MARVIN E. CONGER; M. D The Nature Cure 
BY 
Physical and Mental Methods. 
ILLUSTRATED. 
A Bridge from the Old to the New; the Dawn of a 
New Day in Medical Practice. A Clear, 
Short-Cut Treatise on the 
Cause and Cure of 
Disease. 
The Light Turned On. 
BY 
MARVIN E. CONGER, M. D. 
* u 
ASSISTED BY 
ROSAMOND C. CONGER, M. D. 
SECOND EDITION. 
THE EDUCATOR PUB. CO. 
P. O., STATION M.. 
CHICAGO. PREFACE. 
A seemingly irresistible impulse, stimulated by 
my past experience and observation, and a constantly 
increasing demand for more light regarding the 
cause and cure of disease, has led me to prepare 
this volume for the public good. 
I have put aside every consideration that could 
tend to shadow or prevent a free, frank expression of 
the truth as it has been many times demonstrated. 
Crucial tests are applied to old and new methods 
and remedies; only the best will stand. 
A revolution is on in medicine; the present popu- 
lar medical system is being tried as never before. 
People begin to think; the next step will be to act. 
This book will prepare the way for both thought and 
action. 
Because of discoveries in the past half century, 
very much of the old has been superseded ; this is 
especially true in medical practice. 
Only methods and remedies tried and proven suc- 
cessful have been accepted for this book; theories 
and experiments with poisonous drugs, or surgical 
operations, are justly condemned. Every person with 
a common English education will, with study, be 
able to heal himself and family without danger or 
experiment. 
The most powerful healing agents, methods, and 
remedies we use are simple and safe. PREFACE. 
4 
This work is free from the technical rubbish that 
makes up a majority of medical books for the home. 
The key to every chapter is the one important 
truth, that sickness is a result and may be prevented. 
The search-light of truth has been turned on to all 
old and new methods, and a clear, short cut to health, 
prosperity, and happiness pointed out. CONTENTS. 
Chapter I.—Introductory. 
Sunshine, Air and Water — The Free Gifts — Doctor Signifies 
Teacher—One Disease—Our Public Men—True Heart Failure 
—Old Methods a Failure—New Methods—The Regulars are 
Jealous 9 to 21 
Chapter II.—Cause of Disease. 
Disease a Unit — Sickness Impossible — Ignorance the Cause— 
Gratification is Eawful—Hereditary Tendencies—Climate and 
Malaria—Mental Causes—Big Dinner Results—One Physical 
Method of Cure—Drugs Absurd~Do Not Jump at Conclusions 
—The Tides of Life 22 to 32 
Chapter III.—Foods and Drinks. 
Effects of Chemical Combinations—All Dyspeptics—Epicures May 
Approve and Sanction—Normal Appetites—Cooked Foods 
Inferior—The Gospel That Will Redeem—I Know of No 
Other Redemption—Fish and Flesh—Haphazard Methods— 
Sand in the Crop—Can’t Eat F'ruit—Tea, Coffee and Their 
Effects—Tea Drinking and Constipation—Sunday Dinners— 
Poisonous Condiments—Comfort in Summer 33 to 57 
Chapter IV.—Exercise. 
Good Digestion—The Wheel—Labor a Blessing—The Stone and 
Grist of the Past—Why Should We Take Exercise ?—Sawing 
Wood Exercise—Massage—Ventilation—Sleeping 58 to 67 
5 6 
CONTENTS. 
Chapter V. — Fevers: Cause and Treatment. 
Symptoms — Necessary Requirements — Cured Quickly— Treat- 
ment in Detail—Our Discovery—A Rigid Fast—Treatment 
Constantly Changing—Convalescence—All Fevers Cured— 
Successful Treatment of Typhoid Fever—Startling State- 
ments of Doctors—A Confession—Have Tested Water and 
Never Been Disappointed—Stale Graham Bread the Test — 
The Physician Master of the Situation—Physician, Not the 
System, Condemned—True Elixir of Life Not Found—Water 
the Only Remedy Which Has Stood the Test of Time- 
Biliousness, Cause and Treatment—Short Cut Treatment— 
Take the Hint—Dyspepsia and Indigestion 68 to 87 
Chapter VI.—Disease Inflammatory. 
Cause of Inflammation—Short Cut’s Object—Considered Danger- 
ous by Drug Doctors—A Cold—One Bath for Pneumonia— 
Cure La Grippe—Our Title—Catching Cold—Malaria a Myth 
—Cause of Heart Failure—A Case in Point—Consumption 
Cure—A Remarkable Experience—Can’t Live Over Six Weeks 
—By the Sweat of My Brow—Could Dig a Grave for Herself 
—Note the Elements of Success—Only the Fittest Survive— 
Cannot Be Found in the Book—No Danger in Reform Methods 
—Have Exhausted the Drug Store and Lost Faith—Health 
Instead of Catarrh Colds—Hay Fever—The Milk Pack—Tes- 
timony of Drug Doctors—Epilepsy—Nerve Prostration— 
Qualifications of a Healer 88 to 122 
Chapter VII.—Epidemic and Chronic Disease. 
New Remedies—Poison, or Hot Lemonade—Mildly Drawn—A 
Revolution—Evidence Opposed to Vaccination—Turn on the 
Light—Vaccination Increases Disease—Inoculation a Gross 
Error—The Physician Does Not Believe In It—Vaccination 
Does Not Prevent—Lacteopathy Cure—It Cannot Be Proven 
—Thoroughly Scientific—Milk Cure for Cholera—Problem of 
Life Solved—The Reformatory Doctor—If Their Darling Had 
Been a sensitive Plant -Cured by Simple Remedies—At Peace 
With All Doctors—The Elixir of Life—The True Physician— 
Take Our Small-Pox Virus—The Insane—Drug Doctors Com- 
pelled to Confess 123 to 161 CONTENTS. 
7 
Chapter. VIII.—Baths. 
Why Water is Valuable—Reasons for Bathing—Bathing in the 
Early Ages—Bathing at Home—The Most Practical Every 
Day Bath—Temperature of Baths—Vapor Baths—Nerve Baths 
—Bath Room Not a Necessity—Head and Throat Compresses, 
Paralysis Cured by Sun Baths—Ten Health Commandments. 
162 to 188 
Chapter IX.—Women and Children. 
The Sexual System—The Urinary System—Disease of Women— 
Leucorrhoea—Constipation—The Bicycle—Oil Rubs—Cocoa- 
nut Oil—Signs of Health—A Breathing Lesson—Sunlight for 
the Home—At What Age?—Worn-out Women—A Remark- 
able Case—Dress—Are you Well?—Pain an Alarmist—The 
Coming Girl—Painless Child-Birth—Care of Breasts—Pure Air 
is Necessary—Care of Infants--Dr. C. E. Page—Convulsions— 
Cholera Infantum—Croup — Diphtheria — Scarlatina — Men- 
struation —Change of Life 189 to 265 
Chapter X.—Useful Recipes. 
Catarrh Remedy—Hot Lemon or Orangeade—How to gain Flesh 
—Insomnia: Infallible Cure—The Five Best Physicians—Cure 
for Dangerous Wounds—Vertigo—Cure for Smokers’ Cough— 
Mud Baths—Onions—Tomatoes—Mothers’ Mistakes—Stom- 
ach—Best Thoughts—A Suggestive Cure—Wisdom of the 
Aged—Hygiene of Old Age—Elder Evans’ Treatment for 
Felons—An Antidote—The Reckless Spirit of the Age—One 
Jesus, Plato and Lincoln—Infinitude Itself—Praise your wife 
—Tape Worm Removed—Goitre—Lockjaw—A suggestion to 
Men—Fidgets and Anxiety — Causes of Sudden Death. 
266 to 310 
Chapter XI.—Object Lessons and Tables. 
Methods of Common Sense Medicine—Tired People—The Best 
Appetites—Eat to Live, not Live to Eat—Mental Light— 
Anti-poison Drug Doctors—Object Lessons No. 1 and 2— 
Nature Cure Remedies—January, April, July and October 
Menus, Old and New Style—His Hearty Meal—Physicians a 
Necessity—Advice to Mothers—Doctor’s Laws—Surgeons and 
Physicians 311 to 329 8 
CONTENTS. 
Chapter XII.—Miscellaneous Health Sugges- 
tions. 
We may fool with Time—Ought Age to signify a Tax or Nuisance? 
—Why Dread Old Age?—Come up Higher—Man’s Salvation 
—An Inspired Leader—Dr. Oliver W. Holmes and Dr. Jacobi 
—A Practical Home Medical Education—With Ice Bags— 
Drugged to Death—Our Methods Unobjectionable—Drugs 
Multiply Disease—A Born Hetrodox—No Similar Work— 
Faith Cure—Do Not Wait to be Sick—Healing Potency—The 
Wonderful Power of Mind—Trust in Nature's Materia 
Medica 330 to 350 
Appendix. 
The Breath—A Discovery—A Novel Consumption Cure—Speedy 
Cure for Stomachache—Victory! Victory! Victory! Ring the 
Liberty Bell— Medical Clairvoyance—Fruit, Vegetables and 
Flesh—The Antitoxin Deception Exposed—Disease—Diph- 
theria—Diagnosis and Advice Free 351 to 355 CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
IF the elixir of life is ever discovered, it will be tlie 
result of an intelligent understanding of the life- 
giving influences of sunshine, air, and water. The 
search for the elixir of life in the chemical labora- 
tory, or in the animal or vegetable kingdom, will be 
a failure in the future, as in the past. 
Prompted by Selfishness.—Thus far the search 
for a condition of perfect harmony has been prompted 
by too much selfishness; an effort has been made to 
discover something, some material substance, that 
would palliate, not limit, but license humanity to 
gratify sensuous appetites and passions; something 
that could be taken — as we drink a cup of water — 
that would prove an antidote for any and every viola- 
tion of mental and physical law. To discover some- 
thing that would give life, overcome the effects of 
transgression, and get a corner on the discovery, has 
led men to ransack every nook and corner of material 
existence, for the one selfish purpose of gain. 
Air and Sunshine Free.—If air, sunshine, and 
sunlight could be cornered, we would soon discover 
their value. There is no other physical influence so 
powerful as sunshine to prevent and cure disease. 
We cannot live without air for our lungs; we could 
not live many days if the air was not purified by sun- 
heat and light. In chasing after some supposed 
9 10 
THH NATURE CURE. 
elixir, we have overlooked the all-healing, the most 
powerful, most potent of all physical agents, the sun. 
Although we all know the necessity of having air 
to breathe, only a comparatively few realize the 
necessity of having an unlimited amount of air, pure 
air, to maintain life, health, vigor, and harmony. 
Water, and Its Relations.—Without air and 
water, the short cut to health would be superfluous. 
Water is one of nature’s necessities, an important, 
powerful element in world-building, in life-sustaining. 
Water is one of the positive constructive agents of 
■worlds, in mineral, vegetable, and animal life; its 
influence has been in the past limited and ignored by 
old school practitioners. This is not strange, as we 
know the best things, the best thoughts, are always 
destined to fight their way to the front. We could 
not have a world to live in without water; we 
could not live without water; we cannot have health 
without water; we can without drugs; we cannot cure 
the sick without water. A brief study of the ele- 
ments of water, its influence, its power for good or 
evil, will suffice to prevent old-time medical depre- 
ciation. 
Sunshine, Air, and Water.—If the contents of 
every corner drug store, medical case and medical 
college could be dumped into the sea some dark 
night, life would go on as usual; no deaths would 
result. On the contrary, thousands of lives would be 
saved; life would be prolonged in many thousand 
instances. 
Drug’s Not Necessary.—Drugs are not a neces- 
sity for the well informed; they may be considered PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
11 
by many as a convenience, but they cannot be classed 
as a necessity, as are water, sunshine and air. Shut 
away suushine and air, or dry up the fountains of the 
great deep, and we would soon perish. To neglect 
the use of water as a preventive of sickness is to 
invite disease. By using water intelligently, sickness 
may be prevented; by study and observation of the 
necessities of life, sunshine, air, water, food and exer- 
cise, sickness may become a relic of the ignorant past. 
Sickness is not a necessity; it is always a result. 
This I intend to make clear to every reader of this 
book as I proceed. 
Four-Fifths Water.—Four-fifths of the blood in 
the human organism is water; two-thirds of the bulk- 
weight of the body is water. The blood is the river 
of life. How very important that this river should 
be pure and sparkling as a mountain rivulet! It can 
only be made so by supplying the daily waste with 
the elements that make blood. Blood cannot be made 
of drugs, nor purified by them. Pure blood is made 
only by pure food, pure water and pure air; healthy 
blood must be sweetened with sunlight and heat. 
Pure blood signifies perfect health; impure blood 
affects the brain immediately, and is reflected upon 
every portion of the physical form. Clear mental 
and spiritual expressions are dependent upon the 
brain; therefore, how important that the blood should 
be pure. Physical disease is not possible so long as 
the mind has a clear, healthy brain to reflect mental 
expressions. 
The Free Gifts.—The attempt to compare the value 
of sunheat, sunlight, air and water as health pro- 12 
THE NATURE CURE. 
motors, disease preventives, with any or all of the 
thousand schemes of chemist, druggist or physician, 
would be as absurd as to compare the flash of a tallow 
dip with a streak of chain lightning in a dark night. 
Every Step a Mistake.—Every effort of dyed-in- 
the-wool drug doctors tends toward mystifying the 
people and keeping them in ignorance of the value of 
natural remedies and certain preventives of disease. 
Earth and sea have been searched for remedies, wdiile 
the most potent, natural, inexpensive, safe and sure 
methods and remedies have been ignored, because 
they cannot be bought up, cornered, or put up in pack- 
ages and a patent label placed upon them; this will 
prove in the future as in the past a patent mistake. 
The Masses are Not Posted.—Why are the com- 
mon people ignorant regarding matters of the most 
vital import ? Have they not supported the professions 
of Law, Theology and Medicine for many centuries ? 
Yet four-fifths of the race are more ignorant regard- 
ing the natural laws of health than the birds or ani- 
mals, wild or domestic. Be not ruffled, you who 
have learned the value of baching, but step into 
your neighbor’s home and see how quickly they shiver 
and tremble if you suggest the value and necessity of 
a daily towel bath that consumes but little time and 
is attended with only a trifling expense. Step into 
the home of your next-door neighbor, who has a 
sickly baby looking very much like a potato sprout 
grown in a dark cellar, and suggest that a little sun- 
shine be let into the home through those barred win- 
dows — two sets of curtains and blinds. Because of 
these conditions the child is dying. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
13 
Air Suffocating1. — Go to the next neighbor, and 
there find the lady suffering from a cold, and rheu- 
matic and neuralgic pains; the air of her bedroom is vile; 
it is suffocating, poisonous; you can hardly endure 
the odors for ten minutes. Protest with her, entreat 
her to open a window and let in some fresh air and 
sunshine, and she will say, ‘ ‘ Oh ! I shall take more 
cold!” She will shiver and wrap her shawl more 
closely about her diseased body, while her family phy- 
sician makes no suggestion of baths, pure air or 
sunshine. How can he afford to, poor fellow ? In 
many cities and villages, a day, a week or month may 
be spent in finding a baker’s dozen who have any 
knowledge of the value of pure food, air, water, sun- 
shine and sunlight. Is it not a fact that the people 
have paid for something which they have not yet 
received ? Will they not soon begin to assert their 
rights? Will the Short Cut to Health put a flea in 
their understanding ? That is its object. 
Doctor Signifies Teacher.—Originally the doctor 
was a teacher; in the near future honest doctors must 
become teachers or their occupations will be gone; 
there is a large and constantly increasing demand for 
them. 
Drugs a Deception. — The very foundation of the 
drug practice rests on deception. How many would 
take the vile, poisonous potions did they intelligently 
understand what they were taking, and knew the 
exact truth, the experiment of the dose? Not one in 
a thousand. The Latin label, the Latin prescription 
means / know but you don’t. The patent medicine 
maker and vendor covers his secret with a patent, and 14 
THE NATURE CURE. 
deception controls the business. If all these schemes 
of druggist, chemist and doctor tended to reduce 
disease, to lessen the varied complications of sickness 
and suffering, to prolong the life of young and old, 
we could well afford the deception, the fearful experi- 
ments, and lastly, the enormous expense. But when 
we see on every hand the great increase of sickness, 
weakness and dependence upon doctors, we are stim- 
ulated to make every possible effort to change the cur- 
rent of thought which trusts in a system that is not 
scientific—as it claims—is not demonstrable, is always 
experimental, is sustained and lives only by the ignor- 
ance and neglect of its patrons. 
Too Much Trust.—Trust is a virtue, and like other 
uplifting attributes of humanity may be indulged in 
beyond a reasonable limit, proving a curse rather than 
blessing. It is surely a mistake to trust our lives to 
the care of doctors, no matter how good and trusty 
they may have been; the best and wisest make mis- 
takes; each and every one should understand some- 
thing of the personal demands of their own lives; 
doctors should be called as counsellors and teachers. 
Physicians well know that nursing is of vastly more 
importance than any drug prescription they can write; 
the nurse must be informed in all the simple laws and 
necessities of life in order to be a good nurse. The 
short cut to health will make many hundred valuable 
suggestions that will aid all those who are ready to 
trust themselves more and doctors and experiments 
less. 
One Disease.—All pain, sickness, weakness, low 
vitality and deranged nerves, we call disease, one PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
15 
disease with many expressions. Disease is want of, 
or lack of ease; any condition that disturbs the nor- 
mal condition of harmony is cause, and disease the 
result. We shall never reach our highest physical, 
mental and spiritual estate without an understanding 
of basic principles. Simplicity of teaching and brevity 
of expression are the demand of this wonderful epoch. 
Everything that relates to health, sickness or thera- 
peutics, should be made so simple that those who have 
only a common education may be able to understand. 
Health must be made catching; sickness must be the 
exception instead of the rule as at this date. This is 
possible and may be easily accomplished. It does not 
require that mountains be removed, only a few mole- 
hills of ignorance and neglect; it is far easier to live 
in harmony with good health laws, than to violate 
them and suffer the penalty. 
Another Truth needs to be indelibly stamped 
upon every life; it is this: All violations, physical, men- 
tal and spiritual must be atoned for; a recognition of 
this law, of this truth if realized, would revolutionize 
the moral and physical habits of the people in a very 
brief period. Every conceivable scheme, theory, dis- 
covery, invention and deception has been drawn upon 
to evade and subvert the infinite law of results. The 
professions have been called upon to provide some es- 
cape for disregard of infinite law; the church provides 
a religious escape for all violations—a pardon—the doc- 
tor provides pills, and the lawyer is paid well to distort 
the law; the masses have been trained in the past to ac- 
cept of these schemes, but they will not in the future. 
If we stop to think and look at this subject squarely for 16 
THE NATURE CURE. 
a single liour, we know that neither the church, the 
doctor nor lawyer can change or modify infinite law, 
which says the one who sins must suffer. The wages 
of physical violation of law is sickness—pain—there 
is no escape. The church should teach obedience, the 
doctors right living, and lawyers the justice of infinite 
law. Let this broad, just, all-inclusive law of cause 
and effect be recognized, and sin and sickness will be 
quickly relegated to the past. 
Why Demoralized ?—The present demoralized con- 
dition as regards health, society and government, is a 
result of causes; views of cause and effect have been 
limited by selfishness; the clergy must ease the con- 
science, the physician the pain, and neither is ex- 
pected to suggest a remedy that will reach the cause. 
If the doctor succeeds in easing pain by paralyzing 
the nerves with a deadly drug he has won the confi- 
dence of his patient, and is pronounced the best family 
doctor. Should clergyman or doctor suggest that the 
transgression of law must be atoned by suffering, that 
palliatives only soothe and do not remove, that nothing 
less than full atonement will satisfy infinite law, the 
tendency at once would be towards obeying. 
Our Public Men.—When such noted men as John 
A. Logan, Roscoe Conklin, Secretary Gresham, Presi- 
dent Grant, Senator Carpenter and Senator Hill die 
just in their prime, the nation is shocked and asks the 
cause; the doctors respond, but in what manner? By 
naming the cause as some disease but little under- 
stood and most mysterious; heart failure is a very 
common explanation. Aconite killed John A. Logan; 
a small three-quarter inch surgical instrument similar PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
17 
to a joiner’s chisel, was driven into the head of Ros- 
coe Conklin to remove pus supposed to be collected 
there, the result of cold and exposure in a severe 
storm. The Short Cut Vapor Bath would have re- 
moved the cold in twenty-four hours, but Dr. Agnew 
would have pronounced it quack treatment; his treat- 
ment was “regular,” but it killed a strong, healthy 
man. Secretary Windom died of heart failure, so- 
called; I believe it was stomach failure, failure to di- 
gest a big dinner immediately succeeded by a lengthy, 
intricate discussion of finance. Secretary Gresham 
died from lack of vitality to overcome disease and the 
doctors drugs; I believe the disease alone would not 
have caused his death. Of course his heart failed just 
the moment he died. Senators Hill of Georgia, Car- 
penter of Wisconsin and President Grant died of the 
tobacco habit, Hill and Grant of lip cancer; Carpenter 
broke down and became a nervous wreck from smoking 
a large number of cigars every day, and his heart 
failed. I have made brief mention of these noted 
cases in order to call the attention of the reader to 
facts that are purposely overlooked by the medical 
profession. 
The Law of Resistance.—Without power to 
resist, the fittest do not survive. Appetites must be 
restrained. Neither of those able statesmen previously 
mentioned, would have died in their prime had they 
learned a very important lesson: simply to control 
their appetites, husband the life-giving and life-pro- 
tecting forces, and to trust to good nursing, instead of 
drugs and surgical experiments. Because disease 
does not attack heart, lungs, stomach, liver or kidneys, 18 
THE NATURE CURE. 
it is no evidence that disease is not undermining the 
resisting forces; the vital organs may endure a long 
siege of abuse, but remember the office of those 
organs is to manufacture the elements used by the 
unseen life force as a resisting and perpetuating 
power; therefore, every excess, every neglect to sustain 
the vital organs and functions, lessens our powers to 
resist, consequently shortens life. 
True Heart Failure.—Death is surely a result— 
should be natural and painless—and does not come in 
sickness until the life forces are exhausted or over- 
powered, or until the physical resisting forces fail. This 
is the only true heart failure. If the stomach and 
other digestive organs are constantly overtaxed to 
gratify a depraved, abnormal appetite for food, tobacco 
or strong drink, the brain may be weakened for want, 
of nutrition, the nerves deranged, and yet no external 
sign of disease for months or years; but an extra 
demand on the life forces causes the draft to be pro- 
tested, and “ heart failure” and “ divine providence” 
sum up the tale of a premature death. Heart failure 
and divine inscrutable providence make a convenient 
drop curtain; friends and society are satisfied, but truth 
and justice go into mourning. 
Health Important.—If health in this as in all past 
ages is the most important subject of life, if this is 
really the fact, then the first duty we owe ourselves and 
posterity is to be able to maintain health under all 
circumstances. Ignorance and neglect are acknowl- 
edged causes of the present low state of health. 
The Old Methods a Failure.—The old methods 
have proved failures; disease has as rapidly increased PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
19 
as new-fledged doctors; the more doctors, the more 
sickness. The time has come to face these facts and to 
demand a radical change. If humanity are deter- 
mined to be doctored and drugged, is it not wisdom 
and good common sense to choose your physician, and 
refuse to take deadly poisons ? There are a sufficient 
number of safe remedies if people will teetotally refuse 
dangerous ones. 
New Methods.—The past fifty years have developed 
many new and very remarkable methods and reme- 
dies. Some of these have become popular and in many 
localities—in nearly all—sanitariums and health resorts 
have supplanted the old. Homeopathic, eclectic and 
reformatory medical schools are common. Magnetic, 
electric, massage and movement cures, methods for 
compressing air, mental and spiritual science, Chris- 
tian science, prayer, faith and divine cures, and many 
other methods are before the public. Some of the old 
schools have modified their systems, others have in- 
vented methods and schemes simply diabolical; gen- 
eral tendencies are in the line of more safe and simple 
methods, less experiment, more trust in Nature’s 
methods and remedies. 
Note This Point:—After more than forty years of 
observation, I have never known of one case helped in 
the slightest degree by drugs, which failed to be cured 
by Nature’s remedies and methods. I have known 
and read of thousands of cases given up by the regulars 
and their councils, that were restored in a very short 
time by calling in a reformatory doctor, who often 
receives the significant name of quack, which in plain 
English denotes an honest, independent physician. 20 
THE NATURE CURE. 
The “Regulars” are Jealous.—The simon-pure 
orthodox regulars, who want to be regulators, are 
jealous of all these new-fangled quack notions and 
methods of cure, and would, if they could, turn the 
world and the people upside down in order to sup- 
press these cranks and cranky methods ; they might 
as well try to turn the Mississippi river up-stream, or 
command a blizzard or cyclone to cease. When this 
nation becomes really free, as it will in the good 
time coming, compulsory vaccination and all similar 
schemes, dangerous and infamous, now encouraged, 
will be abandoned; unscrupulous doctors who have 
labeled themselves regulars, will be compelled to seek 
other fields for their efforts. In that good time, 
people will choose the kind of treatment they desire, 
or have no treatment, which is often the best. 
A Mistake.—As no two human beings are alike 
physically, mentally or spiritually, it is a mistake to 
dose any two of them alike when sick. It is a 
notorious fact, however, that our drug friends, the 
regulars, those who think they have reached the 
ultimate, in seasons when epidemics or fevers pre- 
vail, will go from house to house in their round of 
calls, and dole out the same drugs to all alike, only 
varying the size of the dose to suit age and condition 
of the patient. This is no doubt professional, but a 
grave mistake. A complete diagnosis would at once 
pronounce the course unscientific and dangerous. If 
their remedies were Nature’s own, such a course 
would be perfectly proper. Why ? Because no harm 
could come from using any of the non-dangerous 
remedies. The twentieth century doctors will be PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
21 
wise, broad and honest enough to choose the best 
methods and remedies for each patient, who will not 
all be ground through one drug mill, the mill of one 
school. No special mills, medical, political, or theo- 
logical will be necessary in the better time near at 
hand; the wise, gifted ones will become teachers; 
prevention by right living will take the place of all 
barbarous medical schemes now at full tide; light 
will dispel darkness; knowledge will take the place 
of ignorance; order will supersede neglect; health 
and harmony will be the rule, sickness the excep- 
tion; babies will be born well, well born; when the 
ripeness of age comes, sickness will not be a neces- 
sary cause for death; the second birth should be one 
of health. Let me die as the golden ripe fruit drops 
from the tree, without pain or sickness. CHAPTER II. 
CAUSE OF DISEASE. 
THE study of medicine in the broad and popular 
sense, is most important. To know how to prevent 
sickness, is an attainment that ranks with the highest 
upon this physical plane. The study and practice of 
medicine includes all remedies, methods and systems, 
although often understood to signify only the drug 
system. In studying cause and cure of disease, I wish 
to simplify as far as possible. Disease is want of 
ease; disease is pain. I am unable to see any benefit 
gained by giving disease a hundred or a thousand 
names. On the contrary, giving of names to different 
expressions of disease is a gross and dangerous error. 
It is, from my point of view, one of the most potent 
influences for increasing disease by mental impressions. 
Disease is a Unit.—This position will be accepted 
by the profession in the near future, as now outside 
the profession by most intelligent students. Now let 
us reach the cause of disease by a short-cut, straight 
ahead course, going directly to the fountain of physi- 
cal life—the blood; we find the blood to be a great 
commercial highway; its office, to carry food to every 
part and portion of the human structure; returning, 
it carries away the debris, the excresences. Infinite 
law designed that this stream of life should not 
become high, low or impure, and it cannot if the 
supplies are kept pure. 
22 Plate I. 
EXPLANATION OF THE CHART. 
THE STRUCTURE OF MAN. 
THIS admirable dissection of the body displays in a ver}T striking 
way the vital mechanism of the internal organs, and the con- 
nected manner in which they perform their functions. We can trace 
the food down the oesophagus to the stomach, and then its course 
along the lower digestive organs. Just below the stomach, the 
small intestine has been laid open to show how the villuses and lac- 
teals, LA, TjA, absorb the nutriment from the food, carry it back to 
the cliyle-cyst, and then up the thoracic duct to be emptied into the 
veins at the neck. Then it passes to the heart, to be sent out over 
the body. Back of the stomach the spleen is shown, and below this 
is the kidney, each of them dissected. The diaphragm, DIA, is a 
muscular partition separating the chest and the abdomen. Just 
above the stomach coursing through the liver veins are seen. 
The right arm is dissected, to show the action of its muscles. On 
the left arm the external muscles are seen. 
The general plan of the brain is shown in the head, MO is the 
motus or center of motion, and SE is the sensus or center of sensa- 
tion. From these centers the bundles of nerves branch out to the 
surface and terminate in clusters of microscopic cells. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
23 
A Sin and Crime.—To corrupt the river of life is a 
sin, a crime; there is no atonement for this sin; the 
penalty will follow. Anything interfering to obstruct 
or poison the stream in any manner may cause a 
commercial crisis, a fever, pain, congestion or inflam- 
mation and disturb the smooth, natural course. Every 
part of this river of life is dotted with stations and 
signals; if an enemy gets into the stream, the distress 
signal—pain—is raised. Every ancient and modern 
discovery and invention have been adopted along the 
line of this beautiful river; pumps, strainers, filters 
and the latest compressed air methods of purifying 
have been adopted by the infinite designer, to secure 
and perpetuate the purity of the river of life, the 
blood, for the very good reason of its universal import- 
ance. If by neglect, ignorance, vitiated appetites or 
any excesses whatever the blood becomes impure, 
sickness will follow. 
Sickness Impossible.—If the blood is kept pure 
sickness is impossible except by accident or ca- 
lamity. 
Ignorance the Cause,—Ignorance is surely a pri- 
mary cause, the cause of causes. Sickness is a result. 
We may know and partially realize that a violation of 
health laws will result in sickness, but habit and tra- 
dition may hold us to a continued violation, until 
disease is upon us. Ignorance and neglect are corner- 
stone causes, and while none of us like to be classed 
as ignorant, the intelligent physician well knows that 
a great majority oi humanity are grossly ignorant and 
negligent upon this most important subject of pre- 
serving health. 24 
THE NATURE CURE. 
The Result.—The present condition of the masses, 
is the natural legitimate result of turning over to the 
doctor the whole subject of health. Do we not know 
that doctors are human, ambitious and selfish, like 
too many others ? Therefore the reason of the igno- 
rance that prevails is plain to be seen. We know 
that fire will burn the body and cause pain; pain is 
disease; water will cause death by drowning; gas by 
asphyxiation—suffocation; strychnine, opium and 
many other deadly poisons will cause sickness by 
paralyzing the nerves and poisoning the blood; these 
facts are well-known causes of sickness and death. 
Serious Consequences follow ignorance or neg- 
lect of these facts; cause should receive first attention. 
Universal infinite law will not be, cannot be violated 
without serious results, sure to attend every violation 
sooner or later. 
Increased Tax upon the Vital Organs.—With in- 
creased facilities for money making, conies a greater 
tax upon nerve and brain; this means that all the 
vital organs are required to do extra work, and in con- 
sequence more attention must be paid to breathing. 
The farmer, the mechanic, the merchant, and the peo- 
ple’s public servants should one and all make a note 
of this important fact: the more breath the more life. 
Poorly ventilated offices, sleeping rooms, living rooms 
and nurseries are objectionable; there must be an 
abundance of pure air and sunshine if the occupants 
would avoid disease. Ladies’ parlors are too often 
sunless and airless, although flyless, and as dark as 
dungeons, like the fashionable club houses and 
churches seldom used; seemingly, the darker the more PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
25 
impressive. Increased opportunities for gaining 
wealth, lias increased the desire for gratification. 
Gratification is Lawful.—Gratification is not a sin; 
proper amusements, simple life-giving recreation and 
relaxation, should be encouraged and recognized as a 
necessity for health and life. The husbandman who 
understands the use and necessity of giving his fine 
stock of colts an opportunity to run and kick up their 
heels, should quickly perceive the importance of giv- 
ing his boys and girls similar opportunity. A neglect 
to do so may prove a cause of disease. 
Insufficient Rest.—The law of rest is one of the 
fixed, immutable laws; its continued violation is a 
cause of nerve disease, of nervous prostration. The 
nerves are elastic, as well as the muscles, and will en- 
dure much overwork; but a time comes when endur- 
ance ceases to be a pleasure with the nerves, if not 
with the pleasure seeker, and they cry out for rest. 
Overtaxing the nervous system is a great mistake, and 
cause of the many nerve complications of the present 
day. Late hours, over-eating, the drinking of stimu- 
lants, as tea, coffee, beer and wine to spur on the 
nerves, overwork them; all excesses that tend to limit 
the necessary amount of rest, overtax and are fatal to 
good health and a successful career in life, no matter 
what the profession or occupation. 
Hereditary Tendencies.—It is convenient and 
often quite satisfying to lay our sins of commission 
and omission upon parents and grandparents to the 
third and fourth generation, but the nineteenth cen- 
tury thinkers and investigators have demanded proof; 
neither demonstration nor logical proof can be pro- 26 
THE NATURE CURE. 
duced; say-so’s and traditional beliefs are not suffi- 
cient to establish the important proposition of hered- 
ity. The present thought is, we may inherit tenden- 
cies good or bad, but we lack proof that humanity do 
or must inherit the errors, the excesses, the debauch- 
eries or their effects of parents or grandparents. 
Children Innocent and Free.—The child is inno- 
cent and free at birth, and although manifesting inher- 
ited tendencies, they may be easily overcome. Right 
living is the panacea, the cure-all; an understanding of 
the laws which govern physical, mental and spiritual 
life will neutralize all hereditary tendencies. Right 
generation is one of the virtues of right living. 
Parents! this thought is important and far-reaching. 
Climate and Malaria.—Climatic influences develop 
and modify, but do not cause disease. People who 
have lived on drugs until their systems are saturated, 
are much benefited by getting away from their home 
climate, because they usually leave their drugs and 
drug doctor at home; this change is always beneficial 
at least for a time; the change of diet, the society— 
social-change, all are important factors. If the 
family physician recommends some hot spring sani- 
tarium as is often the case, the baths, massage treat- 
ment and copious draughts of water used, purify the 
temple of life, carrying off the poisonous drugs, with 
other health-destroying accumulations. In a few weeks 
behold a radical change for the better. Of course, the 
climate gets the credit mainly, but the facts are com- 
mon-sense methods as taught in this book have been 
used. Malaria is a myth; when the resources of the 
orthodox drug doctor are exhausted, remedies have PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
27 
failed to kill or cure, he discovers that his patient has 
malaria and must be removed to some anti-malarial 
climate; rich or poor, he must go; the doctor is glad to 
get rid of his patient, who is fortunate in gettingaway 
alive. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours of Short Cut 
bilious attack treatment would have cured the patient. 
No Perfect Climates.—If doctors did their duty to 
those dependent ones who pay them well for what lit- 
tle health they have, they would teach that more—a 
hundred times more-—depended upon right living 
than upon climate; we ought to be well and enjoy 
life in any climate. Command your appetites and 
passions; rise above surroundings; make your environ- 
ments healthy and harmonious, and you need not run 
after climates, nor from districts labeled malarious. 
Many people need frequent change of scene, and 
should close up the home and make the change when 
the impulse or inspiration indicates. There are no 
perfect climates; all have their unpleasant features. 
The writer has carefully examined, lived in favored 
and unfavored climes, and enjoyed health in all alike. 
Direct Material Causes.—In addition to what has 
been said, I will now name the most positive and 
direct material causes: All drugs, including tobacco, 
all stimulants, all excesses of over-work, over-eating, 
sleeping, dancing and over-study; extremes of selfish- 
ness, ambition, jealousy, pride or passion; deception 
in high or low prices, whether by pope, priest, doctor 
or lawyer. 
Mental Causes.—A gossiping man or woman may 
be a serious cause. The tongue should be bridled; it 
may create inharmony and attack the life centers. 28 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Inharmony is a direct cause of disease which often 
results in some criminal act. Other causes might be 
placed in the list, but are not general; they are mostly 
related to, or results of, a violation of those enumer- 
ated. Constipation is said by some of the profession 
to be the “mother of maladies;” constipation is dis- 
ease, and disease is an effect. 
Everyday Causes.—Before dismissing this most 
important subject connected with medical practice, I 
desire to call especial attention to some of the most 
common everyday causes. First: The drugging habit. 
If I could present in a panoramic view the mighty 
destructive results of the drug system for one day, a 
revolution would be on; add to the dark picture the 
untold millions of dollars paid for the drug curse, and 
the view is appalling. Second: My second picture 
shows the sickness and distress everywhere present, 
resulting from gratification of abnormal sensuous and 
sensual appetites and passions. But, says my critic, 
what are our appetites and sensual passions for, if not 
to be gratified ? I answer, they are ours for a grand 
and noble purpose: That purpose is for life, pleasure, 
and natural gratification; we are blessed with reason 
as well as appetites. If our reasoning faculties are 
educated and intelligently brought to bear upon all 
subjects of interest, the natural expression will rule 
our lives, and sickness be a relic of the past; no one 
cause is more prolific of sickness than the gratification 
of appetites, our tyrannical masters. Third: The god- 
dess fashion is an insidious cause of disease; no tyrant 
is more unreasonable, no foolishness more foolish. 
Fashionable people have little else to do; they have PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
29 
only time to follow the goddess. This, no doubt, is a 
wise provision that the fashion hunter should be busy. 
What a calamity to the world, should dudes and 
dudesses be out of a job ! Every article of clothing, 
fashionable or otherwise, that limits the free and 
healthy action of any organ or function of the body, 
is a cause of disease. These are positive physical 
causes in the make-up of every fashionably dressed 
woman. 
Ridpatli says that “man is without question one of the most 
long-lived animals inhabiting the earth; and the supposition of 
great duration, past, present and future, for the human race, is in 
accordance with right reason and scientific deductions.” Man 
can live three times his now allotted time, if he will observe 
the laws which regulate the physical universe. He digs his own 
grave with his own teeth and reckless passions. 
Big’ Dinner Results.—Torpid livers, indigestion 
and big dinners are as cause and results, in perfect 
harmony; I may add bilious attacks, sick headaches, 
paralysis, epilepsy, obesity, gout, heart failure and a 
score of expressions of disease are big dinner results. 
The stomach fails one hundred times to the heart 
once. In addition to the above causes, there are 
hundreds of cheap, worthless preparations called food 
and drink put upon the market, because of the money 
made in their sale, which rob the poor, destroy diges- 
tion and produce disease and death. This is a good 
field for the medical missionary. Take this hint and 
learn to discriminate. 
Prolific Cause.—Disease may be caused by un- 
balanced conditions, as when one part of the system 
becomes so excitable that it draws off the warmth of 
other parts, leaving them cold. Overheating causes 30 
THE NATURE CURE. 
inflammation, inactivity and chronic disease of the 
parts drawn from. The parts of the body most 
liable to inflammation are, the brain, stomach and 
epigastrium, the sexual organs, and the small of the 
back. One prolific cause of disease is in allowing the 
lungs, liver, hips, knees and extremities to become 
too cold. Disease is also produced by allowing the 
body or even a part of it to receive a chill. 
One Physical Method of Cure. — If the blood 
becomes impure from any one or number of causes, 
there is only one physical method yet discovered, or 
ever can be in the very nature of its make-up, that 
may be safely used to cleanse it, viz., the remedy 
prescribed in this book, hot lemonade. 
Come, Let us Reason Together.—Heat is life and 
cold is death, was the theory of the “ Thompsoiiian 
practice” and text-books forty years ago, and these 
are important truths involved in the action of cold 
and heat. Any chemical forms of alkaline poison 
injure the life of the blood, therefore are not safe 
remedies, or natural cleansing medicines for the 
blood. Hot water and acid of the lemon will cleanse 
the blood, as soap and hot water do the linen. Hot 
lemonade is also an antidote for blood poison. 
Drugs Absurd.—Further, it is just as absurd to 
dose the stomach with poisonous drugs in cleansing 
the blood as it would be to use poison in cleansing 
the linen. What becomes of the long list, a thou- 
sand or twelve hundred poisonous chemical remedies 
and more being compounded every day for the money 
there is in their manufacture—nearly all intended for 
the human stomach—if my position is correct ? If PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
31 
disease is pain, no more nor less, if the cause is 
impure blood, if the blood can only be safely cleansed 
by nature’s methods, air, water and exercise, where 
is the use or necessity of a thousand or more poison- 
ous chemical compounds, or a long course in a 
medical college? A knowledge of anatomy, physi- 
ology, hygiene and medicine may be gained in a 
short course, sufficient for caring for the body and 
for teaching. 
Experience the Best School.—A doctor’s experi- 
ence is the most important knowledge he has gained; 
he did not get much of it in college. Domestic and 
other animals understand how to care for and protect 
their lives without colleges, drugs or doctors; they 
are in no respect as high as the human animal; even 
their instinct, so called, is far inferior to human 
instinct. Experience is the best school in which to 
gain a medical education; no really successful physi- 
cian ever became proficient except through experience. 
By adopting Nature Cure methods, experience can 
be gained without endangering life. Not so in 
adopting drug methods. It is dangerous to think of 
Strychnine, Arsenic, Opium, Aconite, Belladonna, 
and a hundred more deadly drugs. 
Do Not Jump at Conclusions.—This is an age of 
research and discovery, of sifting and condensing. 
Critics are invited to point out errors. Truth will 
stand alone anywhere, and gains nothing by the 
garb in which it may be dressed. Truth has not yet 
become popular; fragments of truth in the study ot 
medicine have been accepted in a commercial sense; 
naked truth is often the easiest discovered and the 32 
THE NATURE CURE. 
most thoroughly appreciated. We are accustomed to 
apply the crucial test; we want an indelible brand 
placed on all truth relating to life and health. 
The Tides of Life.—“Remember, the great tides of life are 
continually wearing away the organisms of existence. The ele- 
ments of creation are not more active than the elements of 
destruction; where there is individual life, except it does its 
utmost to perfect and perpetuate itself, it will be borne away by 
the great tides of wind, air, storms, sunshine and devastation all 
around; that which gives life gives death also. The spirit of 
man is the aggressive force that meets this aggression of nature, 
and if you do not occupy and possess the physical form by the 
consciousness that is yours, by pervading it in every portion, by 
endeavoring to possess all its powers and attributes spiritually, 
then the encroaching tides of physical life will gradually steal its 
health and strength away. It is not enough to know that the 
wages of sin is death. Reason and experience alike teach that 
the road to destruction lies straight through the gates of iniquity. 
But not everyone, therefore, refuses to go in thereat. Wisdom 
warns and science demonstrates that to violate is to invite retri- 
bution. Yet who of us does not himself sometimes transgress and 
feel, therefore, in his own person, the penalties of his wantonness?’ ’ Plate III. 
CHART OF THE VITAL ORGANS. 
In this engraving the organs of nutrition are seen as they would 
appear if the front walls of the chest and abdomen were removed 
The chest contains the heart with its four chambers and the large 
arteries and veins proceeding both to and from this center of the cir- 
culation. On each side of the heart are the lungs, with their lobes. 
The diaphragm separates these from the stomach on the left side and 
the liver on the right. At the end of the stomach is the spleen 
marked SP. The letter K marks the gall bladder. 
The small intestine leads dowmward from the stomach, and it 
finally opens into the colon, through the ileo-cecal valve at V. The 
food then is conveyed along the colon upward, across to the left side, 
and tl<°" downward to its exit. Vital (ftgana CHAPTER HI. 
FOODS AND DRINKS. 
THEORIES innumerable are offered regarding foods; 
indeed, there are few subjects of the day more 
agitated. It is not alone the quantity, blit the quality, 
of what one eats that satisfies and nourishes the 
body, that should be considered. 
Effects of Chemical Combinations.—No house- 
keeper has mastered the art of cooking who does not 
know something of the chemical combinations of 
food, and how to combine to best feed the system. It 
is very important to know what will best supply the 
needs of the growing family. Wants, tastes and 
needs have to be considered. The more perfectly 
food is adapted to the needs, the more vigorous the 
body and the more perfect the development of muscle, 
nerve and brain. Consider first, in the selection and 
preparation of food, what is best adapted to each 
peculiar condition, remembering the age, occupation 
and habits of life. 
The Brain and Muscle-Worker.—The diet of the 
brain-worker of sedentary habits should differ essen- 
tially from that of the man whose active business 
pursuits call him into the open air and furnish him 
with plenty of exercise. Albumen contained in the 
white of an egg and the lean of meat is said to be 
the richest substance in muscle-making. Many an 
infant’s life has been saved, when suffering from ex- 34 
THE NATURE CURE. 
treme disorder of digestion, by the use of white of an 
egg. The heat of the body is sustained by the use 
of vegetables and cereals abounding in starch. Oil 
also supplies carbon to the system, but overtaxes 
digestion. Beef fat is the least objectionable of all 
fats. Carbon is also supplied by the use of sugar. 
Most fruits are rich in sugar, hence their worth as 
food. Eggs contain a great amount of carbon, and 
combine well with articles composed principally of 
starch. Other necessary elements of food are the 
phosphates, particularly needed in these days when 
brain and nerves are overworked. These are found 
in game, oysters, fish, cheese, and some vegetables, 
fruits and nuts. Milk contains the necessary mate- 
rials for nourishing the system, but is not sufficient 
for hard-working or grown people. Buttermilk is 
wholesome, particularly in warm weather, on account 
of the lactic acid it contains, being an excellent tonic 
for the stomach. Graham bread and milk make a 
suitable diet for growing children, as they supply not 
only nerve and muscle, but are rich in material for 
the growth of bone. In cold weather, carbon in the 
shape of heating food is necessary; but in warm 
weather, the cooling effects of fruit, nuts and vegeta- 
bles will supply it in better form. 
Foods.—Food of some kind is a necessity, while 
we live upon this physical and material plane. The 
food subject is always an important one, for the very 
good reason that life is dependent upon food, as well 
as water and air. Air, water, food and exercise, are 
a quartette that must ever be considered as the four 
absolute necessities of animal life. The food question PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
35 
as related to the cause of disease, will be discussed in 
this chapter, followed by an exposition on the neces- 
sity of exercise. 
A Retrospective View,—If we were permitted to 
take a retrospective view of the past, regarding the 
subject of food, we should be amazed at the change 
that has taken place in one hundred years, and more 
amazed, if we could compare our present, endless 
round of mixed, unpalatable, unsatisfying dishes, 
with those of our ancestors of ten thousand years ago. 
It is true we know but little of their habits, much 
more of those who lived fifty and one hundred years 
ago. If our parents could have retained the ancient 
simplicity of diet and habits of life, and dismissed 
their prejudices, traditions and superstitions, they 
would have acted wisely. 
All Dyspeptics.—From my view no other physical 
subject is as important as the food question, or the 
food and drink of the people. Scientists may theorize, 
the moralist moralize, the theologian dogmatize, the 
philosopher philosophize, and the politician speculate, 
yet they are all dyspeptics dominated by their appe- 
tites; nearly all of them fall into the hands of straight- 
laced M.D.’s and die long before they are ripe, pre- 
maturely. 
Epicures may Approve and Sanction.—The 
necessity for food has given the human animal an 
almost irresistible appetite for it; the normal appetite 
has been catered to, experimented with for money, 
until it would be difficult to conceive or imagine 
a food mixture, that some epicure may not approve 
and sanction. To find a normal stomach or appetite 36 
THE NATURE CURE. 
among the medium or favored classes would be very 
much like looking for a hen’s tooth or a needle in a 
hay stack. Indulgence of abnormal appetites is a 
cause of disease; mixed dishes highly seasoned create 
thirst; when water, tea and coffee fail to satisfy, iced 
tea and other temperance drinks are substituted; the 
next substitutes are beer, wine and the strong drinks; 
smoking and chewing tobacco habits are easily 
acquired after the appetite has been debauched by the 
indulgences above mentioned. 
Normal Appetites.—Normal appetites require only 
simple, plain-cooked dishes; no others fully satisfy. 
Mixed dishes, no matter how delicate or how tempt- 
ingly prepared, do not satisfy the cravings, the abnor- 
mal demand, consequently some substitute is sought. 
The less cooked food used the less danger of dis- 
ease; cooked food can never satisfy as does the un- 
cooked. 
The Best Foods.—My instructions given in books 
and lectures to patients and those who consult us 
regarding the food question, is, always choose the best 
to be found. I sum up the matter in a short sentence, 
vis., the food that feeds the body the most and taxes it 
the least in digesting and assimilating, is the best; 
when we once comprehend this simple sentence of 
twenty words, we have the key to the most important 
health problem ever propounded. There can be no 
excuse for using poor food, when we understand by 
examination and comparison that the best is the 
cheapest. The intelligent, unprejudiced student of 
food reform will not fail to see that a pound of high- 
priced food, that takes two pounds of strength and PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
37 
energy to digest and appropriate, cannot be considered 
the best food. 
Cooked Foods Inferior.—All cooked foods by 
whatever process are inferior to those termed natural 
foods, such as fruits, nuts and grains that may be 
eaten without cooking. An unseen life-giving, life- 
sustaining element, energy or chemical combination, 
is expelled by heating foods; this element is the sub- 
stance that gives strength and vigor, that satisfies the 
cravings of the natural appetite; when satisfied, fancy 
drinks and the scores of mixed table preparations that 
tax the cooks, destroy stomachs and the vitality of all 
the digestive organs, are easily dispensed with. 
Reason and common sense should control; excesses 
and health-destroying appetites should give place to 
health laws; then life would be dominated and stimu- 
lated by an uplifting, regenerating influence; disease, 
fear and sickness would be relegated to the darkness 
of the past; a new life, a new world, would open to our 
vision; sense appetites would be under the control of 
reason. Every person who reaches this plane of life is 
a free man or woman; until then all are slaves to 
sensuous appetites, ruled and controlled by them; no 
tyrant is more oppressive or heartless. Look for one 
moment at the slaves of strong drink, tobacco, and 
opium, in all their many vile life-destroying prepara- 
tions, before you dispute our position. 
Food and Drink Question.—To the intelligent, 
progressive family no question is so important as the 
food and drink question, none that so universally 
affects every home, country and people. 
The Gospel that Will Redeem.—Pure food, air, 38 
THE NATURE CURE. 
water and exercise constitute a gospel that will redeem 
the world physically, from sin, sickness and degrada- 
tion. Pure food is the key; every family or person, 
that will or has adopted, understandingly, the natural 
pure food regime is already redeemed. Any redemp- 
tion that does not rest on and include this subject 
under discussion, has failed, and will ever be a failure. 
Do not be frightened at this bed-rock declaration, and 
conclude that the writer is brash or inexperienced, 
but consider the subject, face the facts and expose our 
errors; not by theories, infallible popes, books or 
dogmas, but start with the everyday common experi- 
ences of life, and we will meet you half way and com- 
pare notes. Remember, sin and sickness are results; 
obey the laws of life, and sin and sickness will be no 
more. 
I Know of No Other Redemption.—Torpid livers, 
dyspeptic stomachs, sick headaches, constipation, 
kidney complaints, typhoid and other fevers, pneu- 
monia, rheumatism, neuralgia and heart failure are 
results; remove the cause by right living, and your 
redemption will commence and continue, just so long 
as you continue to obey the law of health. It is not 
my object to go into details on the subject of food and 
drink; space, time and expense forbid more than 
general suggestions, although I feel sure no subject 
relating to health is more important. 
Fish and Flesh.—The very best foods are fruits 
and nuts; vegetables and grains come next, and fish 
and flesh last. This order exactly reverses the present 
thought upon the food question, but if I am right, 
and custom, habit and past experience wrong, I have PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
39 
only to demonstrate my position, and all health seek- 
ers will adopt the best and gradually discard the 
poorest. 
A Scientific Fact.—It has been proven scientific- 
ally that double the time is required to digest flesh 
than fruits and vegetables. Fruits are the easiest 
digested, consequently tax the system the least. Vege- 
tables grown above ground, in the sun and air, are 
next in value as food, next to fruit in digestion. 
Vegetables grown underground come next, then cere- 
als, and then flesh. Starchy food should be used 
little,by people of sedentary habits, and is best suited 
to those whose occupation requires firm, hard muscles 
—the ditch digger, for instance. 
