Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why: What Medical Writers SayAllen, Martha Meir
Science
Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why: What Medical Writers Say
Allen, Martha Meir
Alcohol -- Physiological effect; Temperance
"What is to be done if the germs have already obtained lodgement
in the lungs? Increase the general nutrition of the body in
every way, and then the lungs can resist the inroads of the
disease. The first thing necessary to improve the nutrition of
the body is to stimulate the digestive and absorbent functions
of the stomach and intestines. Naturally then, you must throw
the so-called cough medicines out of the window. The drugs used
to stop a cough are sedatives. Now, no sedative or nauseant is
known that does not lock up the natural secretions and thus
lessen the digestive powers. The cough is nature's method of
expelling offending matter from the lungs and bronchial tubes.
It is infinitely better to have this stuff thrown out of the
lungs than retained there."
Keep the bowels clean is this physician's next recommendation.
Sweet cream is preferable to cod-liver oil as it is not so likely to
derange the stomach. Easily digested food is necessary, as the organs
of digestion are in weakened condition.
Again Dr. Forrest says:--
"The consumptive should live as much as possible in the open
air.
"Dr. Trudeau inoculated twelve rabbits with tubercle or
consumptive germs. Six of these he turned loose on an island
where they ran wild. The other six were kept confined in hutches
such as rabbits are usually kept in. Results--All the six
rabbits in the open air recovered from the inoculation and
remained well. Five of the confined rabbits died of tubercles in
the lungs and different parts of the body. The sixth was still
lingering, badly diseased, when the experiment was brought to a
close. Fresh air and exercise enabled the first six to overcome
the disease germs. Confinement gave full play to the disease in
the others.
"Now, you house lovers, sleepers in close bedrooms, people
afraid of cold air, you are the rabbits in the hutches. Beware,
lest the verdict be in your case, 'Died of tubercles in the
lungs.' If you are not able to leave your home, live with open
windows, day and night, summer and winter.
"Exercise systematically, especially those exercises,
accompanied by deep breathing, that open and strengthen the
lungs--exercises without fatigue.
"If you are hoping that some wonderful, mysterious drug has been
or will be discovered, a drug that will cure consumption without
your help, you are hoping against hope. Improved nutrition is
your salvation, and that must come through exercise, diet and
fresh air."
Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in his _Home Hand-Book of Hygiene and Medicine_,
recommends a salt sponge bath upon retiring, to arrest night sweats, or
sponging with hot water. He adds:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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