The packs mentioned as physical treatment, under Nos. 24, 25, 26 and 27,
are of the greatest importance, and in fact I never undertake the
treatment of any disease whatsoever without applying them as the most
effective 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 compresses, a certain surplus
of heat is created 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 internal
organs to the skin. In all cases of fever the diseased matter is
dissolved in the hot feverish blood and circulates in and with it. The
evaporation of the skin is increased, and with it the diseased matter is
absorbed by the compresses, which consequently diffuse an unpleasant
odor when removed, and when cleansed, 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, increasing
temperature and unrest are sure signs that the pack requires to be
changed, and in case of high fever this may happen after 20 to 30
minutes.
For short packs, such as are prescribed in all inflammatory and feverish
diseases, 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 with moderately thick folds of woollen cloth.
The stronger the patient and the higher the fever, the thicker should be
the pack.
For infants a double linen strip is sufficient.
The faster the fever and inflammation recede, the longer may the pack
last, up to three hours. The convalescent will enjoy the moist warmth,
under the influence of which still existing diseased material is
thoroughly dissolved and completely excreted. The dissolving effect of
packs of long duration is most noticeable in chronic diseases.
Through the penetrating effect of the moist warmth on the body or parts
thereof, deposited diseased matter is dissolved, and dislodged, existing
excoriations are disintegrated, and withdrawn into the circulating
blood, and thus excreted.
The dissolving packs of long duration must be applied somewhat thinner
than the cooling ones (from 1 to 3 folds); they must be wrung out more
vigorously, and covered more closely.
If a pack should be applied for the sake of prevention of disease, it
may be put on in the evening and remain all night. In the beginning of
fever, while it remains moderate, the patient can endure the pack for
from 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
Biological hygienic therapy rejects the external application of ice, for
it causes severe congestion of the blood. Extensive application 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 hygienic treatment desires _to moderate
inflammation 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 products of inflammation through the blood
current_.
Paralysis of the vocal cords, of the muscles of the eye, of the nerves
of hearing, the exudations from the nose and eyes after diphteria,
meningitis and scarlet fever, adhesions, suppurations after pneumonia
and other forms of inflammatory disease, are often the _consequences of
the use of ice_, because the products of inflammation are not absorbed,
and the ice paralyzes the neighbouring nerves.
Inflammations, which are suppressed by medicine 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
inflammation.
In no case will a chronic ailment be the consequence of an acute
disease, provided the same is dealt with in a natural way, according to
the principles of biological hygienic treatment.
In order to bring about the complete excretion of all autotoxins and, in
case of inflammation, the complete absorption of all products thereof,
it is necessary to continue the lengthy packs even during the period of
convalescence, and not to stop immediately the fever and inflammation
have somewhat disappeared. This is a mistake which is frequently
committed, and the fault is then laid at the door of the biological
hygienic system. Any relapse, or succeeding illness, will be avoided by
continuing the packs for four to six weeks after the disease has been
cured, applying them during the night and at first also during the
day-time, from two to three hours.
While most people understand the cooling effect of a pack, _the
important diverting, dissolving and excreting effect is rarely
understood_. 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 part affected, nightly abdominal
packs and ablutions 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 yet the explanation is very simple, rational and logical.
In limiting packs, in case of inflammation, to the inflamed part only,
the blood current would be directed mainly to the one place, and the
excretion 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 is far otherwise when the pressure of blood into the diseased
part is moderated, if the dissolution 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 comes into action,
the entire body participates in the healing process. In biological
hygienic-dietetic practice it is, consequently, not sufficient to treat
the one diseased organ only. In all diseases _the co-operation of the
entire body in a general treatment, remains the main issue of the
biological, hygienic therapy_. It regards the human body, as so often
stated, purely as a unit, and knows neither specialist nor special
cures. This is the key to its success.