Most Perfect Health.—White flour, cornmeal and 
Irish potatoes are starchy. Men, women, boys and 
girls occupied in stores, offices and manufacturing 
establishments where the labor is light, and the brain 
work most taxing, will as a rule feel best, have the 
most perfect health, by avoiding all starchy, greasy 
flesh diet, using fruits, graham, or breakfast food 
prepared from wheat or ryemeal. The professional 
classes may always adopt fruit, vegetables and cereals 
to their advantage; the plainer they live the better 
the health and longer the life. This is not all; their 
old age from 75 to 125 years will be the most satis- 
factory part of life; they will not lose any of their 
faculties, but remain as sensitive as in youth or mid- 
dle age. 
The Trench Diggers.—Those who dig trenches 
for sewerage, for water and gas in cities, and ditches 
upon farms, may eat Irish potatoes and other starchy 40 
THE NATURE CURE. 
foods, also tliose who live during the winter in lumber 
camps; in fact, all of our out-of-door laborers upon 
railroads, great lakes, rivers and oceans, may live 
upon heavy, starchy foods and enjoy good physical 
health, but will not be inclined to use their brains 
very much. The time has arrived when men and 
women of intelligence will not ignore dietary reform; 
no rule can be made that will fit everybody, but we 
can all learn by observation and experience that 
health cannot be bought, that the food and drink 
question is ten times more important than the climate 
question. 
Haphazard Methods.—Until the food subject re- 
ceives more general consideration, the haphazard 
methods and habits of the present will continue. So 
long as cereals are popular as bread food, wheat flour 
will no doubt be the leading and popular article. 
Graham flour for bread and mush is no doubt the most 
valuable. Oatmeal, ryemeal and cornmeal are chosen 
by different nations and people, but they do not feed 
as much and tax as little as graham, therefore wheat 
will remain the leading cereal. Graham mush, with 
cream, Jersey milk and sugar, or some plain fruit 
sauce, has no equal, certainly nothing in the mush 
line superior, all things considered. 
Second Choice.—Ryemeal mush is my second 
choice; it should be made from fresh meal as coarse 
as cornmeal, and for a change from graham mush is 
desirable. Oat and cornmeal mush are so popular 
and well known that I can add nothing to their value. 
They are standard cereal foods, cornmeal being the 
heartier—heavier—is most taxing, but popular with PHYSICAL, AND MRNTAI. METHODS. 
41 
millions of out-door workers, whose habits enable 
them to digest and assimilate the heavy, coarse foods. 
Remain Childish.—Quite a portion of humanity 
remain in their childhood through life; the child puts 
everything into its mouth, irrespective of results, that 
happens to catch its eye, that looks tempting. It is 
so with full-grown men and women; the end and aim 
of life seems to be to eat and drink everything that is 
put upon the market. 
Test all Food.—My rule is to test all food by eyes, 
nose, taste and good sense—reason; if it will pass 
those tests it may go into the stomach, the chemical 
mill of the body. Eye it, smell it, taste it, and then 
test it with your reason, before selecting it to feed 
and nourish your wonderful body, the temple of the 
living soul. 
Less and Better Food,—Do not pollute your bodies 
by gratifying a depraved taste. The less food, the 
more easy the digestion. About double the food nec- 
essary to sustain life is eaten by a majority; the result 
shows machinery overtaxed and worn out. A prema- 
ture grave, a wrecked life, is the end. 
Sand in the Crop.—The liver and kidneys are 
strainers in the anatomy of the animal organism, as- 
sisted by the vitalizing electric influence of the heart 
and lungs. Overeating, eating impure, indigestible 
food, overtaxes those important eliminating organs, 
causing them to wear out, just as sand will wear out 
fine machinery. 
Health and Climates.—Healthy people can live in 
any and all climates. Healthy people are those who 
obey the laws of life and health; vigilance is as nec- THE NATURE CURE. 
42 
essary for health as for liberty. In summing up, I 
desire to say I could easily reach a satisfactory solu- 
tion could I eliminate appetite, selfishness and habit. 
Appetite demands, and selfishness provides a hundred 
unnecessary, unhealthy dishes and preparations. 
Normal Appetites.—Normal appetites may be fully 
gratified; natural appetites would not demand the 
slaughter of animal, fish or fowl, we claim, having 
studied this subject more than a generation, and lived 
up to its most reasonable and far-reaching teachings. 
I will suggest that a rigid diet be observed by the 
sick, who may as a rule fast to their advantage. Those 
who are well and have steady healthful exercise, may 
indulge in a greater variety than when deprived of 
out-door work or exercise. It is safe to say that we 
can discard to our advantage all flesh-eating by a 
careful study of the subject. 
Suffer in Mind.—No doubt there are many per- 
sons who suffer or think they do, for want of the 
stimulating effects of a flesh diet, but as soon as the 
habit is overcome, the necessity will cease to exist. 
Once meat-eating is disposed of, and the starchy foods 
are found to be unnecessary, in fact, disease-produc- 
ing, a selection may be made of fruits, nuts and vege- 
tables, that will maintain life in its grandest, purest 
and most healthful expression. Each individual 
should study to live in harmony with his highest 
convictions. As soon as normal—natural—appetites 
are reached, we shall all have a safe food guide. 
Eve and the Tree.—And Eve saw that the tree was good for 
food, and that it was a delight to the eyes—Genesis. 
Stay me with raisins, comfort me with apples.—Solomon. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
43 
The following article, clipped from a monthly 
magazine, entitled Natural Food, printed and issued 
from London, England, better expresses my views 
than I can express them, and as corroborative testi- 
mony is often not only acceptable, but necessary to 
hold the critical, skeptical mind, I gladly place this 
interesting article on the value of fruit as food and 
medicine, in this volume; it has our hearty endorse- 
ment. I also add Dr. de Lacy Evans’ classification of 
foods in their relation to longevity. 
First, Fruits. Second, Fish. Third, Animal foods. 
Fourth, Vegetables. Fifth, Cereals. 
Dream of Fruit.—“Another great action of fruit in the body is 
its—shall I call it—antiscorbutic action. It keeps the body in a 
healthy condition. When out on a long voyage where fruit is 
scarce, how one longs for it. Those who have been without it for 
an extended time long for it until even in their dreams they picture 
the fruit their system so badly needs. The following case will 
illustrate my meaning : A ship’s crew had any amount of fresh 
meat, new bread, tea, coffee, etc., aboard, but no fruit nor vege- 
tables. As days went by the men grew haggard, breathless and 
weak, with violent, tearing, rheumatic pains in the joints. Then 
the gums grew spongy, the blood broke through its veins, and the 
whole system was demoralized and dying. In short, they were 
dying of scurvy. A fruit ship passing sent aboard a good supply 
of oranges and lemons, which was greedily eaten by the sufferers. 
Mark the result; though they still went on eating the same food 
the addition of fruit to their diet made all the difference between 
life and death. In a few days their gums began to heal, the blood 
became healthy, natural color came into their faces, and strength 
came to the limbs so lately racked with pain. This is, perhaps, an 
extreme illustration, but I am satisfied that in a lesser degree the 
want of fruit is responsible for much of the illness in the world. 
When a student I remember sitting beside a leading London sur- 
geon as an unhealthy child was brought in suffering from a scrofu- 
lous looking rash over the face. Turning to us he exclaimed, 
“That is rash from eating lollies.” And many times since I have 44 
THE NATURE CURE. 
had occasion to remember his teaching, as I have seen it verified. 
Good fruit clears the blood, and prevents this sort of thing. 
The Lemon Juice Cure.—‘ ‘ The lemon juice cure for rheumatism 
is founded on scientific facts, and having suffered from acute gout 
for the last fifteen years, I have proved over and over again the 
advantages which are obtained from .eating fruit. Garrod, the 
great London authority on gout, advises his patients to take 
oranges, lemons, strawberries, grapes, apples, pears, etc. Tardieu, 
the great French authority, maintains that the salts of potash 
found so plentifully in fruits are the chief agents in purifying the 
blood from these rheumatic and gouty poisons. 
“Perhaps, in our unnatural, civilized society, sluggish action of 
the bowels and liver are responsible for more actual misery than 
any other ailment. Headache, indigestion, constipation, hemor- 
rhoids, and a generally miserable condition, is but too often the 
experience of the sufferer, and to overcome it about half the drugs 
in the world are given in all sorts of compounds. Let the man of 
drugs go aboard that ship in mid-ocean, with its crew suffering 
from all these ailments; let the man with his artificially-made 
fruit salts have his trial at their bowels and liver; let the man of 
mercury and podophyllum, and all the so-called liver doctors try 
their best; call in the tribes of tonics, and give iron, quinine, 
arsenic, strychnia, and all the rest of the family; then try your 
stomachics for his digestion, but in spite of all these the scurvy 
fiend will sit aloft and laugh you to scorn. In fact, all these drugs 
have been tried over and over again, and Dr. Buzzard, perhaps the 
greatest authority in the world, tells us they have all proved 
miserable failures. But bring in your fruit, and the whole scene 
changes. Cannot we show the world that what is applicable to 
these men in their extreme condition is more or less applicable to 
the millions of sufferers on land who now persist in looking upon 
fruit as a thing they can well do without. 
Dr. Blizzard’s Advice.—Dr. Buzzard advises the scorbutic to 
take fruit morning, noon, and night. 4 Fresh lemon juice in the 
form of lemonade is to be his ordinary drink; the existence of 
diarrhoea should be no reason for withholding it. Give oranges, 
lemons, apples, onions, cabbages, salads,’ and if this advice is 
good for those abroad, and there is no doubt about that, it is 
equally good for the millions who are spending millions annually 
in drugs which will never cure them. The first symptoms of 
scurvy are a change in the color of the skin, which becomes sal- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
45 
low or of a greenish tint. Then follows an aversion for all exer- 
cise, Bloodshot eyes, weak heart, bad digestion, and constipation 
follow on. Dr. Ballard says many of the most serioris and fatal 
cases of scurvy he has seen have only presented as symptoms the 
pallid face, the general listlessness and bloodshot eyes. If we go 
through the back streets of our large towns how many pallid-faced, 
listless-looking people and children swarm around us, and they 
have, as a rule, plenty of food. 
To the Farm and Apple Packers.—“Within the last two 
weeks two of my own children have given me a good example of 
what fruit will do. Two months ago I decided to let these two 
boys, aged six and eight, go to my farm among the apple packers. 
They were not actually ill when they went out, neither had th y 
been at all shut up, but they were pale-looking, would noteat their 
food, etc. During the last two months they make their boast they 
ate a dozen apples a day each, and as soon as they began eating 
these apples their appetite for other food about doubled, and dur- 
ing the eight weeks they have grown stout and robust, skin clear 
and healthy with the glow of health on their cheeks, and bodily 
strength equal to any amount of exertion. 
Fruit as a Medicine.—“As a medicine I look upon fruit as a 
most valuable ally. As previously shown, when the body is in 
that breaking up condition known as scurvy, the whole medical 
profession look upon fruit and fresh vegetables as the one and 
only known remedy. I believe the day will come when science 
will use it very much more largely than it does now in the treat- 
ment of many of the every-day ailments. I have shown how it 
aids digestion. Observations in scurvy prove that it exerts a very 
powerful influence on the blood. But “the blood is the life poor 
blood means poor spirits, poor strength, poor breath and poor circu- 
culation. Impure blood means gout, rheumatism, skin disease, 
rickets and other troubles. As it is proved that fruit will purify 
and improve the quality of the blood, it must follow that fruit is 
both food and medicine combined. In fevers I use grapes and 
strawberries, giving them to my patients in small but fre. 
quent doses. Oranges and baked apples if the others are not ob- 
tainable. 
Lemons for Rheumatism.—“For rheumatism plenty of lemons 
are invaluable. White girls with miserable pallid complexions 
want a quart of strawberries a day; where these are not obtainable 
bananas, which contain much iron, are a good substitute. Proba- 46 
THE NATURE CURE. 
bly, of all fruits, the apple stands unrivalled for general purposes 
in the household; either raw or cooked it can be taken by nearly 
everybody, and it contains similar properties to the other more 
delicate fruits. To my mind the pear is more easily digested than 
the apple, and for eating uncooked is superior to it. In our cli- 
mate we can have good dessert pears nine months in the year, and 
their culture should be much increased.”—By Harry Benjafield, 
M.D., Australia. 
Can’t Eat Fruit.—No! My stomach rebels. Why 
this condition of your stomach ? Simply because it 
is not in a normal condition. Any stomach that has 
been petted, stimulated, overfed, drugged, ice-creamed, 
ice-tead, ice-coffeed, pinched by tight lacing, gorged 
with all sorts of fiery condiments, rich soups, ham 
sandwiches, sausage, beer, wine and alcoholic liquors, 
ought to rebel. Cut off this list of trash to which you 
have treated your stomach, every one of the above 
abominations called food and drink, and in a few 
weeks or months you may have a natural stomach, 
one that will be delighted to have some food as good 
as fruit to digest. 
Weather-Crazed.—There is a class of nervous, 
high-strung people called sensitives, who are troubled 
with the climate craze; in talking with them one 
would think if they could find some place free from 
climate they would all flock to that haven. A large 
part of the extreme sensitiveness that irritates could 
be easily dispelled by an intelligent study of the laws 
of life and health, and by adopting hygienic teachings. 
The distressing climates and conditions complained 
of are mostly within us. The wise course is: so live 
that we may have a healthy resisting power and influ- 
ence both within and without, such as will enable us to PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
47 
make good use of the true sensitive condition, which 
is the result of right living. 
Cure for Constipation.—Constipation results from 
bad habits in eating and drinking, and a neglect in 
taking outdoor exercise. The remedy: Learn to 
select the best food, study how to eat, drink and exer- 
cise as taught in this book, live up to it, and that most 
insinuating disease, constipation, so common and de- 
structive to health, may be a condition of the past; 
attend to the calls of nature regularly; go regularly 
without a call. Change your bill of fare by cutting 
out all heavy, starchy, greasy, expensive articles and 
substitute a few plain, healthy ones. This is a common- 
sense cure for all bowel disease, and is always a suc- 
cess. For temporary relief in severe bowel attacks, 
hot milk drank slowly, a mouthful at a time, three or 
four times a day, without any other food, with a hot 
lemonade to cleanse, a perfect fast except the milk, 
a long rest, keeping feet warm and head cool, will 
accomplish a cure in due time. 
Try It .—The very best food, drink, exercise, air, 
sunshine and sunlight are yours; use them and have 
health. A soft flannel bandage may be worn over 
the bowels and the small of the back, if coldness, 
weakness or a torpid condition exists. 
Dr. R. T. Trail says: “Probably more than balf the adult 
population of the United States are sufferers, to a greater or less 
extent, from piles in some form. I have found a great 
majority of invalids who have applied for water treatment, what- 
ever might have been the character of their leading malady, to 
be also afflicted with this. Its special, and almost exclusive cause 
is concentrated food, inducing constipated bowels; but it is almost 
always greatly aggravated by the purgatives which have been 
given by regular and irregular quacks, on account of the consti- 48 
THE NATURE CURE. 
pation. Most of the patent pills from which newspapers derive so 
large a revenue, and the people so many shattered constitutions, 
are strongly aloetic, and hence peculiarly calculated to inflame 
and relax the vessels of the rectum, already irritated and engorged 
by their hardened contents. Many frightful cases of external pro- 
trusion, or falling down of the anus, have come under my observa- 
tion in the persons of habitual pill takers.” 
“The immediate cause of piles is -everything that 
tends to irritate or overheat the anus or rectum. Per- 
sons subject to constipation, or its opposite condition, 
diarrhoea, are frequently annoyed with piles, while 
some have them not subject to irregularity of the 
bowels. Impure blood is invariably the predisposing 
cause of piles. If the rectum or anus be irritated or 
heated, as it may be in many ways, no permanent 
difficulty results, unless the blood possesses humoral 
properties.” 
Tea, Coffee and Their Effects,—Coffee seems to 
effect the liver more than the heart, although many 
have had to give up coffee because of its stimulating 
action on that organ. In certain forms of disease of 
the heart it is very pernicious. It powerfully in- 
creases respiration and the rate of the pulse, while the 
action of the skin is diminished. It lessens the 
amount of blood sent to the organs of the body and 
distends the veins. As a mental stimulus it is liable 
to great abuse. 
Cause of Wakefulness.—Taken in excess it pro- 
duces wakefulness, indigestion, acidity, heartburn, 
irritability of temper, irregular pulse, trembling and 
great injury to the spinal functions. 
Coffee a Medicine.—Coffee is sometimes an excel- 
lent medicine. It dispels stupor, is an antidote for PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
49 
many kinds of poison, and invaluable in spasmodic 
whooping cough and cholera infantum. Hot coffee 
used in yellow fever and fever and ague districts will 
enable the patient to avoid the chill, and the stranger 
to escape the yellow fever contagion. An occasional 
cup of the best may be used without injury, but an 
every day use is injurious to stomach and bowels. 
The strongest, most healthful out-door worker should 
never drink more than one large cup a day at the 
close of the morning meal. It is better for people 
whose habits are sedentary to use fruit in place of 
coffee; if any hot drink is used let it be hot water. 
Tea Drinking and Constipation.—Tea drinking 
produces constipation, while coffee tends to relax. Tea 
irritates and excites the nerves, stimulating to greater 
activity, and like a whip applied to a tired horse if 
weary, after drinking a cup often one is revived and 
invigorated, yet none of the worn-out tissues are re- 
built. Tea drinking gives false strength; besides, what- 
ever stimulates reacts. Tea makes the complexion 
sallow. 
Sick Headache.—Tea drinking is a cause of sick 
headache. An old friend who was very fond of her cup 
came to spend some months under our roof; day after 
day the old story of wakefulness was told: “Could not 
sleep till nearly morning.” When we induced her to 
substitute hot water and milk, no more complaints, 
but instead, “I can now sleep as sweetly and quietly 
as a babe.’ ’ Strong tea of any kind or grade is injuri- 
ous because of its astringent effect. 
Milk Alone as Food.—“A medical man expresses the belief 
that a person could live any length of time, and take heavy exer- 50 
THE NATURE CURE. 
cises all the while, on no other food than sweet milk. His con- 
viction is the result of personal experiment. He wished to estab. 
lish the fact that persons convalescing may grow stronger with no 
other nutriment than sweet milk, and that they are not obliged 
to take * something solid’ to eat, as so many people imagine. 
He holds that many a convalescent has gone to his grave as a 
result of overtaxing his weak stomach by putting “solid” food 
into it. It is maintained that the old belief as to bread being the 
first essential to human life is shown by experiment to be errone- 
ous. This person’s test was to live for thirty days with only 
sweet milk as a nourishment. In the whole time he lost five and 
one-half pounds in weight, but no strength. He even attributes 
the loss of weight to the warmth of the weather, excessive exer- 
cise on the bicycle and the daily manipulation of sixteen-pound 
dumbbells and other heavy weights. He took more exercise than 
usual in order to test the thing fairly. On the seventh day of the 
experiment he ran several foot-races with a skillful runner, and 
was beaten in each race. On the thirtieth day he again pitted 
himself against the same runner and did the best of the racing, 
which certainly would tend to confirm his statement that he lost 
no strength during the thirty days’ test. He drank four pints of 
milk daily for the first three weeks, and five pints daily for the 
last week. He thinks a healthy person should take about five 
pints of milk daily when no other food is being taken. His prac- 
tice was to drink milk at intervals of two hours during the day, 
commencing at 7 o’clock in the morning and continuing until 10 
at night. After that he would take no more until the next 
morning.” 
Sunday Dinners.—The custom of the present day 
of indulging in an extra large dinner on Sunday is all 
wrong. The American Sunday, is, by custom, a day 
of rest; it is the height of wisdom to be honest and 
conscientious, and respect the object of this day of rest 
to the fullest extent. To do this, Sunday meals 
should be the plainest, most simple ones of all the 
week. Over-eating is one of the most insiduous 
health destroyers. Give me a feeding of a thousand 
children until they are of age, and the mortality PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
51 
would not be one per cent. It is safe to say that 
more people die prematurely as a result of over-eat- 
ing than from all other causes combined. If the 
muscles, nerves and bones need rest, why not the 
stomach ? What justice is there in keeping the wife 
and servants in a stew all day Sunday, preparing a 
big dinner to gratify an abnormal selfish appetite? 
The opposite course is the common-sense one. Let 
the good wife put her foot down and teach her family 
to eat only two light meals on Sunday, giving the 
stomach, servant and all concerned a pleasant, full 
day of rest. Monday morning will find the workers 
fresh and vigorous for the duties of the week. 
Medicinal Properties of Vegetables.—“ The following infor- 
mation, says the Scientific American, may be useful to some at 
this season of the year, if not new to many : Spinach has a direct 
effect upon the kidneys. The common dandelion, used as greens, 
is excellent for the same trouble. Asparagus purges the blood. 
Celery acts admirably upon the nervous system, and is a cure for 
rheumatism and neuralgia. Tomatoes act upon the liver. Beets 
and turnips are excellent appetizers. Lettuce and cucumbers are 
cooling in their effects upon the system. Onions, garlic, leeks, 
olives and shalots, all of which are similar, possess medical vir- 
tues of a marked character, stimulating the circulatory system, 
and the consequent increase of the saliva and the gastric juice 
promoting digestion. Red onions are an excellent diuretic, and 
the white ones are recommended to be eaten raw as a remedy for 
insomnia. They are a tonic and are nutritious. A soup made 
from onions is regarded by the French as an excellent restorative 
in debility of the digestive organs.” 
Human Building.—“ The question arises, can a child, boy or 
girl, between the time of weaning and fifteen years of age, be so 
trained as to have larger, stronger, and better bones than he or 
she could have without training ? I answer unhesitatingly in the 
affirmative. Chemistry has indubitably settled the question that 
phosphate of lime, which is one of the constitutents of human 
bones, cannot be organized out of starch or fibrine. Nine-tenths 52 
THE NATURE CURE. 
of the millions of children in this country between one year and 
fifteen years of age are eating as their staple articles of food, pre- 
pared in some form, superfine wheat flour, potatoes and lean flesh 
of animals. Out of these three articles how is it to be expected 
that good, fine-grained, big, strong bones can be built? I cannot 
understand it. If parents would only try it they would find by 
experience that from weaning to puberty the best bone-forming 
foods are the grains, and of these, wheat ground without bolting 
and good cows’ milk. Of vegetables may be included beets, 
onions, squashes and pumpkins; of fruits, straw'berries, rasp- 
berries, blackberries, apples, peaches and pears, and of these none 
is better than the pear. Bring your daughter up to outdoor life, 
to well-regulated exercise, to abundant sleep, to such food as I 
have suggested, and you will see her grow to have large bones and 
a large frame. She will be healthy, agile and strong. Do not be 
frightened. In due time her muscles will even up her body and 
she will be beautiful to look on, and full of resources to develop 
into a delightful character.” 
Artificial Food.—“Healthful food contains the sixteen elements 
needed to repair the body and to furnish it with fuel. Besides a 
large amount of carbon to burn, there must be silicon for the 
teeth, calcium and phosphorus for the bones, and nitrogen for 
the muscles. There must be sulphur, and iron, and sodium; in all 
sixteen different elements in the food, or some portion of the body 
will be starved. Fortunately the Creator has given us an endless 
variety of tempting fruits and berries and melons; great numbers 
of excellent vegetables; the useful family of cereals, wheat and 
corn and oats; with peas and beans and nuts. Then there are 
eggs, and milk; truly a vast variety of healthful foods, and all of 
them contain the sixteen elements absolutely needed to support 
life. Yet, sit down at an average table, and see how little is eaten 
of these genuine foods, and how much of other things that were 
not made by the Creator, and do not contain the elements needed 
by the body. Often much of the meal consists of butter, and 
sugar, and starch, and grease and gravy in various forms;—arti- 
cles lacking nearly all the elements, and not worthy the name of 
food. Being composed mainly of carbon, they clog the cleansing 
organs with that substance, and leave many parts of the body 
without nourishment. If this excess of carbon is digested, it 
makes one gross and fat, if not, it ferments and brings dyspepsia, 
and kidney and liver ailments. No words can denounce too PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
53 
strongly the candy habit, that makes children sickly, and is often 
the first cause of their untimely death. 
Poison Condiments.—“Pepper, mustard, curry powder, and 
like fiery substances, are not food, but irritant poisons. Things 
that will blister the tough outer skin, are surely hurtful to the 
delicate internal organs. It may be said that we take very little 
of them, yet the amount is large consumed in a year. They rank 
not only among the causes of impurity, but of neuralgia and con- 
gestion. 
Vinegar is a vile fluid, swarming with germs; and even salt 
should be used in moderation. 
The taste for condiments is a false one, and he who flings them 
away and trusts to the fine flavors of nature, will soon come 
strongly to dislike them. 
The Use of Stimulants.—“There are certain mild poisons that 
do not cause death, but simply excite and rouse the system to 
expel them. They are like whips to jaded horses. Alcohol in 
all its forms, and tea and coffee and tobacco are such poisons; 
and one has only to read the figures of their cost and use, to see 
that they are gigantic sources of human impurity. It is almost 
rare to find a man whose breath is not vile with beer or whisky, 
or else his body reeking with the stench of nicotine. It is rather 
rare to find a woman whose complexion is not muddy with tea or 
coffee, and her nervous system broken down. Stimulants are 
perhaps our most tempting, but deadliest foes. It is so easy, 
when we are tired or low in spirits, to swallow ruby wine, or puff 
a fine cigar, and be roused to life or cheerfulness again! The 
habit is well-nigh resistless. Yet stimulants are only whips, and 
when their spasm of excitement is gone, the victim falls back 
lower than before, and is tempted to take more stimulant and 
lash himself again to life. He who would have pure blood and 
cheerful health, must shun all stimulants save air and exercise; 
and if his other habits are correct, he will rarely feel either languor 
or depression. 
Over-eating.—“In these days of plentiful and cheap food, one of 
the most common causes of diseased cleansing organs and foul 
bodies is over-eating. Invalids in particular, who are most injured 
by any excess, have an absurd fear of starvation. The less their 
appetite, the more they force down food that only harms them. 
A sound man can live more than a month without eating, and 
there is no remedy so good for many diseases as moderate fasting. 54 
THE NATURE CURE. 
That vast army who have dyspepsia and sluggish bowels, need to 
be extremely careful of excess. Nearly all the people who have 
lived to great age agree in this, though differing in other things—that 
they have been moderate eaters. Gladstone, who is a wonderful 
example of age and activity, tells us that he owes them mainly to 
slow eating. Here lies the secret. Eat slowly, never without an 
appetite, and you will rarely eat too much. There are certain kinds 
of food, healthful enough in small quantities, that tend to clog 
the system if eaten freely. Potatoes and white bread consist 
largely of starch, and are dangerous to health if made staples, as 
we often see. Large use of meat also is the cause of much disease. 
Meat is the most impure of all our foods. Not only does it con- 
tain trichinae and tapeworm and other parasites, but the dead 
blood and bile that were in the animal’s veins come very near to 
being poisons. The danger is especially great to invalids and 
those who live indoors; and such should use meat most sparingly, 
if at all. Raw meat, or meat half cooked, is most unwholesome, 
for a high degree of heat destroys the germs and stops decay. 
Overeating is so great a danger that we must repeat, never eat 
without an appetite, then only what you have the patience to 
chew slowly and thoroughly. An admirable plan is to keep fruit 
upon the table, and if you are not hungry, take only an apple or 
sip the juice of an orange.”—Health Culture. 
Healthfulness of Fruit.—‘‘If people would only realize the 
immense importance and value of fruit as an article of diet in the 
early morning, we should find its appearance far more general on 
the ordinary breakfast table, says the London Family Doctor. 
Of its healthfulness at this period of the day there can be no doubt 
whatever, and more fruit and less animal food would undoubtedly 
conduce to a much healthier condition of the body. In the morn- 
ing there is an acid state of the secretions, and nothing is so well 
calculated to correct this as cooling, subacid fruits, such as peaches, 
apples and pears. The apple is one of the best fruits; oranges also 
are generally acceptable to most people, but the juice alone should 
be taken and not the pulp, and the same may be said of lemon and 
pomegranates. Tomatoes act on the liver and bowels, and straw- 
berries, figs, raspberries, currents and blackberries may be classed 
among the best foods and medicines. The sugar in them is nutri- 
tious, the acid is cooling and purifying, and the seeds are laxative. 
Fruits are the natural correctives for disordered digestion, but the 
way in which many persons eat them converts them into a curse PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
55 
rather than a blessing. Instead of being taken on an empty 
stomach, or in combination with simple grain preparations such as 
bread, they are frequently eaten with oily foods, or they are taken 
at the end of the meal, after the stomach is already full, and per- 
haps the whole mass of food washed down with tea, coffee, or 
other liquid. Fruits to do their best work should be eaten on an 
empty stomach or simply with bread—never with vegetables. In 
the morning, before the fast of the night has been broken, they 
are not only exceedingly refreshing, but they serve as a natural 
stimulus to the digestive organs. And to produce their fullest, 
finest effect they should be ripe, sound and of good quality. In 
our climate fresh fruit should constitute not the finishing but the 
beginning of the meal, particularly the breakfast, for at least six 
months of the year. The good effects that would follow the 
abundant use of fruits are often more than counterbalanced by 
the pernicious habit of saturating them with sugar. Very few 
fruits, if thoroughly ripe and at their best, require any sugar, par- 
ticularly if eaten in the raw state, but it unfortunately is a fact 
that what is intended and prepared for us as a great good in the 
matter of diet is transformed into exactly the reverse.” 
The following brief article appeared in one of our 
leading Chicago dailies recently. I am pleased to add 
it as corroborative of my views: 
Comfort in Summer.—“If people understood how much of 
the physical suffering incident to protracted seasons of hot weather 
is due to the food they eat there would be more common sense 
used in the selection of diet. It is not at all uncommon to see in 
any of the city restaurants men plying fans industriously with one 
hand, while with the other they convey to their mouths roast beef 
with a greasy, rich gravy, potatoes heavily buttered, or pork and 
beans. Having filled their stomachs with a heavy charge, they go 
out into the heated air and wonder why they suffer so intolerably 
from the heat. If they loaded the furnaces in their houses with 
fuel and applied fire to it they would not wonder why the house 
was uncomfortably warm. Yet they will do a similar thing to 
their bodies and then wonder and suffer and groan. In hot 
weather two things ought to be avoided to insure comfort and 
health—food and drink that are stimulating or are rich in carbon 
or nitrogen. Any person can subsist on about one-half the food 
in the summer that is required in the winter, and the summer diet 56 
THE NATURE CURE. 
should consist chiefly of vegetables, fruits, milk and the farina- 
ceous foods. Fish should take the place of beef. Pork should be 
wholly discarded. Milk can be used in place of veal. Spring 
lamb is always wholesome. Macaroni, the various preparations of 
wheat, farina, toast, asparagus, custards, fruits and the scores of 
similar delicacies, with some light meat, like lamb, tongue, chicken 
or fish, once a day should constitute the daily food. A little 
common sense lies at the bottom of all physical comfort in these 
torrid days, and comfort is a more important factor in good health 
than is generally understood.” 
‘‘The pleasures of the palate deal with us like Egyptian thieves, 
who strangle those whom they embrace.”—Seneca. Plate V. 
DROP OF BLOOD. 
More than three-fourths, or 79 per cent of the blood is water 
(serum). This wyater of life holds in solution the bioplasm, the 
salts and the fats, the materials from which all parts of the body are 
built and nourished. These elements are separated and placed at 
the top in the plate above. The red and white cells float about in 
the water, and form 13 per cent. 
GRAIN OF WHEAT. 
This grain of wheat is cut across to show the starch cells in the 
interior. These contain carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. Outside of 
these are the gluten cells, here stained dark. The gluten cells con- 
tain all the elements of nutrition ; that is, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen 
nitrogen, sulphur, iron and phosphates. 
Three layers of the bran are also shown. ELEMENTS 
— •OF* fc-— 
BLOOD. 
GRAIN 1 
or 
WHEAT 
FROM THE Cj CHAPTER IV. 
EXERCISE. 
Good Digestion.—The necessity of exercise will 
not be questioned by the well-informed in any com- 
munity, but the kind and amount of exercise is as 
much an open question as the kind and amount of 
food considered necessary for the multitude who labor 
with hands and head. 
Impossible Without Exercise.—I think it doubtful 
if a majority of the people in America or in any of 
the leading European countries understand the neces- 
sity of exercise in maintaining perfect health. For 
the benefit of those who have not considered this sub- 
ject, we say: Without exercise, perfect physical or 
mental expression is impossible. It has been demon- 
strated that manual training in reform military 
schools has been a success, showing a marked im- 
provement in the morals and character of the men. 
Digestive Organs.—Good digestion results from 
healthy, vigorous exercise, and is coming to be con- 
sidered not only a necessity, but a condition not to 
be overlooked in the future as in the past. A half 
century ago the majority of people knew little about 
the digestive organs; did not understand that stomachs 
needed rest, or that exercise aided digestion; very few 
dreamed that a choice of foods was even necessary. 
Discovery, invention and machinery have changed the 
order of life to such an extent in the past fifty years, 
57 58 
THE NATURE CURE. 
that exercise is considered one of the essential factors 
of health. Within the recollection of the writer, 
much has been said and done, by the invention of ar- 
ticles that make exercise easy, attractive and conven- 
ient for those whose business habits are necessarily 
sedentary. 
The Wheel.—“ Bicycle.”—At this writing the 
wheel is the one absorbing invention that seems to 
fill the bill, combining pleasure and business with 
exercise which promotes good digestion and health; 
the lucky bicyclist is as independent as his wealthy 
neighbor, whose money alone cannot buy good di- 
gestion. Ball games, lawn tennis, rowing matches, 
toboggan slides, swimming, dumb-bells, and many 
other enticing attractive plays and games have be- 
come popular more for the pleasure they afford and 
the money the selfish can make out of them, than the 
benefits the participants receive in the exercise fur- 
nished body and mind. 
Out-Door Work.—Any one, or all of the different 
games and methods, are better than neglect to exer- 
cise, but no one of them is as valuable to the life and 
health of each individual as healthy out-door work, 
some pursuit that furnishes exercise for every part of 
the body, having an object of wages, or the charm of 
gain and growth which attend the making of a beau- 
tiful home or farm. Exercise for the one purpose of 
improving digestion may be a necessity, but much 
more valuable and natural if it has an object requir- 
ing labor. 
Labor a Blessing.—We reverse the order of the 
ancients, and consider labor a blessing; times and cir- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
59 
cumstances make cases; we have lived long enough 
under the labor curse. Discovery, invention and ma- 
chinery have come to make labor a pleasure, a bless- 
ing. We are rapidly approaching an era when labor 
will be considered a necessity for every intelligent and 
independent man and woman. Without labor they will 
not be able to gain or maintain any first-class position 
in the nation, in society or business circles. 
The Stone and Grist of the Past.—Crime, debauch- 
ery, suicide and imbecility of the present century, have 
their cause largely in the effort to perpetuate the old 
systems, methods and traditions of the people, who 
went to mill with a stone in one side of the bag and a 
grist in the other. The material and spiritual revolu- 
tion of the past half century has swept into oblivion 
many old dogmas, traditions, forms and customs; but 
the work is not yet complete and will not be, until a 
recognition of the full significance of the origin and 
destiny of humanity is understood. The time is com- 
ing when every man and woman will be a success, a 
triumph; this world is to be redeemed from sin and 
sickness by a thorough understanding of the laws of 
life and health. Tabor in that good time will not be 
considered a curse, but a blessing. Exercise will be 
natural in the near future; health will be the rule and 
will be catching when law and order are recognized 
and obeyed; health and harmony will result. I do 
not consider it necessary to point out in detail how 
and when to exercise, or what methods or kind may 
be necessary. On succeeding pages indoor exercises 
are described. Perhaps no one exercise is better than 
a brisk walk; for the young, a run of a mile or two 60 
THE NATURE CURE. 
every day will keep tlie blood warm, the digestive 
organs healthy, and the bowels acting as nature 
designed. 
The Bicycle a Perfect Success.—The bicycle is 
said to be a perfect success as an exerciser. Choose 
the kind of exercise that is best and most convenient, 
never forgetting that all legitimate labor, business of 
every kind that is a necessity, and will bring into 
action the greatest number of muscles, functions and 
organs of the body is the best and most healthful. 
Why Should We Take Exercise.—The Glasgow Herald gives 
ten reasons for the necessity of muscular activity: 
1. Any man who does not take time for exercise will probably 
have to take time to be ill. 
2. Body and mind are both gifts, and for the proper use of them 
our Maker will hold us responsible. 
3. Exercise gradually increases the physical powers, and gives 
more strength to resist sickness. 
4. Exercise will dofor your body what intellectual training will 
do for your mind. Educate and strengthen it. 
5. Plato called a man lame because he exercised the mind, while 
the body was allowed to suffer. 
6. A sound body lies at the foundation of all that goes to make 
life a success. Exercise will help to give it. 
7. Exercise will help a young man or woman to lead a chaste, 
honorable, successful life. 
8. Varied, light and brisk exercise, next to sleep, will rest the 
tired brain better than anything else. 
9. Metal will rust if not used, and the body will become diseased 
if not exercised. 
10. A man “too busy” to take care of his health, is like a work- 
man too busy to sharpen his tools. 
Gymnastic Exercises.—“Nature lives by toil; beasts, birds, 
air, fire, the heavens and rolling worlds, all live by action; noth- 
ing lies at rest but death and ruin.” 
Nature has implanted in us a special organ of 
motion ; the object is to secure the perfect develop- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
61 
inent of the body. Children must have their play 
spells or be sick; this is the demand of their nature. 
To be healthy we must be active, in both mind and 
body. 
Laziness is therefore a disease, the result of an ab- 
normal condition. Respiration, the vitalizing of the 
blood, the nutrition of the muscular system, the circu- 
lation of the blood, are all dependent upon active 
exercise. 
A regular, systematic course of gymnastics will 
soon develop the muscles of any part of the body. 
Proper Time.—The most favorable time for gym- 
nastic exercises is in the morning, soon after rising. 
If practiced late in the evening they should be quite 
moderate; never take your exercises immediately be- 
fore or after a meal; not sooner than two hours after 
eating. If possible, exercise in the open air or by an 
open window; if not convenient, have an in-door gym- 
nasium; see that it is properly ventilated and kept 
at a low equable temperature. Exercises should 
always be commenced and finished gently, and all 
abrupt transitions, as a general rule, avoided. They 
should often be varied, so as to call into use the various 
sets of muscles. Do not continue the exercises so as 
to induce great fatigue; this would be more productive 
of harm than good. Avoid cooling rapidly. If exer- 
cising has caused you to become heated, wTalk about 
slowly for a time till your pulse has become normal 
and blood cool. Carefully avoid currents of cold air 
and drinking of cold water while in a heated condition. 
Dress.—The dress should be both light and loose, so 
as to allow perfect freedom of motion. 62 
THE NATURE CURE. 
1. Stand erect with feet together; throw shoulders 
back; breathe slowly, deeply \fill the lungs to their ut- 
most capacity. Repeat this several times each day, in 
the open air, or by an open window. One to five min- 
utes’ duration, stopping before you are fatigued, is 
sufficient at one time. 
2. Stand erect, feet together, hands on the hips; 
throw the arms forcibly back; keep body firm. Inhale 
as you throw the arms back. Repeat the movements, 
avoiding fatigue. 
3. Stand erect; take a full, deep inspiration; retain 
the air in the lungs as long as possible; then let the 
breath go out steadily, but slowly, while you beat the 
chest, abdomen, back and sides with the hands. Re- 
peat this two to five times. 
4. Place the arms forward at right angles with the 
body; now throw them backward several times forci- 
bly. Next, bring the arms downward and backward, 
and strike the elbows together. (This is beneficial for 
those who are round-shouldered, as it expands the 
chest and flattens the shoulder blades. Tight lacers 
will find this exercise invaluable.) 
5. To strengthen back and loins.—Extend the arms, 
bend the body slowly from side to side; remember to 
keep the knees stiff. Continue five minutes. 
6. Place the hands on the hips, with knees stiff. 
Bend first backward, then forward, repeating this 
movement’four to ten times. 
7. Sit upright; back unsupported; feet firm upon the 
floor; hands clasped and resting on the crown of the 
head. Turn or twist the body from side to side alter- 
nately. This may be repeated twenty times, depend- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
63 
ing on tlie strength of the person. By accelerating 
the movement the circulation becomes excited, res- 
piration is increased, as well as bodily heat and per- 
spiration. 
8. Stand erect; place hands on hips; turn or twist 
the body in a rotary motion, varying from slowness to 
some rapidity. 
Exercises 5, 6, 7 and 8 are especially adapted to 
women having uterine “weaknesses.” 
9. ‘ ‘ Recline on the back on a spring bed, flex the knees, inflate 
the lungs; move hips up and down with the springs twenty to 
thirty times. This can be performed by even quite a weak person, 
and is beneficial to the strongest. Brings into action moderately 
a great variety of muscles. 
10. “Flex the knees and elevate the hips, resting the body on 
shoulders and feet. Move slowly up and down ten times. Hold 
to count ten, and then rest to count the same. Lungs with this 
had better be inflated. No exercise is more valuable for develop- 
ing deep breathing. Sick and well would be benefited by taking 
this exercise morning and night.”* 
11. Sawing Wood Exercise.—This is an amusing, 
but practical exercise, for those having colds in the 
head, catarrh and imperfect circulation. A person of 
delicate organization, with a large brain, should at 
first exercise very moderately. I11 taking the exer- 
cise, one in an adjoining room would judge from the 
sound accompanying the motion, that their neighbor 
was actually sawing wood. The reason is obvious. 
Directions.—Place your left foot on the upper rung 
of a chair; close the mouth; clench the fists, and imi- 
tate the motions of the wood-sawyer. You will now 
discover, in forcing the breath through the nostrils, 
♦Women who have long suffered from uterine affections, and are desirous 
of obtaining full directions for self-treatment, should send for Dr. George H. 
Taylor's excellent work, “ Health for Women”; price, fifty cents. 64 
THE NATURE CURE. 
the reason for thus naming this exercise. Enter 
heartily into this without repression. Continue from 
three to five minutes, until a warmth and glow is 
produced, permeating the entire body. This exercise 
may be repeated three or four times each day with 
benefit when the case is severe. 
12. “Kneel on a cushion; knees far apart; stretch arms upward, 
parallel with each other, by the side of head; bend trunk slowly 
backward as far as possible; remain to count four; return forward 
as far as possible, keeping knees and feet firm. This is one of the 
best exercises for strengthening the muscles of the back and 
pelvis. 
13. “Same position, hand clasped on top of head, move the 
body from side to side slowly, count four with each movement, 
and then rest. In the same position twist the body from right to 
left.” 
Massage, or a thorough manipulation of all the 
muscles, with a systematic kneading of the entire 
body. Especially useful in general debility, in cases 
of impoverished blood, and in chronic uterine disease. 
“In chronic constipation massage is most effectual. Knead the 
bowels as you would knead dough. Make the movements tend 
in the direction of the large intestine, beginning at the lower right 
side of the abdomen and extending upward to the ribs, across to 
the opposite side, thence down to a corresponding point upon the 
left side. A little practice soon rewards with proficiency. Enter 
into this with spirit, and thoroughly manipulate, squeeze, press 
and pinch every muscle in the body, and spat the surface with the 
‘muscle beater,’ or ends of the fingers, having the wrist free. Do 
not make hard work by using the arm and palm of the hand. If 
the operator is magnetic the patient’s flesh will tingle, while good 
results follow. In ‘ massage ’ and ‘ Swedish movement cures ’ the 
‘ muscle beater ’ is often used as a substitute for the hand. This 
little instrument consists of three rubber tubes fastened together 
toward the handle. It is both useful and inexpensive, and does 
away with the help of an assistant. To promote soft and elastic 
skin, the activity of the blood vessels, etc., use the ‘muscle beater,' 
if the magnetic hand of an attendant cannot be secured.’’ PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
65 
Ventilation.—Air is the first necessity of existence. 
It must be pure to meet the requirements of the sys- 
tem. At all times an ample supply is requisite, but 
especially so at night in the sleeping room. As our 
dwellings are now constructed, the only feasible and 
convenient method of ventilation is by lowering the 
top sash and raising the lower sash until they meet in 
the middle of the window frame. The fresh air is 
admitted, while the heated, vitiated air passes out. 
Sleeping and family sitting rooms should always have 
a sunny exposure. If you are afraid of curtains 
and carpets being faded, take them out of the way, 
but have the sunlight and air. Reckless, indifferent, 
ignorant people permit fermenting filth about kitchen 
drains and doors, in pig-pens and in neglected privies. 
Wherever these disease-breeders exist, sickness is in- 
evitable. Ashes, lime or soil are good deodorizers, 
and to a limited extent disinfectants for those unnec- 
essary nuisances about any home in country, village 
or city; therefore, if you would have pure air, remove, 
cover up or burn up all offensive surroundings. 
Sleeping.—Strict attention should be given to 
secure a free circulation of air in all sleeping rooms 
at night. It is not enough to have an open door, 
with the windows shut, because a window may be 
open in the hall or elsewhere about the house. There 
must be an admission of fresh air into the bedroom, 
and an escape for the air which has been rendered 
impure and heated; otherwise it becomes stagnant, 
poisonous. Every sleeping apartment should have a 
fireplace with an open chimney, and in cold weather 
it is well if the grate contains a small fire, enough to 66 
THE NATURE CURE. 
create a current and carry the vitiated air out of the 
room. In such cases, however, it is necessary to see 
that the air drawn into the room comes in from the 
outside of the house. Summer or winter, it is well 
to have a free ingress for pure air. The aim must be 
to purify the air without causing a great fall of tem- 
perature. Fresh air in sick rooms is all-important 
and must not be overlooked. 
How to Remove Foul Air from Churches.—The 
best time is immediately after the congregation has 
departed. Open wide the doors and windows, and 
let them remain open a short time. The same rule 
will apply to all halls, theaters, lodge-rooms, etc., 
etc. It would improve the air of all public as well 
as private rooms to let in the sunlight and heat at 
least once a week. The sun’s rays crystallize disease 
germs that breed in darkened halls and rooms, and 
they are thus destroyed. Some are afraid of night 
air. Florence Nightingale replies to this objection 
by asking, ‘‘What can we breathe at night except 
night air?” Her rule is to keep the air within as 
pure as that without the house. 
Fire as a Purifier.—Burn all the waste garbage 
about your home. In cool and cold countries this is 
the best and surest way to be rid of disease-producing 
accumulations. Burn up the rubbish, the unpleasant 
letters—in fact, all unpleasant influences that will 
burn. Plate II 
THE 
RIVER 
OF 
LIFE. 
SHOWING 
THE 
CIRCULATION. 
From the ventricles or lower chambers of the heart the blood is 
sent through the arteries to every part of the body. It is returned 
through the veins to the upper chambers, the auricles. From these 
it passes down to the ventricles, to be again sent around. On the left 
arm of this figure the lymphatics are also shown. While making the 
round of the circulation, the blood is purified by contact with the air 
in the lungs, on each side of the heart. CHAPTER V. 
FEVERS: CAUSE AND TREATMENT. 
TYPHOID FEVER, CAUSE AND CURE. 
ANY condition, habit or environment that is unsan- 
i itary, personal neglect of cleanliness, unventilated 
bedrooms, unsuitable clothing or unhealthy foods, 
are underlying causes. Still further: poisonous gases 
generated in rural districts from neglect to keep out- 
houses, pig-styes, hen-houses, etc., clean and sweet; 
in our large cities neglected streets, sewers and leaky 
gas conductors, poison the air and blood, and are most 
prolific causes. Common earth is a cheap, reliable dis- 
infectant; use it freely, is my advice. 
Symptoms.—Loss of appetite, an inclination to 
sleep, an impatient, nervous irritable feeling; tongue 
coated, mouth dry, breath fetid, a desire to be alone, 
disturbed by noise or company. Some one, and often 
a number of the symptoms above enumerated will be 
noticed. If the instructions and suggestions given in 
previous chapters could be read by every family, and 
the simple teachings fully understood and lived, there 
would be no necessity for detailed instructions of 
methods of cure. 
Necessary Requirements.—As pleasant and con- 
venient surroundings as possible for the typhoid 
patient. A large, airy, light and clean room, that can 
be easily ventilated; I prefer a secluded chamber as far 
removed as possible from the odors of the kitchen 
and the noise of the street. A sick room with the 
67 68 
THE NATURE CURE. 
best and most sanitary appointments should be free 
from carpets and upholstered furniture, using rugs 
and strips of carpet to deaden sound in walking. 
Perfect Cleanliness.—A sweet, clean room, en- 
tirely removed from barnyard odors, and all others 
disagreeable, is a condition not always recognized as 
indispensable. There are no objections to inspiring 
sentimental music, if it does not disturb the patient; 
music has a healing influence upon a large majority 
of the sick. 
Things Indispensable.—With the above life-giv- 
ing, healthy surroundings, which I consider the very 
foundation of a sure and rapid cure, I am ready to 
proceed. Let the nurse and attendants (one for the 
day and another for night) understand that there must 
be pure water in abundance, some convenient stove 
for heating it and keeping hot constantly at least a 
gallon. With an abundance of hot water and a few 
lemons, a liberal supply of towels, a cake of Eng- 
lish castile soap and a fountain syringe, an intelli- 
gent nurse is prepared to successfully treat a clear cut 
case of typhoid fever, either simple or malignant, 
without the use of drugs, experiment or danger, and 
with perfect assurance. Every case treated as we here 
direct will begin to improve at once, and continue 
until cured. 
Cured Quickly.—Only a short time is required for 
a cure by our methods, and only a few dayis in which 
to gain strength and health; the patient has not been 
drugged nor poisoned, and little time is required to 
overcome the results of the fever. The bjood has 
been thoroughly cleansed by nature’s own methods PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
69 
ana remedies; the cause has been removed by the only 
common sense treatment ever discovered. This treat- 
ment has been dubbed “short cut” by our old style 
M. D.’s; we accept the title with thanks, and will 
make it as true and significant as possible. 
Not Arbitrary, but Orderly.—The following is 
our method of treatment, which may be varied a little 
according to age, occupation, temperament and con- 
dition of the patient. The treatment given is suitable 
for a vigorous middle-aged person. The nurse should 
understand how to vary the treatment for young, very 
old, or persons low in vitality. 
Treatment in Detail.—Use a teaspoonful of the 
juice of a lemon for each coffee cup of hot water. 
Keep the water fresh, clean and pure. Give the pa- 
tient a coffee cup of hot—red hot—lemonade every 
half hour for five or six hours, until the patient is 
literally full. This treatment is to be continued every 
hour until convalescence, which may in many in- 
stances occur in twenty-four to forty-eight hours, and 
in every case from three to five days. Patients are 
not to be disturbed when in a quiet natural sleep, but 
as soon as awake continue the treatment. Should the 
patient complain of too much lemon in the stomach, 
as may be the case in a very few instances, the amount 
maybe cut down to half a teaspoonful, and every alter- 
nate hour give only the hot water without the lemon. 
The Clear-Headed Nurse.—The clear-headed, pa- 
tient and unprejudiced nurse is expected to work in 
perfect harmony; if necessary vary the treatment as 
good sense may dictate. No sugar is used in the 
lemonade, as this would make the blood too dense. 70 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Persist and Succeed.—If a cure is delayed beyond 
the usual time, from neglect or other cause, and the 
fever still lingers after four or five days, a cup of crust 
coffee may be given the patient twice each day. Toast 
to a brown two slices of bread, and turn enough boil- 
ing water over it to make a cup of coffee. It is always 
best to fast until the fever is removed, when the 
patient will convalesce. 
Baths.—A sponge or towel bath is required every 
eight hours, as long as the fever runs high; two baths 
each day will be sufficient for a mild form of the fever. 
These baths will quiet the nerves, cool the blood, keep 
the pores open and rest and soothe the patient. Com- 
mence the bath by first bathing head, face and neck, 
then the trunk, and lastly the lower limbs. Use a 
trifle of old English castile soap; make the baths 
thorough and pleasant for the patient. Much, very 
nmch, depends upon the cool bath in our method of 
treating typhoid fever. A turkish towel rubbing 
should follow the towel or sponge bath. Coarse 
crash toweling may be used in place of the turkish. 
Hand rubbing is reviving and healing, especially 
when given by a magnetic hand. The short cut 
methods are in perfect harmony with the truly mag- 
netic, and all other reformatory safe methods. For 
the vigorous patient of full habit a thorough rubbing 
is essential; if the nurse understands massage treat- 
ment it may be used, the rubbing being vigorous or 
mild as the patient prefers. In adopting reform 
methods you are to ignore drugs. 
