cost of abstracting lime from the system. Result: oxalate of lime,
forming calculus, or 'stone,' which you don't want, and tissues
depleted of lime which you do want."
"So you get your patients after all. In fact, having 'neutralised
their oxalic acid' to escape you, they come back to you with two
diseases instead of one. It seems to me you are a very profitable
investment, Mr Pseudo-Science."
"Really, Mr Taste, you would not, I presume, have me suppress the
truth simply because it happens to be profitable?"
"But is it the truth? What proof have you?"
"I presume you are ignorant of the fact that animals have died with
all the symptoms of oxalic acid poisoning, simply through taking too
much sugar."
"What kind of animals? You chose such as are used to taking shop sugar
as part of their ordinary food, of course?"
"Well--no; not in that form. The subjects of the experiment were
rabbits."
"Ah! And from these you draw deductions about man who has been eating
artificial sugar for ages. How like a vivisectionist! But what doses
of sugar did the rabbits get?"
"About one-fortieth of the body-weight."
"That would be as if a man of 150 lbs. weight should take 3+3/4 lbs.
sugar at a meal! And since it is excessive fruit you are warning us
against, can you tell me how many pounds of fruit--say, apples--one
must take in order to get that amount of sugar in a day? No less than
sixty pounds. Really your warning seems a little superfluous."
"It is all very well for you to scoff, Mr Taste, but if it were not
for me you would know nothing about the latest diseases. I really
believe you would be content to go right through life without knowing
that you had a duodenum or an appendix."
"Quite" assented Taste cheerfully.
ARNOLD EILOART, B.SC.
A SYMPOSIUM ON UNFIRED FOOD.
_In November, 1912, we published a letter from a reader containing the
excellent suggestion that readers who had experimented to any fair
extent with unfired diet should be invited to contribute to a
conference on the subject in_ THE HEALTHY LIFE, _and that the
symposium should be gathered round the following points:--_
(1) The effect of the diet in curing chronic disease.
(2) Its effect on children so brought up--_e.g._ do they get the
so-called "inevitable" diseases of chicken-pox, measles, etc., and
especially have they good (_i.e._ perfect) teeth?
(3) The effect of the diet in childbirth.
(4) The cost of maintaining a household in this way, as compared with
the cost under ordinary conditions.
(5) Is the diet satisfying, or is there a longing for conventional
dietary (often found amongst food reformers)?
(6) Is the diet quite satisfactory in winter?
_A number of interesting letters have been published this year, and we
shall be glad to receive a large number of personal experiences, but
they must be brief, and classified under the above heads as far as
possible. The following is a striking piece of personal
evidence._--[EDS.]
BUCKHURST HILL, ESSEX,
_28th April 1913._
To the Editors of _The Healthy Life._
DEAR SIRS,
As a slight contribution to the interesting discussion which is
taking place in your magazine, will you allow me to give you a
short summary of nearly sixty years experience of the effects,
in my own case, of flesh eating, vegetarianism and the uncooked
food diet.
This is not a fairy tale, as some may be inclined to think, but a
plain unvarnished statement of facts.
The flesh-eating period lasted for seventeen years. When three
months old I was the unfortunate victim of vaccination poisoning,
and for years afterwards was continually in the doctor's hands.
The best medical men in this country and America were consulted;
for months daily visits were paid to a noted Chicago specialist
in the hope that he might be able to effect a cure, but it was a
case of "love's labour lost," and, instead of improving, my
condition grew steadily worse.
During all these years, drugging was constantly going on, the
pills and potions ordered were religiously swallowed, and,
strange as it may seem, the ordeal was survived. Flesh meat was
eaten daily, and, of all the members of the medical profession
consulted, not one of them ever hinted that a change of diet
might be beneficial.
When 17 years of age my attention was drawn to an article in _The
Phonetic Journal_ on the advantages of a non-flesh diet. By this
time, being thoroughly tired of taking endless quantities of
useless, poisonous and expensive drugs, I decided, there and
then, to throw "physic to the dogs," making up my mind that if
death did come, and it seemed to be staring me in the face, I
would, at any rate, die a vegetarian.
