Part 16 (2/2)

This prevalent complaint among the women of America is due, in ninety per cent. of the cases, to constipation, and that is mainly attributable to tight lacing. In the majority of our countrywomen the sigmoid flexure (see diagram beginning of work) is distended to nearly double its natural size, pressing upon the womb, which necessarily displaces it, but in addition the colon, through impaction, frequently becomes highly inflamed and communicates the inflammation to the womb, making it heavy and relaxed.

The ascending and descending colon lie immediately behind the ovaries, and if (as is often the case) it becomes distended to double its size, it stretches the broad ligaments and ovarian connections, frequently breaking them away from their peritoneal attachments or carrying the peritoneum downward with them.

The Fallopian tubes, which penetrate and are attached to the peritoneal sack, together with the uterine broad ligaments, are designed to hold the womb in place, but if the womb and ovaries are crowded down into the pelvic cavity and the womb doubled upon itself, dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation, or amenorrhea, with convulsions, is the result. Perhaps there may even be a complete stoppage, so that Nature menstruates vicariously and casts it off through the lungs or bowels.

TREATMENT.

Empty the colon and keep it clean by regular use of the ”Cascade,” and wear your clothing as loose as your husband's or brother's, and the womb will go back into its place, and all the bad symptoms disappear.

It may be, though, that the tendons and ligaments have become partially paralyzed through the uterus having been so long out of place.

After emptying the colon, if there is pain in the back, with a bearing down sensation, sit in half a tub of hot water for fifteen or twenty minutes once every other day. Throw yourself on your back with the hips raised as high as possible, then rub up from the pelvic bone.

This will reduce the displacement of the sigmoid flexure, besides giving relief. Should the womb not go back into place, call in a physician to replace it.

Painful menstruation and leucorrhea, which are caused by displacement of the womb, inflammation and hypertrophy, or hardening of the womb, enlarged and sensitive ovaries, can all be speedily cured by flus.h.i.+ng the colon.

ANTEVERSION,

Which affects nine out of every ten women, is the womb falling forward on the bladder (causing frequent desire to urinate) and downward, which, with the falling of the sigmoid flexure, produces obstruction of the bowels and great straining at stool.

RETROVERSION

Is a falling down, with the body of the womb thrown backward.

Frequently it is doubled upon itself, when it becomes hardened and inflamed, and adhesion often takes place. Doctors frequently call this spinal disease, but it is the displaced organs pressing on the great sympathetic nerve, which produces partial paralysis of the lower limbs and loss of memory, sometimes causing insanity. In retroversion, after emptying the colon, a.s.sume the following position: Kneel on the bed, or sofa, with the body thrown forward until the chest also touches.

Retain this position as long as possible, and repeat it frequently during the day. Sleep with the foot of the bed raised eight inches.

These positions all facilitate the return of the womb to its normal position.

Eat nutritious, easily digested food, and avoid all stimulants.

COMMON COLDS

Are very disagreeable things, and, though not dangerous in themselves, yet are frequently the cause of serious complications and the forerunners of consumption, pneumonia and catarrh. Colds are commonly due to sudden changes of temperature, and are caused by the sudden closing of the pores of the skin, thus preventing the escape of those waste matters of the body which Nature has designed should be expelled in that direction. The blood is thus driven inward, causing congestion.

If the system is in a sound, healthy condition, with respiration good and the colon clean, it should be next to impossible to take cold. If, however, there is a weak spot in the body, be sure the cold will find it, when, if not promptly dealt with, serious results may ensue.

TREATMENT.

Constipation is the invariable primary cause of a cold, hence the first thing to do is to flush the colon. Use the ”Cascade” daily for at least three days. Do not eat any supper the first night. The next thing to be done is to take the Turkish bath (see end of book). It should be taken at night, after which drink a gla.s.s of hot lemonade and go to bed, covering the body thoroughly. No doubt you will perspire profusely, but that is what you need. In the morning take a good bath and rub down, following the directions given for bathing, drink a cup of hot water an hour before breakfast and let that meal be light, such as Graham bread, boiled eggs, oatmeal and oranges. You are then ready to attend to your daily business, and if you take another flus.h.i.+ng at night, the next morning your cold will be only a memory.

CONSTIPATION.

This condition of the system has been so frequently referred to already that further comment upon it may be deemed unnecessary. Its causes are varied, insufficient exercise in the open air, hastily eaten and imperfectly masticated food, also many articles of food tend to induce the evil of habitual constipation.

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