No Consultation with Drug Doctors.—You are 
not to consult, counsel, or have any communication PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
71 
whatever with drug doctors or their long cut methods, 
for the very good reason that drug schools are sworn 
to oppose all innovations, good or bad, every discovery 
not ground through their mills and sanctioned by the 
high priest of the drug system. 
Our Discovery.—Our short cut methods are pro- 
nounced in advance rank heresy, therefore in adopt- 
ing the new, discard the errors of the old. This is 
the only safe, just, manly course; the old methods are 
a total failure in typhoid fever; the short cut is a suc- 
cess in all fevers; try it. 
Constipation Must be Avoided.—The object of the 
short cut treatment is to do everything possible to 
make the most favorable conditions for nature to heal 
in her own way; this is all the wisest can do. In 
order to best do our work we must cleanse the bowels 
—the colon—thoroughly by injections and use of a 
fountain syringe. For the typhoid patient begin by 
using a pint of tepid water; just before retiring is 
usually the most convenient time and always the best 
for one sick in bed. If the pint is retained a quart 
may follow in a half hour; if not retained, five or ten 
minutes after it passes away inject a quart of moder- 
ately warm water, and assist the patient to take a 
position with hips raised, that the injection may be 
more easily retained, the object being to cleanse and 
cool the bowels at the same time. The bowels of all 
fever patients must be thoroughly washed, therefore 
the injections must be continued until a large amount 
of fecal matter is removed; this is important, very 
important; it may take two hours to soak up the 
bowels and remove the feverish excresences. I repeat, 72 
THE NATURE CURE. 
make this bowel treatment thorough, and continue 
it every evening until the cure is effected. After a 
thorough wash out and short rest, a pint of cool—not 
cold—water should be injected and retained all night. 
It is very desirable that the patient understands that 
this, if possible, should be retained. There are 
thousands of clear-headed men and women in America 
who have learned the value of keeping the bowels 
—the human sewers—clean by a weekly use of the 
fountain syringe; not because they are constipated, 
but for reasons of cleanliness, health, strength and 
beauty; these people are our sturdy health reformers; 
not proud, but ashamed to be sick. 
A Rigid Fast.—Fasting is a curative agent of the 
first water during the treatment of a typhoid case, and 
must be rigidly observed. As long as there is fever 
there is impure, poisoned blood; until cleansed by the 
hot lemonade treatment the fever will burn and be 
prolonged. Orangeade in mild cases may be alter- 
nated with lemonade; the former given cold and the 
latter hot. Children do not need as much acid of the 
lemon as grown people and will take kindly to 
orangeade. Nothing stimulating, which includes tea, 
coffee or tobacco, is permitted until the cure is 
complete. 
The Most Favorable Conditions.—To accomplish 
our object in a remarkably short period of time, we 
demand and must have the most favorable conditions 
and surroundings. Typhoid fever baffles the skill 
and experience of the eutire drug fraternity, who 
treat this disease as an army of soldiers would an 
impregnable fort. They fire away at the colors with PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
73 
their deadly strychnine, aconite, morphine, etc., to 
keep up their courage, without a thought or hope of 
arresting the disease. They look and act wise—by not 
saying much—make themselves agreeable, and trust 
to nature to eradicate the disease and overcome the 
poisons they daily prescribe. 
Treatment Constantly Changing.—The methods 
of treatment for the sick are constantly changing. Es- 
pecially is this true with those who try to keep in touch 
with the times. The wide-awake physician and nurse 
are on the alert for every new discovery; this must be 
so, for the very good reason that medical science thus 
far is more experimental than scientific. When people 
learn to discriminate between the physicians who ex- 
periment and those who use only natural remedies and 
methods and are sure of results, therefore are not ex- 
perimenters, a revolution in medical practice will 
result. This change is close at hand; I am trying to 
hasten the good time. 
Convalescence.—By following the detailed in- 
structions given above as rigidly as in the use of drug 
practice, convalescence will be rapid. The patient 
should have the very best nursing for two or three 
days after the fever has been conquered. Food should 
be simple and only two or three articles selected for 
each meal. Uncooked ripe fruit is the best; cooking 
destroys part of the fruit. Graham flour or rye meal 
—not flozir,— will make good mush. Plain tomato 
soup is good. The nurse will readily note the 
convalescing period. Several million pores seem to 
return thanks and weep profusely for joy, by pouring 
out impurities. As soon as perspiration subsides and 74 
THE NATURE CURE. 
the patient begins to realize the true situation, a cool, 
very thorough towel bath may be given, and some 
food taken if desired. The Short Cut treatment re- 
moves the cause in a few days, and, barring extreme 
cases and conditions, two or three days’ treatment will 
purify the blood, vital organs and bowels, and health 
will return. 
The Fever Subdued.—When the fever is finally 
subdued and the crisis comes, there need be no cause 
for alarm because of apparent weakness and listless- 
ness of the patient. Let the surroundings be cheerful 
and quiet; nature will finish the cure in her own good 
time and way. A cup of crust coffee, an orange or a 
cup of hot milk may be given, as soon as the patient 
demands food. While there is any fever, food is but a 
hindrance to recovery, as it only clogs, and in taxing 
the nerve force to digest it, weakens the patient. 
Extreme Cases.—Treatment of all ordinary cases 
has been given. Extreme cases may need in addition 
the water or milk-pack, one or two each day; friends 
and nurses can readily determine. There is no objection 
to water and milk-packs in ordinary typhoid cases; 
they will always promote a speedy cure. The writer 
invariably uses them in connection with the hot 
lemonade treatment where patients are robust. Packs 
make the most complete poultice ever used upon the 
body; they quiet and soothe the nerves, at the same 
time cool the body, and suck the sheet full of the im- 
purities of the blood. {See Bath Chapter for instruc- 
tions and application of water and milk packs.) 
Head Compress.—Use the head compress in all 
fevers, especially those that involve the head, as in PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
75 
typlioid, yellow, intermittent, scarlet and nervous 
fevers. A compress for the loins and abdomen will 
also be found very useful in fevers, especially in treat- 
ing women who suffer from pain and weakness in the 
small of the back, also from uterine difficulties. Yes, 
this loin compress, when its value is understood, 
where it has been used, is pronounced a God-send for 
women. Try it thoroughly for a month, if your back 
requires treatment. 
All Fevers Cured.—All fevers may be successfully 
removed in a very short time, by adopting the treat- 
ment detailed in the preceding pages of this chapter. 
I do not say that they must run seven, ten, twenty- 
one or forty days, but may be cured in from ten 
hours to three days, by the simple, safe methods laid 
down in this chapter. Especial instructions will be 
given in succeeding pages for some of the fevers 
labeled epidemic, only in a relative sense. No fever 
can long exist under the treatment prescribed in this 
chapter, Water puts out the fire of the blood as 
surely as the burning building. This fifth chapter 
should be studied by every parent in this broad land; 
to neglect or ignore such important facts is folly. 
Fever a Friend; Only Nature Cures Disease.— 
The reformatory physician considers fever a friend, 
for the good reason that it is nature’s method of puri- 
fying the system by fire; it heats, opens the pores— 
the doors and windows of the physical house—and 
the impurities are expelled by vibrations caused by 
the increased heat. What does not thus pass out 
is burned out by the fever. These are nature’s 
methods of house-cleaning and in man’s normal 76 
THE NATURE CURE. 
condition would always be successful; they are in- 
finitely better than the present popular methods. 
In speaking of normal and infinite conditions my 
language is relative; in the absolute all is normal and 
infinite. In sickness, if like animals, people would 
fast, drink pure, cool water and rest, they would soon 
convalesce. Fevers are signals of distress; face the 
signals as we must the results; the cause should be 
sought and removed. No physician can do more 
than assist nature. Note this fact: no doctor does 
nor can cure sickness; the most he can do is to make 
the best conditions, nature will do the rest. Only 
nature cures disease. Infinite law is cause and cure. 
A Request.—I desire every reader of this volume 
to carefully digest the following confession from one 
who stands high as a teacher and leader in medicine. 
The Successful Treatment of Typhoid Fever.— 
On the death of Prince Albert Victor, an eminent 
writer takes occasion to criticize medicine as follows: 
‘ ‘ That after an illness of only three or four days’ duration the 
heir to the greatest monarchy in the world should lose his life, 
when surrounded by every attention and aid that sympathy, 
wealth, skill and science could suggest, shows how slight the 
advance is that has been made in the healing art. 
Slight Advance in the Healing Art.—“ Everything was, no 
doubt, done that trained human experience could suggest; but in 
spite of it all, and with a reasonably clear knowledge of the exact 
character of the disease, this young man's life wras taken from him 
in much the same manner it might have been if he had been the 
child of savage parents in central Africa, instead of the future 
ruler of the wealthiest, the most enlightened and the most exten- 
sive empire on the face of the earth. That great advances have 
been made in the science of medicine in the last few centuries, no 
one would think of denying; and yet, when one takes into account 
the absolute helplessness of the modern physician in such a case 
as that we have been considering, the advance that has been made PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
77 
ssetus, by comparison with what has not been attained, as rela- 
tively insignificant.” Dr. Charles E. Page, of Boston, deplores 
the fact “ that the modern physician seems able to do but little if 
any good when brought face to face with a severe case of typhoid 
fever or pneumonia.” 
Startling Statements of Dr. George L. Peabody.—Listen to 
the startling statements of the eminent Dr. George L. Peabody, 
professor of materia medica and therapeutics in the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, New York: “ The results in the treat- 
ment of typhoid fever continue to be so bad in general in this 
country as to constitute a chronic opprobrium to the art of medi- 
cine here. We do not seem to be capable of approaching, at 
least in New York, the low rate of mortality which has rewarded 
the efforts of the medical profession in many cities of Europe. 
While we endeavor to explain our relatively higher death-rate by 
various differences which, without doubt, exist in the manner of 
collating and recording statistics in different countries, still, after 
making every allowance for local differences of these descriptions, 
it must be admitted that our death-rate in this disease is far 
higher than it should be. Those who still adhere to the expectant 
plan of treatment are still in the large majority here. 
Expectant Plan, Expect to Die.—“ The expectant plan seems, 
in a general way, to make us quite content with our bad results, 
and to lead us to expect the patient to die if he becomes gravely 
ill. In this plan of treatment, practically nothing is done unless 
symptoms in themselves very disturbing or grave, or even threat- 
ening, develop; and then much is often done which is likely to be 
pernicious in its effects. If a patient have a headache, he receives 
the bromides or an ice cap, or both, depending upon its severity; 
if he develop a bronchitis he is given opium, or cough mixtures, 
or inhalations; if he suffer from tympanites he is given turpentine, 
or turpentine stupes are applied; if he have a diarrhoea he is given 
opiates and astringents; if hemorrhage from the bowels occur, to 
the opium is added tannic acid or gallic acid, or some equally 
useless and disturbing drug; if he become delirious the dose of the 
opium is increased, or he is physically restrained, and most per- 
nicious of all, if his temperature reach what is considered a 
dangerous height, an elevation which, long continued, would 
become iucompatable with life, he is given a large dose of some 
antipyretic drug, and his temperature is suddenly reduced to a 
level which may be several degrees below the normal. 78 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Objectionable Procedure Repeated.—“Often this objectionable 
procedure is repeated in an almost rhythmical way for several day9 
or weeks, and if, accompanying the fall of temperature thus pro- 
duced, there be a degree of prostration and feebleness of the heart 
which is alarming in itself, then, to counteract this bad symptom 
for which the drug and the doctor are responsible, alcoholic and 
other stimulants are given in large amount. This method of 
treatment, if it be proper to call that a method, which seems to 
lack all true system, is often dignified by its advocates by the 
appellation rational. In fact, however, it would be difficult to 
advise a more irrational method than the symptomatic method, 
carried to its logical issue.” 
A Confession.—Such a confession from such a 
source ought to open the eyes of the blind if anything 
in the world could, regarding the methods and danger 
of drug treatment in this day and age of growth. 
Fasting Endorsed.—In the matter of feeding fever 
patients, Dr. Chas. Page says: “I desire to empha- 
size the importance of a radical reform. . . . Let 
me illustrate this point by contrasting the diet of an 
active man, in good health and of abstemious habits, 
with that of a fever patient. In many cases the lat- 
ter consumes more food every twenty-four hours than 
the former. Suppose we put our robust man to bed 
in the average sick-room, with its not over-fresh air, 
to say the least of it, and compel him to swallow sev- 
eral ounces of milk every two or three hours, day and 
night, with occasional little nips of whisky, cham- 
pagne or brandy, which is the stock plan of feeding 
in typhoid fever! In the writer’s estimation it would 
be difficult to devise a better prescription if we desired 
to produce typhoid fever. How then can it be im- 
agined that a diet calculated to produce fever in the 
healthy subject will prove curative or helpful in a PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
79 
case already developed ? It has for years been evident 
to my mind that this plan of ‘feeding fever’ is like 
playing a stream of petroleum over and through a 
burning building. It is found that water answers the 
purpose far better, in the one case as well as in the 
other. . . . 
Have Tested Water and Never Been Disap- 
pointed. “I have tested the water diet over and over 
again, in typhoid, scarlet and rheumatic fever, and 
have never been disappointed in it. It can be truly 
said that food, for want of digestion and assimila- 
tion, is a drug—a harmful drug—in typhoid fever, 
until the crisis is passed. . . . In some of the 
most distressful cases that have happened to be 
thrown in my way, when all hope in the minds of 
friends had been abandoned, I have found that the 
withdrawal of food, drugs and ‘stimulants,’ and the 
substitution of simple, fresh, soft water, has produced 
results that have seemed almost miraculous. The 
reason for the frequency of relapses and fatal termin- 
ations in cases that were thought to be getting 
along well, may be found in the prevalent obedience 
to the following advice of one author in a recent 
important work on therapeutics: ‘ Every period of 
apparent improvement must be seized for keeping up 
nutrition, and also for making a distinct impression 
with quinine.’ ” 
Stale Graham Bread the Test.—“As to the question 
of the proper length of time for fasting, I can only 
say that my own practice is to withold food until the 
patient is convalescent and unmistakably hungry, and 
the temperature nearly normal. Then the test of 80 
THE NATURE CURE. 
hunger is a piece of plain stale graham bread, ‘dry 
on the tongue.’ There would be very few relapses 
under this plan intelligently carried out. 
The Cold Bath.—“The cold-bath treatment con- 
sists of immersing the patient in a comparatively cold 
bath when the temperature reaches ioi° F. to 103° F. 
The bath is given at 65° F., the patient being im- 
mersed to the chin, if the size of the tub admits; if 
not, he sits in the water, which is dashed over the ex- 
posed parts, and he is actively rubbed by the attendant 
during all the time he is in the water. 
Hand Rubbing.—“This hand rubbing is practiced, 
not only for the temporary comfort of the patient, but 
as an essential part of the treatment. The patient 
remains in the bath fifteen to twenty minutes. If his 
temperature is 103° or more, the time required for 
the best effects may be even longer. 
The Shock.—“Dr. Baruch says on this point: ‘The 
shock of the cold submersion may cause the patient to 
declare that he cannot breathe, or it may produce 
trembling. Usually, if the temperature of the water 
is below 70°, he will remonstrate with the attendants 
that he is very cold, and that he cannot bear it; but 
patience and avoidance of flurry or excitement, firm- 
ness in insisting that no harm shall befall him, and 
extreme gentleness will overcome his objections. 
. . . In some cases the bath may be required 
every three or four hours. It is important to employ 
the cold pack about the body during the intervals be- 
tween the baths, or whenever the patient’s tempera- 
ture is at ioi° or over. This body-pack consists of 
two-ply of coarse linen wrung from cold water, with PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
81 
two-ply of the same, dry, outside. Since the object 
sought is, in part, that of keeping down the tempera- 
ture, it is evident that the cold pack must not remain 
unchanged long enough to be transformed into a hot 
fomentation. 
Life Saving Device.—“This device alone would al- 
ways prove of great service, and, with cold cloths 
constantly pressed, and changed every minute, over 
the head, so long as agreeable to the patient, would, 
even without the cold baths, in my opinion, constitute 
a life-saving treatment in a large proportion of cases 
that terminate fatally where no active water treatment 
is employed; and this would be emphatically true if 
the vitality of the patient were not taxed by the em- 
ployment of antipyretic drugs, ‘stimulants,’ and con- 
stant feeding. 
The Physician Master of the Situation.—“The 
chief aim of the writer is to call attention to the fact 
that we have at our disposal a method of treatment 
for typhoid fever, pneumonia, scarlet fever, and, in 
short, for all of this class of diseases, which prac- 
tically robs them of their terrors, and makes the 
physician, instead of a helpless on-looker, if not, 
indeed, a harm-worker, well-nigh master of the situa- 
tion. 
Success of the Water Treatment in Philadelphia. 
—“The hospitals of Philadelphia are generally adopt- 
ing the German (cold bath) system of treatment of 
typhoid and typhus fever. Fifty cases were treated 
by Dr. Wilson in the German Hospital, Philadelphia, 
and out of this number he lost but two. Since this 
system has been introduced in the Johns Hopkins 82 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Hospital in Baltimore, the rate of mortality in typhoid 
fever has been reduced to 7 per cent in that institu- 
tion. Why is it, we may ask, that to-day, through- 
out the civilized world, the treatment is practiced 
thoroughly only by a few individuals here and there, 
and half-heartedly by a few others, while, speaking 
of the profession in general, almost no use whatever 
is made of it? Dr. J. C. Wilson names some of the 
obstacles to the general introduction of this system; 
but he holds, as must every thoughtful student, that 
none of them could hinder any really progressive 
medical man from adopting it. 
Physician, Not the System, Condemned.—“1. The 
statistics are questioned. This can no longer be sus- 
tained. 2. It is inconvenient, and demands an 
amount of experience and labor on the part of physi- 
cians and attendants not easily to be had in private 
practice. Objections of this nature cannot stand 
against the lowered rate of mortality. [At any rate, 
in so far as it is a question of the lack of skill and of 
unwillingness to “labor,” on the part of physicians, it 
is the physician and not the system that stands con- 
demned.] 
Efficient Means of Saving Lives.—“3. The opposi- 
tion of the patients themselves and of their friends. 
This is no real objection; it is a mere difficulty that 
will vanish so soon as the profession generally recog- 
nizes in the method an efficient means of saving many 
lives and lends its weight to the advocacy of the plan 
among the people. . . . What stimulus does the 
physician require who has never yet added cold water 
to his list of remedies ? Is it a conviction that he has PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
83 
thus iar in his career, through this omission, suffered 
a great many men and women and promising children 
to die on his hands, and caused many more to live in- 
valid lives and to die prematurely? Note the happy 
changes that result from the skillful use of cold water! 
Says Dr. Baruch: ‘ In typhoid fever we have it upon 
authority which we dare not question that the cold 
bath refreshes the nervous system; that it deepens the 
respiration; that it moistens and cleanses the tongue 
and improves the appetite; that it steadies and slows the 
pulse; that it improves the digestion; that it increases 
the quantity and improves the quality of the urine; 
that it removes stupor and delirium. In short, it 
lends vigor and tone to the entire system. ’ . . . 
Medical Men Befogged with Delusions.—“There 
is one very powerful influence constantly at work that 
tends strongly to keep the minds of medical men 
befogged with delusions as to the supposed virtues, if 
not the all-sufficiency, of various drugs. I refer to 
the literature emanating from the manufacturers of 
chemical preparations and sent with samples for trial 
to every physician whose address can be obtained. 
True Elixir of Life Not Found.—“The claims made 
by the makers and vendors of these new drugs or new 
combinations are usually made up by a profusion of tes- 
timonials from regular physicians, here and there one 
who may stand high in the profession, and are of a 
character to convince the average man that here, at 
last, we have a specific for the disease in question, if 
not, indeed, the true elixir of life; and so easy to 
administer. . . . The history of medicine has 
completely vindicated the value of water as a thera- 84 
THE NATURE CURE. 
peutic agent, while other remedies, whose value 
has been heralded as prolific of good, have been cast 
into lasting oblivion, or have from time to time enjoyed 
a more prolonged reputation. 
Water the Only Remedy Which has Stood the 
Test of Time.—“The testimony of clinical observers, 
whose world-wide fame is ample guarantee of its reli- 
ability, places water at the head of all therapeutic 
agents. In every civilized country such testimony 
may be obtained (Baruch, ibid). What the cold bath 
is to typhoid fever, this bath and the cold compress to 
the chest are to pneumonia. There is some degree of 
congestion of the blood vessels of the lungs and a 
demand for some measure of local cooling. 
Mustard Plaster Tends to Produce the Disease.— 
“It is pitiful to be compelled to state that it is almost 
the universal practice, not alone with the laity in self- 
treatment, but among physicians, to order a mustard 
paste, or a hot poultice of some sort, to be placed 
over the chest—a measure that would tend to produce 
the disease if applied to a typically healthy man, and 
cannot fail to still further endanger the life of any 
patient already in its grasp.” 
Biliousness; Cause and Treatment.—A combi- 
nation of circumstances may be the cause. An ex- 
cessive morbid appetite is often the only apparent 
one. A natural appetite fully gratified without a 
knowledge of the law of digestion is frequently a 
cause. Food must be digested and assimilated, or it 
will prove a source of trouble in some directions. 
Exercise is an imperative necessity to healthy diges- 
tion. Out-door exercise is best, and in many instances PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
85 
is absolutely necessary to continued life. Overtaxing 
of body or mind, great mental anxiety and suffering 
disturb the digestive organs, and may cause sick head- 
ache and biliousness. Biliousness is impossible if 
abstemiousness is observed and the laws of digestion 
obeyed. An overtaxed stomach will give warning, and 
with fullness and pain cry out for rest; observe the cry. 
Signs of biliousness are seen in the yellow tinge of face, 
deranged taste, tongue dry and rough, thirst, headache, 
variable appetite, sick at stomach, torpid liver, cold 
feet and chilliness are among the common symptoms. 
Short Cut Treatment.—Hot lemonade is the best 
remedy; it may be varied according to the condition 
of the patient. Use a teaspoonful of the juice of the 
lemon to a coffee cup of hot water without sugar; take 
every half hour until circulation is restored and pain 
removed; when perspiration pours out of every pore 
and the sufferer drops off into a quiet, feverless sleep, 
evidence is shown that the cause is removed, and no 
more trouble may be expected. To avoid a similar 
experience eat less, select plain food, easy to digest. 
Fasting, for those subject to bilious attacks, is a sure 
way to avoid them. 
Take the Hint.—Biliousness lives and thrives upon 
excesses; take this hint. To neglect your morning 
bath, to live in overheated, sunless rooms and breathe 
over and over the impure air, to return to your old 
non-hygienic habits of life, to drink alcoholic bever- 
ages, to overwork and worry, to neglect to take a 
coffee cup of hot lemonade every morning a half- 
hour before breakfast, and you are liable to have 
periodical attacks as often as your system becomes 86 
THE NATURE CURE. 
gorged and clogged. The hot lemonade decomposes 
the bile, heats and relaxes the stomach, which is 
cleansed by the hot lemonade acting upon the 
stomach, as soap and hot water do upon soiled linen. 
The entire human organism is purified by the use of 
the hot lemonade, and there is no tax, external or 
internal; no patent or corner 07t this discovery by the 
author. I only claim the discovery and value of the 
hot and cold lemonade as prescribed in this book. It 
is the very best remedy for poisoned and impure blood, 
torpid livers, sick headache, rheumatism and bilious- 
ness ever discovered; it costs so little, it is so safe and 
sure, so convenient, so practical, that it is considered a 
God-send by thousands. No danger of malarious dis- 
tricts. In bilious, as in all fevers, the digestive 
organs are out of harmony; diarrhoea or constipation 
may be the symptoms. A general irritability is not 
an uncommon symptom. No danger need be appre- 
hended in so-called malarious districts, if the hot 
lemonade is used daily during the summer months. 
Eat fruits freely, Irish potatoes sparingly, corn, 
cabbage, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, celery and all 
that class of vegetables freely, also melons in their 
season; (avoid peas and beans). Dr. Dio Eewis 
defines biliousness as “piggishness.” In other words, 
over-eating will always cause it. 
Dypepsia and Indigestion.— Treatment: “Dyspepsia is cured 
by muscular exercise, voluntary or involuntary, and in no other 
way can it be cured, because nothing can create or collect the 
gastric juice except exercise; it is a product of the human 
machine. Nature only can make it.” In connection with vigor- 
ous exercise, a few treatments by a practical, clear-headed mental 
healer will cure. Oat-meal cakes and buttermilk are promoters 
of digestion. ‘ Roughing it ’ is a sure cure.” Plate IV. 
The externa] layer of muscles is shown on the left side of this figure. 
On the right side are shown some of deeper muscles, and the bones of both 
the arm and the leg. The muscles are attached to the bones, and move 
them by contraction. In this Vital act Of the muscles, each little muscle 
cell becomes polarized, its two ends approach each other, and thus the 
whole muscle is shortened in length. 
About four hundred and seventy muscles are found in the human body, 
and.two hundred and forty bones. 
THE MOTIVE SYSTEM. CHAPTER VI. 
DISEASE INFLAMMATORY. 
INFLAMMATION signifies beat, and usually sore- 
1 ness, pain and congestion. It is the opinion of some 
of the profession that congestion precedes all inflamma- 
tory disease. Soreness is a very sure indication of 
inflammation. A cold is a congested state, and will 
become inflammatory if not removed. A congested 
condition is the opposite of a relaxed state; therefore, 
in relaxing the congested part, by the use of our 
simple, safe and sure remedy, the cause is removed. 
Cause of Fevers and Inflammations.—The pri- 
mary physical cause of fevers and inflammations is 
poisoned blood; the blood may become loaded in a 
short time with waste matter, an excess of nitrogen- 
ous or albuminous food that increases fibrin, thickens 
the blood, and causes a sluggish movement. This 
point understood, it is easy to see that as the blood is 
the river of life, if it becomes loaded and sluggish, it 
will soon become impure and poisoned; congestion, 
fever or inflammation will be the result. 
Mental Causes.—Fever and inflammation may be 
caused also by mental strain, irritation, overwork, by 
excesses in any direction; there are many causes, but 
none so potent as ignorance of the amount and kind 
of food needed for the system. 
Foods to Avoid.—Persons subject to rheumatism, 
neuralgia, colds, sick headaches and bilious attacks, 
87 88 
THE NATURE CURE. 
should avoid animal food, eggs, cheese, peas and 
beans, especially the last two, called pulses. These 
are said to be the cause of an excess of fibrin which 
clogs the circulation, causes fermentation in the 
stomach and bowels and generates uric acid, pro- 
ducing soreness of muscles and joints so much com- 
plained of. All starchy foods are more or less 
clogging, depending upon the habits of the person. 
Vigorous out-door exercise is a regulator, a safety 
valve for hearty eaters of clogging foods. Those 
blessed with ability and opportunity for every- 
day vigorous out-door exercise, may eat three 
square meals each day, choose the food that a 
natural appetite craves, and have no fear of the 
results. It is not wise to trust a vitiated abnormal 
appetite. 
Banish Fear.—No one should eat what they fear 
may hurt them; no one should allow fear to enter 
their life; fear in every direction should be overcome 
by knowledge. Banish fear, sickness and pain is 
the demand of growing men and women at the close 
of this nineteenth century. 
Short Cut’s Object.—Fevers, inflammation, conges- 
tion and pain, are diseased conditions; the leading 
object of “ Short Cut” is to teach how to heal these 
conditions, by safe, inexpensive, common-sense 
methods. It is not necessary that the sick should 
know, or be able to give, the technical name to every 
expression of disease indexed in medical text books. 
It matters not whether disease of the lungs is called 
pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs; the import- 
ant thing to know, is, how to heal the disease in the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
89 
most rational way by safe, sure methods; this, Short 
Cut will make plain. 
Pneumonia, a New Name for an Old Disease.— 
Pneumonia is a modern name for a common disease 
of fifty years ago, called lung fever, sometimes called 
inflammation of the lungs. 
Considered Dangerous by Drug Doctors.—Pneu- 
monia with its new name and methods of treatment, 
is considered very dangerous by the rank and file of 
drug M.D.’s. With its old name and grandmother’s 
method of treatment, with her small stock of herbs 
hung away in the garret, no danger was thought of. 
With any name, and a clear comprehension of the 
cause and simple Short Cut treatment, pneumonia is 
no more dangerous than any hard cold. 
Over-Feeding.—Hard colds are caused by over-feed- 
ing; this is a recognized fact by those who deal in 
and handle blooded stock. Why not apply a little 
horse sense to the discovery of causes of disease that 
afflict humanity as well as domestic animals? Let it 
for once be settled that hard colds catch us when we 
are clogged, when we have indulged in a big dinner, 
drank too much wine, smoked too many cigars, 
neglected to bathe and care for our bodies, as a 
humane man cares for his horses. 
A Cold often results from over-dancing, skating, 
overwork, any excess that exhausts the vital forces. 
Want of sleep or proper rest is a common cause; 
sexual excess is no doubt a very common cause. 
Anything that over-taxes vital life forces paves the 
way to cold-catching. A cold is a congested state and 
is quickly and easily removed by fasting and drink- 90 
THE NATURE CURE. 
ing a gallon or two of Short Cut lemonade. Yes, a 
gallon or two, enough to wash the blood, heat the 
body from head to foot so hot that every pore will 
pour out perspiration profusely. 
If Neglected.—If a severe cold has been neglected 
until disease attacks the lungs, resort to the vapor 
bath and the very best care for twenty-four to forty- 
eight hours. Follow instructions for the vapor bath 
carefully, intelligently, and you need not fear 
pneumonia. 
One Bath for Pneumonia.—One bath will suffice 
in all ordinary cases; two will remove any cold or 
case of pneumonia; I have treated the most danger- 
ous and severe. The objects of the vapor bath are to 
equalize the circulation, to relax the system and 
remove congestion by reaching the cause, which is a 
clogged circulation of the blood. By doing this, the 
nerves, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and bowels are 
relieved, and all the vital organs resume normal 
action; the result is restoration. All food, stimulat- 
ing drinks or anything but cold and hot water, hot 
lemon or orangeade, are forbidden the patient until 
cured. There is no danger in the Short Cut treatment, 
and if carefully administered is a sure cure. 
Cure La-Grippe.—A gallon or two of hot lemonade 
and a vapor bath will cure any case of la-grippe— 
influenza—in twenty-four hours; note this and remem- 
ber our sure cure. Fasting is one of my rigid rules; 
it can never be safely disregarded. Never eat any- 
thing while bed-sick. 
Our Title.—I desire to condense so many important 
facts for this volume, that it will truly be the very PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
91 
shortest cut to health, and thoroughly reformatory. No 
compromise with error. Brevity is considered in 
every paragraph, every point must be made clear. No 
compromise is made with error, deception, selfishness, 
ambition, tradition, theories or professions; life and 
health are too important to be trifled with from our 
point of view. As previously stated, the causes of 
disease are ignorance and neglect; the causes of 
pneumonia and lung fever are the same. So analyzing, 
we find a severe cold to be the immediate cause of la- 
grippe, pneumonia, catarrh, diphtheria, bronchitis, and 
a long list of other troubles. The man or woman 
trained to think and reason, will at once ask how and 
why we catch a cold, with pain and sickness as 
results. 
Catching Cold.—The cause of colds we find to be 
varied. Too much food, improper food and drink 
have loaded the blood; insufficient exercise, impure 
air, not breathing enough, neglecting baths, not 
knowing how to give the body as much care as fine 
carriage horses receive, are the cause of the cold that 
develops into so many expressions of disease. 
The Workers.—Hard workers in shops, on streets, 
farms, ranches, in the lumber woods, sailors, train- 
men on our railways, and a hundred other outdoor oc- 
cupations, those who have opportunity to exercise 
until appetites are sharpened to a keen edge, may in- 
dulge in more food and greater variety than the pro- 
fessional and business classes. Workers with hands as 
well as brains will enjoy life and health as much as 
any class, and more, providing they observe and obey 
the laws as taught in these pages. 92 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Ignorance and Neglect.—Most all disease can be 
traced to ignorance and neglect; if this is found to be 
true, then it is only necessary to inform ourselves. 
Malaria a Myth.—Knowledge dispels ignorance 
and fear; fear invites sickness and often produces 
disease. Have no fear of malaria; the malaria excuse 
is much like the popular heart failure drop curtain. 
Let me explain: When the drug doctor has exhausted 
all his drug experiments and the patient still lives— 
won’t die, cannot be killed by drugs or disease—the 
doctor declares his patient has malaria and must flee 
to the mountains or Hot Springs; this is the Short Cut 
diagnosis of malaria. 
Cause of Heart Failure.—When a man or woman 
has lived to eat, to gratify sensuous and sexual life 
and neglected every law of health, the old “one-horse 
shay” breaks dowm, worn out, played out; the heart 
stops beating, fails, after all the other vital organs 
fail. The wise, but weak-kneed doctor looks over his 
spectacles to the reporter, and says “heart failure” is 
the cause; the curtain drops; the astounding cause has 
been proclaimed. Such gross deception is a shame 
and burlesque upon the profession. 
Emblazoned Thereon.—The Short Cut declares that 
the heart fails every time and only at death (if one 
death may be called heart failure, all deaths may be), 
that heart failure never occurs until every other vital 
organ fails; the heart fails as a result; this dodge is in- 
excusable deception, often excusing debauchery, 
gluttony and all manner of excesses—violations of 
the laws of health and good morals. This is my 
diagnosis in brief. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
93 
Treatment of Malaria.—Malarial fever is simply 
chronic biliousness; if skilfully handled (as I treat 
typhoid, bilious and other fevers) may be cured in 
twenty-four to forty-eight hours. I have never seen 
one case that failed to respond in that time, where our 
heroic common-sense methods were adopted. Try it; 
you will succeed. 
Treatment of Fevers.—For common fevers, use 
hot and cold water and hot and cold lemonade (in a 
few cases I substitute orangeade). Hot lemonade is an 
antidote for all blood poison; it purifies the blood. 
Hot and cold lemonade within, and cold baths, cold 
compresses, cold sheet packs without. A little expe- 
rience, some good horse sense, prejudice and precon- 
ceived opinions laid aside, is all that is necessary to 
make short work of any fever, if surroundings are 
favorable. 
Favorable Conditions.—Conditions, yes favorable 
conditions we must have in order to succeed. The 
ignorant, careless, “namby pamby” class can only see 
and understand the necessity of order and system 
when the drug doctor is called. This is a mistake; re- 
form methods are in harmony with the laws of life and 
health, and all infinite laws must be obeyed. Order, 
system and intelligence are stamped upon every leaf, 
grain of sand and drop of water; rest and a restful 
atmosphere are imperative conditions of the sick cham- 
ber. Prevention should attend all healing methods, 
should always be first considered; then seek to know 
the cause in order to intelligently treat the case. 
Air, water, exercise and food are four necessities of 
life and of health; study them, use them intelligently, 94 
THE NATURE CURE. 
and you need never fear sickness. “An ounce of pre- 
vention is worth a pound of cure” is an old saying 
worth remembering. 
Consumption Cure] a Remarkable Experience—The 
Doctors and Typhoid Fever—Doctors Condemn 
Drugging, and Endorse Reformatory Methods— 
Varied Important Suggestions. 
A CASE IN POINT. 
A portion of this chapter is devoted to corroborative 
testimony from a number of eminent medical men, 
whose experience is similar to thousands who have 
not the courage to give the facts to the world. 
Demonstrated Facts Valuable.—Such facts are 
valuable not because eminent M. D.’s proclaim them, 
but because they are true, whether sounded from the 
house tops, or discovered by the ordinary nurse or less 
eminent physicians. My fifty years of experience has 
taught me their truth. 
Consumption Cure—-A Remarkable Experience. 
—“Then you are surprised to learn that I came with- 
in six weeks of dying of consumption, thirty years 
ago, are you, doctor?” The questioner was a 
bright, healthy little woman of fifty who, in the 
course of a consultation about a consumptive niece, 
had expressed herself as having little hope of her 
recovery, “ because she wouldn’t do as I did when I 
had the disease—and she isn’t nearly as sick as I 
was.” Straight as an arrow, active and merry, look- 
ing more like forty than fifty, Mrs. E. was the last 
person that anyone would select as belonging to a 
“consumptive family,” or of having suffered with PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
95 
the disease, in her own person, and yet her mother 
died of it when this daughter was about 19, and the 
latter’s decline was attributed to inherited tendency 
and long confinement in the sick-room, during the 
last year of her mother’s life. 
How I Cured Myself.—“ Yes, I have told Tettie 
how I cured myself after the doctors gave me up, but 
she will not undertake it—not now at least—perhaps 
she may wdien she gets where I was. Do you want 
me to give you my recipe for the cure of consumption, 
Doctor ? Tell you the whole story ? Well, the way 
is simple, and the story a short one, and if it will help 
anyone I shall be very glad. I needn’t tell you all 
about mother’s case—her’s was the old-fashioned con- 
sumption; she was sick a good many years, but the 
last year she was almost helpless and would have no 
one but me to take care of her. Well, I bore up until 
she died, and then I gave out; I could not go to the 
grave—I was in bed during the funeral. I had not 
realized—none of the family had—how poorly I had 
become; but now it was plain enough. I kept my 
bed most of the time—could not get rested. . . . 
The New Young Doctor.—“The doctor who had 
been attending me—the one who had tended mother 
—at last said he could do no more for me, and for 
some months we had no physician, and then father 
called a new one—a young doctor who was fitting 
himself for practice in our village. He came to see 
me, examined my lungs, and I fainted away in the 
effort. He went out, leaving no medicine, and had 
a talk with father. He said he did not care to take 
the case; that there was 110 hope for me; my hmgs 96 
THE NATURE CURE. 
were badly ulcerated, and I had but a few weeks to 
live. 
Can’t Live Over Six Weeks.—“ ‘She can’t live 
over six weeks, Mr. B., and she may die any day. I 
am young, just commencing practice, and it will 
injure me to have her die on my hands; and I cannot 
help her.’ ‘At least,’said father, ‘ give her some- 
thing to relieve her suffering.’ They did not know 
that I could hear them; but spring-time had come 
again; the day was quite warm, and I had asked to 
have the window raised at the head of my bed, and so 
it happened that I could hear all they said. I heard 
the doctor returning, and I resolved not to take any 
of his soothing drops; I had taken all I meant to. 
‘ Well,’said I, ‘what have you come back for, Doc- 
tor?’ ‘ Your father wished me to prescribe for you,’ 
said he. ‘Never mind,’ I said, firmly, ‘I shall take 
nothing more. You say I have six weeks to live; I will 
spend them in getting rid of the medicines I have 
taken the past year,’ and he went away. Soon father 
came in, seeming much disappointed and grieved, 
and in answer to his questioning, I told him why I 
had determined to take no more medicine, and what 
I had resolved to do. And now I will tell you what I 
did, and how I came to do it. I had read in an old 
English almanac—not a medical one, like the ones 
strewn about everywhere now, but there was a good 
deal of useful information in it—a “ Sure Cure for 
Consumption,” and it was so different from what I 
had been doing, and appealed so strongly to my judg- 
ment, that I had been thinking that if I could only 
make a start there might be a chance for me; but the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
97 
effort required was so great that I doubt if I should have 
had courage enough to undertake it but for my resent- 
ment upon overhearing that conversation ! To think 
that the doctors had given me nothing but medicine, 
and that I had been eating in such a way without any 
•appetite, except for some of the ‘ rich’ things they were 
always making because I could not relish anything 
else. The recipe explained that the disease was 
caused by lack of fresh air, out-door exercise, and ap- 
propriate food; but I will only tell you what I did, 
and you will understand all about the reasons for it. 
First, I told father and the rest of the family that as I 
had but six weeks to live, they must let me have my 
own way in everything, and must do as I said. I 
could not move from the bed alone, but I had them 
carry me on a comforter out on the lawn and lay me 
down there. 
Must Take Exercise.—“How was I to take exer- 
cise, when I could scarcely turn myself in bed? was 
the question. Well, I did turn myself on one side, 
and, with a stick, began to dig a little in the ground. 
It looked then as though I should not do much dam- 
age to the nice sod father had taken so much pains 
to make; but I dug a little hole as large as my fist, 
and then rested. After a while I turned over on the 
other side and dug another little hole, filled it up and 
rested again. It seemed good to rest and I felt a lit- 
tle better, for the out-door air and the exertion I had 
put forth, ‘ loosened’ my cough a little, and I began 
to ‘raise. ’ At night they carried me back to bed. 
Bedroom Window Wide Open Day and Night.— 
“My bedroom windows had been wide open all day and 98 
THE NATURE CURE. 
I would not have them shut now; but in answer to 
their fears about the night air and catching cold, I 
said, ‘Give me clothes enough, and I will risk the 
night air—I’m going to breathe pure air the next six 
weeks, if I live so long.’ They all felt terribly— 
they thought I was shortening my life, even then— 
but they yielded, finally, in everything, even to not 
asking me if I ‘couldn’t eat a little of this or that, if 
they would make it for me.’ 
Would Not Eat Until Hungry For Plain Food.—“ I 
had replied: ‘No; when I feel like eating a piece of 
graham bread or a potato, without butter or salt, I will 
eat something— not before. ’ This had occurred in the 
morning, and that very night I asked for a slice of 
bread and ate a little bit—as big as my two fingers, 
perhaps. I had them put a teaspoonful of cayenne 
pepper in a dish and turn warm water on it—a quart— 
and let it stand over night, and in the morning was 
sponged all over in that water, the dregs turned off. 
I had them bathe an arm and then dry it with a coarse 
towel and rub me with it as hard as I could bear (not 
very hard to be sure), then a leg and so on. 
Gave the Dead Skin Life.—“It seemed to give the 
dead skin a little life; then they carried me out to 
my work again! I felt like resting after the bath, but 
after a while I turned over and dug a larger hole than 
on the day before, filled it partly with what I raised 
from my lungs, and such stuff as it was ! I could 
take longer breaths, too; and after digging a minute 
or so I would have to stop and take a long breath, 
and then go oil again. I was thirsty a good deal and 
would drink water—all I wanted. I ate a piece of PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
99 
stale coarse bread and some fruit that morning after I 
was rested from my first digging, and then I kept on 
resting for some hours, after which I dug a little more. 
In the middle of the day, when the sun came down 
too hot, I had an old umbrella put over me and fas- 
tened. At night a little bit of bread and a small po- 
tato. I ate as much as I could relish, but not a 
mouthful more. 
They Saw She Was Gaining.—“In this way I kept 
on, day after day, and they began to see that I was 
gaining. Father, who could not believe the gain was 
real, but rather the temporary effect of my will, yet 
joked me about ruining the lawn. ‘ I shall have to 
turf it all over again, Fucia,’ said he, even before I 
could dig a hole large enough in a day to bury a cat 
in, and he tried to laugh at his little joke. 
I Remember I Did Laugh,—“I remember I did 
laugh, and came near strangling in a coughing fit in 
consequence, but that was a help. What I needed was 
to cough and raise the stuff up—those old ulcers that 
the doctors said my lungs were covered with—and I 
found fresh air, flavored with a little exercise, a better 
‘expectorant’, as you doctors say, than those I had been 
taking. I began to feel hopeful—the novelty of the 
idea—digging for my life! I took a desperate view 
of it—six weeks to live! ‘ I’ll die fighting,’ I said to 
myself. It seemed almost droll, droll enough, at any 
rate, to interest my mind, and I would say funny 
things to the others to make them laugh, and this 
seemed to make them try to be cheerful and to cheer me 
on. The third day I remember that I ate the same 
kind of a breakfast, just a little, and at night asked 100 
THE NATURE CURE. 
them to boil a beet! I would have only one vegetable 
at a time, lest I might be tempted to overeat and lose 
my appetite, and so spoil everything. 
By the Sweat of My Brow.—“I was impressed 
with the idea of ‘ earning my living’ at outdoor work 
‘ by the sweat of my brow,’ and not to eat more than 
I earned by the exercise. I had renounced my coffee 
and tea; I ate no grease of any kind, nor meat; bread, 
fruit and vegetables only; no salt or spices, pastry, 
pie, puddings, nor cake, nor sweets of any sort except 
the natural, whole sweet furnished by nature in the 
form of vegetables and sweet fruits. 
The Prescription.—“The prescription said that 
some people ate too much soft food, bread and milk, 
puddings and the like, and that, while such dishes 
were much better than some others in common use, 
still they were not the best, especially for sick people 
with weak stomachs, but that dry (farinaceous) food 
was every way better; and so I ate bread, or unleav- 
ened biscuit, which, after a little practice, the girl 
could make very nice—just the meal and water well 
mixed and moulded stiff and baked in a hot oven— 
and I ate them very slowly, chewing each mouthful 
thoroughly. . . 
Could Dig a Grave for Myself.—“ After a while I 
could raise myself up and sit erect, and dig a little, 
first on one side and then on the other; and by the 
time my ‘ six weeks’ were up—and I told father so 
one day—I could dig a pretty good grave for myself, 
if they wanted to bury me, only it wouldn’t be quite 
deep enough to hold me down, for I had actually 
raised myself to my feet, stood alone, and walked a PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
101 
few steps without help. On the eighth week I could 
walk about—would walk off a dozen steps, come 
back, sit down, perhaps lie down. The more I did, 
the more I could do, always taking care not to ex- 
haust myself, and the more I could eat; but I took 
even more care not to overeat than not to over- 
work. 
I Wouldn’t Have Them Fix Up Anything.—“I 
found that the real thing was to eat little enough, 
not to see how much I could eat, so that I could 
increase the amount regularly, rather than to lose my 
appetite and eat nothing some days, or eat without 
an appetite, and next day eat enormously, perhaps, 
as mother used to. I wouldn’t have them ‘fix up’ 
anything; I was afraid of being put back. I ate but 
twice a day, and sometimes my breakfast was nothing 
but fruit, two or three oranges, or as many apples, or 
a huge slice of watermelon. This was food and drink 
both. 
V/ore but Little Clothing.—“ I wore the least pos- 
sible weight of clothing, often removing my stock- 
ings, as well as shoes, and going barefooted and bare- 
armed when the weather was very warm. I had lost 
all fear of taking cold, though I kept comfortable 
always, throwing off clothing when too warm, and 
putting it on as any great change in the temperature 
made it necessary; but to the extent of my increasing 
strength I endeavored to keep warm by exerting my 
muscles. . . . The next summer I had a little 
flower-garden of my own, watered and tended it, and, 
a little later, helped about the kitchen-garden, be- 
sides taking care of my own room; and so I went on, 102 
THE NATURE CURE. 
gaining steadily until within two years I was well 
—better than I had known myself since my romping 
days, and I have scarcely had a real sick day since, 
never a serious illness from that day to this, nearly 
thirty years. ‘ How do I keep well ?’ you ask. Why, 
by pursuing the same principle that cured me—the 
same, in fact, that would have prevented my decline 
in the first place. 
Eat Only the Simplest Food.—“I never breathe 
indoor air, winter nor summer, day nor night. I eat 
only the simplest food, and in moderation; yet I will, 
sometimes, eat a little more than I need, some meals 
or some days, and will have a little headache, or, 
perhaps, an old tooth will ache, or there may be a 
little disturbance in the stomach; but whatever it is 
I eat more moderately—sometimes go without a meal; 
and if anything more serious than I have named pre- 
sents itself, lack of appetite, or a bad feeling at the 
stomach, or a bad headache, I go all day without 
eating, and keep about my work as usual, or take 
a walk outdoors, and this plan always works a cure. 
You See I Dress Right.—“ You see, I dress right— 
loose garments, no corsets, no heavy skirts hanging to 
my waist or hips, no smothering flannels, except the 
lightest, and those only in the coldest weather. I 
keep busy about something most of the time; take a 
good deal of exercise; go out when I can, and bring 
out doors in when I can’t go out—by having every 
part of my house well ventilated and as light and 
‘sunshiny’ as need be (you see, doctor, I am not whim- 
sically afraid of flies nor of fading the carpet); I think 
of my escape, of my good health, and this makes me PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
103 
cheerful. I feel sure of not getting sick; I have no 
anxiety on that score, and I try to do what good I can, 
in my small way, and all this is as it should be. It is 
‘healthy,’ and, all things being so, there is only one 
other chance to err, and that is in eating, and so when 
anything troubles me, I know what it is. 
Dress Bad, Breathe Bad Air.—“So many people go 
wrong in all these things—dress bad, breathe bad air, 
feel languid in consequence and lie about doing 
nothing, indoors; eat worse food than I do, and eat 
more and oftener. No wonder they are always ailing, 
nor that so many die. But, Doctor, this will not cure 
my niece—our talking—and I don’t suppose I have 
taught you anything, as I did the young doctor, so 
many years ago; but if, as you say, you can tell the 
story for the benefit of others, I shall be very glad 
indeed to see it in print. You will send me a copy 
of the paper, won’t you? ‘A dozen copies?’ Well, 
all the better. I will send them to my friends; they 
will wonder how the ‘old story’ got into the papers.” 
And that is the way this history of a “ Natural 
Cure” came to be printed. 
Note the Elements of Success.—Note the special 
elements tending to insure success in the case of self- 
treatment just given: The courage, prevalent good 
Sniper (so rarely found in these cases), and determin- 
ation to win (equally rare), did much, very much, 
toward conquering her disease; but it is more than 
doubtful if these alone would have sufficed. Her suc- 
cess in winning the family over to her radical views, 
or, at least, in gaining their entire co-operation, was 
a marked feature looking toward a final victory. 104 
THE NATURE CURE. 
None to Discourage Her.—None of them ventured 
to discourage her; all joined heartily in the work. 
Had she sat at an ordinary table, one crowded with 
“good things,” and had her friends persisted in en- 
treating her to eat this, that, and the other thing, it 
is probable that her good resolutions would have 
failed sooner or later, her life paying the forfeit.* 
Sympathy. 
They came to me and gently said, 
“Your neighbor’s little one lies dead." 
I answered not, but closer pressed 
My own wee one unto my breast. 
I laid him down, my eyes grew dim, 
And once again I bent o’er him; 
Then out I softly, quickly stole, 
The other mother to console. 
I clasped her hand and tried—but no, 
I could not say, ’twas better so; 
I could not say, “Dear heart, resign”— 
Oh, Father! What if it were mine! 
—Kathleen Kavanagh. 
The Value of Sunlight.—It is surprising how little 
the value of sunlight and heat are understood or ap- 
preciated by modern housekeepers; it is equally sur- 
prising how little the multitude value pure, well ven- 
tilated sunny rooms. Dark, musty, stuffy parlors 
and sleeping rooms are everywhere the rule, only a 
few exceptions are to be found. Sickness, debility, 
mental and spiritual deformity are the results. Nine 
or ten months of the year no blinds or curtains should 
obstruct the light and heat of the sun. 
*This remarkable ‘cure’ is taken from the Natural Cure (price 
$1.00), by C. E. Page, M.D., of Boston. This work is one of the 
most practical we have ever seen for the student in search of 
health. Dr. Page is a benefactor of this age. “ How to Feed the 
baby” (price 75 cents), is another of his excellent works. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
105 
Only the Fittest Survive is a physiological, yet a 
scientific fact. The fittest are found in every grade of 
society, on every plane of life and in ail conditions. 
We may all become the fittest by our own personal 
effort; all have an equal chance on each plane, there- 
fore we must know ourselves. 
Cannot Be Found in the Book.—No! not all the 
names and varied expressions of disease can be found 
in any book. Never mind about finding every phase 
of disease and symptom in this volume. Reader, if 
you will live up to one-half of the teachings taught 
here you will be well. I do not care what your disease 
may be, you will remain well just so long as you live 
right, and will die easy. 
Less Dying and More Living’.—Dying is as nat- 
ural as birth (both expressions of life ought to be pain- 
less), and is of little importance when compared to 
right living; death is only an incident, like stepping 
from one room to another; coming at the close of a 
life well spent it becomes an occasion of pleasant 
memories and reflections. 
Death Is Only a Fleeting Breath. 
O, what is death? ’Tis a fleeting breath, 
A simple but blessed change; 
’Tis rending a chain that the soul may gain 
A higher and broader range. 
Unbounded space is its dwelling place, 
Where no human foot hath trod, 
But everywhere doth it feel the care, 
And the changeless love of God. 
O, then, though you weep when you’re ioved ones sleep, 
When the rose on the cheek grows pale, 
Yet their forms of light, just concealed from sight, 
Are only behind the veil. 