Within six months the most dangerous symptom had completely
disappeared and has never recurred, but, although greatly
benefitting by the new diet, and enjoying on the whole fairly
good health, yet there were frequent attacks of rheumatism,
lumbago and neuralgia; dyspepsia, with its attendant pain and
flatulence, often made life miserable; now and again the liver
would rise up in rebellion, bringing in its train vertigo,
blurred vision and severe headaches; constipation, that bane of
modern life, was a source of endless trouble, in fact, for many
years the enema had to be used once or twice a week, and last,
but worst of all, came those sharp, shooting, lancinating pains,
one of the premonitory symptoms of cancer.
Obviously, there was still something radically wrong somewhere,
and on retiring from practice, a great deal of time and attention
was devoted to the subject, innumerable experiments were made,
and, ultimately, results obtained, the value of which cannot be
exaggerated.
Five years ago the uncooked food diet was commenced, and from the
very first week a steady improvement took place. The constipation
vanished as if by magic; there has not been the slightest touch
of rheumatism or neuralgia for at least three years the liver is
now an unknown quantity, the dyspepsia is a thing of the past,
and, most important of all, the cancer symptoms are entirely
gone, and in their place has come an abounding health, vigour and
vitality that is marvellous. The years seem to have "rolled back
in their flight"; all the centres of life are rejuvenated; and
the hopes, feelings and aspirations of youth sway me now as they
did nearly half-a-century ago. Work, mental or physical, is a
perfect pleasure, and to feel fatigue is almost unknown.
What a glorious gift life really is has never been realised till
now, and the wealth of the Indies would not induce me to go back
to the flesh-pots, or live on cooked foods again. This diet gives
two important advantages: firstly, the elimination of all excess
of starchy matter prevents the formation of needless fat, and,
secondly, the entire absence of artificially sweetened food
removes one of the main causes of over-eating.
Will people ever learn that fat, instead of being a sign of
health, is the very reverse, that every ounce of superfluous
adipose tissue means more work for the heart, diminished
vitality, lessened energy, and, when excessive, is not only a
distinct menace to longevity, but to life itself?
I never take more than two meals a day and very often only one,
which consists of raw vegetables, nuts, olive oil and unfired
bread; the second meal, when required, is a simple fruit salad.
When a vegetarian the writer lived for years on a shilling a
week; it costs rather more now, the oil, nuts, fruit and bread
being more expensive than beans, rice, meal, etc., but the
difference is so trifling that it is not worth talking about.
Whilst "Fletcherising," deep breathing, distilled water, olive
oil, fasting, saltless food, the open-air life, regular exercise,
etc., were valuable allies, it was not until the powerful aid of
uncooked food was invoked that the real benefits began to appear
and life became a real joy. Yours, etc.,
JOHN REID, M.B., C.M.
HEALTH QUERIES.
_Under this heading our contributor, Dr Valentine Knaggs, deals
briefly month by month, and according as space permits, with questions
of general interest to health seekers and others._
_In all Queries relating to health difficulties it is essential that
full details of the correspondent's customary diet should be clearly
given._
_Correspondents are earnestly requested to write on _one side only of
the paper_, giving full name and address, not for publication, but as
a guarantee of good faith. When an answer is required by post a
stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed._--[EDS.]
_Every inquiry must be accompanied by the front cover (or upper part
of same showing date) of a recent number_ of _The Healthy Life_.
ONION JUICE AS HAIR RESTORER.
Mrs M. McC. writes:--In your book, _Onions and Cress_,[21] on p.
49, it is stated that the juice of onions mixed with honey will
change the colour of hair from grey to black. Will you be kind
enough to tell me in what proportion these should be mixed, as,
of course, if not in a proper mixture, the hair would become so
clogged. And will you also kindly tell me how one is to extract
the juice from the onions, whether they are to be boiled or
squeezed when raw.
With regard to the use of a mixture of onion juice and honey as a hair
restorative the reader of my little book must remember that it is
largely a compilation of quotations from old herbal books, and it
gives the history, use and folklore of these interesting edibles. I am
not responsible for this recipe and cannot therefore vouch for its
utility. We know, however, that onions contain a wonderful sulphured
oil and that sulphur in one form or another is an important ingredient
of most hair preparations which restore colour. The raw juice
evidently should be used, and this can be extracted either by pounding
and grating and then extracting the juice under pressure, or it can be
readily obtained in any quantity by putting onions through the
Enterprise Juice Press. The amount of honey, I think, to be added to
this juice should be very small, otherwise, as our correspondent
surmises, the preparation would be very sticky and objectionable.
