the side, now press the shoulder as far +back as it will go, then as high as it will go, then forward as far as +it will go, and drop it again, then rotate it several times. Do the +same with the left, then both together. Strike out with the right +hand, tightly clenched, then the left, then both together. Repeat +horizontally, right and left, then straight up overhead, then down by +the sides. + +EXERCISES FOR THE NECK. + +14. The principal thing to be observed is to keep the body rigid and +use the muscles of the neck only. It is a most valuable exercise and +should be carefully and faithfully practiced. + +15. Now, without bending the knees, bend the body forward as far as +you can several times, then backward several times, then to each side +successively. Make bending movements several times in each direction, +and be careful not to relax the muscles other than those of the hips; +and to conclude the exercise rotate the hips round and round. + +16. Relax the muscles of the right leg, keeping all the other muscles +firmly tensed. Then swing the leg from the hip joint, like a pendulum, +backward and forward. Try to do this without support, balanced on the +one leg, as it materially assists in developing the muscles. Then +repeat with the left leg. Next, relax the muscles of the leg from the +knee downward, keeping the muscles of the thigh rigid, and swing the +leg backward and forward from the knee only, and increase the number +of movements each day, as the muscles gain strength and you gain +experience. + +ANKLE AND FOOT EXERCISE. + +17. Stand upright, holding yourself firmly and stiffly, then raise +yourself up and down on your toes. + +WHOLE BODY EXERCISE. + +1. Raise the arms above the head, alongside the ears, then bring them +down with a steady sweep, without bending the knees, until the fingers +touch the floor. Be sure to relax the muscles of the neck and allow +the head to hang. + +2. Place the hands upon the breast and drop the head backward, a +little to one side, then bend the body backward as far as possible. + +3. Curve the right arm above the head, toward the left shoulder, and +allow the weight of the body to rest on the left leg, the right foot +being carried slightly outward. Allow the body to bang down as far as +possible on the left side, without straining too much. Then verse the +movement. + +STRETCHING. + +Is quite a luxury, but few people know how to do it. + +Stand upright in position, then raise raise yourself on the tips of +your toes and try your best to touch the ceiling. You will appreciate +this exercise as a relaxation. + +THE ART OF STANDING PROPERLY. + +Is only imperfectly understood by the majority of people, and yet it +is the key to a graceful carriage, an accomplishment that most people +desire to possess, especially ladies. Observe the difference between +the correct and the incorrect methods. + +THE ART OF GRACEFUL WALKING. + +Is the natural sequence of correct attitude in standing and may be +readily acquired by attention. Stand against the wall, with the heels, +limbs, hips, shoulders and head all touching and draw the chin inward +to the chest. When in this position you will find it uncomfortable, +mainly because it is incorrect. Gently free yourself from the wall by +swaying the body forward, from the ankles only, keeping the heels +touching. You will then be in the correct position, and should walk +off, carefully maintaining it. This exercise, if constantly practiced, +will give you an easy and graceful carriage that will be the envy of +your less fortunate acquaintances. + +In the foregoing list of exercises we have carefully omitted all those +requiring apparatus of any kind, selecting only such as can be +practiced in the privacy of your own room, without assistance from an +instructor or paraphernalia of any kind. Dumb bells, Indian clubs, +etc., are valuable after a certain degree of muscular improvement has +been attained, but when that point is reached we should advise the +individual to join a gymnasium and practice further development under +a competent instructor. + +All the exercises given have been proved of great value in building up +the system, and are designed as aids to the preservation of health and +the upbuilding of weakly people--not to develop trained athletes. These +exercises bring into play a number of muscles that are not called into +general use, and thus promote harmonious development of the whole +body. + + + +PART VII. + +THE DIET QUESTION. + +As we have already stated, the human system is in a state of constant +change. Disintegration of tissue is taking place during every moment +of existence, and the preservation of health depends upon the prompt +elimination of the waste material. But the destruction of tissue, due +to the daily friction of life, must be made good, and this replacement +of substance is effected by the food we eat. It becomes a matter of +vital importance, therefore, to every individual to consider the +question of eating from the rational standpoint. Owing to the +increased prosperity of recent years and the luxurious mode of living +rendered possible by it, people have been betrayed into many +reprehensible gastronomic practices. In the olden days, when man +toiled hard for existence, food was produced within his own immediate +radius and luxuries were unknown; but now, with rapid ocean +transportation, the ends of the earth are ransacked and laid under +tribute to furnish delicacies to tempt the palate. The ease with which +food may now be procured and the almost illimitable variety offered to +man for his selection has tempted him into indulgences that have been +productive of much evil. Although over indulgence in eating is a very +ancient offense, yet, as before stated, the multiplicity of foods has +given an impetus to this injurious habit, in combination with the +cunningly devised methods of preparation which the modern cook has +evolved. + +It is a grave mistake to suppose that it is necessary to eat a large +quantity of food to become healthy and strong. The system only needs +sufficient nourishment to repair the waste that has taken place. +Besides, the digestive fluids are not secreted in an indefinite +quantity, but in proportion to the immediate need. Hence, food taken +in excess of requirements, being only partially digested, acts as a +foreign substance; i. e., a poison, and in addition unduly taxes the +system to dispose of the unnecessary waste. + +Hunger is the natural expression of the needs of the system for +nutrition. Appetite is the index as to the quantity of food that +should be taken to replace the loss by waste. It should never be +overruled. Appetite is a wise provision of Nature. Gluttony is a +degrading habit. Yet numbers of people attempt to justify the +gratification of their gluttonous proclivities by the statement that +they are "blessed with a good appetite," while the truth of the matter +is, they are cursed with an inordinate lust for food. If people were +more temperate in the pleasures of the table, the purveyors of +remedies for dyspepsia would find their incomes considerably lessened. +Satisfy your hunger, by all means, but do not pander to the vice of +gluttony. + +Instead of "eating to live," a large proportion of people simply "live +to eat." But sooner or later Nature exacts the penalty for violation +of one of her cardinal laws, which is "temperance." An outraged +stomach will not always remain quiescent, and when the reaction comes, +the offender realizes that "they who sow the wind shall reap the +whirlwind." + +But people may, and do, continually do violence to that long suffering +organ, the stomach, without being gluttons--we refer to the habit, so +universally practiced in this country, of bolting the food without +properly masticating it. So long as this iniquitous practice is +persisted in, and the equally hurtful one of swallowing large +quantities of liquids with the meals, and so long as sufficient time +is not given the food to digest, just so long will you suffer from a +disordered stomach. Speaking generally, Americans are a nation of +dyspeptics, because they are perpetually in a hurry. The acquisition +of wealth, in moderation, is a commendable pursuit, but it is the +height of folly to sacrifice the priceless jewel of health to acquire +it. But it is a fact, nevertheless, that the average American +considers eating an unprofitable interference with business, without +stopping to weigh the advantages of sound health against the almighty +dollar. + +This habit must be abandoned by those who are addicted to it, before +they can expect to regain health or preserve it. Strange, is it not, +that a race, proverbial for having an eye to the main chance, should +fail to recognize the financial wisdom of husbanding their health, a +factor so important in successful business enterprises! They might, +with advantage, copy the example of John Bull in the matter of eating. + +The average Englishman regards his meals as a solemn responsibility, +and tarries long at the table. The consequence is that with them +dyspepsia is the exception and not, as with Americans, the rule. + +What to eat, when to eat and how to eat are questions more nearly +involving the health and happiness of humanity than is generally +recognized. + +WHAT TO EAT. + +From the days of Pythagoras down to the present time it has been a +moot question whether a vegetable or meat diet was best for man. Each +side can present equally strong arguments; each can point to +exceptional instances of physical development under the different +methods; each can point to ill results that follow rigid adherence to +one method or the other, so that the natural inference would be that a +happy mean between the two extremes presents the only rational +solution of the question. + +Even the most rabid partisan of the meat diet will readily admit that +the flesh of animals is not indispensable to existence; while, on the +other hand, the fact that the Indians in this country would subsist +for months (without apparent discomfort) solely upon a diet of +"pemmican" (dried buffalo flesh) affords ample proof that a meat diet +is not without its advantages. + +Diet is largely a matter of latitude. The whale blubber diet of the +Esquimaux would be impossible at the equator, while the fruit and +pulse diet of the tropics would prove totally inadequate to support +life at the North Pole. Nature always prompts the individual to select +the articles of food best adapted to his bodily needs, according to +the climatic conditions; hence, when a man endeavors to live on the +same dietary in the tropics that he has been accustomed to in the +temperate zone, digestive disturbances are sure to follow. + +It is one thing to sit at home theorizing about dietetics and settling +all the food problems (on paper) to one's entire satisfaction; but it +is quite a different matter to practically test the effects of +different dietary tables under varying climatic conditions. The writer +does not claim to be an expert dietetician, but there are few spots on +the habitable globe that he has not visited; scarcely an edible +article that he has not partaken of; scarcely a known species of human +being that he has not eaten with, except the Patagonians and the +Esquimaux; so that he is not entirely without experience, and it may +be just possible that practical experience thus gained may be as +valuable as statistics compiled in an from data collected from +different sources. + +We often have the Eastern peoples (notably the Japanese and Hindoos) +quoted as examples of physical health and endurance, and the adoption +of a vegetarian diet urged on those grounds; but these extremists seem +to lose sight of the fact that these peoples are the descendants of +vegetarians for centuries past; that they have inherited the tastes of +their progenitors, and have evolved their present physical condition +through a long period of development along those lines. To say nothing +of the impracticability of suddenly converting a nation to the +principles of vegetarianism, radical changes abruptly undertaken are +always productive of ill effects. + +It will help us to a proper understanding of the food question to +consider right here what causes old age, or, rather, the physical +signs of bodily infirmity that almost invariably accompany it. We are +all familiar with the wrinkled body surface, the shrunken limbs and +the stiffness of joints that particularly affect the aged, and are so +accustomed to regard these outward manifestations of infirmity as +inevitable, that few stop to inquire whether it is natural that this +should be so. Undoubtedly, these are natural effects, being the result +of the operation of natural law, but if mankind lived more in harmony +with Nature, these symptoms should not manifest themselves before the +age of ninety or a hundred, if even then. + +What is termed old age is simply ossification (solidification of the +tissues), and this is due to the constant deposition in the system of +earthy substances. The result of these deposits being retained in the +system is: that there is an excess of mineral matter in the bone +tissue, which renders it brittle, and accounts for the susceptibility +to fracture in advanced life; it causes a change in the structure of +all the blood vessels, great and small, thickening their walls and +thus reducing their calibre and also rendering them brittle. With +diminished capacity the blood vessels fail to convey the requisite +nutrition to the tissues, and a general lowering of the vitality +follows. The capillaries no longer supply the skin with its needed +pabulum, hence it loses its elasticity and color--grows yellow and +forms in furrows. The circulation being sluggish, the deposition of +these earthy substances in the neighborhood of the various joints and +the muscular structures is facilitated, and we have the stiffness of +joints and muscular pains that usually accompany age. The supply of +blood to the brain and nerve substance is curtailed in the same +manner, and for lack of sustenance these structures commence to decay, +which accounts for diminished mental activity and sensory impressions. +As the process continues there may be almost complete obliteration of +the capillaries, while the larger vessels may become so thickened that +their capacity is sometimes reduced three-fifths. Then comes death. + +Then, since old age is due to the cause just described, it follows, as +a perfectly logical deduction, that if we can prevent the introduction +of these substances into the system, or even check them, then the +duration of life and preservation of function should be +proportionately prolonged. + +What are these substances and whence are they obtained? They consist +of carbonate and phosphate of lime, principally, with small quantities +of the sulphates of lime and magnesia, and a small percentage of other +earthy matters. These substances are taken into the system in the food +we eat and the water we drink, and it has been estimated that enough +lime salts are taken into the system during an average lifetime to +form a statue the size of the individual. Of course, the greater part +is eliminated by the natural processes, but enough is retained to make +ossification a formidable fact. Of the disastrous effects of a +preponderance of these mineral salts in the system we have a notable +example in the Cretins, a people in the Swiss Alps, who are the +victims of premature ossification, their bodies being stunted, rarely +attaining a greater height than four feet, and exhibiting all the +signs of old age at thirty years; in fact, they seldom live longer +than that. In this case the cause is directly traceable to the excess +of calcium salts in the drinking water, for although heredity plays an +important part in this matter, yet children from other parts, if +brought into the region at an early age, soon manifest the symptoms +and speedily become Cretins in fact. + +Most people are familiar with what is known among housewives as the +formation of "fur" in the common tea kettle. This is nothing more nor +less than the precipitation of the lime salts by evaporation. Four and +five pounds' weight of this substance has been known to collect in +this manner in a single vessel in twelve months. Many people are under +the mistaken impression that boiling the water removes the lime. Not +so. The precipitation only relates to that proportion of the water +that has been evaporated; the remainder (in all probability) possesses +a slightly higher percentage of solids than it originally did. So +great is the proportion of mineral substance taken into the system in +drinking water that it is safe to assert that, if after maturity was +reached only distilled or other absolutely pure water was partaken of, +life would be prolonged fully ten years. Up to the mature age it would +be inadvisable, as the salts are necessary for bone formation. Good +filtered rain water, or melted snow, are entirely free from mineral +deposits, but if they have stood for any length of time it is +advisable to boil them before using, to destroy any organic matter. + +But it is not in water alone that these pernicious earthy matters are +found. All food substances contain them to a greater or lesser extent. +The order in which foods stand in the matter of freedom from earthy +impurities is as follows: Fruits, fish, animal flesh (including eggs), +vegetables, cereals; so that the advocates of a strictly vegetable +diet find themselves confronted by the formidable fact that their +mainstay is that class of foods that contain the largest proportion of +those substances that hasten ossification. Ample proof is at hand that +a strictly vegetable diet results in what is known as atheroma (chalky +deposit), an affection of the arteries. Dr. Winckler, an enthusiastic +food reformer, who wrote extensively on the subject under the nom de +plume of Dr. Alanus, and practised a strict vegetarian diet for some +years, was compelled to abandon it, on account of the above disease +manifesting itself. Numerous similar cases were observed by Raymond, +in a monastery of vegetarian friars, and among the poorer Hindoos, who +live almost exclusively on rice, this trouble is of frequent +occurrence. + +The reason of this is obvious. Vegetable food is richer in mineral +salts than animal food, and consequently, more are introduced into the +blood. There are exceptions, for instance, fruits, which are an ideal +food, for several excellent reasons. To commence with, they contain +less earthy matter than any other known organic substance; they +contain upward of 70 per cent. of the purest kind of distilled water-- +distilled in Nature's laboratory; and distilled water is an admirable +solvent, and is ready for immediate absorption into the blood, and, +lastly, the starch of the fruit has, by the sun's action, been +converted into glucose, and is practically ready for assimilation. +in order as follows: Dates, figs, bananas, prunes, apples, grapes. + +Bread has long been known as the "staff of life," and although it +forms the main dietary staple for large numbers of people, that does +not in any way prove its eligibility as an article of food. We have +seen that cereals contain a very large proportion of inorganic matter +(the mineral salts), and wheat is as richly endowed in this respect as +any of its fellows. Wheat is rich in heat producing +qualities, which is due to the quantity of starch it contains. Now, +this starch must be converted into glucose before the system can +appropriate it, and as exhaustive experiments have shown that not more +than four per cent. of the starch is converted by the ptyalin in the +saliva, the principal work of dealing with the starch devolves upon +the duodenum, or second stomach, the fluids of the main stomach having +no action upon it. + +Now, this extra and unnecessary work falling upon the duodenum entails +a delay in the process of digestion, and a corresponding delay in +assimilation, so a habit of intestinal inactivity is induced, and the +seeds