V \ v y / Class LmJ- f ~S*JT KonTc L Copyright^ 1^16" COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT Louis Dechmann To all who believe that to keep body and mind healthy is a worthy task of every human being, — to all mothers who consider it their duty to bring up strong and able children, — to all who are willing to look upon nature as the creative and, therefore, as the logical healing pow- er, — to all who want to understand the truth, that not poison, but the reasonable assistance of man to nature in its efforts, means healing, and that to obtain success, not the symptom, but the cause of evil, must be attacked, — to all who thus want to contribute to their own happi- ness and the procreation of a healthier and better humanity, this brief abstract and guide is dedicated, with my best wishes. Dare to be Healthy. Seattle, Christmas, 1915. DR. LOUIS DECHMANN. OF THIS EDITION THERE WERE PRINTED FIVE HUNDRED COPIES AND THIS BOOK IS NUMBER Valere Aude DARE TO BE HEALTHY A vademecum on BIOLOGY and THE HYGIENIC-DIETETIC METHOD OF HEALING by DR. LOUIS DECHMANN Biologist and Physiological Chemist Copyright 1915. Dr. Louis Dechmann SEATTLE 1915 -R^ $ >* WASHINGTON PRINTING COMPANY SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 10 16 FEB -2 1916 ©JLA420722 INDEX The hygienic-dietetic method of healing 9 Man as a unit 15 Metabolism 17 Variety of organs 19 The constituent elements ~ 22 Dysemia the cause of all constitutional diseases 23 Heredity „ 26 The healing 27 Diet 27 Nutritive (Dech-Manna) Compositions 28 Physical Treatments 28 The unity of nature 29 The chemical process of disease 31 The twelve tissues 32 1. Sero tissue 33 2. Lymphoid tissue 34 3. Nerve tissue 35 4. Bone tissue 35 5. Muscular tissue 36 6. Mucous membrane tissue 37 7. Tooth and eye tissue 37 8. Hair tissue 38 9. Skin tissue 38 10. Gelatigenous tissue 39 11. Cartilage tissue ..._ 39 12. Body tissue in general 40 Degeneration of tissues (general synopsis) 41 The various diseases and their healing 44 Diet .. 45 Form I 47 Form II 48 Form III 48 Form IV 49 Form V 50 Form VI 50 INDEX — Continued. Nutritive (Dech-Manna) Compositions 51 No. 1. Serogen 52 No. 2. Lymphogen .. 52 No. 3. Neurogen : 52 No. 4. Osseogen 52 No. 5. Muscogen 52 No. 6. Mucogen 52 No. 7. Dento-Ophthogen 52 No. 8. Capillogen 52 No. 9. Dermogen 52 No. 10. Gelatinogen 52 No. 11. Cartilogen 52 No. 12. Eubiogen 52 Special Compositions 52 Physical Treatment 53 The packs 58 Important general advice o4 General rules 69 Abdominal pack 70 Cross pack 74 Leg packs 76 Neck pack 80 Shoulder pack 80 Scotch pack 82 Divided Scotch pack 83 The shawl 84 The three-quarter pack 85 The half pack 88 The whole pack 89 Small compresses 91 Gymnastics, massage and breathing exercises.... 92 Electric vibrators 95 Oxygenator, radium and salt baths 96 The diseases to be treated and the application of the method 98 I. Degeneration of the sero tissue 100 Anemia, chlorosis, pernicious anemia 100 A. Scrofulosis 100 B. Tuberculosis 100 C. Syphilis 100 INDEX — Continued. D. Cancer 100 Therapy 105 Diet : I. For the anemic 105 I and II A. For scrofulous patients 107 I and II B. For tuberculous patients 109 I and II C. For syphilitic patients 110 I and II D. For cancer patients 110 Dech-Manna-Compositions ... Ill Physical Ill II. Degeneration of the lymphoid tissue 112 III. Degeneration of the nerve tissue 112 Neuralgia, neuritis, neurasthenia 114 Asthma, epilepsy, St. Vitus's dance 114 Therapy 115 Diet 115 Dech-Manna-Compositions 117 Physical _ 118 IV. Degeneration of the bone tissue 118 Rickets, osteomalacia and similar diseases 118 Therapy 119 Diet 119 Dech-Manna-Compositions 122 Physical 122 V. Degeneration of the muscular tissue 122 Muscular rheumatism, sciatica 122 Infantile paralysis, atrophy 122 Amyloid heart, kidneys, liver 122 Therapy 123 Diet 123 Special diet: Diseases of heart and inactive kidneys 125 For irritable kidneys and diseases of bladder.... 129 For liver diseases 130 Dech-Manna-Compositions 131 Physical 131 VI. Degeneration of the mucous membrane tissue.... 132 Catarrh, acute and chronic 132 Bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia 132 Inflammation of nose, throat, bowels, stomach, bladder 132 INDEX — Continued. Hemorrhoids, polyps, benign tumors 132 Bright' s disease (first stage) 132 Therapy 134 Diet 134 Dech-Manna-Compositions 135 Physical 135 VII. Degeneration of tooth and eye tissues 136 Therapy 137 Diet 137 Dech-Manna-Compositions 137 Physical 138 VIII. Degeneration of the hair tissue 138 Therapy 139 Diet ". 139 Dech-Manna-Compositions 139 Physical 139 IX. Degeneration of the skin tissue 139 Therapy 141 Diet 141 Dech-Manna-Compositions 142 Physical 142 X. Degeneration of the gelatigenous tissue 142 Stomach and intestinal diseases 143 Therapy 144 Diet 144 Dech-Manna-Compositions 148 Physical 148 XL Degeneration of the cartilaginous tissue 149 Ankylosis, gout, arthritis 149 Therapy 150 Diet 150 Dech-Manna-Compositions 150 Physical . „ 150 XII. Degeneration of the body tissue in general.... 150 Ataxia, Basedow's disease 151 Diabetes mellitus, obesity 151 Bright's disease (progressive stage), arterio- sclerosis 151 Children's diseases 153 Diet for children in general 154 / A r D E X — Continued. Diet for school children 156 Fever and its treatment based on biology 159 General description 159 Treatment 164 Diet in case of fever 169 Some children's diseases 174 Summer complaint 174 Therapy 174 Diet 174 Physical 175 So-called positive children's diseases 175 Scarlet fever, measles, German measles 175 Chicken-pox, tvphoid fever, diphtheria 175 Diet .... 178 Dech-Manna-Compositions 178 Physical 178 Diphtheria 179 Endemic and epidemic diseases 187 Diseases of the sex 188 Sterility and impotence and how to cure same.... 188 The process of generation 197 Women's diseases pertaining to sex 200 A. General __ .. 200 B. Sterility 206 The sterility of men 215 A. Permanent or temporary sterility 216 B. Impotence 218 1. Organic impotence 219 2. Functional impotence 220 3. Nervous impotence 220 4. Paralytic impotence 221 5. Psychic impotence 221 6. Homosexual impotence 222 Finale 223 ERRATA. Page 39. See line 4 from bottom. Should read "tissue" instead of tisue. Page 72. Cut No. 1. Letters on cut indicate : a. Linen. b. Woolen blanket. Page 77. Cut No. 3. Letters on cut indicate : a. Towel or linen. b. Woolen blanket. Page 89. Cut. No. 9 shows only how linen should be packed around the legs in case of whole packs. Before applying such linen, the wool- en blanket — which is omitted in the cut — must be laid under the linen, so that the patient may be wrapped in it after the linen is placed around him, all in accordance with instructions given in article. Page 111 and others listing Dech-Manna-Compositions. Wherever the Dech-Manna-Compositions are mentioned under the heading of "main com- positions," the compositions printed in Italics are the main compositions to be used, and the others are only secondary compositions. Page 145. See line 10 from top. Should read "govern- ing" instead of govering. Page 221. See line 3 from bottom. Should read "dis- tinguished" instead of distinguihed. DARE TO BE HEALTHY. The Hygienic-Dietetic Method of Healing. Biology, the science of life, has developed that system of healing which is practised by me as it is by a number of the most success- ful physicians in Germany. After years, or better said, centuries of trying to attack the disturbances of health, which we call diseases, from the outside, after countless complica- tions and infinite specializing, we have found the way back to unity and simplicity, such as we call nature. Based upon this principle, we call ours the natural method of healing. The greatest physicians of all times, from Hippocrates to our day, were only the natural physicians and healers. They were not satis- fied to suppress the symptoms of disturb- ances and to quiet the patient for a while, but they have tried, and have succeeded in reaching the source of the evil. In this way they have not only healed where others failed to do so, but have also prevented re- occurrence of disease. And what is still more: whenever they had a chance tp in- 9 DARE TO fluence people before they fell sick, these healers exercised the greatest privilege which ever came in the wake of knowledge and wis- dom : the prevention of disease, the preserva- tion of health. It is not the object of this pamphlet to go into the many details which a full explanation of the teachings of this most modern and most successful method requires. This pamph- let will, as a rule, come to the hand of those who are seeking my advice and help, when they have experienced the failures of others. They will have heard that this new method is different from the old and governing one. And little as they may know of what the old method really is, it has been my invariable experience that before they gain faith in the new one, they want to be enlightened about it. They want to get a general idea on what we base our experience, and the wonderful hope of healing that we are able to hold out to them, the shining light in a wilderness of struggle, pain and despair. And fortunately we are able to give them this enlightenment. It is one of the qualities of our modern hy- gienic-dietetic method of natural healing that we do not shroud ourselves in the mystery of 10 BE HEALTHY the physician of the old school. We want our patients to know our methods, want them to know themselves as much as possible, want them to follow our instructions, not because they have faith in us, but because we have been able to convince them that we are ration- al, human, natural in all our doings. I have considered it as my duty towards humanity to lay down the results of my studies, the results of the struggles of a life- time in a large and comprehensive work, which to the scientist as well as to the layman will represent the most explicit guide in the art of being healthy: It will give him the courage to be so and to make others so; it will, if closely followed and observed, pre- vent much of the evil of disease, and if such still comes — and no human power will be able to avoid it completely — will give the patient the necessary enlightenment to as- sist the hygienic-dietetic physician in his task to restore health. This book, which will be published shortly, will, I sincerely hope in the interests of healthy mankind, become an indispensable guide, found in every household, of people who dare to be healthy. But until this time comes, it will be neces- 11 DARE TO sary, as it has been heretofore, to enlighten many of the ever growing number of my followers and patients on the general ideas of the method. Thus the following lines will prove as a welcome introduction to, and a most necessary explanation of, the method which will be applied to the patient. He will then walk the path towards health in light. He will, as he should, be able to study by close observation of himself, how the method of living which we prescribe, leads him back from suffering to health. It will strengthen him, not only in the hope of full recovery, but in his undaunted efforts for himself and for all people who believe in him, to remain in health forever. In following up the general idea, this pamphlet will not be devoted to the other- wise necessary fight against the errors of the present medical school, except to the ex- tent to which the ordinary layman has been educated to believe in its teachings. This must be done, because otherwise it would leave the patient powerless as against the in- fluence of antiquated ideas, to believe in which he has been taught since his earliest days. Today he either believes in these or he 12 BE HEALTHY disbelieves in them so thoroughly that he has become the prey of some still more mysteri- ous and unscientific superstitious method, which by means of glowing* advertising has been able to establish a following among justly disappointed and despairing people. It is a most earnest protest that the hy- gienic-dietetic method of biological healing should not be confounded with these latter methods in any way. It has with them only one thing in common; the stern and de- cided fight against the present medical school with its numerous errors and its in- tentional disregard of such progress of science, which would reduce the profitable exercise of its obsolete methods, its system of poisonous medicine, of operations and antitoxins. Otherwise the lecture of even this little book of explanation must satisfy every one that the teachings of the method which we apply and which it has been my good fortune to develop and to perfect through personal studies of biology to the point at which it is now, are absolutely scientific. We expect no miracles, we do not claim that we can do anything super- natural or that we are in possession of super- 13 DARE TO natural secrets or powers. We are merely natural and have profited from the simple fact that, with the aid of great scientists, we have finally come to what ought to have been our aim long ago, to the exact knowl- edge of what the human being is. We have thus arrived at the method of supplying it with what it lacks, in the way in which it shall be able to receive and assimilate ft. Simple as this sounds, it has been a long way until that goal was reached. In the fight of our days we find on one side those who have without any reverence for well meaning and earnest believers of the pre- vious errors cast aside all scruples in the interest of truth. On the other side there are those who are afraid to hurt the feelings of men who are too old or too persistent to give up the teachings of a life time, for what they feel sure the younger generation will inevitably accomplish. * 14 BE HEALTHY MAN AS A UNIT. The human body is an accumulation of millions of separate cells, which are the bearers of life, and which in various groups form the different organs which allow us to carry on our own existence. This existence is the natural consequence of the existence of former human beings, who have generated the new life that shall be transferred by us into some other living being. In like way all functions of our body form a chain in which not a single link must be missing, if what we call life, shall continue. This ac- cumulation of cells, however, is by no means stationary. On the contrary. Life means nothing but the permanent dying of the old and the reconstruction of new cells; it means that we are in a permanent condition of composition and consequently of decomposi- tion of our entire being, but not of its dif- ferent parts. As soon as we are able to rec- ognize this accumulation of cells as the one thing and thus arrive at the idea of their absolute interdependence, we are doing away IS DARE TO with the general idea, that the apparent out- side difference in our many organs makes them separate and independent things which may be treated in case of disease by dif- ferent specialists. We arrive at the one great question: What is the cause of disease, not of one or the other disease or of a class of diseases. There is, in fact, only one dis- ease. What appears to us as different dis- turbances of the normal condition of our body, is only a variation in quantity or in quality of one thing. It is the variation of the controlling element which attends to that necessary permanent work of keeping the existing cells in proper condition and replacing the cells which in the natural course of events are destroyed. In one word, the work of permanent regeneration in us, which is life. 16 BE HEALTHY METABOLISM. This permanent changing of the entire human body, the removal of the used up cells, burned by oxidation and leaving the body through the urine, the perspiration and other excretions, and their replacement by the new ones, is called metabolism, that is, "change of matter." It is perfected through the means of a most elaborate fluid in our body, which circulates from the second, in which the male seed touches the female egg in the womb of the mother, until the moment of our last breath. The blood, the carrier of nature's forces to all spots of the human body where the re- building of cells is required. That masterful distributor of quantities of material which determine the qualities of cells. In its mar- velous permanence of function, the blood carries the only existing causes of health and disease, which are the existence of alt the necessary elements of upbuilding in the right proportions ; this is health, and the lack of them is disease. Such is the tremendous demand of nature to build up that the 17 DARE TO wrong proportion may cause the upbuilding of things which are different and disturbing in our regular organism. But, on the other hand, nature has the permanent desire to counterbalance any disturbance in the said proportion, and to bring about the right one. We may thus justly speak of an overwhelm- ing healing tendency of nature. Metabolism is thus the one great function of our body which must have our permanent care. Consequently it is the blood, an absolute unit as everybody knows, to which in the last analysis we can only resort if we want to assist nature in its process and tendency of balancing and heal- ing. This again shows that, notwithstanding the apparent great variety of all constitu- tional diseases, they are all practically the same. They are all disturbances of proper metabolism, by some irregularity of the quantitative or qualitative condition of the blood. This governing truth the great physio- logist, Prof. Jacob Moleschott, has formulat- ed in the immortal words: "It is one of the chief questions which humanity must always ask of the physician, how to attain good, healthy and active blood. And we may view the question as we wish, all who occupy 18 BE HEALTHY their minds with it are forced by experience to acknowledge explicitly, inconsiderately, or bashfully and timidly, that our thinking, our sensibility, our pozver and our children are dependent on our blood, and our. blood on our nutrition" VARIETY OF ORGANS. Why then, will you ask, if such unity is true, this difference in the human organs, which is so obvious? How is it that a bone in its stonelike hardness is essentially the same as the infinite tender eye? This, we have pointed out before, is the adaption of certain parts of the tremendous accumula- tion of cells to different functions, which has necessitated the various arrangements of the underlying elements. But all of the ele- ments are in the blood, which carries them in the necessary quantities to the different points where they are needed and are used to help the organs in question in replacing the used-up matter. We do not overlook the difficulty of grasping this idea of unity. In 19 DARE TO fact, that it was so hard has led to the great- est errors in present medical science. It seemed necessary to study the different or- gans as entirely different groups, to work out a careful system of bones, of intestinal organs, of blood-vessels, of nerves, and so on. This is of course very valuable, but only from a descriptive standpoint. Anatomy shows us what life has produced in the way cf a human being, but it does not lead to the source of life, and consequently not to the source of health. It is well to know the different forms of cell accumulations, which are called organs, but if we want to keep them in good order, we must watch closely what is common in them, because it is only from this standpoint that we are able to supply the necessary and possibly lacking elements, in order to heal. And thus, as one of the greatest progresses of modern science, we have come to the one thing, so badly neg- lected through centuries, to the chemical analysis of the human body and of its dif- ferent organs. A new light has been thus shed upon the most essential questions for a new healing system. The chemist went to work and discovered that every organ of the 20 BE HEALTHY human body, that is, that the entire human body consisted of a certain number of chem- ical elements, which appeared at different parts in different aggregations, which ag- gregations, however, repeated themselves in various so-called organs. It was thus finally discovered that there are twelve main differ- ent aggregations of such elements, which groups of equal elements we call tissues. And from this discovery we have come to the great truth that it is not the object of healing to turn its attention to the various organs, but to the various tissues. The influence which we can exercise on these tissues is exercised through the blood which nourishes all of them, and which has the wonderful capacity of carrying to each of them their necessary building and rebuilding, regenerating materials, — provided they are in the blood. tfr 21 DARE TO THE CONSTITUENT ELEMENTS. The studies of chemists have so far de- termined that there are sixteen definite and discernible elements (a seventeenth is about to be definitely determined), which in their various compositions and aggregations form the different tissues of which the various or- gans of the human body are constructed. The prevalence of one or several of these ele- ments in a certain tissue forms the main or governing tissue or tissues of any organ. So the prevalence of potassium phosphate forms the muscle tissue, the prevalence of ammoni- um phosphate (lecithin) forms the nerve tissue. For our purpose of general explanation it is sufficient to know that each of the various tissues consists of some of these elements, and that each of the tissues, at every spot in the body where it exists, is affected through the lack of one or the other element. The greatest of all chemists, Justus von Liebig, maintains that if one of the necessary ele- ments in a chemical composition is missing, the rest cannot fulfil their duties, and the 22 BE HEALTHY consequence of such lack is that the cell in question must become diseased and de- generate. This discovery, "the law of the minimum," has thrown an additional light on the tasks of the new medicine. To bring to the tissue the lacking constituent element or elements by way of the blood is the only means of regenerating, that is, of healing its diseased cells. DYSEMIA THE CAUSE OF ALL CON- STITUTIONAL DISEASES. In this pamphlet we are not treating the disturbances in the system of the human body caused by traumatic influences, wounds, etc. We are speaking only of the con- stitutional diseases which, whether of acute or of chronic character are all caused by the lack of such chemical elements. We have shown above that the blood supplies all of the chemical substances to the different tis- sues, and that consequently it is the lack of these elements in the blood, which causes the tissues to degenerate, in other words, the lack of certain chemical elements in the 23 DARE TO blood is disease. Thus it is merely a ques- tion as to which of the elements are missing or which do not exist in correct proportion, that determines the different diseases. As soon as this fact was established, the method of healing diseases was shown in the main by supplying in the regular way, that is, by addition to the regular food, the said chem- ical elements, and the medical art had but to determine which elements were missing, and consequently had to be supplied. It is ob- vious that in this system the old drug method, filling the body with various poisons to counter- act the effects of disease, has no more room. It may suppress certain symptoms by be- numbing the nerves and preventing pains; it may counteract the natural process of heal- ing which nature exercises in various forms, causing inflammations, fever or pains; but it can never heal. With the discovery of dysemia as the governing cause of disease, another idol of modern medicine had to break down. Since the discovery of the bacilli, which in various forms accompany nearly every sort of dis- ease of the human body, it had become a teaching of medicine that the various bacilli 24 BE HEALTHY were the causes of the different diseases, and the tendency was to find some poison that would kill the bacilli in order to heal the disease. The truth is that the bacillus is nothing but another consequence or a symp- tom of a certain disease; that bacilli grow and find a ready soil in the diseased and decomposing part through the lack of the necessary chemical elements ; but that to kill them, while the underlying conditions for their reproduction remain unchanged, can never bring about healing. And thus the great hopes which were attached to the sero- therapy, the giving of antitoxins prepared with the serum of animals, have once more vanished. But hundreds of thousands of human beings will hereafter be spared the cruel attempt to poison them, in order to remove the natural consequences of some constitutional disease. 25 DARE TO HEREDITY. The discovery that the diseased condi- tion of the blood was leading to certain de- structions which we call diseases, was soon followed by the statement of the fact that cne of the main conditions which bring about this disturbance, is predisposition, which in many cases is hereditary. "Here- ditary disease" means only that the im- proper chemical composition of the blood of one or both parents is duplicated in the off- spring, and that it has the same consequen- ces in causing the degeneration of certain tissues, and consequently of the organs made from them, as it may or could have had in the parents. This leads to the gratifying conclusion that to the modern hygienic-dietetic system of healing, heredity is perhaps a more tenacious, but by no means an invincible enemy. With the predisposition for the disease the child acquires the hereditary tendency of be- ing healed, and thus rational hygienic-dietetic treatment may be able to eliminate, in a com- paratively short time, the chain of diseases which in former years, generations had to bear to a hopeless grave. 26 BE HEALTHY THE HEALING. Having learned that the healing of the modern hygienic-dietetic system means the supplying of the blood with such chemical elements as will replace what is missing in certain tissues of a certain human body, we are now arriving at the method of carrying out this plan. In a general outline there are three ways of doing this. , Diet: The first and most natural way is proper diet. As the chemical elements are introduced into the body with the regular food, the task which in the first place the hygienic-dietetic physician will have to ful- fil, is that of regulating the quantity and quality of food, including the question of what it shall consist. Too little importance has heretofore been given to this question and, except prohibiting certain dishes which most patients did not want anyway, little change was advocated by the physician in the every day nourishment of the patient. The hygienic-dietetic physician will use his utmost care in giving the patient everything that helps to regenerate his blood, laying particular stress on such food which con- 27 DARE TO tains much of the elements that are missing in the various affected tissues. Nutritive compositions: The process of destruction, however, which has to be met, in nearly every case requires the supply, in pure material and in larger quantities, of the missing- elements without the long round- about way of digestion of every-day food. The nutritive compositions contain only such chemical elements in such chemical proportions as exist in the human body. They are consequently in no way poisonous or detrimental, and they foster that general regeneration of the blood which will finally bring about a complete cure. Physical treatments: It is their object to assist the proper circulation of the blood, to open the pores for external treatment of certain diseases, to withdraw elements of disease from the body and to introduce cer- tain material through the pores. Massage, gymnastics, ablutions, all kinds of baths and packs of all sorts, constitute the bulk of all healing methods in this direction. After this general explanation of the sys- tem, we will go a little deeper into the question of the constituent elements, the tis- 28 BE HEALTHY sues formed therefrom, the degeneration of these tissues, and the kind of degeneration that constitutes the various diseases known to us, and thereafter will give a short and easily intelligible general idea as to how to apply our method. THE UNITY OF NATURE. To understand the method of healing which I am applying, it is necessary to un- derstand one of the great laws, the discovery of which by chemists like Justus von Liebig and Julius Hensel, has shown us the path on which to proceed. This law demonstrates that in its last analysis nature is a unit, a composition of a number of elements, each of which has distinct qualities , and the com- bination of which produces the various mani- festations of life, which are classified, for convenience and according to their main qualities, as minerals, plants or animals. All of them are closely interrelated and one transmits the basic elements to the other. It is the plant which draws the elements of minerals from the soil, and after certain pro- cesses of composition conveys them as food to the animal, including the human being, 29 DARE TO while such animal substances as men use for their food, contribute the balance of these elements for the upbuilding of the hu- man body. It is a matter of comparatively new discovery that the minerals are thus just as important a part of the human body and of its food as are other basic chemical ele- ments. The discovery as to which minerals, in which composition and in which quantity are necessary ingredients of the different body tissues, in order that they may be made part of the organism, has made it possible to feed them to the diseased body in the purest and most effective way in nutritive compositions, while their existence in food aiso regulates the diet, not only for sick people, but in order to prevent sickness. Moses, when his people in the desert were facing starvation, succeeded in saving them by getting direct solid and liquid food by striking the rock with his baton. He called that food "Manna." Never since those times has anything so like that kind of food been found as my compositions; and their great and permanent success has fully justified me in calling them Decli^'Manna" Nutritive Compositions. 30 BE HEALTHY THE CHEMICAL PROCESS OF DISEASE. The student of nature did not rest when he had found the composition of all the tis- sues of the body. He went further and dis- covered that certain electric currents and reactions of these elements were causes of accelerating or retarding- the natural pro- cesses of metamorphosis and metabolism, disturbances of the normal, which are felt as diseases. Excessive growth and lack of growth are thus explained. It cannot be the object of this short pamphlet to give all these scientific details. It is our object only to show that in their apparent simplicity the manifestations of life require great and in- trinsic knowledge, and it cannot be left to the layman exclusively to take care of them. The hygienic-dietetic physician, notwithstand- ing his open statement of facts and causes to his patient and to the world at large, can by no means be dispensed with in case of established disease, for only his experience and knowledge will allow him to advise how the natural system of healing must be applied in each individual case. He 31 DARE TO will be able to regulate such processes as cause the disturbance, and thus bring about healing and regeneration, which is the return to the normal He will prevent the use of the surgeon's knife, which inflicts useless and irreparable harm. He will prevent the specialist, with his specific remedies for diseases, which after all are only degrees of one chemical process, from poisoning the body and making it an easy prey to new at- tacks of the same chemical anomalies, as long as they are not rectified according to the principles of biology. THE TWELVE TISSUES. Bearing the above principles of unity in mind, we may now proceed one step further, and study the most important details upon which the method of healing, as applied by the hygienic-dietetic physician, is based. As mentioned above, the cells of the human body have aggregated into twelve distinct tissues, some of which are the component parts of the various organs as discernible by 32 BE HEALTHY form and function. These twelve tissues are the following: 1. The sero tissue (blood water). 2. The lymphoid tissue. 3. The nerve tissue. 4. The bone tissue. 5. The muscular tissue. 6. The mucous membrane tissue. 7. The tooth and eye tissue. 8. The hair tissue. 9. The skin tissue. 10. The gelatigenous tissue. 11. The cartilage tissue. 12. The body tissue in general. 1. The sero tissue. This tissue is a liquid, the blood water, which is one of the im- portant component parts of the life-giv- ing substance, blood. It contains the white and the red corpuscles. The red corpuscles are the carriers to the various tissues, of oxygen, which the body draws from the at- mosphere, and of the other nutriments. They exchange it for the carbonic acid which is forming in the body, and while the blood in flowing through the system of arteries, brings the oxygen, it carries away, through 33 DARE TC the veins, the poisonous carbonic acid which is exhaled into the atmosphere. The red corpuscles, after having performed their du- ties, enter the liver and are used to build the gall. The proper quality of the serum alone guarantees the correct speed of blood cir- culation, its entrance into the most distant and narrow capillaries (the ultimate branch- es of the blood-vessels), and its capacity to carry all nutriments to their destination. The disturbance of this proper quality is among the main factors of constitutional diseases. 