Would any reader care to try this and report upon it?
[21] _Onions and Cress_, 6d. net (postage 1d).
SCIATICA.
Mrs M.G. writes:--My husband is a sufferer from sciatica; has had
it for some years, on and off, but just lately he seems is to get
it constantly--sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. He has been
taking some salicylate of soda, and I have tried to persuade him
to give it up. His age is 42. For his meals he takes, on rising,
an apple or a cup of apple tea; an hour afterwards his breakfast,
which consists of two tablespoonfuls of a proteid food mixed with
distilled water, and a hard biscuit, two slices of whole meal
brown bread, nut butter, and watercress or lettuce. During the
morning he drinks barley water. For dinner, a salad and a few
ground nuts and hard biscuits and an apple; sometimes home-made
nut meat and spinach, hard biscuits and dried or fresh fruit.
For tea, a salad or lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cress, and
Shredded Wheat and wholemeal bread. Last thing at night, a few
steamed onions and distilled water. His bowels are in good
condition, very regular, but he has this constant gnawing pain.
If you can help me in any way as to a change in his diet, it will
be a relief to me. I do not mind the trouble of preparing things
for him. It is about two months ago that he has taken to drinking
distilled water, which I make myself. His occupation is very
sedentary, with long hours, sometimes from six in the morning
till nine at night. He has a bicycle, and gets as much exercise
as possible.
From the description given one would assume that the sedentary
occupation and long hours of work have caused this correspondent to
fall into bad postural habits of sitting and standing, coupled with
excessive depletion of his nervous energy. The diet given is on good
lines and, with the addition of home-made curd cheese and eggs as
proteid, might certainly be continued as it stands, especially as the
bowel action is regular. What the correspondent does need is less
hours of work; more physical exercises of a brisk back-stretching
nature, and certain spinal stretching manipulations of an Osteopathic
nature. Full deep breathing in fresh air will also be beneficial. The
lower part of the spine, from which the sciatic nerves originate,
needs the most attention.
REFINED PARAFFIN AS A CONSTIPATION REMEDY.
Mr E.H. writes:--Will Dr Knaggs very kindly say whether Refined
Paraffin, now being given so generally for the relief of
constipation, may be regarded as a harmless method of overcoming
this trouble or whether its use might lead to harmful results. I
am told that this preparation of oil is not assimilated, and is
therefore harmless, but I should much appreciate Dr Knaggs'
opinion on this matter.
The use of refined paraffin as a remedy for constipation is just now
all the rage with the orthodox medical profession. There is nothing
really to be said against its right use, provided it is made to serve
as one of the means to an end. It has been proved that this paraffin,
which is quite tasteless, odourless and easy to swallow, is not
absorbed by the system but passes unchanged and unaltered through it.
It acts therefore as a mere mechanical lubricant. The one thing to
remember is that its use should be combined with a curative diet, so
that it need not be taken indefinitely.
(1) DRY THROAT; (2) SACCHARINE; (3) DILATED HEART.
Mr L.S. writes:--I have read _The Healthy Life_ from the
appearance of the first number, and I have studied the Answers to
Correspondents, but have not observed a case identical with my
own, hence my reason for troubling you.
(1) The back part of mouth next throat has a curious glazed
appearance--no cough or expectoration. I am inclined to think it
extends to and includes the stomach. I have always a good
appetite, but am not well nourished; much under weight. Age 44
years; school officer; cycle 25 miles a week.
Eat meat sparingly, not a pound a week. Live principally upon
eggs and bread and butter--(three eggs a day): "Digestive Tea"
two and three times a day.
2. Is saccharine less harmful than sugar for sweetening?
3. As the result of a nervous breakdown I had five years ago I
suffer from a dilated heart, consequently--I suppose--I have
palpitation occasionally, oftener when in bed. I don't think my
heart is really normal since my breakdown five years ago.
4. Would bathing myself with cold water over the region of the
heart strengthen the muscles? Would you please suggest anything
for strengthening heart. Are lemons or eggs injurious to the
heart?
