|
Without entering into the details of complications, causes, etc., of this prevalent complaint, our attention will be directed to the treatment. The various theories as to cause are as varied and numerous as are the remedies suggested. It, like all other functional disorders, is a nerve trouble, and caused by irritation of terminal nerve filaments, producing muscular contraction, and obstructing venous blood in the mucous membranes and subcellular tissue. Congestion is the consequence, and separation of, nerve footlets occurs, and capillaries are choken, and there ensue chemical changes; and first a watery exudate occurs, then the more constituent substance, mucus, then inflammatory processes take place, and a chronic disorder of mucus continues until all of the choked secretions are exhausted, and there is either a contraction of the epithelial surface, or a deeper structure, and inflammatory products result. A more serious sequelae than this may ensue - that of oedema - affecting the periosteum, and even involve the bony structure itself, when the exudate is green and offensive. These conditions are generally classed among the catarrhal affections. The causes are as stated above. Constant wetting the hair is one common source of catarrh, and should never be done as a "habit." The water evaporates, and coldness is the result, then contraction of muscle fibers, then choking off of the venous circulation, and terminal nerve irritation produces contraction of muscular fibers, hence obstructs venous circulation, and chemical changes occur. Whether the cold be from wetting the hair, or locally applied in other parts of the body, the effect is the same. Pneumonia is caused by exposure of terminal nerve filaments to too much cold, and generally results from cold between the shoulder-blades and chest muscles - about the first to fourth dorsal vertebra: and there is one of the principal places to treat the system to relieve the nerve impingement and to relieve colds in the chest - in the lungs, as well as for coughs and asthma, bronchitis and all lung troubles, acute or chronic. In bathing the head, it should be done with care; that is, as regards exposure to the air for an undue time. It should be done hastily, and the hair wrapped in a napkin until thoroughly dried; then there is no danger of taking cold from bathing the hair. The natural way of doing things is always the proper way to do them. Cleanliness may be observed with scrupulous care; but even common sense is required to do it right, and as all people need to be taught how to do things, we leave aimed to do our part. The congested condition of the blood necessarily increases its density, and especially when the watery portion exudes from it, through the small channels of lymphatics leading to the mucous surface, living, the normal constituents deficient, and the stasis of the blood having caused chemical changes to take place therein, irritation ensues, the tissues dilate, a greater accumulation of lymph infiltrates the tissues and fever ensues, and any condition may take place in any of tile tissues involved and we may have any sort of affection to which mucous membranes are liable - enlarged tonsils, scarlet fever, diphtheria, malignant sore throat, and closure of the frontal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, causing deafness, or even diseases of the trachea, bronchial tubes, even down into the finer ramifications of the lungs, culminating in pneumonia, or even tuberculosis, and not a "bug" be involved in the case. The fact is, " BUGS" (bacteria) do not cause diseases. There never was a flimsier excuse for diseases than the "bug theory." If these are involved in the case, it is after the disease is advanced sufficiently to form a nidus for their habitation, and under these circumstances may do harm: but healthy blood is certainly not infected with them. It is a singular fact, notwithstanding the asserted cause of typhoid fever having its origin in a specific bacteria, that a good, strong spinal treatment knocks the bugs into the "kingdom come," and stops the fever as if by magic, so that if the "bugs " were the causus belli, they are an army with very weak fortifications! The facts are, as stated elsewhere, when the two forces are united (which is a result of proper treatment), the cause is removed which perpetuates the typhoid fever (bacilla), and Nature restores the normal conditions to harmony, and the fever vanishes like frost before morning sunshine. The same is true of many - in fact, all - other functional disturbances. The freedom of the fluids of the body to insures the individual against diseases of all sorts. The unimpinged and non-exhausted nervous system throughout the furnishes, of all things, the surest immunity against diseases. These are the prophylactics, the remedies for all ills of a physical character, and in all places at all times; hence the greatest in this regard the world has ever known, and these principles will be recognized in time. The absolute results of this method of relieving human suffering commend it to one and all it is so simple and easily understood that all may appropriate it - use it. The use of disinfectants constitute an essential element in the treatment of catarrh and all mucous membrane because the exudate is more or less infectious, and contact with healthy tissue sooner or later influences it for evil - by what we call catalysis. Salt is the best disinfectant known, and the least harmful of all known to mankind. Three-fourths of the surface of the earth is covered with a strong solution of this wonderful health restorative agent, and almost everything else has been resorted to that inventive genius could devise and fraudulent schemers could concoct to deceive the deluded sufferers. The first, the best, and only natural remedy, as a local application, is salt, in various strengths of solution, snuffed up the nostrils, and back through the posterior nares into the throat, or forced there by a spray instrument in the form of a nebulizer, which may be purchased at any drug store. The strength should be in the proportion of one tablespoonful of common table salt to one pint of water. (Don't