2. The lymphoid tissue. The lymph is another of the life-giving liquids of the body, which through a vascular system of its own, draws certain nutritive substances from the food and carries them to certain organs which it feeds, especially to the nerves. Af- ter this slow work, the rest of the lymph enters the blood and is carried by it to other parts of the body where only smaller quantities of lymph are needed for nourish- ing purposes. The proper quality and chem- ical composition of the lymph, which is dif- ferent from that of the blood, is of no less importance than that of the serum for the 34 BE HEALTHY preservation and regeneration of health. What the serum is to the blood, the lymph is to the nerves. 3. The nerve tissue. A particular ag- gregation of cells forms the nerves, which, emanating from their center in the brains and the spine, run as another separate sys- tem all through the body. This system, how- ever, is not one of vessels, but the nerves may best be compared to the wires of a tele- phone system, establishing connection be- tween the remotest parts of the body and its central point, from where the commands for the voluntary and involuntary movements are given and transferred through the nerves, They are of a peculiar chemical composition in which the nerve fat (lecithin) plays a very important part, since its frequent pres- ence in insufficient quantity is among the main causes of a great number of nervous and other diseases. 4. The bone tissue. The bones consist of a special and very distinct tissue in which lime prevails, which gives them the strength and solidity to act as support to all other organs. The bones too are fed by the blood, and it is through the blood that the 35 DARE TO necessary constituent parts for the regenera- tion of their tissue is conveyed to them. While naturally their power of resistance is greater than that of any other organ, they are nevertheless subject to a number of structural (not only traumatic) disturbances, which are caused partly by hereditary, part- ly by acquired qualities of the nourishing blood. Certain tissues which form the con- nection between the bones and the rest of the organs, and the gradual transition into other tissues, are distinctly different and treated separately. 5. The muscular tissue : As to quantity, the muscular tissue represents the maximum of any in the human body. The muscles do not only consist of this one tissue, but of several others, as most of the other organs do, but here, as in all other cases, the main component element is called after the organ in which it is mainly found. The structure of the muscular tissue varies externally or mechanically according to its function, so that we distinguish the striated and the un- striated or smooth muscles. This, however, has no influence on their chemical composi- tion, a main element of which is muscular 36 BE HEALTHY fibrin, which has the particular property of contractibility. 6. The mucous membrane tissue : The mucous membrane forms the covering of a great number of organs of the body, and its chemical and structural composition is iden- tical in all parts of the body where it is found. It is characterized by a viscid watery secretion from the mucous glands, which are always found in the mucous membrane. Its extremely tender nature makes it subject to all sorts of irregularities in chemical com- position, which is the cause of numerous diseases, most of which consist either in an overproduction or in a lack of production of the secretion which regulates quite a number of functions of the body. 7. The tooth and eye tissue : While very different in their external appearance, func- tions and physical qualities, still the teeth and the eyes have the most important part of their chemical composition in common, the fluoric acid, which distinguishes them from all other tissues. In the process of natural healing the replacing of any lack- ing element will practically be the same in 37 DARE TO case of destructions or disturbances in either tissue. 8. The hair tissue: Some chemical com- ponent elements are only found in the tis- sue which is called the hair, and which re- ceives its nurture, like all other elements, by way of the blood. While the hair seems to be in apparently loose connection with the rest of the body, it is just as much an or- ganic part of the same, and must be fed and properly developed from the central system of nurture. 9. The skin tissue: Of this tissue much can be said that has been mentioned above in regard to the mucous membrane. It, how- ever, has certain chemical elements which are characteristic to its various layers. Since the skin forms the most important inter- mediary between the elements of the outside world and the chemical and structural ele- ments of the interior of the human body, it is of the greatest importance that its chemic- al composition should always be correct, and that it should not be subject to decomposi- tion which improper nourishment brings about. It should be borne in mind that the skin, like all other organs of the body, 38 BE HEALTHY grows from the inside to the outside, so that anything concerning the skin which is not of traumatic nature, is based upon wrong or in- sufficient nourishment, and cannot be cured in any other way than by internal means. 10. The gelatigenous tissue : This chem- ically and otherwise peculiar tissue, is the main component part of a great many of the human organs, and it may be said that the lack of attention which its peculiarities have received for a long time, has caused more diseases and their fatal termination than anything else. The gelatigenous tissue contains a number of special component ele- ments, which require special feeding through proper diet, and which in view of the fact that the gelatigenous tissue prevails in so many of the various organs affect the func- tional abilities of a great number of them. The elasticity of most organs which work by contraction and expansion, depends upon the gelatigenous, rubber-like tissue used in their construction. 11. The cartilage tisue: Practically the same refers to the cartilage tissue, and it is cnly recently that it has been found to what extent, although entirely different in nature 39 DARE TO and chemical composition, the cartilage tis- sue serves to maintain certain forms in the human body, which are not based on the still stronger forms of supporting material, such as the bone tissue and the gelatigenous tissue. 12. The body tissue in general: This com- prises all tissues which are in any way different from the distinct tissues which we have just described, and which yet cannot be determined as separate and distinct for themselves. It may be justly presumed that all elements of the other tissues are found in these final tissues which keep the body in a unit. By devising a special nourishing system for the body tissue in general, all component elements profit, and such dis- eases as attack practically all the tissues and organs in the body will effectively be pre- vented and cured in case of occurrence. 40 BE HEALTHY DEGENERATION OF TISSUES. Biologically we speak of disease if through some disturbance in the normal chemical composition of the above tissues, degeneration sets in. Such degeneration may attack one tissue or several at the same time. To reduce the elements to their proper pro- portion, to force them thereby to reassume their normal functions, means to restore health, to heal. As mentioned before, it has been the great and successfully solved problem of hygienic-dietetic healing, based on the laws of biology, to discover that so many diseases which for centuries were considered as entirely different from each other, and requiring specific treatment, were essen- tially the same. It was found that they were nothing but the natural consequence of im- pure or imperfect blood, a result of erron- eous feeding of this most important life- giving juice, which works greater havoc the longer the impurity passes by the process of heredity from one generation to another. Instead of the natural tendency to the norm- al and of the return to the same, the blood 41 DARE TG became the soil in which all sorts of irregu- larities could grow in abundance, and com- bine in strong attacks on the normal organs, which were fast losing their natural power of resistance. The process of natural healing, although striving to keep as closely to the principle of unity of body as well as of disease, has by no means ignored such differences as are caused by the differences in the twelve tis- sues of the body, and according to the said differences, the constitutional diseases are group- ed as follozvs : 1. Degeneration of the sero tissue : Ane- mia, Chlorosis, Pernicious Anemia. A. Scrofulosis. B. Tuberculosis. C. Syphilis. D. Cancer. 2. Degeneration of lymphoid tissue: See 1— A. B. C. D. 3. Degeneration of the nerve tissue: Neuralgia, Neuritis, Neurasthenia, Asthma, Epilepsy, St. Vitus's Dance, etc., etc. 4. Degeneration of the bone tissue: Rickets, Osteomalacia and similar diseases. 5. Degeneration of the muscular tissue: Muscular Rheumatism, Sciatica, Rheuma- 42 BE HEALTHY iism, Atrophia, Amyloid heart, kidney and liver. 6. Degeneration of the mucous mem- brane tissue: A. Catarrh in all its forms: Bronchitis, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Inflamma- tion of nose, throat, bowels, stomach, bladder, etc. B. Hemorrhoids, Polyps, Adenoids. 7. Degeneration of the tooth and eye tissue: All tooth and eye diseases. 8. Degeneration of the hair tissue: All hair diseases. 9 Degeneration of the skin tissue: All skin diseases. 10. Degeneration of the gelatigenous tissue: A. Stomach and Intestinal diseases — acute form. B. Stomach and Intestinal diseases — chronic form. 11. Degeneration of the cartilage tissue: Ankylosis, Gout, Arthritis deformans. 12. Degeneration of the body tissue in general: A. Locomotor ataxia. B. Basedow's disease (Graves's disease.) C. Diabetes melli- tus. D. Obesity. E. Bright's disease. F. Arterio-sclerosis. 43 DARE TO THE VARIOUS DISEASES AND THEIR HEALING. Leaving aside for the time being the special groups of more complicated diseases, such as are characterized by the degenera- tion of several of the above tissues at the same time, we "will now give a short and comprehensive description of the above mentioned distinct groups of diseases. In each case, as stated before, we must have a healing co-operation of three factors: 1. Diet, the natural way of introducing into the healthy and the degenerating tissues of the body such substances as will keep up and strengthen the healthy tissues against the increased danger of attack and decom- position, and will stop the degeneration and prepare the regeneration of the tissue which is affected by the disease, 2. Nutritive composition, such as will in each case introduce, in a pure and propor- tionate mixture, the necessary quantity of the sixteen nutritive salts, and of any which may be discovered hereafter, the lack of which is the characteristic factor of each of 44 BE HEALTHY the said diseases, and which diet alone could not introduce, or at least not as rapid- ly and effectively. 3. Physical treatment, physical assistance to the proper distribution and assimilation of both diet and nutritive compositions, and the proper circulation of the blood. DIET. A tremendously extensive field is com- prised in this little word. It contains the science of what to eat, and since eating is one of our indispensable and absolutely necessary functions and part of our life, it is by no means negligible, even in case we feel abso- lutely healthy. I have treated this important subject in my big book with the minute de- tails, which it deserves, so that, in following the advice given in its chapter XIX, every one will be able to learn the dishes that are advisable and how to prepare them in the most sensible way. Here I can treat this sub- ject only in a short and general way, giving the main groups of diet, which will be pre- scribed, with more or less variation, in each case of disease as a part of the general cure. 45 DARE TO A few words only to show why diet plays this [important part in this system of healing - . In the body there is a laboratory produc- ing everything needed in order to live. This laboratory has several branches which are busy day and night without interruption. Here the life blood is created. Some of these branches are: The stomach with its prolonged intestines ; The liver; The kidneys; The lungs, and The skin. Each one of these branches has a certain part of the great work to perform. The stomach serves as the receiving vault. Here the food is mixed with the gastric juice which aids digestion and dissolves those ingredients of the food, necessary to produce blood, flesh, fat, bones, etc. Each of the other branches receives that part of the ingredients needed to produce its share of the work. A house cannot be constructed without a frame upon which every part of the building is dependent. We could not stand erect, walk, etc., if our bodies possessed no such frame- 46 BE HEALTHY work. The skeleton is the same to the body that the frame is to the house. This frame, the skeleton, the flesh, blood, etc. are all form- ed from the material furnished by the food. A part of the digested food is removed from the body as useless; everything else is used. The part of the food used must contain all those ingredients which go to make up the human body and keep it in order. Experience has developed certain groups of diet which for the sake of convenience we are enumerating under the name of Forms I to VI. These forms contain everything that sick people may eat, and from which the se- lection in each case will be made. They are as follows: Form L Complete elimination of the stomach in the nourishing process : To overcome thirst, moistening the mouth with ordinary or carbonic water, melting small pieces of ice on the tongue. Small sips of water either lukewarm or cold, according to the condition of the stomach. Otherwise, only introduction of water by clysmas, and if the stomach cannot be disturbed for more than one or two days, introduction of energetic nourishing substances by way of the rectum. 47 DARE TO Form II. Purely liquid nourishment, "soup diet." Consomme of pigeon, chicken, veal, mutton, beef, beef tea, meat jelly which becomes liquid under the influence of the heat of the body, strained soups or such as are prepared of the finest flour with water or bouillon, of barley, oats, rice (slimy soup), green corn, rye flour, malted milk. All of these soups, with or without any additions, such as raw eggs, either whole or the yolk only, if well mixed and not coagulated, are easily digested. Form III. Nourishment which is not purely liquid, but partly mushy. Milk and milk preparations (belonging to this group on account of their coagulation in the stomach) : a) Cow's milk, diluted and without cream, dilution with 1-2 to 2-3 barley slime, rice water, lime water, ordinary water, vichy, light tea. b) Milk without cream, not diluted. c) Unskimmed milk. ( both, as stated above, either d) Cream | diluted or not diluted. 48 BE HEALTHY e) All of these milk combinations with an addition of yolk well-mixed, whole egg, cocoa, also a combination of tgg and cocoa. Milk mush made of flour for children, ar- rowroot, mondanin, cereal flour of every kind, especially oats, grit soups with tapioca or sago and potato soup. Egg, raw, stirred, or sucked through a small hole out of the shell or warmed just a bit and poured into a cup; all these forms either without any addition or with a little sugar or salt. Biscuit and crackers, softened or rather well chewed and salivated, taken with milk, mush, etc. Form IV. Diet of the lightest kind, contain- ing meat, but still mainly mushy : Noodle soup, rice soup. Mashed boiled brains or sweetbread, or puree of white or red roasted meat, in soup. Brains and sweetbread boiled. Raw scraped meat (beef, ham, etc.) Lean veal sausages, boiled. Mashed potatoes prepared with milk. 49 DARE TO Rice with bouillon or with milk. Toasted rolls and toast. Form V. Light diet, containing meat in more solid form : Pigeon, Chicken boiled. Small fish with little fat, such as brook or lake trout, boiled. Scraped beefsteak, raw ham, boiled tongue. As delicacies: Small quantities of caviar, frogs' legs, oysters, sardelles softened in milk. Salted potatoes crushed, spinach, young peas mashed, cauliflower, asparagus- tips, mashed chestnuts, mashed turnips, fruit sauces. Grit or sago puddings. Rolls, white bread. Form VI. Somewhat heavier meat diet. {Gradually returning to ordinary food). Pigeon, chicken, young deer, hare, every- thing roasted. Beef tenderloin, tender roast beef, roast veal. Boiled pike or carp. Young turnips, stachys, or topinambur. SO BE HEALTHY All dishes to be prepared with very little fat, butter to be used exclusively. All strong spices to be avoided. NUTRITIVE COMPOSITIONS. The sixteen substances, nutritive salts, from which all of the tissues of the body are composed are: carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, potassium, soda, lime, magnesia, iron, manganese, phosphor, sulphur, silica, chlorine, fluorine and iodine. My nutritive compositions consist of these same sixteen nutritive salts, each of them mixed in the same proportion as they are mix- ed in the tissue for the regeneration of which these nutritive compositions are prescribed. Since in various diseases not only one but several tissues are affected, it will have to be decided for each case whether only one or several of the nutritive compositions will have to be taken, and in what proportion. According to the system of the twelve tis- sues of the human body, the twelve nutritive compositions, the common name of which is "DECH-MANNA" Compositions, are the following: 51 DARE TO Bloodwater-Pro&ucer. Lymphcell-Producer. Nervecell-Producer, Bonecell-Producer. Musclecell-Producer. Mucous membranecell -Producer. Tooth and Eye cell- Producer. No. 1. Serogen. No. 2. Lymphogen. No. 3. Neurogen. •No. 4. Osseogen. No. 5. Muscogen. No. 6. Mucogen. No. 7. Dento-Ophthogen No. 8. Capillogen. Haircell-Producer. No. 9. Dermogen. Skincell-Producer. No. 10. Gelatinogen. Gela^tigenouscell-Pro- No. 11. Cartilogen. Cartllagecell-Producer NO. 12. Eubiogen. HealtlvyjDodycell-Pro- In addition to these I use only a few specialties in certain cases of disease, viz.: A Oxygenator A radium emanation for the B. Eubiogen Liquid, Same as No. 12, but liquid C. Tonogen. A stimulating tonic. D. Tea. Diabetic, Dechmann. E. Tea. Laxagen, after Kneipp. F. Salve. Lenicet, after Dr. Reiss. G. Massage Emulsion, Dechmann. H. Propionic acid for steam atomizer. I. Oxygen Powder, after Hensel. J. Anti-Phosphate, Dechmann. (These specialties are used only in certain individual cases, according to my prescrip- tion). 52 BE HEALTHY PHYSICAL TREATMENT. As mentioned above, it is necessary to as- sist the process of normalizing the circulation and opening the body to the full benefit of the dietetic and nutritive salt treatment by applying a number of physical treatments, in each case of disease, which, for convenience sake, we have divided into ten different groups, some of which may have to be applied simultaneously in certain cases. They are as follows: 23. Ablutions with vinegar and water 1 :2. 24. Abdominal packs, vinegar and water 1:2. 25. Partial packs : a) Vinegar and water. b) Radium and salts. 26. Partial packs : a) Arms. b) Legs. c) Neck. d) Shoulder. 27. Three-quarter packs, vinegar and water. 28. Gymnastics. S3 DARE 29. Massage. 30. Breathing Exercises. 31. Oxygenator Baths. 32. Radium and Salt Baths a) Half. b) Whole. TO 4* From these groups a treatment is usually prescribed in each and every case of disease. The importance of ablutions and especially packs is so great that it is necessary to give further explanations concerning them: In a general way, it is necessary to apply a bath or an ablution (See 23 above) when the test with the thermometer, usually applied under the tongue, in the arm-pit or in the rectum, shows that the temperature of the patient exceeds 100 degrees. The patient grows restless, his skin feels dry and the pulse, which regularly is 70 to 80 with adults, 90 to 100 with children, and about 130 with in- fants, shows an increased speed. As soon as these symptoms appear, they indicate that the 54 BE HEALTHY immediate cooling off of the body through a bath, an ablution or pack is necessary. Adults will always show the desire for such by in- stinct. Very sick people must receive baths or ablutions several times every day. Healthy people perspire as soon as they get too hot, that means, they cool off through the evaporation of the perspiration. It is supplemented by the bath and its cooling ef- fect. Balancing the higher temperature of the body and the lower temperature of the water, brings this about. The blood which flows towards the skin during the bath is cooled off, and returns in this condition to the interior of the body, only to be imme- diately replaced by other masses of blood. Since the blood circulates through the body about twice every minute, the cooling takes place from 20 to 24 times during a bath, last- ing from 10 to 12 minutes. This explains the soothing and cooling effect of the bath on the waves of blood and the nerves, which are aggravated by the increased temperature. At the same time the bath opens the pores, assists in the excretion of degenerated matter produced by the disease, and fosters the re- ception of oxygen. 55 DARE TO It is a natural function of the body that an increased flow of the warming blood at all times goes to any spot which is touched by cold from the outside, so that these spots may not get too cold or, as is the common expres- sion, may not "catch"cold. This explains why the hands get red and hot after throwing snow-balls, the feet burn after a cold foot bath. As soon as the body, which is hot from fever, is put into the cool bath, the first ef- fect is that the blood-vessels of the skin con- tract under the cooling influence. The blood recedes. Soon, however, it streams with re- newed energy to the skin to defeat the cold. The first action, the recession of the blood, is followed by the reaction, increased liveli- ness in circulation towards the skin. This removes the pressure of the blood on the over-burdened inner organs, such as the brain, lungs and heart. The blood is diverted. For ablutions the water should be cool or lukewarm, the exact temperature to be de- termined by the strength of the patient. Some vinegar should be added to the water, taking two parts water and one part vinegar. To accustom children to the use of water and ablutions is one of the important duties 56 BE HEALTHY of motherhood. A healthy child should be washed once every day with water at 59 de- grees to 64 degrees. The best way to wash the child is to put two chairs in front of its bed. On one of them place the vessel with the necessary water, on the other place the child, after it has been disrobed in bed, in a standing position, so that it can be supported with the back of the chair. The ablution is performed by means of strong application with the hands, dipped into the water, and is repeated several times. Then the shirt is put on again, and the child is allowed to stay w r ell covered in bed for another 15 minutes. Chil- dren must become accustomed to gargling as early as possible, and to draw water up through the nose, or to remove it from the mouth through the nose. This is very valuable and facilitates the treatment of children in case of disease. 4* 57 DARE TO THE PACKS. The packs mentioned as physical treat- ment, under Nos. 24, 25, 26 and 27, are of the greatest importance, and in fact I never un- dertake the treatment of any disease whatso- ever without applying them as the most effect- ive means of restoring proper circulation of the blood and removing diseased matter from the body, which is the only way to bring about a real and definite cure. The effect of the pack is the cooling of the blood. The temperature of the pack is 50 degrees and more below the temperature of the blood. In the first place this brings about quiet after unrest. Through the action of the body, which sends a large quantity of blood to the places which are touched by the cool com- presses, a certain surplus of heat is effected, which is transferred to the compresses and retained by them as moist warmth. Under this influence the blood-vessels of the skin extend and absorb blood more freely, which is thus diverted from the important inner or- gans to the skin. In all cases of fever the diseased matter is dissolved in the hot fever- 58 BE HEALTHY ish blood and circulates in and with it. The evaporation of the skin is increased, and with it the diseased matter is absorbed by the com- presses, which consequently diffuse an un- pleasant odor when removed, and when cleans- ed, give to the water a muddy appearance. Thus it may be observed to what extent the pack removes diseased matter from the body. Packs must be changed as soon as they cease to give comfort to the patient, and make him too warm. Highly flushed cheeks, in- creasing temperature and unrest are sure signs that the pack requires change, and in case of high fever this may happen after 20 to 30 minutes. For short packs, such as are pre- scribed in all inflammatory and feverish dis- eases, water at from 59 degrees to 64 degrees is used. A piece of linen cloth is folded from 4 to 8 times, wrung out, but not too much, and then covered only moderately with a woolen cloth. The stronger the patient and the high- er the fever, the thicker should the pack be. For infants a double linen strip is sufficient. The faster the fever and inflammation re- cede, the longer may the pack last, up to three hours. The convalescent will enjoy the moist warmth, under the influence of which 59 DARE TO still existing diseased material is thorough- ly dissolved and completely excreted. The dissolving effect of packs of long duration is most noticeable in chronic diseases. Through the lasting effect of the moist warmth on the body or parts of the same, de- posited diseased matter is dissolved, shaken up, existing excoriations are disintegrated, di- rected back into the circulating blood, and thus excreted. The dissolving packs pf long duration must be applied somewhat thinner than the cooling ones (from 1 to 3 times) ; they must be wrung out more vigorously, and covered more closely. If a pack is applied for the sake of pre- vention of a disease, it may be put on in the evening and remain all night. In the begin- nig of fever, so long as it is moderate, the patient can stand the pack for from 2 to 2y' 2 hours. Biological hygienic therapy rejects the external application of ice, for it causes se- vere congestion of the blood. Extensive ap- plication of the ice pouch causes more or less paralysis of the nerves, which in many cases prevents recovery and even causes chronic disease or fatal results. The biological hygie- 60 BE HEALTHY nic treatment desires to moderate inflamma- tion only to the degree that it should lose its dangerous character, but it leaves to the body its power to remove, through the process of inflammation, alien and diseased matter, and to absorb and gradually carry away the pro- ducts of inflammation through the blood cur- rent. Paralysis of the vocal cords, of the muscles of the eye, of the nerves of hearing, the exudations from the nose and eyes after diphtheria, meningitis and scarlet fever, ad- hesions, suppurations after pneumonia and other inflammatory diseases, are often the consequences of the use of ice, because the pro- ducts of inflammation are not absorbed, and the ice paralyzes the neighbouring nerves. In- flammations, which are suppressed by medi- cine or ice, must renew themselves, since the causes, the alien matter (auto toxins), as well as the products of inflammation remain in the body and are not thoroughly excreted. To apply water, on the contrary, quickly removes not only the inflammation, but its causes and eventual consequences. The organs which have been inflamed do not show any further inclination to renewed inflammations. In no case will a chronic ailment be the consequence 61 DARE TO of an acute disease, provided the same was treated in a natural way, according to the principles of biological hygienic treatment. In order to bring about the complete ex- cretion of all autotoxins and, in case of in- flammation, the complete absorption of all products of the same, it is necessary to con- tinue the lengthy packs also during the period of convalescence, and not to stop immediate- ly as soon as the fever and inflammation have somewhat disappeared. This is a mistake which is frequently committed, and the fault is then laid to the biological hygienic system. Any relapse or succeeding illness will be avoided by continuing the packs for four to six weeks after a certain disease has been cured, applying them during the night and in the beginning also during the day-time, from two to three hours. While most people understand the cooling effect of a pack, the important diverting, dis- solving and excreting effect is rarely under- stood. Few people understand why ablutions, abdominal and leg packs are prescribed in case of inflammation of the eyes ; why, in case of ulcers, besides compresses on the same, nightly abdominal packs and ablutions 62 BE HEALTHY in the morning, are considered indispensable; and why, in case of inflammation of one leg, the healthy leg is also subjected to a pack. And still it ought to be understood so easily. In limiting packs, in case of inflammation, to the inflamed part only, the blood current is directed mainly to the one place, and the ex- cretion of autotoxins from the body would only occur in the inflamed place. The blood would carry all diseased matter principally to the diseased spot and deposit it there. The inflamed organ would thus be burdened with work which it simply would not be able to perform. The effect must be far more sure and rapid, in case the pressure of blood into the diseased part is moderated, if the disso- lution and excretion of the matter that causes the disease, takes place, not in one spot only, but is distributed over the entire body. If the entire skin is put into action, the entire body participates in the healing process. The bio- logical hygienic-dietetic treatment is, there- fore, not satisfied to treat the one diseased organ only. In all diseases the co-operation of the entire body, that is, a general treat- ment, remains the main issue of the biological, hygienic therapy. It regards the human body, 63 DARE TO as often stated previously, as a unit, and knows neither specialist nor special cures. Hence the key to its marvelous success. IMPORTANT GENERAL ADVICE. For moist packs take coarse, previously used and loosely woven linen, which readily absorbs water and clings closely to the body. After each pack the linen must be washed well and the woolen material must be aired. From time to time the linen must be boiled and the woolen cloth cleaned, chemically, if possible. Raw silk is an excellent substitute for linen. It clings well to the body, does not cause any discomfort, and has an excellent ab- sorbing quality for water and other sub- stances. The proper application of the pack is of course of great importance. Adults can easily apply many of the packs without assistance, but generally a third person is necessary in the case of children or patients. It is con- sequently advisable for every mother to be- come thoroughly familiar with the methods 64 BE HEALTHY of applying packs, and she should always have the necessary material on hand. It should be cut in the proper size, and there should be at least a duplicate of each piece for the neces- sary changes. The approximate measure- ments for adults are : Width Length Neck pack 5" 40" to 60" Shoulder pack , 10" 40" Abdominal pack 28" 40" to 60" Breast or stomach pack 16" 52" to 60" "T" pack 16" 52" to 60" Cross piece alone 5" 24" The shawl 32" to 40" 32" to 40" Scotch pack (undivided) 16" 80" to 100" Same for children 10" to 16" 60" to 80" Calf pack 24" 26" Leg pack 24" 30" Three-quarter pack 56" 52" to 60" Whole pack ,. 