of constipation are sown, because the starchy foods, being slow +in giving up their nutritive elements, the refuse is proportionately +backward in being eliminated. Fruits, on the contrary, although +equally rich in heat producing qualities, yet on account of the +previous natural transmutation of starch into glucose, are in a +condition for immediate appropriation by the system, and consequently +absorption of nutrition and elimination of waste are equally prompt. +This partially explains the aperient action of fruits, although there +is a chemical reason also. For the reasons above stated, lightly baked +bread should never be eaten; it should be toasted thoroughly brown +first, by which the first step in the conversion of the starch is +accomplished. + +Regarding the relative digestibility of white and brown (whole wheat) +bread there is considerable diversity of opinion, but in a series of +experiments described by Dr. John B. Coppock, in the "Herald of +Health," England, it was shown that in equal portions of 100 ounces, +1/4 ounce more of the white bread was digested, than of the brown; but +the proportion of Proteids (muscle and tissue forming constituents) +digested, was as follows: white bread, 85 1/2 ounces; brown bread, 88 +3/4 ounces, or 3 1/4 ounces more nutrition obtained from the brown +bread than from the white. In any event, we are forced to the +conclusion that as an article of food, bread has hitherto had a value +placed upon it to which it was not legitimately entitled. + +Nature has designed albumen as the staple of nutrition for man, and +primarily, vegetable albumen; hence fruits form as nearly as possible +a perfect food, containing, as they do, this important constituent in +addition to the advantages previously mentioned. + +Nuts are an excellent article of diet, as they contain a large +percentage of proteid (muscle-forming) substance, and fats--both in a +state of almost absolute purity, but are somewhat deficient in starch. +To those who feel that they really cannot do without meat, nuts +certainly offer the best substitute. There are preparations of nuts on +the markets now, called nut-meats, but our advice would be, to eat all +nuts without preparation, only being careful to masticate them +thoroughly. The peanut is the first in rank for nutritive value, next +comes the chestnut, and third, the walnut. + +Our objection to nut-meats applies to all forms of concentrated foods, +that is, that they do not give the digestive functions the proper +amount of exercise. They do not afford sufficient opportunity for +mastication, hence the food is not properly insalivated. And, again, +in normal conditions, Nature demands a certain amount of bulk, that +the digestive organs may have something to contract upon. It is the +nature of the muscular structures to grow if exercised, and there is +no reason to doubt that the stomach and intestinal muscles respond to +this stimulus. Bulk is especially necessary in the intestinal canal, +to supply a certain amount of irritative stimulation, for the purpose +of exciting peristalsis. That is one reason why whole wheat bread is +preferable to white, on account of the bran, which not only supplies +the bulk, but favors elimination by its irritative action. + +Before proceeding any further we would call attention to the following +table, showing the nutritive ingredients in food substances, and their +several functions. The ingredients are classified in four divisions: +1, Proteids; 2, Fats; 3, Starches, or carbohydrates; 4, Mineral +matters. This is the main classification; but to enable it to be +better understood, we subdivide it as follows: + +Protein. + +a. Albuminoids: e. g. albumen (white of egg); casein (curd) of milk; +myosin, the basis of muscle (lean meat); gluten of wheat, etc. + +b. Gelatinoids: e. g. collagen of tendons; ossein of bones, which +yield gelatin or glue. Meats and fish contain very small quantities of +so-called "extractives." They include kreatin and allied compounds, +and are the chief ingredients of beef tea and meat extract. They +contain nitrogen, and hence are commonly classed with protein.) + +Fats. + +e. g. fat of meat; fat (butter) of milk; olive oil; oil of corn, +wheat, etc. + +Carbohydrates. + +e. g. sugar, starch, cellulose (woody fibre). + +Mineral Matters. + +e. g. calcium phosphate or phosphate of lime; sodium chloride (common +salt). + +In this classification, water is not taken into account, for the +reason that it is not a true nutrient, although of vital importance to +the body. Now, let us consider what ultimately becomes of these +substances--how Nature utilizes them in the physical economy. Protein +is used to build up the solid tissues of the body, the muscles and +tendons. It is also a source of nutrition for brain and nerve +substance, and partially serves as fuel. Fats simply form fatty tissue +and serve as fuel to maintain the heat of the body, by combustion or +oxidation. Carbohydrates mainly serve as fuel, owing to the large +percentage of carbon they contain, which readily unites with the +oxygen. The mineral matters, which are also largely obtained from +water, are employed in the formation of bone, and are also utilized in +the blood and in other ways. + +Thus we see that each constituent of the food substance fulfills a +specific purpose, and the secret of a correct and nutritious diet lies +in the selection of such foods as will furnish the proper proportion +of each constituent to serve the purpose for which it is designed. Any +deviation from this rule must of necessity result in digestive +disturbance, more or less, and although one or two digressions from +the path of correct alimentation may not result in anything worse than +a slight inconvenience, yet persistence in dietetic errors will +inevitably terminate in physical demoralization. + +Authorities differ as to the actual proportion the nutritive +ingredients should bear to each other in the daily ration; but after +comparing the statements advanced by different food experts. We think +the following figures will represent a fair average of the various +tables. The reader will see that 100 parts of carbo-hydrates is taken +as the basis of calculation, the figures opposite the other +ingredients representing the proportion they should bear to the basic +figure. + +Carbo-hydrates (carbonaceous material, starch, sugar, etc.), fat, and +heat formers, 100 parts. + +Proteids (nitrogenous material) muscle, tissue and brain formers 40 +parts. + +Fats (animal fats, butter, etc.), fuel formers 32 parts. + +Mineral salts, 6 parts. + +Water 670 parts. + +With the above table in mind, it will be easy to select foods that will +furnish, when combined, the proper proportion of each ingredient--that +is--approximately, and to assist in the selection, we subjoin a +condensed list of the more important articles of food, showing the +percentage of each ingredient, as proved by analysis. We would call +attention to the fact that animal foods may slightly differ in the ratio +of the ingredients, owing to the food upon which the animal has been +raised, and its physical condition; and, owing to peculiarities of soil, +vegetable foods may differ in like manner, but for practical purposes it +will be found sufficiently correct. + +IN 100 PARTS. + +*Lean Beef +Proteids. 20.2 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 3.6 +Salts. 2.0 + +*Fat +Proteids. 16.9 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 3.6 +Salts. 2.0 + +*Mutton +Proteids. 17.1 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 5.7 +Salts. 1.3 + +*Veal +Proteids. 18.8 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 4.4 +Salts. 0.5 + +*Pork +Proteids. 14.5 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 37.3 +Salts. 0.8 + +*Poultry +Proteids. 21.0 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 3.8 +Salts. 1.2 + +*Smoked Ham +Proteids. 24.0 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 36.5 +Salts. 10.1 + +*Mackerel +Proteids. 23.5 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 6.7 +Salts. 1.0 + +*Cod +Proteids. 27.0 +Starches.0.0 +Fats.0.3 +Salts.22.0 + +*White of Egg +Proteids. 20.4 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 0.0 +Salts. 1.6 + +*Yolk of Egg +Proteids. 16.0 +Starches. 0.0 +Fats. 30.7 +Salts. 1.3 + +*Cow's Milk +Proteids. 4.2 +Starches. 4.5 +Fats. 3.7 +Salts. 0.7 + +*Cheese +Proteids. 28.0 +Starches. 1.0 +Fats. 23.0 +Salts. 7.0 + +*Butter +Proteids. 2.0 +Starches. 1.0 +Fats. 85.0 +Salts. 1.0 + +*Cabbage +Proteids. 5.0 +Starches. 7.8 +Fats. 0.5 +Salts. 1.2 + +*Asparagus +Proteids. 1.9 +Starches. 2.7 +Fats. 0.2 +Salts. 0.5 + +*Mushrooms +Proteids. 2.5 +Starches. 4.7 +Fats. 0.2 +Salts. 0.7 + +*Potatoe +Proteids. 2.2 +Starches. 21.8 +Fats. 0.2 +Salts. 1.0 + +*Sweet Potatoe +Proteids. 1.0 +Starches. 25.2 +Fats. 0.2 +Salts. 2.7 + +*Celery +Proteids. 1.5 +Starches. 0.8 +Fats. 0.4 +Salts. 0.8 + +*French Beans +Proteids. 23.7 +Starches. 55.6 +Fats. 2.2 +Salts. 3.7 + +*Lima Beans +Proteids. 21.9 +Starches. 60.0 +Fats. 1.9 +Salts. 2.9 + +*Green Peas +Proteids. 6.3 +Starches. 12.0 +Fats. 0.5 +Salts. 0.8 + +*Lentils +Proteids. 24.8 +Starches. 54.7 +Fats. 1.8 +Salts. 2.4 + +*Wheat Flour +Proteids. 11.6 +Starches. 71.0 +Fats. 1.3 +Salts. 1.6 + +*Barley Flour +Proteids. 10.5 +Starches. 66.7 +Fats. 2.4 +Salts. 2.6 + +*Oatmeal +Proteids. 12.8 +Starches. 65.6 +Fats. 5.6 +Salts. 3.6 + +*Lentil Flour +Proteids. 25.4 +Starches. 57.3 +Fats. 1.8 +Salts. 2.6 + +*Arrowroot +Proteids. 0.8 +Starches. 83.5 +Fats. 0.0 +Salts. 0.3 + +*Chestnut +Proteids. 14.6 +Starches. 60.0 +Fats. 2.4 +Salts. 3.3 + +*Sweet Almond +Proteids. 23.5 +Starches. 7.8 +Fats. 53.0 +Salts. 3.0 + +*Peanut +Proteids. 28.3 +Starches. 1.8 +Fats. 46.2 +Salts. 3.3 + +*Walnut +Proteids. 15.8 +Starches. 13.0 +Fats. 57.4 +Salts. 2.0 + +*Apple +Proteids. 0.4 +Starches. 7.2 +Fats. 0.0 +Salts. 0.5 + +*Cherry +Proteids. 0.7 +Starches. 10.2 +Fats. 0.0 +Salts. 0.7 + +*Grape +Proteids. 0.6 +Starches. 14.2 +Fats. 0.0 +Salts. 0.5 + +*Banana +Proteids. 4.9 +Starches. 19.2 +Fats. 0.6 +Salts. 1.1 + +*Dates +Proteids. 6.6 +Starches. 54.0 +Fats. 0.2 +Salts. 1.6 + +*Figs +Proteids. 6.1 +Starches. 60.5 +Fats. 0.9 +Salts. 2.3 + +*Honey +Proteids. 0.8 +Starches. 74.6 +Fats. 0.9 +Salts. 0.2 + +TABLE A. + +Showing the relative digestibility of various foods. + +* Beef, round + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 23.0 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 8.1 +Undigestible. 0.9 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 0.0 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.3 + +WATER. 66.7 + +* Beef, sirloin + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 20.0 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 17.1 +Undigestible. 1.9 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 0.0 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.0 + +WATER. 60.0 + +*Pork, very fat. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 3.0 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 74.5 +Undigestible. 6.0 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. - +Undigestible. - + +MINERAL MATERS. 6.5 + +WATER. 10.0 + +*Haddock. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 17.1 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 0.3 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 0.0 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.2 + +WATER. 81.4 + +*Mackerel + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 18.8 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 7.4 +Undigestible. 0.8 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 0.0 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.4 + +WATER. 71.6 + +*Hen's eggs + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 13.4 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 9.4 +Undigestible. 2.4 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 0.7 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.0 + +WATER. 73.1 + +*Cow's Milk + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 3.4 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 3.6 +Undigestible. 0.1 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 4.8 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 0.7 + +WATER. 87.4 + +*Cheese, whole milk + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 27.1 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +FATS. +Digestible. 34.6 +Undigestible. 0.9 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 2.3 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 3.9 + +WATER. 31.2 + +*Butter + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 1.0 +Undigestible. - + +FATS. +Digestible. 85.8 +Undigestible. 1.7 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 0.5 +Undigestible. - + +MINERAL MATERS. 2.0 + +WATER. 9.0 + +*Oleomargarine + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 0.4 +Undigestible. - + +FATS. +Digestible. 83.9 +Undigestible. 3.3 + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 0.0 +Undigestible. - + +MINERAL MATERS. 2.1 + +WATER. 10.3 + +*Sugar + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 0.3 +Undigestible. - + +FATS. +Digestible. - +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 96.7 +Undigestible. 0.0 + +MINERAL MATERS. 0.8 + +WATER. 2.2 + +*Wheat flour (very fine). + + PROTEIN. +Digestible. 7.6 +Undigestible. 1.3 + +FATS. +Digestible. 1.0 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 74.4 +Undigestible. 0.8 + +MINERAL MATERS. 0.3 + +WATER. 14.6 + +* Wheat flour (Medium) + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 9.5 +Undigestible. 2.1 + +FATS. +Digestible. 0.8 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 70.4 +Undigestible. 1.8 + +MINERAL MATERS. 0.4 + +WATER. 15.0 + +*Wheat flour (coarse whole wheat) + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 8.2 +Undigestible. 2.7 + +FATS. +Digestible. 1.8 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 66.4 +Undigestible. 5.3 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.2 + +WATER. 14.4 + +* Wheat Bread. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 7.7 +Undigestible. 1.2 + +FATS. +Digestible. 1.9 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 54.9 +Undigestible. 0.6 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.0 + +WATER. 32.7 + +*Black bread. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 4.5 +Undigestible. 1.6 + +FATS. +Digestible. 1.8 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 43.3 +Undigestible. 5.3 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.5 + +WATER. 43.8 + +*peas. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 19.7 +Undigestible. 3.2 + +FATS. +Digestible. - +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 55.7 +Undigestible. 2.1 + +MINERAL MATERS. 2.5 + +WATER. 15.0 + +*Corn (maize) Meal. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 7.9 +Undigestible. 1.2 + +FATS. +Digestible. 3.8 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 68.7 +Undigestible. 2.3 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.6 + +WATER. 14.5 + +*Rice. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 6.2 +Undigestible. 1.2 + +FATS. +Digestible. 0.4 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 78.7 +Undigestible. 0.7 + +MINERAL MATERS. 0.4 + +WATER. 12.4 + +*Potatoes. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 1.5 +Undigestible. 0.5 + +FATS. +Digestible. 0.2 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 19.7 +Undigestible. 1.6 + +MINERAL MATERS. 1.0 + +WATER. 75.5 + +*Turnips. + +PROTEIN. +Digestible. 0.7 +Undigestible. 0.3 + +FATS. +Digestible. 0.2 +Undigestible. - + +CARBOHYDRATES. +Digestible. 5.6 +Undigestible. 1.3 + +MINERAL MATERS. 0.7 + +WATER. 91.2 + +Since the elements are seldom, if ever, found in the proper proportion +in any food substances, it becomes necessary to exercise judgement in +selecting them, so that something like a well balanced diet may be +obtained; so as a further aid to enable the reader to make his +selection judiciously, we would call attention to Table A and Table B +below. Table A shows the proportion of various foods that is +ordinarily digested, while Table B points out the time required for +different articles of food to digest. + +TABLE B. + +LENGTH OF TIME REQUIRED FOR DIGESTION OF DIFFERENT ARTICLES OF FOOD. + +Hours. + +Apples, raw, 2:00 +Barley, boiled, 2:00 +Beef, roasted, 3:00 +Beefsteak, broiled, 3:00 +Beef, broiled, 4:00 +Beets, boiled, 3:45 +Brains, animal, boiled, 1:45 +Bread, corn, baked, 3:15 +Bread, wheat, baked, 3:30 +Butter, melted, 3:30 +Cabbage, raw, 2:30 +Cabbage, with vinegar, 2:00 +Cabbage, boiled, 4:30 +Cake, corn, baked, 3:00 +Cake, sponge, baked, 2:30 +Catfish, fried, 3:30 +Cheese, old strong, 3:30 +Chicken, fricasseed, 2:45 +Corn and beans, boiled, 3:45 +Custard, baked, 2:45 +Duck, roasted, 4:00 +Dumpling, apple, boiled, 3: 00 +Eggs, hard boiled, 3:30 +Eggs, soft boiled, 3:00 +Eggs, fried, 3:30 +Eggs, roasted, 2:15 +Eggs, raw, 2:00 +Fowls, boiled, 4: 00 +Fowls, roasted, 4: 00 +Goose, roasted, 2: 30 +Lamb, boiled, 2: 30 +Milk, boiled, 2: 00 +Milk, raw, 2: 15 +Mutton, roasted, 3:15 +Mutton, broiled, 3:00 +Mutton, boiled, 3:00 +Oysters, raw, 2:55 +Oysters, roasted, 3:15 +Oysters, stewed, 3:30 +Pig, roasted, 2:30 +Pigs' feet, soused, 1:00 +Pork, roasted, 5:15 +Pork, salted and fried, 4:15 +Potatoes, Irish, boiled, 3:30 +Potatoes, Irish, roasted, 2:30 +Rice, boiled, 1:00 +Salmon, salted, 4:00 +Soup, barley, boiled, 1:30 +Soup, bean, 3:30 +Soup, chicken, 3:00 +Soup, mutton, 3:30 +Soup, oyster, 3:30 +Tapioca, boiled, 2:00 +Tripe, soused, 1:00 +Trout, salmon, boiled, 1:30 +Trout, salmon, fried, 1:30 +Turkey, roast, 2:30 +Turkey, boiled, 2:30 +Turnips, boiled, 3:30 +Veal, broiled, 4:00 +Veal, fried, 4:30 +Vegetables and meat hashed, 2:30 +Venison steak, 1:35 + +We have seen that certain elements are necessary in our food for the +proper replenishment of the waste that is perpetually going on, and +that they must be combined in proper proportions, so that no one part +of the body shall be over-nourished at the expense of the others--no +organ overtaxed, but that all may be harmoniously developed. + +Opinions may, and do, differ as to the source from which this +sustenance for the body should be obtained whether from the animal or +vegetable kingdoms, or both, and while admitting that vegetarianism +and flesh-eating both have their advantages and disadvantages, our own +conscientious conviction is, that the true solution of the question is +to be found in the happy medium--that a mixed diet is the best for +mankind under existing conditions. + +The main argument of our vegetarian friends against the practice of +flesh-eating is the humanitarian one. We are familiar with all the +objections urged--the brutalizing effect upon the human mind of so much +ruthless bloodshed--of the sacredness of life, and of man's presumption +in daring to deprive a living creature of existence; but with all due +respect to the sensibilities of these worthy people, we are inclined +to think that the argument is scarcely tenable. We do not wish to be +understood as defending the cruelties that are said to be practised in +the abattoirs; but the taking of life is inseparable from existence. +It is simply a question of degree. There is a sect in India, the +members of which are so scrupulous regarding the sanctity of life that +they carefully brush every step of the path in front of them, lest +they should inadvertently step upon any creeping thing. In this, they +lift the burden of responsibility from themselves for any wanton +injury; but the microscope has shown us that there is a countless +world of infinitesimal life all around us, and that it is practically +impossible to draw a breath, or drink a mouthful of water, without +destroying some living thing. If we accept the teaching of the +Scriptures, that not a sparrow falls to the ground without the +knowledge of the Creator, then we must conclude that the life of the +ant is of as much importance in His eyes as that of the ox or sheep. +We repeat, we are not posing as advocates of indiscriminate and wanton +slaughter, but