The Royal Road to Health Part 16

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 flus.h.i.+ng the colon inject a pint of warm water and go to bed. It will pa.s.s 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 ma.s.sage 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, b.u.t.termilk 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 acc.u.mulations 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.

Prompt.i.tude 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, subst.i.tute 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 pa.s.sages, 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: b.i.+.c.hromate of potash (pulverized), one drachm; tincture capsic.u.m, 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 part.i.tion. 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 flus.h.i.+ng 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, a.s.sume 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 gla.s.s 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 flus.h.i.+ng 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.