68" 80" The measurements for children are accordingly shorter and narrower. As to the application of packs, a mother can learn a great deal by experimenting on her own body. Packs at night are by no means detrimental to adults, and the applica- tion of a regular abdominal pack, a three- quarter pack, and a whole pack once a week or once every two weeks is decidedly advan- tageous. Three-quarter and whole packs 65 DARE TO should be occasionally tried on the body of children with dry linen so that in case of disease the mother will be a well trained nurse, at least in this respect. To go about the application of the pack quietly and without much talking is very comforting to the patient, who usually grows excited during the procedure. In case of acute feverish disease the packs and the changes must be applied very quickly, so that the patient will not catch cold. While, as a rule, the patient should not be disturbed in a quiet sleep, unconsciousness or delirium must not prevent change of the pack. It should be applied so as not to cause any creases which may hurt the patient. The temperature of the water used for packs should be as follows : for the cooling packs, 59 degrees to 64 degrees; for dis- solving packs, 64 degrees to 71 degrees. The higher temperature is used in the treat- ment of infants, weak nerves and anemic per- sons. In chronic diseases a gradual return to a lower temperature by about 2y 2 degrees per week is advisable. No packs or compresses should be put on cold parts of the body. In such cases the 66 BE HEALTHY parts in question must first be warmed through moist heat. The linen should be wrung out less for short cooling compresses than for dissolving packs of longer duration. Cooling compresses must be changed as soon as the patient indi- cates that he feels aggravated by the heat. As a general rule, packs on the legs may be left on feverish patients twice as long as packs on the upper parts of the body. No fever be- ing evident, the abdominal pack may be chang- ed after about 2y 2 hours, the leg pack after 5 hours, and possibly not at all during the night. Packs should be renewed according to the re- quirements of the individual patient, not in accordance with fixed rules. Great care must be exercised to fasten the packs well and tightly. This is usually done with hairpins or safety pins. Hairpins should be stuck into the material used as cov- ering, in the direction away from the person fastening the pack, and should then be bent backwards. Safety pins should have a guard- ed tip, and should be fastened at right angles to the length of the material. When changing the pack on feverish peo- ple that are to receive an ablution or a bath 67 DARE TO two or three times a day, all pins must tvs loosened under the bed-covers so that the pack may be removed quickly. If ablutions only are given, the pack is removed gradually as soon as the respective part of the body is to be washed. When the fever is moderate, there should be an ablution in the morning and in the evening, or a bath in the morning and an ablution in the evening. When packs are applied only at night, patients require only one ablution in the morning. If the packs are not renewed, an ablution must follow the removal. This refreshes and strengthens the skin, closes the wide open pores and prevents taking cold. Dissolving packs, if annoying at night, may be removed under the bedcovers without an ablution. If the pack is changed without intervening ablution, the new pack must be ready to be applied before the old, hot one, is taken off. While in a pack, the patient should not leave his bed, not even for the purpose of urinating or for stool. * 68 BE HEALTHY GENERAL RULES. The following general rules must be ap- plied in connection with the directions given below for packs during different diseases. In case of inflammation, the inflamed spot is cooled off by local compresses, and divert- ing packs of longer duration are applied on other parts of the body. For instance, in case of inflammation of the brain or tonsils, the first step is to cool off the blood which flows to the neck and head by short-time compres- ses on the neck and on the cervix. At the same time one must try to divert it through lengthier packs on the abdomen, the legs and the wrists, and thereby prevent a further de- livery of diseased matter to the centre of in- flammation. The solution and excretion of diseased matter from other points than the inflamed spots will thereby be effected, and these will be unburdened and calmed ac- cordingly. In case of inflammation of the organs of the breast (lungs, heart), the blood is diverted to the abdomen, legs and lower arms through long-time packs, and the upper parts of the breast are cooled with short com- 69 DARE TO presses. If the inflammation has its seat in the abdomen, this must be cooled off, while the diversion with longer-time packs is made to the legs and arms. Ulcers are treated by applying extremely hot compresses, which are frequently changed, and the surrounding parts are cooled off and diversion is effected through nightly packs on the abdomen and on the legs. The hot compresses dissolve the diseased matter, so that the ulcer opens. Thereupon cool compresses of 71 degrees to 64 degrees are applied and allowed to remain for 2j4 to 3 hours, which will effect quick healing without the necessity of an operation. The main rule is never to divert towards a vital organ of the body, such as the lungs or heart; thus, in case of inflammation of the head, diversion must be attempted, not to the breast, but to the arms and legs. Abdominal Pack (24) The abdominal pack should be applied on infants and children whenever they show signs of illness in any way, and naturally in cases 70 BE HEALTHY of summer complaint, measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, whooping cough, pneumonia, ty- phoid fever, in which cases a pack should be applied during the entire course of the illness with slight intermissions only. As in acute diseases, it is also applied in chronic ones. (See descriptions below). Its early applica- tion will often serve to prevent serious sick- ness. The abdominal pack reaches from the arm- pits to the hips. It is made from a clean piece of woolen cloth (double flannel), the width of which must cover the space from the arm-pits to the hips, while its length must be so that it can be placed all around the abdomen and folded over in front. Furthermore, there are necessary two or three coarse towels, but not Turkish, that have been laundered frequently, or suitable pieces of old linen, and finally a few pointed short hairpins or safety pins. Sometimes the pack is to be 'laid narrow, so that it only covers the stomach or the belly (7 to 8 inches); the woolen part must be shaped accordingly. For children a towel will, as a rule, be sufficient; for infants, a properly folded piece of old linen. The linen as well as the woolen material must be properly fold- 71 DARE TO ed before the pack is made, and must be measured, so that the patient need not wait too long while the pack is placed on the body. The above cut shows how to apply the ab- dominal pack on an adult patient. The towel or linen is dipped into water (two parts of water with one part of vinegar) at 64 degrees to 75 degrees, well wrung out, and is placed on the woolen material in such a way that the latter extends about 2 to 3 inches on the upper and lower edge. The pack is now placed around the back of the patient, who sits in bed or is held in position by a second assist- ing person. The patient's shirt is lifted and he is laid down on the moist linen, which is then quickly raised on both sides and folded 72 BE HEALTHY over the abdomen. The same is done with the woolen material, which is then fastened tight- ly in the middle, the upper and lower corners with three pins. Then the shirt is pulled down and the patient is carefully covered. In many individual cases it is advisable to divide the pack into a voluminous back com- press and one on the front of the abdomen. In such cases the woolen cloth, which is used for the abdominal pack, is placed underneath the patient as above. A towel is folded 6 to 8 times, so that it will grow warm slowly and thus may remain en the body for a longer time, and placed under the back of the patient. Then two properly folded towels, which are not wrung out very thoroughly, are put on the abdomen in the front, and tucked down a little on both sides. The woolen cloth is thereupon fixed as before, so as to keep together the divided pack, just as in other cases it does the undivided pack. In these cases the back com- press only needs to be changed every 2 to 3 hours, even in case of severe fever. The front towels may be changed several times in the meantime. Since this system permits the application of the pack without disturbing 73 DARE TO the patient and making him sit up too often, it is very desirable in cases of intense illness. The undivided pack is often very uncom- fortable for patients suffering from respira- tory diseases. It is better to treat very ex- citable patients with front compresses only. When the stomach pack only is prescribed in catarrhal and nervous stomach or liver diseases, and which may be worn during the night as well as during the daytime, a long wide mesh shawl, with a ribbon 7 to 8 inches in width at each end, is most advisable, as it will reach around the body 4 or 5 times. In order to shut out the air as much as possible, the moist compress is first applied, and then the shawl is placed around the body in such a way that each succeeding turn covers the previous one to about one-half. * The Cross Pack (25) This is applied in case of men's diseases and women's diseases of the sexual organs. To the woolen material and the linen crash of 74 BE HEALTHY the abdominal pack, another piece, about half as long and about 7 inches wide, is sewed or pinned before application, in the form of a T. Jf-i Before the two ends of the abdominal pack are folded over on the front of the abdomen, the narrower piece is drawn up between the legs from behind, so that the end of it can be fastened to the two sides of the abdominal part of the pack that are folded over in front. As shown above, the abdominal pack must reach down as far as possible, and if a patient is unable to stand both packs, the moist part of the abdominal pack may be omitted, and only 75 DARE TO the regular-pack over the sexual organs and the woolen part over the abdomen is applied. In case the cross piece is for the purpose of cooling and contracting, it must be frequently renewed. Women should accompany the ab- lutions mornings and evenings with injections of lukewarm water at 71 degrees to 82 de- grees, and men should make ablutions of the sexual parts 5 to 6 times a day with water at 64 degrees to 71 degrees. The cross pack has the advantage of gradually putting back into normal position, the female organs, if they are in any way misplaced. These packs will help to cure cases of leukorrhoea and gonorr- hoea, locally too, without operations or the application of poisons, especially if applied at an early stage of the respective disease. 4- Leg Packs (26) These are applied in a similar way as the abdominal pack. The woolen piece of cloth is fitted to the leg from the middle of the thigh to the ankle, so as to cover the leg com- pletely. A towel or linen is doubled and 76 BE HEALTHY moistened, and then placed in such a way that the woolen material extends about two inches on the upper and two inches on the lower edge of the towel. The two pieces are laid simul- taneously under one of the patient's legs, the towel turned up from both sides and the wool- en piece likewise, and the latter fastened with either three pins or with a ribbon. The other leg is packed in the same way, each one separ- ately. In the same way partial packs of the calves or the feet only are applied. In all of these cases it is more expedient and comfortable to use knit packs. Cotton stockings of suitable length from which the foot has been removed, 77 DARE TO should take the place of the linen or towel in the packs for the entire leg or the calf. They are moistened and covered with woolen stock- ings of corresponding length, extending on both ends and minus the foot part. The foot parts are to be used only for foot packs in an analogous way. The woolen stocking should be as loose and comfortable as possible. In case of bent legs (through gout or otherwise), the moistened linen is wrapped around the leg like a bandage, and then a woolen bandage is wound around over it. In case of severe fever the wrists are also packed, no woolen cover, however, being necessary in this case. The leg pack has, in the first place, a most diverting and consequently a calming effect. It is, therefore, of the highest value, next to the abdominal, cross, neck and shoulder packs, in all feverish and especially all chronic dis- eases where congestions in the head and breast, with their consequences of dizziness, headache, insomnia, pains in the lungs and heart, must be removed. Besides, in chronic cases, they assist in the effects of the ab- dominal pack. Foot packs, that is, wet stockings, have a very favorable action against headache, tooth- 78 BE HEALTHY ache and earache, and are best applied during the night. If they excite the patient too much, they may easily be taken off during the night; otherwise they should be followed by a cold ablution of the feet in the morning. Nervous people are usually unable to stand the wet stockings, which only work well if the feet become warm quickly, which, as a rule, is not the case in feverish illnesses. People who suf- fer from cold feet should take a steam foot bath before applying cold foot packs. Since the legs and the feet develop less heat than the abdomen, leg and foot packs do not require as thick material as abdominal packs, and are changed less frequently. They are best applied whtn the fever is at its height, in the late afternoon and at night. In case leg packs are continued for a long while, the legs show decreasing inclination to grow sufficiently warm. Whenever this occurs, leg packs must be discontinued, or the packed legs must be warmed in a different way. The diverting wrist packs are of special value, especially in all acute diseases of the lungs (inflammations, bleedings, hemorr- hages) and the heart. 79 I DARE TO Neck Pack (26) It is made by folding a linen four- fold, long enough to reach twice around the neck. It is dipped into water at from 59 de- grees to 64 degrees. Then it is placed around the neck and a woolen shawl wound around over it, covering well the moist linen. The neck pack has its effect on the inside of the neck in case of tonsilitis, croup, etc. If stiffness of the neck, headache or similar pains are felt after its use, the moist linen should not cover the back part of the neck but only the front and sides. Where the effect is to be extended to the trachea and its branches, the bronchia and the tips of the lungs, especially in the case of cough, it is still better to apply the Shoulder Pack (26) A short towel is folded into a strip of about a hand's width, extending from one of the nipples across the opposite shoulder, around the neck, to the other nipple. A wooi- BE HEALTHY en shawl, fastened together with a pin, must cover the moist towel completely. The shoulder pack is always applied together with IK II / ^ N\ Si[K°^j[[ 81 DARE TO the abdominal pack. It is put on first, and the two ends are pulled under the abdominal pack, and then fastened. * The Scotch Pack (26) The Scotch pack is of the greatest ad- vantage in all diseases of the trachea and the lungs, also in case of whooping cough. Two towels are sewed together lengthwise, and as a moist pack are placed over the breast of the patient so that the seam will be in the center. The ends are crossed over the back, one end is brought forward over the left and one over the right shoulder, then the ends are crossed once more and tucked under. A woolen shawl is placed on top of the moist towels in the same way, so that it completely covers the moist pack. The ends are tucked under the pack in front. The pack is fastened with safety pins where the ends cross. 82 BE HEALTHY The Divided Scotch Pack (26) This is still better than the above since it may be applied without forming creases, and may be changed more frequently in regard to its upper part, for the purposes of cooling, than the undivided pack. It is used together with the abdominal pack. Instead of using one strip 4 to 6 inches wide, folded 4 to 6 times, as for the shoulder pack, two of them are taken. One strip is put across each shoul- der, and then they are crossed on the breast as well as on the back. The woolen strips 83 DARE TO used for covering are of course wider and of double thickness. The ends pf the two strips are drawn underneath the abdominal pack, and held by it, and the two shoulder packs may be changed as often as necessary for cooling purposes without necessitating a si- multaneous change of the abdominal pack. * The Shawl (26) (Similar application as Kneipp's Shawl). A large square piece of crash from 35" to 40" is folded into a triangle, dipped into water at 59 degrees to 64 degrees, and after wrung out, is applied with the diagonal line around the neck. The upper part of the back, the cervix, the neck, the shoulders and the upper parts of the breast are thus covered. A woolen wrap, the ends of which are fastened together on the back with pins, or tied to- gether, will cover the whole pack tightly. 84 BE HEALTHY This pack must be changed if the patient becomes too hot (after y 2 to 2 hours), other- wise it may stay on all night. In case of fever- ish catarrh it is used together with the three- quarter pack. Among other things the "shawl" causes the cooling of the blood which streams to the head. Thus its effect in case of congestions and brain diseases is explained. Neck and shoulder packs, Scotch pack and shawl must always be used in connection with diverting leg, calf or foot packs. * The Three-Quarter Pack (27) Next to the abdominal pack the three- quarter pack is one of the best applications, especially for children. A woolen piece of cloth, a half or single blanket, as long as the patient and suffi- ciently wide to reach all around him, is 85 DARE TO placed on the bed in such a way that its upper edge reaches to where the arm-pits of the patient usually lie. A bedspread of about the same size as the woolen blanket is dipped into cool water and wrung out well, and placed on the woolen blanket in such a way that the upper edge of the latter protrudes somewhat. The patient is now laid on the bedspread so that it reaches up to his arm- pits. The moist spread is then turned up on both sides to cover the patient. Part of it is tucked between his legs, and the protrud- ing lower end is laid on or between his feet. Thus the body, from the arms down, is com- pletely wrapped in the wet spread, and the woolen blanket is applied over it in the same way, and then fastened with some pins. The patient's shirt is then drawn down. The head, the neck, the uppermost part of the breast and back are not packed. Another blanket is placed over the patient and well fastened on all sides. A pillow must be placed between his feet and the lower edge of the bed. To avoid cold feet the wet spread should reach only to the ankles, and the feet are covered with the woolen blanket, or a hot bottle is placed near them. 86 BE HEALTHY Jrt 9 ////'«y ^T Wmw!ZLJ^ £S£^<^ The three-quarter pack is very valuable in feverish diseases, since it takes effect on so large an area of the skin. It is also very helpful in case of meningitis and other in- flammations. It should, however, not be ap- plied by a layman, except with the greatest caution. The inflamed parts must be covered with compresses, as in case of pneumonia and inflammation of the heart. If three- quarter packs excite children too much, they must be replaced by abdominal and leg packs. The patient should stay in the pack as long as he does not grow too hot or restless. This may occur after 20 to 30 minutes, in case of severe fever; otherwise, the pack may last an hour or longer. The pack is very 87 DARE TO useful with children when their actions indi- cate that a disease is trying to break out. In many cases it will develop and cure the dis- ease, such as measles, if it is properly ap- plied for 2 to 2y 2 hours, and finished with a bath at 77 or an ablution at 64 degrees. When fever and inflammation begin to slacken, and during convalescence, three-quarter or whole packs applied daily or every second day, fin- ishing with an ablution, are very useful for the purpose of solution and excretion. In such cases the moist heat should be con- served through additional blankets or com- forters, so that the body really smothers. The Half Pack (25) The half pack is applied just like the three-quarter pack with the exception that it reaches only from the arm-pits to the knees. It is especially necessary to close it carefully around the legs. The half pack, allowing the body more freedom, may be kept on all night. It is most effective on the thighs in case of aching thighs (sciatica). It is, however, also applied in case of febrile diseases. 88 BE HEALTHY The Whole Pack. This is applied in nearly the same way as the three-quarter pack, but includes also the arms, breast and neck. ^ In this case the blanket must reach to about the middle of the patient's head. On top of the moist spread a towel is laid, which is first placed around the abdomen. The patient's arms must be somewhat bent, so that they will not oppress the breast too much when packed with it. Otherwise the arms are to be treated just as the legs, so that the moist spread touches them every- 89 DARE TO where. In case of the whole pack, when it is impossible to fasten the woolen blanket at the neck with safety pins, it is necessary to tuck it under both shoulders as tightly as possible. The woolen blanket must be drawn tightly over the shoulders and the ends tucked under the opposite shoulder. It must exceed the length of the patient by 18 inches. In case one blanket is not large enough, two must be used, one of which may be 6 inches longer than the other. Additional blankets, pillows and comforters may be used in case of high fever. The advice given above in regard to the differences in packs, depending on their various purposes of cool- 90 BE HEALTHY ing, diverting, calming or dissolving, must also guide in this case as to the extra amount of covering. The access to fresh air at the neck and legs, however, must always be tightly closed. An ablution or a bath must follow each whole pack. If properly applied, the whole pack will be of the greatest benefit in all febrile and chronic diseases. Inflam- mations require partial packs, while at the same time dissolving or diverting packs of longer duration are applied to the parts of the body which are not inflamed. * SMALL COMPRESSES. Small compresses may be applied to each part of the body. They cool off ulcers and slight inflammations; they dissolve in case of rheumatism or gout of long standing. A piece of linen of good size, not a small rag, folded six to eight times, is useful in case of toothache or earache. The compress must be covered with a woolen cloth and fastened as well as possible. Dissolving compresses 91 DARE TO must he covered more thickly than cooling ones. Special compresses are sometimes needed on the head and on the heart and around the neck to prevent congestions. They are covered only slightly, and like all cooling compresses, are changed as soon as they become hot. GYMNASTICS, MASSAGE AND BREATHING EXERCISES. (28, 29, 30) The three items under "Physical Treat- ment," 28. Gymnastics, 29. Massage and 30. Breathing Exercises, in this connection re- quire only a few explanatory remarks. Their common object is, by means of external me- chanical aid, to stimulate circulation of the blood which is undergoing the process of re- generation. They remove obstacles to cir- culation and produce movements and reac- tions. While in the case of massage this ex- ternal aid must, as a rule, be given by a third person in order to be effective, gymnas- tics and breathing exercises are actions of the patient himself. All of them, however, 92 BE HEALTHY have the common attribute that in order to be useful they must be strictly individual. The German proverb that "No one thing is good for everybody/' is fittingly applied in this case. There are few things that are so much abused as this rule in gymnastics. I cannot urge strongly enongh to be very cau- tious and careful before trying to adopt the advice given in numerous books and pamph- lets in regard to such exercises. While much of what is contained in them may be good and true, the governing question as to what is suitable in an individual case, can obviously not be determined by any such impersonal advice. It is the right and the duty of the attending physician to prescribe exclusively, whether, to what extent, and in what form these exercises should be applied in each individual case. This is true of gymnastics even when practised by so-called healthy people. By executing certain of the more complicated movements, such as the physical instructor in a gymnasium may direct his large classes to do, they may develop diseases and weaken certain organs, being entirely unaware of their abnormal condition, making them an 93 DARE TO easy prey to diseases. It will require the closest attention of the teacher to what is called gymnastics on apparatus, to determine which exercises he may compel certain pu- pils to try without impairing their health. In case gymnastics or breathing exercises are prescribed as part of a treatment they are to be executed strictly according to the order of the attending hygienic-dietetic physician. One of the great principles never to be overlooked in gymnastics is, that in order to have the desired effect they must be carried out with the greatest regularity. Another rule that must never be overlooked is that of passing gradually from the easy, simple movements to the harder and more compli : cated ones. Gymnastics require much more mental energy than is usually thought. This is one of their great advantages. At the same time the lack of this energy very often leads to self-deceit, such as omitting the prescribed number, order and gradation of the move- ments or changing them to suit individual preferences. The punishment for this will never be lacking. Not only will the desired effect be wanting, but other effects, which it will require new efforts to overcome, will 94 BE HEALTHY be the result, if there is any inattention to this important rule. As to massage, this requires knowledge of anatomy in general, and of the anatomy of the individual to be treated, in particular. Only in this way can the desired effect be produced on certain muscles and nerves, with the further consequence that their move- ments promote the correct and health-giving circulation of the blood. Here again the governing factor must be the prescription of the hygienic-dietetic physician who has studied the individual case and knows the effect he wishes to produce by means of mas- sage, and how to procure the same. General books on massage, its general practice in bath-houses by male or female practitioners, without knowledge of the particular case, will really accomplish nothing. ELECTRIC VIBRATORS. In certain cases, and where it is not a ques- tion of general massage, the patient will be able to apply massage to himself according 95 DARE TO to the physician's prescription. In this con- nection he will find an electric vibrator of valuable assistance. It will allow him to ex- tend the area of the self-applied massage, but again it will be useful only in case the appli- cation is prescribed by the attending physi- cian, and is carried out in the strictest ac- cordance with his instructions. OXYGENATOR, RADIUM AND SALT BATHS (31,32) Since the discovery of radio-activity and the many effects which the presence of radi- um in certain waters and minerals produces on the human body, it has been the special task of German research work and the Ger- man Government to find the means of giving humanity in general the benefit of this im- portant discovery. After two years of care- ful investigation the German Government has been able to guarantee that the radium preparation, called oxygenator, possesses the quality of oxidizing about five times as quickly as any other known substance, and thus removing the degenerated and diseased 96 BE HEALTHY cells of the human body accordingly. This material in itself, as well as other combina- tions of radio products and salts are used by me exclusively, and are prescribed to patients for half or whole baths, as the case may re- quire. They are of the greatest assistance in carrying out the course of treatment in each individual case. What in former times could be effected only through expensive trips to the few famous healing springs of the world, can now be accomplished in the comfort of the home or the sanatorium. But these measures, too, should be followed only in strict accordance with the physician's or- ders, bearing in mind that there can be "too much" even in a matter of such unusually high value as these baths. 97 DARE TO THE DISEASES TO BE TREATED AND THE APPLICATION OF THE METHOD. Having given, in the foregoing para- graphs, a brief description of the methods of healing which I apply, I am now going to give a short explanation of the different methods to be applied in treating various diseases, all of which have been explained as degenerations of the twelve tissues of the body in previous paragraphs. This will serve to help patients in understanding more clearly the prescriptions given them for their indivi- dual cases. Once more I warn every one not to commit the mistake of believing that a layman can cure his own disease by even the most care- ful study of a book such as this is. But to the patient, who has been led by the physician in- to the proper path to health, it will, as is its purpose, give such instructions as will enable him to see his condition plainly. He zvill then be able to follow the instructions of the physician, and — what is of greatest im- portance — inform the same correctly in regard 98 BE HEALTHY to his own observations of his condition and the changes brought about by the treament. There is another point that we wish to mention right here in the beginning. Dis- ease, although reduced to its last analysis in this system, is never so simple that it can t>e determined as the degeneration of one tissue exclusively. The unity of the body, as indi- cated above, the close connection of the various tissues, and the gradual transition from one into another, make it impossible to draw the lines as sharply and distinctly as between chemical elements. For the sake of classification we make the degeneration of a certain tissue the distinguishing element be- tween various diseases. Let us not forget, however, that this does not mean more than the degeneration of the main tissue which is affected by this particular disease, while that same disease is also characterized by simul- taneous degeneration of one or more of the other tissues, only to a lesser degree. It is, therefore, not inconsistent if, in giving the more detailed description of a disease, several tissues are mentioned as being degenerated, and not only the one tissue from the degenera- tion of which the class derives its name. 99 DARE TO L DEGENERATION OF THE SERO TISSUE. Anemia, Chlorosis, Pernicious Anemia. A. Scrofulosis. B. Tuberculosis. C. Syphilis. D. Cancer. To many people who are not familiar with the results of modern studies, and even to a good many physicians of the old- fashioned school of medicine, the family of diseases as enumerated above, will look somewhat queer. It comprises the most dis- astrous plagues of mankind, for which cures have so frantically been sought with such a lack of results. It thus contains one of the greatest revelations of the biological methoj of studying and, accordingly, healing dis- eases. The common cause of these mani- festly so different constitutional diseases is the same. That this was not recognized long ago is the reason they have been claimed in- curable by so many physicians. Whatever cure the old school, by poisoning symptoms to make them disappear, could and can pro- vide, established only a semblance of cure, until the biological study led to the recogni- tion of the truth. It discovered that all of 100 BE HEALTHY these constitutional diseases are essentially blood defects and degenerations, result- ing in the destruction of the body in general, the necessary and logical consequence of an imperfect condition of the blood. So there is a ray of hope for humanity breaking through the night of despair, that its worst foes can be made to disappear in due time by being attacked at their common root. Not the knife of the surgeon, not the poison of the physician of the old school, but simply harmonizing the individual life with the laws of nature, will eradicate the causes. The tremendous importance of the subject, the wide field to be covered, makes it wellnigh impossible to treat the matter within this pamphlet as extensively as it should be treat- ed. A large part of my book, "Dare To Be Healthy/' of which this is but an abstract, deals with this topic. There the reader will find the most interesting details in regard to the connection between these widespread dis- eases. Their nature as blood-diseases carries with it the fact that they are preeminently hereditary, and thus have spread for many generations, so that today there is only a min- ority of human beings in which all traces of ioi DARE TO them are missing. So the predisposition for their renewal is given with the continuity of environment, the one point, at which, at least in the case of the so-called white plague, tuberculosis, an attack has been made. The development towards the eradication of these evils has been handicapped by the overwhelming importance science has given to the theory of the bacillus as the incentive element of disease, while it is only a product of the same. The serum and anti-toxin therapy, which in its fight against the bacillus, lost sight of the first task of