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retained. Toxins are absorbed, the muscles and kidneys are
weakened, and the liver and pancreas degenerate. The injury
to the nervous system is shown in headaches, rheumatic and
neuralgic pains, mental depression and irritation, with lack of
energy. The skin becomes inelastic and is pigmented, and acneiform
eruptions appear on the skin. The nails become coarse and
unsightly, the ears congested and of a purple colour. Colitis is
due to intestinal stasis and improper feeding; an unsuitable dietary,
consisting of too many cooked meats, not only leads to the promotion
of constipation, but as it contains no vitamins, the absence of the
vitamins and the presence of toxins in the circulation cause starvation
and poisoning of the endocrine glands. A man who, at 55, finds himself
guilty of such dietetic errors and of constipation has yet time to
recover himself. The treatment of constipation is mainly dietetic.
Eat more fruit and salads and less meat. Uncooked fruits and vegetables
and dairy produce will prevent dyspepsia, eczema, and arthritis.
Meat once a day is enough. At first it is advisable to clear the intestines
by using the simple salts I have alluded to above. A visit to
Bath, Buxton or Harrogate, for the waters there, for those who can
afford it, is valuable. Keep the kidneys flushed with lots of water, or
Potass water between meals. Baths, massage and electricity keep the
skin acting, thereby helping the elimination of poisons. Heliotherapy,
that is sunlight treatment either natural or by artificial lamps, stimulates
the skin and detoxicates the bodily fluids; avoid the heat of the
sun during sunlight treatment. Sunlight is a great antiseptic; it increases
the calcium and phosphorus in the blood and also increases its
bactericidal action. To keep the lungs clean, vigorous action in the
open air is indicated. Take the French breakfast of coffee and a roll
in place of the heavy English breakfast. Get away from that foolish
idea of gorging to " keep up your strength," for overeating does not
keep up but ruins the strength. Personally, my breakfast consists only
of either two small apples or a grape fruit, with a large cup of unsweetened
tea. Here, let me say, that this treatment I am now outlining
is an admirable one for obesity as well as constipation. A brain
worker should not take a heavy lunch at 1 o'clock ; if he does he must
sleep for an hour or two afterwards. A heavy lunch determines a flow
of blood to the stomach to promote digestion. If therefore a man
resumes his brain work just after a heavy lunch he gets dyspepsia.
A good lunch would be bread, cheese, butter, an omelette, and a salad