In the consideration of these diseases, it is well to bear in mind
that lowered resistance is the primary condition that has made the
infections possible, and that lowered resistance implies an imbalance
of or obstruction to the vital fluids and forces of the body, thereby
interfering with the functional activity of the body’s normal
protective mechanism.
The imbalance of or the obstruction to these vital fluids and forces,
which is structural in nature, is produced by many conditions, as
fatigue, exposure, sudden changes of heat and cold, emotions, dietetic
errors, physical force or violence, etc. These conditions, because
of the response of the tissues of the body to environmental changes,
produce contractures of the elastic tissues, such as muscle, fascia,
etc., which disturbs the structural integrity of the body and thus
produces obstructions, irritations or interference with the media of
exchange of these vital fluids (blood and lymph) and forces (nervous
energy) of the body.
It is evident, then, that the most potent curative factor in the
treatment of these diseases, as in all others, is the removal, whenever
possible, of the obstructions and interferences that pervert the
activity of these protective forces. It is necessary, therefore, to
remove the exciting causes (fatigue, dietetic error, etc.) and by such
physiological means as may seem necessary to readjust the structures
of the body so as to remove the above mentioned obstructions and
interferences.
The structural lesions most frequently found in the infectious
diseases are of the muscular and fascial type and are very evident
to the careful observer. The interosseous lesions are probably often
the predisposing factors to the susceptibility of the softer tissues
to reaction to environmental changes, but it has been the experience
of the writer that the adjustment of the softer tissues was of
greater primary importance in the acute stages of these diseases.
The interosseous lesions may be easily adjusted in the very early
stages of these diseases, that is before the severe symptoms have
appeared, but after the more severe conditions have appeared it has
been our experience that the soft tissue work was sufficient unless the
interosseous lesions were very easily adjusted.
It is the writer’s desire to impress upon the reader the necessity of
careful attention to the structural lesions that are always constant
in these diseases, using whatever physiological means seem necessary
to adjust these lesions and keep them adjusted, and to insist upon
carefully restricted diet; continuous, thorough elimination of the
waste products of the body; hygienic surroundings and well-regulated
environments both mental and physical. Then Nature, which has given
the body its own protective mechanism, may have full control of the
situation and all of the normal protective chemicals and forces in the
body organism are utilized in the battle with the invading infective
forces: the glands secrete the chemicals of protection; the antibodies
are rapidly developed and thrown into the battle area; metabolism
begins to return to normal; elimination becomes increased because of
the stimulating action of foreign substances in the body structures;
and the work of repair and recuperation begins.
If reliance is placed upon the inherent protective forces of the body,
the knowledge of the special type or character of the invading organism
is of little importance from the standpoint of the treatment of the
disease after it has become established. The value of the knowledge
of the specific organisms is in preventive medicine, in seeking out
the habitat and breeding ground of the organism and its mode of
transmigration. Knowing these, effective measures may be adopted to
prevent their propagation and spread. Examples of this are Yellow Fever
and Malaria.