medicine, that of fighting the disease, was the logical consequence thereof. The blood liquid, which consists of the serum and red and white blood corpuscles, and is the carrier of the lymph to such parts of the body that are not fed directly by the lym- phatic vessels, such as the nerves, must have a well defined chemical composition in order to fulfil its task. What we call deficiency of blood is, with the exception of traumatically inflicted losses of normal quantity, to a great extent a deficiency in quality. This consists in the chemical composition and the propor- tion of nutritive salts in the serum, or in the relation and quality of the oxygen carriers, 102 BE HEALTHY that is, the red corpuscles and white cor- puscles, whose task it is to remove foreign and disturbing elements from the blood. It is ob- vious that deficiency in these elements may be of infinite variety and of the most far reaching consequence for the various tissues of the body, which receive their nurture there- from. According to the nature of the effects which this variety in blood deficiency (dyse- mia) produces, we distinguish certain groups of destructions in the body, for which names were established at a time when the unity of these diseases had not yet been recognized. Thus where dysemia produces only general debility, we call it anemia, which may gradu- ally become destructive and develop into "pernicious" anemia. When it affects girls with all kinds of disturbances in menstrua- tion, perverting their appetite and causing a greenish color of the skin, it is called "chloro- sis." If the symptoms are the destruction of the lymphatic glands, so often noticed in chil- dren recognized as being hereditarily affect- ed, we speak of "Scrofulosis." When errone- ous composition of the blood, prompted by poor surroundings and unsanitary environ- 103 DARE TO ment, causes destruction of the lungs or of certain bones or of other tissues, the name "tuberculosis" indicates that the decaying condition of the affected tissues results in producing numerous tubercle bacilli. In the many cases in which the destruction is even more widespread, attacking the skin, bones, brain and other tissues or organs, and where the decomposing poison, if it was not here- ditary, has entered the blood by way of sexual intercourse, the ominous word "syphilis" in- dicates the resulting blood disease. When the weakened tissues, which are not sufficiently fed with the elements they need for their normal existence, cannot resist the developing power of the phosphates prevalent in the blood, the much dreaded malign "cancer growths" appear. The destructions wrought by such blood, by dysemia in these various forms, cannot be the object of description in this brief abstract. They can all be reduced, made to stop and forced to give place to healthy regeneration by the hygienic-dietetic healing system. In each case the possibility of cure will depend entirely on the degree of decomposition which the blood has reached. If the trouble is here- 104 BE HEALTHY ditary, it is obviously harder to fight, and a long regenerative treatment may be foreseen. If the trouble is attacked in an early stage, complete restoration to health is possible in a comparatively short period. The most care- ful and thorough investigation by the physi- cian must precede any treatment. It is his task to prescribe the treatment accordingly, and this will change with development of the disease and bring about its gradual disappear- ance. The simultaneous direct and indirect affection of various tissues, especially of the lymph, will necessitate more complicated ap- plications of the various nutritive composi- tions. Therapy. Diet: L For the Anemic. All that grows in the sunshine makes blood. There- fore, the food of an anemic person should consist main- ly of articles of diet which grow above the surface, such as green vegetables, fresh greens, fruit, berries. Since the blood has already grown very thin, as little fluid as possible should be taken, and for this reason the boasted milk cures are far from advisable. If all hot seasoning is avoided and little salt and sugar are used, no thirst will be felt. Coffee, tea, beer, wine and other 105 DARE TO alcoholic drinks are to be avoided because they consume oxygen, such as also do thin soups, lemonade, malt cof- fee, and other beverages of slight food value. Breakfast: In summer, a glass of cold milk, sweet or sour, and with it strawberries, huckleberries, cher- ries, or other fruit in season ; in winter, milk or cocoa, thick oatmeal soup with bread (whole wheat, whole rye), or something similar. When the bowels are slug- gish, take a little fruit on rising in the morning and at bedtime. Dinner: Cereals, rice, macaroni, dumplings and eggs, with fresh greens, spinach, fresh peas, fresh beans, cauliflower, all varieties of cabbage, cucumbers, pump- kins and squashes. Root vegetables are not excluded. Celery and parsnips alone interfere with the renewal of blood. They ought not to be eaten frequently. Afternoon Lunch: Fruit, milk or one cup only of weak cocoa. If the appetite is good, omit this meal. Supper: Every day, if possible, some fresh greens seasoned with lemon juice, particularly cresses, lettuce, endive, spinach and red cabbage, with puddings of meal or eggs. Sour milk with fruit and mild cheese, may be taken for a change. In winter, thick soup or por- ridge with fruit, preferably apples and huckleberries. Also an apple at bedtime. Anemic people commonly have no wish for meat. They force themselves to eat it in the belief that only on a meat diet is it possible for them to become strong. They would do better to follow their inclination and re- frain from it altogether. They regain health faster on a purely vegetable diet, one special reason being that the digestion is less burdened. 106 BE HEALTHY A fattening, combined with a rest cure, and rational remedies, like Dech-Manna-Diet, are the best means of curing anemia. The deficient appetite must be stimulated through tastefully prepared dishes and much variety. The patient will thus unconsciously be induced to take more food. Delicacies and dainty dishes must foster pleasure in eating, and a little food between the principal meals will help to make up the necessary amount of food. Spinach, also egg omelettes filled with spinach, pud- dings, grit, oatmeal, light dishes prepared from large quantities of eggs, sugar, butter and milk, and roasted meat are the best articles of food for anemic patients. Drinks that are recommended are: strong malt beer, buttermilk, sour milk, Dech-Manna chocolate, Dr. Glet- ter's and other fruit coffees, red or specially suitable wines (China, Seravallo, Dalmatian, Greek, Bordeaux), fruits, berries, honey and~Dech-Manna-Diet. / and II A . For Scrofulous Patients. Two affections, rachitis and scrofula, frequently co- exist, and the same dietary is appropriate for boih. Scrofulous patients often have a great longing for sul- phur and for irritating compounds. Frequently they consume salt greedily, eat charcoal, onions, and other piquant substances. This indicates their need of vege- tables and fresh greens full of nutritious salts, which taste and smell pungent because of the amount of sulphur they contain. Various kinds of cabbage are appropriate for the principal dinner dish, cooked or raw in the form of 107 DARE TO a salad, with horseradish to give them relish* For sea- soning of vegetables and salads, onions and leeks may be used unsparingly; onion soups will be found palata- ble and will improve the lymph. At supper water-cress, lettuce, radishes, and sand- wiches made of chives are preferable to sausage and rich cheese. Fresh, mild cheese makes a good side- dish. Meat should be eaten sparingly, because it rapidly changes into products of decomposition in the lymph, and so the harmful rather than the useful fluids of the body are increased. In connection with rachitis and scrofula a ravenous appetite is often manifested. This is a morbid symp- tom. It arises from exhaustion of the stomach and in- testines, for no increase of bodily weight accompanies it. The greater part of the nourishment taken passes out of the system without being digested. Such per- sons, whether adults or children, should have their meals at regular, short intervals, for they are unable to restrain their morbid eagerness for food. After a few days of strict diet they lose their appetite, a condition that must be accepted until a natural hunger takes its place and results in a normal increase in body weight. It is well known that many people suffer from hives and eczema after having eaten certain dishes, such as crawfish, strawberries, oysters, honey, tomatoes or cheese. For such people to refrain from partaking of this kind of food is the best protection against eczema. 108 BE HEALTHY As a rule such patients should avoid sharp and spicy dishes; especially desirable is a diet of fresh, good meat, not in very large quantity, alternating with days on which no meat at all is taken. It is imperative to avoid sharp cheese, such as Roquefort, mustard, sar- delles, mixed pickles and similar spicy dishes. Form VI is fine for patients suffering from scrofulosis. / and II B. For Tuberculous Patients. Patients who suffer from diseases of the lungs do not require food of different composition than is gener- ally recommended, provided their digestive organs are healthy. They must have albumen (medium fat beef, veal, lean pork, haddie, pickled herring, eggs, brick cheese, peas) and fat in sufficient, even abundant quan- tity. Warmed milk is recommended especially. Variety in food should prevail. This will be the best means of overcoming the dangerous lack of appetite, which muct be stimulated by delicacies and cleverly prepared dish- es given between meals, sandwiches, cold fowl, jellies, piquant cold meats. The single portions should be small but frequent. Good beer rich in malt (Bavarian and other dark beer), strong malt beer, sherry, malaga and other sweet wines, are all able to promote the appetite, unless the physician orders strict abstinence from al- cohol. In case of hemorrhage of the lungs, the physician will generally prescribe liquid food exclusively, and rr.s orders must be observed strictly. In such cases it is very advisable to take gelatine, which can be prepared in a variety of ways, or meat jellies. 109 DARE TO I and II C. For Syphilitic Patients. The diet for people affected wih syphilis does not vary from the one given under I and II A. for scrofu- lous patients. Just as in the case of scrofulosis, a rich diet has always been recommended for syphilis. (Form VI). In former times starvation-cures were applied in case of syphilis, based on the hypothesis that diseased humours in the body should be reduced. In view of the noxious effect which the disease exercises on the entire body, this method has been given up. In case of the hereditary syphilis of infants, the best possible diet for the mother must always be insisted upon. (Never less than Form VI and Dech-Manna Eubiogen, with each meal). If nursing by the mother is impossible, and since a wet-nurse cannot be subjected to the danger of contamination through the child, easily digestible substitutes for mother's milk should be selected; that is, not cow's milk, but other approved nutritive foods for infants. It will be most beneficial to add Dech- Manna Eubiogen Liquid to the child's food. / and II D. For Cancer Patients. Cachectic patients should not, as some authorities recommended in former times, be starved by poor diet in addition to the losses which they already suffer when afflicted with diseases, such as cancer. Except in case of cancer of the stomach and bowels, when I would recommend Form III and, with gradual improvement, an increase up to Form VI, the latter form of diet should always be prescribed in case of cancer. Special 110 BE HEALTHY instructions, as given above under the heading, I and II C, For Syphilitic Patients, should also be followed in these cases. Dech-M anna-Compositions: (Only main com- positions, specialties to Doctor's order). I. Anemia: Serogen, Eubiogen. I and II A. Scrofulosis: Serogen Lymp- hogen, Dermogen, Eubiogen. I and II B. Tuberculosis : Serogen, Lymp- hogen, Mucogen, Gelatinogen, Eubiogen. I and II C. Syphilis: Serogen, Lymphogen, Dermogen, Eubiogen. I and II D. Cancer: Serogen, Lymphogen, Eubiogen. Physical : I. Anemia. Breathing Exercises. I and II A. Scrofulosis: Partial Packs, Oxygenator baths, Radium and Salt whole baths. I and II B. Tuberculosis: Ablutions, Breathing Exercises. I and II C. Syphilis: Abdominal packs, Partial packs, Oxygenator, Radium and Salt half baths. I and II D. Cancer: Oxygenator, Radi- um and Salt whole baths. Ill DARE TO If. DEGENERATION OF THE LYMPH TISSUE. The lymph, the second life-giving fluid, is first drawn from the chyle, the milky juice, into which all food is manufactured in the stomach, and after having directly fed the nerves, enters the blood through the ductus thoracicus, and accompanies it in its circula- tion. According to its nature some degenera- tions of the lymph tissue are coincident with degenerations of the blood, and especially the serum, such as Scrofulosis, Tuberculosis, Syphilis and Cancer, while other degenera- tions of the lymph tissue coincide with de- generations of the lymph-fed nerve tissue and are consequently treated under that heading. III. DEGENERATION OF THE NERVE TISSUE. The nerves which form the very compli- cated system of gelatinous cords of various sizes which emanate from the brain and the spinal cord, send thousands of branches through the entire body. They communi- 112 BE HEALTHY cate the impressions from the outside to the brain and convey and transport its conscious or unconscious (instinctive) orders to the muscles of all organs. The nerves, as stated above, jire fed by the lymphatic system and are everywhere accompanied by blood-vessels, and the oxygenous blood in the latter conveys the oxygen to the nerve substance, which it burns, and thus causes the development of power to execute the various functions. Natur- ally the supply that replaces the burned nerve substance, must be adequate, and if for any reason whatsoever more nerve substance is utilized than the body is able to renew by the time it is needed, the nerve system becomes degenerated and numerous disturbances are the consequence. This is the great field for mental functions and disturbances, for moods and reactions on muscular tracts which in themselves are healthy, but are paralyzed ill their work through the defective function of the power-conveying wires. Again it is im- possible here to give more than this general description showing on what nervous diseases are based. The manifold manifestations of this degeneration were combined into groups according to the old system in which the 113 DARE TO Greek name of a system meant everything, its real explanation only little. The principal ways in which these degen- erations manifest themselves are pains, mental agony and derangement, temporary cessation of functions, cramps, involuntary movements and similar disturbances. The names general- ly applied to them are neuralgia and neuritis (pains in the nerves of a certain part of the body) ; neurasthenia (consisting mainly of the complete relaxation of tension in the nerv- ous system, causing sadness, inability for work, etc.) ; asthma (cramp-like cessation of certain functions of the small vessels of the lungs, alveoli, which prevents respiration) ; epilepsy (temporary cramp in the greater part of the body, causing loss of consciousness, in- voluntary movements of all limbs, etc.) ; St. Vitus's dance, a similar affection, mainly of children. While the complicated nature of the nerve diseases requires very careful treatment of great individual variety, the general rule is that the reenforcement of the nerves with the material of which they are built, together with regeneration of the blood, which, when in 114 BE HEALTHY normal condition prevents the disturbances mentioned above, will bring about a cure. Of course this is sometimes a slow process, es- pecially when, as in the case of epilepsy, the nervous disease is of a hereditary character, and the resistant power of the nerves is cor- respondingly weak. Therapy. Diet : If the entire nervous system is in a condition of pathological irritability, as in cases of neurasthenia and hysteria, it is the object of rational diet to keep all irritations from such a vibrating organism. To prescribe : "No coffee, no tea, no alcohol, no strong spices and no tobacco," will do no damage, and in most cases prove beneficial. Nothing is more absurd than the attempt to strengthen nervous people by the use of alcohol. If they are forbidden the use of alcohol en- tirely, it will very often be seen that some symptom, like headache, neuralgia, etc., was due to its use. When- ever the general conditions permit the continued use of alcohol to a certain extent, it must not be left to the patient's judgment to determine how far he may go, but definite quantities must be prescribed in each in- dividual case, although the patient's experience may be of assistance in determining said quantity. (Moritz). Good results have been obtained by limiting the meat diet of extremely nervous patients, and prescrib- 115 DARE TO ing for them a diet consisting principally of milk, eggs, cereals, vegetables and fruits. In this way the irritat- ing effect of many of the meat extracts is avoided, while at the same time the digestive work of the stom- ach, reduced by the limited meat diet, and the stimula- tion of stool, always promoted by a prevalence of vege- table elements in the diet, exercises a beneficial influ- ence on the condition of the patient. Disturbances in the stomach and intestines are very closely connected with neurasthenia and hysteria, in some cases being the cause, and in other cases, which occurs more frequently, the consequence of the same. Excessive, and more rarely, defective secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach cells, cramps, general atony of the stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, tympanites (excessive production of gases), may all arise from nervous causes. In such cases the diet must be the same as given for the nervous disease. Not only in these cases, but in most of the nervous diseases, a diet which does not produce irritation and lacks alcohol, will have to be prescribed. The danger of alcohol in cases of peripheric neuritis, epilepsy and mental diseases, is obvious. Epileptics, as other nervous patients, should re- ceive a diet that is mainly, but not exclusively, a vege- table diet, exclusive of all highly spiced food. The same principles govern in case of Basedow's disease, which is a special type of irritating diseases. Absolutely necessary foodstuffs to be recommended in this case are clams, sole and water cress, because they contain more organic iodine than any other known food- stuff. As iodine is the basic mineral of the thyroid 116 BE HEALTHY gland, and other preparations are poisonous or danger- ous, the necessity of partaking of these dishes becomes obvious, in addition to the fact that if properly prepared, they are delicious. A diet void of irritation is also most important for children who suffer from nervous conditions, such as St. Vitus's dance, involuntary urination during sleep, etc. Alcohol and alkaline and carbonated drinks must also be avoided in all nervous conditions that are com- bined with hyperemia of the brain, as meningitis, apo- plexia, tumors of the brain, etc., since they produce congestions. Special dietetic directions cannot be given for all of the innumerable varieties of the various other nerv- ous diseases. The general principle must always gov- ern, .that sufficient food is the natural foundation, not only for the self-healing tendencies of the organism, but also for every effective therapy. In special cases where neurasthenia and hysteria or nervous dyspepsia prevail, it will be necessary to apply a special diet to be. pre- scribed by the physician. DBCH-MANNA-COMPOSITIONS. (Only main compositions, specialties to Doctor's order.) Acute form, Neuralgia, Neuritis: Neurogen, Serogen, Eubiogen. Chronic form, Asthma, Epilepsy, St. Vitus's Dance: Neurogen Serogen, Lymphogen, Eubiogen. 117 DARE TO Physical: Acute form: Partial packs. Chronic form: Partial packs, Massage. # IV. DEGENERATION OF THE BONE TISSUE. Rickets, Osteomalacia and similar diseases. The skeleton, the solid structure of the osseous frame, is of the greatest importance to the maintenance of health. Its various diseases, such as deficient development of bones, osteomalacia (softening of the bones), flat foot, caries (molecular decay or death of bones), especially of the teeth, are based mostly on rachitis (rickets). Rachitis should be fought at the time the child develops in the mother's womb, by properly feeding the mother and preparing her to give the child, after its birth, healthy milk, with all the elements necessary for bone structure. Ra- chitis is principally lack of lime in the food, which causes parts of the bones to remain soft instead of becoming rigid. It is a con- stitutional, often hereditary, disease caused by poor nutrition and by influences of en- 118 BE HEALTHY vironment, such as marshy regions and hu- mid climate. The lack of lime in the food is often obvious -when children show a tend- ency to eat chalk, and even to scratch walls in order to eat the lime obtained therefrom. More solid food that gives work to the teeth and the digestive organs, is certainly advisable. The symptoms of rachitis become appar- ent at the pelvis and at the wide open soft parts of the skull, the unossified fontanelles. The cartilage in the wrists and ankles be- comes thick. Slow development of the teeth, swollen glands in the neck, inflammations in different parts of the body, cramps and convulsions, among others of the vocal cords, are further indications. In the pro- gressing development of the disease, the softened cartilage grows and protrudes everywhere, especially in the thorax, "ra- chitis rosary/' Crooked bones and hunch- backs develop. Therapy. Diet: Older children should receive chopped meat, eggs, zwieback or whole grain bread. Bouillon will sti- mulate their digestion. Uffelmann recommends t 119 DARE TO mixture of one part veal bouillon and two to three parts of milk, which the children like to take. It is unnecessary to feed calcium directly when a rachitic diet is observed. Sufficient is contained in the Dech-Manna-Diet, given principally in milk and as a rule also in the drinking water. Large quantities of amylaceous (starchy) food, candy, cakes, and other sweets, fruits, coarse vege- tables and potatoes must be avoided, since with children they are the cause of stomach trouble, re- sulting in decomposition and the formation of acids in the intestines. Breakfast: Milk and whole grain bread, or oatmeal porridge and fruit. Whole grain bread signifies any variety of bread made from flour containing the entire contents of the grain, the gluten as well as the bran; among these are Graham-bread, rye-bread, pilot-bread, Westphalian rye-bread (German pumper- nickel), and Rhenish black bread. Mid-morning Lunch : Raw carrots ; for small children and for those having poor teeth, oat flakes. Dinner: Every other day, legumes prepared in various ways, and fruit, vegetables or fresh greens; for example: ^ a) White beans boiled to the consistency of a thick soup with apples or potatoes; boiled whole and served with carrots, fresh beans, cabbage or cauliflower, or mixed with them; boiled to a thick consistency, sea- soned with pepper-grass or marjoram, and served with different vegetables; or browned like a vegetable cutlet with various fresh greens. 120 BE HEALTHY b) Fresh pea soup containing rice, barley, sweet corn or oatmeal ; a thick pea porridge with parsley, serv- ed with carrots, cabbage, white turnips, red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, or various fresh greens ; or simply browned. c) Dried pea soup with similar contents; porridge eaten with barley, sauerkraut, salted cucumbers, fresh greens, baked potatoes; or browned and eaten with any vegetables. d) Lentils boiled in soup with the same contents as the above, or with plums and apples ; boiled whole with plums and potatoes; in the form of a thick soup* or with vegetables ; as porridge, particularly with pota- toes and fresh greens ; browned with any vegetables. Care must be taken never to eat leguminous pro- ducts in large quantities, because their nutritious pro- perties are so high. Potatoes should be used whole when added to other vegetables, and not strained, be- cause they easily lose thereby their valuable sulphuric contents. Afternoon Lunch: Fruit and whole grain bread, or a glass of milk and bread. Supper: In summer, cold or warm porridge with fruit and fresh greens, and besides these millet, buck- wheat, oats, barley and Graham-bread, as especially ef- ficient bone material. Sweet or sour milk proves a rel- ishing addition. In winter, soup made of the above grains, or of potatoes not deprived of their mineral contents and unstrained; in addition a salad of root vegetables, beets, celery, fresh beans, potatoes, or a mixed salad. 121 DARE TO Dech-M anna-Compositions: Osseogen, Se- rogen, Cartilogen, Eubiogen. Physical: Gymnastics, Massage. V. DEGENERATION OF THE MUSCU- LAR TISSUE. Muscular Rheumatism, Sciatica, Infantile Paralysis, Atrophy, Amyloid Organs. The muscles, about 400 pairs, which must perform all the actual work of the body, re- quire good nourishment through the blood, which will rapidly replace the cells that are constantly used up, Muscular diseases are all caused by disturbances in the quality and cir- culation of the blood. Interruption in the pro- per circulation of the blood, stagnation etc., cause rheumatism with intense pains, and this can be removed only by restoring the undis- turbed circulation of the blood, carrying all substances requisite for the proper nutrition of the muscles. If the disease of the muscular tissue combines with a diseased condition of the accompanying nerves, we speak of Sciatica. Infantile paralysis, which often appears sud- denly, muscular atrophy, a disease that de- 122 BE HEALTHY velops slowly, progressive and chronic atrophy of the muscles, are also muscular diseases, combined with destruction of the accompany- ing nerve tissue. A special group of muscular diseases con- sists of amyloid (fatty) degeneration of vital muscle substance, as for instance of the heart, the kidneys, the liver. They are also caused by faulty composition of the blood, which does not feed these muscles with the right sub- stances, and thus causes them to degenerate by developing too much fat. The predisposi- tion for the disease is very often inherited. Amyloid degeneration is often combined with wasting diseases, such as atrophy, tuberculosis and dropsy. Therapy. Diet: Sufferers from gout must always be guided by the necessity of avoiding all food that contains large quantities of acid. In a general way it is also necessary to live moderately in every respect and to avoid all excesses. There are a number of dishes that are harmful to such patients. Among them are various meats, es- pecially dark roast meat, also game. In general, and especially in very severe cases, it is better to refrain 123 DARE TO from white meat also. Spleen, liver, kidney, sweet- bread, brains are absolutely prohibited, also sausage and smoked and canned meats, oily fish, especially eel, salmon, pike, and all smoked fish. The amount of meat eaten must not exceed 200 grams per clay. The following must also be avoided : all sharp cheeses, cab- bage, sauerkraut, pickled lentils and beans. Among vegetables the following are recommended : asparagus, celery, potatoes, topinambur, stachys; while the vegetables containing oxalic acid, such as spinach, sorrel, rhubarb and cress it is best to avoid. Butter is permitted in small quantities, also eggs. Sweet fari- nose dishes are unnecessary. Tea and coffee are allow- ed as beverages in very small amounts. The principal drinks, however, should be mineral waters, such as Vichy, Apollinaris, etc., which may be varied from time to time. It is heartily recommended that the patients eat much fruit. Breakfast: (a) In winter, tea made from the leaves of the haw, blackberry, or strawberry, Dr. Weil's Ger- man tea, cereal coffee, weak cocoa with bread and but- ter; (b) In summer, sour milk, fruit juices, or still bet- ter, fruit and bread; among fruits particularly straw- berries, currants, gooseberries, huckleberries, choke- cherries, grapes, apples. Mid-morning Lunch: Radishes mashed with apples, also a raw cucumber or tomato in the form of a salad. Dinner: No meat, no soup; fresh greens, fresh vegetables with potatoes, rice, macaroni, and a dish of corn, rice, grits, peas, beans, tomatoes or mushrooms. 124 BE HEALTHY In addition, light custard with fruit or sweetmeats with fruit. Afternoon Lunch: Fruit only. Supper: Fresh lettuce, with macaroni, baked pota- toes, pancakes, custard; or radishes with cream and potatoes, custard, mild cheese and leeks. Exclusive fruit dietaries, comprising strawberries, currants, choke-cherries and grapes, are effective in pre- venting eruptions on the skin and removing their ef- fects. From one to three-quarters of a pound of fruit should be eaten at a meal, either with a little bread or with sour milk, and at dinner as a desert. In win- ter, from three to seven lemons a day serve the same purpose. The juice is used without sugar and with as little water as possible, never with the meal, but a little before or after, or in the morning on an empty stomach. Only fresh lemons should be used for this purpose, not the prepared lemon juice which is so generally sold in the market. Tomatoes may be eaten in the same way. In mild cases of gout and rheumatism some crisp lean meat and fish may be eaten, but even then not every day. A diet without meat has a better curative effect upon the disease. Alcohol is to be shunned as totally inadmissible. The wines which contain no alcohol must serve as substi- tutes. Special Diet: For Diseases of the Heart and Inactive Kidneys. Patients, who are afflicted with any kind of heart or kidney diseases, must be very careful never to overload the stomach. They should eat small meals, at frequent intervals, and avoid irritating food, especially milk; the 125 DARE TO amount of liquids and milk must be determined by the physician. A moderate amount of salt only is allowed, and if the physician so prescribes, a diet containing little salt, or lacking it altogether, must be observed. In case of acute inflammation of the kidneys, meat is absolutely prohibited; the best diet is an exclusive milk-diet, consisting of at least 1 to \ l / 2 quarts fresh milk, and in certain cases warmed milk, taken by the spoonful and cooled with ice, the quantity to be in- creased, if necessary, to 3 and 4 quarts per day. In- stead of milk, buttermilk, sour mi)k, kefir, koumiss or yoghurt may be taken. Beef broths are strictly prohibited. In their place slimy soups of oats, barley, sago, tapioca, rice, grit, may be taken; furthermore leguminose soups, made from the preparations of the firms Knorr, Liebig, Maggi, and others. 1 to 2 spoonfuls of these preparations are put into a cupful of water, some salt is added, if not pro- hibited by the physician and the mixture is then boiled. A more varied diet is allowed in lighter forms of the disease, such as milk dishes, mashed potatoes, pre- served apples or pears, rolls and butter, bread, cream, cream cheese, farinaceous dishes, eggs and green vege- tables, meat according to the orders of the physician. Spices and alcohol must be strictly avoided. In cases of chronic kidney diseases, greater variety should be observed in the diet. In any event, however, a certain quantity of milk should be taken daily, not less than 1 quart per day. The following food is to be limited: All game, including birds, sausages and smoked meat, sweet- bread, brains, liver, spleen, crawfish, lobster, rich 126 BE HEALTHY cheese, especially Roquefort, Parmesan, Camembert, all sharp spices, such as pepper, paprika, mustard, cinna- mon, garlic, onions; among vegetables such as radishes, horseradish, celery, asparagus, mushrooms, tomatoes, sorrel, fenugreek; furthermore, all meat extracts, pi- quant sauces and soup spices. As mentioned above, no alcohol should be served on the table of a patient with kidney disease. The excep- tions must be prescribed by the physician. The same applies to all new wines and beef soups. The following dishes are permitted : Among meats, white meat (about 200 grams per day, preferably it noon). This comprises domestic fowl, fresh pork, lamb and veal, also beef, especially boiled beef. As variety from time to time, mutton and fresh fish. The preferable way to prepare dishes for patients suffering from kidney diseases, is to boil them; the next best way is to steam them, and the third and least desirable way is roasting. Heartily recommended : calfs feet and pig's feet, calf s head, especially in the form of jellies and pickled, if so ordered by the physician, without salt. Occasion- ally raw beef may be given, but without sharp spices. Fish : Trout, pike, carp ; Saltwater fish : haddock and cod-fish, boiled blue; also frogs' legs. Eggs are permitted, soft boiled, 2 to 3 per day. Vegetables : With exception of the vegetables men- tioned above, they are very commendable, especially po- tatoes, green peas, white and yellow turnips, red beets, cauliflower, lentils, beans, the latter particularly, mash- ed; also salad with cream and very little mild vinegar or lemon juice. 