guess at it; measure it and be sure.) This solution should be used three or four times at a sitting, and three or four times each day. The patient should be instructed to use considerable force in driving this up into the nostrils each time. It should be gone at in a business way - no foolishness about this - and stick to it until cured. It will hurt, if there is much inflammation in the nose; but don't mind the hurting; use it every day as above directed, and it will cure the catarrh in about six weeks to two months. This should be used occasionally afterward, when there is a seeming incipient catarrh of the mucous membrane, and no other remedy will ever be needed for that sort of trouble. The patient must be taught to take, and to continue deep breathing at stated intervals; for it will be remembered that deep breathing insures "purification of the blood," for no disease will get well without oxygenation of the blood. If all would observe these directions, there would be no necessity for changing climates for catarrh, or any other disease. Breathing is as essential as blood itself, and the blood soon dies without coming in contact with the oxygen of the atmosphere, and this air is in proper proportion. All one has to do is to open his nostrils, close his mouth, and let God's pure air enter his lungs, in sufficient quantity to inflate all the air-cells of the lungs, to be well. When there is a catarrhal condition of the eyes, the application of salt water, in the proportion of a tablespoonful to a pint of water, is the remedy par excellence. This should be applied by means of soft cloths, wrung out of the above solution, and applied on the outside of the eyelids, across the nose, covering both eyes, and rewetting these cloths at intervals of five minutes, continuing this course for half an hour, or even more, at a sitting, and repeating the treatment two or three times a day, depending upon the severity of the condition involved. If there is pain in the eyes, always use the application as hot as can be borne by the patient, repeating applications every few moments until relieved and it is best to exclude the light from the eyes, or be in a darkened room. If there are ulcerations on the cornea, be sure to stretch the upper lids by introducing the finger under the lid at the outer canthus, palm surface next to under surface of the lid, thumb outside; now gently pull the lid from the cornea and with a sliding motion, step by step, as it were, with thumb and finger squeezing, the upper lid as the steps are being made with finger and thumb along the whole under surface of the lid. The fingers should always be unquestionably clean, and care being taken to keep the nail of the finger, turned to the cornea, in the inside of upper fold of lid, and having the finger wetted in water - or the salt water solution - before introducing it into the eye. It is necessary that these details be strictly followed,
for this is not advised simply for "fun," but to relieve the sufferer.
This instruction means something, and is not like any other treatment known,
outside of what I published in my book, "Osteopathy Illustrated." To those
who have used that book, what is there taught needs no commendation, as
it speaks for itself among all who have used it as directed. The use of
these means will astonish the user, especially in cases of granulated eyelids,
for the removal of the pressure does the work. Of course, the correction
of the hyperopia should receive due attention so as to insure against future
attacks, not only for granulated eyelids, but for the ulcerations on the
cornea.
It would be disregarding a large field of our nature to neglect to say something about tissue elements, when these are what constitute the physical make-up of our bodies. These elements are sometimes deficient in the food we live on, and the results are apparent to an observing mind. The nervous system is the medium through which all thought communication takes place, and these are made up of the elements from the blood, and these from what is eaten; and inasmuch as the elements are essential in the nerve structure, for normal communication of nerve power, we should pay attention to this part of our means to arrest the nerve waste -relieve the nerve strain - which, if continued, would intercept results our treatment is designed to accomplish. No case will be in a normal condition unless the elements are supplied, either by the use of the food containing them, or supplied by direct means - that of furnishing them to the patient. These, be it understood, are not medicines in the common acceptation of the use of that commodity, but one of the elements of the system essential to its very existence and harmony. These are the things we recommend to the patient in the change of diet, in the change of living, in the change of habits. There are certain characteristics Nature manifests when there is an excess or a deficiency in these elements, or any one of them; and unless supplied in food, should be otherwise. They are best supplied in the form of two-grain tablets obtainable at any homoeopathic pharmacy, or of almost any homeopathic physician. It is well to study this department thoroughly, as well as the dietary list found elsewhere in this book, which will generally be found adequate to satisfy all cases; but should it not be, resort should be had to the tissue elements. To object to this would only exhibit a narrow-minded prejudice, unworthy the thought of any intelligent person. Nature demands a substance to manifest itself in, on, or through. The Schussler Tissue Elements are the best in general use, and are nicely put up in bottles in potencies. The third to the sixth potency are the most commonly used. There are twelve of them. It is a remarkable fact that, when rightly used, the system is always benefited thereby. I shall not enter into a description of their uses, for this is fully explained in other books especially devoted to the subject, and it would involve more time than I care to take to elucidate this subject fully; so I shall only recommend the reader to refer to this subject as his interest demands, and as necessity compels their use. |