In strong contrast to the conditions of "positive" disease amongst
children, due, as I have explained, to over-vitality and too rapid
vibrations, we have to consider the opposite condition of Negative
disease, comprising all physical disturbances wherein cold negative
electrical forces and reduced vibrations produce unhealthy action of the
mucous membranes, resulting in degeneration of the tissues known as
Catarrh in various forms. Bronchitis, Grippe, Influenza and light
catarrhal inflammation of the respective organs. One of the most serious
in this chapter is summer-complaint (Cholera infantum). This disease,
which causes the death of so many, is due to the bringing up of infants
on artificial food instead of on the mother's breast. It is one of the
negative diseases caused by diminished vitality. The disease is similar
to Asiatic cholera. An extensive description of the same is given in
Chapter XI A of my book, "Regeneration or Dare To Be Healthy." Frequent
vomiting and diarrhoea, with rapid collapse of all vitality, and severe
brain disturbances manifest themselves, and death frequently occurs
after 36 hours. During hot weather bacterial germs impregnating the air,
frequently enter the milk, and many children succumb to the disease at
the same time, until wind and rain improve the general conditions. This
is the explanation of the occasional epidemic appearance of Cholera
Infantum--and its established cause.
_Therapy._
_Diet_: The mother's breast or the breast of a healthy wet nurse is the
very best remedy for this complaint, if applied at an early stage. If
this is impossible, a gruel of barley, oats or mucilaginous rice-water,
a decoction of salep (1 teaspoonful to 1 pint of water), or rice water
(1 teaspoonful of crushed toasted rice to 1/2 pint water) are
recommended. The missing nutritive substance is best supplied by
calcareous earth (calcium carbonate), giving 1/4 teaspoonful in a
tablespoonful of sweetened water every 3 to 4 hours, for a day or two.
It is the simplest, yet most wonderful remedy ever discovered. It is in
cases like this that physiological chemistry celebrates its victory. Try
it and you will be convinced. For more vigorous means the physician must
be consulted, as he should be in any case of this kind, and that as
quickly as possible.
_Physical_: Sponging the entire body of the child with lukewarm vinegar
and water, using one-half vinegar and one-half water, may prove very
successful. Warm packs around the abdomen and extending down to the
soles of the feet, often prove very effective. The abdomen must be kept
warm. The employment of coloured light for curative purposes has been
already explained in the preceding pages. The use of _blue_ curtains is,
accordingly enjoined here on account of the invigorating influence of
the more violent vibrations of _blue light_ upon an organism suffering
under the reduced vibration of a "negative disease."
=The Contagious Character of Children's Diseases.=
In strict adherence to the biological standpoint, it is recommended that
a child be separated from the other children in the house as soon as it
becomes ill, and if it is not convenient to send the other children away
to be taken care of by friends, they must at least be excluded from the
sick-chamber. _Each one of these diseases develops some sort of bacillus
in its first appearance, and this leaves the body and may fall on
receptive soil in the body of another child._ Since all the children in
one family live in the same environment and receive practically the same
nourishment, and are of the same parentage, the presumption prevails
that each one of them is equally susceptible to the disease with which
one of the children has been affected. It is, therefore, advisable to
adopt preventive and protective measures with them all, by applying
abdominal packs and giving them Dechmann's Plasmogen, which will
strengthen the white corpuscles of the blood in their fight against
possibly intruding bacilli; also Dechmann's Tonogen, in order to give
the red corpuscles and the heart the power to endure the greater efforts
which the demand for increased vitality will necessitate. The
application of these measures will in many cases entirely prevent an
impending attack of the disease, and if not, will at least make it
easier to control.
_The golden rule_: Keep the head cool, the feet warm and the bowels
open; that is the golden rule to be followed in the treatment of all
children's diseases. All means that are applied must have but the one
object, that of making the condition of the blood as good as possible,
so that it will maintain a fluid form and circulate readily, richly
supplied with all the necessary upbuilding substances. This, and not the
use of anti-toxins, will guarantee a speedy return to normal conditions.
_Diet_: The importance of the diet in all of these diseases has been
indicated on several occasions. Its application is treated extensively
under the fever diet; exceptions to be determined by the physician.
_Dech-manna-Compositions_: The compositions to be used in case of
children's diseases will, as indicated above, consist mainly of
Plasmogen and Tonogen. Small doses of Eubiogen will be of great
advantage in promoting the general condition of the patient. These three
compositions should always be available in a family where there are
children, as their application will prove very beneficial in any case,
even before the arrival of the physician.
_Physical_: The correct application of ablutions of vinegar and water,
of partial and other packs and various baths, must be left to the
prescription of the physician, depending on the nature of the individual
case, and the effect on the patient, with the exception of the abdominal
pack. This should always be applied immediately: cold in positive, and
warm in negative diseases.