1. The throat symptoms indicate a dry, irritable, heated condition of
the mouth and throat which, as the correspondent surmises, equally
affects the stomach and the rest of the digestive organs. He should
have a breakfast of fresh fruit only, take salads and grated raw roots
with his meals and stop tea altogether. He can drink distilled water
and vegetable or lemon drinks (unsweetened) instead.
2. Saccharine is a mineral substance, a fossilised product of
putrefactive action in the coal age. It is closely analogous to
carbolic acid, which equally originates from microbic action. By
leaving off sugar and replacing it by saccharine our correspondent
gains nothing. He is simply leaping from the frying pan into the fire.
It is best for him to cultivate a taste for unsweetened or even acid
drinks.
3. A dilated heart is usually an after effect of a dilated stomach,
which strains it, just as it does every other organ, whether in the
chest or the abdomen.
4. Bathing the chest with cold water is not desirable. What is needed
is that the correspondent should drink as little fluid as possible and
pay close attention to the condition of his digestive mechanism. If
the organs are dilated or misplaced he should wear a belt and take
suitable gentle Osteopathic exercises.
TREATMENT FOR STAMMERING.
A.M.D. writes:--Could you kindly give in _The Healthy Life_
magazine some suggestions as to the best method to follow in a
case of stammering (slight) in a boy of ten or eleven years who
has been rather left to himself, the hesitancy in speech being
regarded as incurable?
This boy should be trained by someone who understands how to cure
stammering. The correspondent would do well to consult Miss Behncke of
18 Earl's Court Square, S.W., who makes a speciality of treating such
cases.
WHY THE RED CORPUSCLES ARE DEFICIENT IN ANAEMIA.
A.M.D. writes:--Is there any way, independent of diet, of
increasing the red corpuscles in the blood? I have tried walking
nine miles a day, thus getting up free perspirations. What of
this method? I did imagine that this resulted in a better
condition of the skin, the latter losing in a measure the white
and parched appearance.
A deficiency of red corpuscles in the blood, which shows in anaemia, is
usually caused by self-poisoning. When food ferments or putrifies in
the colon, owing to faulty diet and other causes, certain toxins are
created. These become absorbed into the blood and there destroy the
red corpuscles. Walking is a good form of exercise, but it will not
suffice alone to remedy this type of anaemia unless the diet and
general habits of the patient are so arranged that the unsanitary
condition of the colon is also remedied. The correspondent will find,
if she studies the replies to others in this magazine, many details as
to diet, etc., for rectifying bad conditions in the bowels.
THE CORRECT BLENDING OF FOODS.
T.B.W. writes:--Is it inadvisable for a dyspeptic (and sufferer
from constipation) to eat salad, or cooked vegetables, and stewed
fruit at the same meal; also, do I do right in eating bread and
butter (preferably crust) or hard biscuits with stewed fruit or
soft vegetables, etc.? Would you please inform me the best Still
that I can obtain--preferably one that does not require much
attention, and is fairly portable, and that does not cost much to
work?
I do not believe that it is right to mix salads or cooked vegetables
with stewed fruits. It is better to take them at separate meals.
It is, in my view, equally bad to take cereals (_i.e._ bread,
biscuits, etc.) with stewed fruits. The reason is that cereals call
for an alkaline form of digestion in the mouth which the acid fruits
or the added sugar greatly retard.
I believe strongly in the all-fruit breakfast or all-fruit supper,
when fresh, dried, or even stewed dried fruits (possibly with some
fresh cream) can be taken alone, without either cereals or vegetables.
Cereals go best with salads and cooked vegetables, because of the
alkalinity of the latter which harmonises with the salivary secretion
intended for the digestion of grains.
The Gem Still is the best to buy. It is well made and does not need
much attention. The large automatic commercial size is, however, the
best if any quantity is needed, as it works throughout the day with
practically no attention when properly adjusted.
DIFFICULTIES IN CHANGING TO NON-FLESH DIET.
F.C.W. writes:--I shall be glad if you will inform me from your
experience whether, after one has broken from the customary meat
diet and adopted a "reform" diet, there is any real difficulty in
reverting to the former state. I have seen it stated that
vegetarian diet did not call into action all the natural powers
of the digestive organs, and, this being so, the tendency was for
them to become weakened so that the food reformer eventually
found himself unable to digest meat. I believe some health
culturists make practice of taking meat twice a week. I have been
about seven or eight weeks on reform diet, and though better in
some ways have to confess to a feeling of deficient energy and
nerve power. I was once told by a doctor that I could not afford
to do without the stimulating effect derived from meat. I
propose making a test of the two methods, but should like to hear
from you in reply to the above query. Another new feature I have
noticed on the new diet is a thinness of the teeth and a feeling
of weakness in them generally.