127 DARE TO Fats, such as cream, butter, rich cheese, olive oil, may be given if they agree with the patient; bacon is not so good. Bread, white as well as black, and especially Graham bread, may be eaten without restrictions. As drinks : mineral water with lemon or orange juice added. Raspberry juice is permitted but currant and gooseberry juice must be avoided on account of the substances contained in them irritating to the kid- neys. Fruit juices free from alcohol (apple cider) may be given. Diet without salt : In some cases the physician finds it necessary to prescribe a diet without salt, for the patient suffering from kidney diseases. For such a patient the best dishes are slimy soups, milk and farina- ceous dishes, bread and eggs. Every morning on rising, a glass of fruit juice or some fruit. At supper: Salad of cresses or celery, or a mixed salad, radishes, asparagus, squash and cucumbers. When the urinary flow is very scanty, supper may consist of a cup of celery soup, cucumber water or asparagus brcth ; in winter, haw tea. A few suggestions for dinner, omitting meat entire- ly: Dumplings with cabbage salad, red cabbage or Ba- varian cabbage; sliced oatmeal cake with fruit. — Cu- cumbers with eggs and potato bread, rolled griddle cakes and fruit. — Cabbage with rice and butter, griddle cakes with fresh greens. Squash with lemon, potatoes, toasted beans, fruit. — Red cabbage with macaroni, potato fritters, with fruit. — 128 BE HEALTHY Dumplings and pears, lettuce. — White turnips with cream and potatoes, buckwheat groats, fruit. — Pea soup with sweet corn, squash and rice with fruit. — Lentils and potatoes, salad of celery or beets, fruit. — Asparagus with drawn butter and parsley sauce and bread dump- lings, oat groats with fruit. — Cauliflower with macaroni, buckwheat groats and milk. — Cabbage with browned po- tatoes, oatmeal cake with fruit. For Irritable Kidneys {Inflammation, Suppuration, Contraction, etc.), and Diseases of the Bladder. For patients suffering from these diseases all spiced and sharp dishes are prohibited, especially dishes with much pepper and mustard, also mixed pickles, preserves containing vinegar, salads unless seasoned with lemon juice instead of vinegar; furthermore, dishes which pro- duce gas, such as dishes made from yeast. Fruits are permitted only in small quantities, avoiding absolutely gooseberries and preserves made from the same. Pre- serves from other fruits, such as apples and cherries, are permitted in smaller quantities. As drinks, the mineral waters which are recommend- ed for people suffering from gout, are advisable here also. Kidney stones require a mixed diet, preferably vege- tables, fat and carbo-hydrates, very little meat, no sweet- bread, kidneys, brains, liver or spleen; meat, if taken at all, must be boiled. Not permitted: game, pickled fish, piquant sauces, beef broth. Dispense with meat, celery, radishes, pears, cucumbers, even asparagus in large amounts. Eat 129 DARE TO eggs only sparingly. In place of these foods make up a diet of milk preparations, rice, grits, oats, millet, buckwheat. Currant juice and wild cherries, apple sauce, diluted lemon juice, are all of great benefit. Soups made from squash, cucumbers or celery, haw tea, buttermilk and sour milk, mild cheese, or porridge and fruit are excellent supper dishes. For Liver Diseases. In general, fatty substances should be eliminated as much as possible from the nourishment in the case of liver diseases, jaundice and gall stones. To be recom- mended are light farinaceous dishes with milk, vege- tables, fruit and all easily digestible foods. Meat must be taken only in very small quantities, according to the advice of the physician, and with very little fat. Spices and alcohel are prohibited. Pastry and rich foods must be avoided. In case of jaundice the patient should re- ceive liquid food only during the first few days, con- sisting of soups, light tea, carbonated waters; later, milk, the yolks of eggs, zwieback and light milk dishes. Patients suffering from gall stones may receive the same diet as prescribed for those suffering from liver diseases, generally speaking. In case of liver diseases it is necessary to adhere very strictly to the prescrip- tions of the physician, since they are due to various reasons, and only the physician can give the proper in- dividual directions, after having determined the cause. Every morning on rising, a glass of unsweetened lemonade, or a wineglass of currant wine or grape juice, or some acid fruit. — The same on retiring at night. — For a second breakfast, four or six radishes, or a tablespoonful of grated radish, or a teaspoonful of 130 BE HEALTHY horseradish mixed with apple sauce, eaten with a little bread and butter. — The same for supper. The following are a few suggestions for dinner without meat: Cabbage, potato porridge, gooseberries with egg and milk sauce. — Lentils with potatoes and fresh green's, cresses or lettuce, fruit. — Carrots and fresh peas or pea porridge, with wild cherries. — Savoy cabbage with rice and tomato sauce, fruit with millet cakes. — Leeks with potatoes, macaroni and plums. — Young green beans with dried white beans and apples or other fruit, beets with cream, rolled dumplings, fruits. — White cabbage with macaroni, chopped apples or sour milk. Dech-Manna Compositions: (Only main com- positions, specialties to the Doctor's order.) Rheumatism: Muscogen, Serogen, Eubiogen. Sciatica: Muscogen, Serogen, Eubiogen. Amyloid heart: Muscogen, Serogen, Eubio- gen. Amyloid kidney or liver: Muscogen, Sero- gen, Mucogen, Eubiogen. Physical: Rheumatism: Partial packs, either vinegar and water or radium and salts. Massage, if necessary, and special oxygen- ator baths, and radium and salt baths. Sciatica: Leg packs, oxygenator baths, half radium and salt baths. 131 DARE TO Amyloid heart, kidney or liver: Abdominal packs, gymnastics, oxygenator baths, whole radium and salt baths. VI. DEGENERATION OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE TISSUE. Catarrh in acute and chronic forms, bron- chitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, inflammation of nose, throat, bowels, stomach, bladder. Decomposition of mucous membrane, hem- orrhoids, polyps, benign tumors, also Bright's disease in its first stages. Catarrhal diseases are among the most fre- quent in various degrees, owing to the very tender nature of the mucous membranes. They are characterized as destructions of the pro- tective membranes which cover the serous layer of the organs, in which layer the lymph circulates. The numerous ends of blood-ves- sels and nerves which are thus exposed to at- tack, and the spreading of the disease to heal- thy tissues which thus become affected in the same way make the various catarrhal troubles with their frequent excretions of all 132 BE HEALTHY sorts, particularly unpleasant. All degenera- tions of the mucous membrane, however, are based on deficiencies in blood circulation and composition. A cure is perfected through the restoration of the serous layer to normal con- dition, and the regeneration of the blood and perfect circulation. These various catarrhs affect all parts that are covered with mucous membranes, among them the sexual organs of women (leukorr- hoea, fluor albus), which, if not properly treated, constitute the basis for all sorts of polyps, tumors, etc., and in many cases con- tinued attacks form the predisposition to can- cer. The lymphatic system is the carrier of all germs to the various mucous membranes, and promotes the spreading of catarrh to ail parts of the body, from the sexual organs. Among the more serious and dangerous forms of acute diseases of this class which, when lacking proper treatment, develop into chronic diseases, are the catarrhal affections of the lungs and bronchia, grippe, influenza, catarrh of t*he intestines, the bladder, the hem- orrhoids and Bright's (kidney) disease. The latter especially is among the most dangerous diseases, and is considered incurable by the 133 DARE TO adherents of the old medical school, while the discovery that it is essentially the same as other catarrhal diseases, has established the possibility of complete cure, -which we have effected in many cases, even neglected cases of long standing. The many varieties of symptoms, all of which are finally reduced to the proper treat- ment of the mucous membranes, make it im- possible to give, in this brief synopsis, more details concerning the diseases of this import- ant group. They will be found, together with the modern explanation of the developments of serious diseases from apparently unim- portant catarrhal affections, in the very com- plete and extensive descriptions of this group in Chapter X, Section 6, of my work, "Dare To Be Healthy." Therapy. Diet: a.) Catarrh in all its acute forms. In these cases the diet is almost identical with the fever diet, as given in Forms II, III and IV. b.) Catarrh in all its chronic forms. Diet same as above, but apply Forms IV, V, VI. c.) Hemorrhoids, Polyps, Adenoids, Benign Tumors or Fungus Growths. 134 , BE HEALTHY There are no special prescriptions for these, regard- ing diet, except that easily digestible food must be eat- en. Mashed vegetables and fruit should prevail. The indigestible tissues, as skin, sinews and gristle, should be removed from the meat. No gas-producing dish- es, such as sauerkraut, cabbage, turnips or beans, ougnt to be taken. Throat and Larynx Diseases. To avoid irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and larynx, all sharp and spicy dishes and drinks are prohibited. In case of fever among the dishes that are particu- larly recommended, are slimy decoctions, not too hot, slimy soups, creams, milk, steamed fruit, fruit soups and sauces, minced white meat, roast or smothered hashed fish and meat without sharp spices. Dech-M anna-Compositions: (Only main compo- sitions, specialties to the Doctor's order). In general : Mucogen. Bronchitis, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Inflamma- tion of nose, throat, bozvels, stomach, blad- der, also benign growths in all chronic forms: Mucogen, Serogen, Gelatinogen, Eubiogen. Bright' s disease: (See special paragraph). Physical : Bronchitis pleurisy: Ablutions with vine- gar and water; partial packs or ablu- tions with vinegar and water; shoulder packs. 135 DARE TO Pneumonia: Shoulder packs. Inflammation of nose, throat etc.: Partial packs or radium and salt three-quarter packs. Inflammation of bowels, stomach and blad- der: Warm abdominal packs in addi- tion to the above. Catarrh in chronic forms: Cold abdominal packs, massage. Decomposition of mucous membrane : Ab- dominal packs, partial packs, with vine- gar and water, or salt and radium em- anation, oxygenator and other baths, in case especially prescribed. VII. DEGENERATION OF TOOTH AND EYE TISSUES. It has been mentioned above that the some- what unusual method of classifying the eyes and the teeth together in one group of diseas- es, is based on the biological, chemical discov- ery that the lenses of the eyes, as well as the enamel of the teeth, contain fluoric acid, other- wise contained only in very small quantities in the enamel of the finger- and toe-nails. While the diseases of the eyes as well as of 136 BE HEALTHY the teeth would require another lengthy des- cription, for which the space is lacking, it may be sufficient to mention in this connection, that the best way of preserving the health of the teeth and the eyes is to keep them scrupu- lously clean. This purely hygienic method, especially regarding the teeth, will prevent them from becoming carious (decayed). In all cases where the trouble in the eyes con- cerns the lens, as well as when there is a gen- eral disposition for caries in the teeth, the treatment given below will produce the desir- ed curative and preventive effect: Therapy. Diet: Since most of the diseases of the teeth and eyes are only of secondary nature and consequences of other diseases, such as Bright's disease, diabetes, etc., the diet will have to be applied in accordance with the main disease, as described hereinafter. In the treat- ment of both, rye bread, which contains large quanti- ties of fluoric acid, is highly recommended. Dech'Manna-C compositions \ Teeth : Dento-Oph- thogen, Serogen, Osseogen, Eubiogen. Eyes: Dento-Ophthogen, Serogen, Gelatin- ogen, Eubiogen. 137 DARE TO Physical: All physical directions according to the main diseases of which the tooth and eye diseases, in special cases, are but sec- ondary or accompanying diseases. VIII. DEGENERATION OF THE HAIR TISSUE. The hair is a tissue by itself. It is connect- ed with the rest of the body and nourished by the blood, as are all the other tissues of the body. During the thousands of years that men have been on earth it has lost much of its importance as a means of covering the body and keeping warm, but even in its reduced capacity it is a good and true indicator of cer- tain deficiencies in the blood and in the func- tions of the body. Its principal disease mani- fests itself in its loss, the shrinking of the little ball at its end, by means of which it is fastened in the skin. Since hair is a signifi- cant item of beauty, the change in its color and its loss are the most prominent manifesta- tions of the fact of approaching age. The vast majority of people do not accept this fact very kindly, and so the hair more than any- 138 BE HEALTHY thing else has been the victim of the activi- ties of fakirs. Its loss can be prevented to a great extent, and its quality kept in healthy condition, if it is treated in the proper hygien- ic-dietetic manner. Therapy. Diet: Diet in case of hair diseases calls for a com- bination of food containing lime, silica and gelatine. It must be selected from a list of dishes that possess these special nourishing qualities. Dech-M anna-Compositions: Capillogen, Serogen, Gelatinogen, Eubiogen. Physical: No special directions required. IX. DEGENERATION OF THE SKIN TISSUE. According to our conception of the human body as a unit, it is not difficult to understand that the skin does not form a separate organ, but that it is the uppermost layer of the body, nourished from within. By means of more than 2,500,000 small openings in the skin, call- ed the pores, communication is established be- tween the outside world and the interior of 139 DARE TO the body. This produces a permanent ex- change of matter, and thus the skin is, in fact, a second system of respiration of the greatest importance. Naturally it is subject to all trau- matic attacks through its exposed position on the human body. However, as stated before, traumatic affections cannot be discussed in this pamphlet. We want to give but a brief idea about the constitutional diseases of the skin which, like all others, originate in defi- cient blood. Often they are only secondary, and indications of various, more complicated, diseases. In a few cases they affect the skin alone, but are nevertheless constitutional, especially in such cases that could not exist at all, were the disposition not established con- stitutionally. There is hardly another department of medicine where the "quack" reaps so big a harvest as in the treatment of skin diseases. The concealment of symptoms becomes the rule, the removal of causes is invariably neg- lected. Many skin diseases, being the result of sexual infections, are allowed to develop because prudery and other motives prevent the early detection of the cause of the disease, and hence its quick and sure healing. 140 BE HEALTHY It is easy and natural for every one to notice the skin and see when there is anything wrong with it. Upon such a discovery one should immediately consult the hygienic-die- tetic physician, and follow his advice closely, since skin diseases are among the most obstin- ate to overcome. The physician will be able to determine whether there is real constitu- tional trouble or merely a superficial skin disease. Thus the underlying evil can be cor- rectly treated, in combination witli such spe- cialties as the skin tissue requires. Every skin disease must be treated from the inside, so as to destroy the disposition and even the chance for development. In view of the large field and the great importance of this group, it will be advisable for every one to read the many pages that have been devoted to this special subject in my work, "Dare To Be Healthy/' Chapter X, Section 9. 4r Therapy. Diet: The general rule of abstaining from peppery and spicy food should govern all patients suffering from skin diseases. Special attention is to be given to a 141 DARE TO diet consisting of good, fresh meat, not too rich; it should be alternated with days on which no meat is eaten. Strong cheese (Roquefort), mustard, sar- delles, mixed pickles must be avoided. See also re- marks on Scrofulosis under I A. Dech-Manna-Compositions : Dermogen, Sero- gen, Gelatinogen, Eubiogen. Physical: Partial packs, either vinegar and water, or salt and radium. Special packs by order of the Doctor. X. DEGENERATION OF THE GEL AT I- GEN O US TISSUE. Another group of organs of vast import- ance is the one which consists of gelatigenous tissue. In fact all blood and lymphatic ves- sels, air alveoli of the lungs, tendons and cords of the whole system, the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, the stomach, the bladder, and indeed every organ or tissue which has the function of expansion and con- traction, must be made of gelatigenous (rub- ber-like) tissue. Otherwise it cannot perform its duties in the organism and must needs be- come degenerated. 142 BE HEALTHY While there are not many special diseases of the gelatigenous tissue in itself, many dis- eased conditions occur in connection with its degeneration. This in turn is caused by the lack of gelatigenous food, which the blood must convey to this tissue wherever it exists in the body. It is obvious that each one of the numerous diseases which may affect the intestinal duct, the bladder and all other organs which con- tain gelatine in addition to their other tissues, will require the means wherewith to regener- ate the gelatine before they can be considered cured. The principal forms of disease which will affect the organs in question are the ones which have been discussed under catarrhal diseases (Section VI). The acute and chronic forms of the stomach and intestinal diseases, especially, belong to this group, and have con- sequently here been given special attention and consideration. Here again the treatment of this most important question in my work, "Dare To Be Healthy/' Chapter X A and B, will answer, in the most extensive and detailed manner, the needs of those who desire more enlightenment on this most vital and interest- ing topic. 143 DARE TO Therapy. Diet: These diseases include all catarrhal diseases mentioned under VI A, also all inflammatory condi- tions of the stomach and intestines, in their acute form. As far as the acute forms are concerned in reference to inflammatory diseases, the suitable lists of diet are found under Forms II, III, IV, V and VI. Regarding the same diseases in the chronic form, the special diet lists are given under Forms IV, V and VI. In addition the following suggestions will be helpful : Diseases of the Stomach and Intestines. These prescriptions on diet serve for all internal diseases, especially and mostly for the diseases of the stomach and intestines, since they are in the closest connection with the work of the stomach, and so to speak, depend upon it. There are so very few people among those who supervise the food for a patient, who realize the dangers of erroneous diet. In most cases they do not possess a prescription for the rational pre- paration of food, such as only the hygienic physician is able to give. Food for persons suffering from diseases of the stomach, must be selected individually according to their idiosyncrasies against certain dishes. In one case the stomach must be prevented from doing too much work; in another case it must be stimulated. In one case its object must be to fatten; in another, to remove fat. In some cases the physician prescribes food which will retard movement of the bowels, in other instances, the patient requires food that will promote such movement. The diet for patients with fever must 144 BE HEALTHY be different from the diet for convalescing patients. People suffering from diabetes require a peculiar pre- paration of their food. Not everything that is good for an adult will be beneficial to a child. The digestibility of many dishes depends upon their preparation. The question of market prices cannot be considered, since they are so extremely different in different places. The value of food for patients can be judged rightly from but one standpoint, that of digestibility. The fundamental principles govering the nourish- ment for patients are digestibility, great variety, abol- ishment of all strong spices, nutritive and well selected material, the use of good ingredients only, pure but- ter, knowledge of quality. The temperature of drinks must be in strict ac- cordance with the prescription of the physician. The patient must be urged to masticate his food well, so that it will receive plenty of saliva in the mouth, and thus facilitate digestion. People who are very ill, should receive their food in the form of mush, so that they can partake of it more easily. All waste parts, such as skin, fat, sinews, bones, must be removed from the food, even for convalescents. Warmed up food and fibrous vegetables must be banished from the patient's table by all means. It must not be a question as to what the patient wants; the prescription of the physi cian only must govern. The patient's food, prepared carefully, absolutely correctly and in a cleanly manner is often superior in effect to any medicine. In case of strong thirst, great care must be exercised in regard to drinks, depending on the physician's directions. The thirsty feeling of the patient may be alleviated by put- 145 DARE TO ting some glycerine on his lips and small pieces of ice on his tongue, without, however, permitting him to swallow the water as the ice melts. Normal Diet for Stomach Diseases. Milk, sweet and sour, buttermilk, yoghurt, kefir, al- bumen cacao, cereals in the form of mush, strained legu- mens, cooked in soup or milk, all sorts of slimy soups, farinose dishes prepared from stale rolls, biscuits, zwie- back, tender and easily digestible meats, mashed game meat, raw beef, ham, young vegetables, preserved fruit, meat jelly, cooked young fowl. Avoid the following: all indigestible fats, meat which inquires more than 4 to 5 hours for its diges- tion, hot s£fcds, gas-producing vegetables, gravy, mush- es, spices, fi'jits which abound in cellulose, such as apricots and peaches, hard stems, xylocarp ribs of leaves, the strong spelling and sharp tasting parts of some kinds of vegetables, as for instance, new potatoes, cabbage, (in the cooking of which the first water mus; be poured off), hot soups aud spicy herbs, spices of all kinds, game with strong taste, sausages, bacon, yeast pastry, drinks which are either tou hot or too cold, strong coffee (in the place of which fruit coffee is recommended), stale raisins and almonrij, nuts, too much candy, much liquid while eating, and excitement of all kinds while eating. General Hints for a nourishing treatment. The patient who is to gain in flesh must adhere strictly to the prescribed diet as well as to the prescrib- ed rest if the treatment is to take effect. The following articles are very nourishing: yolks oi eggs prepared in any style, milk, cream, kefir, rich 146 BE HEALTHY cheese, beef marrow on toast (cooked in soup), all kinds of noodles and dumplings, puddings, cocoa and chocolate, white bread, rich thick soups, gravy, dishes from oats prepared in various ways, potato dishes, sweet beer, Bavarian, malt beer, sweet wines and pud- dings with preserved fruits, fruit juices, meat obtained from well-fed animals only. All meals must be served in small portions, so as not to create disgust for food. 7 A. M. — 250 grams of fresh, boiled, unskimmed milk, or J4 m'^art cocoa prepared with milk or Knorr's oat-cocoa, or y& quart cream with some tea added, one roll, butter and honey. 9 A. M. — 1 cup bouillon, 20 grams hot or cold roast meat, 30 grams Graham or gluten bread, 10 grams but- ter. Then ;4 cmart milk, butter and Graham bread. 11 A. M. — J4 quart milk with the yolk of one Qgg. 1 P. M. — ICO grams soup (oat, barley, vegetable soup), green corn, sago soup, 100 grams potatoes, 1 00 grams tender vegetables, such as spinach, mashed peas, mashed carrots, mashed artichokes, asparagus tips strained, 20 grams easily digestible rice, 50 gi?T>i<; pre- served fruit; or, no soup, but instead meat, vegetables, apple sauce, dishes made from milk or flour, such a* noodles, fruit, % quart cream. 4 P. M. — Light tea or milk, with malt or cocoa add- ed, two crackers, y 2 quart milk. 6 P. M. — 20 grams meat (hot or cold roast meat), raw meat or 10 grams Graham bread, 10 grams butter, milk chocolate, Graham bread, butter, honey. 8 P. M. — 1 cup soup with 10 grams butter and one yolk, barley, oats, etc., eggs or meat, vegetables, preserv- ed fruits, Graham bread, butter, mild cream cheese. 147 DARE TO 9:30 P. M.—% quart milk, with a spoonful of malt extract, y% quart cream. As a second breakfast, for a lean patient, the fol- lowing drink is recommended : To a cup of unskim- med hot milk add one yolk and one spoonful of pure bee-honey. This must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach for several weeks. In case of Constipation. If constipation is due to nervousness or sluggish- ness of the bowels, the best means to overcome the trouble is mixed coarse food, using various mineral waters, and little meat, but plenty of vegetables, especial- ly sauerkraut, cabbage, topinambur, comfrey. caulifower, pumpkin, tomatoes, cucumbers, various salads and fruits, jellies. Among beverages: sour milk, buttermilk, kefir No. I and II, yoghurt, various new wines, fruit juices, different mineral waters, such as Apollinaris, Karlsbad waters, Hunyady; coarse bread, such as Graham, avoid- ing- fine white bread. In extremely chronic cases use my Laxagen Tea in case of emergency. Dech-Manna-Compositions : Gelatinogen, Sero- gen, Mucogen, Eubiogen. Physical: Abdominal packs, with vinegar and water. Acute — warm. Chronic— cold. 148 BE HEALTHY XL DEGENERATION OF THE CAR- TILAGINOUS TISSUE: Cartilage in the human body is the materi- al which must cover the end of each bone so as to prevent its destruction by friction. It is the important part in all joints- It is obvious that any degeneration of this particular tissue will cause friction, which is combined with severe pains, called Ankylosis, Gout. The degeneration is usually a consequence of improper porportion of the various food- stuffs consumed, omitting the material neces- sary for the construction of the cartilage, that is being used constantly, and hence is used up rapidly. Regeneration of the blood, by assist- ing it in its important task of feeding the car- tilaginous tissues, and regulation of the diet are the only two possible remedies for this group of diseases, which are of such frequent occurrence, and the alleged cure for which drives thousands of people to bathing resorts, where they do not derive the slightest real benefit. The form of gout called arthritis (deform- ing gout), is the most intense and dangerous degree of this group of diseases. 149 DARE TO Therapy. Diet: The diet is exactly the same as stated for rheumatism and gout under V, Degeneration of the Muscular Tissue. (See pages 123, 124, 125.) Dech-Manna-Compositions : Cartilogen, Serogen, Gelatinogen, Eubiogen. Physical: Partial packs, salt and radium, mas- sage, oxygenator bath, half bath radium and salt. In case of arthritis, also special packs according to the directions of the Doctor. It is impossible to give a diet for arthritic patients, because this disease is so extremely individual. The determination of a diet in detail depends somewhat on the means of the patient. XII. DEGENERATION OF THE BODY TISSUE IN GENERAL. By "body tissue in general" we understand the body with the total sum of its cells and their various aggregations. Consequently a special composition of nutritive salts, under the name of Eubiogen, has been composed, -which is the most perfect duplication of all ISO BE ' HEALTHY the chemical elements of the entire body in the correct proportion. Eubiogen, therefore, is prescribed as a secondary Dech-Manna- Composition, to be taken with all other com- positions. But it also acts independently as the best means of preventing degeneration, and in this capacity should not be missing from the table for adults as well as for chil- dren. The expense thus incurred would be saved many times over through its prevention of disease. Eubiogen takes a leading position in refer- ence to the following group of complicated diseases, in the treatment of which it becomes the most important factor among the nutritive compositions. Ataxia, Basedow's Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Bright's Disease, Arterio-Sclerosis, are the names of the dis- eases which belong to this class- I am per- fectly willing to explain to patients, this cura- tive method and the reasons for its applica- tion. But these complicated diseases, while based on the same degenerations of blood, and consequently of the tissues and organs, as all others, offer images which, from the point of view of the conscientious physician, cannot be presented with a few words of explanation. 151 DARE TO Nor does the space of this pamphlet permit me to go into the matter with due thoroughness. All of these diseases have been described in my work "Dare To Be Healthy. ,, The pa- tient reader of this pamphlet will readily come to the conclusion that he who has found the key with which to cure the degenerations con- stituting various diseases, must not and will not shrink before their complications. Ataxia, Basedow's Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Bright' s Disease and Arterio-Sclerosis, can be cured. They can be cured by the same methods of which simpler examples have been given in this pamphlet. No one, who in the struggle for health has succumbed to the attack of these con- stitutional diseases, the germ for which may have been planted in him by his forefathers, needs despair. Let him come and receive advice, as so many have done before him, and the chances are that in due time he will have regained his health, and will be able to fulfil his task and pro- create healthy progeny. 4r 152 BE HEALTHY CHILDREN'S DISEASES. We cannot deny that, taken as a whole, our race has been degenerating during recent years. There are not enough children, and there are above all, not enough normal, healthy children. Youth of exuberant strength, who delighted in revelling in nature and returned strengthened to an early sleep, have disappear- ed before the degenerated young men fond of alcohol and cigarette smoking, who spend their time with women whom money can buy. The lusty, redcheeked maiden, chaste and pure, with healthv blood, fine figure and swelling breast, has disappeared, and in her place we see caricatures of half masculine, foolishly ^corated and painted women, which nowadays represent the high type. What will become of the generation procreated by such as these? Will we never again have mothers who will let their children drink health and vigor from their breasts, rear them in sensible and natural surroundings and keep them heal- thy with the assistance of the good old house physician who never uses poison, but cures through prevention? 153 DARE TO We have devised a way of preventing dis- ease and curing it in a natural way, with means that regenerate and invigorate the blood, and it is victoriously fighting its way to general recognition. In time we may be able to make so-called "inevitable" children's dis- eases a matter of the past, and to raise a gen- eration in which the sins of the forefathers are extinct, so that new and healthy offspring will be the result. But until such time, until the final victory of the biological-hygienic system for the prevention of disease, we are able to cope with the still existing conditions, and to heal, if proper attention is paid to our teachings. Diet for Children in General. For the infant child, as well as for its mother, it is best when it is nursed by the mother. The infant should receive the breast every three hours approximately, and no food should be given during the night, in order to make the feeding regular and avoid intestinal catarrh through over-feeding. A certain diet is necessary for a nursing mother. Hot spices and dishes producing much gas, must be avoided. Tight clothes that cause degeneration of the mammary glands, are 154 BE HEALTHY prohibited. If the mother is unable to nurse the child, and a wet-nurse cannot be afforded, the child must be fed artificially, and this requires painstaking care and attention. The main factor is to secure good cow's milk, which is most like human milk. Milk from cows that are kept in dairies, should not be used, for these animals constantly live in dark cellars or stables that lack fresh air, and this is very detrimental to the milk. All milk should be heated carefully, thereby approx- imating the temperature of the mother's milk be- fore it is fed to the infant. The nursing bot- tle and the rubber caps must be kept scrup- ulously clean. The milk should be shaken thor- oughly before being used in order to make a per- fect intermixture of the milk and cream, and is warmed to blood temperature at from 86° to 98.6°. The newly born infant is not able to digest un- diluted miik, and therefore must receive: 1st to 5th day: 1 part milk to three parts water. 