on utilitarian grounds, we consider the use of the +flesh of animals, as a food, justifiable. + +If we needed any scriptural authority for the practice, we could point +to the Hebrews, who (according to Holy Writ) received through Moses +not only permission to use meat as an article of diet, but +instructions for the killing of the selected animals, together with +injunctions to avoid the flesh of certain kinds; and they may be cited +as a striking example of the value of a mixed diet. + +Here we have one of the most ancient races of the earth--a race that +has endured the most terrible persecutions that ever befell a people, +yet have survived it all, and are to-day a robust and unusually +prolific race; while intellectually and morally they are surpassed by +none. They are a greater power in the world than any other race, by +reason of their finance and business instincts. There is no question +but that the sanitary system of living established by Moses has been +the principle factor in perpetuating this hardy race; and a mixed diet +was and is an integral part of that system. It may also be confidently +claimed that the teachings of the Bible, along these lines, have been +in a large degree responsible for the position occupied by the +Christian nations in the world to-day. + +However, we have no desire to impose our views upon our readers, and +having given expression to our sentiments, we return to the main +question. + +Having disposed of the question, "what to eat," we will consider +another matter, almost equally important, and that is: + +How To Eat. + +The one fundamental principle underlying this question is thorough +mastication, and we cannot too strongly impress upon our readers the +necessity for its proper observance. We have already stated that +digestion cornmences in the mouth--that by the action of the saliva, +the starchy matter in food is converted into glucose. It is therefore +necessary that the saliva should be brought into intimate contact with +every part of the bolus; and for that purpose thorough mastication is +absolutely necessary. In addition, the separation of the food into +small fragments, by the teeth, assists stomach digestion, by +permitting the gastric juice freer access to the food. It is stated +that Mr. Gladstone formed the habit of thorough mastication by making +it a rule to count thirty two while masticating each mouthful. +Mastication need not be slow to be thorough, although there is an +impression to that effect, for, as a matter of fact, quick and +vigorous chewing excites the salivary glands to more energetic action. + +Drinking at meals should be avoided as much as possible, and whenever +any digestive trouble is present, not only should no liquids accompany +the meal, but nothing in the form of fluids should be partaken of +within half an hour preceding or following a meal, The philosophy of +this is apparent, when we reflect that all digestive disturbances are +accompanied by imperfect secretion of the gastric juices, and to +dilute them with an excess of fluid is to weaken its power of action +on the food. It is as if a man, when attempting to dissolve a piece of +metal in a powerful acid, should deliberately add water to the acid, +and thereby arrest, wholly or in part, the process of decomposition. +It is plain, therefore, that although the practice of drinking at +meals may help the food to pass more easily down the aesophagus, yet +it must inevitably retard digestion when it reaches the stomach. + +But the most pernicious practice of all is that of drinking ice water +at meals, since, in addition to the ill effects described above, it +temporarily paralyzes the stomach-driving the blood away from that +organ when it is needed most of all. A fact which should not be lost +sight of is, that no physical operation, however slight, can be +accomplished without the expenditure of force (nervous energy), even +though it be only the winking of an eyelid; and the labor entailed +upon the system, of raising the temperature of the stomach to normal +figures, after deluging it with ice water, involves a ruinous waste of +vital force, in addition to the other reasons urged against it. +It cannot be doubted that this essentially American habit is +responsible for a large proportion of the dyspepsia that sits like an +incubus upon the nation. Every substance taken into the stomach, +whether fluid or solid, should be about the same temperature as the +body, to be in harmony with natural principles. + +All condiments promote indigestion. They over stimulate the stomach, +exciting the secreting glands to abnormal action, and irritating the +sensitive mucous surface. In addition, they overheat the blood, excite +the nervous system, inflame the passions, and are largely responsible +for many of the excesses into which men plunge under this unnatural +stimulation. + + +WHEN TO EAT + +Is a question that has excited a great deal of discussion of late +years. The publication of Dr. Dewey's book, extolling the no-breakfast +plan, caused the subject to be debated, with considerable fervor for a +time, but the matter remains practically where it was. It is +impossible to lay down a hard and fast rule that shall govern all +cases, a fact that most theorists seem to lose sight of--hence the +collapse of so many promising and alluring schemes. For people in +health, we strongly advise the three meals a day system, which +experience has shown to be successful. They should be moderate in +quantity, and should be eaten as follows: The first, from half an hour +to an hour after rising (having previously bathed and exercised); the +second, not less than four hours afterwards; the third, not less than +five hours later. + +This gives the stomach time to rid itself of one meal before the next is +introduced, otherwise the undigested food remaining in the stomach +prevents that organ from acting properly on the fresh food. It is for +this reason that it is unwise to eat between meals, as, when the stomach +is occupied by articles of food in various stages of digestion, +undigested portions will pass out with the digested food; not only +entailing a serious loss of energy and nutrition, but irritating the +intestinal canal and creating unnecessary waste to be eliminated. + +The above rules, as stated, apply to people in ordinarily good health. +In wasting disease it may be necessary to supply nutrition even as +often as every half hour; and in all serious digestive troubles it is +wiser to eat six times a day than three, the meals to be light, +nutritious in quality, and small in quantity, so as not to impose too +great a burden at one time on the weakened digestive apparatus. + +We will now consider the action of several substances, in common use, +that are inimical to health, and that have an especially demoralizing +effect upon digestion. + +The first of these is alcohol, which only serves as fuel, but does not +form tissue. Its best friends in the medical profession no longer +claim anything for it but a stimulating effect. Its action on the +digestive organs (especially the stomach) is disastrous in the +extreme. It destroys the appetite, although it temporarily sustains +vigor by unnatural excitation. + +Without going so far as to say that a man is lost to all sense of +decency because he takes an occasional drink, we will say that it is +in nowise necessary to the system--that the habit, indulged in to +excess, is the most fatal that can be contracted, and that inasmuch as +the majority of people have not sufficient will-power to curb their +appetites, the wisest plan is to avoid the use of alcoholic beverages +altogether. + +The man who is addicted to the excessive use of alcoholic stimulants +is over-taxing the vital organs of his body in the most outrageous +manner, and although Nature incessantly enters protest against being +overworked, he either ignorantly fails to recognize the warnings, or +wantonly disregards them. Let us for a few moments consider the work +which the heart is called upon to do, and the amount of extra labor +imposed upon it by the unwise use of alcohol. The average life of a +man is thirty-eight years, and, in a healthy man, the number of heart- +beats per minute is seventy, or during an average life, +76,536,740,000. Now, the use of alcohol in anything like an excessive +quantity increases the action of the heart ten beats per minute, +making 600 extra beats per hour, 14,400 per day, 482,000 per month, +9,784,000 per year, 195,568,000 in twenty years, and 372,793,000 in a +lifetime of thirty-eight years. Or, supposing a man should live fifty +years, the number of pulsations of the heart during that period, at +the normal rate, would be 917, 239,680. Now, if ten extra beats be +added to this, for, say the last twenty-five years, we find that the +heart is called upon to make 91,840,000 extra beats. Think of that +enormous amount of additional work imposed upon a delicate, complex +piece of mechanism like the human heart! + +But that is not the worst of it. The heart should rest and sleep when we +do. During sleep, the character of the beats is different from what it +is during our waking hours--the beats are made singly and deliberately, +with a pause between, for the heart is taking its necessary rest, to fit +it for its functions on the morrow; but, if we take alcohol into the +system before retiring, then the heart works harder during sleep than a +healthy man's when he is awake. + +Is it any wonder that we hear of so many cases of heart failure? Is it +strange that the average duration of human life is steadily and surely +growing shorter? Three-score and ten was the average number of years +for man to sojourn here, it is now thirty-eight, and will inevitably +become still less someday if man persists in wilfully violating the +laws that govern his being. + +Tea and coffee are substances which neither form tissue nor serve as +fuel, and may be banished from the table with decided advantage. Few +people realize that the difference between the drinking of alcohol and +tea is simply a question of degree. It is true that the consequences of +excessive tea drinking are not as severe as those from over-indulgence +in ardent spirits, but the pernicious effects of the constant drinking +of strong infusions of tea justify us in calling the practice a serious +menace to health. Tea leaves contain from 2 to 4 per cent. of caffeine, +or theme, which is an alkaloid, and always found in combination with +tannin. They also contain a volatile oil, which is the source of the +aroma, and in addition possess a sedative quality. Tannin is a powerful +astringent, and hence is strongly provocative of constipation. Its +action upon the mucous surface of the stomach is highly detrimental to +that organ, as it arrests the excretion of the gastric juice by its +contractile effect upon the glands. Its constant use will almost +invariably result in digestive disturbances, and will certainly +aggravate such troubles, if previously existing. It is true that a cup +of hot tea is a refreshing beverage, but not more so than a cup of hot +milk--in fact, it is the heat that imparts the sense of comfort +experienced on drinking it. Children should never be allowed to drink +either tea or coffee, as the seeds of a baneful habit may be sown, for +in tea, as in dram drinking, it is a habit easily acquired. + +The above remarks apply in a less degree to the frequent use of coffee. +The constant use of these substances produce the following +results--first, increase of circulation, rise in pulse, a desire to +frequently pass urine, and an exhilaration resembling intoxication. Tea +tasters, as is well known, are subject to headache and giddiness, and +prone to attacks of paralysis. The votaries of the tea and coffee cup by +far outnumber those of Bacchus, so that granting that the drinking of +these beverages is a little less severe in its constitutional effects, +yet the greater prevalence of the habit renders them equal to alcohol in +their destructive effects. + + +GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. + +One of the causes that conduce to digestive disturbances is that of +solitary eating. Owing to the strenuousness of modern city life, many +people, of both sexes, are compelled to practice the most rigid +economy, which, in a large proportion of cases, involves what is known +as "light housekeeping," or preparing a part, if not all of their +meals over a gas jet in their room. In the case of the male +housekeeper, this generally means that when he seats himself to eat he +places his book or paper in front of him, to beguile the time; the +consequence being that he not only calls the blood away from the +stomach, where it is needed, but, engrossed in his reading, he +masticates imperfectly, or suddenly coming to himself, he finds that +he has been so intent on his reading that his food has become cold, +whereupon he devours it in haste. Women are not such great sinners in +this respect as men; but are equally culpable in another direction. It +is a pretty well-known fact that a woman would just as soon not eat at +all as to eat alone, and as a result frequently deprives herself of +the necessary amount of nutrition. In fact, she impairs her digestion +by not giving it sufficient work to do, while the man ruins his by +spasmodically overtaxing it. For the above reasons, the boarding house +(much as it leaves to be desired) is preferable as an abiding place +for hundreds of men and women who are too busy by day and too tired at +night to pay proper attention to the physical needs of the system. +Companionship at meals is a most desirable thing, especially if it is +congenial, and light, cheerful conversation, with a little hilarity +intermingled, is an excellent aid to digestion. + +This is, no doubt, due to mental influence. The whole of the +alimentary process is under the control of the nervous system, which +has its seat in the brain, consequently, a cheerful mental attitude +favors digestion. It is well known that a fit of anger may temporarily +stop digestion. The mind exerts such a vast influence over every +function that it is impossible to set bounds to it. We are the +creatures of habit. We eat so many times a day, from sheer force of +habit. We habituate ourselves to partake of articles of food against +which, at first, the senses rebel, by the same force; but it is left +wholly to mans reasoning powers whether his habits shall be cultivated +according to the needs of the system. If they are, perfect nutrition +will be established; if they are not, he is worse off than the animal +who knows only to follow the instincts of the original habits of the +species. A man can exercise his will power to partake of a diet which +his taste had not been able to appreciate, yet no will power can ever +provide good nutrition out of a diet against which taste constantly +rebels. Consciousness of the digestive organs is an offense to them. +The more a man is conscious of his stomach, the less will be its +capacity for performing good service; therefore, a dyspeptic should +never attempt to follow a course of experimental dietetics with +himself, for if he watches his stomach after his carefully selected +meal, to see how it will serve him, he will always find abnormal +symptoms. It is never wise to expect anything but good results from +anything which has been allowed to pass beyond the palate, for that is +Nature's infallible safeguard, its province being to reject every +objectionable thing. + +We would again remind the reader that one of the most important +offices of the lungs is to promote the movement of the blood and lymph +currents throughout the body. Active respiration assists all forms of +lymph absorption, but gives special aid to the absorption of food +substances from the stomach and intestines, because these particular +lymph vessels are situated so close to the chest cavity that they are +more directly under the influence of the suction action of the chest. + +A few minutes spent in vigorous deep breathing exercise after each +meal is one of the best means of remedying the sense of heaviness and +weight of which so many complain after eating. + +Thus we see that deep breathing, by favoring absorption, promotes the +nourishment of the body will assist in building tissue, in fact. +Oxygen is a vital necessity for the body, and it is necessary to +absorb a large quantity for the actual needs of the system, while all +absorbed over the quantity means added nutrition. Now, deep, or +diaphragmatic breathing, infallibly increases the lung capacity, so +that the possibility for absorption of oxygen is increased, and health +and strength promoted. Deep breathing is as necessary for the proper +absorption and assimilation of nutrition as the selection of a well- +balanced diet. It has saved thousands of lives, and is a factor in +promoting health that cannot be disregarded. + +"Order is Heaven's first law," and nowhere is this law better +exemplified than in the human body. Order, or regularity, is an +essential for success in human affairs--moral, mental, or physical; but +especially in the latter. The successful conduct of large business +organizations is only possible by regularity in the performance of +every detail of duty. + +If this be so when only physical results are involved, how much more +so is it where vital interests are at stake? The human body is a +wonderfully complex piece of mechanism, and if left to itself or +rather to natural guidance, its manifold functions are performed with +unfailing regularity; and regularity in function means health-- +irregularity, disease. + +Mark the rhythmic regularity of respiration, or of the heart's +contractions! Long continued regularity begets habit, which is a form +of automatism; hence the necessity of regularity in action along fixed +lines, and in consonance with physiological law, that good habits only +may be formed. + +Good habits are absolutely essential to health, which is equivalent to +saying that regularity in living is an imperative necessity to that +end. Regularity in rising and retiring; regularity in eating and +drinking; regularity in exercise, all are equally important. + +Not only does this regularity of conduct conduce to the attainment and +maintenance of perfect health, but it enables the individual to +accomplish more within the limits of the day, partly by economizing +time, and partly by the added vigor due to improved health. + +First, regularity in the hours of rising and retiring, namely, +regulating the minimum period to be devoted to sleep. There is much +conflict of opinion as to the amount of sleep necessary for the +average adult. We have in mind an old saying which runs as follows: +"Six hours' sleep for a man, seven for a woman, and eight for a fool." +This is somewhat arbitrary, and, moreover, is not in harmony with +physiological law. In the first place, no hard and fast rule can be +laid down that will cover all cases. Apart from the difference of sex, +there are temperamental conditions which vary with every case. We are +decidedly of the opinion that eight hours' sleep is necessary for the +adult individual. It has been affirmed by some authorities that the +more the individual sleeps the longer he will live, which is a +perfectly rational claim, in view of the fact that night is Nature's +repair time, when she is busy at work replacing the ravages committed +by wear and tear during the day. It is a well known fact that nearly +all growth takes place during sleep. + +Again, it is a fact not generally known that the heart receives no +nourishment during the period of contraction, owing to the pressure +upon the arteries which supply it with nutriment. It is only during +the infinitesimal pause between the contractions that these arteries +can carry blood to the heart tissue; hence during sleep the heart- +beats differ from those of our waking hours, being fewer in number, +and with a more decided pause between. Now, the heart being to the +body what the mainspring is to a watch, the necessity of affording