Among the most deadly menaces that beset human life upon this planet are
those forms of disease classed under the head of so-called Endemic and
Epidemic disease and including in its baleful limits Yellow fever,
Cholera, Pellagra--otherwise known as Hook-worm, Plague and so-called
Spanish Influenza.
Based upon Physiological Chemistry and explained from the Biological
standpoint, the explanation of these covers a wide scientific area and
geographically treated embraces the globe.
The various problems of their cause and prevention have exercised the
mind of science and research to an enormous degree and heavy premiums
have been placed upon their solution, with more or less success and much
expenditure has been incurred in the examination of local conditions.
As far as this Continent is concerned, perhaps the most troublesome has
been Climatic Fever which varies greatly in form and intensity according
to temperature and location.
"Yellow Fever," as it is named, has swept some Southern localities from
time to time, but Science, Sanitation and Hygiene have curbed its
virulence and spread, as in the case of outbreaks of epidemics such as
small-pox--for the control of which, by the way, the advocates of the
vile and pernicious practice of vaccination, fraudulently claim the
credit, even in these advancing times, when the wiles of self interest
are disclosed, the worship of the "Putrid Calf" exposed and the days of
the vaccine vendor numbered.
Yellow Fever occurs on the Coast of tropical countries and, as a rule,
is fatal, after a rapid development of from 3 to 7 days.
The explanation of the cause of the disease is comparatively simple: The
air on the hot coast lands is highly charged with evaporated water. Heat
and humidity have the effect of diverting from the human organism the
electricity which, as already shown, constitutes its vital cohesion and
the same influences likewise reduce the oxygen in the atmosphere. These
are the two primary causes of Yellow Fever.
Pellagra (hook-worm or Lombardy Leprosy) is, according to the tenets of
the Regular School, an endemic skin and spinal disease of Southern
Europe. It is said to be due to eating damaged corn but dependent also
upon bad hygienic conditions, poor food and exposure to the sun. Its
salient features are weakness, debility, digestive disturbance, spinal
pain, convulsions, melancholia and idiocy.
More recent investigation has judged it to be a deficiency disease, due
to low and unvaried diet and consequent failure of metabolism.
In every case these climatic disease forms are caused by a combination
of hot air, lacking oxygen, and evaporated water, including Cholera
which also varies in intensity according to heat conditions.
Cholera and Plague originate on the coast of Bengal, India, where
conditions are bad enough of themselves without the apology of the
illusive bacillus as a causative agent.
That Cholera is contagious cannot be doubted and it is no superstition
that fear predisposes thereto. For all emotions consume electrical power
in the body and thus break down its power of resistance.
Infantile paralysis, Typhoid-fever, Small-pox, etc., are dealt with
elsewhere and therefore need no mention here.
It is impossible to deal adequately with so wide a subject within the
narrow limits at my disposal; but the full details and environment of
each, together with the respective methods of treatment will be found in
detail in the parent work "Regeneration or Dare to be Healthy."