5th to 30th day: 1 part milk to two parts water. 30th to 60th day: Half milk, half water. 3rd to 8th month: 1 part milk, one-half part water. Or: 1st to 3rd month, every 2 hours; 1 part milk, two parts water, with the addition of 2 table- spoonfuls milk sugar to 1 or 1^ quarts milk. 4th to 5th month, every 3 hours: 1 part milk, 1 part water. 155 DARE TO 6th to 9th month: 2 parts milk, 1 part water. Thereafter pure milk, with the addition of very little sugar, or some mush made of oatmeal or something similar. Among the preparations that are best known are Knorr's and Nestle's. Not until the first teeth have made their appearance, should one begin to give thin grit soup, a few soft boiled eggs, and a little more solid food. In- fants fed artificially must receive food frequently. Later on, still maintaining the milk diet, light- milk and milk and flour dishes, vegetables and tender, hashed meat may be given. Infants and even older children should, under no circumstan- ces, receive various delicacies, highly seasoned and greasy dishes, sausages and alcohol. Strong tea and coffee are poison to the nervous system of children. In case of intestinal diseases milk must be substituted with decoctions of cereal flour. Fur- thermore, Dech-Manna chocolate and malt-choco- late, boiled in milk, are recommended. Diet for School Children. The appetite of children increases with their growth and their years, and is always a sign of good health. Much exercise in the open air is of the greatest and most valuable benefit to child- ren. It is not, however, immaterial how children are fed. The theory that children should receive whatever is served on the family table, may be 156 BE HEALTHY correct from the standpoint of discipline, but it may bring about trouble if the food that is offered does not agree with the stomach of the child. Food for children should be light and dis- play variety. It is not correct to believe that what is eaten with aversion, has a healthy effect, and by forcing children to eat food against which their natural instinct rebels, parents have often seri- ously injured their children. In general, soup, vegetables, farinaceous dishes or a little meat and fruit is sufficient for the prin- cipal meal. In the morning a cup of milk, cocoa or weak coffee (fruit or malt), with a piece of bread; for anemic children, butter and bread and honey. Prepared in various forms, plenty of milk and farinaceous dishes, rice, grit, oats, barley, cornmeal, fruit dishes and cooked fruit should be eaten, which all children like and which are su- perior in their effects, since they are so easily digested. Pure water with a little fruit-juice added occasionally; in the afternoon weak tea with milk, fruit coffee, cocoa, malt chocolate; in the summer time, cold sweet or sour milk; these should be the drinks for growing children. Bread and butter with a little marmalade is always wel- come. When fruit is in season, some fresh fruit and dry bread is sufficient in the afternoon; the supper should be simple, warm or cold, but without much high seasoning; potatoes with but- ter, soft boiled eggs, bread and ham, good cold roast, soup or some well prepared farinaceous dish one hour before bed-time. Food should not 157 DARE TO be served very hot, should be well masticated and eaten with little to drink during the meal. It is better to take a glass of water before the meal. Alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited, since they produce nervous irritation and make study much harder. Game, when not too strong and without spice, is good for growing children. Dishes prepared from internal organs, such as liver, kidneys and brains, are usually repugnant to children, and should be avoided. - Smothered vegetables are preferable to those cooked with flour. Salads for children should not be highly seasoned, but should be prepared with butter, cream and lemon juice, in which form they are of great nutritive value. Avoid delicacies and mayonnaise dressing. Ice cream is the delight of most children. Permit small quantities and with crisp pastry only, so as to avoid catarrh of the stomach. Children should have one or two meals between the regular meals. Greatest variety should prevail at dinner and supper, and the fa- vorite dishes of the various children should be served from time to time. Taste and appetite are the means by which the intestinal organs express what they consider most suitable for the system. That which tastes good not only influences the health of the body, but also the mental condition of the child. Pro- per food, ample time for play and much fresh air will make the physician's visit a rare necessity. However, if a child becomes ill, medical advice should be obtained immediately and followed strictly, thus avoiding many sad experiences. 158 BE HEALTHY FEVER AND ITS TREATMENT BASED ON BIOLOGY. Nearly all children's diseases are combin- ed with fever, and even without any of the characteristic symptoms of the various dis- eases, children are often subject to more or less intense attacks of fever. Therefore, in the following pages we are giving an extens- ive description of fever from a biological standpoint, together "with its dietetic treat- ment, not cure, for as will be seen, fever in itself is not a disease, but the attempt of nature to get rid of a disease. This description will also serve as a very valuable illustration of the way in which all subjects mentioned in my work, "Dare to Be Healthy," are treated. 4* General Description. Fever is one of the protective institutions of the body, which very often acts most ad- vantageously in the interests of the preserva- tion of the organism. It is a symptom, or rather a group of symptoms, consisting in 159 DARE TO an increase of temperature, acceleration of metabolism, excitement of the nerves, numb- ness and frequently delirium. Undoubtedly a fever of longer duration and high tempera- ture may injure the body to the extent that death ensues. There have been, however, gt all times, believers in the supposition that this disturbance does not hurt the organism under all circumstances and by itself. Fever has at all times been regarded and to a much higher degree today than formerly, as a healthy re- action against diseased matter, as an ex- pression of the healing tendency of nature. Hippocrates considered it an excellent reme- dy. Thomas Campanello recognized its quali- ties of removing diseased matter. This doctrine is corroborated by the findings in re- gard to infections. Through fever the organ- ism is freed from micro-organisms which have forced their way in. Fever operates like fire, destroying the contagious matter. After this is done the remnants are excreted through in- tense and offensive smelling perspiration. Experiments have taught us, that the growth and the resisting power of many microbes de- crease if the temperature of the body rises * but 1.8 to 3.6 degrees above normal. It is also 160 BE HEALTHY a remarkable fact that in every disease where bacteria are found, there is a special type of fever, which takes its course in such strict accordance with the law, that the physician is thereby able to determine the nature of the disease. While the degree of temperature is decis- ive in regard to the conditions of life for the micro-organisms, the height of temperature in itself does not offer a standard for the gravity of danger. It is the duty of the phy- sician to fight fever, since the patient may die with a high temperature as well as with a low one. To decide this question it is neces- sary to regard fever, not as a disease, but as what it really is in essence; a symptom which accompanies the greatest variety of process- es of diseases, a symptom of the most variable significance in various cases. It must be fought like other symptoms, such as vomiting, coughing, pains and diarrhoea, in a general way, whenever it is not a manifestation of the healing tendency of the organism. In decreas- ing the fever, we moderate the excitement of the nerves, remove the numbness, secure calm- ness, refreshment and sleep, and defend against threatening manifestations of disease. 161 DARE TO Very often there is no intention of treating the fever, but the disease which causes the fever. We must consequently not be guided by the thermometer but by the condition of the nervous system. Two conditions must be observed in treat- ing fever according to the rules of biology. In the first place, the treatment of febrile diseases must not be carried on in accordance with general principles, but individually, ac- cording to the nature of the disease and each different case. In the second place, it is necessary that the antipyretic treatment, to reduce the fever, should not be foreign to the organism and should not be such as is not measurable in degrees as to its effects, or has any unpleasant accompanying effects. Only the biological system of healing answers these demands. Only physical forces, adequate to the human organism, measured according to biological laws, may influence vital occur- rences with the hope of success and without the danger of unfavorable accompanying ef- fects. Only physical remedies and treatments allow the use of adequate gradations which will answer the power of reaction of the organ- ism. In the appropriate application of cer- 162 BE HEALTHY tain influences of nature, especially in the di- versified application of water, we possess a mode of procedure, assisted by an appropriate dietetic regime, which, adapted to the prin- ciples of the biological method of healing, to the conditions of life of the healthy and the diseased man, offers advantages, which no other treatment offers, and benefits the pa- tient to an extent which cannot be valued too highly. In treating fever we must, in the first place, follow the impulses of our instinct. We must, however, harmonize them with the fundamental laws of the biological method of treatment, if we want to do the right thing. Instinctively a hot forehead requires the ap- plication of cold compresses, cold feet the use of such procedures as will bring about heat. Tormenting thirst is appeased by a mouthful of cooling water. But the impulse of instinct would also induce the extremely hot, feverish persons to dip into cooling water, so, in order to find the right thing, we must consult the fundamental laws of the biological system of healing. 163 DARE TO Treatment. Having- made the reader acquainted with these biological explanations of what fever is, it may be interesting to give an extensive de- scription and explanation of a treatment in case of fever such as it should be in general. For those who want to know, it will be an indication and enable them to start the fever treatment in the right way with the most simple means, until the hygienic physician arrives- I again want to call special attention to the importance of not forgetting the main point, i. e., to individualize, and not to cling literally to each and every rule. Of all hygienic treatments of fever, which I have followed for many years, there is none more clearly, simply and intelligibly described than that which Dr. C. Sturm has published in his book, "Die naturliche Heilmethode," ("The Natural Method of Healing.") I will, therefore, in my ex- planations follow his German text, translated, and add to it, in parenthesis, my advanced methods of treatment, especially the hydropathic and diet- etic treatment, which answer the demands of mo- dern biological therapy more fully. In the first place, as stated above, fever is in- dicated by an abnormally hot skin. This heat is noticed even when only touching the patient's skin 164 BE HEALTHY with the palm of the hand. A precise measure- ment of the heat of course requires a thermometer, the best one being a so-called maximum thermo- meter. The temparature is taken by putting the lower end of the glass into the arm-pit or in the mouth or the rectum of the patient, and leaving it there for from 8 to 10 minutes, when the increase in temperature can be read. The temperature of the skin, however, is not the only indication of fever. We notice at the same time a lively action of the pulse up to 120 beats and even more per minute; furthermore, in- creased thirst and, as indication of very intense affection, extreme exhaustion and feebleness. The increased excretion becomes manifest, as stated be- fore, through dark and strongly smelling urine and, especially at the time when the fever begins to break, through intense perspiration. Especially in the beginning of fever the change between chills and abnormal heat is very charac- teristic; in frequent cases, especially of severe diseases, it begins with shivers. The patient sud- denly feels a very intense chill, so that he begins to shake all over, his teeth chatter and he grasps whatever he can obtain to get warm. Immediately thereafter an intense increase of temperature oc- curs, and the patient begins to complain of great heat. In other cases patients state that they are feeling very cold, while their skin is very warm. In higher degrees of temperature, the fever may lead to loss of consciousness. The patient 165 DARE TO becomes delirious, loses control of urine and stool, and shows all signs of extreme collapse. Fever, as I have indicated above, being a re- volution, a state of excitement, is so different as to cause, kind and degree in its character that it cannot be judged according to a fixed rule. Of course we may read the degree of temperature of a patient from the thermometer. But the real na- ture of the fever we do not learn, before consi- dering the patient's constitution, his inborn fa- culties and the strength which his various organs have attained. For this we must take into consi- deration not only the body, but also the strength of the senses and the mind, because these moments are of the greatest importance in determining the "tenacity," i. e., the power of resistance of the patient. From this point of view we will understand that people having a calm and phlegmatic tempe- rament, will not attain high degrees of fever, ex- cept in case of very serious complications, while nervous people may quickly reach very consider- able degrees of temperature. Children and young- er people are more inclined to high fever, since their organs have not yet matured. We can con- sequently understand why simple inflammations, which do not spread over larger sections of the body, or frequent indigestion, which in itself does not have the character of a dangerous illness, will take their course in the case of children "under the gravest symptoms." So that we will have to judge severe symptoms of fever entirely differently 166 BE HEALTHY if manifested by people of calm temperament, than when manifested by people of nervous tempera- ment. Unfortunately fever has heretofore been treated according to fixed, set rules. As soon as the tem- perature of a patient rose from 98.6° and 99.5° to 100.4°, it was stated that there was fever, and pre- parations were made to treat it, which treatment became more energetic the higher the fever rose to 105.8° and 107.6°. It was said that under all circumstances the temperature had to be lowered to normal. This idea is decidedly wrong and most dangerous for the patient. For, while a calm and phlegmatic patient may stand this strong reduction of excitement in his internal organs, which in fact require it, the procedure necessary to bring it about as a rule exceeds what the nervous person can endure. The fever should not be reduced more than the patient can stand; according to his strength, otherwise extreme irri- tation must follow, such as has caused the death of hundreds of thousands. It is better, therefore, to leave a nervous patient in his fever and strengthen him by various devices, so that he can overcome the fever, and later on he may need and consequently be able to stand stronger measures. (For this purpose I recommend simple ablutions, in some cases also the application of abdominal packs for half an hour, using two-thirds water and one-third vinegar. In addition, the natural vigor of the patient is to be strengthened by making him drink, at intervals from half an hour to two hours, 167 DARE TO alternately Dechmann's Serogen and Dechmann'S Tonogen.) The procedure must be in proportion to the strength of the patient. Thus the quiet, energetic man can endure energetic packs ; his nature in fact requires them. His body may be completely packed or at least three- quarters, by placing the dry and wet sheets around his entire body except his arms, while the woolen blanket is either wrapped around the whole body, in- cluding the arms, or, like the other two, leaves the patient free to move his arms, which are then only covered by the bed-clothes. A patient of this kind may also be treated with ablutions or put into a half bath at 75 degrees, while cooler water is poured over him. Young, strong people have endured even cooler baths as powerful stimulants. The more a patient approaches a nervous, weak condition, the more caution is required to allow him lukewarm baths only, or, still better, ablutions at 77 degrees, which may be made severer by not drying the patient. It is very beneficial to weak patients to fre- quently wash their hands, face and neck, without dry- ing them. A very careful treatment of the hair is also a great necessity, especially for women. Clean and well combed hair is very beneficial to a patient. Slight ablutions of the head and combing the hair while wet, are very cooling and refreshing. The stronger the nature of a patient, the easier on© can rely on a single procedure. Thus, cold packs may be sufficient in case of high fever if applied about every half hour or hour, or, if the fever is not quite so high, at intervals from one hour and a half to two 168 BE HEALTHY hours. With weaker persons more variety of proce- dure is imperative, but none of them must be applied very energetically. In these cases mild ablutions should be used several times during the day, and they may be alternated with packs of the whole lower part of the body or packs on the calves of the legs. Cool or cold enemas are rapidly absorbed and thus have a quieting influence on the large blood reservoir in the abdomen. Little mouthfuls of water are also taken from time to time, but too much water always weakens the patient. Diet in Case of Fever. As diet in case of fever I recommend the prescrip- tions of Professor Moritz, University of Berlin, which are identical with my experiences, as far as a fever diet is concerned, and in addition the psysiological- chemical cell-food which I have used for many years with the greatest success (Dech-Manna Diet). Its im- portance is so great because it does not only prevent the destruction of the cells, but has a strengthening effect in general. Entering into the physiological field which, however, as a rule is subject to the supervision of the physician, the field of dieteties among the diseases in the section of the digestive organs, we will first look upon one group, the febrile diseases. Whatever differences in manifestations the febrile diseases may show, the febrile reduction of the digestive capacity of the stomach and the bowels is so characteristic, that I consider it appro- priate for the purpose of this work to mention it in connection with the diseases of the digestive system. 169 DARE TO True, fever also shows considerable disturbance of metabolism, since the decomposition of the albumen is increased in an abnormal way. This fact, however, docs not require any particular attention, in regard to diet. As far as is possible, we also during fever exercise an economizing effect on the decomposition of the al- bumen of the body through the introduction of all kinds of food that produce energy, so that it is not neces- sary to give preference to any one particular kind of food. The injury to digestion during fever comprises not only the peptic functions, which manifest themselves clearly in a reduction of the excretion of hydrochloric acid, but in functions pertaining thereto, the motory as well as the resorptive. The danger that the patient will get too much solid food that is hard to digest, is in general not very great during acute fever, since the patient shows a decided lack of appetite. The other extreme is more likely to occur, that the amount of nutrition given the patient is less than what is required and helpful, because too much consideration is bestowed upon the feelings of the patient. Formerly the general belief prevailed that fever would be increased in a detrimental way by in- troducing too much food into the body of the patient, and following this doctrine, the patient was permitted to go hungry. This, however, is absolutely erroneous. No one will feed a feverish person in a forcible way, but it is absolutely imperative to take care that he re- ceives food productive of energy in reasonable quanti- ties. 170 BE HEALTHY As a rule hardly one-half, or at the most two- thirds of the normal quantity of nurture necessary for the preservation of life, may be introduced into the or- ganism in case of acute febrile disease. We have in- dicated above that there is no particular danger in such partial "inanition'' (starvation) for a short period, but that, accordingly, the qualitative side of nurture becomes more important the longer the fever lasts, it has also been mentioned that the organism reduces its work of decomposition, gradually adapting itself to the unfavorable conditions of nurture, and thus meets our efforts to maintain its material equilibrium. It is important always to make use of any periods of remission and intermission, during which the patient has a better appetite and can digest more easily, to give him a good supply of food. It is also well to give as much nourishing food as possible to a patient in the beginning of an illness, which is likely to last a consid- erable time, as long as the patient is not yet totally under the effects of the febrile disease. The nurture must then be gradually reduced in the course of the illness. As to quality, the diet will have to be selected from forms II and III, and will consequently consist of slimy soups, in some cases with the addition of a nutri- tive preparation or Qgg, meat jelly, milk and possibly thin mush and milk. The quantity of food which the patient may receive can only be given approximately, i. e., adults in case of a sustaining diet: soup l / 2 pint, milk and milk mush 1-3 pint, meat 3 oz., farinaceous food the same, 2 eggs, potatoes, vegetables, fruit sauces 2 to 2 l / 2 oz., pastry and bread 2 oz. These quantities 171 DARE TO must be considered as the maximum for each portion. The quantity of beverages at each meal must also be very moderate, not exceeding 3 to 6 oz., so that the con- tents of the stomach are not diluted too much, and ihe stomach is not overburdened unnecessarily. The reduced meals are harmonized with the object of sufficient general nurture by eating more frequently, about 5 to 6 times a day. Patients with fever should have some food in small quantity every 2 to 3 hours. It is important to fix the time when the patient should have food. He will feel best if this course is followed, and nursing will be made easier. As a rule fever is accompanied by an increased thirst, which may be satisfied without hesitation. It is unnecessary, if not detrimental, to torment patients who already have an increased excretion of water through the fever heat, by letting them suffer from thirst. Since the mucous membrane of the digestive channel is usual- ly not very sensitive to weak chemical food irritations, the cooling drinks which contain fruit acids, such as fruit juices and lemonades, are as a rule permissible. Fruit soups may also be given. Of course it is different if an acute catarrh of the stomach or of the bowels is combined with the fever. In such cases fruit acids must be avoided. Still, it is not necessary to resist the desire of the patient to obtain whatever he has to take, at a low temperature. Even ice cream, vanilla or fruit water ice may be used in moderate quantity. It may be mentioned in this connection that it can also be pre- pared with meat juice, in the following way: I pound of meat juice (Valentine's, Armour's or Liebig's) is mixed with y 2 pound or less of sugar; 2-3 172 BE HEALTHY oz. of lemon juice from the fruit is added; furthermore, 2-3 oz. of brandy, containing extract of vanilla, and 3 yolks are well stirred and the mixture is put into a freezer. This quantity will furnish four portions. Warning against cold drinks is necessary only in case of disease of the respiratory organs when the cold drink would cause coughing. The use of dietetic stimulants such as Dechmann's Tonogen, Eubicgen and Serogen, is the same in these cases as has been mentioned in several places previously, As soon as the patient has made sufficient progress, he may receive more solid food. The salivary diges- tion being improved, we may now allow several more solid dishes of rice and grit, cooked partly in milk, partly in water and eaten with fruit juices. We may also give several green vegetables, like spinach, cauli- flower, asparagus, com f rev, etc. With additional increase in his strength, fresh fish, well prepared, is especially refreshing to a patient with light fever. As to mental diet, in case of severe fever, I recom- mend absolute internal and external rest for the patient; not much talking, no noise, no visits, no dis- turbance of the patient. In the interior of his system nature has to accomplish such an enormous task that it must receive complete quiet. Just as he who has seri- ous thoughts needs quiet in his surroundings, so that he can devote all his attention to his thoughts, likewise the patient who suffers from fever must devote all his attention to his interior exclusively. Whatever dis- turbance occurs always has a detrimental effect, and in some cases may cost the life of the patient. 173 DARE TO SOME CHILDREN'S DISEASES. Summer Complaint: (Cholera infantum). This disease, which causes the death of so many infants, is due to the bringing up of in- fants with artificial food instead of on the mother's breast. It is one of the negative dis- eases caused by diminished vitality. The dis- ease is similar to Asiatic cholera. An exten- sive description of the same is given in Chap- ter XI A of my book, "Dare To Be Healthy/' Frequent vomiting and diarrhoea, with rapid collapse of all vitality, and severe brain dis- turbances manifest themselves, and death fre- quently occurs after 36 hours. During spells of hot weather bacterial germs, impregnating the air, frequently enter the milk, and many children succumb to the disease at the same time, until wind and rain improve the general conditions. Therapy. Diet : The mother's breast or the breast of a healthy wetnurse is the very best remedy for this complaint, if applied at an early stage. If this is impossible, a soup of barley, oats or mucilaginous rice-water, a decoction of salep (1 teaspoonful to l / 2 quart of water), or rice water (1 teaspoonful of crushed toasted rice to \% quart water) are recommended. The missing nutri- tive substance is best supplied by calcareous earth (cal- cium carbonate), giving J4 teaspoonful in a tablespoon- 174 BE HEALTHY ful of sweetened water every 3 to 4 hours, for a day or two. It is the simplest, yet most wonderful remedy ever discovered. It is in cases like this that physio- logical chemistry celebrates its victory. Try it and you will be convinced. For more vigorous means the physician must be consulted, as he should be in any case of this kind, and that as quickly as possible. Physical: Sponging the entire body of the child with lukewarm vinegar and water, using one-half vinegar and one-half water, may prove very successful- Warm packs around the abdomen and extending down to the soles of the feet, often prove very effective. The abdomen must be kept warm. So-called Positive Children's Diseases. The most advanced research has divulged the fact that a number of children's diseases are due to rapid increase in vitality, and they are consequently termed "positive children's diseases." Among them are Scarlet fever, Measles, German measles, Chicken- pox, Typhoid fever, Diphtheria. All of these diseases begin with fever, and need to be treated in accordance with the a- bove general descriptions for fever. The various distinguishing symptoms are enu- 175 DARE TO meratcd in my book, "Dare To Be Healthy." In all cases of feverish attacks the hygienic- dietetic physician should be given the oppor- tunity of seeing the child as soon as possible, and thus determining the actual nature of the illness. In treating children suffering from these positive diseases, great care must be exercised to guard against stimulating elements, such as sunlight, and it is advisable to hang red curtains at the windows. Much fresh air is needed in the sick-room. The Contagious Character of Children's Diseases. In strict adherence to the biological stand- point, it is recommended that a child be sep- arated from the other children in the house as soon as it becomes ill, and if it is not con- venient to send the other children away to be taken care of by friends, they must at least be excluded from the sick-chamber. Each one of these diseases develops some sort of bacil- lus in its first appearance, and this leaves the body and may fall on receptive soil in the body of another child. Since all the children in one family live in the same environment and receive practically the same nourishment, 176 BE HEALTHY and are of the same parentage, the presump- tion prevails that each one of them is equally susceptible to the disease with which one of the children has been affected. It is, there- fore, advisable to apply preventive and pro- tective means to them all, by applying ab- dominal packs and giving them serogen, which will strengthen the white corpuscles of the blood in their fight against possibly intrud- ing bacilli; also some Dechmann's Tonogen, in order to give the red corpuscles and the heart the power to endure the greater efforts which the demand for increased vitality will necessitate. The application of these meas- ures will in many cases entirely prevent a real attack of the disease, and if not, will at least make it easier to master the same. The golden rule : Keep the head cool, the feet warm and the bowels open; that is the golden rule to be followed in the treatment of all children's diseases. All means that are applied must have but the one object, that of making the condition of the blood as good as possible, so that it will be in a fluid form and circulate readily, richly supplied with all the necessary up-building substances This, 177 DARE TO and not the use of antitoxins, will guarantee a speedy return to normal conditions. Diet: The importance of the diet in all of these diseases has been indicated on several occasions. Its application is treated extensively under the fever diet; exceptions to be determined by the physician. Dech-Manna-Compositions : The composi- tions to be used in case of children's diseases will, as indicated above, consist mainly of Serogen and Tonogen. Small doses of Eubio- gen will be of great advantage in promoting the general condition of the patient. These three compositions should always be available in a family where there are children, as their application will prove very beneficial in any case, even before the arrival of the physician. Physical: The correct application of ab- lutions of vinegar and water, of partial and other packs and various baths, must be left to the prescription of the physician, depend- ing on the nature of the individual case, and the effect on the patient, with the exception of the abdominal pack. This should always be applied immediately: cold in positive, and warm in negative diseases. An illustration to show the manner in which my book, "Dare To Be Healthy," treats 178 BE HEALTHY subjects of general interest, and, by divulging the scientific nature of diseases, also indi- cates the method of preventing, and in case they occur nevertheless, of curing the same, is given in the following article on one of the most dreaded and dangerous diseases, not only confined to children. DIPHTHERIA. From the biological standpoint. The real nature of diphtheria is based on the elim- ination of fibrin from the lymph and the blood. This elimination of fibrin is due to the lack of sufficient sodium in the blood, necessary to prevent the coagula- tion of the blood, for these salts possess the quality of again dissolving and liquefying fibrinous clots then have been eliminated. At a time when artificial fer- tilization by means of potash, phosphoric acid and ni- trogen was still unknown, an adequate quantity of soda" and sulphate of soda was taken up by the vegetables that are used