it +ample time for recuperation becomes apparent. + +Having stated that eight hours' sleep is the minimum amount for the +individual, the question of regularity presents itself, and this +should be understood to refer especially to the time of rising, which, +unless the individual is in ill health, should be at 6 A. M. This not +only proves invaluable in economizing time, but paves the way for +regularity in eating, which we will now consider. + +There is much diversity of opinion as to the number of meals that +should be eaten during the day, and recently the practice of eating +only two meals a day has largely obtained. This, although preferable +to the practice of eating four and five meals a day, or of +indiscriminate lunching between meals, is yet (we consider) running +into the other extreme. Unless an exceedingly hearty breakfast is +eaten, the tax upon the vitality before the next meal hour arrives is +too severe. Our rule, which we commend to our readers, is as follows: +Rise at six, then take your bath, either plunge or sponge bath, +followed by ten to fifteen minutes of moderate exercise. This, we will +say, occupies until seven; then eat a light meal of juicy fruit, such +as oranges, grapes or berries, followed by the perusal of the morning +newspaper, or, if you are a student, devote an hour to study. At eight +o'clock take your proper breakfast, which should consist of some +preparation of wheat (with milk or fruit juice), followed by toast, +boiled or poached eggs, and a glass of milk. Take a light lunch at 1 +P. M., and a moderately good dinner at 7 P. M. + +If regularity in the hours for meals be strictly observed, and the +quantity and character of the meals carefully considered, the system +will rapidly acquire the habit of expecting sustenance at those hours, +and regularity, like virtue, will be its own reward. + +Next comes the question of exercise. Too little attention is paid to +this matter, more especially by those engaged in sedentary +occupations; yet it is in the highest degree important that the +balance between the mental and physical energies should be maintained. +To preserve this balance while the mind is active and the body +untaxed, artificial exercise must be practiced, for physical strength +cannot be promoted without some kind of bodily exercise. Unused +muscles soon become flabby, as athletes and their trainers well know. +The best time for taking exercise is, as stated above, just after the +morning bath, and it is astonishing what results can be obtained from +fifteen minutes of intelligently directed exercise each morning. Here, +again, regularity will work wonders. It may be a week or two before +you will notice any marked improvement in the muscular condition, but +you will be amply repaid by the glow of health which pervades the +system as the result of stimulated circulation. + +Last, but by no means least, comes the matter of solicitation of the +bowels. In this case regularity in solicitation will invariably +produce regularity in movement The bowels should be solicited every +morning, soon after rising, and every night just before retiring. We +only wish that we could impress every one of our readers with the +importance of this practice, and of the immense benefit of regularity +in the pursuance of it. Just as the stomach acquires the habit of +expecting food when regularly supplied to it at stated intervals, even +so will the bowels respond to solicitation if regularity be persisted +in. + +Nature is inexorably opposed to caprice. She executes all her +processes in an orderly manner, and if not interfered with, with the +greatest regularity, and if man will only co-operate with her by +strict regularity in the important duties previously mentioned, the +result will be a surprise to him in the form of renewed health and +vigor. He will have an unclouded mind, and be ready to face the trials +of everyday existence with a courage that nothing can daunt. + +But Nature demands an accurate accounting. Man thinks but little of +the drafts he is continually making upon his vitality, but sooner or +later the account will be presented, and payment exacted in full. +There is no such thing as vicarious payment. The debtor must pay in +person, and it therefore behooves every man to watch the debit side of +his life's ledger, and make a daily balance of his account with +Nature. + + + +PART VIII. + +TREATMENT OF DISEASE. + + +HEART DISEASE. + +There are numerous affections of the heart, divided into two classes-- +organic and functional, the former being the more serious; but it is +safe to say that seventy-five per cent. of cases belong in the latter +class. The most common, and at the same time most serious, of the +organic troubles, are pericarditis (inflammation of the heart- +envelope), and valvular insufficiency (imperfect closure of the +valves). The functional disturbances are (almost without exception) +due to digestive difficulties. In the first class, if the case is well +advanced and the patient past the meridian of life, recovery is +improbable, although life may be considerably prolonged. The second +class of cases can be cured, with reasonable certainty, by removing +the cause. + +TREATMENT. + +In pericarditis--the symptoms of which are fever and sharp pain under +left nipple, radiating to the armpit, use the "Cascade" daily while +the condition is acute; the wet sheet should also be employed daily, +the temperature varying with the degree of fever. It is usually the +sequel of rheumatism. In valvular insufficiency, which is caused by +deposits upon the valves of the heart, the symptoms of which are +principally difficulty of respiration, not much pain, but a feeling of +uneasiness in the heart region, and a peculiar sound termed "the +murmer," to be detected by the stethoscope, the use of the "Cascade" +will sometimes effect wonders. It arrests all further deposition of +impurities in the blood, thus preventing any further accumulation on +the valves, while the increased liquidity and purity of the blood +enables it to re-absorb the existing deposits and thus restore normal +action. Functional difficulties, as stated, chiefly result from +digestive troubles, due to fermentation of food in the stomach and the +consequent formation of gas, which frequently collects in large +quantities, and by actual pressure impedes the heart's action. The +chief symptoms are shortness of breath, palpitation, and great +irregularity of the heart's action; sometimes the heart appears to +miss a beat altogether. In such cases, a faithful observance of +the formula of treatment for dyspepsia (see index) will accomplish +surprising results. + + +ANEMIA. + +This is a disease of the blood, characterized by a deficiency of +albumen and red corpuscles. It is a disease that more frequently +affects women than men; the very young and the very old are most +subject to it, and especially, if of a nervous, irritable or +hysterical disposition Among the exciting causes are defective +hygiene, poor diet, want of, or excessive exercise, grief, or other +strong emotions. The symptoms are great pallor, muscular weakness +frequent pulse, dizziness, breathlessness on slight exertion and +fainting. There is another form of this trouble, known as Essential +Anaemia, or Progressive Pernicious Anaemia, which almost invariably +terminates in death; while in the first form, or simple anaemia, there +is no reason whatever for a fatal result, +if treated judiciously. + +TREATMENT. + +The condition of the blood must be improved, and as the blood is only +formed from the food that is eaten, the importance of getting the +digestive function into good working order is apparent. Also to supply +those elements to the system that the condition of the blood shows to +be necessary, all of which can be furnished in properly selected +articles of food. The body must be cleansed internally, by means of +the "Cascade," using it as frequently as the condition of the patient +will permit, without unduly taxing the system. The skin should be kept +active by frequent warm or tepid baths, followed by gentle friction +with a soft towel. A half pint of hot water should be slowly sipped +soon after rising, and no nourishment partaken of for at least half an +hour. Gentle exercise should be employed, to promote circulation; or +if too weak, substitute massage. Eggs and milk should be freely +partaken of. The eggs are preferable raw, beaten in milk, if not, then +lightly boiled or poached. Milk should only be taken in quantities of +from two to four ounces at a time. Some good preparation of whole +wheat should be partaken of once daily for the benefit of the +phosphates contained in it, but iron is the element most, needed, and +this is to be obtained in the following articles: first and foremost, +spinach, then beets, tomatoes, dark skinned grapes and ditto plums. +Lastly, and most important, is the practice of deep breathing to +thoroughly oxygenate the blood. + + +BLOOD POISONING. + +This may arise from various causes, such as the infection of a wound, +contact with some irritating vegetable substance like the poison ivy, +or by inhaling noxious gases, or handling certain metals, such as +copper and lead; but the most common cause is the re-absorption into +the blood, through the intestinal walls, of the waste products of the +system; in fact, it may be confidently asserted that ninety-nine per +cent. of such cases are due to this cause. When it is considered that +a virulent poison introduced in the rectum has been known to cause +death in a rabbit within two minutes, the absorptive character of the +walls of the colon may be faintly estimated. True, the toxic +substances generated in the body are not so rapid in their action, but +they are none the less deadly. It is to this that all skin diseases, +together with rheumatism, gout, neuralgia and a host of other +troubles, are undoubtedly due. + +TREATMENT. + +Clean out the human cesspool by frequent use of the "Cascade," thus +preventing any further deposition of these impure substances in the +blood, and keep it clean by more or less constant use. In acute cases, +take frequent Turkish baths, to help elimination by way of the skin, and +keep that organ active by frequent warm baths and vigorous friction with +a moderately coarse towel. Let the diet be plain and moderate, never +eating to excess, and drink freely of water, to keep the blood liquid, +and practice the habit of breathing deeply, to oxygenate the blood. + + +CONSUMPTION. + +Of all diseases, consumption is the most widespread and destructive to +human life. Over 3,000,000 people die annually from this disease. It +is not only an acquired disease, but surely preventable, and in its +early stages, curable. In the majority of cases it commences just +beneath the collar bone, because here is the part of the lung that is +least used, the reserve portion, not much used in ordinary breathing. +In most of the avocations of life the shoulders are drawn forward, +thus cramping the lungs, and weakening them, then the consumption +bacillus finds lodgment. A person with healthy lungs might inhale +millions of tubercle bacilli daily with impunity, hence the inference +is plain--to prevent consumption, distend the lungs fully, by deep +breathing, hundreds of times daily. + +TREATMENT. + +The first thing to be done (if it is in your power) is to go to some +quiet country place where you can be sure of the three following +essentials--a dry location, pure air, and a plentiful supply of fresh, +rich milk. There is an almost universal consensus of opinion now that +the open air treatment is of the greatest benefit; therefore, live as +much as possible out of doors and sleep with the doors and windows of +your room wide open. Never mind, if you have to pile on bed clothing +to keep warm--the prime essential is unlimited fresh air. You will soon +get used to it, and you are playing for a big stake--health. If it is +impossible to go to the country, then carry out this treatment as +closely as possible at your home. It is absolutely necessary to +improve the nutrition of the body, that is, to stimulate the digestion +and absorbent functions of the stomach and intestines, therefore +dispense with all so-called cough medicines. The drugs used to stop a +cough are invariably sedatives. Now, no sedative or nauseant is known +that does not lock up the natural secretions, and thus lessen the +digestive powers. Flushing the colon with the "Cascade" is +the first step to improve nutrition. This unlocks the secretions and +prepares the stomach for food. + +Next, flush the stomach. Then give the stomach food that the organs +can digest and assimilate. + +For this purpose nothing equals good, rich, fresh milk. Live on milk +exclusively for a month at least, taking a tumbler full every half +hour--the object being to supply the body with food easily digested, +quickly absorbed, and highly nourishing; yet at the same time, in +small quantities, that will not overtax the stomach. You will quickly +gain in weight, and after a month or two you may commence on solid +foods partly, choosing such articles as the Salisbury steak (see +treatment for obesity), pure cod liver oil, sweet cream, eggs, toasted +whole wheat bread, etc. Ten drops of beechwood creosote morning and +night, on a fifty cent respirator, is all the drug treatment +necessary, or useful. An external bath for those able to walk about, +and a "sponge off" for those confined to bed, must not be neglected. +The skin exudes more matter and is more likely .to become clogged in +disease than in health. Practise deep breathing assiduously. Improved +nutrition is your salvation, and that must come through exercise, diet +and fresh air. Spend all the time possible in the open air and in the +sun's rays whenever practicable, and pay special attention to the use +of the "Cascade." Remember, the cure is in your own hands--depends upon +your own courage and perseverance. + +CATARRH. + +This is a disease resulting from cold. It is the exception rather than +the rule, to meet with individuals in our Northern climate who are not +afflicted with it in some form or other. It is easier to prevent than +cure. Strong, well developed lungs, a clean colon and skin, and +catarrh, are seldom found together in the same body. Perfect lung +development and a clean colon will alone effect a permanent cure. Keep +the feet warm and dry, never go into a hot room and sit or lie, but +sleep in a cool, dry atmosphere. The disease takes two different +forms, nasal and throat. Nasal catarrh is first caused by inflammation +of the membrane of the nasal cavities and air passages, which is +followed by ulceration, when Nature, in order to protect this delicate +tissue and preserve the olfactory nerves, throws a tough membrane over +the ulcerated condition. At this stage it is designated chronic +catarrh. + +TREATMENT. + +Use the "Cascade" regularly every day, with water as hot as can be +borne, and guard scrupulously against taking cold. The membrane must +next be removed, and for this purpose we most unhesitatingly +recommend the J.B.L. Catarrh Remedy. + +Half a lifetime of careful research has been devoted to perfecting +this admirable preparation, which to-day stands first as an effective +agent in removing this membraneous obstruction. It is composed of +several kinds of oils, and gently but effectually removes the membrane +that Nature has built over the inflamed parts, while its emollient +character soothes and allays the inflammation. These oils are not +absorbed into the system, but act only locally. + +The method of application is as follows: A small quantity is placed in +a glass douche (especially manufactured for the purpose) and inhaled, +allowing the fluid to pass up the nostrils and into the throat, using +the nostrils alternately. + +There is no case of catarrh so obstinate but will readily yield to +this treatment. But as a preventive of all this keep the colon clean +and pay attention to lung development. + + +ERYSIPELAS. + +This disease arises from impure blood. A peculiar poison is generated, +which declares itself in the form of a red, puffy swelling, closely +resembling a blister, and very much like it to the touch. If the +finger is pressed upon the inflamed part, it will leave a white spot +there for an instant. It most usually attacks the face and head. In +the majority of cases it arises from an obstructed colon, a +fermentation being generated there from the long retained faecal +matter, consequently a positive and sure cure is to thoroughly cleanse +that organ. As a local application take loppered sour milk and apply +it to the inflamed parts, or, if not this, the next best thing is hop +yeast mixed with charcoal to the thickness desired. The lactic acid in +sour milk is a direct antidote to the poison of erysipelas. + +DYSPEPSIA. + +This disease does not come by chance. Infection or contagion can never +be held responsible for it. It is the penalty which Nature inflicts +upon you for violating physiological laws. Do not be deluded by +extravagantly worded advertisements into the belief that any nostrum +has been or ever will be invented that can possibly effect an +immediate cure. You must entirely abandon the habits that induced it. +You must masticate your food thoroughly--allowing the saliva to mix +with it, not bolt it, and then wash it down with copious draughts of +tea, coffee or water. This superabundance of fluid only serves to +distend the stomach and impede digestion. A change of diet is +necessary, but not so essential as a change in the habit of eating. +Dyspepsia is more or less catarrh of the stomach. Its lining becomes +coated with a slimy mucus that arrests the action of the glands, coats +the food and prevents the gastric juice from acting upon it. + +TREATMENT. + +For the first week, use the "Cascade" every night, the second week, +each alternate night; thereafter, as occasion seems to demand. Drink a +glass of hot water, not less than half an hour before each meal, +especially before breakfast. The breakfast should commence with a +liberal amount of good, ripe fruit, preferably oranges or grape fruit. +This may be followed by a small quantity of some good preparation of +whole-wheat: possibly, a lightly boiled or poached egg and a slice of +crisp, dry toast, or whole-wheat bread. Drink nothing with the food, +but take a glass of hot milk half an hour later. Good, lean beef or +mutton, broiled or baked, is easily digested, and may be eaten +moderately at midday. If faint between meals, take a glass of hot +milk, with a raw egg beaten in it. If the stomach is very sensitive, +it is better to eat five or six meals a day, of a few ounces, than to +overtax the stomach. Masticate every mouthful of food thoroughly, and +practice deep breathing assiduously, it is an important aid to +digestion. This method of treatment, if faithfully persisted in, will +cure the worst case of dyspepsia, with all its attendant misery. + + +RHEUMATISM. + +Both chronic and acute rheumatism are diseases of the blood, due to an +excess of uric acid. The presence of this acid is due to excessive and +imperfect action of the liver. Imperfect nutrition and deficient +excretion are the primary causes, and the result is that the blood +becomes loaded with poisonous matter. The trouble manifests itself in +the joints, toes, ankles, knees or hands, but the seat of the disease +is elsewhere. + +TREATMENT. + +The first thing to be done is to promote the conversion of acid by +oxidation and increased activity of the liver. The best way to +accomplish this is by the daily use of the "Cascade," first with hot +water, then with cool water, doubling the antiseptic tonic. Do this +twice a day for a week, then once a day for a month. Take a Turkish +bath daily for a time to restore the functions of the skin. Rub the +disabled joints with hot, oily applications, followed by massage and +pressure movements. The diet should consist largely of green +vegetables, mutton and whole wheat bread, or toast, eggs, milk and +fruit. Avoid pastry and starchy