PART IV. Should We Try to Prolong Human Life?

SHOULD WE TRY TO PROLONG HUMAN LIFE?

THE BENEFIT TO HUMANITY

Complaints of the shortness of our life.—Theory of “medical selection” as a cause of degeneration of the race.—Utility of prolonging human life 132

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROLONGATION OF LIFE

Ancient methods of prolonging human life.—Gerokomy.—The “immortality draught” of the Taoists.—Brown-Séquard’s method.—The spermine of Poehl.—Dr. Weber’s precepts.—Increased duration of life in historical times.—Hygienic maxims.—Decrease in cutaneous cancer 136

III

DISEASES THAT SHORTEN LIFE

Measures against infectious diseases as aiding in the prolongation of life.—Prevention of syphilis.—Attempts to prepare serums which could strengthen the higher elements of the organism 145

INTESTINAL PUTREFACTION SHORTENS LIFE

Uselessness of the large intestine in man.—Case of a woman whose large intestine was inactive for six months.—Another case where the greater part of the large intestine was completely shut off.—Attempts to disinfect the contents of the large intestine.—Prolonged mastication as a means of preventing intestinal putrefaction 151

LACTIC ACID AS INHIBITING INTESTINAL PUTREFACTION

The development of the intestinal flora in man.—Harmlessness of sterilised food.—Means of preventing the putrefaction of food.—Lactic fermentation and its anti-putrescent action.—Experiments on man and mice.—Longevity in races which used soured milk.—Comparative study of different soured milks.—Properties of the Bulgarian Bacillus.—Means of preventing intestinal putrefaction with the help of microbes 161