by us as food, and by the herbs that are used as fodder for cattle, but since the advent of ar- tificial fertilization, this is no longer the case. Hence, even cow's milk is no longer of the consistency so beneficial to health, and that accounts for the fact that the victims of diphtheria have been so numerous dur- ing the last decades. The dissolving and liquefying power of soda can easily be demonstrated, by treating 179 DARE TO blood-stains en soiled clothes with soda (carbonate of soda) ; the latter dissolves the coagulated blood. Or, it may be proven by heating the curd of milk, that is, the coagulated portion of the milk, with water in which soda has been dissolved; the curds will be dissolved in the water. It is also a familiar fact that the addition of bicarbonate of soda prevents the coagulation of milk. Not only carbonate of soda, but also sulphate of soda possesses the specific characteristic of again dis- solving coagulated blood-fibrin. But 50 years ago the application of sulphate of soda in all kinds of so-called inflammatory conditions (inflammation of the lungs, pleurisy, brain-fever, etc.) was in vogue quite universal- ly, and was very reliable in its action, for the very rea- son that it again dissolved and liquefied the coagulated blood-clots in the capillary vessels, which is the real cause underlying conditions of inflammation. The pro- cess is a simple one when we reflect that a cold will cause even the finest blood-vessels to contract, so that in them the circulation of the blood is retarded cor- respondingly. However, new arterial blood is continually flowing into these blood-vessels, and so, when the detrimental effect of a cold (as during a sharp east wind), continues for some time, the consequence must necessarily be stagnation of the blood (stasis). But stagnant blood within the arteries is subject to the process of coagula- tion in the same manner as other stagnant blood, that is, blood that is taken from the arteries. Since organic substance is constantly moving and changing, the result of the process of coagulation is chemical decomposition. During this decomposition 180 BE HEALTHY ammonia is liberated from the blood, and this exerts a paralyzing influence on the functions of the nerves. A simultaneous physical accompanying phenomenon of this chemical decomposition is the appearance of in- creased heat (fever heat), for during the separation of the albuminates the amount of heat liberated is the same as the quantity that was chemically utilized in building up plants, and which was supplied by the heat of the sun. (This simple, correct physical explanation for the appearance of fever-heat has not yet become generally known). Now, when there was a noticeable increase in the temperature of the body, it was not only designated as fever heat, but figuratively as "inflammatory con- ditions. " And it was just in cases of this kind that sulphate of soda proved so very efficient. A weak so- lution of it was taken up by the lymphatic vessels and carried into the blood, and thus coming into contact with the eliminated fibrinous clots, it could again lique- fy or dissolve them, with the result that the blood could again circulate freely. Because of this quality the sulphate of soda was named Glauber's miraculous salt, in honor of Glauber, the first physician who prescribed and applied it. But even in medical science fashion holds sway. Sulphate of soda (Glauber's salt) has long since gone out of fashion. There are many physicians who do not even know that it possesses the power of dissolving fibrin ; they think of it only as a laxative. . The fact that it does act as such is closely con* nected with its application, in concentrated solution. According to physical laws the weaker salt solution is always drawn towards the stronger one. Thus, if a strong solution of Glauber's salt is introduced into the 181 DARE TO intestines, the blood and lymph serum containing the weaker salt, is drawn towards the intestinal canal, and since the strong solution cannot be absorbed by the chyle vessels of the intestines, in accordance with the physical law mentioned above, the intestinal canal rids itself of the solution of Glauber's salt. At the same time it is of course accompanied by the contents of the intestinal canal, and in many cases this is a very good thing, for the digestive canal is thus unburdened of accumulated masses of excrement. The result is that it is no longer necessary for the blood to tarry in the me- senteric arteries to aid the digestion, and can partici- pate in the general circulation. Now, if we bear in mind that the blood albumen is principally a calcareous earth — soda — sulphur albuminate and that normal blood-serum, in addition to such soda that is combined with organic acids, presents twice as much sulphuric as phosphoric salt, we can easily under- stand that the blood and lymph albumen will coagulate much more quickly if the quantity of soda and sulphur- ic salt contained in it has decreased to such an extent that it can not keep the blood fibrin in a liquid state. And now we notice that children that are apparently well fed, since they eat meat freely, easily fall victims to diphtheria, while children that are seemingly insuf- ficiently fed, as they eat plenty of potatoes and vege- tables, remain immune against diphtheria. After what has been said above, we can easily ex- plain this by calling attention to the fact that meat is principally made of phosphate of potash. The insignif- icant amount of sulphates contained in meat is but 1-70 to 1-80 of the phosphates, while healthy blood, as has 182 BE HEALTHY already been stated, must contain twice as many sul- phates as phosphates. In contrast to this, the propor- tion of these salts as found in vegetables that grow on mountainous soil, is far more propitious. For instance : potatoes contain 6 parts of sulphates to 16 parts of phos- phates; turnips present the ratio of 7 to 11; carrots, 5 to 11; celery 10 to 22; spinach 14 to 16; radishes 3 to 5; cole 11 to 27; cauliflower 10 to 16; cabbage 24 to 14; and horse-radish even 49 to 20. A diet that consists principally of milk and bread paves the way for the specific diphtheritic elimination of fibrin. For the proportion of salts contained in milk is just as unfavorable as in meat (1:80.) So that unless the milk comes from Alpine cows, it can hardly be considered as sufficiently nourishing for the first year of the child's life, during which time the surplus of phosphates benefits the growth of the brain and the spinal cord, together with the bones. And as far as bread is concerned, wheat flour pre- sents the same unfavorable conditions as meat and milk. But flour from oats and barley is somewhat better, as both varieties of grain contain about 5 times as much sulphates as are contained in wheat. Rye contains only 2 times as much as wheat. So there was an important reason why prepared barley flour was formerly u c ed to prevent scrofula, and as the old Germans manu- factured beer from barley malt, we can easily believe that the cultivation of barley was preferred to that of wheat, and barley bread was as well liked in Germany as in the Orient. (When the thousands were fed by the founder of religion, it is barley bread that is being mentioned in the Bible.) 183 DARE TO The prevention of diphtheria is best accomplished by giving children barley and oatmeal in the form of gruel or any other desirable form, and plenty of fresh vegetables. This will improve the composition of the blood and provide them with the resistant power neces- sary for the prevention of diphtheria. As to the method of curing diphtheria, a composi- tion should be used, consisting of various salts corre- sponding to the contents of blood-serum, which is the name used to designate blood water. This is the most natural and nourishing serum there is'. Of this mix- ture 6 grams should be used for children, and 8 grams for adults. This amount should be dissolved in a quart of water, and then every half hour or hour the child should receive from a quarter to a wineglassful, de- pending on its age, until normal health is again re- stored. This salt solution should be kept on hand in every home, and as soon as a child shows a little dis- inclination to take food or participate in the usual play, or it has a little chill or fever, it should drink some of the salt solution, and not wait until a physician has to be summoned to diagnose the case. This composi- tion is called Serogen. Always bear in mind that when a person suffers from chills it is a proof that somewhere in the capillary system the circulation of the blood is suffering from stagnation. It is necessary to counteract this stagna- tion at its very first appearance, just as it is possible to quench a fire when it first breaks out, while it may be impossible to overcome it after it has once reached the roof. For a long time it has, alas, been the custom to adopt the latter course in medical science. People 184 BE HEALTHY waited to see whether the disorder was going to mani- fest itself in the form of gastric fever or inflammation of the lungs or brain fever; then they referred to the doctor book in order to ascertain what "science" had prescribed for such cases. As to the well-known membranous formation in the throat in a case of diphtheria, it must be regarded merely as an isolated visible symptom; in reality the elimination of fibrin, when once begun, effects the en- tire system of lymphatic and blood-vessels. This will also explain the subsequent conditions of paralysjs, which can be traced to a decrease in the supply of arterial blood to the terminations of the nerves. As was stated above, the stagnant blood liberates ammonia and this paralyzes the function of the nerves. The salts dissolve the fibrin and at the same time have an electrifying effect. Acids also possess the lat- ter quality, so that if the body of a patient in the first stages of diphtheria, is washed with vinegar, the danger will be warded off. Vinegar neutralizes the ammonia, which is also liberated in the tissues of the skin when there is stagnation in the lymph or blood- serum, and the electrifying effect of vinegar, in accord- ance with the law that electricity endeavors to travel as far as possible, is transferred from the remotest nerves in the skin to the finest nerve terminals that are active in the inner serous membranes. For the exterior and interior skin, having proceeded from the self-same layer of the embryonal blastoderm, form one connective whole. Decided results have been obtained from the use of officinal chlorine water (aqua chlorata), diluted with 185 DARE TO four times the amount of water, and administered every quarter of an hour, the dose being one-half spoonful (a porcelain spcon to be used in place of a silver one, as the silver produces chloride of silver and renders the chlorine ineffective.) Hydrogen peroxide, diluted with water in the proportion of 1 to 4, is equally effec- tive, the dose being a porcelain spoonful every quarter hour until the trouble is removed. Lime water (aqua calcis), for painting the ulcers : n the throat and also used internally, counteracts the further decomposition of the albumen, and therefore is applied as an antiseptic or disinfectant. Acetic ammoniac also has the effect of an antiseptic. Even a few doses of a half teaspoonful of acetic am- monia, given to the patient every quarter of an hour, have a very beneficial effect upon the circulation of the blood, as can be discerned by the appearance of a warm perspiration. Even more remarkable in its effect is the use of my Tonogen, which is a formic, acetic, magnetic oxide of iron, the dose being a small teaspoonful to one glass of water, with three teaspoonfuls of sugar, this form- ing a very refreshing drink. It acts as an antiseptic, and at the same time is electrifying, because of its con- tents of magnetic iron. Where this preparation has been adopted as a family drink, the children remain protected against diphtheria if they receive a glass of same twice a week. This Tonogen has even proven itself a life-saver in exceed- ingly serious cases of diphtheria, and this fact has re- ceived frequent mention, particularly in medical peri- odicals. 186 BE HEALTHY ENDEMIC AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES. Among the most dreaded evils of mankind are the co-called endemic and epidemic dis- eases, such as cholera, yellow fever, small-pox, typhus, pellagra (hook-worm), plague. People living in accordance with hygienic-dietetic rules, as given in my books, will seldom be in danger of attack by these diseases, although under certain peculiar conditions of environ- ment or atmosphere they may be developed. In such cases the services of a physician should be secured immediately. Any readers who are interested in the nature of these dis- eases, will find the most detailed and interest- ing description, from a biological standpoint, in my book, "Dare To Be Healthy." Exact knowledge of the nature of these diseases will considerably minimize the fear entertained regarding them. It will there be learned that a sensible and reasonable mode of living re- moves all danger of succumbing to the chemic- al and physical influences, which constitute the real nature of these blood-decomposing diseases. 187 DARE TO DISEASES OF THE SEX. Sterility and Impotence and how to cure same. Through this final chapter of this brief synopsis of the hygienic-dietetic method of treatment, we do not wish to present to our readers another abstract on certain diseases, the seat of which is located in the sexual or- gans. So we will not treat sexual diseases of men, such as gonorrhoea, or of women, such as the various forms of catarrh, leukorrhoed, tumors, etc-, nor what is usually termed the venereal disease of syphilis, the real nature of which has been discussed among the blood diseases of more or less hereditary character. In the following lines we wish to treat a sub- ject, which though not strictly classified among diseases, is very often felt even more keenly, since it prevents the human being from performing the task assigned to it by nature, that of reproducing itself and pro- pagating the human race by means of healthy, happy progeny. A great philosopher has stated that hunger and love are the elements around which life centers. He might even have reduced this 188 BE HEALTHY statement to love alone, since hunger is only a means by which nature compels us to pro- long our existence; not for our own sake, but for her purpose. Her purpose, however, is but the continued reproduction of all liv- ing beings; and love is the means to accomp- lish this purpose. Whatever mental ac- complishments be ours, they do not let us get away from this ultimate purpose of nature. It is not sensual pleasure alone, it is a great num- ber of other climaxes in the feeling of happi- ness which refer to that process of continuing our own life in our progeny. The strong de- sire to have children, the happiness of the mother, notwithstanding the enormous amount of care and physical pain they cause her, the happiness and hopefulness of the father, who, notwithstanding the frequent disappoint- ments, always sees higher possibilities in his children. In fact, we may say that the sexual relations between man and woman, especially as crystallized in the civilized form of mar- riage, contain the elements of the highest pos- sible feeling of happiness that nature has in store for human beings. No wonder that hundreds of books have been written on this topic by philosophers, 189 DARE TO physicians, sociologists and poets, and we may say that hardly any topic of life has found so much attention in literature. And at the same time this most natural, highest expression of our human purpose has undergone the most unnatural treatment; nowhere has confusion about what is right and wrong, desirable and despicable, moral and immoral, reigned to the extent as in the realm of love, under which name we comprise all physical and mental acts, necessary for the accomplishment of the one great purpose. As to the hygienic-dietetic physician, he must be guided by his holy and true profession to be the most devoted servant of nature in her purpose. To preserve a healthy humanity means to preserve it fit for this, its natural task. He cannot look upon the hundreds of rules, which religion, law, philosophy, have created for this one unique expression of human life, from any other standpoint than from the one that it is the task set by nature to every human being of either sex to produce new, healthy human be- ings. In doing so and in giving this advice, he will of course find opportunity to call at- tention to many harmful provisions of the other guiding human sciences mentioned 190 BE HEALTHY above, which for social reasons are contrary to the high purpose, and to see that such should be removed. It is here like in every other thing in the world, only complete har- mony of purpose and means will bring about the ultimate satisfaction that we call happi- ness. This of course does not mean that the voice of nature should be followed in us without any control. The high privilege that the sexual desire is in us all the time, from its first feeb'e indication to its final disappearance, that, unlike other similar organisms, ours is not bound to certain periods of potential function, burdens us with the responsibility of applying even to this strong impulse the healthy counterweight of moderation by mental opera- tion. An education in this direction, individu- alized according to the strength of the im- pulse, would prevent more harm than does the secrecy and ill-advised modesty, against which nature protests and takes its revenge, by making its highest and most moral act the subject of immoral desire for the forbidden fruit which lies in human nature. Education must not consist in overlooking, but in the 191 DARE TO idealization of what may be merely sensual in the act. This is a demand of social life as well as of nature, or to put it more exactly, it is justified as a demand of social life, be- cause it is a demand of nature in the interest of the quality and the quantity of the product. And just as only the ripe plant can produce healthy fruits, so the youth must become a man before he is ripe to be a father, and the young girl must become a woman before she is ripe to become a mother. To be a man means not only to have an accomplished education, but also to have found a social and economic position in life, such as is usually reached only many years after the voice of nature has first spoken in the young man. After attaining his puberty he is ready, nay anxious, and compelled by the strongest impulse, to perform a natural duty, for the performance of w T hich in its ulti- mate result, society as yet has no use. It is here the great problem, especially as far as the man is concerned, is presented to us with its gravest difficulties and with its most dan- gerous consequences. It is impossible at the same time to establish general rules, how to 192 BE HEALTHY overcome the gap. It has by no means been solved in this country by the farce of elope- ments and anti-social marriages, which for so- cial reasons are threatened with the greatest evil, the prevention of child-birth, and are the cause of the enormous number of divorces in America. In fact, we cannot do better than admit our inability thus far to close this gap. In trying, however, to narrow it, we may say that education should apply all means to re- tard the desire for sexual intercourse in young men by rational nourishment, clothing' and exercise; by having teachers and parents ex- plain the act as a natural one, without dwell- ing too much upon the voluptuous side, so that enlightenment does not rest with com- rades, servants or sporting women; by remov- ing as much as possible the indirect sexual attractions of lasciviousness, and by teaching them to see beauty, including that of the hu- man body, as an art, and not as incentive to sensualism only. In this way some of the dan- gerous years may be overcome, especially avoiding masturbation, the danger of which lies in the unlimited opportunities for its exe- cution and the strain of the imagination. If the time, however, has come, when the voice 193 DARE TO of nature is imperative, the permanent stigma of pre-nuptial sexual relations should be taken from such women, who under sufficient super- vision supply a demand which is so over- whelming, that, since time immemorial, no measure of ill-advised regulation has been able to reduce it. The problem is far more simple for the female sex. Nature has provided this sex with a much less intense desire for the act, in pro- portion to the responsibility and the serious consequences. On the other hand, the social organization allows most women to enjoy the legitimate sexual life of marriage in earlier years than men. The appearance of menstrua- tion gives mothers a good opportunity to in- form girls at exactly the right time as lu what they must know of sexual life, an informa- tion which may be easily given in such a way that the restraint of the woman is fully pre- served until her time has come. And here again the hygienic-dietetic physician, like every other true servant of nature, must raise his pleading voice for the removal of the stain that pre-nuptial child-birth places on most girls today. Let individuality also play its 194 BE HEALTHY part here. The world will by no means be the worse. The fruit of a passion without the possible chance of the social sanction of mar- riage, may be of infinite value to humanity, and there is no other means in this world, and especially not in this country, the American republic, of abolishing the dastardly crime against a budding life, such as is committed hundreds and thousands of times for a social reason only. In fact, the desire for a child should at all times be the one strong governing motive in any marriage. Some modern scientists even go so far, contrary to the opinion of the church and the law, as to say that a difference as to divorce should be made in the case of married people, between those having children and those having none. In the latter case divorce should be facilitated, and the chance should not be prevented that those people who are formally married and are apparently under the relative impossibility of producing chil- dren, may be freed from each other, and that each of them may have the chance to fulfil their duty towards nature through another marriage. On the other hand, the existence of 195 DARE TO a child or children should constitute a much stronger tie between husband and wife legal- ly than it does today, although morally its value should by no means be underestimate!. However, it is not the object of this pamphlet to discuss the social side of the question fur- ther than as to its influences on the hygienic side. The physician knows that especially for the woman, not only normal sexual life but also its consequences, giving birth to children, are a necessity to health, the lack of which will invariably result in disease or sickness, which is so general in its effect that it. at- tacks the mental system, and in this way again influences in a most dangerous way the relations between married people. In my book, "Eugenika I, Within the Bud," I have given this side of the question the most careful and thorough attention, and have indicated and shown the ways of prevent- ing unhygienic marriages, based upon the laws of heredity. It has been shown therein how only a complete knowledge of the nature of procreation, a knowledge that must be the same for women as for men, can prevent the unhappy results of so many marriages, in the 196 BE HEALTHY relation of husband and wife as well as in the health, and consequently in the happiness of the children. This will, therefore, not be touched upon here in any other way than from the standpoint of the hygienic-dietetic physi- cian, who finds himself confronted with exist- ing diseases and evils, all attempts toward prevention notwithstanding, and who is called upon to help and to heal. For with the great- est caution even such evils will not be wiped out entirely, although a strict observation of the principles as laid down in the book men- tioned above, will undoubtedly greatly reduce them. THE PROCESS OF GENERATION. For carrying out the process of generation nature has endowed woman and man with an apparatus of rather complicated organs, upon the function of which the accomplishment of the purpose depends. The female generating agent, the egg-cell, which receives the male spermatozoon, is produced in the ovarium in many specimens, and once every month one of them is de- posited near the entrance to the womb, waiting for a male cell (spermatozoon) to unite with it. The sper- matozoa are ejected in enormous quantities with the semen, a thick whitish liquid, from the male testicles, 197 DARE TO through a channel which opens into the penis, and in order to accomplish the act this must be swelled by a large quantity of blood entering into its capillaries. As soon as the semen has entered the outer sexual parts of the woman, the spermatozoa, with the help of a movable extension, try to reach the entrance into the womb, which opens in the moment of highest ecstasy, and if one of them finds the egg-cell ripe for gene r a- tion, and pierces its outer membrane, the fertilized egg is immediately placed in a suitable part of the womb, where the process of cell-division and building up of the new organism begins. How the two united cells, through the process of pangenesis and the medium of the chromosomes, bring together the inheritance of the two parents and under its influence form the new body, by means of constant nurture through the blood of the mother, is also shown in the above mentioned book. Yet we want to emphasize once more that this natural process is a healthy one, and if normally car- ried out, should not be accompanied by any suffering, which is only an indication either of constitutional ir- regularities or faulty diet and other mistakes in the mode of living. The above short description of the main process of procreation leads us to the analysis of diseases per- taining to sex, and especially to sterility, which is the object of the present chapter. It is obvious that pre- vention of the normal functions of the sexual appa- ratus must be either in the organs, which serve this process, or in the germinal cells themselves, to the functions of which this apparatus is devoted. The faults in the apparatus may be absolute, making the 198 BE HEALTHY sexual act impossible or without effect under all cir- cumstances and with any person of the opposite sex, or relative, in case the sexual organs of husband and wife, although in themselves perfectly capable of func- tionating, are unable to operate in their special rela- tion. From this it appears that in many cases there may exist full capacity "coeundi" and lack of capacity "generandi," while the latter may exist in the absence of the first. If it is a question of the quality of ihe semen or the eggs the main question will always be to de- termine whether the deficiency of the eggs which may be fertilized, or of the spermatozoa, is organic, or as is so often the ease, is based upon faulty nurture, and on that same dysemia so often mentioned, which for some reason or other does not bring the necessary building and nourishing elements to the organs other- wise able and willing to receive them. This clearly indicates how and where hygienic-dietetic healing methods will be able to provide for a regeneration, and where mechanical means may intercede with good re- sults to bridge the gap between willingness and ability to do what one wishes. May humanity, even in this introductory point, clearly understand that the knife of the surgeon, which hopelessly and for ever removes parts of the organs destined for the greatest functions of the human body, will invariably and very often un- necessarily create more evil than it ever can do good. And that wherever it seems best, as in the removal of malignant growths, it usually fails. Let the knife, as well as the other instruments of the surgeon, be ban- ished from the districts of the human body where the hopes for posterity are centered in a "Sacred Circle" 199 DARE TO (See Eugenika I, Within the Bud, First Lesson), as long as the slightest hope is left that a reasonable hygienic-dietetic treatment may restore hope, results and happiness. And let us also say right here that among all the crimes of the professional surgeon of the present day, there is no greater than to use the knife on the ovaries of a woman, and thus deprive her of what may keep her alive and happy, even in case nature has denied her a child : the hope that one day she may be able to give life to one. There must be a very grave emergency and a question of life and death beyond any reasonable doubt, before the verdict should be felled that the ovaries must be sacrificed, the surgeon to be but the execution- er of an unbiased jury, who will not profit by his bloody work, and must not be influenced by the desire of the unnatural woman, to be freed for all times of what seems to her an undue annoyance. /. WOMEN'S DISEASES PERTAINING TO SEX. A. General. Let us first look at the diseases which may befall the sexual organs of women, and what has to be done to prevent them. We can hardly deny that, especially in America, notwithstanding the education of girls is somewhat more devoted to healthy outdoor exercise, and notwithstanding the fact that the economical life and the general task of the housewife is easier since 200 BE HEALTHY comfort is one of the leading requirements in the con- struction of residences of all kinds, the general tendency is to look upon the natural task of bearing and bring- ing up children, as upon a dangerous, or at least an annoying interruption of every day life. This general feeling of reluctance towards the creation of children, has gradually developed a line of least resistance against the attacks of disease upon the sexual organs of women in general. The tendency of hygienic phy- sicians is to educate mankind as much as possible to- wards the prevention of disease and to a reasonable and sensible behaviour in case of symptoms of disease, until the help of a physician can be secured. Thorough advice will be given in my book "Eugen- ika III, The Child from Birth to Puberty/' on how to preserve the health of children in general, and especial- ly during that critical period of approaching puberty. We cannot, therefore, repeat in a few words what is important enough to require a whole book, and will only call attention to the urgent necessity of doing all in our power to prevent children — girls no less than boys — from acquiring the habit of masturbation. The following lines will be devoted to the mature woman, and a number of remarks contained therein are trans- lated from the excellent German monographs of Dr. Anna Fischer-Duenkelmann, a lady who is known as one of the best conscientious and successful fe- male physicians. We may say right here, however, what has been stated so often before in my books, that no matter how much enlightenment laymen re- ceive from hygienic books, in case prevention fails and actual disease appears, in the determination of which 201 DARE TO the book will very much help them, a good and con- scientious hygienic physician must be called. Not to do so may, especially in case of sexual diseases, finally necessitate the employment of a lawyer, in the fight for divorce. With the exception of a few morally strong and sexually quiet individuals, most men are acquainted with all sexual pleasures before they marry, and have lost the habit of being satisfied with one woman, so that, when married, they force upon their wife either an excess of sexual functions, or continue to seek the intercourse with others, and, therefore, the permanent danger of contamination through sexual diseases ex- ists. This excess, together with the natural timidity and reluctance of many brides and frequent unskilled attempts to prevent pregnancy, are the cause of many diseases, which frequently find a well predisposed field and environment, making the attack very much easier. Anemic and nervous women will, of course, suffer most from these diseases, and it will, therefore, be wise in every case to remove the predisposition by regenerating their blood with a regular treatment and the "Dech-Manna Compositions. " The main symptoms will be chronic inflammation of the ovaries and womb, consequential thereto the hardly ever absent "leu- korrhoea." Further development of the condition means, besides headache and toothache, mental disturbances, such as general depression and weariness of life. Such feelings are also the consequence of delay in the month- ly menstruation, and lack of information on this point, which unfortunately prevails among so many girls, makes them believe that this condition is a natural con- 202 BE HEALTHY sequence of pregnancy. But, as stated before, since pregnancy is by no means a disease and absolutely natural for a woman, there is no necessity for such ailments during pregnancy, and with proper behaviour they can easily be avoided. It is often necessary in such cases to secure sexual rest and proper diet for the pregnant woman, whereupon vomiting and othjr unpleasant manifestations of sickness will disappear, and recovery will ensue in a few days. A better knowledge of natural conditions would have spared these women much suffering, had they consulted a hygienic-dietetic physician in time. Catarrh of the womb, usually a consequence of dysemic blood, and sometimes excessive sexual inter- course, is best treated by sexual rest. Its nature is that of every other catarrh of any mucous membrane, hyperemia, such as every sexual irritation naturally causes, and which develops into inflammation. The glands excrete a slimy fluid under its influence, and this excretion will cease as soon as sexual rest has overcome the inflammation. In severe cases the ex- cretion, however, becomes permanent, and has a de- pressing influence on the general feelings and mental concrition. In such cases the best means until the phy- sician's advice is obtained, are soft cotton tampor.s, soaked in fresh water and inserted during the night. Sitz baths and ablutions (aromatic herbs, pine-needle extract and radium emanation Sitz baths prescribed in my Sanatorium in such cases) will always pro/e beneficial, more so than the energetic daily ablutions by means of an irrigator. 