food, such as potatoes, beans and +white bread. A cup of hot water, not less than half an hour before +breakfast, should not be omitted. + +This treatment will speedily cure the worst cases. + + +TYPHOID FEVER. + +The chief seat of this terribly prevalent disease is in the stomach +and intestines, particularly the colon. It is a foul, bacterial +disease, and originates in filth. The germs may be taken into the +system in impure water or milk, inhaling the gases from defective +drains or by eating food which has absorbed such gases. Once in the +system, the bacteria must have decayed matter to feed upon, therefore +it is impossible for a person who is clean both inside and out to take +typhoid fever, there being no facilities for the germs to breed and +multiply. A peculiar secretion from the colon, mixed with the faecal +matter of long standing, induces a fermentation that generates a +putrid smelling gas. This fermenting gas is the home of the bacillus, +and from it millions of germs are multiplied and pass into the +circulation. In this fermentation a peculiar worm is bred, which is +the cause of ulceration in the bowels of typhoid patients. + +TREATMENT. + +To give physic in a typhoid fever case is a grave mistake. Instead of +assisting Nature, it more probably hastens the death of the patient. +Knowing the cause of the disease, common sense tells us that the first +thing to do is to check the multiplication of the germs by removing +the putrid matter in which they breed. When the symptoms first appear +give the patient a warm water emetic. Drink until the stomach throws +it back. Do not be afraid to drink. If the stomach is obstinate, use +the index finger to excite vomiting. This washes out the contents of +the stomach, which will be found fermenting and full of bacteria. Then +give him a large cup of hot water--very hot--with a little salt in it. +Let the patient rest for an hour or so after vomiting, then use the +"Cascade" with water just as hot as the hand will bear, so it will not +scald. Let him retain the water from ten to fifteen minutes if he can. +Next, the patient must be sweated, to open up the pores of the skin, +and for this nothing equals the wet sheet pack. Roll the patient in a +sheet wrung out of cold water, on top of this a couple of blankets and +a comfortable. At his feet place hot bricks in flannel, on his head a +towel, wrung out of cold water. Give him plenty of fresh air. When he +has perspired freely take him out of the pack, wash him with warm +water and soap, rub him down, give him a drink of cold water and put +him to bed. Repeat the injections daily, using tepid water. In cases +of extreme weakness the treatment must be modified. Let the patient +have all the cold water he wants to drink and give him plenty of fresh +air. Use flushings daily, also the external bath, remembering in the +latter to use cold water when the fever is high, and he will speedily +be restored to health. Let him eat nothing until Nature calls for it. +The best test of hunger is a piece of stale dry Graham bread. + + +BILIOUS FEVER. + +This disease generally makes its appearance with one or more chills, +sickness of the stomach and more or less fever. The tongue has an ill- +looking yellow coat and food is unacceptable. The cause of all this, +to an intelligent mind, is perfectly clear. The colon is clogged and +the acids in the stomach and the duodenum, together with an abundance +of secretions from the liver, have no outlet. In this condition a +slight cold will close up the already overworked pores of the skin and +turn the tide of corruption into the stomach, lungs and kidneys, and +bilious fever is the result, for, Nature being unable to get rid of +the filth by the ordinary methods, resorts to her last expedient, of +burning it up. + +TREATMENT. + +The remedy is obviously simple. Use the "Cascade" and open the pores. +Wash the stomach, take two or three hot injections daily, and a hot +sheet pack. This treatment, with baths and rubbing, will cure an +ordinary case of bilious fever in about three days. Avoid all drugs. +Nature will call for food when it needs it. + + +LA GRIPPE. + +This is the modern name for influenza. It resembles an ordinary cold +in its symptoms, but is far more violent in its effects. Acute pains +in the head and kidneys are symptoms that are usually present. If +neglected, it may develop into pneumonia, or consumption. It is both +epidemic and contagious, and thousands of victims were left in its +trail when it swept over the United States and Europe during the +winters of 1890, 1891 and 1892. + +TREATMENT. + +Possibly you are not aware that this disease is almost invariably +accompanied by constipation, but it is a fact, nevertheless, +consequently, the internal bath is the first remedial process to be +resorted to. Make them hot and copious, and use them daily, for three +days at least. Next, relieve the internal congestion by opening the +pores of the skin. To do this, use the Turkish bath (see end +of book), take it at night, drink a glass of hot lemonade, and go to +bed. Tuck yourself up warm. Doubtless it will make you sweat, but you +need that. In the morning take a bath and a good rub down. Drink a cup +of hot water half an hour before breakfast, and let that meal consist +of plain food, soft-boiled eggs, oatmeal, Graham bread and fruit-- +oranges, if procurable. Two days of this treatment will put La Grippe +to flight, but the better plan is to prevent it by keeping the colon +cleansed. + + +DYSENTERY. + +This is a disease of the colon. The retention of faecal matter in the +folds of the colon inflames the parts until they become dry, then the +soft evacuations dry on the sensitive mucous membrane. These secretions +produce a peculiar acid, which in its turn breeds worms, and these, in +the early stages of their existence, eat into the foreign matter and +even into the mucous membrane itself, causing what is known as +dysentery. + +TREATMENT. + +In either the acute or chronic cases, the patient must be treated +lying down, with the hips elevated above the shoulders. For this +purpose our Fountain attachment is necessary with the "Cascade." This +will relieve the pain and congestion in the lower part of the colon. +In acute cases do not let the patient sit up a moment. Use a bed pan +always. Flush the colon with hot water, letting it flow gently, and +add a little salt to the water. After the discharge, follow with an +injection of two ounces of vaseline oil, which should be retained as +long as possible. This is an emollient, and will soothe and heal the +ulcerations. + +During the past seven years we have been instrumental in curing uses +of dysentery contracted during the Civil Ware and solely by the +foregoing treatment. + + +DIARRHOEA + +Is simply Nature's method of getting rid of undigested substances in +the alimentary tract. After a time the irritation excites the glands +to abnormal action to wash out the offending substances, resulting +from excessive fermentation. If not relieved, ulceration sets in, and +worms breed in the intestines--then we have what is known as chronic +diarrhoea. + +The treatment in both varieties is the same. Use the "Cascade" until +the colon is thoroughly emptied and cleansed. Take a warm bath before +retiring, and follow it with a brisk rub down. Be careful in your +diet--the better plan being to fast for a day or two, until the worst +symptoms are past. + + +DISEASES OF THE NERVES. + +Most people imagine that nervousness is the result of too much nerve +force, but the opposite is the case. The trouble is a too sensitive +battery and inadequate nerve force. The batteries, or nerve centres, +are too easily discharged. It is nervous irritability, therefore, that +we have to deal with. + +The causes are manifold, the restless American nature, the stimulating +climate, neglect of physical training, giving too little time and +attention to eating and sleeping, concentrating too much attention on +money getting and business to the neglect of recreation and repose. +One of the gravest causes is a constipated colon, which promotes +indigestion, and through it, lack of nutrition, thus cutting off the +supply of nerve food. The habit of tea and coffee drinking, and the +use of tobacco, are also fruitful causes of this distressing +affliction. + +TREATMENT. + +You must apply a brake to that restless motor within you that is +driving you too fast. You must step out of the busy stream of life for +awhile, let it rush past you and take things easy. Flush the colon +regularly--remove that great source of nervous irritation, for we have +yet to hear of a nervous person that was not constipated. + +If you suffer from nervousness, you are dyspeptic, your whole course +of life tends to render you so. Follow the treatment, especially the +diet, given under the head of "Dyspepsia." Practice deep breathing, +for lung development, for strong lung power is never associated with +nervousness. Take plenty of exercise in the open air, but not to +excess. + +Be moderate in all things, except sleep, you cannot sleep too much. +Cultivate the sleeping habit, and don't give up until you can sleep +ten hours a day. + + +THE MATTER OF FOOD + +is important, for, as before stated, nervous people eat and sleep too +little. Fatty foods, or those that are easily converted into fat, are +what is necessary. Olive oil is one of the best nerve foods in +existence. Take a teaspoonful at a time, and gradually increase the +quantity until you can take a tablespoonful at each meal. If you +really can't take olive oil, the best substitute is sweet cream. +Celery is also good, and lettuce. + +Cultivate slow and measured movements, avoid undue activity, take life +easy and be moderate in all things. + +To sum up. Flush the colon, sleep long, eat slowly, and plenty of oily +or fat food, exercise freely, but in moderation, develop the lungs by +breathing exercises, and take life easy. + +This line of treatment, faithfully carried out, will cure the very +worst cases in time. + + +HEADACHE. + +There are many causes for this distressing complaint. Generally the +cause is to be found in the stomach. Something that has no right there +is in that organ, and irritating the pneumogastric nerve that connects +the stomach with the brain. It is a common symptom of dyspepsia. + +An engorged colon is one of the most common causes, on the same +principle that it causes paralysis and apoplexy. Stimulants invariably +promote headache. + +To prevent the attacks, live regularly, avoid late hours and excessive +brain work, shun alcoholic beverages and tea and coffee, avoid sweets +and pastries, and anything fried in fat. Eat good, plain food, +including fruit (especially oranges), but never eat late at night. +Develop the lungs. Never let a day pass without gently exercising all +the muscles. Massage the abdomen each night before retiring. Keep the +colon clean by the use of the "Cascade," and bathe at least three +times a week. + +To relieve an attack, flush the colon thoroughly. Take a hot foot-bath, +and while taking it, take a cup of hot lemonade--without sugar--so hot +that you have to sip it. + + +DROPSY. + +In this disease the outlet to the intestinal canal has become clogged. +The kidneys wear out trying to evacuate the bowels through their +delicate tubular network, and the capillaries have become helpless +through misuse in trying to do the work of others. So the tissues and +muscles of the extremities are loaded with this cast off material, and +we call it bloat. This is dropsy. + +TREATMENT. + +Empty and cleanse the colon with the "Cascade." Take the following +injection every night, and retain it: To a pint of hot water add ten +drops of the homeopathic tincture of Indian Hemp. If that is not to be +had, use the fluid extract of Merrill's preparation. Use every night +until a decided improvement is seen. If you do not get the desired +effect, double the dose--even forty drops will do no harm. It is not a +poison, but an excellent diuretic for dropsical effusions. + +Take a Turkish bath (see end of book) to open up the pores of the +skin, but if the patient is too weak use the hot wet sheet pack. Use +the "Cascade" at least twice a week, following it with the injection +mentioned above. Eat as little as possible, and let that consist of +dry toast well masticated, and do not take any tea or coffee. + + +APPENDICITIS. + +This complaint was formerly known as inflammation of the bowels, and +may be caused by injury. It was generally believed to be due to the +presence of foreign substances, such as grape seeds, etc., in the +vermiform appendix, but this idea is exploded. It is an inflamed +condition of the appendix, but the inflammation may have extended from +the colon or from the peritoneum. The most frequent cause is the +caecum (the lower pouch of the colon) getting filled with hardened +faecal matter, in which case the ileo caecal valve is obstructed, and +the natural passages of the bowels stopped. With a clean colon +appendicitis is practically an impossibility. + +The accepted medical practice is to remove the appendix by operation, +regardless of conditions; but the mortality in such cases is high. +Others put the patient to sleep with tincture of opium, or veratrum +viride, and let Nature right herself, if possible. If Nature can +maintain herself against the doctor and his drugs from seven to nine +days, the patient may get round, but not well. + +TREATMENT. + +Use the "Cascade" promptly on the first sign of an attack, injecting +all the water possible (at a temperature of not less than 102 Fahr.), +so as to reach the caecum, where the trouble is located. If the attack +is an acute one, use the "Cascade" every third hour until relieved. If +the obstruction (which is usually present) does not give way, inject a +pint of hot water and a pint of castor oil mixed; but before injecting +it (with a bulb syringe) raise the patient's hips several inches +higher than his head; then turn the patient on his right side, and +stroke the reverse way of the colon, applying a firm but gentle +kneading movement in the region of the appendix. This injection should +be retained at least half an hour--longer if necessary. If this does +not break loose the obstruction, resume the use of the "Cascade." Hot +fomentations over the appendicular region are valuable. Give no +medicine, it can do no good, but may do infinite mischief. After the +bowel has been emptied let the patient have absolute rest, and if +there is much pain and inflammation present, apply cracked ice, in a +rubber bag, over the affected part. The diet should be absolutely +liquid until all danger has passed. This is of the highest importance. + + +DISEASES OF THE LIVER. + +Liver complaints are always closely related to other diseases of the +digestive organs. The colon being clogged, the intestines are rendered +sluggish, which in turn acts upon the duodenum, or second stomach, and +prevents the food from properly passing out--then fermentation takes +place. Bile is poured out on the accumulated food again and again, for +the presence of anything in the duodenum is a demand for the secretion +of bile. As a result too much bile is mixed with the food to be +absorbed--the blood becomes tainted with biliary secretions showing +itself in a yellow skin, dizziness of the head, dull, sleepy condition +and lack of ambition. This overtaxing of the organ results in what is +known as acute congestion, the symptoms of which are tenderness to +touch and a feeling of painful tension on right side just above the +edge of the ribs, slight jaundice, furred tongue, loss of appetite and +scanty high colored urine. + +TREATMENT. + +Open the colon by the use of the "Cascade," when the intestines and +duodenum will be in turn relieved, then open up the pores of the skin +with baths and allow Nature to expel the waste from the system in that +manner. The wet sheet pack will he found specially valuable for that +purpose. + +An unnatural appetite often accompanies bilious attacks, but it should +be resisted. Eat sparingly of bread and milk, slightly salted, for two +or three days, then take more solid food, but do not eat meat more +than once a day for a week or two. Any exercises that call the muscles +of the stomach into play are beneficial and should be practiced daily, +especially horseback riding and rowing. Exercise by bending forward, +trying to touch the toes without bending the knees; at the same time +taking a deep breath--you then have the liver as in a vise, thus +inducing active circulation. + +The "Bear" walk, or walking about the room on all fours without +bending the knees, is one of the best exercises for a torpid liver +that can be imagined, but it should be practised in private, or your +friends may question your sanity. + + +DISEASES OF THE SKIN. + +These diseases usually have their origin in constipation, therefore +tile first tiling to be done is to relieve this condition of the colon +by daily use of the "Cascade." Bathe the body daily in tepid water, +being careful not to use soap that will irritate the skin. + +Never use common soap nor any of the highly perfumed varieties. A pure +soap will float in the water. An occasional wet pack sheet is of great +value. Attend care fully to the diet and avoid all foods fried in fat, +especially buckwheat cakes and food of that description. + + +DISEASE OF THE KIDNEYS. + +This is caused by irritation of the kidneys, brought about by those +organs being forced to do work which does not properly belong to them. + +Congestion is the first step towards chronic or acute inflammation. +The second stage is a breaking down or degeneration of the kidney +cells. If degeneration has passed a certain point, there is no hope. + +TREATMENT. + +The only possible cure is to remove the cause. The colon, intestines, +stomach and skin must be got into good working order, so that they +will do their own work and relieve the poor scapegoat the kidneys--of +unjust burdens. The colon should be constantly and copiously flushed +with the "Cascade," and warm baths frequently taken. The Turkish bath +is valuable, especially the home bath described in this book, as the +patient's head, being free, the hot air is not drawn into the lungs. + +Every night after flushing the colon inject a pint of warm water and +go to bed. It will pass off through the kidneys, cleansing them. If +there is acute pain, repeat the injection every two hours until +relieved. Hot fomentations applied to the back, over the region of the +kidneys, will relieve the pain, and gentle massage in the same +locality will be found beneficial. + +Avoid sweets, pastries, starchy foods, like potatoes, alcohol, +tobacco, tea, coffee and overfat foods. The diet recommended for +dyspepsia is good. Skim milk, buttermilk and whey should be used +freely, as they exercise a very beneficial influence on the kidneys. A +wet compress worn over night will help draw out the poisonous waste +matters. + + +ASIATIC CHOLERA. + +This disease is caused by the presence of a microbe, known as the +"comma bacillus," which manufactures a virulent poison, called a +ptomaine. Although the germs are taken into the system through the +medium of the mouth and stomach, they only multiply in the bowels, +which is proved by the fact that the vomit from a cholera patient +contains none, while the discharges from the bowels abound with them. +If the system is in perfect condition the germs are destroyed by the +gastric juice in the stomach as soon as inhaled. If the stomach is out +of order the bacilli escape into the intestines, where the fluids are +alkaline (in which they thrive) and cholera is the result. The +symptoms are, first a slight diarrhcea, almost painless, then tremors, +vertigo and nausea. Griping pains and repressed circulation follow, +then copious purging of the intestines, followed by discharges of a +thin watery fluid, lividity of the lips, cold breath and an +unquenchable thirst. + +TREATMENT. + +First flush the colon thoroughly with warm water every few hours. Next +induce perspiration by