Part 15 (1/2)

DIARRHOEA

Is simply Nature's method of getting rid of undigested substances in the alimentary tract. After a time the irritation excites the glands to abnormal action to wash out the offending substances, resulting from excessive fermentation. If not relieved, ulceration sets in, and worms breed in the intestines--then we have what is known as chronic diarrhoea.

The treatment in both varieties is the same. Use the ”Cascade” until the colon is thoroughly emptied and cleansed. Take a warm bath before retiring, and follow it with a brisk rub down. Be careful in your diet--the better plan being to fast for a day or two, until the worst symptoms are past.

DISEASES OF THE NERVES.

Most people imagine that nervousness is the result of too much nerve force, but the opposite is the case. The trouble is a too sensitive battery and inadequate nerve force. The batteries, or nerve centres, are too easily discharged. It is nervous irritability, therefore, that we have to deal with.

The causes are manifold, the restless American nature, the stimulating climate, neglect of physical training, giving too little time and attention to eating and sleeping, concentrating too much attention on money getting and business to the neglect of recreation and repose.

One of the gravest causes is a constipated colon, which promotes indigestion, and through it, lack of nutrition, thus cutting off the supply of nerve food. The habit of tea and coffee drinking, and the use of tobacco, are also fruitful causes of this distressing affliction.

TREATMENT.

You must apply a brake to that restless motor within you that is driving you too fast. You must step out of the busy stream of life for awhile, let it rush past you and take things easy. Flush the colon regularly--remove that great source of nervous irritation, for we have yet to hear of a nervous person that was not constipated.

If you suffer from nervousness, you are dyspeptic, your whole course of life tends to render you so. Follow the treatment, especially the diet, given under the head of ”Dyspepsia.” Practice deep breathing, for lung development, for strong lung power is never a.s.sociated with nervousness. Take plenty of exercise in the open air, but not to excess.

Be moderate in all things, except sleep, you cannot sleep too much.

Cultivate the sleeping habit, and don't give up until you can sleep ten hours a day.

THE MATTER OF FOOD

is important, for, as before stated, nervous people eat and sleep too little. Fatty foods, or those that are easily converted into fat, are what is necessary. Olive oil is one of the best nerve foods in existence. Take a teaspoonful at a time, and gradually increase the quant.i.ty until you can take a tablespoonful at each meal. If you really can't take olive oil, the best subst.i.tute is sweet cream.

Celery is also good, and lettuce.

Cultivate slow and measured movements, avoid undue activity, take life easy and be moderate in all things.

To sum up. Flush the colon, sleep long, eat slowly, and plenty of oily or fat food, exercise freely, but in moderation, develop the lungs by breathing exercises, and take life easy.

This line of treatment, faithfully carried out, will cure the very worst cases in time.

HEADACHE.

There are many causes for this distressing complaint. Generally the cause is to be found in the stomach. Something that has no right there is in that organ, and irritating the pneumogastric nerve that connects the stomach with the brain. It is a common symptom of dyspepsia.

An engorged colon is one of the most common causes, on the same principle that it causes paralysis and apoplexy. Stimulants invariably promote headache.

To prevent the attacks, live regularly, avoid late hours and excessive brain work, shun alcoholic beverages and tea and coffee, avoid sweets and pastries, and anything fried in fat. Eat good, plain food, including fruit (especially oranges), but never eat late at night.

Develop the lungs. Never let a day pa.s.s without gently exercising all the muscles. Ma.s.sage the abdomen each night before retiring. Keep the colon clean by the use of the ”Cascade,” and bathe at least three times a week.

To relieve an attack, flush the colon thoroughly. Take a hot foot-bath, and while taking it, take a cup of hot lemonade--without sugar--so hot that you have to sip it.

DROPSY.

In this disease the outlet to the intestinal ca.n.a.l has become clogged.