Part 33

GOUT--THE SYMPTOMS

The earlier symptoms of gout are nervousness, irritability, and sometimes insomnia. In the second stages, shooting pains through the fingers and toes are experienced, and later a swelling or a slight inflammation of these terminals. After this acute condition has existed for perhaps a year, the pain may cease and the joints may begin to swell. Knots are also often formed, especially upon the hands, and sometimes upon the feet.

RHEUMATISM, GOUT--THE REMEDY

The remedy for these disorders may be said to lie wholly within the realm of diet, exercise and oxidation, supplemented by a liberal superficial application of heat, such as Turkish and electric light baths.

In all cases of rheumatism and gout, the following should be omitted:

All acid fruits, such as, Grapefruit Lemons Limes Oranges Pineapples Eggs Red meats Starchy foods (Carbohydrate class)

The diet should be confined to--

Fish and white meat of fowl Fresh vegetables Nuts Salads Sweet and non-acid fruits (See Lesson VIII, p. 313)

If the diet were confined wholly to green salads, fresh vegetables and white meats, it would remove the causes of these disorders, and inasmuch as Nature is always striving to create perfect health, the cause being removed, she would begin at once to apply the remedy, by removing the congested mass of undissolved calcareous matter, atom by atom. Thus the active principle of rheumatism would disappear.

Where the joints have become enlarged, the best that can be done is to render them flexible. It is almost impossible to take out of them all the accumulated deposits, and to reduce them to their natural or normal size.

In addition to the above-named restrictive diet, the patient should be given sufficient exercise each day to generate enough heat to cause perspiration. It is well to remember that one drop of perspiration forced out of the body by activity is worth a dozen drawn out of the body by the application of superficial heat, such as the Turkish bath. Natural perspiration should come from exercise (muscular friction). This is the method designed by Nature to throw poisonous substances to the surface in the form of sweat, thereby demolishing the old cell and making a place for the new. The Turkish bath and massage is the lazy man's method of cheating Nature, and cannot possibly bring as good results as can obedience to the natural law of motion.

In cases of Rheumatism and Gout:

OMIT EAT

All acid fruits-- Buttermilk Grapefruit Fish and white meat of fowl Lemons Fresh vegetables Limes Nuts Oranges Potatoes Pineapples Salads (green) Coffee Sweet fruits (non-acid) Eggs Liquors, wines, beers Red meat Starchy foods Tobacco

Eat rather sparingly, especially at the evening meal.

BRIGHT'S DIS-EASE

This disorder is confined entirely to the kidneys. In its final analysis it is nothing more than consumption or destruction of the kidneys by thrusting upon them a greater amount of waste matter than they are capable of throwing off, the result being (1) irritation; (2) ulceration; (3) suppuration or consumption.

BRIGHT'S DIS-EASE--THE CAUSE

The causes of Bright's dis-ease are overingestion of food, especially sweets, starches and meats; the taking of stimulants and narcotics, and the consequent failure of the body to eliminate the poisons or waste accumulating therefrom.

BRIGHT'S DIS-EASE--THE SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of Bright's dis-ease are scant amount of urine, heavily laden with solids and fatty granules, while leucocytes and even red blood-corpuscles are often shown, especially in advanced cases. Dull pains in the small of the back, and a general weakening in the lumbar regions are common symptoms.

BRIGHT'S DIS-EASE--THE REMEDY

It has been popularly supposed, and announced from many alleged sources of authority, that there is no remedy for this dis-ease, and from the standpoint of Materia Medica this probably is correct, but from the standpoint of the natural scientist there is a remedy. However, Bright's dis-ease, like all others herein discussed, can better be prevented than cured, and under a correct dietetic regimen, with plenty of exercise and fresh air, the kidneys, like every other organ of the body, will perform their normal functions.

When Bright's dis-ease has made its appearance, the first thing to be ascertained is the character of the diet and the general habits of eating and drinking during the previous two or three years; secondly, the occupation or habits of exercise, especially exposure to fresh air and sunshine.

BRIGHT'S DIS-EASE--THE TREATMENT

A very restricted diet should be observed, consisting largely of the following:

Fresh vegetables Green salads Subacid fruits The fine cereals--(Such as barley and rice) Milk and eggs--(limited quantity)

All sweets taken should be in the form of sweet fruits. (See Lesson VIII, p. 313).