means of the Turkish bath, but if the case has +set in violently, and vomiting and cramps appear, use the "Cascade" +promptly, and get the patient into bed as quickly as possible. Then +take two heavy sheets, dip them in water as hot as can be borne, fold +them and lay them over the chest and abdomen and cover up with +blankets, tucking them in closely at the sides. Put a jug of hot water +to the feet. In about ten minutes redip the sheets quickly and +reapply. In fifteen or twenty minutes the perspiration will appear and +the cramps will vanish. Take nothing into the stomach during the +duration of the disease except moderate sips of cold water or pieces +of ice, to quench the burning thirst. + +Use simple strengthening food (milk is best) until health is restored. +All water should be boiled before using. + + +CHOLERA MORBUS. + +The symptoms are similar to those of Asiatic cholera, but not so +violent. The treatment is the same in principle. If there is a feeling +of nausea take a warm water emetic. + + +PERITONITIS + +Is an inflammation of the membrane covering the bowels, and is +frequently caused by concussion or injury; sometimes it extends from +adjacent organs, but in many instances it is caused by the breeding of +worms in the hardened faecal accumulations in the colon. + +No matter what the cause may he, flush the colon vigorously with +injections as hot as can be borne, and place bags of hops, steeped in +hot vinegar, on the outside. This will soon reduce the inflammation +and effect a cure. + + +PNEUMONIA, + +Sometimes called Lung Fever, is an acute inflammation of the lungs, +usually caused by a cold, and commencing with a chill and feverish +symptoms. At first there is a dry cough and what is known as the brick +dust sputum, and in the advanced stages a peculiar dark tint in the +cheeks, known as the mahogany flush. The breathing becomes very +hurried, rising as high as forty respirations per minute. It is an +exceedingly rapid and frequently fatal form of disease. + +TREATMENT. + +Promptitude in dealing with the case is of the highest importance. If +the colon had been kept clean and the lungs developed by exercise it +could not have attacked you; therefore the first thing to be done is +to use the "Cascade." Then the circulation must be equalized by +drawing the blood to the skin and extremities--away from the congested +lungs. A hot foot-bath will draw the blood to the extremities and a +Turkish bath (see end of book) will do the same to the skin. If too +weak to endure the Turkish bath, substitute a hot bath. Put the +patient to bed immediately and apply a hot compress over the lungs, +wrung out of hot brine, changing it as often as it gets cool. Give +little, extremities-away any, food during the continuance of the +disease; if any is given it should be light and nutritious. The above +treatment, if employed in time, will save any case. + + +BRONCHITIS. + +This is an acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes, or air passages, +and the treatment is almost identical with that for pneumonia; only +applying the hot compress to the throat or chest, according to which +part exhibits the most soreness. If the throat is very sore use the +following gargle: Bichromate of potash (pulverized), one drachm; +tincture capsicum, half ounce; pure water, two tablespoonfuls. Shake +until dissolved. Add one teaspoonful of this mixture to +three-fourths of a tumbler of water and gargle the throat every hour +until relieved--then every two hours until well. + + +ASTHMA. + +A mast distressing complaint, and hitherto imperfectly understood. It +has been attributed to innumerable causes, but our contention is that +it is due to an engorged transverse colon, which, interfering with the +free action of the diaphragm, withdraws that amount of impetus from +the lungs, so that they fail to respond to nerve stimulation. Through +inaction, the diaphragm becomes practically a fixed instead of a +movable partition. This contention is borne out by the fact that in +numerous cases where the colon was emptied, the trouble disappeared +and no trouble was experienced so long as the colon was kept clean. In +all cases of asthma the last meal should be a light one, if taken at +all; in fact, it would be well to follow the dietary rules for +dyspepsia, and in addition omit the evening meal. + + +UTERINE DISPLACEMENT. + +This prevalent complaint among the women of America is due, in ninety +per cent. of the cases, to constipation, and that is mainly +attributable to tight lacing. In the majority of our countrywomen the +sigmoid flexure (see diagram beginning of work) is distended to nearly +double its natural size, pressing upon the womb, which necessarily +displaces it, but in addition the colon, through impaction, frequently +becomes highly inflamed and communicates the inflammation to the womb, +making it heavy and relaxed. + +The ascending and descending colon lie immediately behind the ovaries, +and if (as is often the case) it becomes distended to double its size, +it stretches the broad ligaments and ovarian connections, frequently +breaking them away from their peritoneal attachments or carrying the +peritoneum downward with them. + +The Fallopian tubes, which penetrate and are attached to the +peritoneal sack, together with the uterine broad ligaments, are +designed to hold the womb in place, but if the womb and ovaries are +crowded down into the pelvic cavity and the womb doubled upon itself, +dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation, or amenorrhea, with convulsions, +is the result. Perhaps there may even be a complete stoppage, so that +Nature menstruates vicariously and casts it off through the lungs or +bowels. + +TREATMENT. + +Empty the colon and keep it clean by regular use of the "Cascade," and +wear your clothing as loose as your husband's or brother's, and the +womb will go back into its place, and all the bad symptoms disappear. +It may be, though, that the tendons and ligaments have become +partially paralyzed through the uterus having been so long out of +place. + +After emptying the colon, if there is pain in the back, with a bearing +down sensation, sit in half a tub of hot water for fifteen or twenty +minutes once every other day. Throw yourself on your back with the +hips raised as high as possible, then rub up from the pelvic bone. +This will reduce the displacement of the sigmoid flexure, besides +giving relief. Should the womb not go back into +place, call in a physician to replace it. + +Painful menstruation and leucorrhea, which are caused by displacement +of the womb, inflammation and hypertrophy, or hardening of the womb, +enlarged and sensitive ovaries, can all be speedily cured by flushing +the colon. + + +ANTEVERSION, + +Which affects nine out of every ten women, is the womb falling forward +on the bladder (causing frequent desire to urinate) and downward, +which, with the falling of the sigmoid flexure, produces obstruction +of the bowels and great straining at stool. + + +RETROVERSION + +Is a falling down, with the body of the womb thrown backward. +Frequently it is doubled upon itself, when it becomes hardened and +inflamed, and adhesion often takes place. Doctors frequently call this +spinal disease, but it is the displaced organs pressing on the great +sympathetic nerve, which produces partial paralysis of the lower limbs +and loss of memory, sometimes causing insanity. In retroversion, after +emptying the colon, assume the following position: Kneel on the bed, +or sofa, with the body thrown forward until the chest also touches. +Retain this position as long as possible, and repeat it frequently +during the day. Sleep with the foot of the bed raised eight inches. +These positions all facilitate the return of the womb to its normal +position. + +Eat nutritious, easily digested food, and avoid all stimulants. + + +COMMON COLDS + +Are very disagreeable things, and, though not dangerous in themselves, +yet are frequently the cause of serious complications and the +forerunners of consumption, pneumonia and catarrh. Colds are commonly +due to sudden changes of temperature, and are caused by the sudden +closing of the pores of the skin, thus preventing the escape of those +waste matters of the body which Nature has designed should be expelled +in that direction. The blood is thus driven inward, causing congestion. +If the system is in a sound, healthy condition, with respiration good +and the colon clean, it should be next to impossible to take cold. If, +however, there is a weak spot in the body, be sure the cold will find +it, when, if not promptly dealt with, serious results may ensue. + +TREATMENT. + +Constipation is the invariable primary cause of a cold, hence the +first thing to do is to flush the colon. Use the "Cascade" daily for +at least three days. Do not eat any supper the first night. The next +thing to be done is to take the Turkish bath (see end of book). It +should be taken at night, after which drink a glass of hot lemonade +and go to bed, covering the body thoroughly. No doubt you will +perspire profusely, but that is what you need. In the morning take a +good bath and rub down, following the directions given for bathing, +drink a cup of hot water an hour before breakfast and let that meal be +light, such as Graham bread, boiled eggs, oatmeal and oranges. You are +then ready to attend to your daily business, and if you take another +flushing at night, the next morning your cold will be only a memory. + + +CONSTIPATION. + +This condition of the system has been so frequently referred to +already that further comment upon it may be deemed unnecessary. Its +causes are varied, insufficient exercise in the open air, hastily +eaten and imperfectly masticated food, also many articles of food tend +to induce the evil of habitual constipation. + +Whatever you may do, avoid everything in the form of drugs, for they +are injurious in the highest degree. The continual excitation of the +excretory processes by the use of cathartics is a most pernicious +practice and should be shunned. A constant indulgence in the +"purgative habit" often renders the coating of the stomach so +sensitive that even the presence of food in that organ irritates it +and is frequently hurried out half digested. + +The "Cascade" should be used each alternate day, for at least two +weeks, then, twice a week, until improvement is assured. Drink a +tumblerful of hot water, not less than half an hour before breakfast +and eat freely of fruit at that meal. Also partake liberally of good, +green vegetables at other meals. Eating whole-wheat bread is of +decided assistance, and make it a rule to drink from two to three +pints of water each day. + + +PILES OR HEMORRHOIDS. + +This is a disease of the rectum and muscles of the anus, and is the +direct result of constipation. The accumulation of hardened faecal +matter distends the sigmoid flexure, causing inflammation, until from +its own weight it falls down, producing prolapse of the bowels. +Frequently ulceration follows and the bowel is pressed out, tumors +forming on the protruding portion. + +Bleeding piles are caused by congestion of the rectal blood vessels. +The constant nerve irritation causes muscular contraction, +consequently circulation is interfered with, producing a condition of +engorgement. Owing to lack of nutrition the structures become brittle +and quantities of the varicosed capillaries unite to form pile tumors. +The methods of treatment usually employed are, injecting astringents +into the tumors to dry them up; to ligate the tumors, that they may +die or drop off, or to amputate the portion of the rectum in which the +tumors form (known as the radical operation), none of which prevent a +return of the trouble. The only rational plan is to remove the cause. + +TREATMENT. + +First empty the colon, using the "Cascade," thus removing the cause, +then the inflammation will subside and the protruding bowel go back +into its place. Tumors will soon absorb if they are put back when they +protrude. Sitting in a tub of hot water will cause the bowel to go +back immediately. Hot water is Nature's astringent and never fails. +The following salve has been found of great value in facilitating +recovery: Two heaped tablespoonfuls of vaseline or cosmoline, willow +charcoal, one teaspoonful; canadies pinus canadensis, twenty-five +drops; sulphate morphia, five grains. Mix well and apply up the rectum +with the fingers as far as possible. But the most effective aid to a +cure is to follow the use of the "Cascade," by inserting in the rectum +a small piece of ice, about the size of the tip of the little finger +(previously immersed in water to render it smooth), which will be +found a most admirable rectal tonic, driving the blood away from the +congested parts, and producing a bracing effect on the structures. In +bad cases, it may be used with good effect several times during the +day, and will be found equally beneficial in cases of prolapse of the +rectum. The ice is to be retained in the rectum. + + +PARALYSIS OR PALSY. + +These two terms signify one and the same disease; that is, a condition +of the system in which the power of voluntary motion is lost. It is +the outward manifestation of a deep-seated disease that can usually be +traced to an obstructed colon and consequent disordered circulation. +The same causes promote apoplexy. A blood vessel is ruptured in the +brain, causing a clot to form, which presses upon the nerves that +convey the will of the mind to the muscles, thus stopping their +action. It is not, as is usually supposed, an affection of the +muscles, but of the nerves that control the muscular movements. +Sometimes one entire side of the body becomes affected and completely +deprived of voluntary motion. Congestion of the brain is a preliminary +of paralysis, and congestion of the brain are invariably due to an +enlarged transverse colon. + +One form of paralysis affects only certain parts of the body, such. as +the lower limbs, or the reproductive organs, and is caused by pressure +upon some large nerve communicating with the paralyzed portion. This +is doubtless due to the pressure of an enlarged ascending or +descending colon upon some of the lumbar plexus nerves, or their +branches. This, however, refers to what may be termed local paralysis, +or paralysis of certain parts. + +Paralysis of an entire side of the body is due to pressure on the +brain, and this is caused by defective circulation, induced by an +unnaturally distended colon. While in this condition some severe +physical exertion or mental strain increases the pressure beyond the +power of resistance and a rupture is the result--when the patient +falls, wherever he may happen to be. + +TREATMENT. + +Prevention of paralysis is very easy, for with a clean colon it is an +impossibility, and the remedy is too plainly indicated to need +pointing out. You have but to remove the cause--the accumulation in the +colon. Massage is a most valuable part of the treatment. To prevent +the muscles from stiffening, and to retain the suppleness of the +affected parts, frequent rubbings are necessary, and the mind should +be stimulated to resume its control over the refractory muscles. +During an attack it is necessary to pay particular attention to diet-- +easily digested, nonconstipating food only. You may have to revert to +a spoon diet for awhile--and, as the liability to a second attack is +great during the period of recovery, special attention must be given +to diet to guard against it. + +When power begins to return to the affected parts, a system of +graduated exercises should be arranged, gradually increasing in force +with the return of strength and normal control. These exercises will +gradually educate the mind and restore its harmonious working with the +body. + + +EPILEPSY, OR FALLING SICKNESS, + +Is distinguished from apoplexy, or paralysis, by the convulsive action +and foaming at the mouth. One prime cause of this most distressing +complaint is the action of worms in the colon. In a number of cases +treated by us, knots of worms were expelled, and the exciting cause +being removed, complete recovery followed. The preventive treatment is +simple. Use the "Cascade" and out antiseptic tonic until the worms are +entirely expelled. During a fit loosen the clothing at the throat and +place something in the mouth, a cork, for instance, to prevent the +patient from biting his tongue. Some fine salt thrust into the mouth +will shorten the duration of the fit. + +Another prolific cause is masturbation, in which case nothing but the +abandonment of the habit and a cleanly life, both physically and +morally, will effect a cure. + + +GONORRHEA. + +This is a contagious disease, and its victims usually become the prey +of unprincipled charlatans, who drive the disease inward by +suppressing the symptoms. It affects the male much more seriously +than the female. It commences with a slight uneasy sensation at the +mouth of the urethra, between the second and seventh day after +exposure to infection. The natural discharge of mucus is increased, +and is more viscid, followed by acute inflammation. The discharge +becomes thick and greenish and urination is painful. Swelling of the +glands in the groin is common, called a bubo. Orchitis or swelling of +the testicle is also a frequent accompaniment. Under the best of +treatment it will require from four to six weeks to effect a cure, but +if neglected it may mean +months. + +TREATMENT. + +Use the "Cascade" every night for the first two weeks, then twice a +week for at least two months, to get the poison out of the system, and +keep the parts scrupulously clean by bathing them two or three times a +day. Carefully avoid everything in the form of a stimulant, especially +alcoholic drinks, also tobacco, and let the diet be largely vegetable. +Use the following injection twice every day after urinating. Colored +fluid hydrastis, two drachms; fluid extract canadies pinus canadensis, +two drachms; bromo chiorellum, half a drachm; water, six ounces. Shake +well and inject twice a day until a marked improvement can be noticed, +then once a day, and, finally, every other day. + + +HERNIA OR RUPTURE + +Is the escape of some portion of the viscera through an abnormal +opening and takes its particular name from the locality in which the +protrusion occurs, although the inguinal is the most common form. The +dynamic force of foul gases engendered in the system is a prolific, +though generally unsuspected cause; but the mechanical pressure +exerted by an overloaded colon in the limited space of the abdominal +cavity is responsible for seventy-five per cent, of all cases. The +treatment is obvious--use the "Cascade" faithfully, and, the cause +being removed, reduction is easy, and if the colon be kept clean, a +properly adjusted truss will soon completely cure it. + + +INEBRIETY + +Is responsible for many of the ills of the present generation, in the +form of transmitted constitutional weakness, not to mention the +functional derangements and organic destruction, of which it is a +potent and direct cause. + +There are two grave reasons why alcohol should not be taken into the +system, or, if at all, in very minute quantities and at distant +intervals. The first is the moral reason, because it undermines and +destroys the finer part of man. It has the peculiar effect upon the +brain of stimulating the baser qualities and blunting the finer ones. +The second is the physical reason, see "The Diet Question." When +alcoholism becomes a fixed habit, it must be treated as a disease, for +it is one in reality. In many cases the large intestinal or tapeworm +is at the root of the trouble. Now, worms cannot exist in a perfectly +clean body, with every function working properly. Few, if any, animals +can resist the solvent power of the gastric juice if it is secreted in +normal quantity, and in full health and vigor, consequently, to +cleanse the body of all superabundant filth and restore it to a sound +working condition, will prevent their growth. But if they are present +and developed (as they sometimes are) to an enormous size, the vital +forces are unable to dislodge them, unaided, and recourse must be bad +to a "vermifuge" diet. This may be found in two articles--the crusts of +good, sweet wheat-meal bread and good, ripe uncooked apples. It is +important that the food be hard, so that it be well masticated and +that it be eaten slowly, so that the stomach is not overloaded. + +TREATMENT. + +First get the alcohol out of the system by flushing the colon daily. +This will help you to stop drinking (which is so much easier advised +than accomplished), then proceed to sweat it out by a daily Turkish +bath (see end of book) or a Turkish bath one day and a wet sheet pack +the next. + +Second, sip a cupful of hot water not less than half an hour before +each meal and use the wheat bread crusts and apple diet mentioned +before for one week certain, two weeks is better (if possible). Then +use the "cascade" thoroughly, to expel the worm; and for a month at +least follow the diet laid down for dyspepsia, when the alcoholized +blood in your veins will have been replaced with good, rich blood, and +your cure practically effected. + + +OBESITY. + +The condition of the body, to which nosologists have applied this term, +is that of general engorgement, or, over-fullness, and is the result of +excessive eating, or imperfect deputation, or both. Over-eating and +inactivity are the chief producing causes. It is the especial +prerogative of children to be fat, but when too great an accumulation +comes, with advancing years, it brings discomforts, disadvantages, and +oftentimes fatal diseases, among which are Apoplexy, Fatty Liver, +Diabetes, Bright's Disease and Fatty Heart. The sanguine or entonic +variety is distinguished by florid skin, full strong pulse, turgid +veins, with firm and vigorous muscular fibres, and the serous or atonic, +is denoted by a full, but frequent and feeble pulse, smooth and soft +skin, plump but inexpressive figure, and general languor or debility of +the vital functions. + +TREATMENT. + +Use the "Cascade" regularly, and take as much exercise as is possible +without fatigue. A brisk three mile walk daily will work wonders in +reducing weight, especially if you perspire freely. Drink a pint of +hot water an hour before each meal and half an hour before retiring, +to wash the sour ferments and bile from the stomach before eating and +sleeping. Live principally on roast or broiled meat, fish, poultry or +game, boiled rice, green vegetables, and brown bread. When people are +unable to take the necessary amount of exercise, the dieting process, +known as the "Salisbury system," is very effective. This consists of +the lean part of good beef, from which every particle of fat and sinew +is removed, then chopped to a pulp, made into small cakes and broiled-- +then eaten hot. The reduction of adipose tissue demands a certain +amount of self-sacrifice, but the above method, if faithfully +followed, never fails to effect the purpose. + + +LOST MANHOOD + +Is the term now generally employed to describe impotence, or physical +inability to perform the sexual function. It is frequently due to +conjugal excesses, but the principal cause is the baneful widespread +practice of masturbation, or self-pollution. It manifests itself in +what is known as Spermatorrhea, or involuntary emissions of the +seminal fluid, and if allowed to continue unchecked, speedily depletes +the vitality of the sufferer, and renders him a physical wreck. Do not +be deceived by the lying advertisements of unprincipled charlatans, +that any drug can help you. The treatment must be hygienic and +thorough, and may necessitate a change in your whole mode of life. + +TREATMENT. + +Firstly, the colon must be kept clean, as the faecal accumulations +there irritate the sensitive nerves. So it is advisable to use the +"Cascade" every night for two weeks at least, then every second night. +Secondly, practice the breathing and bodily movements described under +the head of Exercise, and take all the exercise you can in the open +air, as these things are important factors in strengthening the +nervous system and hastening a cure. Thirdly, special attention must +be paid to diet. If you can practice strict vegetarianism for a time, +so much the better, choosing those articles most easily digested. Only +plain roast or boiled beef should be eaten (if any meat be taken at +all), shun all hot condiments, also tea, coffee, tobacco and alcohol-- +especially the latter, for nothing can help you while you use these +articles. Fourthly, after flushing, take a cold bath every night, or, +if this is impracticable, bathe the genital organs, and the spine (up +to the base of the brain) in cold water, and rub down vigorously with +a crash towel. Fifthly, resolutely form cleanly habits of mind, as +well as body; take up a course of good reading to occupy the mind, and +divert it into healthy channels, and shun all reading of a sensational +nature. Sixthly, avoid thinking impure and lascivious thoughts, and do +not allow your mind to dwell upon your condition, but cultivate self- +control. The above treatment has cured hundreds of bad cases, and will +cure you, if steadily persevered in, but a strict abstinence from +sexual indulgence, and an absolute abandonment of the pernicious vice, +is an indispensable condition. + +Frequently quite aged men write us, complaining of their sexual +disability--to all such, we say that the restoration of lost power +after fifty years of age is in the highest degree improbable, and +after the grand climacteric (63) is passed--it is practically +impossible. + + +DIABETES OR DIABETES MELLITUS + +Is a peculiar and troublesome disease, characterized by an excessive +discharge of urine, which is heavily charged with grape sugar, which +is the saccharine principle of grapes and honey, hence the term +mellitus. This substance is manufactured in excess by the body, and +eliminated by the kidneys. The discharge of urine is abnormally large, +sometimes reaching as high as several gallons daily. Owing to the +presence of sugar in the blood and the secretions, nutrition is +affected, and other disturbances manifest themselves in the system. It +is a disease, which, if not taken in time, usually proves fatal, and +it therefore behooves the individual to keep the body in +thorough order, and to carefully watch any abnormality in the urine. + +TREATMENT. + +The "Cascade" should be used regularly, also the wet sheet pack, to +promote the action of the skin, for that organ usually exhibits a +marked dryness; and its temperature should be varied to suit that of +the body. If fairly vigorous, the morning cold bath should be used, +for its tonic qualities, or, if weak, then the tepid bath, followed, +in either case, by a brisk rubbing, to promote circulation. Diet is +most important. All sweets and starchy foods, which are converted into +sugar by digestion, should be shunned, while whole wheat bread, lean +beef, mutton and fish, together with salads made from herbs, should be +eaten. Acid fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are beneficial. Soft +boiled eggs and milk (in moderation) may be taken. All food should be +eaten slowly and a little at a time. The only drink should be pure +water, and that never at meal times, but a cup of hot water half an +hour before meals will be found of service. Tea, coffee, cream, and +especially alcoholic drinks, must be absolutely avoided. + + +LOCOMOTOR ATAXIA + +Results from what is known as sclerosis, a hardening of the gray +matter in the motor centres of the spinal cord. Its special symptom is +the peculiar high-stepping gait, the power of locomotion not being +properly under the control of the will, and when the eyes are closed, +it seems impossible for the afflicted person to walk forward without +falling. Like other diseases of its class, it is primarily due to +innutrition, the result of imperfect elimination, and has hitherto +defied regular medical treatment. If a cure is to be effected, it is +by regular use of the "Cascade," perfect rest, strict attention to +diet, and judicious massage; but if the case is well advanced, it is +doubtful whether restoration to health can be affected. + + +NURSING MOTHERS. + +Under the above heading, we class the following troublesome +complaints: Inflammation of the Breast, Milk Fever, Sore Nipples, +Puerperal Swelled Leg, and Puerperal Fever, or Peritonitis, all of +which complaints are practically unknown, under intelligent hygienic +treatment. + +We would point out that a simple hygienic mode of life (including +careful diet and the regular practice of the "Cascade Treatment" +during pregnancy), will not only have the effect of making the labor +easy, and the recovery rapid, but will almost preclude the possibility +of any of the above complaints manifesting themselves. + +During pregnancy the "Cascade Treatment" should be regularly used +twice a week, by which means the absorption of the poisonous waste +matters of the system into the circulation is completely avoided, and +the future health of the infant assured. The body should be bathed +daily, or, if impracticable, then a brisk rubbing from head to foot, +with a towel, and exercise--more or less--taken every day. The diet +should consist largely of vegetables and fruit, especially after the +fourth month, avoiding farinaceous foods as much as possible, such as +wheat, peas, beans, barley, and especially fine wheaten flour. These +foods contain the bony constitutents, and their avoidance tends to +deossify the systems of both mother and child, and make childbirth +what Nature intended it to be, a comparatively painless proceeding. + +Careful attention to the foregoing hygienic mode of life, during +pregnancy, will effectually prevent the appearance of those +distressing complaints (before mentioned), pecu1iar to Nursing +Mothers. + + +INFLAMMATION OF THE BREAST + +Would never occur, if the "Cascade" had been regularly used, and the +treatment for it, when present, is to use the "Cascade" thoroughly, +and apply cool wet clothes, well covered with dry ones, to the +breasts. If there is a surplus of milk, draw it off with the breast +pump, or the more convenient method--the mouth. + + +SORE NIPPLES + +Do not require anything but a little cream or olive oil applied to +them, with occasional applications of cold, wet cloths when they are +hot and painful, and occasional fomentations when they are cracked and +sore--but do not fail to "flush the colon." + + +MILK FEVER + +Is principally due to over-heated, or ill-ventilated rooms, and should +be treated by at once flushing the colon, and if the patient is not +too weak, use the wet sheet pack, otherwise tepid ablutions should be +frequently used. + + +PUERPERAL SWELLED LEG + +Should be treated as an acute inflammation. The colon should be +thoroughly flushed, the wet sheet pack or tepid bath used frequently, +and cold wet compresses applied to the afflicted limb. The patient may +drink cold water freely, and the diet should consist mainly of Indian +or wheat-meal gruel. + + +FISTULA. + +There are two distinctly recognized forms of fistula, the complete and +the incomplete: the latter, having only one opening, either external +or internal; if the opening is internal, it is termed, "blind +fistula." The complete fistula has two openings, usually, one external +and one internal, but in some cases, both openings are external. +Fistula is almost invariably the sequel to a neglected abscess, +therefore, any form of gathering in the buttocks, should be promptly +attended to. Fistula may result from an injury; but the large majority +of cases are due to a congested or diseased condition of the sigmoid +flexure and rectum. + +TREATMENT. + +It need scarcely be said, that scrupulous care and cleanliness are +indispensable factors in promoting recovery, therefore, the colon must +be kept absolutely clean, by the use of the "Cascade" and the parts +`thoroughly bathed with warm water, at least, once daily, and the pipe +of the fistula should be thoroughly cleaned three times a day, with +the following solution: To half a cupful of warm water, add twenty- +five drops of fluid hydrastis and one teaspoonful of finely pulverized +willow charcoal. This should be mixed thoroughly and injected into the +opening of the fistula, the whole of it, with a small piston syringe. +If the opening is not external, then, double the quantity should be +injected into the rectum. This practice should be persisted in until +the discharge ceases. In some cases, operations are absolutely +necessary. All stimulants should be avoided and all highly seasoned +foods. + + +DISEASES OF CHILDREN. + +The following simple methods of treating the ailments of childhood +will be found remarkably efficacious, easy of application, and may be +used with confidence. + + +CROUP. + +This disease often runs in families, and is most frequently caused by +sudden alterations of temperature. The symptoms are usually a harsh +cough, hoarseness, sore throat, and slight fever. A croupy child needs +watching. To prevent it, keep the colon clean. + +The treatment cannot be too prompt. Use the "Cascade" quickly, and +place the child immediately in a hot bath, and rub the lower limbs +thoroughly. Wring a cloth out of cold water, and place it on the +throat and chest, covering it with a thick flannel to exclude the air. +Change the cloth as often as it gets dry. + + +SCARLET FEVER. + +This is a bacillus disease. The colon being clogged, Nature is trying +to cast out the impurities by way of the pores of the skin, and when +these become congested we have fever. First flush the colon, then use +the hot sheet pack (see end of book), if the fever is not very high, +or if the child has chills. If the fever is high, use the cold sheet +pack. With this treatment the rash will soon come out, and the child +be easy. If fever appears again, give another injection and a sponge +bath. Feed the body with water outside, and give it all it wants to +drink. Give no food until Nature calls for it, then a raw egg beaten +in milk. When the appetite comes back, give soft-boiled rice, or +oatmeal with milk. Keep a cool head, and this treatment will save your +child. + + +CHOLERA INFANTUM + +Is a disease that can be readily cured by flushing the colon--adding a +little antiseptic tonic to the water. It is purely a disease of the +alimentary canal, consequently, cleansing that passage affords relief. +A tepid bath, covering the legs and abdomen, is of wonderful benefit +when fever is present. Be very particular with the diet. A raw egg, +well beaten, in boiled milk is very nourishing. + + +DIPHTHERIA + +Is a terribly fatal complaint, the result of a poison or germ produced +in the body during the illness. The symptoms being difficult to +identify, all cases of sore throat, if accompanied by fever, loss of +strength, and white spots on the tonsils, should be regarded as +diphtheretic. + +Give full hot water flushings twice or four times every twenty-four +hours. If the throat is of a grayish color, add a teaspoonful of borax +to every quart of water. If it is of a dark red color, add a +teaspoonful of acetic acid to every quart of water. If the child +cannot retain it, place it in a hot hip bath, and then it will. After +the discharge, induce perspiration with the hot sheet pack (if +chilly), if not, in the cold pack, and apply a cold compress to the +throat. Give the child all the cold, pure +water it wants. + +To treat the throat locally, take equal parts of fine salt, borax and +common soda, pulverize, mix well, and by means of a quill blow well +down the throat, using one quarter or half a teaspoonful. + +SMALL-POX. + +Is a very contagious eruptive fever, caused by a bacillus and fever, +with aching of the limbs, in from nine to twelve germ peculiar to the +disease. It commences with chills days after exposure. + +After forty-eight hours the eruption usually appears. When rightly +treated, it is not a dangerous disease. + +In the case of a young person or child, the treatment is the same as +for scarlet fever. Let the patient have all the water it wants in +frequent drinks--a little cold water at a time. + +After the eruption appears, no further treatment is necessary, except +a daily flushing of the colon and a daily sponge bath in tepid water. +If there is pain in the head, apply a cold compress. There is no +appetite during the progress of the disease, but when the stomach +demands food, great care should be exercised. Milk may be given +safely. When strength returns, toasted Graham bread, mush, boiled or +broiled chicken may be given. + + +TO PREVENT POCKMARKS. + +The marking is caused by exposure to dry air and light, therefore +paint the hands and face with a mixture of glycerine and charcoal--the +glycerine keeps the skin soft, and the charcoal shuts out the light. +It should be washed off every morning, and re-applied. Under no +circumstances must the patient be allowed to scratch off the pocks. + + +MEASLES + +Is an eruptive disease peculiar to children, slightly contagious, but +not dangerous. It may commence with a slight chill, or not. The fever +is usually attended with a slight cold, swollen watery eyes, and +sneezing. + +The first thing to be done is to bring out the rash, which is quickly +done, by flushing the colon, followed by a wet sheet pack, as in +scarlet fever. When the eruption is out, nothing is needed but to keep +the colon clean, and wash down daily with tepid water. In all eruptive +diseases guard against taking cold--for a cold closes the pores of the +skin, shutting up Nature's vent through +which she is expelling the disease germs. + + +WORMS IN THE INTESTINES. + +This exceedingly prevalent and troublesome complaint may be quickly +and effectually relieved by colon injections, coupled with the J. B. +L. antiseptic tonic. It should be retained until the preparation has +time to destroy or loosen the hold of the worms. Its action may be +greatly accelerated by rubbing and churning the bowels. + + +INFANTILE CONVULSIONS OR FITS. + +These spasms sometimes indicate the approach of one of the eruptive +fevers, but usually the cause is the irritation of teething, or worms +in the intestines. Although the appearance of a child under such +conditions is painful, yet the danger is much less than appears. + +Get the little sufferer into a hot bath as quickly as possible, and +draw the blood to the skin, which will afford relief. Next, direct +your attention to the bowels. If, as is exceedingly likely, worms are +the cause, treat as for worms. + + +GALL STONES + +Are the result of arrested secretion of bile, usually through +congestion of the liver. Then the substances that form bile accumulate +and solidify in granules. Hundreds of these continually pass off +through the bowels unnoticed; but prolonged congestion causes them to +cohere and form larger masses, that, in passing through the bile duct, +cause intense pain, which is sometimes mistaken for appendicitis. + +TREATMENT. + +It is only in passing, that their presence becomes known, when all +that can be done is, to favor their passage by copious fomentations of +hot water and diligent use of the "Cascade." Sometimes it is +impossible for the stone to pass, when it has to be removed +surgically. The regular use of the "Cascade" will prevent their +formation. At the first symptoms of pain in the region of the liver, +follow the directions for treatment of that organ, especially the +exercises, and drink freely of olive oil. + + +MASSAGE, SHEET-PACKS, ETC. + +MASSAGE, + +Which is the application of motion and pressure to the body, is a most +important factor in preserving or restoring health. It affords a sick +person all the benefit to be obtained from exercise without the +physical effort, which he is unable to exert. The sweat glands, +capillaries, and lymph channels, which constitute thousands of miles +of tubing, in the body of a grown person, are, by carefully and +systematically applied massage, stimulated to action. The currents in +these vessels are a