—Lizzie Doten. 106 
THE NATURE CURE. 
A Common Cause.—Paralysis, epilepsy, locomotor 
ataxia, obesity, gout, nerve prostration, dizziness, and 
all similar expressions of disease, have a common 
cause. Solve the food problem, the kind and amount, 
and the cause is reached. By adopting the most sim- 
ple food, which taxes the least in digestion (using a 
limited quantity), you will regain power over your 
nerves and muscular system. To depend upon drug 
doctors, those who reject hygiene and present reform- 
atory methods and discoveries, and trust in old 
poisonous remedies, is a foolish folly, that sooner or 
later is sure to be recognized. 
Home Treatment.—The especial treatment for the 
above complaints is hot lemonade. Take from three to 
ten cups every twenty-four hours; this will furnish the 
system with all the fluids necessary while sick, and 
will cleanse and thin the blood. Exercise of some 
kind, in some way, must be taken if possible. An 
exclusive fruit diet is the best, but I do not advise its 
sudden adoption. Take a week or two, or a month, to 
get out of the old into the new. Pork in every form, 
Irish potatoes, superfine flour, rice, beans, peas and 
corn meal are starchy, clogging and taxing, therefore 
are to be erased from the bill of fare for all this list of 
chronic invalids. All stimulating condiments, tea, 
coffee and tobacco are always excluded; they must be 
laid aside once and forever by this class. Study this 
book, live its teachings and be free. You will not re- 
gret the change; you should feel ashamed to be gouty, 
paralyzed or even dizzy; you will be proud when you 
free yourself from the slavery of gross, sensuous appe- 
tites, which cause your dependence and suffering. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
107 
Remember, you cannot now have health without a 
personal struggle; be vigilant and fight if necessary. 
Work Out Your Salvation.—Breathe more, bathe 
more, get into the sunlight; depend upon nature and 
nature’s remedies; make your own climate; never 
mind the climate dodge; take no more drugs, dis- 
charge your drug doctor and employ the reformatory, 
magnetic, electric or massage healer. If you have 
grown away from your prejudices and traditions, you 
can, if necessary, employ the mental, Christian 
science, faith, divine or spiritual healer. You must 
get out of the old into the new; you must have a 
change all around and then you will surely recover. 
More Faith in Home Treatment, more trust in 
simple remedies taught upon every page of this vol- 
ume, will be found a God-send in every home that 
adopts and lives its teachings. 
No Banger in Reform Methods.—There is very 
little if any danger in reform methods. Have no fear, 
but go ahead with the hot lemonade, cold compress 
for the head, hot water bottle for the feet, the sponge 
or towel bath, fresh air, fasting until cured of fever, in. 
flammation, congestion and pain. Every poisonous 
drug, remember, is an experiment useless and dan- 
gerous. Not so with the methods and remedies taught 
in this book. 
Sick Headache; Cause.—Sick headache is caused 
by over-eating, drinking tea and coffee, one or both, 
and neglecting to exercise. Cure: Drink a half 
dozen cups of hot lemon or orangeade in one hour, 
and the congestion and sickness will be removed. 
The extremities should be made warm by application 108 
THE NATURE CURE. 
of hot water bottles and flannels. To prevent a 
return, eat less, drink no tea or coffee, adopt a strict 
hygienic diet; take outdoor exercise in the sunshine, 
breathe more, and you will live longer and enjoy life 
better. Many patients thoroughly believe that sick 
headache is an incurable disease. 
Have Exhausted the Drug’ Store and Lost Faith. 
—Have they not tried the treatment of all the best doc- 
tors in their reach, used every kind of drug remedy 
all to no purpose? Undoubtedly, but the lesson to 
learn, is, gratify the appetite less, and use nature’s 
own simple life-giving, not destroying, remedies. 
Fever and Ague; Intermittent Fever. — The 
ague-fit—congestion—the fever and relaxed sweating 
stage, are each so thoroughly distinct in their expres- 
sions that description is unnecessary. Causes: The 
stomach and liver being overtaxed have failed to do 
tlieir work; the blood has become impure, the kid- 
neys inactive, the bowels torpid. Treatment: Similar 
to that prescribed in typhoid and bilious types. Use 
large quantities of hot lemonade day and night, and 
cold water whenever desired. A perfect fast, with 
thorough bathing, ventilation, quiet, pleasant sur- 
roundings, will heal any case in a few days. 
Fevers are Nature’s Methods.—As fevers are only 
nature’s method of burning out the stuffy, impure 
house, we may aid nature in cleansing stomach, blood, 
liver, kidneys and bowels by the use of hot water and 
nature’s soap—lemon acid—for the stomach, and 
copious tepid enemas with a trifle of English castile 
soap for the bowels. The above is a safe, sure and 
economical method of removing all fevers. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
109 
Herbs are Good.—Hops, smart-weed, sage, catnip, 
hoarhoutid, spearmint and other herbs may be used 
in connection with lemon and orangeade in many 
cases. Hot lemonade without sugar—using only about 
a teaspoonful of the juice to a coffee cup of boiling 
water—is the best for all bilious attacks. Cold water 
should always be used freely, not as a substitute for 
hot lemonade, but in connection with it. Fresh air, 
sunshine, order, cleanliness and pure cold water are 
always necessary in sickness. 
Catarrh, Cause and Cure.—To effect any cure we 
must know something about the cause. Catarrh is a 
cold in an inflammatory stage. A cold is the natural 
result of a clogged—congested—condition of one or 
more vital organs and the blood. Too much albu- 
minous and nitrogenous food will cause a congested 
state, which may be continued from week to week 
until the mucous membrane becomes inflamed; this 
condition is then labeled catarrh. In many cases 
the cause is a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly 
engorgement of the physical system; a perpetual 
catarrh cold is the result. To cure is to first strike 
heavy blows at the cause. First, stop the class of 
foods that clog, constipate and destroy the mucous 
membrane. This membrane lines all the openings 
—to the air—of the body. Salt and all salted pro- 
visions irritate and destroy this mucous membrane 
more or less; therefore the first step is to abandon all 
salted meats and fish; in brief, cut off from your bill 
of fare all salted foods, abandon salt and all condi- 
ments from the head to the bottom of the list. Cut 
down albuminous and nitrogenous foods—(see Chapter THE NATURE CURE. 
110 
Third on foods)—until all cloggy conditions are 
removed, until no more colds catch you, or you them. 
Sponge Bath.—Take a cold sponge or towel bath 
every morning, commencing at the face and head, 
and finishing with plunging the feet and ankles in a 
foot tub; follow this with a crash or turkish towel 
rub and vigorous massage, to conclude the bath. This 
will be found as valuable as riding a wheel or swing- 
ing dumbbells. Yes! more. 
Health Instead of Catarrh Colds.—If health, in- 
stead of catarrh colds you are determined to have, 
then abandon tea, coffee, tobacco and drugs in every 
form. Take vigorous exercise in the open air, breathe 
more and eat less; be vigilant, fight for health and 
the freedom it gives. 
Will Cure Catarrh.—During treatment, whether it 
lasts one week or months, take a coffee cup of hot or 
cold lemonade half an hour before each meal. This 
treatment, with other health suggestions .set forth in 
this volume, will cure catarrh and hay fever and pre- 
vent catching cold. A score of other forms of disease 
may be entirely eradicated by adopting these sugges- 
tions and treatment. A hint is sufficient for the 
earnest intelligent seeker after health and its attend- 
ant pleasures. 
List of Clogging Foods.—The blood must be 
kept pure, by the use of pure food, wrater, air and 
exercise. This is the secret that will abolish colds, 
catarrh and hay fever. Salted meats and fish, poul- 
try, eggs, cheese, tea, coffee, peas, beans, Irish pota- 
toes, superfine flour and bread, hot bread, white 
crackers, custard puddings, all highly seasoned soups, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
111 
sausage, dried beef, rice, tapioca and sago, and other 
preparations clogging and constipating, not men- 
tioned in the list, should be discarded. 
Hay Fever.—Pork in every part and portion is ex- 
cluded. Substitute fruit, which will not clog or over- 
tax the digestive organs or bowels. Hay fever is only 
a chronic form of catarrh; the vapor bath is a Short 
Cut cure; two baths and a two or three days’ fast, 
will cure any case of hay fever or pneumonia. By adopt- 
ing these teachings all colds, congestions, and inflam- 
matory disease may soon become troubles of the past. 
Time and patience will prove my statements. The 
sawing-wood exercise should be adopted in every 
home where colds and catarrh have a foothold; it will 
relieve the congestion and sneezing in five minutes, 
set every drop of blood bounding, warming it and the 
whole body. For an indoor morning exercise it has 
no equal. Try it and report to the author. 
Rheumatism, Cause and Cure.—Cause, obstructed 
circulation; cure, change of diet and purifying of the 
blood. Too much nitrogenous and albuminous foods 
have been consumed, as eggs, cheese, beans, peas 
and meat; also starchy foods, which include Irish 
potatoes, cornmeal, rice and superfine flour, causing 
an excess of fibrin in the blood. All salt meats, 
sausage, oysters, with tea and coffee should be crossed 
off the bill of fare until recovery is complete. 
Hot Lemonade and a Fast.—For a rapid cure, 
adopt the typhoid fever treatment, and you need not 
suffer pain and lameness for a month or even ten 
days, if you will persist in taking vigorous treatment. 
The daily towel bath, with vigorous rubbing and 112 
THE NATURE CURE. 
slapping, is indispensable in rheumatism. Thorough 
massage and a half-dozen coffee cups of hot lemonade 
will cure a severe case of sciatica. The massage should 
be commenced moderately, and increased as the 
patient can bear it until convalescence results. The 
bathing and rubbing should be given by an intelli- 
gent attendant. Rubbing and slapping of the muscles 
with bare hands, will hasten the cure and be agree- 
able to the patient. One to two hours’ treatment, if 
vigorous, will effect a cure. 
Cure of Neuralgia.—Cause, the same as in rheu- 
matism, treatment the same, only adding hot cloths 
to the parts that are sore, swollen and painful, instead 
of massage and rubbing; in some cases adopt both 
methods, hot fomentations and rubbing. If the face 
and head are the afflicted parts, the head may be 
steamed, using pieces of red-hot bricks, covering the 
head instead of the body, as in the instructions given 
for vapor bath. See Bath Chapter. 
Inflammatory Rheumatism.—Stagnation of the 
circulation causes congestion and inflammation. In- 
flammation may be distinguished from a fever by 
soreness, extreme sensitiveness to touch, a redness and 
often swelling of the parts. As in chronic rheuma- 
tism, there is too much fibrin in the blood; albumin- 
ous and nitrogenous food have been eaten too freely, 
and not fully digested and assimilated. 
More Exercise and Less Food.—No doubt the 
cause of white swelling and all other inflammatory 
expressions of disease, is too free use of the heavy 
hearty foods that clog, and make the blood too dense. 
More exercise and less food, more fruit, less starchy PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
113 
foods, and vigorous regular exercise, will prevent all 
rheumatic, inflammatory and neuralgic pains and sick- 
ness. 
Be Persistent.—Hot cloths—compresses—or hot 
fomentations are prescribed in cases of extreme sore- 
ness, congestion and swollen parts. Never forget that 
the blood must be thinned and cleansed by hot lem- 
onade, before relief can be permanent; give a coffee 
cup of hot lemonade every hour—or half hour is 
better—until a cure is complete. The cloth must 
be changed often and cleansed every hour. 
How to Drink.—Give all patients cold water when 
they want it; drink cold water slowly, and hot water 
and hot lemon or orangeade rapidly. Never omit 
ventilation night or day, in storm or sunshine, in 
summer or winter. Always keep the air pure, cool 
and fresh; this is an imperative health rule which ap- 
plies equally to the well and sick. 
The Milk-Pack.—For a very extreme case of in- 
flammatory rheumatism or sciatica, the milk-pack— 
see Chapter seven—will prove “a balm in Gilead.” 
Two or three milk-packs given in twenty-four hours, 
will remove the cause and leave the patient feeling 
like a new person. Fasting in this as in all kinds of 
sickness, is as necessary as cold water and pure air. 
Not one taste of food more than the juice of an or- 
ange, until convalescence is complete, is the rule. 
The application of a cold compress for the head, and 
a hot-water bottle for the feet, if cold, as is usual, 
will require the constant attention of the nurse. 
God’s Punishment,—There are millions of families 
now living in Christian America who have been 114 
THE NATURE CURE. 
taught to believe that God afflicts his children with 
sickness as a punishment for their sins. 
Religious and Medical Missionaries.—Between 
God’s affliction and the doctor’s poisonous drugs, the 
poor ignorant people are in a strait. Not knowing 
which way to look for relief, they think they may as 
well die as try to live. Can we wonder? I would 
suggest religious and medical missionaries for the 
heathen within our own borders. Sickness is as sure 
to follow the violation of health laws, as roses and 
grass are to grow in the spring, under the invigor- 
ating influence of rain and sunshine. 
Testimony of Drug Doctors.—The author of this 
reformatory book can add nothing to the value and 
importance of the following corroborative testimony. 
It speaks for itself; it is positive testimony, and sub- 
stantiates every strong, radical aggressive statement 
I have made against poisonous drug and other experi- 
ments, still popular in so-called intelligent families. 
Read, ponder, reason, and investigate is a duty you 
owe to your family and yourself. Testimony from 
the most intelligent physicians in America and 
Europe could be added to what is given, sufficient to 
make a good-sized volume. I quote from Dr. Dutton, 
of Chicago. (Dr. Dutton is the fearless and uncom- 
promising foe of medical monopoly, and of vaccina- 
tion, and on several occasions has advocated his 
principles before legislative committees of Vermont, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Illinois. The House 
of Representatives of Vermont, and the Senate of 
Rhode Island, both passed bills in harmony with his 
views,) PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
115 
“Medicine relates to the healing of the sick. It has for its 
object the health, strength, beauty and physical perfection of the 
individual and of the race. Such medicine includes, neces- 
sarily, the art of preventing disease; and to prevent disease is 
without doubt the highest office and the most useful part of the 
physician’s art. But, dear reader, did you ever stop to think that 
under the present system we do not pay for preventing, but only 
for curing disease ? And yet it must be admitted that to prevent 
disease is to destroy, to that extent, the opportunity of curing 
disease, and thus diminish or destroy the livelihood of the most 
intelligent and useful physicians. Thus it is plainly seen that the 
present system is wrong. It offers no emolument for the highest 
and best service of an intelligent physician to an intelligent peo- 
ple, but large returns from ignorance and credulity for poorer 
service. We thus shut and bar the door of progress in the medical 
profession. It is admitted by all intelligent persons to-day that 
medicine as a therapeutic art is not a science. It is the opinion 
of many of the most learned men that ever lived that the practice 
of medicine has tended to multiply disease and abridge by many 
years the natural term of human life. The people are fast finding 
this out; and it now appears that the next one or two decades will 
make the people largely masters of themselves. The profession is 
already split into fragments and there is not much left to support 
it but unconstitutional and tyrannical state laws which will soon 
be swept away if the people are not to be driven into servile 
despotism. If an individual has a right to anything in this world 
it is his own body, and the right to his body carries with it the 
right to choose his own physician and have freedom to teach and 
educate.” 
Use of Drugs.—“Of the thousand or more material agents now 
called medicines, about ninety-six per cent of the entire list are 
not medicines at all, but placebos (a drug or preparation given 
merely to please or gratify the imagination of the patient), and 
miserable makeshifts, when they are not, as many are known to 
be, deadly poisons. To separate the false from the true in so- 
called medical science, and give the true to the people in plain 
language, to the end that health may be enjoyed in largest 
measures, and life prolonged to full and ripe old age, is the object 
and reasonable expectation of the New Practice. To continue 
longer the senseless experimentation of using poisonous drugs to 
correct errors of thought, bad habits and erroneous practices will 
not lead to the best results.”—Geo. Dutton, A.B., M.D. 116 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Drugs.—Dr. Evans says: “It will be a great blessing to the 
world if heaven ever reveals to earth any substitute for the nauseous 
and noxious drugs that are now employed in the practice of medi- 
cine. If we had never heard of the administration of active poi- 
sons for the cure of disease, and someone should come into our 
house and propose to give our child a dose of arsenic, strychnine, 
corrosive sublimate or prussic acid, to relieve it of its malady, we 
could not bring ourselves to consent to it. It would seem unrea- 
sonable, absurd and perilous, and look too much like manslaugh- 
ter. . . . It is difficult to break up the long-continued habit 
of thinking, instilled into mankind from their earliest childhood, 
that it is necessary to take something for every ailment. No mat- 
ter where the disease is located the stomach must pay the penalty 
by receiving the sickening and disgusting compound. If one has 
a lame foot or a swollen joint, there is no reason or justice in 
punishing the stomach for it.” 
We are indebted to the faithful sketches and apt remonstrance 
of R. R. Noyes, M.D., in his history of medicine, where he says: 
“A drug or substance can never be called a healer of disease; 
there is no reason, justice, or necessity in the use of drugs in dis- 
eases. I believe that this profession, this art, this misnamed 
knowledge of medicine, is none other than a practice of funda- 
mentally fallacious principles, impotent of good, morally wrong 
and bodily hurtful.” 
Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, professor in Harvard University, 
says: I am sick of learned quackery. 
Dr. Mason Good, a learned professor in Eondon, said: The 
effects of medicine on the human system are in the highest degree 
uncertain; except, indeed, that they have already destroyed more 
lives than war, pestilence and famine combined. 
My experience with materia medica has proved it the baseless 
fabric of a dream, its theory pernicious and the way out of it the 
only interesting passage it contains. 
Prof. Gregory, of Edinburg: Gentlemen, ninety-nine out of 
every hundred medical facts are medical lies, and medical doc- 
trines are, for the most part, stark startling nonsense. 
Dr. James Johnson, F.R.S., editor of the Chirurgical Review: 
I declare it is my conscientious conviction, founded on long ex- 
perience and observation, if there were not a single physician, sur- 
geon, man-midwife, chemist, apothecary, druggist or drug on the 
face of the earth, there would be less mortality and less sickness 
than now prevails. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
117 
Dr. Coggswell, of Boston: It is my firm belief that the prevail- 
ing mode of practice is productive of vastly more evil than good; 
and were it absolutely abolished mankind would be infinitely the 
gainer. 
Prof. J. W. Carson: We do not know whether our patients re- 
cover because we give medicine or because nature cures them. 
Perhaps bread pills would cure as many as medicine. 
Prof. Parker: Hygiene is of far more value in the treatment of 
disease than drugs. 
Prof. Valentine Mott: Of all sciences medicine is the most 
uncertain. 
Dr. Marshall Hall, F. R. S.: Thousands are annually slaugh- 
tered in the quiet sick room. 
Dr. Adam Smith: The chief cause of quackery outside the pro- 
fession is the real quackery in the profession. 
Dr. Ramage, F. R. S., of London: The popular medical sys- 
tem has neither philosophy nor common sense to commend it to 
confidence. 
Prof. Gilman: The things that are administered for the cure 
of scarlet fever and measles kill far more than those diseases do. 
Prof. Barker, of the N. Y. Medical College: The drugs that 
are administered for the cure of scarlet fever kill far more patients 
than disease does. 
Prof. Clark: In their zeal to do good, physicians have done 
much harm. They have hurried thousands to the grave who 
would have recovered if left to nature. 
An eminent doctor and professor of the city of New York 
writes: “The critic who will take pains to examine the standard 
works of the most popnlar authors on theory and practice—Good, 
Watson, Thatcher, Eberle, Elliotson, Dunglison, Dickson and 
others who have written recently—will find on almost every page 
the most contradictory theories supported by equal authority, 
and the most opposite practices recommended on equal testi- 
mony. Well might the celebrated Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, 
after a lifelong experience in witnessing the effects of drugs upon 
the human constitution, declare to his medical brethren: “We 
have done little more than to multiply diseases and increase their 
fatality.” 
Prof. Joseph Smith. M- D., New York College of Physicians 
and Surgeons: All medicines which enter the circulation, poison 
the blood in the same manner as do the poisons that produce 
disease. 118 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Prof. Horace Green, of New York Medical College: The med- 
ical confidence you have in medicine will be dissipated by expe- 
rience in treating disease. 
Prof. Parker: It must be confessed that the administration of 
remedies is conducted more in an empirical than in a rational 
manner. As we place more confidence in nature, and less in 
preparations of the apothecary, mortality diminishes. 
Prof. S. St. John, M. D.: All medicines are poisonous. 
Prof. Alonzo Clark, of the New York College of Physicians and 
Surgeons: I do not know what is the cause of fever, and every 
dose of medicine diminishes the patient’s vitality. 
Prof. C. D. Meigs, M. D., Philadelphia, Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege: All of our cogitations respecting the modus operandi of 
medicine are purely empirical. 
R. T. Trail, M.D.: What do persons who call themselves 
reasonable do in the midst of a hundred doctors, with a hundred 
different medicines, each affirming that his own is good, and that 
all the rest are bad ? Do they reject them all ? No; they swallow 
them all! 
“All physicians give fewer drugs than formerly, and have 
greater faith in the curative powers of natural and good nursing. 
A French physician gave good advice to his medical friends. As 
the celebrated physician Desmoulins lay on his death-bed, he was 
visited by the most distinguished medical men of Paris, as well as 
other prominent citizens of the great metropolis. Great were the 
lamentations of all at the loss to be sustained by the profession in 
the death of one they regarded as its greatest ornament. But Des- 
moulins assured his brother practitioners he left behind him three 
physicians much greater than himself. Hach of the doctors in- 
quired anxiously who was sufficiently illustrious to surpass the 
immortal Desmoulins. With great distinctness the dying man 
answered: ‘Their names are Water, Exercise and Diet. Call 
in the services of the first freely, of the second regularly, and of 
the third moderately. Follow this advice and you may be well 
without my aid. Diving, I could do nothing without them, and 
dying I shall not be missed if you make friends of these my faith- 
ful coadjutors.’ ” 
Prof. C. A. Gilman, of New York Medical College: Four grains 
of calomel will sometimes kill an adult. 
Prof. Alonzo Clark, M. D., New York Medical College: From 
thirty to sixty grains of calomel have been given very young 
children for croup. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
119 
Prof. Davis, M. D.: Four hundred and eighty grains of calo- 
mel have been given at a single dose, in cholera. 
Prof. Jamieson, Scotland: Nine times out of ten our miscalled 
remedies are injurious to our patients. 
Dr. Fvans, F. R. S., London: The popular medical system has 
neither philosophy nor common sense to commend it to confi- 
dence. 
AlexH. Stevens, M. D.: The reason medicine has advanced so 
slowly, is because physicians have studied the writings of their 
predecessors instead of nature. 
Prof. F. H. Davis, M. D.: The modus operandi of medicine is 
still very obscure. We know that they operate, but exactly how 
they operate is entirely unknown. 
People take too many drugs—A physician gives one reason why 
grip is prevalent in big cities: “ The primary cause of so many 
cases of grip in this and other cities,” said the examining physi- 
cian of one of the large life-insurance companies in New York to 
a Mercury reporter, “ is the almost universal habit of drug taking, 
from the milder tonics to patent medicines. Whenever the aver- 
age men or women feel depressed or slightly ill they resort at once 
to some medicine more or less strong. If they would try to find 
out the cause of the trouble and seek to obviate it by regulating 
their mode of living, the general health of the community would 
be better. The drug habit tends continually to lower the tone of 
the system. The more it is indulged in the more apparent be- 
comes the necessity of continuing the downhill course. The 
majority of persons do not look beyond the fact that they seem to 
feel better after the use of a stimulating drug or patent medicine. 
This feeling comes from a benumbing action of the drug, because 
it has no uplifting action. With the system in such a weakened 
state the microbes of the disease find excellent ground to grow. 
When attacked the patient lacks recuperative power and the re- 
sult is generally fatal.” 
Epilepsy.—This disease is pronounced by physi- 
cians who have had much experience as specialists, to 
be incurable with the ordinary drug remedies. This 
is not strange; many other expressions of disease 
which are easily cured by our methods, baffle the 
skill of the best drug doctors. The cause of this as of 120 
THE NATURE CURE. 
many other expressions of disease called by the igno- 
rant “terrible” are plain and easy to understand. 
Why not call all disease terrible ? Terrible ignorance 
and neglect, terrible sensuous and licentious habits 
are the cause of nine-tenths of all disease. Epilepsy 
is no exception to the general rule, and the causes are 
sensuous and sexual excesses mainly and mostly. 
Sexual gratification and sexual abuse must cease, 
must be overcome and the patient assisted to come 
up higher. 
“So utterly powerless for good, if not mischievous, has the drug 
treatment proved in this disease, that one of the most experienced 
of the old school authors, Dr. Armstrong, testifies that he has 
seen more benefit derived from removing the exciting cause than 
from anything else. As to diet, his language is, simplicity in 
the kind of food, and moderation in its quantity, is the golden 
rule.’’ 
Many remarkable cures of epilepsy nave come be- 
fore our notice, of those healed by the mental meth- 
ods. No other system is as efficient in this class of 
disease. By following carefully the teachings of 
nature cure regarding foods, dress, bathing, etc., in 
short, seeking in every way possible to strengthen the 
entire system, the great majority of cases may be 
cured with the help of a first-class mental healer. 
Nerve Prostration.—No expression of disease 
yields more readily to our reformatory treatment than 
nerve prostration. Rest, plain food, an abundance 
of fresh pure air, light and sunshine, are the remedies 
in connection with water that are sure cure. Nar- 
cotic and alcoholic stimulants should be prohibited, 
also all poisonous drugs; sage and hop tea are not ob- 
jectionable; any drug stronger than weak hop tea PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
121 
will prove injurious. Oil rubbing of the spine as 
taught in chapter nine is especially beneficial. 
Qualifications of a Healer.—“The sublime calm- 
ness of an evenly balanced mind, the possession of a 
self-respect, resulting from intellectual and moral ele- 
vation, perfect self-control and presence of mind, the 
power of concentrating the mental and will force, a 
stubborn faith that is ready to grapple with seeming 
impossibilities, a facility in adapting one’s self to the 
condition and wants of all persons, a profound knowl- 
edge of human nature, an ardent love of doing good, 
and a spirit of kindness that condescends to the poor, 
and longs to lift up its hands and call down a bless- 
ing upon every human being.”—Dr. Evans, in Mental 
Medicine. CHAPTER VII. 
EPIDEMIC AND CHRONIC DISEASE. 
Chronic, Epidemic and Miscellaneous Expressions of 
Disease, with Pertinent Suggestions. 
CHRONIC and epidemic expressions of disease are 
those most dreaded by ordinary mortals. The 
class of doctors known as specialists, live and thrive 
upon chronic invalidism; it is rich ground for the ex- 
perimenter, the quack. Cholera, small-pox, la grippe, 
yellow fever, scarlet and typhoid fever and diphtheria, 
are most likely to become epidemic wherever predis- 
posing causes exist. By the reformatory physician, 
they are not dreaded or considered dangerous, where 
people are intelligent enough to avoid the fright and 
agitation which attend epidemics. The methods and 
remedies taught in this volume are all-powerful to 
cure, and what is of vastly more importance, by liv- 
ing the lessons of this book all disease may bepre- 
vented. 
New Remedies.—In this chapter I introduce some 
new physical remedies and methods for some of the 
most alarming expressions of disease. These remedies 
look reasonable, have proved a great success in the 
hands of their discoverers, and will be received by re- 
formatory physicians as valuable aids in treating some 
of the most dangerous forms of disease. The reme- 
dies can be administered by nurse or parent of ordi- 
122 PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
123 
nary intelligence. This fact adds to their practical 
value. 
A Necessity fop Change.—If disease could be 
cured by the use of poisonous drugs, then medical re- 
form would simply be absurd; no change would be 
considered for a moment by intelligent people. Now 
that it has been demonstrated thousands of times, that 
all disease may be cured without the tise of drugs, the 
necessity for a change is apparent; it is clear that 
such experiments ought to be at once abandoned. 
Great evils are borne while they are a necessity; there 
is no excuse for experimenting with life when better 
and safer methods are discovered. 
Convenient and Profitable.—The only reason for 
continuing the present dangerous methods of drug- 
ging, is the convenience and profit to the doctor. It 
is an easy matter to visit a patient, diagnose the case, 
look very wise, smile sweetly, write a Latin prescrip- 
tion and depart; it is a visit made by a popular family 
physician; the stomach is to be bombarded every 
hour with a deadly drug until the doctor’s next visit. 
The patient has a torpid liver with the attendant 
complications. The doctor has no way of reaching 
the liver, only through the stomach,—poor, indignant 
stomach; and the liver will collapse if the doctor 
does not give it some mercury, cholagogue or podo- 
phyllum. 
Poison, or Hot Lemonade.—Of course, the stomach 
not being sick, will pass the poisonous drug over to 
the liver without stopping to question whether its 
nearest neighbor needs poison or the Short Cut lemon- 
ade. The facts are, neither the stomach nor liver 124 
THE NATURE CURE. 
need the doctor or his treatment, but the patient is 
sick and does not know what he wants. He has a 
family physician, his neighbors employ him; he is a 
popular man and must be patronized; the patient has 
been gorging himself with good things at lunch, at 
home and at the last big dinner; as a result he is over- 
loaded, clogged, his head aches, his mouth tastes bad, 
his bowels are as torpid as his liver; of course he must 
have the doctor. A half gallon of hot lemonade, 
and a forty-eight hours’ fast and rest, would put 
him on his feet. The poisonous drugs increase and in- 
tensify his trouble; fever is the result. He lives through 
it and gives the doctor credit for saving his life; pays 
a fifty-dollar doctor bill, is just as popular and igno- 
rant as his neighbors, and will repeat the farce at the 
next favorable opportunity. 
Mildly Drawn.—The above is an every-day experi- 
ence—only a common, mildly drawn case. Thousands 
take drugs under similar circumstances, and have un- 
dertaker’s bills to pay in addition to the drug and 
doctor’s bills. Gross neglect and shameful ignorance 
is the cause, and a life of regret the result. The popu- 
lar physician has it all his own way so long as he can 
keep his patrons in ignorance. 
Cure for Small-Pox.—By accident, Dr. Byron 
Sampson recently discovered that milk absorbed 
poisonous gases and disease germs, from air, water 
buckets, etc., etc., etc. He had marvelous success 
with his first small-pox patients. The method con- 
sists of a pack, using new milk instead of water; the 
only difference in the method being, that in the milk- 
pack only blankets enough are used to make the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
125 
patient warm and comfortable, but not enough to 
cause perspiration, the object being to absorb disease 
germs from the patient. Therefore follow carefully the 
instruction given for the water-pack—see Bath Chap- 
ter—excepting only the one point above mentioned. 
The packs are to be repeated every four hours night 
and day, in connection with thorough ventilation, 
cleanliness, a light, airy, sunshiny bed chamber per- 
fectly and constantly disinfected. Hot lemonade 
is a very important addition to the milk-pack treat- 
ment. Indeed, hot lemonade should be considered 
the standard remedy in all expressions of disease 
which result from blood impurities and zymotic or 
bacterial influences, which include nearly all disease 
expressions. 
A Revolution.—The water-pack became a revolu- 
tionary therapeutic agent forty years ago; the milk- 
pack supplements the former, and must increase and 
intensify the revolution. The milk-pack may be 
safely used in connection with the hot lemonade cure 
in typhoid fever, or the ice cold treatment in diph- 
theria and croup. It will prove a mother’s blessing in 
scarlatina, measles, and all disease with eruptive 
tendencies. The warm milk and water poultice has 
proved a perfect success for more than twenty years, 
by preventing the pitting of the face. It will pre- 
vent the scars. Try it. 
Calomel and Lancet.—A doctor of a half century 
ago, declared that armed with Calomel and the Lancet 
he was prepared to combat all disease. A reform 
doctor of the future, armed with water, milk, air, 
sunshine, pure food, exercise and common sense, will 126 
THE NATURE CURE. 
not only be able to combat all disease, but in the near 
future will prevent all disease. 
Turn on the Light.—The small-pox craze which 
lives and thrives on deception and gross ignorance, a 
foot ball for selfish physicians, a pet scheme to 
frighten the weak, is approaching a crisis; light is 
being turned on; dense ignorance in high and low 
quarters regarding small-pox, is getting an airing in 
every family with courage to give the subject careful 
investigation. As much space is given to the subject 
of vaccination as can be spared; a hundred times more 
matter could be presented which is true beyond ques- 
tion. 
Evidence Opposed to Vaccination.—Evidence 
mountain high is opposed to vaccination; it is disease 
producing and in no sense a preventive. No fear 
need be entertained from adopting the methods of 
Nature Cure; small-pox may be treated as easily as 
a cold. 
To Prevent Small-Pox Marks.—Adopt the follow- 
ing directions, to prevent the pitting of face and hands: 
Keep the face and hands poulticed with warm milk 
and water. Change the cloths often and scald; dry in 
the sun five or six times each day. Our faces and 
other exposed parts of the body are protected against 
heat and cold by what is called adipose tissue, which 
is tough and woody. To soften this tissue and to pre- 
vent itching, is the object of the milk and water 
poultice. The room should be darkened, about as our 
very neat housewives keep their parlors for the pur- 
pose of excluding flies and sunshine. Sunlight and 
heat will irritate and increase the itching sensations; PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
127 
therefore in this disease we are willing to have the 
sunlight shut out for a few days, but not the pure 
fresh air. Light, we know, increases the vibrations 
of the atmosphere, and these vibrations will increase 
the itching. As hygienists and total abstainers from 
liquors, tobacco and most of the fiery condiments and 
pungent spices, we would expect to either escape the 
disease or have it so lightly as not to cause any un- 
easiness whatever. There is no doubt regarding the 
value of the milk-pack; it is a valuable discovery, 
and I gladly add it to our Short Cut methods. Used 
in connection with the typhoid fever cure it will 
prove a boon to humanity, or, used separate it may 
take a little more time; there can be no valid objec- 
tion to the one supplementing the other in any case. 
Safe Remedy for all Zymotic Disease.—In a 
severe case of erysipelas, cloths wrung out of milk 
may be applied to the face and also to the body, until 
inflammation and soreness are partly removed, before 
restoring to the full milk-pack. The milk-pack may 
be adopted as a cure-all for all zymotic or eruptive 
disease. Restored by the safe methods taught in this 
chapter improved health will be the result; no other 
treatment will compare with it. All skin or eruptive 
disease should be treated with milk poultices, or milk 
and water equal parts. 
Vaccination Increases Disease.—Vaccination has 
grown from an error of conception, a big blunder out 
of the ignorance of the past, to a dangerous, often 
criminal practice. It is criminal when enforced by 
law or custom, and dangerous. Disease increases 
quite fast enough without inoculation of any kind. 128 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Inoculation a Gross Error.—Inoculation is an 
error, a sham, no matter by whom advocated. Hypo- 
dermic injections are also a gross deception, a disgrace 
to the profession of medicine. Only in the most ex- 
treme instances are doctors warranted in resorting to 
such life-destroying methods. I can only insert a few 
positive reasons for opposing vaccination, although a 
large volume could be filled with strong testimony, 
positive proof of the dangerous practice. My object 
will be more fully served by giving in detail a safe 
and sure cure for small-pox and all similar expressions 
of disease. It is a thousand times safer, more reason- 
able and cheaper to adopt our simple cure, should you 
be attacked, than to longer consent to the dangerous 
experiment of vaccination. I personally request every 
reader of this volume to read and ponder carefully 
the following quotations from some of the ablest 
physicians living: 
Opposed to Vaccination.—“My experience lias taughtme that 
the most ngly cases of small-pox have been those of persons who 
have been vaccinated, and this was the recorded experience of 
Jenuer himself. Any man who really studies vaccination does 
not believe in it. The idea of inoculating a filthy disease into a 
person for the purpose of keeping off another is absurd. Vaccin- 
ated people who suffer from .small-pox have it in its worst form, 
not varioloid, but confluent. 
The Physician Does Not Believe in It.—“The average physi- 
cian does not believe in vaccination, but it pays him to uphold it. 
There is only one chance in twenty-four of catching small-pox, so 
why should twenty-four be poisoned to save one? Refuse to sub- 
mit to vaccination, and small-pox with our modern conditions of 
life will disappear. Once vaccinate a man and you render him 
liable to every disease under the sun.” 
The above is one paragraph of the opening address 
of the eminent physician, Alexander Wilder, M.D., PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
129 
at a meeting held at the Fifth Avenue hotel, New 
York, June 5, 1895, by anti-vaccinationists. 
Vaccination for Every Disease.—If our law mak- 
ers compel the people to be vaccinated as a means of 
protection against an attack of small-pox, what is to 
prevent them from making laws that shall oblige 
their constituents to become vaccinated for every 
known disease? Certainly, if there is a protecting 
power in one form of vaccination for one specific 
malady, there must be other forms applicable, and 
equally protective against all other disease. All that 
is wanted is that they may be discovered; and we 
may be assured this want will not be of long contin- 
uance, since in all our communities men are eagerly 
on the lookout for an opportunity to make money 
out of the ignorance or credulity of their fellow- 
men. 
Alexander Wilder and Robt. Gunn, able and emi- 
nent physicians of New York, express themselves 
clearly in the following lines : 
Driven to That Extremity.—“A pure article of impurity is 
about the last thing a person of even a moderate degree of common 
sense would go in search of; but the vaccinationists seem to have 
been driven to that extremity. There is a prospect of a very warm 
discussion among the doctors, as to the merits of the various forms 
of vaccine virus, human and boviue. If this proceeds as it un- 
doubtedly will, the statements on both sides will be likely to 
divulge much that has hitherto been a secret to the people.” 
Dr. T. Mitchell Pruden, of the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons of New York, and lecturer in the 
Medical Department of Yale, being called upon, fur- 
nished the following analysis of one preparation gener- 
ally employed by country physicians and others, for 130 
the nature cure. 
the purpose of inoculating healthy children and per- 
sons of all ages. 
“ The Preparation consisted of small pieces of skin, hairs, bits 
of seeds, manure, salts of urea, pus, blood, foreign substances and 
a small proportion of vaccine virus, enough in some instances to 
vaccinate.” 
The Boston Herald speaking upon this subject 
says : 
“ The inoculation of this horrible mess into the human blood 
was what caused the putrid and painful sores and erysipelas in 
cases previously mentioned.” 
Our advice to parents who desire to avoid this dan- 
gerous practice, is to keep your children out of school 
during the small-pox scare, or send them to a private 
school. 
Mucilage a Substitute.—If this is not practical, 
employ a reformatory physician and inform him or 
her of your desire and determination; they will sub- 
stitute a harmless substance for a dangerous one, and 
the child and teacher will be pleased and satisfied. 
Be sure to agitate for the repeal of all vaccination and 
doctors’ laws; they are selfish and dangerous. 
■' Since the history of all nations, in all ages, has confirmed the 
truth of the proverb, ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,’ 
every attempted infringement upon the rights of the people should 
be watched and promptly thwarted; and the particular point of 
assault upon our liberties just now is the public health. We are 
being told that we must be poisoned that we may not become sick, 
and, that if by any means we become sick, we must submit to the 
treatment of one or more of a class of men, whose only qualifi- 
cation it may be, to restore us to health, is, ‘ in the eyes of law,’ 
--a diploma. 
Never Submit to being Poisoned.—‘‘We may be cured and we 
may not— that depends on the success of the ‘ experiment;’ but 
we are not to be allowed the attendance of one we know can cure 
us, and with whom the course of treatment is not one of experi- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
131 
ment but one of knowledge. Out upon such legislation ! Let the 
people assert their natural rights, and not submit to be poisoned 
and doctored against their will. Do this by signing the petitions 
for the repeal of all existing laws in this direction, and the remon- 
strance against the enactment of all proposed laws designed to in- 
terfere with those rights. 
Vaccination Does Not Prevent.—Sir Thomas Chambers says : 
“ Of 155 persons admitted at the small-pox hospital, in the parish 
of St. James, Piccadilly, 145 were vaccinated. At the Hampstead 
Hospital, up to the 13th of May last, out of 2,965 admissions 2,347 
were vaccinated. In Marlybone ninety-two per cent of those at- 
tacked by small-pox were vaccinated.” Can anyone after this be 
found to contend that vaccination is a protection against small- 
pox ? 
George Dutton, A.B., M.D., one of the most able 
teachers and medical critics in America, sums up 
vaccination in one brief paragraph, as follows : 
!t Cannot be Proven.—"Nobody ever did, and nobody ever can 
prove that vaccination prevents or even modifies small-pox in any 
case whatsoever. In order to prove that vaccination ever prevents 
or even mitigates a single case of small-pox, it is first necessary to 
show what the same case would be without vaccination, and no- 
body can ever do that. Small-pox, like most other forms of dis- 
ease, varies in intensity from slight indisposition and one single 
pock or pustule, to the most malignant and fatal form of confluent 
small-pox, and nobody can tell beforehand how bad the case will 
prove, with or without vaccination." 
Laeteopathy Cure.™By Dr. Byron Sampson. “ The 
alleged marvelous powers and virtues of ‘ Lacteop- 
athy’ challenge at once our respectful and serious 
attention. But we will let the discoverer describe 
his own process in his own words as they recently 
appeared in the English Mechanic and World of 
Science: 
"Some years ago it was discovered that a large number of per- 
sons were attacked with typhoid fever from drinking milk wljich 
had been in buckets that had been washed in water from an 132 
THE NATURE CURE. 
impure well. I reasoned thus: If milk will so absorb poisonous 
germs from a bucket, why should it not also absorb poisonous 
germs or gases from the human body? I soon put the idea to the 
test, and got wonderful results from the local application of milk 
cloths to bad sores, erysipelas, etc. But the time soon arrived 
when I was able to put it to a more definite test. The small-pox 
broke out in Kimberley in 1884, where I was then practicing, and 
I determined to try the efficacy of sheets soaked in fresh milk in 
aborting that terrible disease. Accordingly I visited several houses 
whence small-pox patients had been removed to the lazaretto, and 
I left word that if any other member of the household were 
attacked I should be sent for at once, as I could apply an abortive, 
or preventive, treatment. I then succeeded in treating some 
eighteen or twenty cases attacked with the symptoms of small-pox, 
which (especiall}- when raging in an epidemic form) are so marked 
as hardly to be mistaken. 
Removed to the Lazaretto.—“In one or twro instances the 
sanitary physician visited every morning to remove the patient to 
the lazaretto as soon as the eruption appeared; but in every case 
which I thus treated, the milk-sheet, applied for an hour every 
four hours night and day, drew the small-pox poison so completely 
out of the body that the patients were nearly all convalescent on 
the fifth day, no eruption having appeared on any of them. In 
one case, in a bad subject for the disease, pronounced severe, not 
attended by me, wdiere the milk-sheet was applied at night by a 
friend for two hours, and where the eruption had already ap- 
peared over the whole body, the milk drew the eruption so 
entirely from the skin that the physician in attendance was 
amazed the next morning to find the eruption gone and his pa- 
tient convalescent. In four days afterwards this man was up and 
about, and thanked me for having been the cause of saving his 
life. If these statements be doubted, the experiment can easily be 
tried. Take a patient with the initiatory symptoms of small-pox; 
put him into a milk-pack or sheet for an hour every four hours, 
night and day, and I guarantee that the disease will be stopped 
and the patient convalescent generally on the fifth day, and not 
have a single spot on his body. 
Virtues Not Confined to Sma!!=pox.—“ Moreover, the virtues 
of the milk-sheet are not confined to the cure of small-pox; it will 
abort all kinds of fever and inflammatory conditions. In scarlet 
fever, measles, typhus, typhoid, malaria, puerperal, and all blood PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
133 
fevers, the effect of this milk treatment is simply wonderful. It 
lowers the temperature, stops delirium, promotes sleep, and gen- 
erally puts the patient into a comfortable condition. Rheumatic 
ailments soon yield to this treatment, and the milk-sheet is 
only to be used intelligently in most diseases to prove its marvel- 
ous efficacy. The relief given to syphilitic and leprous patients 
must be experienced to be believed; and if my premises are cor- 
rect, it will not astonish anyone to credit that these diseases are 
curable. I know that they are. . . . 
It Absorbs Disease.—“ It may be thought that there is little 
or no difference between the action of the milk-sheet and that of 
the ordinary hydropathic wet-sheet packing; but I have tried the 
two side by side, and the milk-sheet will do what the water-sheet 
cannot. The milk-sheet has the power of absorbing, or drawing 
out disease, to a degree not 'possessed by the water-sheet; and to 
prove what it does, I may say that if, after use in some cases, the 
sheet be not immediately washed, the poison which is absorbed 
in it will destroy the sheet in a very short time. On one occa- 
sion, where it was used in a case of small-pox, and was not imme- 
diately cleansed, in a few days it was found crumbled to pieces, 
thus proving that the milk in the sheet retains the poisonous 
germs of disease. I have known the effluvium from a milk-sheet 
which had been used in a chronic case, from the effects of scarlet 
fever, to be so offensive that the room in which it had been used 
was uninhabitable for 24 hours after. ... I have just sent 
home cured my fourth case of insanity. The doctor who was con- 
sulted said that the man must go into a lunatic asylum for at 
least six months. I laughed at it, aud asked to be allowed to 
treat the case. The friends agreeing, I ordered milk-sheets, 
morning and evening; result, cured in a month. 
Cure for Bright’s Disease.—“I am now treating two inter- 
esting cases—one of kidney disease, from England; the other, an 
American from the States, with chronic indigestion. In both 
cases I promise a cure. I am curing a lady who was suffering 
from spinal disease, and who had been in bed five months. In 
the first week I took away all her pains, and she can now walk 
about easily. In her case I apply milk bandages all along the 
spine every night. . . . There is no doubt on my mind that 
when the external application of milk becomes popular as a cura- 
tive agent, as from its marvelous virtues I believe it will, it will 
be admitted on all sides to be the most extraordinary and reliable 
curative agent known. ’ ’ 134 
THE NATURE CURE. 
The able editor of Natural Food, a monthly maga- 
zine published in London, England, in the interest 
of Health and the “Higher Life,” to which we are 
indebted for this article, adds the following: 
No Pasteur or Koch Craze Experiment.—“Taking it for 
granted that the most sanguine expectations of lacteopathy are 
fully realized, yet its originator might justly be deemed over- 
optimistic did he believe that his simple-as-nature method would 
receive at the hands of his fellow-medicos even one tithe of the 
attention and praise they lavished, with almost quack-like pre- 
cipitancy, upon Messrs. Pasteur, Koch, Hankin, Roux, Fraenkel, 
Kitasato, Tizzoni & Co., whose fame is fast becoming a matter of 
z'wfamy. And yet this is no “kill or cure” for hydropathy or con- 
sumption merely, but has a wide range of applicability, including 
the most dangerous zymotic diseases, and can never, all other 
things being equal, do any possible harm.” 
Yellow Fever.—By a little varying of tlie lacte- 
opathy methods, they will apply equally well to 
yellow fever. Before applying the pack to fever 
patients, fill them full of hot lemonade as directed in 
Chapter V. for typhoid fever; continue the lemonade 
and use the milk-pack, as instructed for small-pox. 
The hot lemonade treatment discovered by the author 
of this volume, is a safe, rapid and sure cure for all 
fevers, and may be relied on in sinall-pox, yellow 
fever and erysipelas, as well as intermittent, typhoid, 
bilious and all other fevers; if by any circumstance 
the milk-pack cannot be used, adopt the hot lemon- 
ade. 
La Grippe.—A severe cold, pain in head and back 
with general lassitude and depression are its common 
symptoms. It was formerly known as influenza, and 
considered epidemic because it swept over the whole 
country, becoming so universal that the public schools PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
135 
were closed in many localities. Ea grippe is not dan- 
gerous if understood and properly treated; our grand- 
mothers of fifty years ago could master the most 
severe attacks, with cayenne pepper, smart-weed and 
hop tea; wives and mothers can do as well to-day if 
they will face the subject and inform themselves. 
Use Hot Lemonade.—There is no objection to using 
our grandmother’s teas, none at all; but we think the 
hot lemonade better, more convenient, and preferred 
by the majority, because of its acidity and easiness to 
prepare. 
An Ancient Affliction.—This disease has been pre- 
valent iu different countries of Europe and Asia for 
many centuries, and variously named: Italian fever, 
Chinese or Russian catarrh, and influenza, in America. 
European Diagnosis of La Grippe.—The signs and 
symptoms are very similar in all countries; in Europe 
it is recognized by an acrid discharge from the nose 
and eyes, with cough, headache, weakness and feeling 
of exhaustion. 
Doctors Disagree as usual regarding the cause; 
therefore I present my views, and trust to the reason 
and experience of those who read this book, to deter- 
mine whether my diagnosis and position are correct. 
I find the underlying cause to be the same as in colds; 
the exception to this rule is exposure in extreme 
weather. Some accident or unavoidable circumstance 
may seem to be the cause. 
Climatic Changes.—Climatic, planetary and many 
other changes may develop disease, but not in a 
healthy organization; one of the glories of health is 
its power to resist every change and circumstance. 136 
THE NATURE CURE. 
iUtaeking’ Man and Beast.—History furnishes ac- 
counts of the prevalence of ugrip ” in five hundred 
and forty-three; in six hundred and fifty it again 
appeared attacking man and beast. The epizootic of 
1873, which raged in many portions of America, has 
not been forgotten. Severe colds attack us when the 
blood is sluggish, causing a lack of animal heat; the 
system is clogged with more food than can be appro- 
priated, and carbon loads the blood from lack of exer- 
cise and pure air in the lungs to eliminate it. Too 
many big dinners. 
Many Theories; Facts Demonstrated.—Much 
could be written regarding the many medical theories 
of la grippe and other expressions of disease labeled 
epidemic ; facts relating to causes have been demon- 
strated so many times, are so reasonable and self-evi- 
dent without demonstration, that it seems unnecessary 
to theorize, experiment or speculate in the least, about 
cause or The Nature Cure treatment. 
Thoroughly Scientific.—Our treatment is scientific 
and a great physical triumph; it is surely nature’s cure 
by natural methods, and is proven by its universal 
success. La grippe is no more nor less than a con- 
gested condition; any method that will relax the en- 
tire body, will relieve the congestion and end the 
pain; the hot lemonade treatment relaxes and cleanses 
without danger or experiment, therefore is both scien- 
tific and practical. 
Treatment of La Grippe.—As soon as convenient 
after symptoms are noticed, and you find you are un- 
able to resist the attack longer, though the necessities 
of business or other obligations urge you on, give up PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
137 
your work and save time by taking treatment. First, 
surround yourself with the most favorable conditions 
possible. {See article on typhoidfever'). Commence at 
once to drink cup after cup of hot lemonade (as 
prescribed in typhoid and bilious fevers) as often as 
every ten or fifteen minutes; the more frequently the 
sooner your pain and congestion will be removed. 
The head must be kept cool by the compress, and the 
feet warm with a jug of hot water—the application of 
a hot water bottle or hot flannels changed often. A 
hot foot bath concluded with a plunge in cold water 
and brisk friction with a coarse towel, is a great help. 
Continue the hot lemonade until the patient is full to 
running over, then continue every half hour or hour 
with a cupful until well; when perspiration pours out of 
the many million pores, the pain is gone, the treatment 
is a success. In case the stomach rejects the lemonade 
after two or three hours, reduce the amount, or give no 
lemon. You can substitute orangeade or pure hot 
water. A good nurse will understand these points. 
Hot compresses, or a hot water bottle often greatly 
relieves where there is severe pain or soreness. As in 
all healing by physical methods and remedies, fasting, 
ventilation, fresh air, sunshine and light, are indis- 
pensible requisites. Remember the simple methods 
here taught are all powerful physical remedies—none 
more powerful to cure. Hot enemas should be given 
every hour, as hot as can be comfortably borne. 
Nature Cure Methods.—Never disturb a patient 
while asleep; we consider rest more healing than any 
treatment. Simply make the patient comfortable, and 
continue the sleep as long as possible. 138 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Quiet in the Sick Chamber.—Sick rooms should 
always be kept quiet, visitors excluded as a rule. 
Drug doctors are especially excluded where reform 
methods are adopted, for reasons apparent. 
The Vapor Bath.—In some severe cases of la grippe 
the vapor bath in connection with the above treatment 
will be found just the right help, especially where it 
seems to be complicated with pneumonia. As a rule, 
we recommend that the vapor bath be taken at the 
close of the da}’. Let the patient go from the bath to 
bed for the night; give nature a chance by making all 
the conditions restful. A two or three days’ fast after 
convalescence is the surest way to gain strength and 
health. 