203 DARE TO Among over-exertions may be mentioned too fre- quent births. Individualizing is here the most sacred duty. No woman should be brought to an early grave by being forced to do more in this way than her system can stand. In itself motherhood is neither dangerous nor a disease, and there are women who are able to give life to fourteen or sixteen children. In view of the effort, however, that every one of these pregnancies requires, furthermore in view of the increase in work and duties, that the rearing of so many children will cause, it becomes imperative to limit the number of children as permitted' by the physical strength of the mother and the material situation of the father. This has nothing to do with the question of the sexual functions of constitutionally diseased people. (This topic belongs to and is thoroughly discussed in :ry book mentioned above, that is, "Eugenika I, Within the Bud.") Here we must grapple with the question of what should be done in cases where the above rule counsels a married couple to desist from the further generation of children, while nature still speaks loudly in them for the continuance of their sexual relations. This case is entirely different from what has been called in this country "race suicide," the artificial pre- vention of procreation by young couples who have no children and who enter the marital relation with the distinct understanding not to have any. No conscien- tious physician should lend his helping hand to such, while it becomes his duty in cases where child birth must be interrupted temporarily or permanently for the sake of the health of the mother and her other child- ren, to advise the application of such means against 204 BE HEALTHY conception which are fraught with the least danger for the wife and husband alike. Among these the coitus interruptus, that is, the separation before the act of cohabitation is perfected, is not permissible. Its effect on the mental and nervous condition of both parties is most detrimental. The conscientious hygienic physician, when he advises the cessation of further conceptions, will in every case be in a position to re- commend the means of preventing pregnancy in the proper way. Among the grave dangers which, next to its anti- social or unnatural character, make a marriage con- summated with the intention of preventing pregnancy, absolutely condemnable, is the promotion of malign growths. The female sex suffers badly from a mar- ried life that is childless. The womb is practically in a hyperemic condition all the time, as it is constantly superirritated through a natural desire or sexual in- tercourse and the means employed to prevent this from taking effect; the blood-vessels are thus con- stantly extended, and lose their elasticity, and all the unused strength is stored within the tissue, which na- ture has made for a purpose that is not being ful- filled. A natural consequence, especially when a pre- disposition for this condition exists, after a given time, will be the growth of malign tumors, cancer, etc. Every woman should consider that, notwithstanding the progress of the medical and surgical art, the per- centage of cancer has been considerably increased dur- ing the last ten years. All careful research has shov/n that cancer is caused by just such reasons as the above, and that it is a constitutional disease of the blood. 205 DARE TO Like every other thinking physician, I have long come to the conclusion that the knife is not the instru- ment to remove the cause of cancer. As to the fre- quent occurrence of cancer of the female sexual or- gans, it is, as stated above, caused through the fact that nature does not receive what rightfully belongs to her; so she takes her revenge, and instead of pro- ducing its most beautiful creation, a healthy child, will change the unused forces into some vicious growth, such as tumor or cancer, which, quite logically, appear on all organs belonging to the sexual system, includ- ing the breast, which the woman is constantly with- holding from the fulfilment of its purpose. The most dangerous time for the appearance of these growths is the menopause, when the monthly cleansing of the sexual organs from the unused and deposited blood, finally stops. The way is now open to the unlimited domination of the power of growths, which has been stored for a lifetime. This statement is meant par- ticularly for the learned professors, who do not know of anything else for overcoming cancer but the knife, which will never remove the tendency for the growth in the abused blood. For the benefit of the profession we have collected an enormous amount of evidence to verify the correctness of this theory in regard to can- cer, most of it coming from "gynaecologists" who have made this subject a lifelong study. B. Sterility. Of real sterility of a woman we are allowed to speak only in case the faculty of producing egg-cells in the follicles of the ovary, which may be fertilized 206 BE HEALTHY by the male spermatozoa, is completely lacking. This most unnatural condition does not happen very fre- quently, but it is in many cases a consequence of in- flammatory processes of the ovaries, which again may be produced by such sexual diseases as gonorrhoea and syphilis, and also as, a consequence of typhus, typhus recurrens and scarlet fever. The poison of both the venereal as well as feverish diseases creates such in- flammations as will either kill the egg-cells, or make it impossible for the ovaries to throw them off, and to move them to the place where they may meet the mr.le semen. While it is obvious that in the rare cases of absence or atrophy of the ovaries or of their faculty to produce eggs, healing, will be possible only by a most intense regeneration, the fact that we are able to fight the venereal diseases, if we attack them in an early stage by hygienic-dietetic means, leaves much hope that, as soon as the process of healing is sufficiently advanced, the handicap for the production of normal eggs will also be gone, and that at the time when the general condition of the regenerated blood of a woman allows her, from a eugenic standpoint, to create child- ren, nature will have returned to her the privilege of a healthy woman. Notwithstanding, however, the full capacity of the ovaries to produce egg-cells which could be fertilized, the great happiness to have a child may be denied to a woman, her sexual organs not being appropriate for conception or birth or either. The organic reasons which may prevent conception are a too small or not sufficiently developed womb, a vagina which is either 207 DARE TO too wide or too short, and faulty positions of the womb, narrowness or wrong position of the orifice. The feeling of passion and the emotion caused through the rythmical motions of the act produce hyperemia of the sexual organs, which in the end causes certain involuntary movements and contractions of the orifice of the womb, by which the injected semrn is sucked in — the only real chance for the spermatozoa to meet the egg in its proper position. It is obvious that under all of the above mentioned circumstances conception is made exceedingly difficult and well- nigh impossible, especially when both husband and wife are absolutely unaware of these conditions which are not conducive to sexual intercourse but decidedly ad- verse to conception, since they prevent the essential meeting of the female and the male germinating cell. It is also of the greatest importance to know that nature has tried to remedy the evil of inheritable dis- ease to some extent by reducing the conceiving ca- pacity of all women who are constitutionally burdened with scrofulosis, anemia, tuberculosis, rachitis, diabetes and above all, obesity. However, too much stress should not be placed on this counter-effect of nature. As far as rachitis is concerned, we want to call special attention once more, to watch this possible disease of children very carefully and to fight it with all the means of the hygienic-dietetic healing system, as otherwise seri- ous deformities, especially of the bones of the pelvis, may ensue, which are so much more dangerous, as they may allow conception, but stand in the way of birth. Here again it appears how necessary it is al- ways to subject the body of children to a close inspec- 208 BE HEALTHY tion and supervision, and that, wherever the hereditary burden of a similar constitutional disease prevails, hygienic-dietetic treatment must be carried out, which in due time will regenerate the female body, prevent the spreading of rachitis, softening and deformation of bones, and thus produce a healthy woman, capable of fulfilling her task in life. Obesity is one of the constitutional diseases which aids very considerably in promoting sterility. In fact, statistics claim to show that about 20% to 25% of such women are sterile in the sense, however, only as explained above, that reasonable hygienic-dietetic treatment of this evil may regenerate the power of the ovaries otherwise clogged by fat and unable to produce normal egg-cells in the follicles. While anemia, as a rule, is not adverse to con- ception, since it is regulated to a great extent by a normal sexual intercourse, it is in all cases well to treat it before marriage in the manner as indicated herein, so as to avoid the catastrophical effects that the sudden change from anemia to hyperemia may produce. Real sterility is sometimes the effect of inter- marriage of closely related people. This subject of sexual hygienics has been treated very extensively by many authorities, and I myself have expressed my opinion thereon in my book, "Eugenika I, Within the Bud," so I do not want to discuss the subject here any further, since when this cause prevails, we have a case either of that real sterility, of which we spoke in the beginning of this chapter, or a case of relative sterility based upon the lack of effect of the spcr- 209 DARE TO matozoa of a certain individual man on a certain in- dividual woman. Among the physical obstructions to conception are in many cases the benign and still more the malign growths, tumors of all kinds, and cancer. We have shown above that they are, as a rule, the result of voluntary sterility and a revenge of nature for the neglect or the improper use of the female sexual or- gans. Another loud and ringing protest of nature against the way the physicians of the old school of "poison against symptoms" try to treat her by sheer force, is the fact that the use of most of the poisons against which we are advocating at every opportunity, creates sterility. Among these we mention morphine, opium, quinine and mercury as well as iodine. Women, who are addicted to drink, are not as dangerous for their progeny as are alcoholic fathers. For while they, too, may be the cause of being hereditarily burdened with the vice, in most cases women addicted to the use of alcohol in considerable quantity, such as can rightfully be called a vice, are hardly apt to conceive. Leukemia, which is so extremely frequent among women, is a bad enemy of fertility, for the mucus which is produced, acts on the egg-cells, destroying them before they are fertilized. It very often prevents the spermatozoa from reaching the egg-cell, and in case of conception it often kills the bud by keeping the inside of the womb in an inflamed condition. A chapter in themselves are the flexions and the dis- placements of the womb. They exist in a great many varieties and for a great many different reasons. They 210 BE HEALTHY can often be remedied mechanically, if discovered in time, and among their many causes is the absurd way in which women dress — mainly the corset — again a whole book in itself. Fertility does not last for ever. It may end at an earlier or later time in women, and it certainly ends when the menopause declares that nature renounces further services of that particular woman in the task of reproducing humanity, and permits her the quiet en- joyment of the rest of her years, which must, however, not in all cases be deprived of the feelings of love alto- gether. Should a woman not have found an oppor- tunity to exercise her proper functions in time because for personal or conventional reasons, she waited too long, and should she have lost her fertility before the time she makes use of it, then and in this case, while the result is practically the same as though sterility had existed right from the beginning, she cannot blame nature any more for denying her a privilege of which she has shown herself unworthy by not making use of it, when it was time to do so. The real relative sterility means that, while a woman may be fertile and able to give birth to a child physic- ally, she is prevented through mental or nervous in- fluences, acting upon important sexual parts, from perfecting the sexual intercourse, either with all men or with a particular man. Here again is a wide field before us which has been fully treated in "Eugenika I, Within the Bud." It is obvious that it is a task of great complexity in such cases. Like in all other forms of nervousness and mental diseases, an abnorm- ity of this kind may completely lie on the mental side, 211 DARE TO and the hygienic-dietetic treatment may exercise its most beneficial influence, if properly and timely ap- plied. Only two of the most important varieties of this relative sterility need be discussed in this connection. In some cases it is the inability and inexperience cf the man which leaves the hymen imperforated for years, a most simple and natural and often not detected im- pediment to fertility. Of the greater importance and frequency is, what we call vaginism, cramps of the vagina, which are created through a hypersensibility of the often very narrow entrance to the vagina, which closes itself tightly against any attempt of a penis, and stops it from movement and further intrusion, and does not allow any of the ejaculation to enter the "Sacred Circle, ,, in which the egg-cell is deposited, but is never reached. Among the many different rea- sons for this way in which the sensual nerves act in contradiction to their task, we find the fear of the woman of the unknown that is going to happen to her, or, what is still worse, the fear of the repetition of the brutal act of a man who rightly or wrongfully wanted to take possession of her body. It is in all cases fear of one kind or another which thus acts on the nerves, and what the man has sinned against the whole future of the woman in that way, can be made good only fhrough a tremendous mental counter-effect, which it is not always in the power even of the best and experienced physician to exercise. The blame is not always the man's. Often and often has the natural coolness, the educated reticence and exaggerated shame, of the woman prevented the 212 BE HEALTHY sexual functions of a man, and thus caused her own sterility. This, however, belongs to the chapter on the sterility of the male. Whether such coolness of a woman is inborn or acquired through excesses in masturbation, whether it is a consequence of homo- sexuality, which, regardless of its cause, actually con- sists in the lack of sensual feelings of a woman to- wards men, while they are aroused by other women, the consequence is always the same. It prevents the full execution of the sexual intercourse by vaginitis and otherwise, and hence the creation of progeny. And at the end of this chain of causes of the loss of one of the greatest happinesses in life for women, let us cite what would be called the relative sterility (Greek kat' exochen), which is the impossibility of a cer- tain individual woman to execute the fertilizing act of sexual intercourse with a certain individual man. The physical inability may be caused by numerous points in the relative structure of the sexual organs. It has been recognized by the law of many nations as a reason for divorce. Why the same nations did not go a step further and legislate an obligatory pre-nuptial expert examination before exposing the two people and their families to the many inconveniences of a marriage, which cannot be one, is intelligible only from the cant and hypocrisy which in the disguise of modesty kept the expert hygienist, since time immemorial, from this most important realm. But worse than this, we find that mental and consequently physical objection, which the woman probably more frequently than 213 DARE TO the man, will feel, towards the embrace of the unloved man whom she has married for conventional reasons. This may prove one of the insurmountable obstacles of fertiliza- tion with otherwise perfect fertility. It is another, although in view of its infrequency altogether too feeble protest of nature, against the rule of men, against the conven- tional lies of myrtle and hymn, best man and maid of honor, ringing of wedding bells, and the words of the Lord, to sanction a rela- tion, which is nothing but a cool-blooded business transaction. The protest may often go unheard and unheeded. But it will sound as long as that same conventionality of greedy, misguided human society throws into the gutter the woman that, driven by despair, sells her body for a paltry gift, and puts on the throne of admiration and into the social columns the American beauty who has done exactly the same thing for the millions of a successful speculator or for the title of a de- generated foreign "nobleman." 214 BE HEALTHY II. THE STERILITY OF MEN. In reviewing the causes which may deprive matrimony of the delight of offspring caused through some inability on the part of the hus- band, we must distinguish two groups of causes, one of which is real sterility and the other im- potence, or as science puts it, impotentia generan- dl and impotentia coeundi. It is obvious that the two may exist in combination, but each of them may also exist by itself, and a man who is well able to execute sexual intercourse, may at the same time be impotent to execute the necessary act, so that from two entirely different causes the same result may be the outcome. In a general way we may say that the evil as such is much more apparent in men than it is in women. The construction of the genital organs, the active and aggressive part, which the man, according to the law of nature, has to play in the process of sexual relations, make his failure in re- gard to the faculty to exercise the act much more striking, while his failure to fertilize, notwith- standing the ability to perform the act, is very seldom presumed, and the responsibility for the lack of progeny in such cases is, as a rule, laid to the wife, who is tormented with all sorts of cures, while a simple microscopical inspection might prove that it is by no means her fault, or at least not her fault alone, which causes the trouble. In case, therefore, a physician should 215 DARE TO be confronted with the question to determine why certain sexual relations with an apparently nor- mal performance of the act remain sterile, he should never omit to investigate by means of his microscope whether the reason does not lie in the man. A. Permanent or Temporary Sterility. The condition in which a man finds himself in such a case is "Azoospermia," the lack of sperma- tozoa in his semen, or "Aspermatism," the lack of the seminal fluid altogether, which in the worst form is combined with the lack of spermatozoa, while sometimes, notwithstanding the regular pro- duction of spermatozoa, the aspermatism may prevent the possibility of ejaculating them. The total lack of semen is extremely rare. It happens, however, often that on account of phimosis or Strictures of the urethra, the semen is not ejacu- lated, but is pressed back into the bladder. No question that in many cases a defect of this kind can be completely healed by the proper treatment of the mechanical cause. It may be said in this con- nection that the cruel way of cautherizing and cathe- terizing the urethra, which in many cases is left to the unskilled hand of the patient, has caused more evil than good, and that only a thorough regenerative treat- ment of the blood, combined with a very careful and experienced mechanical treatment of the organ, should be applied. As to Azoospermia, this condition is much more frequent and especially in its milder form of Oligozoo- 216 BE HEALTHY spermia, which means that, while the spermatozoa are not lacking altogether, they are only few in number, do not move very quickly, act tired and show all signs of degeneration. Azoospermia is in some cases inborn. It is frequently a consequence of obesity, where it has been found in about 9% of all cases, according to the investigations of Professor Kisch. Chronic alcoholism is another cause. In most cases the cause of azoo- spermia is a violation of the testicles, degeneration of same in case of syphilis, cancer or tuberculosis, swell- ings, bruises, contusions, inflammations. It is fre- quently caused by diseases of the seminal ducts, where blood, pus and other secretions of the mucous mem- branes mix with the sperma and poisoning cells, or cause intense narrowing of the ducts or shrinking of the testicles. In these cases it is an obstruction of the path on which the spermatozoa usually reach the semi- nal fluid, and with it the outside. They may exist in unbound numbers in their original deposits, but they are incarcerated, and only a complete cure of the inter- vening obstacles may return them to liberty. The cause of most of these obstacles is chronic gonorrhoea, the one sexual disease which is in most cases transferred through sexual intercourse and which is not sufficient- ly recognized in its dangerous consequences. The fact is that most men, who are affected with this disease, which in its beginning can easily be cured, are either trying to apply quack remedies in a most unskilled way without the help of a physician, or are treated by fakirs, and thus grow worse instead of better. In fact, only a few years ago prudery went so far that public institutions would deny their members medical help to 217 DARE TO which they were entitled, in case of gonorrhoea, — and this in view of the fact that 75% of the men who have been affected with this disease, if not treated right and in time, are denied the happiness of having children. In fact, there is hardly any disease which requires such careful attention by the hygienic-dietetic phy- sician, although it is seemingly so very harmless, while its consequences are in so many cases pernicious. From the above it is obvious that with the excep- tion of total azoospermia there is hope of cure in near- ly all cases of the evil. The production of healthy sperma and spermatozoa is after all nothing else but a regular function of healthy blood, and to restore it is certainly possible in most cases, by a proper regen- erative cure of the blood, which is only too willing to reassume its correct functions. It is a wide field for the hygienic-dietetic treatment that opens itself in the removal of these causes, especially of temporary lack of spermatozoa, or of the faculty to bring them to the right point of ejaculation, but the hope that the experi- enced hygienist may bring about cure even in some in- veterate cases should not induce anybody to wait until it may be too late. B. Impotence. Impotentia coeundi, the impossibility for various reasons to execute sexual intercourse, although the necessary organs are otherwise in good order, is cer- tainly one of the hardest punishments for any man, and is the cause of a great deal of unhappiness in and outside of matrimony. This impotence has a great variety of reasons, there are a great variety of ways 218 BE HEALTHY in which it appears, and it has one great remedy, — the hygienic-dietetic treatment, which by restoring the health of the blood, restores the health of the nerves or removes constitutional diseases at the root, which in so many instances are the causes of impotence. We may call this evil a real disease, which exists among the poor and not sufficiently fed people no less than among the over-fed rich. It consists mainly in the impossibility to get an erection of the sexual organ, or to maintain it until ejaculation of the semen into the orifice occurs. It is not confined to any age and happens to younger people no less than to people who are naturally on the decline of their sexual functions. It is sometimes the result of excessive onanism and other excessive use or rather abuse of the sexual organs in younger years, but at the same time in a great many and perhaps in the majority of cases, the result of not using them at all, and living in un- natural chastity. Several groups may be distinguished : 1). Organic Impotence. This may consist in the lack or deformity of the sexual organs or of parts thereof. Among the deformities of the penis which prevent immission or ejaculation are the fact that the penis is situated entirely or to the greatest extent with- in the scrotum, that it exists in a small stump only, that the exit of the urethra is not on the top of the penis, but somewhere in the middle, or even on the root of it (Hypospadia and Epispadia), Atrophia of the swelling glands, narrowness of the prepuce with painful swellings of same (phimosis) and natural strictures of the urethra, which prevent ejaculation. Only to some extent the relative organic impotence 219 DARE TO may be counted in this category where the difference in the size of the sexual organs of a certain individual man and of £ certain individual woman makes it im- possible for them in any way or manner to execute the cohabitation. Of course this is not real impotence, but in case of matrimony and strict adherence to the duties of true husband and wife, will have the same consequences. 2). Functional Impotence. It consists in the im- possibility of erection of an otherwise apparently nor- mal penis, or its immediate breakdown before or at the contact with the female sexual organs. Among the constitutional diseases, the existence of which in the blood is in many cases the cause for this kind of impotence, we may enumerate diabetes, obesity, alco- holism. Unfortunately it is not the same with tuber- culous people, who sometimes are particularly inclined to sexual intercourse. Impotence caused by diseases of the spinal cord is also a rule. It is obvious that in these cases the impotence is cured with the disease. 3). Nervous Impotence. This class of impotence must be strictly distinguished from the psychic impo- tence, inasmuch as it is more real than the other and is based on different causes. It is usually the con- sequence of neurasthenia and often is its one strongest indication and manifestation. It is the disease of men devoted to masturbation, as well as of men of leisure and pleasure, of men of the world. Bankers, merchants with big business transactions, physicians and lawyers form a large portion of the men thus affected. This kind of impotence will only appear gradually, some signs and indications warning the man that the nor- 220 BE HEALTHY mal process is or is beginning to be out of order. Either ejaculation happens too early, before erection is com- plete, or it does not produce any feeling of passion, and in many cases, where it exists at all, it causes the wife no satisfaction, and is the source of deep un- happiness, especially when it stops altogether. A par- ticular case of this kind is the impotence of men who are under constant strain of mental work, from which they cannot get their thoughts away, like scientists, following up a problem, mathematicians, managers of large works, and even artists, concentrated on the pro- duction of a special important piece of art. This may mean temporary impotence only, it may also develop in certain cases into actual impotence, which does not even vanish in case of pauses in the intense concen- tration. In all cases it is a distinct disease of the nerv- ous system, the cure of which can only be perfected through and in the same nervous system. 4). Paralytic Impotence is the severest case of nervous impotence, and in many cases means a com- plete obstruction of the circulation of additional blood to the sexual organs and thereby absolute impotence of erection. The methods of coping with paralysis and consequently with this form of impotence are ex- plained in the different chapters of my book, treating this subject extensively. 5). Psychic Impotence. In fact, this kind of im- potence can hardly be called so at all. It is practically the restriction of the desire to certain classes and groups of women, distinguihed by their exterior or cer- tain qualities. It is often that particular fear of in- ability to execute sexual intercourse which works as 221 DARE • TO an insurmountable obstacle. Over-excitement after long waiting for a much desired woman, the approach of the moment and certain perversities in the sexual life of some persons here act as causes, like a marked predilection for certain colors of hair, perfumes and similar things. Even certain thoughts, as the moral dissatisfaction in case of merely conventional mar- riages, may produce the same effect. 6). Homosexual Impotence. Homosexuality, a di- stinct form of perversity by which the sexual desire is directed towards individuals of the same sex only, must here be classified as a separate kind of impotence. It is not always the necessary consequence of homo- sexuality, and science knows numerous cases in which the homosexually inclined person has executed sexual intercourse with individuals of the other sex and even has had children, with the only restriction that there was not the faintest sexual passion. In most cases, however, it will be impossible for a homosexually in- clined man to cohabitate at all with a normal woman, and this is the hardest case of psychic impotence, on account of the difficulty of its treatment and change into normal sexual feelings. The reason for this misguidance of the inclination may often lie in the mystery of the developing foetus, and wrong as it is to prosecute such people with the force of the criminal law, it is wrong of them to deceive women by mar- riage or otherwise as to the sexual derangement from which they are suffering. Into this dark region of suffering and disgust, how- ever, falls a ray of hope : With the exception of only a few cases of atrophia, or complete azoospermia, im- 222 BE HEALTHY potence can be healed, and it is one of the great accom- plishments of the hygienic-dietetic method that it not only shows men the way in which they may preserve unaffected potency, but that, if unfortunately and con- trary to the logical course of nature, the disease has taken hold of them, with the help of a sensible, hygienic- dietetic treatment, such as we have devised, health and the ability to enjoy what nature has destined to be the acme of sensual feelings, may be completely restored. FINALE. Wide and unlimited as the field of biology and the hygienic-dietetic method of healing is, I have in the foregoing tried to devise a guide that will indicate the points that are most necessary to the confidence of the pa- tient, based upon knowledge. If I have enlightened my readers sufficiently regard- ing the most modern results of biological re- search, if I have succeeded in showing them the ray of hope, in the midst of their pain and suffering, that will give them cour- age to live, and live as healthy human be- ings, I shall feel amply rewarded for the hard work that necessarily had to be done before the present pinnacle in the art of 223 DARE TO BE HEALTHY healing was reached. Let me repeat: this pamphlet must not, and shall not, lead any one away from the man who knows, who has gone to the sources of wisdom, to bring sal- vation to those who demand the right to live in health and in vigor. To indicate to them the path, so that they may not tread it blindly, but in the light of knowledge, was my ob- ject. The outlines of a great and wonderful science are presented. Another wall between the layman and the professional has been torn down. If, dear readers, you can one day say this pamphlet has guided you to the right path, back to the enjoyment of life in youthful health and vigor, then join me and others in propagating these sane and safe principles, and make others dare to be healthy, as you have dared yourself. 224 ■.'. LIBRARY OFCONGRESS 0005bl05?m *