This correspondent omitted to supply his amended diet, so this was
asked for and is as follows:--
_On rising_ (6.40).--Cup of cold water.
_Breakfast_ (8 A.M.).--Porridge, boiled egg or white fish done in
oven. Turog brown bread and butter; a banana; cup of coffee.
_Lunch_ (12.45, _at The Home Restaurant_)--Nut or cheese savoury
and one vegetable, a sweet dish, a few dates or a nut and fruit
cake.
_Tea meal (in office at 5)._--Bread and butter, piece of cake,
large cup of cocoa.
_Supper._--One of following:--
(a) "Force" with stewed prunes and junket; small piece of cheese
with wholemeal biscuit.
(b) Milk pudding and stewed fruit; small piece of cheese and
biscuit.
(c) Vegetable soup with toast.
(d) Bread and milk and fruit cake.
_On retiring_ (10 P.M.).--Cup of hot milk.
The correspondent adds further:--
I have only been about eight weeks on food reform and the general
result, so far, is less susceptibility to draughts and ability to
sleep with windows open top and bottom, which I could not do
before, and a feeling of lightness and freshness. On the other
hand, I have not the same nerve force or power. I am of a highly
sensitive nervous disposition, and the latest trouble is with my
teeth. I was told yesterday by a dentist that a non-flesh diet is
harmful to them and that were one to eat meat only, there would
be no trouble! Perhaps it is owing to the dates and nut-and-fruit
cakes which I have been eating, or to a general weakened
condition due to want of finding my natural diet. I have a friend
who is a fine specimen of physical development, and on his going
on to food reform he had to have his teeth seen to. I suppose it
would not be the softer diet giving his teeth less to do. I am at
a disadvantage as I can get nothing specially prepared at home
and can only add to my diet articles which I can prepare myself.
I like my liquids fairly sweet and I like liquid foods. I am a
catarrhal subject and when this starts at the back of the nose
the hearing is affected.
Whenever a person changes from a meat diet to one that is of the
non-flesh order the digestive organs have to learn how to adjust their
secretions to the altered diet. This applies just as forcibly when a
food reformer wishes to return to the "flesh-pots." After a long
course of abstinence from meat the food reformer does find it
difficult to return to it. This is due not so much to the difficulty
in digesting it as to the violent stimulation and grossening of the
body which it induces.
I have never heard of any food reformer who discarded meat for ethical
or humane reasons who willingly returned to meat so that he could if
necessary be in a position to digest it.
With regard to the loss of energy and nerve power the correspondent
must distinguish between real weakness and absence of stimulation. The
first effects of discarding meat show a deficient energy due to the
absence of stimulation. When this has passed it gives place to a
feeling of buoyancy and energy which is permanent.
The dental weakness is aggravated, if indeed it is not actually
_caused_, by the milk puddings, porridge, cake and sugared beverages
which are a feature of this correspondent's diet, and to the absence
of salad vegetables. If he amended his diet somewhat as follows he
should make steady progress in energy and general fitness:--
_On rising._--Tumblerful of cold water.
_Breakfast_ (7.15).--One lightly boiled, baked or poached egg; Veda
bread and butter, a little watercress or other salad. A small cup of
Hygiama in place of the sugared cocoa.
_Lunch_ (12.45).--Nut or cheese savoury and one vegetable; baked
pudding by preference for second course, or simply a nut and fruit
cake; no dates.
_Or_ salad with grated cheese or cream cheese, or flaked pine nuts;
followed by a piece of the excellent wholemeal cake supplied at the
restaurant this correspondent frequents.
_Tea meal._--One cup of Salfon cocoa (unsweetened), preferably without
other food.
_Supper_ (6 to 7) (This meal is at present far too mushy).--Cream
cheese, Veda bread with fresh butter or nut butter, salad, tomatoes,
cucumber, etc., with dressing of pure oil and lemon juice.