Pneumonia.—The vapor bath and hot lemonade 
treatment, head compress, alternate hot and cold com- 
press for the upper portion of the lungs (to be changed 
often), is the best possible treatment for pneumonia. In 
all disease involving the lungs, ventilation is all impor- 
tant; the lungs when attacked cry out for pure fresh 
air and must have it. Extra care is my rule in lung 
sickness. Alternating hot and cold compresses for 
the lungs in pneumonia may be considered heroic 
treatment; there is no danger, but rapid relief by ob- 
serving carefully the effect. The cold compress should 
not be large or more than twro thicknesses of linen, 
and not remain more than five minutes, unless found 
to soothe and quiet and it is the wish of the patient, the 
cold compress to be immediately followed by the hot 
compress, which should only remain until it begins to 
feel cool, perhaps five minutes. Both compresses, 
cold and hot, should have two to four thicknesses of PHYSICAL, AND MENTAD METHODS. 
139 
flannel over them when applied to the patient’s chest. 
Either the cold or hot compress may be applied con- 
tinuously to great advantage. An intelligent nurse 
and patient will know how to vary the treatment to 
produce the best results, but even in the hands of an 
inexperienced nurse, the pneumonia patient is much 
safer than under any poisonous drug treatment. 
Often Years Recovering.—The reason so many 
sick people are years in recovering, is because of the 
effects of drugs left in their systems after nature has 
done her best to restore. Doctors well understand that 
drugs do not cure, but make invalids of those who 
take them. Epidemics of la grippe, colds, influenza 
or pneumonia, if treated by drug doctors, sow the seed 
for a good harvest of sickness for ten years to come. 
Treated by Nature Czire methods and remedies, the 
poison is removed from the entire system and no drug 
disease is sown. 
A Case of Pneumonia.—While in Butte, Montana, 
a young man, carpenter by trade, returning from a 
day’s work cold and sick, in other words thoroughly 
congested from head to foot, built a fire in his room to 
warm up, called his mother and went to bed. 11 Why 
have you built such a big fire, and closed all the zv en- 
dows and doors she asked. He replied, ‘ ‘ I came 
in cold and sick.” The mother nursed him as best she 
knew, kept a good fire, but neglected ventilation, 
retiring late. Morning found him very sick with 
pneumonia; the doctor was called, but the patient died 
in less than two days. One medicated vapor bath, 
given as directed in Bath Chapter, would have restored 
this young man in twenty-four hours. The doctor and 140 
THE NATURE CURE. 
mother were powerless to relieve; the former bound by 
his pathy; the mother willing but ignorant. There are 
thousands of similar cases every year, and they must 
and will continue until people inform themselves. 
Cholera Cure.—Drink freely of hot lemonade, or, 
if you choose, hot cayenne pepper-tea—not strong— 
or you may drink each alternately, until a glow comes 
over you, the circulation is restored, and you are thor- 
oughly warm. In an extreme case a cup may be 
administered every ten minutes until the normal con- 
dition of the patient is restored. Hot and cool 
enemas, about a pint at each time, should be given 
every hour, andoftenerif the symptoms are alarming. 
Hot water enemas, as hot as can be borne, will quiet 
and warm the patient; if a feverish condition exists 
the cool enema may be used to best advantage. An 
all-important point in epidemics is to know the cause. 
Keep cool, control yourselves, and secure a strong, 
level-headed nurse, either male or female. 
The Cause of Cholera. — A clogged condition, 
brought about by over-work, over-eating, sexual 
excess, neglect and ignorance, fear cutting quite a 
figure in results. Knowledge dispels fear; ignorant 
persons are often crazy with fear, which destroys more 
lives than disease; keep cool and quiet, hold your 
nerves, be strong and fearless, and you will have 
power to resist the disease. Washing out the bowels 
with cool, tepid or hot water, as hot as can be borne, 
with a trifle of old English castile soapsuds added, and 
drinking copiously of hot water, lemonade or cayenne 
pepper, as instructed above, is pronounced the best 
cure since 1831, at each recurrence of this disease. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
141 
One more suggestion: Keep the bowels warm by 
wearing a flannel band securely fastened, so that it 
fits snugly. Cholera is a bowel disease, and this 
flannel bandage has been found to be a preventive. 
All bowel disease may be treated as above, using 
judgment as to the amount necessary; always fast 
until the system reacts. 
Milk Cure for Cholera.—Hot milk is one of the 
best remedies for cholera. It was thoroughly tested 
in Cuba some years ago, and proved to be a life-saver, 
when the ordinary methods failed three times in five. 
Treatment: Heat new milk as hot as it can be drank, 
not boiling, but nearly to the boiling point. Drink 
cupful after cupful as long as the patient can swallow; 
in health, milk should be taken slowly, but in cholera 
may be taken rapidly. It is of the utmost importance 
that it be taken just as hot as it can be szvallozved. 
Immediate relief will be the result of the above treat- 
ment, and in one hour the patient will be out of dan- 
ger, nine times in ten. A few more coffeecups of hot 
milk may be necessary for the tenth case, given after 
the expiration of an hour. The writer has good evi- 
dence that the milk treatment for cholera is practical 
and valuable. 
Eyes and Stomach.—Eyes are very important parts 
of the anatomy of the body as well as stomach. The 
eyes suffer more from the effects of a sick stomach 
than the stomach from sick eyes. The brilliant eye 
must have a healthy stomach to sustain it; therefore, 
it is all-important that the stomach should be properly 
cared for. In the modern home, many eyes are weak- 
ened by the exclusion of light The tantalising fly 142 
THE NATURE CURE. 
does not like darkness; it spoils liis eyes and vivacity, 
and he will not inhabit dismal, dark rooms. The 
healthy eye seldom needs any protection from sun- 
light or heat; on the contrary, is made strong by out- 
door exposure to the brightest rays of the sun. 
Light for the Eye. — Nature designed the eye for 
light and light for the eye; the muscle for exercise 
and exercise to increase and strengthen the muscle. 
Exercise furnishes the necessary elements and condi- 
tions for digestion. We can strengthen and increase 
digestion by suitable exercise, and add to the flash and 
brilliancy of the handsome eye by treating the stom- 
ach as well as the eyes. Trust to simple methods and 
remedies, using your own good sense in the care and 
treatment of the eyes, ears and stomach. 
Treatment of Eyes and Ears.—The head compress 
worn during sleep is cooling and strengthening for 
both eyes and brain. A warm milk poultice is one 
of the best remedies for inflamed eyes; none better. 
I sometimes use two-thirds milk and one-third soft 
water, sometimes half and half milk and water; 
should always be warm for a poultice and compress. 
The cause of sore eyes, inflamed and weak oues? 
can be traced usually to impure blood. Light, 
sunheat, pure food and water make pure blood; pure 
blood gives strength; vigor and brilliancy to the 
eye. A small ear syringe, a cake of English castile 
soap, some snow or rain water, a small bottle of pure 
olive oil, are the most simple, safe and valuable reme- 
dies. Syringe the ear carefully with warm soap suds, 
using only a trifle of soap in a cup of water; the 
suds must be very weak; the ear is sensitive to poisons. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
143 
The alkali in the soap is poison, therefore use soap 
with care upon the sick or well. Inject slowly and 
retain for a half minute; cleanse often as twice in 
twenty-four hours with mild suds, if sore and ulcer- 
ated. Put a few drops of olive oil into the ear if 
found to be soothing. Purify the blood with the 
everyday use of hot lemonade and occasional vapor 
baths; live a strict reform life, and you may overcome 
the cause and regain your hearing. Chronic ear 
disease may, as a rule, be ascribed to the free use of 
poisonous drugs taken for fevers and malaria—diseased 
stomachs. 
Stomach Diseased.—Stomachs are injured by the 
same drugs that disease the eyes and ears, and often 
the nerves; yes, the muscles and bones are involved 
in the same general effects. Cure, by purifying the 
blood, removing every trace of the drug poison. 
Hot lemonade will do it if persisted in, sometimes 
needed for months. 
The Ear.—Deafness is common in this age of fast 
living and rush for the almighty dollar. The ambitious 
man or woman hasn’t time to eat, to be social, or 
even civil, certainly no time to be sick. Such habits 
are quite likely to wear away the vital forces, and 
sickness overtakes them. 
Strychnine, Arsenic, Quinine.—-When once sick, 
they haven’t time to rest or get well, by adopting 
natural healing methods. Artificial, experimental and 
dangerous ones are sought; quinine, arsenic and 
strychnine—an extremely poisonous alkaloid—are re- 
lied on to get them on their feet ready for business in 
double quick time. The results are deafness, weakness 144 
THE NATURE CURE. 
of the eyes, stomach and nerves, followed by torpid 
livers and diseased kidneys and blood. 
Climate and Quinine.—‘ ‘ You cannot live in this 
climate without taking quinine,” is a very common 
statement among the class that are slaves to the 
family physician, and heard alike in all the varied 
climates, from my native State—New York—to Cali- 
fornia. This class of thoughtless people have, or 
believe they have, malaria, on the mountains from 
four to ten thousand feet above the sea. They take 
their stomachs with them as well as their prejudices 
and bad habits, and can easily have malaria any- 
where. That is not all: their family doctor says it is 
malaria and quinine is an antidote to this poison. 
Ignorance and imagination find malaria on moun- 
tains, where the air is as pure as sunshine. Quinine, 
arsenic and strychnine paralyze sensitive membranes 
of the ear, eye and other organs; deafness is the 
result, and poisonous drugs the cause forty-nine times 
in fifty. 
Increased Activities.—With the increased activ- 
ities of this age come increased responsibilities, tax, 
wear and strain upon all the organs and functions of 
the material and spiritual man. “ The mills of the 
gods grind slow, but exceedingly fine, ’ ’ is one of the old 
proverbs; by changing slow to fas I and for but, the 
sentiment would then apply perfectly to this restless, 
unsatisfied age. In the line of rapid accumulations, 
we have overlooked the infinite law of man’s growth 
which, like the mills ofithe gods, is slow. A too rapid 
growth may be the cause of the many problems we 
are compelled to face and solve at this time. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
145 
Let Us “ Slow Down.”—Cause and effect are more 
universally considered than before. Discovery and 
invention have caused rapid changes, larger and in- 
creased activities have been forced upon the largest 
and most active brains. May we not look along these 
lines for a cause of the increased number of suicides, 
criminals and insane? Observation plainly shows 
that the mental healer has a large and increasing 
number of patients. Let us put on the brakes and 
“slow down,” if we desire to fulfill our destiny, live 
out our allotted time, yea, increase the length of life 
from seventy years to one hundred or one hundred and 
twenty-five years, dying of ripened old age, not of 
sickness. 
The Problem of Life Solved.—Immutable law in 
the absolute final analysis, solves all problems. Each 
individual solves life’s problem whether that life be 
brief or long, a success or failure. Fallible judgment 
regarding success or failure must be the result of 
broad conceptions and large experience, or the deci- 
sion—the verdict—will be worthless. In a practical, 
material sense, the person who has grown to think 
without physical, mental or spiritual limitations, 
knows how to live a harmonious life, which must be 
healthy, moral and spiritual, and sufficiently un- 
folded in freedom to recognize what life signifies; 
this solves the problem. 
Ice and Ice Water.—The practical, well-informed 
hydropathic physician uses ice • and ice-water with 
great care. It is a specific in severe attacks of croup 
and diphtheria; except in those two complaints, the 
use of ice is unnecessary. No doubt it may be used 146 
THE NATURE CURE. 
by careful hands, in a score of other expressions of 
disease, but I prefer a milder remedy for every one 
of them. 
Ice-Cold Drinks.—Ice-cold drinks are injurious, 
hindering digestion by chilling the stomach. If used 
in very hot weather drink slowly, holding in mouth 
until warmed a little for the stomach. Milk, hot or 
cold, should be taken slowly, as the babe is taught 
by nature. 
Equal Care.—Our physical bodies require as much 
care as do five thousand dollar horses. Give the body 
as much care and study as a good horse receives from 
a successful humane stock breeder, and you will not 
be troubled with sickness. 
Palpitation of the Heart.—Tea drinking is often 
the producing cause of this affection. Any clogged 
condition of the system as constipation or torpid liver, 
exacts too much effort from the heart, and causes the 
flutter or palpitation. (See coffee.) Treatment: Stop 
tea and coffee drinking; adopt plain common-sense 
diet and hygienic rules of Nature Cure. 
Hard Times.—In break-ups in financial centers, in 
hard times, a day of settlement and pay comes. It 
often happens that the family horse, carriage, physi- 
cian and poodle have to go. The question may be 
reasonably asked under such circumstances very 
common in these days, which of the two, the mother 
and mistress of the home or the poodle, are the best 
qualified to live without the family doctor. Facts 
prove the dog to be the most independent. 
Conditions Reversed. — This condition will be 
reversed wrhen the doctor becomes the teacher, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
147 
when every family receives a necessary medical edu- 
cation. 
Co-operation: Will it Pay?—Establish sanitariums 
in every township, or in every neighborhood of two 
hundred families. During the winter months employ 
the best talent, and teach the people anatomy, physi- 
ology and hygiene ; employ physicians, male and 
female, by the year to teach the people how to live 
and avoid sickness. Will it pay ? Try it, and you 
will find this the best paying business in which you 
ever engaged. It will surely pay to have health, in 
place of sickness, with doctors’ and undertakers’ bills 
to meet. 
Health, Life and Truth.—Row up stream for this 
trio; no other course will reach the inexhaustible 
fountain. 
Care of the Feet.—Corns and bunions are gener- 
ally caused by small, short or improperly fitted shoes. 
The shoe should be fitted to the foot, not foot to shoe. 
Fashion ought not to be considered, but comfort and 
health. If we change the form of any organ or por- 
tion of the body by compression, we do not improve 
but disfigure it. The shoe is designed to protect, not 
to distort the foot. In-growing nails, the result of 
the abuse of the foot, may be treated by soaking in 
warm water until soreness and inflammation is re- 
moved, and then raising the nail by pressing soft 
cotton under the afflicted part (with some suitable 
instrument) until it is raised. As soon as a portion 
of the nail becomes free, it may be cut off. Scraping 
the nail in the center will assist in getting the cotton 
under. Cleanse the parts thoroughly with English 148 
THE NATURE CURE. 
castile soap and warm water before applying. Remove 
proud flesh by using burnt alum. When a shoe is 
once fitted to a child’s foot do not change because 
they wear uneven; some shoe leather might be saved, 
but at the expense of the foot. Wear soft, pliable 
stockings if you desire natural feet free from deformity. 
Corns are caused by friction of the skin from tight, 
loose or ill-fitting shoes, hard leather, hard wrinkles, 
high heels, and shoes narrow at the toes. Young, hard 
corns may be removed by scraping the callous skin 
and removing carefully with a pen-knife. For suc- 
cessful treatment, proper shoes must be worn, the 
shoe must be soft, an easy fit, never short, and better 
one size too long. Treat corns by soaking a half- 
hour morning and evening in warm water, using 
English castile soap freely. After thorough soaking, 
scrape off all the soft, white, pulpy matter with a 
dull knife, stopping the moment pain is felt. Per- 
sist in this treatment for two weeks, and the corn 
will be cured. Nitric and muriatic acids are the 
secret cure-alls used by corn specialists. Nitric acid 
may be used by observing and understanding the 
nature of this acid, which burns and discolors all 
silk, woolen, linen and cotton fabrics, also dissolves all 
the grosser metals. Glass, porcelain, silver and gold 
resist its influence. It may be applied to the corn 
with any sharp-pointed instrument. A sufficient 
amount will adhere to a large darning-needle; apply 
with the point of the needle to the center of the corn. 
When the acid has been absorbed a drop of sweet oil 
may be applied. One application will often be suffi- 
cient to loosen the corn so that it may be removed. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
149 
A bunion is an inflammation. All inflammations 
should be treated with soothing remedies. Soaking 
in very warm soft water, and anointing with olive 
oil, or carbolized cosmoline, will relieve the inflam- 
mation if the shoe is properly fitted. Soak the feet 
often in warm water and scrape the callous places. 
Cut the toe-nails regularly and with care. Give the 
feet as much care as the hair, face or teeth, and you 
will always have a good understanding. 
Corn Salve.—Have used the Acorn corn extractor, 
and can recommend it; others may be as good. Two 
applications as directed, helped the writer to get rid 
of a very ugly corn. 
The Reformatory Doctor.—It does not require a 
very great amount of skill or experience to visit a 
patient, diagnose the case, and write a drug prescrip- 
tion; it is very much like the routine of ordinary 
business. The medicines used are almost invariably 
those adopted by the school to which the doctor 
belongs, and only a trifle variation is made by reason 
of age or condition. It is quite another thing to be 
called by a health reform family where the drug 
methods are outgrown and the family understand the 
case, know at least what they do not want, and have 
called the reformatory doctor after they have taxed 
their own skill, and wish some one with intelligence 
and experience beyond drug routine. Such is the 
position of the reform physician at this writing. 
Doctor Books.—Many doctor books have been 
sold ostensibly to instruct families, but have proven 
worthless because of their Latin prescriptions, tech- 
nical sentences and medical mysteries. This and the 150 
TI-IE NATURE CURE. 
Educator are the only family doctor books free from 
technical rubbish. 
Free and Independent.—The effort of non-reform- 
atory medical colleges and nine-tenths of their grad- 
uates is to keep the people ignorant of every law 
of health, and of every opportunity to be free and 
independent. This may seem a grave charge, and it 
is, but the gravest part is its truth. It is a selfish, 
grave mistake. 
The Charm of Mystery.—The simple remedies and 
common sense methods taught in these pages are 
often the only objection to the book. If the pages 
were graced with Latin prescriptions, made up of 
deadly poisons for the stomach, all would seem to be 
in order and the mystery complete. People who 
have grown into the habit of thinking that there 
must be some virtue and life-giving power in deadly 
poisons, when manipulated by some druggist and 
covered with a mysterious Latin label, discover their 
mistake after the undertaker has removed their dar- 
ling from their sight. 
If Their Darling Had Been a Sensitive Plant.— 
This class of confiding people study the lives of 
their plants and domestic animals, and are aware 
that much depends upon light, sunshine, water and 
natural conditions for their healthful growth. 
They stiidy effects of color, material for the cloth- 
ing of their physical bodies, and understand how 
sensitive some of the family are to surroundings. If 
their darling was only a sensitive plant or a pet dog 
they would not consult the family physician or drug 
store, but trust to their own care and good sense in PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
151 
nursing; but the pet child’s stomach, sensitive as it 
is, must submit to deadly poison. 
Cured by Simple Remedies.—A lady subscriber 
informed us, that after being treated many years by 
the best drug doctors, she was healed in two months 
by adopting the methods and remedies of the Nature 
Cure. This is one of many similar testimonials 
where our natural remedies are used. The best doctor 
makes the very best conditions, which do not include 
the use of poisonous drugs. The best nurse is one 
who makes all the conditions the most easy, natural 
and harmonious, the most favorable for a rapid cure; 
nature, ever kind, will do the rest. 
Wait and Trust.—Many times it is wise to do 
nothing for the sick. Simply give them plenty of 
air, water and sunshine, some colored water or bread 
pills, then trust and wait, always remembering that 
a fast and rest, with the trio above, are the safest and 
best remedies on top of this green earth, therefore 
the very best doctors. If drugs cure, why does 
typhoid fever run twenty-one to forty days ? If drugs 
can cure, why do our best doctors allow thousands of 
our best men and women to die in their prime ? 
An Every-Day Occurrence.—Is it not an every- 
day occurrence that the newspapers record the sud- 
den death of some eminent man or woman ? Suppose 
one of our reform doctors should lose a patient, who 
happens to be a noted person, and give heart failure 
as the cause, an arrest for malpractice and newspaper 
scandal would reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
coast. Such results are an every-day occurrence in 
the practice of doctors who use poisonous drugs, and THE NATURE CURE. 
152 
the public, the press, men and women of letters, the 
clergy, the courts, presidents and kings bow and 
accept the unmeaning, ridiculous explanation so easily 
uttered, “heart failure.” Explain this fact if you 
can. The writer is willing to submit it to the court. 
Choose the Best Doctor.—There is a choice in 
drug doctors; if drugs you are willing to use and 
have faith in them, I advise you to employ the anti- 
poison drug doctor. They may be found in nearly 
every city of twenty thousand inhabitants. 
At Peace With All Doctors.—As far as I know, I 
am at peace with all shades, every class and school of 
doctors, and intend to maintain peace even if I have 
to fight for it. I am disposed to be just and true to all 
systems and methods: that is my reason for expos- 
ing and condemning dangerous and deceptive ones. I 
take no pleasure in calling attention to the errors of 
men or systems, much preferring to write up the 
bright side of humanity and its grand achievements; 
no expression of life is more beautiful and enticing 
than health. We must row up stream to reach it, and 
expect to meet breakers when our course is towards 
the fountain. 
Nurse Health, Not Your Aches and Pains.—It is a 
common every-day occurrence among the masses, to 
nurse aches and pains, and talk about them to friends 
and neighbors; this is all wrong, and is really begging 
for sympathy, when shame would be just for them. 
Ignorance and neglect are the cause; therefore get 
more knowledge, and do not neglect the care of your 
body; be ashamed of your ignorance and sickness. 
To Know How to breathe, how to use water, how PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
153 
and what to eat, how to exercise, and to understand 
the value of sunlight and heat, sums up the knowl- 
edge necessary to avoid sickness in any country or 
clime. The lesson is a brief one. Suppose you study 
it. 
Flatulency and all unpleasant odors emanating 
from the body may be considered signs of disease. 
The cause, accumulation of gases from fermentation 
in the alimentary canal; in other words, food has not 
been properly or rapidly digested, and by this fermen- 
tation, uric acid is formed which causes pain and 
soreness of the muscles and joints, as in rheumatism. 
Asthma Cure.—Purify the blood with baths and hot 
lemonade; adopt tho. plainest, best bill of fare to be 
found in the Eleventh Chapter. Exercise daily in the 
open air; read the consumption cure in Sixth Chapter, 
and adopt every good common-sense suggestion to be 
found in this volume. 
Right Living is the Best.—The best methods for 
all such expressions of disease are to overcome them 
by right living, bearing in mind the teaching of 
health reformers, viz: That health is not for sale, can- 
not be purchased of doctors or druggists; it must be 
lived. 
Indigestion.—Indigestion, or no digestion, is cer- 
tainly a serious complaint. Without digestion the 
physical form is doomed. Multitudes in high and 
low places have what is called indigestion, which 
means partial or imperfect digestion. Chronic indiges- 
tion is termed dyspepsia; the cause and remedy are 
the same; methods may be varied a little, as no two 
cases are exactly alike. 154 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Cause of Indigestion or Dyspepsia.—The cause 
and remedy being the same, I have only to point to 
the cure. Almost everything has been written that 
can be, in the Food Chapter, on how and what to feed 
our physical bodies; by this understanding we may 
avoid stomach troubles. 
Table Disease.—Stomach disease is table or food 
disease, rooted and grounded in improper food, over- 
eating, big dinners, fashionable entertaining, and 
excesses. 
How to Get Well.—Adopt the hot lemonade cure; 
drink a tea or coffee cup of hot lemonade a half hour 
before each meal; adopt a simple diet and a limited 
variety; this will cure and prevent disease. Yes, 
all disease. Eat right, dress right, breathe right, 
exercise right, drink and think right, and you will 
not have dyspepsia, the dumps, the blues, blue or 
black devils. A child in years can be taught this les- 
son; it is taught the birds and wild animals by nature; 
they live true to the infinite law and have good 
stomachs and perfect digestion. 
Good Digestion is a result of right living; every 
sick person is more or less a slave; indigestion is sick- 
ness and the results often very destructive. Perfect 
digestion will prevent many unpleasant and compli- 
cated troubles. Diseased lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, 
bowels, blood, and quite a brood of female expressions 
of disease, result from imperfect digestion. Disap- 
pointment will follow every effort to doctor away 
indigestion; it cannot be done. Drugs never cured 
one case. They are powerless to even assist nature; 
they may stimulate, palliate, but never cure. Indi- PHYSICAL, AND ME NT A I, METHODS. 
155 
gestion must be cured in nature’s own way, by obey- 
ing; a cure cannot be purchased, is not found in any 
climate or mineral springs; change and right living 
may be considered a sure cure. Food, water, air, 
sunshine and “ roughing it” must be the doctors for 
indigestion. 
Hot and Mineral Springs.—We are often asked if 
mineral water is good for certain complaints; yes, 
water is good hot or cold for many expressions of dis- 
ease. Cold water is good for fevers and thirst, good 
for bathing; pure cold or hot water is cleansing and 
invigorating. Hot water will relax and remove pain 
and congestion. People who have never understood the 
value and use of hot and cold water at home, do well 
to go to springs and there learn the value of a thorough 
cleansing by the use of good water. No doubt more 
than two-tliirds of those who go to spring resorts and 
pay well for all they get, have better water at home, 
for there is no better water than rainwater—snow- 
water. 
Virtue is in the Change.—It is not the mineral 
in the water that promotes the recovery so much as 
the change in surroundings; rest from family cares, 
also business left behind, the pleasant attendant, the 
change of climate; this combination produces a men- 
tal and physical change. 
The Elixir of Life.—Sunshine, pure air and right 
living are the elixir of life and health that will stand 
the test of time, and not be found wanting. No one up 
to date has been able to corner this elixir. It can be 
had without money or price; it is free to all. Are not 
all the best things free ? Pure food furnishes all the 156 
the nature cure. 
minerals necessary to sustain our physical bodies; in- 
finite law may be trusted, if obeyed, and schemers, 
inventors and discoverers may rest easy in the thought 
that to conform is all that is required. 
The Struggle for Life.—The present drug practice 
is rapidly taking the form of a dangerous business 
monopoly, and new preparations are an every-day oc- 
currence. They are invented, put up, mailed to every 
physician whose name can be secured, with testimon- 
ials from leading physicians as to their great curative 
value. In this way the young inexperienced doctor 
has a portion of his drugs at hand without money, an 
item sufficiently tempting to induce many of them to 
experiment with all of the new-fangled cure-alls. 
This method is dangerous for patients and demoral- 
izing to the doctor. 
The True Physician.—The day the medical profes- 
sion surrenders its character to the schemers of any 
set, school or class of selfish, unscrupulous combine or 
chemists, patent medicine makers and vendors, that 
day the profession loses the trust and respect of every 
intelligent, honorable man and woman. The true 
physician can never desert his manhood and become 
a schemer for the almighty dollar. The physician 
realizes that there is an obligation resting upon him 
or her that money or selfish weakness cannot reach. 
Without this high and holy human obligation, the 
doctor should be avoided, not trusted, no matter of 
what class or school. 
Only For Protection.—The persistent effort to 
limit and force the American people to adopt a pre- 
scribed system of medical practice, is an oppression of PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
157 
the most aggravating kind. Of course it is unlawful, 
unconstitutional, but the unscrupulous schemers work 
their cards by claiming their “efforts are only for the 
protection of the dear people.” A majority of them, 
I am sorry to say, are ignorant enough to accept of 
this deception. 
Take Our Small-pox Virus.—The object of all 
sanitary and protective schemes worked by political 
doctors is dangerously selfish. They mean, take our 
small-pox virus pus into your blood and be poisoned 
for life, or be arrested and sent to the pest-house. 
Take drugs of orthodox drug doctors or die without 
a doctor; you are not to choose whether you shall be 
drugged to death, get cured without drugs, or die a 
natural death. No; that will not do; your house and 
home must be invaded by health officers, and if you 
refuse to submit to their trumped up schemes of rob- 
bery and anti-American methods, the police patrol is 
called, and you are doomed unless you have influential 
friends; very much more depends on influence than 
on law. 
The Professional Wrong-doer.—All error, crime, 
insanity and wrong are now considered disease by the 
truly scientific world, and must be treated in harmony 
with the varied expressions. Methods of peace and 
order are always our choice, but the professional wrong- 
doer, one who schemes, one who prostitutes his intel- 
lect, his profession, invites and may receive the most 
severe treatment. 
Shameful and Thoroughly Criminal.—Justice de- 
mands, and the safety of a nation and people require 
determined and vigorous efforts. Medical practice of 158 
THE NATURE CURE. 
the present time is not only shameful but thoroughly 
criminal in many communities; we warn the people. 
Our warning is none too soon, and is not the result of 
jealousy, competition, rivalry or anything but truth 
gained from observation and experience, truth that 
stares us in the face and appeals in every quarter for 
relief. 
Truth Versus Deception.—Truth is always a tri- 
umph, no matter how much deception may for a lim- 
ited time seem to dominate the people. Truth, jus- 
tice, sympathy, love and freedom are healing influences. 
Selfishness and deception, whether expressed in Latin 
prescription labels, or deadly sickening chemical com- 
pounds, are disease-producing, and not curative in 
their influences or as remedies; they are destructive; 
they are health destroying. This fact will not be 
challenged by intelligent persons. Such remedies, 
such influences—the deceptive ones—are alike de- 
stroying, no matter how we dress or sugar-coat them. 
The Masses for Truth.—The masses want truth 
and justice; are they getting it in the drug method? 
Have they any idea or assurance in taking a dose of 
deadly poison covered with a Latin name, whether it 
will kill or cure ? Doctors make mistakes every day; 
so do druggists. Would it not be good sound common 
sense for every sick person to know just what they 
are taking ? Have they not gone it blind long enough? 
Some of them at least begin to think so. 
Too Much Blind Trust.—Would there be any less 
value in the poisonous compound if it had an English 
label ? If the deceptive poisonous prescriptions kill, 
as they often do, the doctor and druggist are safe, as PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
159 
nobody knows but the doctor is correct, when he says 
heart failure did it. Isn’t there a little too much ig- 
norance and blind trust in such medical practice? 
It is Foolish to Complain.—Turn on the light and 
we will soon see it is foolish to whine and complain 
about sickness; it is our folly, our fault. If mothers were 
taught how to live, taught how to prepare simple 
plain food, and taught their children by precept and 
example the all-important lessons of how and what 
to feed the body, sickness would be outgrown and 
forgotten in one generation. What a revolution and 
revelation this would be, and may be in every well 
ordered home in one year’s time! 
Fatent Medieine Vendors.—All the schemes, meth- 
ods, chemical-combinations and subterfuges of doctors 
and patent medicine vendors, and a hundred other 
questionable contrivances made to deceive the people, 
could be immediately dispensed with by adopting a 
common-sense diet. The best food is always the cheap- 
est in the end and is usually cheap upon the market. 
Humanity is entitled to the best; the highest priced 
food is usually the poorest and the most likely to pro- 
duce disease. 
“The ingredients of health and long life are— 
Great temperance, open air; 
Easy labor, little care.” 
“Take not away the life you cannot give; 
For all things have an equal right to live.” 
“In what thoueatest and drinkest seek from thence 
Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight; 
So thou may’st live till, like ripe fruit, thou drop 
Into thy mother’s lap, or be with ease, 
Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature.” 
—Milton. 160 
THE NATURE CURE. 
“It is not the amount of food we eat, but the amount we can 
digest, that increases our flesh.’’ 
“It is not the amount we read, but what we remember, that 
makes us wise.” 
“It is not so much what we can earn, as what we can save, that 
makes us independent.” 
The rich should solace the poor; 
The happy should comfort the afflicted; 
The strong should raise the weak; 
The wise should teach the ignorant. 
Drug Doctors Compelled to Confess.—It is a 
notorious fact, that the masses and also the classes will 
employ their family physician, letting him drug 
them nearly to death. The reason they do not die, is, 
because the doctor is humane. As a last resort, the 
doctor advises a trip to the Hot Springs; the result is 
they get a good thorough cleansing inside and out, of 
drugs and disease, and return home well. This is a 
confession, on the part of the drug doctors, that water 
will accomplish what experience, skill and pretended 
science has failed to do. Other cases (and they num- 
ber tens of thousands every year,) are advised to seek 
health resorts, from Maine to California. The open 
air and change do the healing. The lesson is, health 
does not depend upon the family physician, his pre- 
scriptions or climate, but upon an understanding of 
how to treat yourself at home. 
The Nature Cure furnishes you this instruction, all 
you need. 
Wear Flannel.—Flannel is cool because it absorbs 
perspiration more readily than any other material 
worn. There are said to be seven million pores in the 
human body, each about a quarter of an inch long. 
Stretched out into a great canal, your pores would PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
161 
make a tube twenty-eiglit miles long. They throw 
off in a young and healthy person pounds of refuse 
matter daily. To dispose of this refuse poison is a 
hygienic problem. The flannel underclothing solves 
this problem in a measure, in connection with due 
care regarding bathing, ventilation and perfect sani- 
tary surroundings. 
The Insane.—A large number of men and women 
now in our insane asylums could be healed, if each state 
would provide for them hospitals instead of asylums. 
The majority of them are more sick than crazy. Hos- 
pitals with reform physicians and methods, with the 
best environments, and the application of recent dis- 
coveries, would without doubt cure a large per cent 
of those called hoplessly insane. Discoveries are 
everyday occurences outside of what is known as 
the medical profession; do not look there for reform 
methods. 
“ The disease and deformity around us certify the infraction of 
natural, intellectual and moral laws, and often violation on vio- 
lation to breed such compound misery. A lockjaw that bends a 
man’s head back to his heels; hydrophobia that makes him bark 
at his wife and babes; insanity that makes him eat grass; war, 
plague, cholera, famine, indicate a certain ferocity in nature, 
which, as it had its inlet by human crime, must have its outlet by 
human suffering. Unhappily, almost no man exists who has not 
in his own person become to some amount a stockholder in sin, and 
so made himselfliable to a share in the expiation.”—Ralph Waldo 
Emerson, Essay on Heroism. CHAPTER VIII. 
BATHS. 
WATER, air, food and exercise are considered ne- 
cessities for good health by all intelligent 
reformers. Water, air and exercise are free gifts; food 
must be worked for. Only a few of the present 
generation comprehend the value of water in health 
or sickness. In fact, if all people understood how 
to use water, its value to cool, cleanse, invigorate 
and sustain life, one-half of all the afflictions from 
disease would be removed, and the other half ban- 
ished as soon as all the people understood how and 
what to eat, how to breathe, and the necessity of daily 
vigorous exercise. This chapter points to a few of 
the many methods which have been adopted and 
proven beneficial both in health and disease by the 
use of water. Previous chapters have shown the ne- 
cessities of air, food, exercise, sun, heat, light and 
right thinking. 
Why Water Is so Valuable in Treating Disease, 
—The human system consists of eighty per cent, or 
four-fifths of fluid matter—a sack of water so to say— 
and that is one of the reasons why it is so impressible, 
and why it yields such admirable results to proper, 
prompt and thorough treatment. Liebig, the great 
chemist, says: “Greater organic changes transpire 
in the human system tinder six weeks of active water 
treatment than in three years of the ordinary action 
162 PLAXii VI. 
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 
Here the convolutions or external folds of the brain are shown. 
From the brain the spinal cord, or spinalis, proceeds as a vast bundle 
of nerve fibers, on their way to supply every part of the body with 
feeling and motion. 
On the back of the heart, lungs, stomach, liver, and other internal 
organs, we see a connected chain of nerve centers, marked K, K, K. 
These all belong to the great sympathetic system of nerves, which 
governs the functions of nutrition. Three of these centers are the 
most important, the one back of the heart, that below the kidney in 
the pelvis, and the one marked O A, the solar plexus, back of the 
stomach and'tlie liver. 
The nerves of the face converge to a center at C, before they 
enter the brain. BACK VIEW. 
—«• FROM THE •— 
COPYRIGHT I886V PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
163 
of natureWe accept this beautiful allegory of the 
poet Southey in a literary sense, and indorse it. We 
hope you may be enabled to do likewise: 
“ Most blessed water! Neither tongue can tell 
The blessedness thereof, nor heart can think, 
Save only him to whom it has been given 
To taste of the divinest gift of heaven. 
I stooped and drank at that divinest well, 
Fresh from the Rock of Ages where it ran: 
It had a heavenly quality to quell all pain. 
I arose a renovated man 
And would not now, since that relief was known, 
For worlds the needful suffering have foregone.” 
“ So hurrah for the water! hurrah! hurrah! 
Thou art silver and gold; thou art ribbon and star. 
Hurrah for bright water! hurrah! hurrah! 
Reasons for Bathing.—We all recognize the com- 
fort and pleasure experienced from cleanliness and 
order in all places and conditions of life. One very 
able writer thinks bathing would not be a necessity, 
did humanity live correct lives. If the masses could 
be taught right living, how and what to eat and drink, 
how to dress, how to exercise, and how to strictly 
conform to hygienic laws, no doubt there would be 
less necessity for bathing. But as society is now 
constituted, bathing is a necessity for the best physio- 
logical conditions. 
Impeded Circulation.—Obstruction or impeded 
circulation, internal and external congestion, are 
common every-day experiences, to be met with in the 
best neighborhoods—best ordered homes. A daily 
towel bath will do more to counteract disease and re- 
store the body to its normal health condition, than 
any remedy or method yet discoverd. Therefore, the 164 
THE NATURE CURE. 
daily bath should be as regularly taken as the meals, 
especially with all working people. 
Methods of Bathing.—The towel or sponge bath is 
the most convenient for the masses. A plunge, shower 
or hot bath may be taken once or twice a week to ad- 
vantage, if convenient. 
Towel Bath.—The towel bath is more convenient 
because it may be taken in the sleeping room or 
wherever a half gallon of water can be obtained. 
After the bath, the body should be thoroughly rubbed 
with a crash towel. If the circulation is sluggish and 
a clammy, chilly condition exists, the body should be 
beaten, slapped, and rubbed with the hand until a 
warm glow is produced. After the hot bath, always 
cool the surface and close the pores by the cold shower 
or sponge bath for a moment, and then dry and rub as 
directed. 
Bathing in the Early Ages.—Among the leading 
nations of the East bathing was practiced and con- 
sidered a necessity. Ample bathing houses attached to 
gymnasiums of much splendor and large enough to 
accommodate several thousand persons at a time, were 
constructed and devoted to the development and 
health of the people. These baths were furnished 
elaborately, the most elegant designs were adopted, 
while precious gems and metals and the finest works 
of the painter and sculptor, decorated their walls. 
Object of the Ancient Bath.—To give strength 
and health to the physical system was the object 
sought. It was not merely for luxury, it was duty; it 
was the training* considered necessary to produce 
strong men for war, and strong women to bear strong PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
165 
children. Instead of spending leisure hours in places 
of amusement as in modern times, the ancients took 
their recreation in the baths and gymnasia. 
Fresh and Salt Water Bathing.—Salt water is 
stimulating; cool and cold fresh water are also stimu- 
lating. Care should be taken by invalids in the use 
of the salt water bath. It should be of short duration; 
if prolonged it will exhaust the system. The sea 
water possesses properties not possessed by the arti- 
ficial article, and is much superior. 
Serf Bathing.—Only the strong and vigorous 
should seek this luxury in the sea, unless protected 
by an enclosure (a break-water), to break the force of 
the surf. 
Plunge Bath.—Plunging head foremost into the 
water is dangerous; only a few are organized to take 
such a bath without injury. 
Sea-Side Air.—There is value in sea-side air in 
connection with bathing; poisonous gases and impur- 
ities are destroyed by what the chemist calls the 
chlorides of the sea which no doubt give the air its 
especial tonic properties. We who have gone down 
to the sea, know its bracing influence. As a blood 
purifier sea air is unsurpassed except by Nature Cure 
Lemonade. 
Bathing at Home.—Only a few can afford the time 
or expense of the public bath. The bath-room is a 
great convenience, but the majority do, and must 
live without it; but they need not do without the 
towel bath, the best for the majority, because it is 
simple and inexpensive. Those favored with the con- 
venience of a bath-room should take a bath at least 166 
thk nature: cure. 
once a week in the tub. Others should take a hot and 
cold bath at least once each week, and many would 
be benefited by taking a cool bath every day. Each 
person can determine for himself. 
The Most Practical Every-Day Bath.—The towel 
or sponge—the friction of the towel is best—bath 
ought to be universal. If taken daily it takes the place 
of other baths; there is but little expense and only a 
few moments of time necessary. The aged may need 
a little fire, enough to take off the chill. The youth 
and middle-aged do not unless low in vitality. Let 
those take the sawing wood exercise before and after 
the bath; this exercise will warm the blood and keep 
the physical in good trim. Two crash towels, each 
about a yard long, a two-gallon pitcher of pure water 
(soft if it can be had) a good sized wash-bowl and a 
cake of toilet soap are all the articles absolutely 
necessary for the towel bath, which the majority of 
humanity should take every morning regularly. 
Bathe the Whole Body. —All feel that the hands and 
face should receive frequent daily ablutions. Extend 
this habit to the whole body for three months, and 
you will feel the necessity of continuing it as long as 
you live, and by doing so prolong your life to four 
score and ten, and die as easy and free from pain and 
sickness as fruit drops from the tree when fully 
ripe. The towel bath, “Prof. O. S. Fowler's wet 
towel nightcap,”—head compress—and plunging the 
feet in the wash-bowl at the conclusion of the bath, 
followed by a three or five minutes’ sawing wood ex- 
ercise, are among the best remedies for colds and 
catarrh ever discovered; make a note of this, all ye PHYSICAL AND M1SNTAL METHODS. 
167 
who are afflicted with catarrh in any form, and try it. 
In bathing bare the body to the waist; soap the parts 
that emit odors; wring out of cool water one of the 
towels; first bathe the head, face, arms and body ex- 
posed ; do this thoroughly, rapidly, but not hurriedly, 
then dry and rub with vigor. This will bring a glow 
and warmth to the parts exposed, so there will be no 
dread in removing the remainder of the clothing and 
finishing the bath well begun. 
Towel Bath may be Varied.—The towel bath may 
be varied, considering the occupation of the person. 
Those of sedentary habits may use less water, but 
make it up in rubbing more thoroughly with the dry 
towel, in practicing massage, and in taking the saw- 
ing wood exercise longer, in order to warm, to in- 
crease and invigorate the circulation. Persons of full 
habit and active occupation causing free perspiration, 
may use water freely to cool the blood, to stimulate and 
invigorate the external surface of the body. If time 
will not permit of the towel bath because of cold or 
inconvenience, take the dry rubbing bath. Be as good 
and kind to yourself as you are to your horse, by 
currying with a coarse towel. 
Prof. O. S. Fowler writes: “We use two crash towels, a yard 
loug each, and prefer them to a sponge. This bath we consider a 
luxury, and one of the most useful and important of all the baths, 
because it can be taken every morning in a bedroom in a hotel, or 
state room on a steamboat, and the two towels necessary for the 
washing cost but a trifle, and do not add much to one’s baggage. 
This bath may be taken at any time or place; would advise wait- 
ing one hour after a hearty dinner. We never dress in the morn- 
ing without this bath. Five minutes can never be better em- 
ployed. Teach your children to take this or some other bath 
every morning.” 168 
THE NATURE CURE. 
The Temperature of Baths depends upon the con- 
dition of the bather. The cold bath is a tonic and 
should be used with care by those not in perfect 
health. The tepid or warm bath is only slightly 
tonic, is quieting and often induces sleep; is the best 
before retiring in very warm weather. Hot baths re- 
lax and remove congestion and pain, but if long con- 
tinued will debilitate. All hot baths, vapor and ther- 
mal included, should be followed by the cold shower 
bath, or what is better, the cold, dripping wet sheet, 
to tone up the system and close the pores. It will not 
do to neglect baths of some kind; uncleanliness is a 
cause of epidemics. Thousands do not know, while 
others who do overlook the fact, that the skin is full 
of little sewers called pores, through which are emp- 
tied from the blood five-sevenths of all its impurities. 
Neglected Sewers.—The intestines carry a portion 
of waste matter, and the bladder and urethra another. 
It is estimated that there are over twenty miles of 
perspiratory tubes in each human organism. If these 
miles of small sewers are neglected, effete matter will 
clog and obstruct, and nature’s means and methods 
become weakened. This will prove as injurious as 
constipation or suppression of the urine. 
Boils and Carbuncles result from neglect in the 
care of the sewers of the body. Our experience has 
taught that the best possible treatment for this class 
of painful troubles is the simple cold water poultices 
in connection with the intestinal enema and vapor 
bath, both taught in this chapter. 
Dr. Wilson has counted 3,628 perspiratory glands 
in a square inch 011 the palm of the hand of these PHYSICAL AND MKNTAI. METHODS. 
169 
minute but useful organs. When the skin is neg- 
lected these tubes or pores become literally dammed 
up, and if nature cannot force a passage through 
them, for-disposing of effete matter her next attempt 
is to throw them out in the form of pimples, ulcers or 
boils. If this effort is not successful they remain in 
the circulation, poisoning the blood and making that 
fluid which should be the dispenser of health, the 
fountain of corruption and disease. We believe the 
daily bath is indispensable to protect the outlets of 
these little sewers. Many people cannot bathe every 
day. The friction of the hand over the whole sur- 
face of the body, with an occasional bath, will answer 
in many cases. Comparatively few people are in- 
jured by an excess of soap and water, and every one 
who is not advised by his own symptoms or his 
physician not to do so, may use plenty of water with- 
out injury, by employing that temperature which best 
promotes subsequent good feeling. The after effect is 
a good monitor to govern the frequency of bathing, 
and to direct as to the temperature most conducive 
to the individual health. But in keeping the ex- 
cretory pores active, it is also necessary to see that 
the liver and kidneys are performing their offices, for 
if they are not the active skin will become the outlet 
of an undue share of the waste matters of the system, 
and cause odors to be emitted which are obnoxious to 
all who value pure air, and especially to those who 
have sensitive olfactories. If men and women were 
careful in eating and drinking, it would be necessary 
that all the outlets of waste matter should be kept 
free from obstruction, but when excesses are the rule 170 
THE NATURE CURE. 
rather than the exception, when me mouth and 
stomach are made receptacles of everything which 
tickles the palate, whether the system requires it or 
not, it becomes still more necessary that the various 
sewers which nature has provided for the emptying 
out of useless matter, should be kept active and free 
from everything that obstructs the performance of 
their functions. 
A Sweet Breath Depends. —A good breath is greatly 
dependent upon the healthful activity of the skin, 
liver and kidneys. If these are all in working con- 
dition the rubbish of the system passes off freely. If 
they are not it goes through a process of decomposi- 
tion, and sends its odorous gases through the blood to 
the lungs, from which they are carried out with the 
vapors exhaled. 
Vapor Baths.—I have never found any treatment 
for acute or chronic disease of the congested type 
equal to vapor baths. For pneumonia, la grippe, a 
severe cold, or any clogged condition, this bath has 
no equal; in fact, there is no treatment known to 
physicians of any school that is as safe and sure, and 
that will accomplish so much in two hours’ time. 
The necessary articles of furniture required in giving 
this bath may be found in every well-ordered home. 
Have a good-sized sleeping-room that may be suit- 
ably warmed. Articles necessary, one large wash- 
tub, one foot-tub or water-pail, one old arm-chair 
(varnish worn off), a large woolen blanket, one large 
ten-quart pan, and one old shawl or small blanket 
folded and so placed in the chair that it will reach the 
floor in front to protect the legs from the hot vapor. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
171 
Two whole bricks and three or four half-bricks, one 
coarse cotton, or better, linen sheet, one napkin for 
the neck of the patient and a common-sized head 
compress. 
How to Proceed.—Heat the bricks red hot. When 
all is ready, the patient, disrobed, takes a seat in the 
chair; the large blanket is so wrapped about both 
patient and chair that it may be opened at one side 
to receive the hot bricks one at a time, as they are 
required to produce as hot a vapor as can be comfort- 
ably borne by the sick one. Pin the blanket with 
safety pins close about the neck, and hold it in its 
place by more pins to the seat of the chair. 
With water as hot as can be borne in the foot-tub, 
and the large pan under the chair, wring out of tepid 
water the napkin and apply about the neck to pre- 
vent a rush of blood to the head. Bind the head 
compress upon the forehead wrung from cold water. 
Give the patient a coffee cup of hot lemonade and a 
few swallows of cold water every five minutes during 
the bath; feet in hot water, room well ventilated, 
with a pair of tongs or some other similar instrument, 
one of the two attendants can now put one of the 
whole bricks in the pan under the chair, which should 
be about half full of warm water; start the vapor 
slowly so as not to frighten the patient. One end of 
the red-hot brick may be gently placed in the water 
at first and in two or three minutes the vapor may be 
gradually increased. By opening the blanket at the 
side the air will cool down the vapor if too hot. 
Increase the vapor gradually for ten minutes, then 
continue it as hot as can be borne. Keep the feet hot 172 
THE NATURE CURE 
by adding hot water, the head cool by changing the 
compress. Make the bath both comfortable and 
thorough. 
The object sought in this bath is to open the pores 
and cause perspiration to flow out in little streams 
from head to foot, which will relax the system, remove 
congestion and clogged conditions of blood and vitful 
organs. Add the pieces of brick, keep the vapor 
steady and perspiration profuse. Thirty minutes is 
long enough for a strong person to remain in the 
bath. For nervous and extremely sensitive persons, 
twenty to twenty-five minutes is long enough. It is 
time to take the patient out when a drop of perspira- 
tion is seen on the nose between the eyes; a faint 
feeling is also a signal to remove the patient. 
When out of the vapor, he steps into a large wash- 
tub, and the treatment is completed by applying the 
liydropathist’s dripping-wet sheet described in this 
chapter. While enveloped in the sheet from neck to 
heels, we request the nurse and attendant to vigorously 
rub the patient until warm; now dry with turkish 
towels, put to bed, see that feet are warm and head 
cool by applying the cold head compress and the hot- 
water bottle or a half-gallon jug of hot water to the 
feet; give the patient fresh air and a good night’s rest. 
If not cured repeat the treatment the following after- 
noon between four and six o'clock. Remember, 
there is no treatment for pneumonia, a hard cold, la 
grippe, or any congested condition better than the 
vapor bath; all ordinary cases will convalesce after 
the first treatment and a quiet rest. 
Extraordinary—very severe attacks—may require PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
173 
a second bath, once in a hundred cases a third, but 
if the first bath is properly given (and we think 
between four and six o’clock is the best time so that 
a good night’s rest will follow), a second bath will be 
unnecessary. The head must be kept cool and the 
feet warm. The cold head compresses very important; 
wear it night and day as long as the head is hot or 
congested. Fasting and not feasting is all-important 
in acute attacks; no food for two to four hours before 
any bath is our advice. (See Food Chapter.) 
Herbs May Be Used.—These baths may be medi- 
cated with herbs if desired and in some cases may 
prove beneficial. Sage, catnip, hoarhound, smart- 
weed, spearmint and peppermint or hops, are all 
good; a large handful of the herbs mixed, or a small 
pinch of pressed hops with some of the herbs will 
form an agreeable medication. 
Nerve Baths.—Fifty years ago nerve baths would 
have been considered superfluous, but are to-day a 
necessity. Fifty years ago, only a few outside of 
medical schools realized they had a nervous organiza- 
tion that needed to be fed, cared for and studied as 
much as the blood or any organ or function of the 
human anatomy. Among mechanics, engineers, elec- 
tricians, dentists, in fact in every department of busi- 
ness where machinery is used, and in homes and 
schools, unless the nerves receive more rest, are better 
fed and cared for, the next generation will be one of 
nervous wrecks. We shall say more in succeeding 
chapters about the causes of nerve prostration. 
A bath-room, with hot and cold water, is almost a 
necessity in giving nerve baths. In all ordinary 174 
THE NATURE CURE. 
nervous conditions, put the patient into a hot bath, 
with only sufficient water to heat the entire spine. 
If the difficulty is complicated, increase the amount 
of water, sufficient to cover the entire body. Put a hot 
compress upon the back of the neck and base of the 
brain, and a cool compress upon the forehead. This 
bath may last ten or fifteen minutes, remembering 
that the water in the tub should be as hot as the 
patient can bear while it lasts. Conclude the bath 
always by giving a cool towel bath for the purpose of 
closing the pores and preventing cold. 
An hour of rest and sleep will now do wonders for 
the exhausted nerves. This bath may be taken twice 
a day in extreme conditions, once a day, or every 
other day, depending upon condition and desire of 
the patient. All nervous persons should have quiet, 
restful attendants and surroundings. Take the 
patient out in the suburbs of the city daily in your 
carriage, not excluding the pure air and God’s beau- 
tiful sunlight. 