necessity of life. When they are obstructed, +weakness is the result; when they cease, decay and death ensue. + +When we rub our hands or feet, we say the friction warms them; in +reality it is the inner vessels which are stimulated, and bring more +warm blood to the parts. If this process is extended over the whole +available surface of the body, the most beneficial results will +follow. + +There are three recognized methods of application. +First--Rubbing, to stimulate the skin to action. +Second--Rolling, and pinching gently, also a kneading movement, used +principally to stimulate. the stomach, bowels, and muscular tissues. +Third--Percussion, or tapping with the ends of the fingers, softly-most +effiacious in stimulating the action of the lungs. + +Rub the surface first with a little palm oil, or vaseline. Use the +tapping movement for the chest and back, the rubbing movement for the +stomach and bowels, and the pinching or kneading movement for the +limbs. In dyspepsia and constipation, great benefit is derived from +massage treatment of the stomach and colon--starting the movements in +the right groin, where the colon commences, and following its course +to its rectal extremity, (consult diagram). For rheumatism, sprains, +etc., commence with hot oily applications. + +Most people find massage treatment to have a gentle, soothing effect. +Nearly all find their appetite increased. + + +THE STOMACH BATH. + +The first method is simplicity itself, and consists in drinking from +half to a pint of hot water, as hot as can be drank with comfort, in +the morning after rising, or half an hour before breakfast. It loosens +up the mucus in the stomach, and in half an hour it will have passed +out. + +The second consists in drinking tepid water until nauseated, then the +stomach will throw it back, with its contents. This thoroughly empties +and cleanses the stomach. From a pint to a quart is usually +sufficient, although two quarts will do no harm. If the stomach does +not reject it readily, thrust the forefinger down the throat to the +end of the glottis. + +The third method is by the stomach tube. + + +THE TURKISH BATH. + +Provide a wooden bottomed Chair, and having stripped the patient of +all Clothing, except a pair of woolen drawers to protect his legs from +the heat, let him sit on it, with his feet ankle deep in a hot foot +bath, just as hot as he can bear. Wrap him about first with a blanket, +tucking it close around the neck, but letting it hang loose over the +chair and vessel containing the foot bath, but so arranged as to +exclude the air from his person. Over the blanket wrap one or two +heavy comfortables, the object being to prevent the escape of the heat +and exclude the outside air from the body. Raising one side of the +comfortables and blanket, place under the chair an old tea cup half +full of alcohol. Set it on fire and again close the opening. Give him +a drink of cold water, and if the head feels oppressed, apply a wet +towel wrung from cold water. Add more hot water to the foot bath once +or twice, keeping it as hot as he can bear it during the continuance +of the bath. Keep him in the bath until the alcohol is all burned out. +Then wash him down with soap and tepid water, sponge off with cool +water, rubbing the flesh and working the muscles vigorously the +meanwhile. Then dry off by patting the skin with the towel (not +rubbing it), leaving a little moisture on it; dress quickly and let +him lie down for an hour or put him to bed. + +It should not be taken either immediately before or after a meal. +There are excellent bath cabinets to be obtained, but in their absence +the above will be found excellent. + + +THE WET SHEET-PACK. + +Spread over the bed or cot two or more heavy cornfortables, over these +a pair of blankets, then, if for a person of strong vitality, wring a +sheet out of cold water just dry enough not to drip, and spread it +over the blanket; lay the patient stripped of all clothing on the +sheet with his arms by his sides, tuck the sheet around him, then the +blankets and comfortables, leaving his head out but tucking it close +around the neck and over his feet--making a mummy of him, so to say. If +the head is hot or aches, apply a towel wrung from cold water and +renew it as often as it gets warm. To the feet apply a jug of hot +water. Let him lie in the pack from twenty to forty minutes, or even +longer if he is comfortable. He will soon get warm and sweat freely. +This is the end desired. If he goes to sleep, as is often the case, +don't be in a hurry to wake him up. He will take no harm so long as he +keeps warm. See that there is plenty of fresh air in the room. When he +has been in the pack a sufficient length of time close the windows, +then take him out and wash him down thoroughly with soap and soft, +tepid water, then sponge off with cooler water, rubbing him down +vigorously and working the flesh the meanwhile. If not too weak he +should assist in this operation. Then dry off by patting the skin with +the towel (not rubbing it), leaving a little moisture on the skin. +Then, if in the day time, and the weather is not too cold, a little +exercise in the open air will be beneficial. If he is too weak to +exercise put him to bed again. + +Before and during the pack let him have all the cold water he wants to +drink, in small quantities at a time. If the patient has but little +vitality, wring the sheet out of tepid water instead of cold water. + +The hot sheet-pack is used in the same manner, the only difference +being that the sheet is wrung out of water as hot as can be borne. + + +CARE OF THE "CASCADE." + +What is worth having is worth taking care of; and the "Cascade" is so +likely to be called into emergency service, that it should be always +in order--hence the following suggestions: + +After using it, hang it up by the eyelet, until it ceases to drip; +then put in the stopper. The small amount of moisture left in will +help to keep it flexible. It should be kept hanging, if possible, as +folds in the rubber predispose it to crack. It should be kept in an +even temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. + +Never pour boiling, or very hot water into it--it is not designed to +withstand such a degree of heat, and do not let grease, in any form, +come in contact with it, as grease decomposes rubber. + + + +PART NINE. + +SOME HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS. + +If there is one thing in particular that I desire to impress upon my +readers, it is, don't dread disease. It is a beneficial agent, for it +is Nature's method of re-adjusting matters in the human economy. There +are only two conditions, health and disease. Mark the etymology of the +word! Whenever there is any departure from the normal, it is bound to +manifest itself in the organ or structure most in need of repair; but +as disease is a tearing down, and its cure a process of building up, +it does not need the wisdom of Solomon to recognize the fact that all +assistance toward recovery must come from within. Disease is just as +natural a condition as health; both are the result of the operation of +natural law. Disease, being Nature's method of cure, any attempt to +suppress it must of necessity invite disaster. + +This is one of the chief reasons why I am opposed to drug medication, +because its sole aim seems to be the suppression of symptoms. Pain, +the chief symptom, is not disease, but simply the messenger bringing +warning of the disease to the brain. To silence this messenger, yet +leave the disease unchecked, is folly. It would be just as reasonable, +if the house were on fire, to cut the cord of the alarm bell, and to +conclude because you could no longer hear the bell that the danger was +past. Disease, therefore, being beneficial, should be welcomed as a +friend, and every assistance given to Nature to assist her in +restoring normal conditions. + +Prevention is better than cure, you will all agree, and the great +elements of prevention are, knowledge of self, cleanliness, physical, +mental and moral; hygiene and sanitation. I contend that physiology is +the most important subject that can engage the attention of the +individual. Nothing is so essential as a knowledge of the functioning +of the body in which he dwells, for it is the vehicle through which +the real self is to find expression; through which he is to achieve +success or failure, according to the condition of its mechanism. + +No engineer can obtain from the machine under his control the highest +results, unless every part of the mechanism is in perfect working +order. How much more important, then, that the human organism should +be in perfect adjustment, since through it the mentality is to find +its highest expression? Without a knowledge of its construction and +its working principles, how is the individual to raise the human +machine to the highest plane of excellence and maintain it there? No +one is allowed to run an engine without first passing an examination, +which necessitates a certain amount of study and knowledge of the laws +of mechanics; yet men undertake to run that complex machine, the human +body, in utter ignorance of physiological law! Is it any wonder that +there are so many breakdowns? What I contend for is the study of the +fundamental facts concerning the ordinary functions of the body: of +diet, dress and exercise in their relation to health, and the relative +effects of good and bad air upon the system. It is of infinitely more +consequence to understand the basic principles of digestion and the +proper combination of foods, or to understand thoroughly the baneful +effects of sleeping in a badly ventilated room, than to be the +greatest living expert in conic sections. Practical physiology is the +crying need of the times, especially for our children, if we expect +them to be well developed--mentally morally and physically. + +With such an equipment of knowledge the individual is prepared to +withstand the wear and tear of life, and I may remark here that it is +the tear more than the wear that figures in physical breakdown. All +human beings are not endowed alike with nervous force; it is largely a +matter of heredity, but what we have may be cultivated and developed. +Failure to do so renders the individual liable to nervous breakdown, +or neurasthenia, as it is popularly termed, a widespread disease, +especially in America, where the strain of life is greater than +elsewhere. Competition, a desire to go beyond one's fellows in +achievement, working beyond the strength, together with lack of care +of the physical system, all conspire to keep constant the undue +excitement of the nerves that ends in exhaustion. Children born of +nervous parents, with weak nervous systems, should be fortified +against the risks of inheritance by hygienic measures, during their +developmental period, strengthening in every way their physical and +mental endowments. Even those well developed in this respect should +husband his or her resources--always keeping a reserve fund by avoiding +undue fatigue, spending plenty of time in sleep, taking care of the +body, and arranging for intervals of rest that shall include change of +scene and environment. + +Remember that mind and thought have their effect on the bodily health, +no less than material and physical conditions; and that although a +healthy body needs a sane mind, it is none the less true that a sane +mind needs a healthy body; therefore maintain perfect equilibrium +between the two. It may surprise you to hear your body compared to a +bank; but the analogy is perfect, as I shall proceed to show. No +living organism is precisely the same for sixty consecutive minutes. +There are perpetually losses from within and gains from without; +losses in the form of broken down tissue, gains in the form of food or +air, which is the most essential form of food. So, in a bank, there is +a constant interchange of deposits and withdrawals. No bank could +exist if the depositors insisted upon their money being hoarded up +there. It is the money, and not the bank, that is the fixed +consideration, money being the medium of exchange. In the human +system, food is the medium, and for the same reason that a bank cannot +exist by hoarding up money, it is impossible for a living organism to +exist by simply storing up food. There must be a continual +interchange, otherwise the human bank cannot pay dividends in the form +of health and energy. + +And even as some banks, that appear solid and substantial from the +outside, may be on the verge of ruin, owing to the lack of supervision +over income and expenditure; so many apparently robust bodies may be +on the verge of physical collapse, owing to the mistaken belief that +the body is simply a depository for food. Energy may be stored up in +the system for future use, that being the dividend resulting from +judicious interchange; but to force the system to receive more food +than it can use and assimilate, is to invite disaster and pave the way +to physical bankruptcy. A knowledge of banking is valuable in any walk +of life, and I feel that the most valuable advice I can give my +readers is to study Nature's bookkeeping, as manifested in the human +bank, and to see that the balance is strictly drawn between income and +expenditure. The world will yet see the day when it will be considered +a disgrace to be sick; but in the meantime, humanity suffers for lack +of that important knowledge--knowledge of self. + +Above all, cultivate the habit of happiness. Whatever else you may +neglect, do not neglect that, for the happy habit is the greatest +treasure that any individual can possess. Happiness depends largely +upon physical conditions. With poor health, perfect happiness rarely +exists; therefore it is your duty to be healthy, and the possession of +health is in the majority of cases a matter of personal endeavor. But +although the physical is important in health, yet the physical is +dominated by the mental, and if you resolve to be happy, you can +succeed. Commence this day, by saying to yourself, I am happy; I will +be happy. Start out with the resolve that you will at least do some +one thing to-day that will bring happiness to another, in the form of +some simple service. Even if no such opportunity presents itself +(although opportunities are never lacking), you can at least bestow +cordial and cheerful greetings on those with whom you come in contact. + +No surer road to personal happiness can be found than endeavoring to +make others happy. If you find it difficult to be cheerful, there is +more need to look to your surroundings. Read none but cheerful books; +cultivate cheerful acquaintances. You will be amply repaid for your +endeavors to cultivate the habit of happiness. From the standpoint of +health, it is a profitable proceeding, for joy quickens the +circulation. You can get the happiness habit if you wish to, and it is +your duty to yourself and those around you to do so. If the clouds are +lowering, do not give way to depression. Rouse yourself. Look for the +rift in the clouds, disclosing the little patch of blue, and hope for +the triumph of fair weather over foul. Even if you do not attain the +degree of happiness you anticipated, you will find yourself improved, +mentally, morally and physically. Get the habit, remembering that "a +happy and contented mind is a continual feast." + +And now, in conclusion, I would ask the reader to carefully consider +the facts herein set forth relating to disease and its treatment, to +weigh the testimony AGAINST the old system, and FOR the new, and let +sober reason decide which of the two is the more rational. Bring the +same dispassionate judgment to bear on this question that you would on +a matter involving your financial welfare. It will amply repay you to +do so, for the matter at stake is a weighty one. The preservation of +health is a DUTY that each member of the human family owes to self and +friends. + +Without health, existence is as torpid and lifeless as vegetation +without the sun. And yet it is frequently thrown away in thoughtless +negligence, or in foolish experiments on our own strength: We let it +perish without remembering its value, or waste it to show how much we +have to spare. It is sometimes given up to levity and chance, and +sometimes sold for the applause of jollity and looseness. Some there +are, who inherit weak constitutions, and fall an easy prey to +sickness; while others, who are neither thoughtless or naturally weak, +invite disease through simple ignorance of the laws that govern their +being. Owing to these manifold causes sickness is rife, and the +medical profession has come to be regarded as an exceedingly lucrative +one. + +This would not be a matter so much to be deplored, if so-called +"medical science" had kept pace with the other sciences; but the +lamentable truth is that the practice of medicine (so far as healing +value is concerned) has not advanced one jot since the days of +Esculapius. Surgery has made wonderful strides, but medicine has stood +still. True, they have increased the number of remedies, aye, a +hundredfold, but the only result has been to complicate the system, +without improving it. + +What people need is fewer doctors, and more instruction in the art of +preserving health. + +Hygiene should form a part of our school curriculum. Children should +be taught the mysteries of their own bodies, then the future +generation would have little need of medical men--they would know what +to do to regain their health, when assailed by sickness, instead of +feeing a professional man to order them what to take. + +My purpose in this work has been to show the people that they can, if +they will, be their own physicians, and that in doing so, their +chances of recovery are immeasurably greater--that the preservation of +their health is in their own hands. The administering of drugs in +sickness is illogical in its reasoning, unsound in its theory, and +pernicious in its practice. Thoroughly cleansing the system by +flushing the colon is a simple, common sense method of treatment, easy +of application, thoroughly hygienic in theory, and, beyond all +question, immensely beneficial in practice. + +Thousands of grateful people can testify to its efficiency, frequently +in cases where the "faculty" had abandoned all hope, and why? Because +it assists Nature instead of thwarting it. The principal drawback +under which the system has labored hitherto, has been the lack of +perfect apparatus for the introduction of the cleansing stream, but I +now have the satisfaction of introducing to the public a means for +that purpose that leaves nothing to be desired. The J. B. L. Cascade +is the most satisfactory and effective appliance for flushing the +intestinal canal that has yet been invented. + +It is the outcome of years of patient toil and thought, but the +thoroughly satisfactory results obtained by it, and the enthusiastic +encomiums lavished upon it by its beneficiaries are regarded by the +inventor as an ample and commensurate reward (not wholly undeserved) +for the mental labor involved in its successful evolution. + +Its simplicity is such that it can be manipulated by any intelligent +child, and its price, by comparison with its remedial virtues, is +insignificant. With this perfected apparatus, and the J.B.L. +antiseptic tonic, any parent can constitute himself the physician of +his family, and by following the directions for the treatment of the +various diseases described in this work, can successfully combat them-- +and all at a trifling cost. But more than that, he can, by periodical +use of it, so improve the physical condition of himself and family, +that they will forget what sickness is, and rejoice in that +exhilaration of spirit that only comes with perfect health. + +My system of treatment is true in philosophy, in harmony with nature, +and thoroughly rational in practice. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Etext of The Royal Road to Health, by C.A. 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