Bath-Boom Not a Necessity.—If you have not the 
convenience of a bath-room, heat a boiler of water; 
spread a coarse woolen blanket upon a couch or bed; 
remove clothing from the patient and lay him upon 
the bed or couch, face down; with towels wrung from 
very hot water apply from the base of the brain over 
the entire length of the spine. Keep the patient pro- 
tected from any cold drafts by a flannel blanket. Con- 
tinue to apply hot applications until nerves are 
relaxed and the patient quiet and restful. 
Give a wineglass of cold or hot water every five or 
ten minutes, with a few drops of lemon juice added, PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
175 
during all hot packs or baths. If the lemon is objected 
to, orangeade or plain hot water may be substituted. 
This compress bath, or hot fomentation, may last 
from thirty to sixty minutes; the patient can decide. 
The object of nerve baths is to quiet, relax and rest 
the nerves, all needed to restore to normal condition. 
Intestinal Bath.—Dr. Wilford Hall’s “Cure All,” 
by simply flushing the bowels, is, as far as it goes, 
sound, correct, and good common-sense treatment; 
the only thing new or startling about it is his large 
claims. We accept and indorse all safe, common- 
sense methods of healing, and have used and recom- 
mended the enema for the past thirty years. In fits— 
spasms of children—have found a hot enema imme- 
diately following the hot bath to be the best and only 
sure treatment to prevent a recurrence of the spasm. 
Hot and Cold Enema.—A cold, cool, warm or hot 
enema requires only a fountain syringe, and in con- 
nection with our hot lemonade prescription (see Bil- 
iousness) is the most cleansing method ever discovered 
for purifying the blood, and removing obstructions 
and accumulations which have sometimes remained so 
long in the intestinal canal as to cause one to believe 
they have a tumor or growth of some kind, the walls 
thus becoming so incrusted as to prevent free action. 
We recommend hot enemas—as hot as can be taken— 
for all clogged, congested and inflammatory conditions. 
Cold, cool and warm enemas, we use in fevers, in 
bowel and scrofulous disease. 
Position.—Take a reclining position on bed, couch or 
floor, the object being to hold the enema as long as 
possible, and accustom the bowels to receive from one 176 
THE NATURE CURE. 
to two quarts; best time, just before retiring. Often 
a second enema may be taken and held ovei night. 
This will be found wonderfully beneficial to all persons 
of sedentary habits. The intestinal canal should be 
thoroughly cleansed once a week—more frequently in 
many instances—by the bath and hot lemonade; using 
either one of the remedies is not sufficient. 
Spinal Bath.—Take a large tub, place a board 
across it wide enough to sit upon. With the back 
bare, pour a stream of quite warm water upon the 
spine, from the base of the brain to the lower end of 
the spinal column. By laying a folded napkin or soft 
towel upon the upper portion next to the head, and 
letting one end hang down on the spine to the shoul- 
ders, the entire spine may be kept hot. Care and good 
sense should be exercised in all baths not to overdo a 
good thing. Turn the hot water upon the lower end 
of the napkin between the shoulders and let it run 
gently down the whole length of the spine. This is 
the most healing, satisfying nerve treatment yet dis- 
covered. 
Blindness caused by over-study or overtaxing of 
the nerves may be quickly restored by the frequent 
use of this bath; heat relaxes and water rests and 
restores the nerves. Feet and hands must be kept 
warm by the use of foot tub and flannels. The bath 
may be continued from one to two hours and taken 
twice a day until cured. A half or gallon pitcher 
may be chosen as seems most convenient to the nurse. 
Let the water be poured slowly at first and at no time 
rapidly; never let it fall more than an inch from the 
pitcher to the spine. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
177 
Hip op Sitz Bath.—A common wash tub may be 
used. For convenience of the bather raise the back 
higher than the front to rest the back against. Use 
water enough to cover hips and lower abdomen. 
Temperature to suit the treatment desired; this bath 
may be cold, cool, warm or hot. The cool or cold 
will stimulate, invigorate and reduce fever; the warm 
and hot bath will soothe, quiet and rest the nerves; is 
invaluable in weakness, irregularity, obstruction and 
torpor of the organs of the pelvis and abdomen. If 
there is inflammation or soreness, the hot bath will be 
found to be just the right treatment. 
Foot Baths, Warm and Hot.—For severe colds and 
congestion a very hot foot bath is one of the best 
physical remedies ever applied. Relief may be 
obtained in one hour in the most severe attacks by 
drinking a large number of coffee cups of hot lemon- 
ade and application of the hot foot bath. These 
simple measures will often bid a severe attack of dis- 
ease to depart. The warm foot bath for headaches 
and to sooth the tired and worn nerves, is just the best 
possible treatment. Always close hot foot baths 
by a plunge or douse into cold water to close the pores 
of the feet. Persons of full habit with cold feet and 
a pressure of blood to the head will find relief by 
plunging the feet into cold water morning and even- 
ing, and drying and rubbing dry and warm with a 
crash towel. 
Pouring Head Bath.—A tub, a half gallon pitcher, 
and an abundance of cold, pure water comprise the 
outfit for this bath. Let the patient be seated so the 
head may easily bend over the tub. Always commence 178 
THE NATURE CURE. 
with pouring upon the top and front brain. One 
attendant may place the right hand upon the fore- 
head, just over the eyes, while the second attendant 
pours the water slowly upon the head, and at no time 
letting it fall more than one or two inches. The 
right hand upon the forehead may form a sort of shelf 
for holding a little water and will cool the front brain. 
Carefully run the fingers through the hair as the small 
stream moves about over the head so that the hair 
may be thoroughly wet first; this will aid the water 
to reach and cool the scalp and head, the object of the 
bath. Three pails of water is usually sufficient, but 
continue the bath until the head is thoroughly cooled. 
Rest a few minutes, and then renew the bath several 
times until the head is permanently relieved and the 
normal condition and action is restored. Finish at 
the back and base of the brain; hands and feet should 
be kept warm, and hot lemonade or some hot drink 
administered often during the baths. This treatment 
will give immediate relief from coma—stupor—and 
effect a cure. The running stream of water attracts 
and carries off the heat faster than by the use of com- 
presses or the holding of the head in water. The 
nerves which control the stomach, lungs, heart, etc., 
have their seat in the brain. This center of all motion 
and power receives a tonic action, which gives vital 
energy to the entire system in the proper application 
of the cold head bath. Thousands of lives have been 
saved by the pouring head bath. Next in value as a 
therapeutic agent comes the dripping wet sheet. 
Wet Sheet Water-Pack—Directions: Secure one 
common-sized coarse sheet for adults and half sheet PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
179 
for children. Pure soft water is best, though filtered 
will answer; should be cool, and when fever rages use 
it cold. A comfortable bed in a quiet, well venti- 
lated, sunny room on the second floor, with modern 
conveniences, is preferred. 
1. Cover the mattress with a heavy comfortable. 
2. Put a flannel blanket over the comfortable; if 
extra wide place it so the extra width will fall down 
in front of the bed. 
3. Two flannel blankets, or if not at hand, two bed 
quilts placed one exactly top of the other straight and 
smooth. 
4. Have ready one good-sized pillow—hair is pre- 
ferred; a kettle of boiling water, a hot water bottle for 
the feet, or a half-gallon jug, a napkin for the head, 
a pitcher of cold drinking water, a small tub or pail 
of water for the sheet. This completes the necessary 
outfit for the pack; the milk-pack requires one or two 
blankets less than the water-pack. Wring the sheet 
out of the tub of cold water so it will not drip; place 
smoothly upon the top blanket. The patient disrobed 
is assisted to the middle of the wet sheet, arms placed 
by the side of the body; the sheet is then wrapped 
smoothly and rapidly, but not hurriedly, about the 
body and closely about the neck. Bring the sheet first 
from the back or right side of the bed, then from the 
front. If the sheet is wide and the patient slim, it may 
be necessary to roll the patient towards the front, 
in order to make a smooth wrap and avoid doubling 
the sheet upon the chest or side of the patient. 
Wring the napkin out of cold water and place upon 
the forehead. Put the hot water bottle or jug of 180 
THE NATURE CURE. 
boiling water to the feet between the first blanket 
and sheet, so as to keep the feet warm without 
irritation from too much heat. Each blanket or 
quilt should be quickly but quietly wrapped about 
the patient in same manner as the wet sheet, taking 
pains to tuck them snugly about the neck and feet in 
particular, and closely from neck to feet. A half glass 
of cold lemon or orangeade—or water if preferred by 
the patient—should be taken every ten minutes. Let 
quiet reign supreme for an hour in and about the 
premises. Time to remain in pack, one hour; if pa- 
tient goes to sleep do not disturb him. If uneasy and 
restless remove the sick one before the hour is up. 
Two water-packs, each day until the fever is removed, 
say at 9 o’clock a. m. and 7 p. m., are advisable. For 
scarlet fever, measles, bilious and intermittent fevers, 
the water-pack in connection with drinking copiously 
of hot lemonade or hot and cold water (always re- 
membering to keep the head cool and feet warm, with 
a rigid fast) is without doubt a safe and sure method. 
The expense is but a trifle, the treatment one of com- 
mon-sense. An entire fast until the fever is removed, 
and a half fast for a week or ten days after convales- 
cence is a safe rule. All measles and scarlet fever 
cases should have watchful care and not be exposed 
to storm, cold or unpleasant weather for at least ten 
days. The cuticle has been diseased and a little time is 
necessary to restore all the functions to their normal 
conditions and relations. By making a note of the 
above hints a relapse (and serious results) of children’s 
diseased expressions may be avoided. The dripping 
wet sheet and rubbing should follow each pack, or, if PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
181 
preferred, a sponge or towel bath may be substituted. 
A thorough airing of the bed and blankets after each 
pack and scalding of the sheet and head compress is a 
necessity. Hang every piece in the sun if possible 
after each pack. Water and milk-packs are the most 
marvelous all-around poultices ever discovered. The 
fever, inflammation and deep-seated disease is drawn 
to the surface and absorbed in the milk and water 
packs. By understanding the object and action of this 
simple, all-important treatment, the necessity for air- 
ing and sunning the clothing and bedroom is ap- 
parent. 
Always keep the air of the sick chamber as pure as 
the out-door air; to neglect ventilation is to invite 
sickness and death. For acute and chronic disease, to 
reduce abnormal heat of the body, to correct morbid 
secretions and aid in restoring healthy ones, to cleanse 
the circulatory system and soothe and quiet over- 
worked nerves, to cure erysipelas and small-pox, water 
and newly discovered milk-packs are supreme. The 
water-pack may be repeated with safety to advantage 
in fevers and acute inflammatory disorders, and con- 
tinued from day to day until the abnormal temperature 
and circulation are reduced to the natural. As stated 
above, the time for remaining packed depends upon 
the case in hand. So long as the patient is quiet and 
enjoys the treatment, one hour is not too long. If sleep 
intervenes let him or her sleep; from thirty minutes 
to one hour may be the average time. A nurse can 
make the pack very comfortable or disagreeable. Very 
much depends on the skill and dexterity of an intelli- 
gent, amiable nurse. There is as much science in 182 
THE NATURE CURE. 
applying wet cloths, as in blistering, oiling or rubbing 
in an offensive ointment, and much less danger and 
suffering by the patient. An intelligent nurse should 
certainly understand these points. 
The Water-Pack.—The pack is not designed as a 
sweating process, although profuse sweating often re- 
sults. My object in using the pack method, is, to 
reduce fever and inflammation, and equalize and 
cleanse the circulation. It is a cool poultice method, 
which stimulates and cleanses the pores, cools and 
purifies the blood and removes the cause of disease. 
Cold Water Treatment.—I have purposely given 
much space to the water pack method for two reasons; 
first, our regular drug M.D.’s, after more than forty 
years of unreasonable and persistent misrepresen- 
tation have recently come to the conclusion that 
cold water—they have not reached the hot water 
plane—is a very good remedy, and are recommending 
the cold bath and pack especially, with some other 
simple methods. The aristocratic gloved practitioners, 
those gentlemen who smile so sweetly, and bow so 
gracefully, object to water and other simple Nature 
Cure methods taught in this book, because there is too 
much work for their gloved hands; yes, too much work. 
This is not the only thing that confronts them; they 
belong to the class that is ground out of medical col- 
leges as grists from mills, their only qualification 
being a diploma, gloves, the smile, graceful bow, and 
a large bill for machine service. Too much work in 
Nature Cure methods; too much work to restore life 
with safe, natural methods and remedies; less work to 
bow, smile and write gloved prescriptions, and trust to PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
183 
kill-or-cure effects. My second reason, is, tlie discov- 
ery of the milk-pack for all eruptive and skin expres- 
sions of disease. The milk-pack is a duplicate in 
method of the water-pack with only a trifle variation. 
Not as many blankets are required as for water, the 
poultice effect being the object sought. For small- 
pox, erysipelas and all milder expressions of skin or 
zymotic disease, the milk-pack is a God-send, a boon 
to millions of the human race. 
Head and Throat Compress.—Use a piece of soft old 
linen tablecloth or towel of the size required to cover 
the part; the head compress may be four thicknesses, 
as a rule, for the throat two or four, depending upon the 
nature of the trouble. For hoarseness or sore throat of 
grown people, use four thicknesses; for children with 
croup and mild form of diphtheria, two thicknesses. 
Wring out of cold or cool water, apply and cover throat 
with two thicknesses of flannel. A thin strip of cotton 
will hold the head compress to its place over the fore- 
head and eyes, and should be long enough to go back to 
the ears, covering the entire forehead. This may be 
used for the head, lungs, back or any part of the body, 
adopting size required. When used for severe cases 
of croup and diphtheria, snow or pounded ice is neces- 
sary to prevent the growth of the mucous membrane. 
It is to be remembered that an ice or snow compress 
must not remain in position longer than Jive minutes, 
and then rest five minutes, alternating to permit re- 
action. This may be varied a little and the time pro - 
longed if the subject is very vigorous and robust, and 
even then great prudence must be observed. Conges- 
tion and inflammation impair the function of the brain 184 
THE NATURE CURE. 
and nerves, and this cold application is sure to restore 
to normal condition. A vast number die annually 
from coma, or stupor, who might be saved by the cold 
head bath. A common half-gallon pitcher is a con- 
venient dish to use. This bath may be repeated until 
congestion and brain fever are removed. The hot 
foot bath may be alternated with the head bath with 
great benefit to the patient in severe cases. 
Dripping Wet Sheet.—A sheet of ordinary thick- 
ness, linen or coarse cotton (linen preferred), large or 
small (according to the size of person), to reach from 
head to foot, is made dripping wet. Standing behind 
the person to whom it is to be applied, it is held in 
both hands in such a manner as to be quickly thrown 
around the subject. It is double in front and should 
be wrapped between the legs. Then the attendants (or 
attendant) briskly rubs over the whole person with the 
hands until the sheet is warm. This may be repeated 
in case of fever until the body is cool and every ves- 
tige of fever gone. To prevent slopping, as far as 
possible, the person may stand in a tub of warm water. 
This is an active, positive, yet mild stimulant, induc- 
ing quick reaction in case of debility. 
Abdominal Compress.—A yard and a half of 
bleached crash toweling from ten to fifteen inches 
wide, a piece of soft firm flannel, two or three inches 
wider than the toweling and a few inches longer, with 
safety pins, completes the outfit for the back and ab- 
dominal compress. Wring the towel out of cool or 
cold water; place the towel smoothly upon the strip of 
flannel. As the flannel is wider than the linen, it will 
cover and tend to prevent a cold shock to sensitive PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
185 
nerves. When all is ready an attendant will apply 
the compress by placing an end at the right side of 
the person, standing or sitting, and wrap quickly 
about the abdomen and back, ending at the left side. 
Thus we have two thicknesses of the compress over 
the abdomen and only one on the back. This may be 
reversed by placing the end at the left side first when 
the compress is for the back. The abdominal and 
back compress is to be worn nights by people who 
need it, and are employed during the day. In hun- 
dreds of instances the back compress only is needed. 
A common size face towel folded four double, wrung 
out of cold water applied quickly to the back on going 
to bed, will prove a blessing. In some cases where 
there is much heat, the compress may be wet in the 
middle of the night, or as soon as it gets dry and feels 
uncomfortable. For backaches, kidney disease, uter- 
ine weakness, constipation and weak, tired nerves, 
no method or remedy has yet been discovered equal 
to the abdominal and back compress. I wish to em- 
phasize one more fact which has been repeatedly 
given me by mothers, viz: the abdominal compress is 
invaluable to pregnant women, and is by many worn 
nights and days for months before confinement. The 
wet girdle and abdominal compress are the same, and 
should always be scalded and hung in the sun daily; 
also all head and throat compresses should be scalded 
and sunned often. 
Paralysis Cured by Sun Baths.—“The liveliest passenger on 
board the steamship City of Peking was Humphrey Kendrick, of 
Tos Angeles. He had just returned from Japan, a country that he 
loves, because a few years ago it completely cured him of paral- 
ysis. 186 
THE NATURE CURE. 
“When Kendrick found that he had lost control of his limbs he 
determined to spend all the money he had to get relief. It was 
easy enough to tell what had brought the paralysis upon him, for 
the first stroke came soon after he had a bad tumble on horseback. 
The animal fell in such a way as to catch Kendrick squarely be- 
neath it, severely wrenching and straining his spine. Kendrick 
found that he was much better in hot weather, and this led him to 
go to the Hawaiian islands. He was so much better there when 
it was hot that he concluded to go to a still warmer place. Some- 
body told him that the south coast of Japan in summer was the 
place. 
“For many months during that hottest of hot summers Kendrick 
engaged in a most unique attempt to regain his health. For days 
at a time he would lie positively stripped to the skin in the hot 
sand on the seashore of Japan. He got so that he rather liked it. 
As the days passed he kept getting better. Then he took to seek- 
ing exercise A donkey was secured and Kendrick, stark naked, 
would ride the animal up and down the beach. It was almost 
too hot for the beast, but Kendrick did not seem to mind it. The 
result was complete recovery. Kendrick came back feeling like 
a schoolboy and much infatuated with the country of the Japs. ” 
It is not necessary to go to Japan, to any of the 
Pacific islands, to the south, or California to get sun- 
shine, as it is as pure in the north as south, and is 
nearly as hot and stimulating three or four months of 
the year. Pure air, sunlight and heat are nature's 
all-healing methods and remedies; there is no decep- 
tion or cheat in them. Try them and you will not be 
disappointed. 
Hints to Bathers.—Never bathe soon after eating; 
a full bath should not be taken in less than three 
hours after a full meal. 
When cold do not take a cold bath, but warm up 
with hot lemonade. 
When tired and weary, rest is better than a bath. 
Drink hot lemon or orangeade or hot water—if PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
187 
anything—before bathing. Exercise before and after 
bathing is considered beneficial. 
Very cold water is objectionable even in health, for 
bathing. 
The temperature of the bath room should always 
be warm and comfortable; for invalids, should be 
seventy or eighty degrees F. 
Ten Health Commandments.—A pamphlet recently prepared 
by Laura M. Johns, president of the Kansas Equal Suffrage 
Association. 
“ 1. Thou shalt have no other food than at meal-time. 
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any pies, or put into pastry 
the likeness of anything that is the heavens above, or in the earth 
beneath, or in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not fall to 
eating it, or trying to digest it. For the dyspepsia will be visited 
upon the children to the third and fourth generation of them that 
eat pie; and long life and vigor upon those that live prudently and 
keep the laws of health. 
3. Remember that thou shalt earn thy bread before thou shalt 
eat it, for the indolent man and the sluggard shall not live out half 
his days. 
4. Thou shalt not indulge sorrow or borrow anxiety in vain. 
5. Six days shalt thou wash and keep thyself clean; and the 
seventh thou shalt take a great bath, thou, and thy son, and thy 
daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the 
stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days man sweats and 
gathers filth and bacteria enough for disease; wherefore the Lord 
has blessed the bath-tub, and hallowed it. 
6. Remember thy sitting-room and bed-chamber to keep them 
ventilated, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord 
thy God giveth thee. 
7. Thou shalt not eat hot biscuit. 
8. Thou shalt not eat thy meat fried. 
9. Thou shalt not swallow thy food unchewed, or highly spiced, 
or just before hard work, or just after it. 
10. Thou shalt not keep late hours in thy neighbor’s house, nor 
with thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-ser- 
vant, nor his cards, nor his glass, nor with anything that is thy 
neighbor’s.” 188 
THE NATURE CURE. 
To the above might be added : 
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye reverence and 
care for your body; for upon the health and vigor of the body hang 
all your hopes for a happy and useful life.” 
“ We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; 
“ In feelings, not in figures on a dial; 
“We should count time for heart throbs. 
“He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the 
best.” 
“ When we realize that what we know is only a preparation of 
the mind to comprehend what we do not know, then are wre in a 
condition to learn, and not till then.” Rosamond C. Conger, m. D, CHAPTER IX. 
WOMEN AND CHILDREN, 
BECAUSE of ill health I was first prompted to 
study medicine, with the constant hope of gaining 
strength. Until about the age of twenty-five years T 
seldom knew a day free from pain. Such a physical 
condition was far from pleasant, and I became irritated 
many times by the expressions of friends (so called) 
who too often reminded me of my “want of health;” 
that I was “such a frail little body.” 
Determined to gain health at all hazards, X read, 
studied and counseled, until I discovered that if health 
was gained I must do a great part of the work myself. 
As years went on, I took up the study of medicine— 
my father’s chosen profession—instead of any of his 
three sons, and obtained my credentials as a regular 
graduate in medicine. The reformatory ideas here 
presented are not, I assure you, the ideas advanced 
when my father practiced medicine nearly forty years 
ago, but the result of evolution. I am convinced of 
the great need of physiological instruction among 
women, to enable them to live so as to avoid the many 
causes of disease to which their sex subjects them. A 
great majority of our sex have been suffering from 
some form of disease that might have been avoided, 
had the sufferer been instructed as to the many and 
varied causes of disease. 
189 190 
The author of Nature Cure has added a few words 
to my brief personal introduction to the ninth chapter. 
R. C. C. 
“ No chapter in this volume is of more importance, requires 
more care, deeper thought or experience in its preparation, than 
this one, entitled Women and Children. Therefore, I have 
turned Chapter Nine over to my wife, who is a graduate in medicine, 
also iu metaphysical healing, and one of the best of natural healers; 
she is also a mother with a mother's experiences. This chapter will 
sparkle with health crystals, and will be easily understood by the 
common people, which the book is especially intended to benefit.” 
M. E. C. 
The Sexual System.—That portion of the organism 
with which I shall deal most fully in this chap- 
ter will be the sexual system in women, and I shall 
therefore dwell upon that part of the frame-work cf 
the body of most interest to my readers, which, from 
its resemblance to a basin, has been called the pelvis. 
This supports the spinal column, and is itself sup- 
ported by the lower extremities. The pelvis is com- 
posed of four separate bones, two innominata, the 
sacrum and the coccyx. Growing girls should not be 
allowed to lift, reach, and, I might say, jump, also; 
certainly not to excess. Pelvic deformities often have 
their origin in infancy, or early girlhood, while the 
bones are soft and cartilaginous and easily bent. You 
will remember that some of the bones, as the vertebra 
of the spinal column, are not fully formed until about 
the thirtieth year. Always laying a child on its back, 
or always on one side, may cause sufficient pressure to 
deform the bones. A growing girl should not be 
allowed to lift heavy pails of water, or buckets of coal, 
or constantly carry babies, or stand on one foot while 
reciting lessons in school. The body may be easily 
the nature cure. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
191 
deformed by any of these acts. In after life these 
now mature girls may have to endure great suffering 
in giving birth to children, because of this deformity 
of the pelvis. Much responsibility therefore rests upon 
mothers or guardians of the young. The tendency 
to deformity is still greater when children are badly 
fed. Good nutritious food should be provided for the 
growing child; in building a house the carpenter se- 
lects choice, strong timber from which to build. You, 
mothers, are building houses for these little ones to 
live in. Wisely select the best foods, those that feed 
every part of the body, such as fruits, vegetables, oat- 
meal, ryemeal, wheat and corn meal porridge, an 
abundant supply of good brown bread, good milk to 
drink (don’t give children tea or coffee), and meat 
only occasionally; better none at all. The front wall 
of the pelvis is formed by two pubic bones, which are 
united in the middle by a cartilaginous structure 
called a symphysis or seam. Some people entertain 
the erroneous idea that these bones give way at child- 
birth to facilitate the passage of the foetus or child. 
This story, with many others, has been handed down 
from generation to generation, but is entirely ground- 
less. Such a separation does not take place under 
ordinary pressure, certainly never by the pressure of 
the soft foetal body. 
All humanity depends upon the reproductive or 
sexual system for the great privilege of life, of living. 
Each person should take the utmost care in their 
power to preserve these organs from disease, from the 
many abuses to which they are too often subjected. 
We need never be ashamed of them, only ashamed to 192 
THE NATURE CURE. 
abuse them. When in a healthy, well-balanced con- 
dition these organs are a source of maternal joy 
and happiness; but, on the contrary, when diseased 
or thrown out of natural harmonious action, they may 
be the cause of woman’s greatest misery. The 
uterus, or womb, is the organ of gestation which 
receives the fecundated ovum or egg, and retains 
and supports it during the development of the foetus 
or unborn child. In the virgin state it is pear- 
shaped, flattened from before backward, and situated 
in the cavity of the pelvis, between the bladder and 
rectum. 
The Uterus measures from two, to two and a half 
inches in length, one and one-half inches in breadth 
at the upper part, and three-quarters of an inch in 
thickness. It weighs from one to one and a half 
ounces, is held in position by round and broad liga- 
ments on either side, and projects into the upper end 
of the vagina below. 
The Vagina is a membranous canal extending from 
the vulva, or external organs, to the uterus. The 
fallopian tubes, or oviducts, convey the ova or eggs 
from the ovaries to the cavity of the uterus. They 
are two in number, one on each side, extending from 
each superior angle of the uterus to the sides of the 
pelvis. Each tube is about four inches in length; its 
canal is exceedingly small and will barely admit a fine 
bristle. The ovaries in woman correspond to the 
testicles in man. They are oval-shaped bodies, situ- 
ated on each side of the uterus, or womb, and below 
the fallopian tubes. Imbeded in the meshes of the 
ovaries, in various stages of development, may be PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
193 
found numerous small, round transparent vesicles. 
These are the ovasacs containing the ova or eggs. 
At Puberty, or when the girl becomes a woman, 
the ovaries enlarge, the follicles are developed in 
greater abundance and the ovum now becomes capa- 
ble of fecundation. The follicle bursts as it ap- 
proaches the surface of the ovary, like a plant burst- 
ing through the earth. The ovum, or egg, passes into 
the fallopian tube and is carried to the uterus at the 
regular menstrual or monthly period. Should the 
union of the sexes take place about this time the ovum 
is fecundated, in other words, the woman is pregnant. 
The Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes are generally de- 
scribed as appendages to the uterus, but it would be 
more correct to say that the fallopian tubes and uterus 
are appendages to the ovaries, since the ovaries repre- 
sent the bird that lays the egg, while the uterus is 
only the nest where the egg is hatched. 
The Embryo and Foetus.—A few words bearing 
upon the nourishment and development of the embryo 
and foetus. The term embryo is applied to the pro- 
duct of conception up to the third month, after which 
time the term foetus should be used. The ovum, in 
passing through the fallopian tube, increases in size 
about one-half by absorption and nutrition. About 
six days after conception occurs, a membrane forms 
around the ovum called the chorion; this fastens or 
anchors the ovum or egg to the walls of the uterus. 
Minute hollow tubes ramify in all directions from the 
chorion, which draw nourishment from the mucous 
membranes that line the walls of the uterus. At the 
end of the second month the placenta is formed, from 194 
THE NATURE CURE. 
which the foetus is nourished during the balance of 
the period. 
The Placenta is a soft spongy mass nearly circular 
in form, measuring seven and one-half inches in di- 
ameter and one inch in thickness at the insertion o< 
the umbilical cord. Its weight is about one pound. 
The office of the placenta is similar to those of tin, 
lungs and the intestines after birth. It absorbs nouT' 
ishment, renovates the blood and discharges by exha- 
lation the waste matter which originates in the pro- 
cess of foetal nourishment. 
The Urinary System.—Of the many parts of the hu- 
man organism none are more liable to derangement, or 
the source of greater pain and suffering, than the organs 
constituting the urinary system. They are known as 
the kidneys, ureters, the urinary cyst or bladder. 
The Kidneys are two in number, are located on 
each side of the spinal column and near to the waist. 
Their office is to relieve the blood of the worn-down 
structures and waste matter caused by the normal 
action of the various organs. 
Urea, the natural product of the kidneys, is the 
waste or ashes of the worn-out tissues. You will read- 
ily understand then that to retain this urea or urine 
unduly, would only result in disease to the system. 
Uric acid with fermentation would result and manifest 
in various forms, as in rheumatism or gout, causing 
the joints to be exceedingly painful and stiff. 
Great care should be taken to maintain the regular 
ity of this secretion, which may be easily arrested by 
varied causes, such as cold by sudden checking of 
perspiration, the wearing of wet shoes, the removal PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
195 
of flannels, eating improper food as pork, which is 
often diseased, the use of strong tea and coffee, which 
by their stimulating effect excite the nerves, also nar- 
cotize and depress. All who make use of these drinks 
will, sooner or later, find these statements to be a 
truth, the effects of which they cannot escape. In- 
dulgence in ardent spirits and drinks less intoxicating, 
as ale and beer, have a baneful effect upon the uri- 
nary system, and urge the kidneys to greater action, 
according to the amount of liquid consumed. 
Gross Elements which clog and dam up the fine 
structure of these organs are carried into the system, 
requiring greater effort to perform their natural func- 
tion. The organs become overworked, and sooner or 
later some form of disease manifests. Paralysis may 
result from exhaustion, or even Bright’s disease, when 
the structure of the organs give way, as indicated by 
albuminous discharges and a ceasing of the normal 
functions. 
The Ureters are two small tubes which convey the 
urine from the kidneys to the cyst or bladder. The 
bladder is composed of elastic tissue, is supplied with 
muscular fibers and has capacity for receiving about 
one pint of fluid. Through its great distensibility the 
bladder may be forced to hold two or three pints of 
urine, but this strain upon the tissues is by far too 
great for the continuance of their health. The urine 
in its normal condition should pass from the source 
of its formation, the kidneys, to its expulsion, almost 
without recognition and certainly without pain, and 
should be a clear, transparent, slightly yellow or straw- 
colored, unirritating fluid. 196 
THE NATURE CURE. 
When the kidneys are deranged there may be a 
sandy deposit with irritation and heat, which may 
terminate in the expulsion of calculi or earthy ma- 
terials, known as gravel, or “stone in the bladder.” 
These are generally the result of fermentation and use 
of hard water and baking powders. Pain in the side 
of the abdomen, or at the neck of the bladder can 
be easily overcome by the use of hot fomentations, 
copious draughts of very hot water, very warm sitz 
baths, etc. 
Disease in every form is more easily prevented than 
removed, and this is the reason we should adopt the 
wise plan of learning how to prevent sickness, instead 
of recklessly violating the laws upon which health 
and life itself depend. Because health is yours to- 
day it may not be to-morrow, especially if you pay no 
thought to tlie subject of right living. To some omis- 
sion of duty to self many can perhaps date the com- 
mencement of urinary or other ailments; so no ra- 
tional, intelligent man or woman should permit 
pleasure, society or any circumstances to become ob- 
stacles to the preservation of health, when beauty, 
happiness, joy and pleasure so greatly depend upon 
the possession of this best of all earthly gifts. 
Mothers.—You who have young children, should 
direct your attention to this natural urinary demand, 
for when busily engaged in play they forget to attend 
to these wants of the body, while neglect results in 
disease of many and varied forms. Teachers should 
never deny children who ask to leave the school room, 
to obtain relief. 
Frequent urination, with pain, usually accompany PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
197 
uterine displacement in whatever abnormal position 
the womb may be found, because of its structural 
connections. 
Disease of Women.—Uterine disease is so pre- 
valent that it may be considered the rule and not 
the exception. Indeed, there are but few women who 
have not at some time in their lives been sufferers in 
this direction. This, to some extent, unfits them for 
the ordinary avocations, as well as the responsible 
duties of wife and motherhood. We are convinced, 
after careful study upon this subject, that some of the 
causes are bad habits of dress, improper food, neglect 
to attend promptly to the calls of nature, or evacu- 
ation of bowels or bladder. Nine-tenths of all women, 
young and old, are constipated. The bowels soon 
lose their natural activity, and congestion of all the 
organs of the pelvis, including the womb and ovaries, 
results. Until women begin to think and act for 
themselves, instead of relying so implicity on their 
family physician, will they be dosed and drugged, 
subjected to local treatments, and in the end find 
themselves no better. The treatment of female disease 
furnishes an immense revenue to the doctors of every 
school. But does this pay the sufferers ? The general 
result finds the patient left in a wretched condition, 
both mentally and physically. We desire to bring 
light and hope to discouraged ones who may chance to 
peruse these pages. 
Leueorrhcea, or Whites, is an exceedingly common 
condition, and is only a symptom of uterine disease. 
At the outset there is a thin, watery discharge; this in 
time varies in color, quantity and quality. Symptoms, 198 
THE NATURE CURE. 
lassitude, fainting, shortness of breath, dark circles 
under the eyes with pain in back and loins. Causes 
are numerous: Nervous derangements, self-abuse, 
sexual excesses and lack of cleanliness. Treatment: 
Astringent injections, the most common method of 
treatment, are only of the most temporary nature, and 
do not remove the cause. Thorough cleanliness is 
absolutely necessary. Use often warm vaginal injec- 
tions. The fountain syringe is the best. After the 
menstrual period a thorough cleansing of the vagina 
is necessary. A failure to cleanse at this time may 
cause serious trouble. Dr. Good remarks in relation 
to the drug treatment of leucorrhoea : “ The general 
remedies which have been had recourse to are almost 
innumerable.” Is this not an acknowledgment that 
they have proved either useless or injurious? 
Inflammation of the Womb is almost identical with 
catarrh of the womb, and a very common derangement. 
Symptoms are pain and heat in the lower part of the 
back, dragging, heavy feeling in the bowels, pain in 
the breasts, great pain in cohabitation. The diges- 
tion is often disturbed with constipation, headache 
and general weakness. Inflammation may involve 
the body of the organ or only the neck of the womb. 
The uterus sometimes enlarges because engorged with 
blood, causing irregularities of the menses. The 
urinary organs become involved as a result of the 
pressure of the enlarged womb. Causes: Sexual ex- 
cess in the marriage relation, secret vices and employ- 
ment of means to prevent conception. Improper 
dress is a most prolific cause. Treatment: The daily 
use of the hip bath and hot vaginal injections. The PHYSICAL, AND MEN TAT. METHODS. 
199 
latter may be taken two or tliree times daily with ben- 
efit. Begin the bath with tepid water, remaining in 
it from ten to fifteen minutes. Gradually lower the 
temperature, so that in a week or ten days cool 
or cold baths can be taken. Suspend all the cloth- 
ing from the shoulders by means of straps or by 
waist buttons. The clothing should be so loose 
that two hands can be easily laid under the bands. 
Clothe the limbs warmly in flannel. Daily, gentle 
exercise in the open air is important. Freedom 
from the sexual expression is of no minor consider- 
ation. 
Congestion of the Uterus.—Symptoms resembling 
those of inflammation, with headache, particularly on 
the top of the head; nervousness and irritability, es- 
pecially near the menstrual period. Treatment: Same 
as for inflammation, carefully avoiding all causes of 
disease. Ulceration is a disease supposed to be com- 
mon to women. An old physician with experience 
of a quarter of a century says: “I do not believe it 
exists in a majority of cases until after the caustic 
creates it. It affords a fine field for ‘examinations.’ 
I have advised to the cure of many supposed cases, 
but never made an examination, because I considered 
it entirely unnecessary, and the treatment is just as 
efficacious as if I had done so. ” Treatment: A cool, 
or cold hip bath, taken twice each day. Remain in 
it fifteen to twenty minutes, or until the water be- 
comes of the same warmth as the body. Place the 
feet in a foot tub of hot water to prevent chilliness. 
A daily use of the vaginal injection; if the discharge 
is offensive use a slight suds of carbolic soap. A vapor 200 
THE NATURE CURE. 
bath may be taken twice each week. Due care must 
also be given to the food, dress, bowels, etc. 
Vaginal Injections.—These may be taken hot 
or tepid by the use of a fountain syringe. Hang it 
three or four feet above the patient. To receive full 
benefit, she should assume a horizontal position, with 
hips elevated. Introduce the tube as far as possible, 
and direct the stream behind the neck of the womb. 
From two to four gallons of water should be used. 
The temperature in ordinary cases may range from 
ioo to 105° F. By means of a rubber cloth and one’s 
own ingenuity, injections can be easily given and the 
patient at the same time enjoy a rest of fifteen to 
twenty minutes. 
Falling of the Womb, prolapsus uteri, is a partial 
or may be entire descent of the womb into the vagina, 
or even beyond the vulva. 
Anteversion is a falling forward of the womb. 
Retroversion is a falling backward. When conges- 
tion occurs the womb becomes engorged with blood, 
and is enlarged several times more than its normal 
condition. Because of its increased weight it settles 
down in the pelvis, and falling of the womb is pro- 
duced. Its increased weight sometimes tips it for- 
ward, especially if there is constipation, or backivard 
if bladder difficulty is present. What does this all 
mean? Simply muscular and ligamentary weakness. 
Causes: Tight dressing has a large share in produc- 
ing womb disease, by compressing all the viscera 
of the abdomen downward, causing inflammations, 
malpositions and muscular weakness. Many women 
find, ioo late, the evils of wearing tight as well as PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
201 
heavy clothing. Adopting the reform dress alone 
has cured many cases. Insufficient exercise, the use 
of fiery condiments, animal food, rich cakes and pas- 
try, inattention to ventilation, sexual excesses (for 
which she is not to be blamed), with injuries received 
at childbirth, are some of the prevailing causes. Tiie 
cure consists in restoring strength to the parts. This 
can certainly be done by any woman who sets about 
accomplishing this end. God helps those who help 
themselves, and a woman must help herself in this as 
in many other cases. The water treatment, with 
other hygienic measures, becomes a boon to such 
wrecked women, because a univeisal restorer to health 
and strength, even to those who had “given up all 
hope.” Many women prove themselves heroines, 
and patiently endure what but few men could bear 
at all. 
A Case of Prolapsus.—A lady who had been ailing 
for years, and had received treatment from several 
doctors without benefit with the encouraging hope 
of being cured in three years, came to us wretched in 
both mind and body (wearing a pessary), and stated 
her almost hopeless case. We promised that if she 
would strictly follow all our directions the womb 
could be restored to its natural position and muscular 
strength within the limits of six weeks, without pes- 
sary, local applications or medicine. All this was 
accomplished within the prescribed limits, and both 
mind and body alike were restored. 
Congestion of the Ovaries.—The usual symptoms 
are pain at the menstrual period, pain in standing or 
walking, tenderness in the groin, etc. Enlargement 202 
THE NATURE CURE. 
of the organ is frequent, and may be dislocated or 
prolapsed. A reflex effect upon the system is often 
produced. Obstinate dyspepsia, with headache, and 
often serious mental disturbance are present. The 
causes are numerous. Taking cold at the monthly 
period, constipation, inflammation and displacement 
of the womb, and the opium habit are some of the 
causes. Treatment: Provide as perfect hygienic sur- 
roundings as possible. Sun baths, massage, complete 
rest at the menstrual period, daily fomentations over 
the affected parts, the daily use of hot vaginal injec- 
tions, the hot enema, fomentations over the lower 
part of the spine, and the local application of elec- 
tricity, are among the best means of treatment. 
Nymphomania, or inordinate lust, is induced by 
some local irritation. The most frequent causes are 
highly seasoned foods, intoxicating liquors, indolence 
and inattention to bathing. The cure will be readily 
found in frequent cold baths, active exercise or occu- 
pation, a vegetable diet and warm relaxing hip baths. 
The treatment of uterine disease should be less 
local than constitutional. Dr. Taylor, in “Health for 
Women f says: “That by using mere local treatment, 
the essential disease itself is left neglected, untouched 
and even unsought; that symptoms only command the 
attention, and are symptoms that will subside and be- 
come of trifling account whenever the essential malady 
is recognized and provided for.” 
Dr. Gaillard Thomas says'. “Everyone who has had 
experience in the treatment of these disorders must 
have been impressed with the wonderful improvement 
in cases which have long resisted local treatment, re- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
203 
suiting from a sea voyage, a visit to a watering place, 
a course of sea bathing or a few months spent in the 
country.” 
Nothing will conduce more to bring about a firm, 
energetic, contractile state of the muscular system than 
a rigidly simple abstemious diet. 
“How impotent for good and how potent for evil 
are all the common chirurgical and drug-shop appli- 
ances for the management of these cases,” says Dr. 
Trail. “Pessaries innumerable have been invented; 
trusses, braces and supporters of all sorts and shapes 
have been contrived, and blisters, issues and caustics 
of every kind have been resorted to, while many times 
the miserable sufferer has been kept confined to a 
fixed position in bed for six months or a year, all in- 
tended to aid, force and sting the ‘relaxed ligaments’ 
into contraction, but which have, in nearly all cases, 
operated greatly to the disadvantage of the relaxed 
muscles, and greatly aggravated the difficulty. ’ ’ 
Exercise is indispensible to the cure of female 
disease. Those suffering with weak backs often give 
up daily walks and settle down to an inactive, seden- 
tary life; this only aggravates the condition. Going up 
and down stairs may be avoided, exercise being taken 
on a level surface. Horseback riding and dancing 
are too violent and may result in injury. Sleeping 
with the head low will be beneficial to sufferers from 
pelvic difficulties. 
In retroversion lying upon the face will give relief. 
In cinteversion lie on the back. In prolapsus one 
may lie on the face or back as is most comfortable. 
Exercise and Rest are equally important. Of noth- 204 
THE NATURE CURE. 
ing are we more certain than that if a woman desires 
to get well and keep well, she must act in harmony 
with nature, lay aside corsets and remove all restraints 
of clothing. If too feeble to take active exercise, ap- 
plied motion, as massage or Swedish movements, may 
be of great benefit. 
Sterility.—The condition of sterility, or barren- 
ness, may be traced to a variety of causes relating 
either to male or female, or both. Menstruation 
may be regular on the part of woman, but the ovum 
may be without germinal spot. When this defi- 
ciency is discovered in the egg of the fowl, measures 
are taken to restore their functions to a healthy, egg- 
bearing state by a change of food. To insure con- 
ception, the ova must be perfected, and this is 
brought about by a careful course of diet. The 
digestive organs and liver must be in good condition, 
so that the blood will be rich in the required ele- 
ments. The general system should be invigorated by 
rest and recreation. Malpositions of the womb are 
the most frequent causes of sterility. 
The cure consists in restoring the uterus or womb 
to its normal position and keeping it there, until the 
ligaments are strong and able to hold it in position. 
Painful, dangerous and very often unsuccessful sur- 
gical operations we do not advise for the adjustment 
of the womb, neither the use of the pessary or sup- 
ports. When the general system is built up, nature 
will, with kind assistance, give sufficient strength to 
the ligaments of the womb to hold or restore it to 
position. A daily use of cool sitz-baths will materi- 
ally aid in these results, and act as a tonic to the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
205 
system. If these suggestions prove insufficient, secure 
the services of a first-class reformatory physician. 
Severe ulceration, profuse leucorrhoea and excessive 
and painful menstruation, all serve as preventives to 
conception. 
In man, the spermatozoa may be defective; there 
may be lack of vitality of the seminal fluid, due to 
general ill-health or to the vital forces of the system 
being attracted in other directions. There may be 
excessive use of the intellect, thereby consuming 
both blood and nerve force, or may be the result of a 
fast and prodigal life, or of sexual exhaustion, the 
result of that injurious practice called masturbation, 
or self-abuse. For all these conditions due attention 
should be paid to the general building up of the sys- 
tem, with entire freedom from the sexual expression 
for many months. Good, nutritious food, rich in 
phosphorus elements, such as fish, oysters, eggs and 
brown bread, should be daily eaten, with the use of 
hot foot-baths and frequent cold sponge-baths, rub- 
bing vigorously thereafter with crash towels. Some- 
times a visit of several months’ duration induces a 
a great change in the system, and, upon return to 
home and husband, conception unexpectedly takes 
place, home is blessed with offspring, and a wealth of 
joy is in the hearts of the parents. 
Pruritus, an Itch.—This disease is principally 
characterized by itching, with no change in the ap- 
pearance of the parts affected, neither swelling nor 
redness, but the itching is most distressing. The 
Mons Veneres, one of the genital organs (a fleshy 
mass which, after puberty, is covered with a growth 206 
THE NATURE CURE. 
of soft, curling hair), and the labia (or lips), are sub- 
ject to this form of irritation. It may attack a female 
at any age, but is most liable to occur at puberty, 
in the early months of pregnancy, and at or about 
change of life. 
Causes.—Result of organic inflammation, displace- 
ment of the womb, attended with impoverished 
blood. It may arise from cold, or be the result of 
excoriating discharges. 
Treatment.—Frequent bathing of the parts with 
one-third new milk and two-thirds tepid water; also 
lotions of cider vinegar, one ounce and a pint of 
water. Some cases may require carbonate of soda 
one drachm, dissolved in a half pint of water. Bathe 
the parts every two or three hours. An application 
of carbolated cosmoline is very soothing and ofttimes 
curative. If the irritation appears as a dry, scaly 
eczema, it is the result of impurities, and is one form 
of scrofula. In all these cases, seek to increase the 
action of the kidneys, liver and skin, that the blood 
may be relieved of its impurities. 
Observe Rigid Rules of Hygiene, which means, 
eat no pork and very little, if any, meat; drink no 
tea nor coffee, but use in its stead caramel cereal, or 
wheat coffee, or hot water trimmed with sugar and 
milk, if you please. Take a thorough tepid sponge- 
bath three times a week at least, and see that the 
bowels are not constipated. Take daily enemas, using 
all the water the bowels will receive, and at a tem- 
perature as hot as can be borne. (See directions for 
enemas.) 
Constipation.—More than half the sickness of the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
207 
world, especially of women, is caused by constipation. 
A copious evacuation of the bowels daily, is a personal 
duty second to no other. I maintain that we should 
have cleanliness of body both within and without, and 
to allow for one day, any obstruction in the plans of 
Nature, is to sow seeds for future disease and suffering. 
Each organ of the body has a special work of its 
own to perform, and to burden it with additional 
work is to cause weakness or entire breakdown of the 
part. The usual habit of people who suffer from 
constipation, is irregularity in going to stool. Have 
a stated time, as immediately after breakfast, and 
never omit this duty unless the house is on fire. In 
health, two or three evacuations daily are admissible. 
A dry, hard evacution, though of daily occurrence is a 
condition of constipation. 
Causes.—The immediate causes of constipatio7i are 
mental anxiety, a diseased liver, the use of improper 
food) of purgative medicines, contraction of the respir- 
atory organs by tight lacing or disease, weakness of 
the abdominal muscles, sedentary habits, and the use 
of stimulants, tobacco and liquor. Over-taxing of the 
brain will also produce constipation. 
When the liver is diseased, an insufficient supply of 
bile is given to the waste matter whereby it is softened 
and lubricated. An inactive liver and obstinate con- 
stipation often compel nature to dispose of the bile 
and waste matters through the excretory pores of the 
skin. When so expelled, the effluvia of the person 
are very offensive, and the clothing worn next to the 
skin quickly discolored. Disregard of exercise and 
failure to take it, especially among the leisured classes, 208 
THE NATURE CURE. 
is one of the fruitful causes of constipation, headaches 
and congestions from which so many suffer. 
The Bicycle will do, and already has done very much 
for women, although a fashionable fad, but used in 
moderation is a great blessing to our sex. The dress 
of women has much to answer for, and will continue 
until women become more independent in action, and 
refuse to sacrifice health and comfort to personal 
appearance. A permanent cure for constipation is 
only found in the use of proper food and drink, with 
healthful exercise. 
Treatment.—Drink a glass of water immediately 
upon rising. Twenty minutes before breakfast drink 
a cup of hot water seasoned slightly with lemon; no 
sugar. Do not drink while eating. In place of tea 
and coffee use caramel or wheat coffee, which you will 
soon enjoy. Use entire wheat or graham bread; if 
the former cannot be obtained use cornbread. Rye- 
meal and cornmeal mush with molasses are excellent. 
Partake mainly of these with ripe fruits and vegetables. 
If your case is one of longstanding, for a few days eat 
nothing but good ripe apples, not between meals, but 
at your regular meals. After a few days add graham 
or ryemeal mush. In a week’s time a normal habit 
will be established. One of the best remedies for con- 
stipation and all female weaknesses is the application 
of a wet girdle, worn about the abdomen (see Bath 
Chapter). 
Where there has been constipation of long contin- 
uance, or even a scanty evacuation, the walls of the 
intestines may become incrusted with waste poisonous 
matter, which may be retained for days, weeks, or PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
209 
even months and years. The retention of this fecal 
matter sometimes causes one to believe they have a 
tumor. Such a case came under my treatment while 
in California. Three physicians had advised a surgi- 
cal operation for the removal of a so-called tumor, 
where only fecal matter had accumulated and dis- 
tended the bowels. This matter so fills and obstructs 
the canal that only a small evacuation is possible. As 
a result of this clogged condition, a poisonous gas is 
generated, which is absorbed into the blood, poisoning 
it, impairing digestion, and every organ of the physi- 
cal body. 
Treatment.—Inject into the rectum, first oiling the 
tube, from one pint to three quarts of quite warm 
water, depending upon the condition of patient. A 
reclining or kneeling posture is desirable. Retain 
water long as possible; after evacuating, inject a cup 
full of warm water and retain all night. Of benefit in 
piles, as well. Never resort to physic or laxatives for 
constipation. 
Oil-Rubs.—“ This treatment is one that gives per- 
fect satisfaction to all who try it. To see the effects of 
oil-rubs, one would say as did the Queen of Sheba, 
The half has not been told. To give it, have 
the patient undress, with a sheet or blanket around 
him, sitting up or lying down. Take either cocoa- 
nut, pure olive or sweet oil, whichever can be obtain- 
ed the purest. Pour some in palm of hand, rub hands 
together, then take an arm and rub in the oil thorough- 
ly, rubbing up and down, using more oil if necessary 
(as much as skin will absorb); cover this arm; take 
more oil and rub the other arm, then breast, back and 210 
THE NATURE CURE. 
legs; cover each part when finished. Repeat from 
three to six times a week, as the case may demand. 
One who is greatly reduced can take with benefit six 
a week. Once a week take a wash off, or an acid 
sponge, by putting a scant tea-cup of vinegar in a 
gallon of warm water, and using a sponge or towel, 
then rubbing dry. 
Especially Good fop Consumptives.—“Thisis es- 
pecially good for consumptives, dyspeptics, and persons 
who, from any cause, have been reduced in flesh and 
strength. It acts as a tonic. Thus it is of two-fold 
value where one is recovering from sickness, as it is 
also nutritive to them, and to those who are cold- 
blooded it warms up the system. 
Good for Children.—“So for children it is especially 
good in winter, as an oil-rub at night will assist in 
keeping them warm; so, in the daytime, if going on 
a long drive, or to be exposed to the cold for awhile, 
it is a good “send-off.” For colds it works to a 
charm, for young or old, acting as a preventive, as it 
builds up the system, and renders it less liable to dis- 
ease. Or when a cold is taken, it is easily broken up 
by a pack, followed immediately by an oil-rub, and 
the next two nights simply oil-rubs, a hot foot bath, 
io8° F. then cooled down, and followed by a complete 
oil-rub. Where adults or children are delicate, the 
oil-rub gives good healthy flesh; and where it is given 
as described the result is perfect. For constipation it 
is invaluable, working a perfect cure after a month or 
two. 
A Nutritive Bath.—“ It can be given at any time 
without reference to eating, as it is a “ nutritive bath.” PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
211 
Dr. James H. Jackson, of Dansville, N. Y., where these 
rubs have been used for years, tells of their use and 
value : “Oil-baths are given by rubbing the body all 
over with some kind of oil. It is not necessary to use 
more than two or three tablespoonfuls at one bath, 
but it should be rubbed in thoroughly, especially over 
the abdomen, inside the arms and thighs, where it 
can be absorbed to the best advantage. They may be 
taken at any time during the day. It is as well, per- 
haps, to take them before going to bed as at any time. 
To Supply Waste Tissue.—They may be given to 
meet any one of three conditions : 
1. “ To supply waste of tissue and to introduce a 
very important element of nutrition into the body. 
Many persons will absorb oil to advantage nutritively, 
who can neither take it nor fats by the stomach with- 
out great disturbance or distress. 
2. “To improve the functions of the skin; which 
may become dry and hard, and lack proper circu- 
lation in its capillaries. 
Will Allay Nervous Irritation. — 3. “To allay 
nervous irritation and reduce fever. Persons in par- 
oxysms of fever, in typhoid, measles and scarlatina 
especially, may be freely anointed with oil to great 
advantage. In my practice I have often seen the 
temperature of the body, when in a febrile state, re- 
duced from one to three degrees by an administration 
of an oil-bath. 
Use Cocoanut Oil.—“ I like the cocoanut oil better 
than the olive; it is more likely to be genuine. It 
penetrates better, it does not turn rancid on the body, 
and I think it furnishes more nutriment to the body. 212 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Olive oils, as a general thing, are impure. From 
the above you can see it is “ niultum in parvo 
as it can really be depended upon for use in almost 
everything that flesh is heir to; and the great beauty 
of it is, anyone can give it without feeling fear 
as to the results. It can do no harm unless the 
patient is very fleshy; then it is not needed. It is 
so easily given that a child can give it to younger 
children. 
Of Great Value in Fevers.—“ Its use in reducing 
fever is of untold value. A lady, who had had ex- 
tended experience in using it, says : “I have known 
an oil-bath given a patient in scarlet fever, with fever 
raging, and in a little while the temperature was re 
duced, and he was quietly sleeping. ’ ’ For little babies 
it is really a blessing, as it nourishes and strengthens 
them; and given every other day, with a sponge-off in 
warm water the intervening day, an infant will do 
much better than when bathed daily. It is also a 
great help in supplying nourishment where the mother 
has not sufficient nurse, and aids, too, in preventing 
little colds, snuffles, colic, etc., that hover around the 
little one the first two or three months, needing our 
most watchful care to ward them off. 
A Panacea for Constipation.—“Then, where there 
is any constipation, it is a perfect panacea—so much 
better than physics or enemas. It acts as a preventive 
to croup, and when a child is weakened by that dread 
disease, cholera infantum, nothing so helps to give 
tone to the system as the oil-rub. It certainly is the 
best of baby medicines. A baby can ‘ grow up ’ with- 
out any other remedy.” PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
213 
Signs of Health. 
Clear, bright eyes. 
A smooth, clear skin. 
A clean tongue. 
Pure breath. 
Regular and normal pulse. 
Normal temperature. 
Lithe and elastic step. 
Activity. 
Strength. 
Energy. 
Happiness. 
Beauty. 
Warm hands and feet. 
Freedom from pain. 
Good appetite. 
Symmetry of form. 
Regularity of all natural functions. 
—Geo. Dutton, A.B., M.D. 
A Breathing1 Lesson,—The babe’s first effort in life 
is to breathe. Imperfect breathing is a great cause of 
weakness, especially in women. Therefore cultivate 
a good habit of breathing. This is not difficult to do, 
but will for a time require constant attention, and you 
will need to think of it a hundred or more times each 
day and breathe as you think. Breathe always through 
the nose, taking in more and more without straining 
the lungs until the expansion becomes gradual and 
permanent. 
Those following sedentary occupations often acquire 
a bad habit of breathing, in consequence of which the 
lungs shrink, become weak and invite disease; the 
blood is also impoverished because cheated of its neces- 
sary supply of food (air). “Bet us take a breathing 
lesson. Stand erect, throw back the shoulders, place 
one hand over the abdomen; now draw such a deep 
breath as to cause the abdomen to expand and the 
hands to rise. Repeat this several times. This is 
called abdominal breathing and does not require any 
chest expansion. Now expand the lungs by pressing 
the hand on the abdomen and take a long, full breath. 
Practice both these methods of breathing as you walk, 214 
THE NATURE CURE. 
ride, sit or lie in bed, in the proportion of about three 
or four respirations for the chest to one abdominal— 
wearing the clothing very loose.” If you desire a 
long and happy life, free from physical ills, practice 
religiously the best methods of breathing. 
Sunlight for the Home.—Sunshine is priceless, a 
precious aid to health and happiness. Shut out from 
the home, both mind and body dwarf, the joyous 
spirit loses its elasticity, while the children long to 
escape from the darkened prison and soon find an ex- 
cuse to get away; and all for what? Because fashion 
has decreed that the windows should be curtained; 
that all of this glorious sunshine which gave natural 
roses and clear skins, the flash of the eye, the elas- 
ticity of the step to our dear old grandmothers, must 
be shut out, fashion being regarded before health. 
The husband comes in; he can’t endure the dark- 
ness; walks straight up to the window, pulls up the 
shade, until beseeching cries assail him. Let him 
have his own way; let Old Sol come into your home 
and gladden with its penetrating rays. Be sure he is 
more sensible than those who sacrifice health to the 
fashionable things of the day. Don’t wait until you 
are an invalid before you invite the all-healing rays of 
the sun into your home; roll up the shades as far as 
they will go. Had I my way, I would never permit 
the hanging of long, heavy draperies, which obstruct 
not only the sun’s rays but the air, preventing free 
ventilation. 
Water, air and sunshine are three great physicians, 
greater than all others; they are priceless, yet worthless 
without a proper understanding of the way to use them. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
215 
At What Age? —“At what age and in what manner 
should we teach our sons and daughters the sacred use 
of the sexual nature, that they may not abuse, and 
thus cause disease and moral impurity?” 
“The age of inquiry is the age for instruction. 
Nature herself indicates when the child should be 
taught the genesis of its being. When the developing 
mind is sufficiently unfolded to question, it is entirely 
competent to receive the truth. It is just as easy for it 
to understand the truth as a falsehood, and how is it 
that we have come to meet the very first inquiry of the 
questioning mind regarding its origin with an evasion 
or a lie? It is a need of the child and should be 
truthfully satisfied. The penalty for evading this 
duty is often severe. But the mother’s duty begins 
earlier than this. She must guide the instincts of the 
child, form its habits as far as possible, before it can 
walk or talk; before its intellect is sufficiently de- 
veloped to understand her words. She can do this by 
watching and warding off pernicious practices some- 
times formed in babyhood. The lesson cannot begin 
too early. 
“There is often a premature development of the 
sexual nature by unnatural excitement, and such de- 
velopment is abnormal and the child becomes morbid, 
diseased. This may occur at a much earlier period 
than mothers are generally aware, especially those 
mothers who are ignorant or careless of consequences. 
Mischief may be done while the child is yet in the 
cradle, and the foundation laid for a life of self-abuse. 
“ Young children should be so dressed as to forestall 
these injurious habits. Mothers cannot be too vigi- 216 
THE NATURE CURE. 
lant; this vice creeps in early and often ruin is wrought 
while she is wholly unconscious of it. 
“When the little one begins to inquire ‘ where did 
you get me, mama ?’ the only right way is to answer 
with the truth. I doubt if there is ever an excuse for 
a lie. 
“It is just as easy to say, ‘you grew in mamma’s 
body, dear,’ as to say ‘ an angel from heaven, or the 
Doctor brought you,’ or (as I heard when a child at 
school) ‘ you grew in a hollow tree.’ 
“ The mother can embellish the story, as all moth- 
ers know how, making it as beautiful and poetical as 
the nature of the child requires. It will instinctively 
feel its oneness with the mother and refrain from talk- 
ing of it in the presence of the vulgar. She can tell 
how he lay like a wee bird with folded wings in a 
snug little nest close under her heart. How he was 
wrapped in a blanket softer than silk where he slept 
and grew, while mamma warmed him with her love, 
kissed him with every heart-beat, sharing her life with 
him until he was grown a perfect baby boy (or girl, 
as the case may be). How eagerly the little heart 
would respond, how this truth would knit him to his 
mother. An impression would be made that would be 
utterly impossible to produce a few years later when 
he had been shocked by its recital from the profane 
lips of one who had come to his knowledge through 
unchaste teaching. 
“He will not question further until some time 
later, years perhaps, when he has come to recognize 
that there is a cause for all things, and here again the 
truth should be told, letting him into the secret of the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
217 
use, and at the same time the danger attending the 
abuse of this nature. 
“As the age oi puberty approaches, the child should 
not be left in ignorance of this physical change, but 
should be taught everything concerning it, by the 
parents or guardians. No feeling of delicacy should 
stand in the way—it is a false delicacy at best. Bring 
your children so close to you by your confidence in 
them, that they cannot but render back to you the 
full measure of their own confidence, for in this way 
only can you counteract injurious influences. Talk 
freely, in chaste language, upon this subject, and so 
purify it in the mind of the child in whose thought it 
is so associated only with debauchery. 
“ Teach this long neglected but paramount lesson 
of childhood, this initiation into the sacred mystery 
of paternity, so reverently as to awaken only venera- 
tion in the mind of the child. That this part of our 
nature has come to be looked upon as low and spoken 
of with averted eyes, is due to the fact of its abuse, 
and abuse has come through ignorance, through lack 
of proper instruction at a proper age. 
“ Parents have sent their children into the street to 
learn this most important of all lessons, to learn it 
from vile lips, often accompanied by a viler practical 
lesson. 
‘ ‘ There is great need that mothers awaken to a 
sense of their responsibility in this matter; that they 
do their duty in molding the plastic material they 
hold; then shall we have men and women fit to be the 
fathers and mothers of a race. 
“ It is high time that our sons and daughters were 218 
THE NATURE CURE. 
taught the sacredness of the reproductive function, 
taught to look forward to paternity and maternity as 
a crowning honor, if they come to this high office 
unperverted. 
‘1 The sense of shame comes from depraved associa- 
tions in the mind of the child. The very first lesson 
was unchaste, not to say indecent, communicated as 
a dark secret, and this same dark secrecy engenders 
secret vice. 
“ Why should the son be so taught that he cannot 
look into the face of his mother when the legitimate 
exercise of the reproductive function is mentioned ? 
Why the daughter blush with shame at the thought 
of a child in her womb, when she exhibits with pride 
the child in her arms ? It is a false teaching that has 
brought about this unhealthy state of things. This 
subject, pure in itself, has been made foul by exe- 
crable teaching. Only chaste lessons from pure 
mothers can cleanse it of the rottenness that has 
come to it through neglect. 
“The generative, the creative processes are carried 
on through the brain and the sexual organs. They 
represent the opposite poles of our being, mental and 
physical; they act and react upon each other. No 
abuse of one but impairs the usefulness of the other, 
and especially is this true of abuse of the sexual 
nature — imbecility sometimes results from it. 
Mothers may begin their influence upon the chara- 
ter of the child as soon as it is conceived, and quite 
as much is it felt upon the sexual as any part of its 
nature. 
“She may go back even farther and begin her PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
219 
work of right generation in a preparation for mother- 
hood. By magnetizing the tiny nest with sweet 
thoughts, by a love that reaches forward toward the 
little one she is about to invite to come and dwell 
with her, and by all the harmonious influences that 
she can draw. 
“ If she puts her house in order for the entertain- 
ment of an angel, an angel and not a devil will come 
to dwell with her. We as mothers prepare the 
dwelling for the spirit we invoke. Will we lay the 
foundation in sexual passion ? Will we build the 
superstructure of selfishness, antagonism and hate ? 
“We weave into the very fiber of the little body 
that which we habitually hold in thought while this 
building process is going on, and we continue to 
build during the period of lactation as well as gesta- 
tion. With our thought are we constructing an 
instrument through which the spirit of our child is 
to make itself known to us. If the keynote is pas- 
sion, what must we naturally expect ? 
“ It is right here we must make our first impres- 
sions; right here we may stamp purity or passion. 
Let us begin with ourselves. Let us not fashion in 
ignorance these instruments that human souls are to 
play upon. If not in tune the manifestations must 
necessarily be discordant. 
‘ ‘ Let every prospective mother pause often to 
inquire what chords or discords she is arranging for 
the fortunate or unfortunate soul that is to find expres- 
sion through her organism ; for through mothers 
must the race be redeemed.” 
—Modern Thought, Kansas City. THE NATURE CURE. 
220 
Worn-Out Women,—Many women are such ex- 
cessively neat housekeepers, scouring, sweeping and 
cleaning all the day, flitting here and there from 
early morn till night, never finding a moment’s time 
to rest the worn, tired nerves, or scarcely taking time 
to eat. In this way they become worn out; the nerves 
refuse longer to be imposed upon—nervous prostration 
results; the fire is all out, nothing but ashes on the 
hearth; now time, yes, much valuable time and money 
must be spent in seeking to regain health and wonted 
energy. 
Wise Women will not let “hurry” and “hustle” 
control them, but will learn rather that “moderation” 
is a better, safer guide, and will carry them through 
life with better results, lacking the bitter experiences 
so many women of to-day are called upon to endure. 
The Rage for Wealth.—The time, talent and en- 
ergies of the masses, for the past fifty years, have been 
devotedly given to the accumulation of wealth, to the 
neglect often of families, relatives and dear friends, 
the turning over to the family doctor the health of 
the family; and to society, those social relations and 
friendships dependent upon personal graces not found 
in the club, or any public place. The result is every- , 
where manifested; the doctor and corner drug store 
thrive, sickness has increased, the happiness of the 
home has taken wings and flown away. Health is 
harmony, and cannot be purchased at the corner 
drug-store, or doled out by the family physician. It 
must be gained and maintained by vigilance—right 
living—but it does pay. When the spirit entirely 
dominates our lives, sickness and suffering will be PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
221 
unknown. Our physical and mental struggles will 
become our life experiences and accepted as blessings. 
Self»Development—Self "Sacrifice.—“Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 
in her speech to the women of Sorosis the other day, said that if 
the Lord had intended women to be weak, dependent creatures. He 
would have provided for each mother’s daughter a strong right 
arm to lean on, instead of creating so many more women than men 
that there were not anywhere near arms enough to go round. She 
told them, too, that self-development was a higher duty than self- 
sacrifice, a principle which she advocated to a meeting some years 
ago where Frederick Douglass was present. Douglass opposed it 
on the ground that self-sacrifice was the basis of all true religion. 
After the discussion had occupied some little time with its conflict- 
ing arguments, an elderly Quaker woman arose and in her gentle, 
sweet manner said: ‘Frederick, if thee thought that, why did thee 
not stay in Maryland in slavery like a Christian, instead of run- 
ning away to Canada to enjoy thy freedom like a man ? ’ And Fred- 
erick reconsidered his opinion.” 
The Faith Cure.—“Oh, mamma, I’m awfully sick.” “No, 
you’re not, my dear.” Yes, indeed I am; I ache awfully.” “That 
is impossible, Willie.’’ “Please, mamma, won’t you send for the 
doctor?” “Certainly not.” “Why not?” “There is no need of 
a doctor. There is no such thing as sickness or pain. It is all 
your imagination. Get up and play with the other children and 
forget all about it.” “I can’t, mamma, I’m too sick.” “See here, 
now, don’t let me hear any more nonsense. You do as you are 
told or I shall have to whip you.” “All right; that won’t hurt 
any.” “It won’t, eh ?” “No.” “I’ll show you whether it will 
hurt or not.” “It can’t.” “Why not?” “Because there isn’t any 
such thing as pain.” 
A Remarkable Case Demonstrating’ a Common 
Occurrence.—Sojourning in the lovely “Oleander 
City,” as Galveston, Texas, is named—during the 
winter of 1894, I became acquainted with a lady of 
more than ordinary intelligence, who gave me the 
history of her escape, first from a drunkard’s experi- 
ence, and second from an early grave. Living in 
elegance, and totally dependent upon the family doc- 222 
THE NATURE CURE. 
tor in time of sickness, for fifteen years she was a 
victim of the experimental system. Opiates, liquors 
and drugs of every degree of poison were administered, 
and she became a confirmed invalid, with no hope of 
recovery. 
At Last, through the persistent effort of a north- 
ern friend, whose experience had been similar, this 
lady was induced to enter the Danville Sanitarium 
of New York, where drugs are discarded, water being 
the only therapeutic agent used, in connection with a 
strict, simple diet, and plenty of fresh air and regular 
exercise. Her recovery was rapid; in three months 
she returned to her home fully restored to health, and 
at once made a complete revolution, especially in the 
selection and preparation of food for her family of 
growing children. Only upon the occasion of visits 
from old friends, did the hot biscuit and light bread 
of former days appear, much to the delight of the 
children. Tea and coffee were no longer considered 
essential; fruit and nuts were provided in great abun- 
dance, in place of the meat considered in other days 
most essential. 
What a revolution one woman alone can make, 
when intelligence supersedes ignorant dependence. 
Mothers, you who read these pages, can gain this 
knowledge without the expensive experience of a 
Sanitarium. 
“Doctor’s Stuff.”—If people had less faith in 
“doctor’s stuff” and used more common-sense reme- 
dies, many precious lives would be saved. Let me 
relate a case in point told me by an old gentleman, 
one of the interested parties. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
223 
One cold, raw day in the fall, a father and son re- 
turned from a long drive in the country, whither 
business had sent them. Chilled almost to the bone, 
they repaired to their separate homes. The father, 
whose body was thoroughly congested, soon got his 
feet in a tub of hot water, and by drinking cup after 
cup of hot lemonade was soon relieved and went to 
bed; copious perspiration was induced and he soon 
fell off to sleep and rose next morning as good as new. 
The son, upon reaching home, telephoned for his 
doctor; he came, strong remedies were administered, 
he became more congested, and death speedily fol- 
lowed. Another victim sacrificed on the altar of 
drugs; a lovely, useful life that his family and the 
world needed. Said the aged father, now in his nineties, 
“ Oh, if my boy had not been cursed by telephone and 
other modern inventions, he would have adopted our 
old simple remedies, and been with us to-day.” 
Pajp for Advice.—“I am always willing to pay a 
doctor for his advice when we call him to see a sick 
member of our household, but I never allow him to 
give my family medicine” (drug remedies), said an 
intelligent lady, with whom I was lately conversing. 
“ It is wonderful how quickly the sick one is restored, 
when only nature’s harmless remedies are used. You 
see I am in full sympathy with the teachings of The 
Nature Cure" she continued. With woman’s intel- 
ligent influence exerted in this direction in the home, 
lo, what a revolution! How soon drug remedies 
might be discarded, and God’s children freed from 
one bond of slavery. The human soul wants, most of 
all, freedom. 224 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Why Doesn’t He ?—An every-day query, is, “ Why 
don’t our honest family doctor tell us why we are sick, 
and how we can heal ourselves at home with the 
natural remedies that are so simple, cheap and little 
trouble, as taught in this volume?’’ The family 
doctor is human; he would be more than human, if 
he should cut off his bread and butter supply by teach- 
ing the cause and prevention of sickness. The most 
blind reader of these pages can see that the doctor’s 
success is your poverty; he lives and thrives on your 
ignorance and neglect. When he gets rich, you get 
poor. Many thousand doctors are ground out of 
medical colleges every year, and must live on those 
unfortunate enough to need their services. 
Hints on Dress for the Qverfleshy.—Much has 
been said and written about methods to add flesh, and 
to reduce the same to comfort and beautiful forms, 
more especially by women than men. 
Women may reduce adipose tissue or disguise it. 
Many corpulent women add from ten to twenty-five 
pounds to their real size by improper dress and car- 
riage of the body. The fashion of compressing the 
waist, forcing the flesh up and down, increasing an 
over large bust, and adding prominence to the hips, is 
to further disfigure the form. The physical result of 
this style is short breath, a red nose, and water-sacks 
under the eyes. We would suggest the adoption of 
union under garments, made in one piece, fitting 
the upper part of the form closely, with no gathers, 
belts or folds at the waist. Discard the cumbersome 
chemise. A simple waist with a few light bones to 
support the bust may be substituted for the corset, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
225 
and a loose-fronted princess dress should take the 
place of the close-fitting basque. Reverse the usual 
order and wear close-fitting under-garments and smooth 
flowing gowns. The fleshy woman’s dress may fit 
nicely in the back, but in front should disguise the 
size of bust and abdomen with long and rather loose 
lines. 
Fleshy people who desire to reduce their weight 
and exercise vigorously in the open air at all seasons 
of the year, learn to walk with grace and refinement. 
Avoid standing on the heels, which tends to force the 
abdomen into prominence. Take the erect position 
and maintain it, which will prevent too much prom- 
inence of the abdomen. Walk so that the weight of 
the body will come fully upon the balls of the feet. 
This will assist in a more dignified and seemly figure 
and modify the extreme protuberances. However 
sullen the disposition at home, exercise in the open 
air cheers us up and gives renewed vigor and life. 
Do not, under any circumstances, shut out the air and 
sunshine from your home. 
This is just as important for those not desirous of 
reducing their weight as for the overfleshy. There 
being such a variety of opinions regarding diet, we 
will only add, if what is said upon the treatment of 
obesity is not explicit enough, we will, upon receipt 
of letter of inquiry enclosing stamp, give fuller 
instructions. 
It is well to remember that extremely fleshy persons 
are sick, or that obesity signifies a diseased condition. 
All over-fleshy people should study hygiene and rigidly 
live it. 226 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Are You Well?—A common salutation upon meet- 
ing a friend or neighbor; a very important question 
certainly. If a negative reply is given, it is of equal 
importance to ask, “ Why are you sick?” Sickness 
is so common, perfect health such a rare experience, 
that we have come to make this first inquiry of our 
friend and neighbor. Health should be the rule, and 
may be, if we do our duty to ourselves and families. 
Do Not Condemn.—To keep apace with this age, 
thoroughly investigate before condemning. Take a 
broad view of all questions. 
The Pores.—Five-sevenths of the impurities of the 
blood pass through the twenty miles of perspiratory 
tubes unless obstructed. 
Sowing and Reaping.—This is an age of reaping 
as well as sowing. Universal law impels us to reap 
what vse have sown. Millions of middle-aged men 
and women who -were lured into excesses in this age 
of rush and glitter, are reaping more than they 
bargained for, but no more than they sowed. The 
experience may be valuable to those of pure metal, 
but the dross will go down and be forgotten. Mark 
the lesson. 
If You Believe in Drugs.—If drugs you will take, 
call the best physician you know, who must be a 
man or woman of character, grand in all the relations 
of life; trust this good doctor. Do not attempt to 
use poisonous drugs prescribed in any doctor’s book 
you may possess. 
Pain: What Is It ?—Pain is an alarmist, the signal 
nature so kindly gives to show that you have done 
something wrong, that danger is at your door, and PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
227 
urges you to escape as soon as possible, by ceasing 
from wrong-doing. 
To the Woman’s Convention held at Akron, O., 
1857, Mrs. Stanton wrote: 
‘1 The great work before us is the education of those j ust coming 
on the stage of action. Begin with the girls of to-day. The child- 
hood of woman must be free and untrammeled. The girl must be 
early impressed with the idea that she is a hand, not a mouth, a 
worker, not a drone, in the great hive of human activity.” 
The Coming Girl.— Devereaux Blake, in 
speaking of the coming girl, already here, says: 
“The question is, how shall we rear her? Custom 
educated her mother and made her an invalid. We 
must see that the custom according to which the 
coming girl is reared gives no such result to health. 
“We must educate her to a knowledge of her 
rights, but let us not forget to teach also her privi- 
leges, the chief of which is perfect bodily health. Let 
her learn from babyhood to avoid disease as she does 
sin. Show her that her worst enemy is custom, not 
man. Man ever has been and ever will be her friend. 
Do not let her be introduced to the world as a man- 
hater. Let her recognize him as her brother, and 
herself his co-laborer. If we build from a good 
foundation, physically, the mental and moral struc- 
ture reared thereon will not fail or fall.” 
Painless Child-Birth.—Intelligent women of this 
closing nineteenth century no longer question the 
possibility of painless child-birth, for at least a large 
majority of their sex. Mrs. Rowbotham’s experience 
of painless child-birth, in England, in 1841, the result 
of her husband’s chemical experiments, surely proves 228 
THU NATURE CURE. 
that an entire fruit diet with abundant out-door daily 
exercise, and plenty of fresh air in the home, are not 
only a boon to pregnant women, but within the reach 
of all, whether in the cottage or the palace. The 
theory advanced by physiologists, is, that if pregnant 
women subsist upon food lacking the elements that 
feed and develop the osseous tissue, making the bones 
of the skull pliable, the labor may be easy, and often 
painless. If women suffer, the cause too often may 
be found in their total ignorance of the laws of their 
being. If all women appreciated the rich gift of 
motherhood, and, like a conscientious mother I know, 
laid off their corsets forever when the knowledge of the 
little life came to them, how much of entailed misery 
might be prevented for both mothers and offspring! 
Dr. Holbrook in his Parturition Without Pain, says: 
“ Those women of savage nations who bear children 
without pain live much in the open air, take much 
exercise and are physically active and healthy to a 
degree greatly beyond their more civilized sisters. 
These instances tend directly to prove that parturition 
is likely to be painless in proportion as the mother is 
physically perfect and in a sound condition of health. 
They certainly tend even more strongly to prove that 
pain is not an absolute necessity attendant on parturi- 
tion. ’ ’ 
Care of Pregnant Women.—Much of the suffering 
endured during the nine months of pregnancy, may 
be almost wholly avoided by an intelligent under- 
standing of this condition, a willingness to learn and 
put in practice. The young and inexperienced are to 
travel an entirely new route, and knowledge is need- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
229 
ed. In my experience in teaching women, I find that 
the young, who most need this knowledge, are prone 
to ridicule and indifference, and too often learn through 
very bitter and sad experiences. 
Before and after conception, the clothing should be 
supported from the shoulders, and all garments 
loosened about the waist, so that the uterus in enlarg- 
ing and rising may not be obstructed. If the clothing 
is too heavy, or worn too snugly, the uterus cannot 
rise as it should about the fourth month; as a result, 
much suffering is experienced from pressure upon the 
bladder, rectum, kidneys, etc. This condition may 
also cause constipation of the bowels, varicose veins, 
hysteria, cramps in the limbs, etc. 
I maintain that in no condition of life is perfect 
freedom in all things physical and mental, so abso- 
lutely essential as in pregnancy. The side elastic 
should take the place of the round garter, if worn, 
that the circulation be not impeded. Under these 
perfect conditions, the health usually improves from 
the first. Delicate women often become strong and 
robust and from this period can date the beginning 
of a new and vigorous life. 
It is as natural for a woman to bear children, as 
for a tree to bear fruit; why then should pregnancy 
be a period of continuous suffering as exists in many 
cases ? Child-bearing when properly understood and 
treated, is most beneficial. When women prevent 
conception we rarely find them healthy in the genital 
organs; there is a general disturbance of the mens- 
trual flow, and sometimes hardening and enlargement 
of the uterus, with other complications. Abdominal 230 
THE NATURE CURE. 
bandages well adjusted will be of much service to 
those who have suffered from prolapsus of uterus or 
bowels before this period. The bandage should be 
made with broad straps to rest upon the shoulders, so 
adjusted as to support the weight of the abdomen, 
and permit the woman to take the active exercise so 
essential at this period. Nothing is more detrimental 
than to neglect daily out-door exercise. Without 
this, both mind and body suffer. The lungs must 
be supplied with pure air or oxygen, for the main- 
tenance of both mother and child. There is one 
thing more important to life than food, and that is 
air; without it we cannot live many minutes, while 
we can live many days without food. 
Foods.—Much has been written on the subject of 
diet, and many bills of fare prepared for the benefit of 
pregnant women. To arrange a bill of fare for 
pregnant women as a class, would be not only difficult, 
but an impossible matter. Quantity and quality are 
the important points for consideration. Over-eating 
should be carefully guarded against through the whole 
period. If the mother controls her appetite she is 
teaching the child to do the same. Women with ex- 
cessive appetites have large children, sometimes 
weighing from ten to fourteen pounds at birth. 
Select food that is nutritious, but not heating or stim- 
ulating to the blood. Discard fats and sweets and rich 
and indigestible foods. An entire fruit diet will yield 
the richest results, but if not satisfactory, use a mixed 
diet of vegetables and cereals with plenty of fruit. If 
you can, do without meat; if not able to do so, select 
the best, as beef and mutton, and partake sparingly. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
231 
Rising from the table a little hungry will be bene- 
ficial; soon the hunger will cease and you will be 
stronger for the next experience. 
“ In what tliou eatest and drinkest, seek from thence due nour- 
ishment, not gluttonous delight.” 
“How grand to be master of the stomach, to have the mind 
dominate the body.” 
Care of Breasts.—Daily bathing in cold water of 
the mammary glands or breasts will secure a good and 
abundant secretion of milk; after bathing gently rub- 
Follow this by anointing the breasts with cocoanut 
oil or vaseline. This treatment must not be omitted, 
but persisted in daily from the beginning, and will 
prevent sore nipples. 
Bathing.—A cold or tepid sponge bath taken every 
clay, or even three times a week in a warm room, will 
give tone and vigor to the system, keep the skin clean, 
the pores open, strengthen the muscles and give health- 
ful tone to the nerves. The skin is composed of 
countless tiny sweat glands and tubes, from one- 
eighth to one-tenth of an inch in length, making sev- 
eral miles of tubing; through these glands much solid 
waste matter, water and gases are being constantly ex- 
pelled. Beneath the true skin a great number of little 
sacs containing oil are deposited, that the surface may 
be kept soft and prevent any irritation from the per- 
spiration. 
This oil unites with the dead skin and solid waste 
matter thrown off, and forms a substance gluey in 
nature, which, if allowed to remain, seals the pores, 
prevents the exit of all matter, and thus compels 
the kidneys, lungs and other parts to do the work 232 
THE NATURE CURE. 
that the skin should do, and giving rise to catarrhal 
and bronchial affections, diarrhoea, leucorrhea and 
kidney complaint. 
The first most important step in the treatment 
of any disease, or in the maintenance of physical 
health is to establish a healthy action of the skin; 
therefore I wish to present this subject in such a 
manner that it will receive favorable consideration. 
“He who keeps the skin soft and ruddy, shuts many 
gates against disease,” is an adage well worth re- 
membering. Delicate and nervous people require 
oiling after each full bath. The food consumed being 
generally not fat-producing, therefore but little oil is 
secreted by the oil follicles, and in consequence the 
skin is not properly lubricated. Some delicate per- 
sons prefer the use of oil instead of water. Cocoanut 
oil, or any vegetable oil will do. Rub the oil thor- 
oughly into the skin, then with a crash towel rub 
until dry and warm. 
Women are constantly insisting that they have no 
time for baths, or at least for frequent bathing; that 
working women and those with large families cannot 
find the time to properly care for themselves, and 
that these instructions only apply to the leisured 
classes. Listen, friends! This bath will only require 
one half hour at most, can be taken just before retir- 
ing, and can be found both refreshing and soothing 
in its effects. If you neglect this duty you may 
have plenty of time to be sick. If too delicate to 
attend to it yourself, some healthy person can be 
secured at a trifling expense to care for you. 
During the last two months of pregnancy take a PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
233 
warm sitz or hip bath three or four times a week 
upon retiring, being careful to avoid a cramped 
position. Use a tin tub made for this purpose, or a 
common small wash tub may be used by elevating 
one edge two or three inches. Do not allow a feeling 
of chilliness. A hot sitz bath taken just before the 
birth of the child will prove very helpful. Anoint 
the walls of the abdomen and vagina daily from the 
third month, that they may be easily expanded and 
facilitate labor. 
Constipation.—For a pregnant woman to allow 
constipation for even one day is productive of baneful 
results. Seek first to ascertain the cause, select your 
food more wisely, then study carefully the article 
entitled constipation, if relief is not obtained. 
Vaginal Injections.—May be given two to three 
times daily in the last two weeks of pregnancy, and 
even after labor has begun may continue for hours 
profitably. L,et the patient recline in an easy posi- 
tion. Use water not more than no degrees Fahren- 
heit. Try this. 
Labor or Childbirth.—The period of gestation 
usually lasts from 280 to 300 days. 
Sewing.—All necessary sewing, whether for the 
unborn infant or any member of the household, 
should be completed by the sixth month, as constant 
sitting or bending over are greatly injurious. When 
we think of the many puny, sickly, short-lived 
children that come to the world to be decked in 
costly garments, made at such an expense of time 
and nerve force, we feel that the child has been 
robbed of its birthright, its right to be well born. 234 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Too often the mother’s whole time and energy 
have been exhausted in stitching, tucking and fash- 
ioning the little garments, with scarcely a thought 
to her own well-being or that of the child’s. If we 
would only recollect what Carlyle says, that “rags” 
are not of so much importance as the person. 
Cramped positions if long continued are of serious 
damage to digestion, by compressing the nerves that 
supply the stomach. 
Sexual expression after conception is both un- 
natural and brutalizing to parents and child, and 
nearly always unwelcome to the pregnant woman. 
If sexual expression is desired at that time it may be 
considered as an abnormal expression caused from 
leucorrliea, ulceration of the womb, etc. Seek medical 
advice rather than sexual indulgence, which would 
prove injurious to the mother and detrimental to the 
soul and body of the child. Dr. Black says, “ Coition 
during pregnancy is one of the ways in which the pre- 
disposition is laid for that terrible disease in children, 
epilepsy.” A pregnant woman needs all her strength 
to carry her through the ordeal which she is to pass. 
Cut flowers should be removed from a sick room 
as soon as they begin to fade, but growing plants are 
a benefit in a bed-room or sick chamber, as they 
consume the carbon thrown off by man and give in 
exchange oxygen. Weak and nervous women are 
often called upon to bear a child every two years, or 
even less. Too often such mothers go on patiently 
enduring, bringing weak or diseased children into 
the world, simply because man in his selfish nature 
gratifies his passion regardless of consequences. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
235 
Pure Air Necessary.—If possible, secure a large 
and airy room, that there may be an abundant supply 
of pure air for the lungs; remember that cold air is 
not necessarily pure air. The pernicious practice of 
keeping fresh air shut out from rooms of this class of 
patients is abominable, is deadly, even though done 
by the advice of so-called physicians. 
A good nurse is indispensable in sickness, as well 
as a hot water bottle and fountain syringe, and par- 
ticularly in cases of confinement. The nurse should 
be thoroughly and carefully educated for her work, 
and should seek to relieve the mind of her patient of 
all fear as to results. She should see that the bowels 
are evacuated just before confinement. If nature 
must be assisted, use a copious enema of warm water, 
or, if necessary, slippery elm with a trifle of soap can 
be administered with good results. 
In the beginning of the first stage of labor, warm 
mild drinks may be given of sage, hops or ginger, as 
the patient wishes, every ten to fifteen minutes. The 
object sought is to relax the patient, and to induce 
copious perspiration, which removes all fear of fever 
and other unpleasant symptoms. 
Dr. Mary Melendy, in her most valuable book en- 
titled, “Cure of Disease Simplified,” (which we heartily 
recommend as one of the best medical guides pub- 
lished, price $1.75,) advises in the first stage of labor 
that the patient should “ fill the lungs by inhaling 
through the nostrils, breathing as deeply as possible, 
and exhaling slowly in the same manner. Extra 
breathing increases the strength and endurance of the 
patient; all remedies act more forcibly, and, capillary 236 
The nature cure. 
circulation being increased, at the same time hemor- 
rhages are prevented or cured. This will cause pres- 
sure where otherwise there would be pain, and I can- 
not impress it too vividly upon your minds.” 
I wish to emphasize what has just been said. The 
more we breathe the longer we shall live, and the 
more power and vigor we shall have to do the work 
of life, whether in or out of the sick room. 
Many a woman has been alone at the birth of her 
child, and has only to receive it on her hands, then 
lay it down until the navel string is tied and cut. 
Delicate, weak women should in all cases keep an 
erect position; on no account lie down. Kneel or 
stand by the bedside, or some place where you can 
get support by clinging with the hands. Change 
position often, and find for yourself the most comfort- 
able position. 
Much of the distress of ordinary child-birth is pre- 
vented by following these directions. Be calm and 
courageous, and let Nature have her own way and 
time. When the fruit of the womb is ripe, the child 
will be born, so do not let the doctor or nurse hurry 
you. 
Care of Infants.—If the child cries lustily at birth, 
the more perfectly will the lungs be expanded and the 
air cells inflated. Never tie the navel string until all 
circulation and pulsation have entirely ceased. Use 
silk twist to tie with; draw tightly and tie a firm 
knot two inches from the body. Then tie again 
about an inch; then once more at about an inch and 
a half. Between these last ties cut the cord in the 
center. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
237 
When the cord is severed, let the nurse be ready 
with a warm, soft blanket to receive and wrap the 
child. Do so to prevent the air from reaching it. 
Let the first dressing be done in a warm room, no mat- 
ter what season of the year, and an oil rub given 
instead of bath. Vaseline, chicken or turkey oil can 
be used. Let the nurse first dry the body carefully 
with an old, soft cloth; then with the warm hand 
anoint the body of the child. 
Now attend to the navel. A square piece of old, 
soft linen with a circular opening made in the center 
must be oiled and put on. Pass the cord through the 
opening, then cut a piece of cotton cloth same size 
and lay over the cord. Now pin loosely about the 
body a soft flannel or knitted woolen band to hold the 
dressing in place. Take great care not to compress 
the ribs and thus prevent free and full use of the 
lungs. The band can be removed as soon as the 
navel is healed; it is no longer needed. 
Unless very delicate, a babe of three months can be 
taught to use a chair, discarding the use of diapers, 
much to the relief of the mother. Wash the mouth 
of the babe before giving it to the mother’s breast. 
This may prevent the nipple from getting sore. 
The first food for the babe Nature has stored in the 
breast of the mother. This secretion contains the 
necessary laxative for the digestive organs, and noth- 
ing else should be substituted for it. All departures 
from this only result in disordering the stomach and 
in producing colic, etc. 
Do not hurry to give the babe its first bath. Twenty- 
four hours is soon enough ordinarily. If very delicate 238 
THE NATURE CURE. 
wait three, four or seven days. Have the water warmer 
than the temperature of the body; have a warm, soft 
flannel ready to wrap around it upon coming out of 
the water. In drying do not permit the air to reach 
the body. Old castile soap may be used. Oil the 
skin after every full bath. 
Some improvement has been made in the dress of 
infants. Short dresses have taken the place of the 
long abominations, and the bands are now made to 
rest upon and be supported from the shoulders. The 
Gertrude baby suit is entirely free from all objections, 
is healthful, beautiful and very convenient for the 
mother in using it. Patterns for this suit can be 
furnished if desired. 
Let the babe lie on a mattress, not on feathers, and 
do not permit its little head to be buried in a feather 
pillow twelve out of twenty-four hours. Cool straw 
or hair pillows will prevent the heating of the brain, 
which results too often in death. Burying babies 
under bed clothing has cost the life of many a child. 
Think what you are doing when you permit this— 
allowing the child to breathe the poisonous exhala- 
tions thrown out from its own body, and often the 
bodies of its parents! One cause of excessive infant 
mortality is want of proper ventilation in the home. 
Of course, in summer weather the babe can be taken 
out in the pure air and allowed the benefit of the sun- 
shine, but at other seasons must be shut up in stuffy 
rooms never, or seldom, ventilated, often only by the 
chance opening of some door which must be hurriedly 
closed lest baby get cold. 
My father was a doctor—teacher—-in the truest PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
239 
sense. The children in our home were early taught 
the necessity of ventilation. Every morning, in 
cold and warm weather alike, the front and back 
doors were thrown wide open for a time, that the 
air of the house could be entirely changed. Ten 
minutes, or even one half of that time, sufficed in 
winter. Of course baby was taken out of the draught 
into another room. Fresh air for the lungs is quite 
as necessary for the babe as for the older children or 
parents; deprived of it, how soon they droop and 
weaken. 
Another great cause of mortality is too many meals, 
too much feeding, a desire on the part of the parents 
and nurse, often, to have a fat baby, which of all 
states is to be avoided, dreaded, because the condition 
is abnormal, productive of vastly more sickness than 
health. Babies should be no more trouble than young 
animals, and would not be if the subject of the care 
and hygienic treatment of young children was dis- 
cussed more in the home or taught in the public 
schools. Even the medical colleges pay little atten- 
tion to this subject. 
By many, vomiting is considered a sign of health. 
It is not so considered in case of adults; why should it 
be with babies ? Vomiting is only one of Nature’s 
efforts to rid the system of too much food, which re- 
maining becomes a poison to the child. Many interest- 
ing cases have been related to us, where babies were 
given from birth only three meals per day; they have 
thrived beautifully, much better than those fed every 
two or three hours. The calf fattens sufficiently, and 
thrives well on only two meals each day. Excess in 240 
THE NATURE CURE. 
diet is a predisposing cause of colds, much more than 
exposure. When your babe or older children have 
running of the nose, difficult breathing and other 
similar expressions, let them do without one or more 
meals, depending upon the severity of the case. Satisfy 
the demand for food by giving hot and cold water, or 
by making a “teat” for the babe, by dipping it oc- 
casionally in milk. 
Teething.—Children would get their teeth as easily 
as they do their finger nails, if, previous to the period 
of dentition they were kept in a perfectly healthy con- 
dition. Sickness is a state unnatural to teething, and 
is due to improper feeding and lack of assimilation of 
food to the system, rather than to the process of teeth- 
ing. An infant blessed with the right amount, just 
enough of good food from day to day, will suffer no 
inconvenience from dentition, and will steadily grow, 
while the mother scarcely realizes the child is getting 
its teeth; this is as designed by Nature. Mothers, do 
not hesitate to adopt these ideas; give them a trial and 
report results. 
Diarrhoea and cholera infantum are methods by 
which Nature attempts to purge and cleanse the 
body of its impurities. Children, even babes, are 
fed with cake, candy, even fried ham and eggs, 
“just what we all eat,” a mother said to me. 
Milk contains all the elements for teeth building, and 
until they are formed, should be the sole food of the 
child. When the mouth is filled with teeth, then it 
is safe to indulge the child in a moderate variety of 
food. The best results are found when the first foods 
used are bread and mush made from Akron graham PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
241 
flour, hominy or grits, apples, raw, baked or cooked in 
some way. 
If mothers will faithfully follow these instructions, 
a long line of ailments and painful teething may be 
wholly avoided. It is not necessary to plaster the 
bread with butter or sweets of any kind; give it to 
them dry. Another point to be considered in follow- 
ing out the ideas advanced, is that no difficulty will 
be experienced in weaning the child. From not 
being overfed, the child will be ready to accept what- 
ever is offered it. 
Dr. Dawson says: “If there was ever an absurd fallacy fas- 
tened upon the popular mind, it is, in my opinion, this bugbear of 
teething sickness. I have never seen such a case myself, and it is 
beyond my comprehension why the Creator should afflict only the 
young of man with a normal physiological process dangerous to 
health and life. But, nevertheless, multitudes of infants are taken 
sick and die just at this period with gastro-intestinal disorders, 
and some cause there must be for it. The latter is not difficult to 
find; it is faulty alimentation, either prior to, or, as is most gener- 
ally the case, during the cutting of the teeth.” 
Dr. C. E. Page, in his admirable work “ How to 
Feed the Baby,” shows the benefit of entire fasting, 
even for babies, and also endorses our method, when 
he advocates the use of hot and cold water. 
“I am frequently called to attend infants where the only de- 
scription of the symptoms the mother can give is that “he cries 
all the time—nothing can quiet him.” It is of no use to ask how 
he is fed, for the answer is most likely to be, “ As often as he wants 
it” or, at best, “ I try to make him go two hours.” It is my in- 
variable rule, therefore, in these cases, to order entire abstinence 
from its ordinary food, for six to twelve hours, and the frequent 
administration of very warm water in doses of one, two, or three 
tablespoonfuls, according to age of the child, as often as he mani- 
fests thirst, or at any rate, until the crying ceases. In cases where 
there is violent pain, fuller doses of hot water, accompanied with 242 
THE NATURE CURE. 
copious warm water injections, and hot fomentations to chest and 
abdomen, will in nearly every instance produce almost magical 
results, whereas ordinarily, in the absence of peremptory orders to 
the contrary, the little sufferer, during an afternoon of torture, 
might be induced to swallow three or four meals of milk, each one 
adding to his pain and peril.” 
Weaning*.—When the mother’s health is good, and 
the child is thriving on her milk, I believe that the 
mother’s milk is best for eighteen months or possibly 
two years. 
When you begin to wean the child, use a bottle 
rather than a cup for pure cow’s milk, which you will 
remember is more difficult of digestion than breast 
milk. If you use Jersey milk let it stand for a time, 
then skim off some of the cream before using. Guard 
the child carefully that it be not overfed and the seed 
sown for a life-long dyspeptic. I cannot make this 
point too emphatic. Mothers, or many of them, need 
to become imbued with new reformatory hygienic 
ideas and methods, and cease to follow the old, worn- 
out teachings and methods of their grandmothers. 
Surely the world moves; new methods and inventions 
are constantly presented to those willing to hear and 
see. Why not accept some of the more advanced ideas 
regarding the well-being of the dear ones in the home ? 
Let the baby have his own little bed if possible, 
unless absolutely necessary for warmth to sleep with 
its parents. 
No two persons, whether old or young, married or 
single, should habitually occupy the same bed; in 
such cases the weaker one suffers, often sickens and dies. 
Sore Mouth may be caused from a want of cleanli- 
ness, or as a result of scrofula, or from improper food PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
243 
taken. Wash the mouth often with a weak solution 
of borax. 
Excoriations of arm-pit and groin are common to 
very fat children. Bathing the parts often in tepid 
milk and water, and carefully drying with a soft linen 
cloth will be beneficial. Green tea, rolled and sifted, 
may be applied to the parts affected. 
Colic.—Severe cases usually result from derange- 
ment of the liver. The babe suffers because of the 
mother’s condition. Keep a colicky baby warm. Im- 
merse the feet in a basin of warm water as hot as can be 
safely used, and apply hot flannels to the hands and 
bowels; in very severe cases speedy relief will be given 
by immersing the body in very warm water. I can 
quickly relieve such pain by placing my right hand 
on the abdomen, while the left is applied to the small 
of the back. 
Constipation in the nursing child is caused by a 
similar condition in the mother. Let her study and 
follow the article on constipation. Sometimes glycer- 
ine or castile soap added to warm water, or even an 
enema of only sweet oil may be used. Do not begin 
using laxative remedies for children; dire effects are 
sure to follow. 
Convulsions are mainly developed by overfeeding 
or bad digestion. Do not wait for the coming of a 
doctor, but get the child into a tub of hot water im- 
mediately, not even waiting to undress it. Do not re- 
move the child until thoroughly relaxed; now wrap 
in a hot blanket and administer a copious enema ol 
warm water and castile soap. These simple measures 
have saved many an infant’s life. 244 
THE NATURE CURE. 
“ Worms will never trouble a well-fed child. Indi- 
gestible food or overeating are usually the cause of 
these ‘natural scavengers.’ Bread of unbolted grain, 
ripe fruits and vegetables, simply boiled or baked, in- 
frequent meals and temperance constitute a plan of 
medication that is death on worms, and better than all 
the nostrums and vermifuge in existence.” 
Diarrhoea results from a- lifeless condition of the 
mucous linings; the parts, therefore, need stimulation. 
The bowels are cold; gently rub them in strong salt 
water until warmth is restored, then apply a thick 
flannel bandage and wear it day and night. Avoid ice 
water and all cold drinks. Some think that chewing 
one of the native gums, as pine or spruce, and swal- 
lowing the saliva, tends, from the resinous oil it con- 
tains, to heal and stimulate the weakened membranes. 
Use little or no fluids at the meals, made of crackers, 
dry toast, etc. 
Dysentery, the opposite condition of diarrhoea, in- 
dicates fever, an inflamed condition of the mucous 
membrane. Avoid all stimulating treatment; only 
that which soothes and quiets. Milk, with lime water 
added—a tablespoonful to a goblet—is all the food 
needed. An enema of flaxseed tea may be given after 
each evacuation, retaining it if possible. Keep the 
patient both quiet and warm. 
Whooping Cough.—Symptoms: Those of an ordi- 
nary cold, followed by fever and chilliness and a dry, 
hard cough, ending in the regular whoop. Treatment: 
Same as for a cold; add dripping-wet sheet twice or 
three times in twenty-four hours. Drink cold water 
freely and ice in small lumps to be melted in the mouth. PHYSICAL AND MENTAE METHODS. 
245 
The ice or cold water to be taken as often as the par- 
oxysms return, or oftener if desired. A wet bandage 
or compress for the chest should be worn nights until 
the trouble is passed. Treatment should be varied, 
in harmony with the age and strength of the child. 
The younger the child the more care must be given. 
Keep out of hot rooms; open out-door air is the best 
remedy. Fresh air in the bedroom is an absolute 
necessity. Fight diet and spare for the first ten days; 
may be increased gradually after that. Oatmeal gruel 
is the very best food for child or youth. 
Mumps, or inflammation of the parotid glands, is 
a disease attended with little danger. Cold compresses 
may be applied to the neck at the commencement of 
the attack. Gargle with cold water. Bathe the feet 
and legs with hot water. This diverts the blood from 
the affected gland. Keep the bowels open, using warm 
enemas if necessary. The diet should consist entirely 
of fruits and well cooked grains, and milk in moder- 
ate quantities. 
Cholera Infantum.—Cholera infantum is similar 
to cholera-morbus (the term being used only in relation 
to infants), and prevails extensively during the warm 
season in nearly all of our cities. In mild cases 
diarrhoea precedes vomiting for a number of days; in 
severe cases vomiting occurs from the beginning. As 
the disease progresses the discharges vary in color and 
consistency, and are sometimes streaked with blood. 
Treatment.—This disease readily yields by judicious 
treatment, with the use of cool enemas, the abdominal 
compress, and the tepid sponge-bath, when there is 
external excessive heat. Give frequent sips of water 246 
THE NATURE CURE. 
if thirsty. If blood appears in the evacuations, the 
enemas should be quite cold, and given after each 
passage, using only a few teaspoonfuls of water at a 
time. In protracted cases, when the fever is at its 
height, place the child once a day in a tepid half bath, 
and rub the abdomen, back, chest and extremities 
with the hand. Diet must be very simple; as rice 
seasoned with milk and sugar, and taken in very 
small quantities. 
Croup.—Children with croupy tendencies should 
be carefully watched. Do not allow them to go with 
cold feet. Never put them to bed until you have first 
ascertained that both feet and legs are warm; nine out 
of ten cases of croup result from exposure, the child 
having gone days with cold or damp feet. Plunging 
the feet several times, first in hot, then in cold water, 
then drying, after which rubbing vigorously, will in 
many cases ward off the attack. Change of stockings 
two or three times a week will prove helpful. Honey 
as an article of diet is of great benefit to those sub- 
ject to croup. Syrup may be used in its place. 
Croup seldom attacks a puny, sickly child. Never 
put a child in bed that is cold or feverish, until you 
have given it a full tepid bath in a warm room. Com- 
plete the bath by bathing head, neck and arms with 
cold water; now wrap the body in a warm blanket, and 
be sure that the feet are warm and the hair thoroughly 
dry, when the child is put to bed. Have plenty of 
fresh air in the sleeping-room; do not cover the upper 
part of the body with heavy clothing. No treatment 
for croup will compare with the ice-cold compress 
woven about the neck, cold cloth on the forehead, and PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
247 
ice-water held in the mouth and swallowed often. 
In using ice or snow compresses, do not apply them 
constantly; wear them five or ten minutes, then lay 
them off five minutes. 
Thousands of lives have been saved by understand- 
ing how to apply ice-cold water to the throat. The 
philosophy is simple; the growth of the membrane 
in croup is dependent on the inflammation which 
attends throat troubles. The cold compress applied 
stops the growth and accumulation in the throat as 
surely as an ice-house will check the growth of a 
sensitive plant. If the instructions here given are 
faithfully studied and carried out, mothers will have 
no cause for alarm. Live the teachings of every 
chapter of the book and croup will disappear from 
your home. Disease is an unwelcome guest; bid it 
depart. This can only be done by daily right living. 
In Chapter Ten—Useful Recipes—see French cure for 
croup and diphtheria. 
Diphtheria is developed by taking cold. We take 
colds, or colds take us, when our vitality and life 
forces are exhausted. Continued excesses in many di- 
rections pave the way for an attack of diphtheria and 
other expressions of disease. As the authors of this 
volume have taught in every chapter, disease is a re- 
sult of violated health laws, so by understanding the 
good and infinite laws of health, sickness may and 
must be banished in the good time coming. The ex- 
ternal immediate cause of diphtheria is usually a cold; 
the deep physical cause is impure poisoned blood, ac- 
cumulating often for weeks and months, until the nor- 
mal resisting power—possessed by every one in health 248 
THE nature cure. 
—is exhausted, and disease steps in because invited. 
Cure.—Cleanse the blood with hot lemon or orange- 
ade—children will prefer orangeade—the bowels 
must be kept free, the skin cleansed, the head cool 
and feet warm, with the best of ventilation. A 
quiet, restful atmosphere and surroundings are neces- 
sities for a speedy cure. In all cases considered dan- 
gerous, a day and night nurse are necessary. A sure, 
never failing cure, is in the use of ice and ice-water; 
the throat must be kept cold by a compress. Change it 
as often as every ten minutes and if very sick every 
five minutes. In the most severe cases it may be neces- 
sary to continue treatment night and day, hour after 
hour, without neglect or let-up for two to three days. 
A teaspoonful of finely pounded ice to hold in the 
mouth may be given every ten minutes night and day 
(unless the patient sleeps) and swallowed when melted. 
With the throat compress and good nursing as taught 
in this book, no fear need be entertained, even 
in so-called malignant cases of diphtheria. No other 
physical remedies or methods compare with the above; 
thousands have been cured after drug methods have 
failed. Fasting is imperative, as in all sickness. A 
cup of hot lemonade or orangeade should be given 
every hour; this will cleanse the blood and thus re- 
move the cause. 
Measles.—Preceded by a severe cold, thirst, nausea, 
irritation of the throat, with huskiness, frequently 
attended with violent fever. Small, red pimples are 
external signs, which spread and cover face, hands 
and body. 
The pouring head-bath (see Bath Chapter) to relieve PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
249 
the head and throat, repeated as often as necessary to 
keep the head and throat comfortable; the head and 
throat compress changed often, the water-pack or 
dripping-wet sheet given often to keep the fever sub- 
dued and to make the child or patient comfortable, 
will prove simple but successful treatment. Give hot 
lemon or orangeade, sage tea, or hot and cold water, 
to please the child, the more the better. 
Do not omit ventilation or the drinking often of 
hot and cold drinks. Good nursing is all-important. 
Persist in the packs or dripping-wet sheet treatment 
until the measles are out all over the body. Omit 
the rubbing in the sheet treatment. Keep hands and 
feet warm and head cool. Light may be shaded if 
eyes are weak. Two packs and three or four head- 
baths each day may be necessary to keep the fever 
subdued. 
Scarlatina; Scarlet Fever Signs and Symptoms. 
—Aches, pains, restlessness and symptoms of a cold 
are premonitory signs. A deep scarlet rash soon 
appears on the face, neck and chest, and rapidly 
spreads over the entire body. Great care must be taken 
to keep this rash out, avoiding all direct draughts of 
cold air. Cleanse the stomach with hot lemon or 
orangeade, sage or mild hop tea; use cold and hot 
water freely, inside and out. All food is prohibited; 
none is necessary until thoroughly cured. For chil- 
dren from one to three or four years of age, give a pour- 
ing bath and dripping-wet sheet as for measles, often 
enough to keep the fever under subjection. The pour- 
ing head bath will keep the disease from the brain, 
the wet sheet will cool the body, and if the fever runs 250 
THE NATURE CURE. 
high a wet sheet-pack, two in twenty-four hours, 
will remove the cause and all danger. 
Never neglect good ventilation and plenty of hot 
and cold water for the stomach. For older children, 
give a wet sheet pack once a day; in severe cases 
two to four in twenty-four hours. In connection 
with head bath, the dripping wet sheet will be found 
to be a safe and sure cure. If throat is sore keep a 
cold compress on, changing often, as often as every 
five or ten minutes. Never forget good ventilation; 
the lungs must have good, pure, cool air; this is never 
more necessary than when sick. Night air, fall air, 
or winter air is infinitely better than feverish or foul 
hot air. 
The scarlet fever patient must not be exposed to 
wet feet or severe weather, be overfed, or overtaxed 
in any way for ten days after convalesence. Remem- 
ber, while the new skin is being formed and hardened, 
nursing is the salvation of children; doctoring may be 
easily dispensed with. This is especially true in all 
expressions of disease in children. 
Foul Breath.—Nothing is more disgusting in one 
than foul or bad breath, which can be avoided by an 
intelligent understanding and painstaking. 
Causes.—First, decayed teeth, or teeth filthy from 
want of daily attention. 
Second, catarrhal difficulty, causing an acrid con- 
dition of the mucous lining of the mouth and throat. 
For cause number one, see article on care of teeth; for 
cause number two, use a gargle of tepid water con- 
taining a few drops of the tincture of myrrh, swallow- 
ing a few drops after using it; this should be taken PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
251 
twice every day. When foul breath results from 
catarrh of the head, draw the lotion up the nostrils 
and frequently cleanse the mouth with a mild solution 
of borax water. Have persistence, and in a short 
time you may be free from this most disagreeable ex- 
pression of disease, foul breath. 
Care of the Teeth.—There are thiry-two teeth in 
all, eight in each half jaw. 
Want of cleanliness is perhaps the most direct and 
common cause of the decay of teeth; food is allowed 
to remain between them, and on account of the heat 
and moisture quickly decays. The mouth has a tem- 
perature of 98°, hence if the food lodges on or about 
the teeth it soon rots, and an acid is produced which 
cuts into and soon causes the teeth to decay. A11 
earthy substance known as tartar accumulates on all 
teeth more or less, which if allowed to remain proves 
most disastrous to both teeth and gums. 
A child of five years of age should be taught to use 
a soft tooth brush, at least once a day, but grown-ups 
need to clean the teeth after each meal, and again 
before retiring. Tooth powders generally are injuri- 
ous; if used, always rinse the mouth in warm water. 
The best of all applications is castile soap and water, 
followed by a thorough rinsing of the mouth and 
teeth. 
“It is the custom in some parts of England and 
France to rinse the mouth with warm aromatic water 
after eating. It is well to remember that this precau- 
tion not only tends to keep the teeth clean, but to 
clear the voice of those about to sing or converse.” 
(See article on foul breath.) 252 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Care of the Ear.—The ear is a very sensitive organ, 
and should be treated with much care. Temporary 
deafness may be caused by the accumulation and 
hardening of ear-wax. Do not remove it, but daily 
drop some soft oil or glycerine in until the mass 
softens. The ear should be treated as carefully as the 
eye. Do not use a hard instrument for removing ear- 
wax; it, with the oil it contains, is needed for lubri- 
cating the sensitive organ. 
For earache, heat is an excellent remedy. With 
an ear syringe inject a little soft warm water with old 
English castile soap suds, after which put in a drop or 
two of sweet oil. 
Immersing the feet in very warm water diverts the 
blood to the extremities, and is also good. 
Care of the Eyes.—Strangely enough, the eye, 
most wonderful in mechanism, the most sensitive of 
the physical organs, the principal agent in a child’s 
education, is more neglected than any other. Over- 
straining of the eye in the feeble light of twilight, 
reading on a jolting car, with the eyes instead of the 
back to the light, reading while in a reclining posi- 
tion, all these different expressions tax and weaken 
the eyes and soon induce the need of glasses. The 
practice of frequently closing the eye for the purpose 
of rest is a good one. 
When you have visited an art gallery, or been on a 
shopping tour, your head aches because your eyes are 
tired and the nerves need rest. Use glasses as soon 
as needed; to delay is a detriment, causing you to 
injure your eye by straining it. For inflamed eyes, 
warm water is the safest application. When inclined PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
253 
to rub the eyes, then you have used them enough. 
Light eyes are stronger than dark ones. For weak- 
ness of the muscles of the eye, bathe daily in cold 
salt v/ater, rubbing toward the nose. Never sleep so 
that on awaking the light falls directly on the eyes. 
Care of the Hair.—To preserve the hair and keep 
it healthy, involves both time and daily attention, as 
well as an equable condition of both mind and body. 
Impaired vital power, mental irritation and undue 
excitement are injurious. Unbraid the hair upon 
retiring, or, in other words, wear it loose for the ben- 
efit of both hair and head. Comb and thoroughly 
brush the hair every morning. To increase the 
length and strength, and to prevent the hair from 
splitting, clip the ends every month. 
Much has been written regarding the treatment of 
the hair. Various oils, creams, etc., have been 
recommended for its care and preservation. Clean- 
liness and massage we advocate as the best improvers. 
Many women never think of washing the head and 
hair, not realizing that the scalp needs such treatment 
as much as any other part of the body. Some having 
long hair find it difficult to wash and think they can- 
not afford to pay the hair dresser. Wash the hair and 
scalp thoroughly, every two weeks, in tepid water. 
Beat up an egg and thoroughly rub it into the roots 
of the hair, then wash the head and hair clean with 
tepid water, rinsing several times, ending the bath 
with cold water, thus closing the pores to prevent 
taking cold. 
An Excellent Hair Cleanser.—“ Beat up the whites 
of four eggs into a froth, and rub that thoroughly into 254 
THE NATURE CURE. 
the roots of the hair. Leave it to dry on. Then wash 
the head and hair clean with a mixture of equal parts 
of rum and rose water. This is said to be one of the 
best cleansers and brighteners of the hair ever used.” 
How to be Beautiful.—So thoroughly are we 
imbued with a desire to be beautiful, or as beautiful 
as we can be, that many, especially young women, 
resort to very doubtful expedients for producing such 
results, even at the risk of health. Physicians well 
know that the majority of cosmetics used, beautify 
the skin only to its future injury, while various ail- 
ments of both mind and body are developed, due to 
the poisonous ingredients used in the articles manu- 
factured for the money there is in it. 
If you want beauty and a smooth, beautiful skin, 
you have an individual work to do; no one can per- 
form it for you. “Water, exercise and diet are three 
great physicians. Call in the services of the first freely, 
of the second regularly, of the third moderately.” 
So said an eminent French physician on his death 
bed many years ago. His teachings will apply to 
the case in point. Rest is also important; lie down 
often if only for ten minutes; close the eyes and let 
them rest, too. Freedom in dress is essential. 
Constipation is a great destroyer of skin beauty. 
Study the article on constipation. In brief, you will 
need to read, not this article only, but the whole book, 
to learn how to be permanently beautiful. “Massage 
of the face every night and morning stimulates the cir- 
culation of blood in the face, and is one of the best cos- 
metics, from which are received lasting results. Mix 
thoroughly one pint of glycerine and the juice of two PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
255 
lemons; this preparation applied to face and hands, 
and rubbed well into the skin, remove all discolora- 
tions. If the application be vigorously pursued for 
months, the flesh becomes clear, white and plump.” 
Beauty relates to more than appears on the surface. 
Who ever heard a cross, ill-tempered person called 
beautiful ? True beauty shines out from within, man- 
ifests in quiet, harmonious moods and methods; in 
loving words and tender actions. Love reigns, and 
leaves no scars or wrinkles on the form. 
Menstruation.—In a healthy system menstruation 
should occur regularly every twenty-eight days, and, 
in warm climates continues from about the fifteenth 
to the forty-fifth year. There are, however, many 
variations from this rule. So much false modesty 
prevails on the part of mothers, that frightened girls 
resort to various devices to check what they sup- 
pose is an alarming condition. 
Menstruation should be entirely free from suffering, 
one being conscious only of the flow, which should 
continue only two or three days. No girl should be 
allowed to suffer, as her nervous system will sooner or 
later become impaired. Suppression of the menses may 
result from sudden cold, or a severe mental shock, as 
grief or anger. The general health should now receive 
especial attention. Let the diet consist largely of fruit 
and vegetables. Take regular moderate exercise out 
of doors and persevere in it. Avoid all strong teas. 
Bathe often, rubbing the body vigorously. Painful 
menstruation may be caused by congestion of the 
ovaries and uterus, closure of the mouth of the womb, 
constipation and secret vices. 256 
THE NATURE CURE. 
The treatment may consist of the application of 
heat, used internal and external. Drink copiously of 
very hot water, flavored with lemon juice. Take hot 
injections, hot hip baths and immerse the feet in very 
hot water. Do not allow the bowels to be constipated. 
(See Constipation.) Profuse menstruation, producing 
weakness or prostration of the system, may result 
from debility or diseased conditions of the uterus, as 
displacement, prolapsus, etc. The treatment should 
consist of the application of heat in some form which 
will speedily afford relief. Give a hot hip bath, con- 
tinued until the patient perspires freely; now dry the 
body without exposure and get the sufferer in bed; 
keep the body and feet warm in blankets, by the 
use of a hot-water bottle or hot bricks well wrapped. 
Alcoholic stimulants in the end only aggravate con- 
ditions and should be avoided. 
In my own personal experience I never had a men- 
strual pain. This was no accident, but the result of 
care. I always bathed my feet in very hot water just 
before the period, careful that my circulation was not 
impeded in any manner. Corsets I was not allowed 
to wear, and so my body was never compressed. 
Woman’s pride and love of dress, her fear of criti- 
cism and lack of independence have caused more of 
the suffering that women endure, than any and all 
other causes put together. 
A mother came to me bathed in tears, fearing she 
would not live to rear her two little daughters. Wealth 
surrounded her, but life was slowly ebbing away; no 
strength, no power. Could I do anything for her? 
Putting my arms about her, I said, Can you bear a PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
257 
plain truth? “Yes; tell me anything,” she said. 
What you need most is room to breathe, room for the 
vital organs to act, to do the work of life. Take off 
your corsets, let out all your bands, study and prac- 
tice the laws of health and you may be spared to your 
children for many years. Dying by inches—-just think 
of it! No room for the lungs to play ! She was as- 
tonished to be told her clothing was too tight. Listen ! 
The more you breathe the stronger you are and the 
more power and vigor you will have. 
How gladly would I save women from their self- 
incurred miseries. During menstruation the diet 
should be spare and consist mainly of fruit and veget- 
ables, abstaining from all stimulating food and drinks. 
The feet should be kept warm and the bowels free of 
action. If women paid more attention to themselves 
at this period, and previous to it, one half of all their 
miseries might be prevented. Long walks, long con- 
tinued standing and hard work should be avoided if 
possible at this period. 
French ladies of leisure don their night robes and 
remain in bed that they may not be tempted to social 
or other activities. 
Change of Life.—This interesting period occurs at 
the termination of the menstrual flow, and takes place 
at different ages according to the constitution and 
other conditions. The change has been known to 
occur at the age of twenty-five and as late as fifty-six, 
but it ends on an average about the forty-sixth year. 
With women who have suffered long from physical 
weakness, change of life often takes place prematurely. 
A late puberty indicates a short menstrual life. 258 
THE NATURE CURE. 
If women have persistently ignored the laws of 
health they need not expect to escape the penalty for 
law breaking, but begin at once to correct bad habits 
and live plain hygienic lives, efforts vastly more 
important than all “doctor’s stuff” in the land. 
The various pathological symptoms attending this 
change are irregularity of the menses, weakness, 
derangement of the stomach, bowels, bladder and 
sometimes kidneys, nervousness with heat and 
burning on the top of the head, and pain at the base 
of the brain, swollen and painful breasts with nausea 
and vomiting suggestive of pregnancy. Profuse flood- 
ing is an alarming symptom demanding attention. 
No one symptom is so constant, common or more dis- 
agreeable than “hot flashes,” lasting only a few 
moments, but it may re-appear several times in an 
hour. 
The mental symptoms are marked and prominent. 
A patient, loving mother often becomes irritable, full 
of heat and despondency. Profuse perspirations, often 
sufficient to saturate the bed clothing, is an unpleas- 
ant symptom. Morbid growths of the uterus, as can- 
cers, tumors, etc., are very frequent at change of life. 
Treatment.—Begin at once and live hygienically 
in every particular. This relates to dress, diet, bath- 
ing, exercise, and deep, full breathing. Air is food 
for the lungs; without it the system is impoverished 
and weakened. The reason of so much suffering at 
this period is that women are very ignorant of the 
laws pertaining to their own being, and do not prop- 
erly prepare the system for the change which comes 
to all who live to that time of life. Keep the skin PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
259 
clean, that the millions of pores may, with the other 
eliminating organs, carry off the waste of the system, 
which remaining would poison the blood and cause 
disease and death. With a fountain syringe take 
enemas for the rectum and vagina two or three times 
a week, that the body sewers may be kept clean. We 
must have cleanliness within and without. The neat 
housewife uses and knows the value of water in 
cleansing her kitchen floor, which is of small matter 
in comparison. If troubled with gases use very warm 
water enemas with a little borax added to neutralize 
acidity. Ret the diet consist of fruit, grains and 
vegetables. Animal food can be dispensed with to 
good advantage, and all stimulating drinks. 
Avoid using medicine. Keep your money for fresh 
air outings, for a day at the parks, or some pleasure 
resort, for the field or orchard. Do not discuss your 
ailments with friend or foe, and think of them as lit- 
tle as possible. Hot baths are preferable at this time, 
after which, if weak and delicate, anoint the body 
well with oil. See article on “ Oil Rubs” and chap- 
ter eight on Baths. Dr. Mary Melendy, in her excel- 
lent work entitled “Cure of Disease Simplified,” 
says: 
“ During the period marked by change of life, 
there should be as little indulgence in the sexual rela- 
tion as possible, none at all being preferable. It is 
better to invite menstruation as long as possible. By 
doing this you exercise a most excellent safeguard 
against congestions, inflammations and developments 
of uterine tumors and cancers. Injections should 
always be used after a discharge from the vagina, 260 
THE NATURE CURE. 
whether of the menstrual or leucorrheal character. 
These injections will prevent the great amount of 
itching, pain and smarting from which most women 
suffer so much during this period. Do not fear to 
use water freely; a gallon at a time will not be too 
much, using, if possible, a fountain syringe, it being 
the most convenient means for injections. 
Commence with water comfortably warm, gradually 
increasing the temperature until quite hot. Have no 
fear that the douche will induce hemorrhage, for there 
is no means known to the medical profession so prompt 
in checking uterine hemorrhage as copious injections 
of hot water. When change of life is so far advanced 
that the secretions from the womb and vagina are sharp 
and acrid, causing increased soreness and inflamma- 
tion, add to the water a little borax or bi-carbonate of 
soda. Use this treatment every other day, wearing a 
wet towel over the sore parts at night, which may be 
wet in either hot or cold water, as is most agreeable.” 
Smothering Babies.—We need intelligent as well 
as careful mothers ; babies must breathe to live as 
well as grown people. One day, when the ther- 
mometer was in the nineties, and people were search- 
ing for pure cool air, I saw a mother trundling her 
babe in a lovely carriage, but the little face was 
entirely concealed by a fine, closely woven veil. I 
thought what a blizzard there would be could the 
mother and child exchange places, and followed that 
thought by a word to the mother, who was young and 
inexperienced. I was cordially thanked for my 
timely suggestion. Do not cover your babies’ faces; 
they must have pure air to breathe, the more they PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
261 
breathe, the more they live and grow. Breathing 
is the most important function of a child’s life. 
Never shut away air, light or sunshine from the 
nursery; given all the sunshine that the birds have, 
they will sing as sweetly. 
A Scrofulous Child. — In one of our western 
mountainous cities where pure air and health abound, 
I was called to see a child of fourteen months, afflicted 
at this early age with scrofula, having discharges 
from ears and nose, and sores upon face, arms and 
hands. As usual, my first inquiry was regarding the 
diet used; was informed the child drank coffee and 
ate meat, just as the parents did. The mother said, 
“Baby likes meat and coffee best, and so I gratify 
her.” With a complete change of diet, and thorough 
cleansing of the blood and skiu, the babe rapidly 
improved. In less than two months she was healed. 
The parents think the lesson taught was worth as 
much as the cure. 
Fruit Desirable.—A prevailing idea among parents 
is that early fruits and vegetables are not desirable for 
their families, and they have a vague idea that such 
food is unhealthy—disease producing. This is a 
serious mistake. Adults as well as children need 
fresh fruits and vegetables every day of the entire 
year, if they can be had. No fruit or vegetable is 
better than the water melon, in its season; all kinds 
of melons are good, but discretion should be used as 
to the quantity consumed. Much melon might dis- 
turb digestion with those accustomed to a meat, 
bread, potato, tea, coffee and pastry diet. In other 
words, produce looseness of the bowels, which is one 262 
The nature cure. 
of nature’s methods of house-cleaning, of saving 
perhaps precious life, at least severe illness. 
“ Ought to Know.”—“One important ‘ ought to know ’ is the 
fact that each unborn child has rights, and the first of these is its 
right to be born of healthy, honest, loving parents. What con- 
stitutes health ? We answer, purity and right living: Wholesome 
diet—not grease and pastry—happy thoughts and tender welcome 
all effect the unborn babe and its future. Honesty in parents in- 
stalls honor in the child. Love in hearts and homes makes con- 
tent, harmony and cheerfulness. These the little nestling imbibes, 
and their influence retains through life; these are his (or her) 
rights. 
“ Parents ought to know how thus to begin the child’s earth 
existence and follow this up by proper instructions physically, 
mentally and spiritually. ‘Your children will rise up and call you 
blessed. ’ When I see a child display violent temper I know the 
mother has been ill-used or ill-natured, and the child is marked. 
“A noted writer whom I love as a dear friend says in her book, 
‘ The Educator ’: ‘During the inlaying period sleep daily and 
regularly; growth takes place mainly during sleep; both you and 
your little one need this; let no cares, however great, prevent.’ ’’ 
—Allie Lindsay Lynch. 
Hot Water for Children.—In giving hot water to 
children for cleansing the blood, for biliousness, etc., 
have a cup of cold water at hand in which to cool the 
spoon, as by constant dipping, the metal becomes 
hot, and the little ones refuse the water, from fear of 
burning the lips. 
Contrast of Children.—“With an incredible fatuity we give 
our children pies, cake, preserves, hot biscuits, coffee, pepper 
and all other condiments we can collect from the four quarters of 
the globe, and then wonder that their stomachs and nerves are a 
wreck before they are 15. We have seen children carry pepsin 
and quinine to school to take with their dinner. Their parents 
were not invalids; they endowed their children with strong frames 
and good digestion, but the young stomachs had been so de- 
bauched with villainous hot bread, hot cakes drowned in S3rrup, 
strong coffee, fried potatoes liberally dosed with pepper, and PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
263 
other such abominations that they were unable to nourish the 
young bodies through the trying period of the rainy reason with- 
out help of the stimulants above mentioned. On the other hand, 
children sitting at the same desks, upon whom were originally 
bestowed no better physical systems, if as good, went through the 
summer in the enjoyment of the perfect health which is compre- 
hended in the saying, ‘There was little falling off in the animal 
spirits, vigor, and color they showed in the far North.’ Why? 
Because they were never allowed to take tea or coffee, pepper or 
spices, and seldom hot, heavy bread and rich pastry. They were 
abundantly nourished on oatmeal and cream—Jersey milk with the 
cream stirred in—graham or whole-wheat flour bread, made light 
and wholesome, and fruits well and plainly cooked, with not 
enough sugar to neutralize their natural acid.”—Florida Dispatch. 
Children.—Children make me smile; I love chil- 
dren. I wish they could all be desired, lovingly gen- 
erated, born of intelligent parents, raised in harmony 
with the laws of health and naturally educated. 
Somebody’s Baby. 
“ I see each morning as I pass 
A tiny house that’s on my way, 
A pretty picture through the glass, 
A face that haunts me through the day. 
’Tis some one’s baby there who crows 
And stretches out his hands to me; 
He thinks I’m some one that he knows. 
I’m not, but I should like to be. 
I’m not the only man who goes 
Along the street and glances in, 
But I’m the only one he shows 
The very slightest interest in. 
He’s taught me one thing that I’d missed. 
His winning ways a seed have sown. 
I’d give my freedom to be kissed 
By such a baby of my own.” 
— Waldron W. Anderson. 264 
THE NATURE CURE. 
A Puzzling Question. 
“ Grandma says (though I don’t see why) 
That I am the apple of her eye; 
Brother calls me a dunce; Aunt Fan 
Says she thinks I’m a little man; 
Father says I’m a reg’lar boy, 
And mother calls me her pride ’n’ joy. 
Now this is what I would like to know— 
How in the world can a fellow grow 
Who’s a pride ’n’ joy, an apple, a dunce, 
A reg’lar boy and a man at once.” 
—Anna M. Pratt. CHAPTER X. 
USEFUL RECIPES. 
ONE of tlie best and most simple remedies known 
for sore eyes, cancers, scalds, burns, etc.: Beat 
the white of an egg to the consistency used for frosting 
cake. Let it stand until melted away to a liquid. 
Bottle, and use with a camel’s hair brush or soft cloth. 
If kept in a cool place, will last for months. Try it. 
—Mrs. Patrick. 
To Keep White Hands.—To prevent the hands 
from being affected by water or soapsuds, dip them 
immediately in vinegar water or lemon juice. The 
acid destroys the corrosive effect of the alkali, and 
makes the hands soft and white. 
To Strengthen the Hair.—“ Dilute an ounce of 
borax and an ounce of camphor in two quaits of water, 
and wash the hair thoroughly twice a week, clipping 
the ends off occasionally. It will quickly grow long, 
thick and even. ’ ’ 
To Remove Moth from the Face.—The principal 
causes of moth spots are biliousness and torpid liver. 
Hot lemonade drank freely, doing away with tea and 
coffee, is a sure cure. Use a teaspoonful of lemon or 
lime juice to one glass of water, sipped as hot as can be 
borne. Let this be the only beverage used until the 
spots are removed. 
To Remove Stains from the Hands.—A few drops 
of sulphuric acid in water will take the stains of fruit, 
dark dyes, stove blacking, etc., from the hands with- 
out injuring them. Care must be taken not to drop it 
upon the clothes. It will remove the color from 
woolen, and eat holes in cotton fabrics. 
265 266 
The nature cure. 
Catarrh Remedy.—“The fumes or hot air from 
burning green pine is good for catarrh; so is the vapor 
from pine needles or hemlock leaves. Put them in a 
bowl or urn and pour boiling water over them, hold 
the face down over the mass and inhale the vapor 
well up into the nostrils and head. This together 
with plenty of fresh air in the sleeping room, keeping 
the mouth well closed when out, and the bowels regu- 
lar, will relieve if not cure catarrh.” 
Hay fever and colds in the head will be relieved by 
the above treatment. Fasting and an out-door life 
will soon remove the cause, which is seated in the 
stomach. 
Lime-Water and Milk.—One wine-glass of lime 
water, one goblet of milk. Can be retained in the 
stomach when it rejects everything else. It may be 
taken as often as desired. 
Flaxseed Lemonade.—To a pint of boiling wrater 
add two tablespoons of whole flaxseed; when the 
mixture is cool, strain and add the juice of two lem- 
ons and two tablespoons of honey. Excellent for 
coughs and suppression of urine.—Dr. Stockholm. 
Egg Lemonade.—The white of a fresh egg, juice 
of one lemon, a teaspoon of sugar, beat into a glass of 
water, is a pleasant and nourishing drink in low 
fevers, dysentery, inflammation of the stomach, pneu- 
monia, etc. 
Hot Lemon or Orangeade.—Invaluable for colds, 
diphtheria, indigestion, dyspepsia, typhoid and other 
fevers; also, for liver and kidney troubles. It is with- 
out doubt the best liver and kidney remedy ever used, 
and is “ safe.” 
Spinal Beef Marrow is said to be a good remedy 
for stone bruises, felons and other inflammations. 
Apply as a poultice; change at least twice a day. 
Food for the Lean.—Eean, scrawny people will PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
267 
find sweet apples, baked or raw, excellent food to give 
them more flesh. May be eaten with cream or milk. 
Rheumatic Remedy.—Take a quarter of a pound 
of good ginger, and boil in a quart of water until the 
strength is extracted, then soak and wring out a piece 
of flannel and apply to the affected part. This will 
not only relieve the pain but act as a tonic. 
Important Facts in the Home.—Entire wheat 
flour is beyond question the best and cheapest of all 
articles of food. It contains nearly all the elements 
to sustain the human body, and is more easily assimi- 
lated than any other food. In other words the Akron 
Graham Flour feeds most and taxes the least of any 
food yet discovered. These facts are worthy of con- 
sideration. 
How to Gain Flesh and Weight.—“Six articles of 
food we consider the best for building up fat. They 
are milk, sugar, potatoes, bread and butter, and sweet 
apples, baked or raw. Eat sweet oranges, and drink 
all preparations of chocolate. Do not bathe in hot 
water, but cold or cool. Keep cool, too, for the mind 
has much to do with getting fat as well as in other mat- 
ters. Sleep all you can; cultivate the habit of an after- 
dinner nap. Above all things don’t lie awake of nights 
fretting about anything; let the fat ones do that.” 
Hot Lemonade Cure.—For dyspepsia, indigestion, 
biliousness, sick headaches, torpid or congested liver, 
poison or impure blood, the cause of neuralgia and 
rheumatism, etc., use one-half to a full teaspoon of 
the juice of a lemon to a coffee cup of hot water, 
three times a day one-half hour before eating; drink 
very hot and if too sour use less lemon. In some 
cases, lemon may be used only once each day, taking 
instead hot water before the dinner and supper 
meal. It is always wise to do much fasting when- 
ever the system is clogged and the above expressions 
of disease exist. 268 
THE NATURE CURE. 
A Perfect Network.—A cambric needle point will 
touch a nerve center as well as a blood vein upon any 
portion of the body within a sixteenth of an inch of 
the surface; hot or cold water applied to the surface 
contracts the blood and nerves instantaneously. 
Cure for Sea-Sickness.—If you are to take an 
ocean voyage, drink sea water and eat sparingly 
before going aboard ship. If on a fresh water voyage, 
buckle a belt tightly about the waist, eat only plain 
food and as little as possible. 
How to Cleanse the Blood.—There is nothing 
better than hot water, with a small quantity of the 
pure juice of the lemon added. Take cup after cup- 
ful with intervals of fifteen minutes, each day, and 
remember to carefully select your food, which makes 
blood. 
Asparagus and the Kidneys.—Asparagus acts 
directly and favorably upon the kidneys. 
The Cause and Cure of Gravel.—Cause: Impure 
blood, poor blood, consequently imperfect circulation. 
—Cure: Tone up the system with the use of fresh air 
night and day, with plenty of sunshine sandwiched 
between meals of plain, wholesome food as taught in 
this book. Never omit hot lemonade for all blood 
impurities. 
Paralysis; Cause, and How to Heal.—Cause of 
paralysis is mainly nerve debility—starved nerves. 
It is now high time to consider them. Developments 
and discoveries of the last half century have brought 
nerves to the front; they are as necessary in many 
positions in life as muscles. The telegrapher and rail- 
road engineer are quite as dependent upon good 
nerves as muscles. Paralysis and nerve prostration 
are common complaints and are the result of over- 
taxing and want of proper nerve nourishment. Treat- 
ment: Feed the nerves properly as taught, bathe in PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
269 
pure air, water and sunshine, and do not forget the 
necessity of proper exercise. Purify the blood, keep 
the body clean inside and out, using the methods and 
remedies taught in these pages. 
Earache, Treatment for.—Heat a flat iron, wring 
a napkin or cloth out of water and wrap the hot iron; 
hold the ear over the steam, which will permeate all 
parts of the finely constructed organ, and immediate 
relief will follow. 
Insomnia.—Drink a bowl of warm, fresh milk. 
Taken very slowly before retiring, will produce sleepy 
conditions. If milk is not convenient, substitute a 
bowl of hot (weak) hop tea. 
The Dental Operator.—The dentist who smokes 
several cigars a day is in danger of becoming a total 
physical wreck. No calling is more taxing upon the 
nervous system. The dentist should avoid all nar- 
cotics and stimulants. 
Suffocation by Gas.—Thousands lose their lives 
yearly by gas suffocation. Moral: Always have your 
sleeping rooms ventilated, with door or window open. 
Never blow out the gas; turn off by shutting the key 
or stop. 
Colds and Catarrh.—To avoid colds, and catarrhal 
conditions that follow, the body must be kept free 
from all clogged and congested conditions—constipa- 
tion and biliousness included; this may easily be done 
with care in eating, breathing, bathing and exercise. 
All of the excretory organs must be kept healthy and 
active; the two-meal-a-day method of prevention per- 
severed in, and plain food chosen, results will be all 
you can desire. Avoid butter, Irish potatoes, tea and 
coffee, meat and sweets; eat vegetables, grains, nuts 
and fruits. Try the above, after the drug store and 
family physician have failed, and you will succeed. 
If nearly down sick with a severe “attack,” the “saw- 270 
THE NATURE CURE. 
ing-wood exercise, ’ ’ and cold and hot water with a 
few drops of lemon—a coffee cup alternately used 
every hour for an entire day—will surely give relief. 
The Infallible Cure.—If it is absolutely possible to 
have an infallible cure, it may be found in a perfect 
fast. To stop eating, to rest, relax and cleanse the 
body (inside and out) with pure water, as directed in 
this book, will come nearer a perfect cure for all 
humanity than any other one method under the shin- 
ing sun. Knowledge and persistence, seasoned with 
good common sense, are three requisites if one is 
determined to have health. There are in this volume 
hints enough to redeem the world from sickness, if 
the necessary effort is made. 
Water, Cold or Hot.—Water is a powerful element. 
In using it as a remedy, it is only necessary that you 
understand what may be accomplished with it if 
properly applied. The most intelligent and inde- 
pendent people make the most and best use of it. It 
is an established fact that there is no other remedy as 
safe, as sure, as valuable as water; the ablest physi- 
cians in all countries recognize this truth. 
Health Not for Sale.—We can’t buy health; we 
must work for it. It is worth working for; the only 
ones who have it are those who work for it. Obey 
the universal law of life and health, is all that is 
required to secure health. 
A Specific for Lead Poison.—The Nature Cure 
hot lemonade taken as instructed is a sure cure for 
lead poison. Painters and men employed in smelters 
will please take notice of this cheap, safe, wholesome 
and sure remedy. As a preventive of typhoid fever 
and all epidemics it has no equal. 
Sand Bag.—Make a strong cotton bag, not more 
than eight or ten inches square; stitch firmly through 
the center; fill each half with fine sand that has been PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
271 
thoroughly washed; sew up the open end and cover 
with strong gray flannel or cotton. Heat in an oven 
by placing upon your dripper, between two thin 
boards. It may be heated in boiling water and be 
used in place of the hot water bottle. For earache, 
and neuralgic pains of face and head, the hot sand 
bag is convenient and reliable. Never omit to relax 
and cleanse the stomach by drinking one or two coffee 
cups of Nature Cure hot lemonade before each meal, 
and just before retiring. 
The Jive best Physicians: Dr. Bath, Dr. Ventila- 
tion, Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet, and Dr. Merryman. 
Keep Your Mouth Shut.—Breathe through your 
nose—the natural breathing organ. This natural 
method of respiration through the nasal organs is by 
many people ignored. Breathing through the mouth 
during sleep is the cause of snoring, and should be 
avoided; many serious ills result from incorrect breath- 
ing. Mothers should see that their little ones do not 
acquire the habit of mouth breathing. If this habit 
results from congestion in the head—catarrh—teach 
the daily use of the sawing-wood exercise. 
To Replenish a Coal Fire.—Put the coal in small 
paper bags, or wrap in paper if convenient. By watch- 
ing a self-feeder, these small bags or bundles may be 
added through the stove-door, instead of the top, and 
thus the noise of coal rattling in the scuttle, so dis- 
turbing to the nerves of the patient, avoided. 
Fainting Spells.—Among the common results of 
accidents, excesses, surprises and rush of this age, 
fainting is one. Go slow and at all times command 
yourself—keep your head level; study the causes and 
correct them. A dash of cold water in the face, 
loosening of the clothing, a brisk rubbing up instead 
of down will remove the spell. Stimulants may be 
used to restore, but are not a necessity. 272 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Novel Cure for Might Sweats.—A writer in the 
Utica Observer repeats this story: “Well, my sister, 
Mrs. Kardic, had seemed to be fairly started on the 
road to the grave, because of consumption. She had 
night sweats and every indication of that dreadful dis- 
ease. She doctored, she traveled, but she grew no 
better. Indeed, we could see that she grew steadily 
worse. Somebody told her that she could cure the 
night sweats by setting a large pan of fresh wrater 
under her bed every night. Of course she laughed at 
the idea. People always laugh at any remedy that 
involves neither trouble nor expense. No; she rather 
thought such a remedy an insult to her intelligence. 
Her daughter, however, thought everything worth try- 
ing, and slipped the pan of water under the bed with- 
out her mother knowing it. Curious, but that night 
she missed her usual sweat. And every night there- 
after when the pan was under the bed there was no 
sweat. 
‘ ‘ Then she was told, and was greatly astonished 
and delighted. After that, when the water had not 
been changed, the sweats returned, though she did 
not know that the water had not been changed; so 
it couldn’t have been the result of imagination. The 
sweats have been entirely stopped by this simple 
remedy, and Mrs. K. seems to be getting well. It’s 
a simple thing, but I wish you would write it out in 
your newspaper letters, for it may do sufferers good. 
The pan must be set under the middle of the bed, di- 
rectly under the spine of the patient. Once, when 
Mrs. K. rolled over in her sleep on the side of the 
bed, away from the water, the sweats returned. ’ ’ 
Frozen Milk.—Frozen milk is now given to patients 
suffering with irritable stomachs, and is retained when 
all other substances are thrown off. 
Bleeding1 at the Nose.—The Scientific American 
says: “The best remedy for bleeding at the nose, PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
273 
given by Dr. Gleason, at one of his lectures, is in the 
vigorous motion of the jaws, as if in the act of chew- 
ing. In the case of a child, a wad of paper should be 
inserted, to chew it hard. It is the motion that stops 
the flow of blood. This remedy is so very simple that 
many will feel inclined to laugh at it, but it has never 
been known to fail in a single instance, even in the 
severest cases.” 
Cure for Most Dangerous Wounds.—An intelli- 
gent and trustworthy correspondent, says the Boston 
Transcript, has sent us the following: “ The smoke 
of woolen rags is a cure for the most dangerous wounds. 
A lady of my acquaintance ran a machine needle 
through her finger. She could not be released till 
the machine was taken to pieces. The needle had 
broken into her finger in three pieces, one of which 
was bent almost double. After repeated trials the 
pieces were extracted by pincers, but they were very 
strongly imbedded. The pain reached to the shoulder, 
and there was every danger of lockjaw. The woolen 
rags were put over the coals, and she held her finger 
over the smoke, and in a very short time all the pain 
■was gone, and it never returned, though it was some 
little time before the finger healed. 
This is but one of many instances of such cure, 
some of them taking place after several days from the 
time of the wound. L,et woolen rags be kept sacredly 
and always at hand for wounds. The smoke and 
stench will fill the house, perhaps, but that is a trifle 
when the alternative is lockjaw, or even a long, pain- 
ful sequel to a wound. Another instance was the 
wound made by an enraged cat, which tore the flesh 
from the wrist to the elbow, and bit through the fleshy 
part of the hand. One ministration of the smoke 
extracted all the pain, which had been frightful.” 
White of Egg for Infants.—“Stir the white of an 
egg into a tumblerful of cool water, or water warm 274 
THE NATURE CURE. 
as it can be without coagulating the egg. Give to 
infants suffering from extreme disorder of digestion 
and unable to take milk. This simple mixture has 
saved many an infant’s life.” 
Dryness and Roughness of the Skin.—“Chapped 
hands, scales, cracks and fissures of the skin are very 
annoying to those of tender, dry skin, especially so to 
children. I am often asked what is best to do for 
them. Anoint them once or twice a day with the 
following, which will be found excellent also for 
application on the hands after washing them, when 
one needs to do it often. It makes the skin soft, 
smooth and velvety. 
Simple tincture benzoin...i ounce. 
Glycerine 3 ounces. 
Pure carbolic acid 1 grain. 
Mix. 
“Be careful to use simple, not compound, tincture 
of benzoin. ”—Dr. O' Leary. 
A Medical Inhaler for catarrh and lung troubles: 
y2 ounce tolu, 
1 pint alcohol, 
4 drachms oil bitter almonds (for an adult), 
1 “ “ “ “ (for a child), 
1 ounce powdered benzoin. 
Cough Remedy.—One half pint of New England 
rum, one-half pint of honey, one-fourth ounce of tar; 
hold a spoonful in the mouth and inhale through the 
nostrils before swallowing it. 
Heartburn is caused by irritation produced from 
some food only half-masticated or some substance not 
digestible, and has no relation whatever to the heart. 
Drinking a tumbler of cold water one hour after eat- 
ing gives relief; by adopting hygienic methods of 
living the cause will be removed and the burning 
sensations disappear. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
275 
Treatment of Drowned Persons;— 
‘ ‘I. Send with all speed for medical aid, for articles 
of clothing, blankets, etc. 
“II. Treat the patient on the spot, in the open 
air, exposing the face and chest freely to the breeze, 
except in too cold weather. 
4 4 III. Place the patient gently on the face (to allow 
any fluids to flow from the mouth), 
4 4IV. Then raise the patient into a sitting posture 
and endeavor to excite respiration. 
1. By snuff, hartshorn, etc., applied to the nostrils. 
2. By irritating the throat with a feather or the 
finger. 
3. By dashing hot and cold water alternately on 
the face and chest. If there be no success, lose no 
time, but 
44V. Replace the patient on his face, his arms 
under his head that the tongue may fall forward, and 
leave the entrance into the windpipe free, that any 
fluids may flow out of the mouth, then 
1. Turn the body gradually but completely on the 
side, and a little more, and then again on the face 
alternately (to induce inspiration and expiration). 
2. When replaced, apply pressure along the back 
and ribs, and then remove it (to induce further inspira- 
tion and expiration), and proceed as before. 
3. Ret these measures be repeated gently, deliber- 
ately, but efficiently and perseveringly sixteen times 
a minute only. Continuing these measures, rub all 
the limbs and the trunk upward with warm hands, 
making firm pressure energetically. Replace the wet 
clothes by such other covering, etc., as can be pro- 
cured. 
How to Tell when a Person is Dead.—“While we 
are decidedly in favor of cremation, we do not admit 
that the fear of being buried alive should be a reason 
to cause us to reject burial and to adopt cremation. 276 
THE NATURE CURE. 
There are two simple tests by which we can always 
convince ourselves whether a person is really dead or 
not. One test is the same that has been crowned with 
a prize by the French government. The method of 
determining actual death which wTas considered by 
the French government as being worthy of the reward 
is the following: 
“When the fingers of a person who is supposed 
to be dead are fully extended, but kept near to- 
gether, and if placed in front of a candle light in a 
dark room, a peculiar bright color, due to the 
capillary circulation, will be visible where the fingers 
touch each other, if there is any life left. The other 
is based upon the well known fact that the muscles 
of a human being will never respond for a longer time 
to the strongest electrical current than for one hour 
and a half after death ; while, as long as life lasts, 
may its evidence be ever so little, the contractility of 
the muscles, if not affected by some forms of paralysis 
—and in cases thus affected, when death seems to 
occur, it always is real—remains.”—Medical and 
Surgical Reporter. 
To Remove Blackheads from the face, press a com- 
mon watch key over them, which will push them out. 
Drink Water Slowly, holding in the mouth until 
the mouth is cool and a portion of the water is 
absorbed. By adopting this suggestion less water will 
be required, and the tax upon the stomach will be 
diminished. 
A Good Remedy for Sore Mouth is a teaspoonful 
each of powdered borax and alum, half a teaspoonful 
soda, and a teacupful sage tea: mix well and rinse the 
mouth often. 
Antidote for Ivy Poison.—Bathe the poisoned 
member in strong lye from wood ashes and relief is 
instantly obtained. Wood ashes will in every case 
prove a sure specific for all cases of ivy poison. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
277 
Prof. 0. S. Fowler’s Wet Towel Night Cap.— 
“ Wear a wet towel on your forehead nights, all ye 
who would redouble your powers to read, think, 
study, write, remember, do business, or put forth any 
other kind of intellectual effort.” We fold a towel 
or napkin till it measures about 4x6 inches, wring 
out of cold water, place upon the forehead pressing 
down over the eyes, on to the nose, back nearly to the 
ears; fasten with a strip of cloth or old napkin until 
morning. This head compress—or night cap— removes 
congestion and heaviness of the head and promotes 
that sound restful sleep so necessary to strengthen 
and build up wasted tissues. For colds and catarrh 
there is nothing so soothing, healing and reliable. 
Vertigo is often the result of a disordered liver.— 
Treatment: Hot lemonade three times a day with a 
rigid fast, is a sensible way of recovery. 
Food for the Lean.—Fean, scrawny people will 
find sweet apples, baked or raw, excellent food to give 
them more flesh. May be eaten with cream or milk. 
Sweet potatoes, peas, beans, sweet corn, rye bread, 
Indian meal in cakes, puddings or bread, will add 
flesh if cooked and prepared so they may be easily 
and thoroughly digested, without too great a tax of 
nervous energy. 
Cure for Smoker’s Cough.—Stop smoking. 
A Substitute for Lard.—What shall we use instead 
of lard ? is an oft-repeated question. The best substi- 
tute is sweet cream for all shortening purposes, but is 
not always easily obtained, and is expensive. The 
most practical substitute is beef suet. Try out over 
a good fire as you would leaf lard; dip off the fat as 
fast as it accumulates, and it will be soft as lard, and 
about as convenient for mixing. Prepare only a 
small quantity at a time, that it may be fresh and 
sweet. We well know that to follow the above sug- 
gestion will cause you more trouble than to order of 278 
THE NATURE CURE. 
your grocer five or ten pounds of lard, but when you 
consider your own health and that of your family, 
can you not well afford the extra amount of trouble 
it will require? Since writing the above, cocoanut 
butter has come into use as a substitute for lard, and 
gives promise of proving a grand success. All who 
have used the cocoanut butter speak enthusiastically 
of it as a superior food substitute. 
Remedy for Nausea.—Hot water is the best known 
for the good reason that it will relax and 
cleanse at the same time. Many women and some 
men are subject to periodical sick-headache in which 
nausea is very much dreaded. Our hot lemonade is 
an antidote, and has no equal as a cure-all. When 
the nerves are seriously involved, and the seat of the 
trouble seems to be the brain, applications of hot and 
cold water to the back of the neck and base of the 
brain will be found upon trial (used alternately very 
hot and nearly ice cold; hot five minutes and cold 
same length of time) to be very beneficial. The same 
treatment should be given in cases of bilious colic and 
cholera morbus. Pouring cool or cold water upon the 
back of the neck and base of the brain (if the patient 
is of an active and vigorous organization) holding the 
neck over a tub or wash bowl, will often relieve nau- 
sea even where it is caused by cancerous condition of 
the stomach. 
Raw Beef.—“Physicians often administer to con- 
sumptives, and persons of frail constitutions, a diet of 
finely chopped raw beef, properly seasoned with salt, 
and heated by placing the dish containing it in boil- 
ing water. This food is given, also, in cases where 
the stomach rejects almost every other form of food. 
It assimilates rapidly and affords nourishment, while 
patients learn to long for and like it. Some of the 
severest forms of that distressing ailment called 
dysentery, are sometimes entirely cured by the patient PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
279 
eating a heaped tablespoonful of raw beef at a time, 
cut up very fine, and repeated at intervals of four 
hours until cured, eating and drinking nothing else in 
the meanwhile.” 
The above recipe is given for what it may be worth; 
the author of Nature Cure substitutes fresh hot milk 
with the best possible nursing. 
Cheerfulness is essential to digestion. 
A good laugh is the best of sauce. 
Care and grief are the bitterest foes of digestion. 
To relieve the itching of hives so distressing to 
children, add a teaspoonful of vinegar to a cup of 
water and bathe the parts affected. 
Wounds and Bruises.—Slight wounds and bruises 
are easily dressed with a good quality of court plaster; 
also burns and scalds. More severe wounds, burns 
and scalds should have a water dressing. Use two or 
three thicknesses of soft linen folded, and wet in cool 
soft water; place upon the wound or bruise after the 
injured part or parts have been pressed to their places 
by the fingers, then cover and bind with a smooth 
strip of firm cotton cloth; change as often as it gets 
dry, or moisten with a sponge and only change once 
a day. This is all that will be required. This dress- 
ing is considered the best by all first-class surgeons. 
Try it for boils, carbuncles, inflamed joints, swelling 
and external fevers. It is clean, simple, reliable and 
without expense. 
Mud Baths and Poultices are often beneficial in 
drawing out disease from the organism; for example, 
uterine inflammations, ovarian tumors, etc. 
We Eat Too Much, and too fast. We should rest 
from twenty minutes to a half hour after eating a 
hearty meal; if you cannot, eat only a bite and wait 
until you have time to eat and rest before taking the 
hearty meal. 280 
The nature cure. 
A Pleasure to be Well Dressed.—“I once heard a 
mother, who had been criticized for her personal 
vanity by a somewhat gossipy neighbor, say that she 
made it a duty and pleasure to keep well-dressed; for 
she was likely at any hour to be called upon to enter- 
tain friends whose good opinion was of such conse- 
quence that she could not afford to run the risk of 
having them find her in any but neat and presentable 
attire. The friends were husbaud and children, and 
she was fully compensated for her care in this direc- 
tion by their approval and appreciation. To be 
“ well dressed ” was not to her mind an admission of 
extravagance. Good taste and good planning often 
stand in the place of dollars and cents and the lady in 
question was able to dress well on half the cost of her 
neighbor’s wardrobe. 
Ring-Worm.—-At the first signs of a ring-worm, 
put a cupful of wood ashes in a pan with a quart of 
cold water, put the pan on the stove, put your finger in 
the pan; keep it there until the water begins to boil, 
or as long as it can be borne. Repeat once or twice 
if necessary. 
Distribution of the Sense of Taste.—“Taste, 
however, is not equally distributed over the whole 
surface of the tongue alike. There are three distinct 
regions or tracts, each of which has to perform its own 
special office and function. The tip of the tongue is 
concerned mainly with pungent and acrid tastes; the 
middle portion is sensitive chiefly to sweets and bit- 
ters, while the back or lower portion confines itself 
almost entirely to the flavors of roast meats, butter, 
oils and other rich or fatty substances. There are very 
good reasons for this subdivision of faculties in the 
tongue, the object being, as it were, to make each 
piece of food undergo three separate examinations 
(like “smalls,” “mods” and “greats” at Oxford), which 
must be successively passed before it is admitted into PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
281 
full participation in the human economy. The first 
examination, as we shall shortly see, gets rid at once 
of substances which would be actively and immedi- 
ately destructive to the very tissues of the mouth and 
body; the second discriminates between poisonous and 
chemically harmless food-stuffs, and the third merely 
decides the minor question whether the particular food 
is likely to prove then and there wholesome or indi- 
gestible to the particular person. The sense of taste 
proceeds, in fact, upon the principle of gradual selec- 
tion and elimination; it refuses first what is positively 
destructive, next what is' more remotely deleterious 
and finally what is only undesirable or over-luscious.” 
Teach by Observation.—Take your children with 
you when you travel if you wish to teach without 
overtaxing them. Children learn faster and easier by 
observation than any other method. 
Most Absurd.—The practice of taking into our 
stomachs poisonous drugs (which will make a well 
person sick) to restore a sick patient, when analyzed, 
signifies an effort to obtain health from a poisonous, 
life-destroying chemical compound. Can you think 
of anything more absurd ? 
For a Cough.—Boil one ounce of flaxseed in a pint 
of water, strain and add two tablespoons of honey, 
one ounce of rock candy and the juice of three lemons; 
mix and boil well. Drink as hot as possible. 
Onions.—“Few people dream of the many virtues 
of onions. Tung and liver complaints are certainly 
benefited, often cured, by a free consumption of 
onions, either cooked or raw. Colds yield to them like 
magic. Don’t be afraid of them. Taken at night 
all offense will be wanting by morning, and the good 
effects will amply compensate for the trifling annoy- 
ance. Taken regularly they greatly promote health 
of the lungs and the digestive organs. An extract 
made by boiling down the juice of onions to a syrup 282 
THE NATURE CURE. 
and taken as a medicine answers the purpose very well; 
but roasted or boiled onions are better. Onions are a 
very cheap medicine, within everybody’s reach, and 
they are not by any means as ‘ bad to take ’ as the 
costly nostrums a neglect of their use may necessi- 
tate.”—Home and Health. 
Onions are excellent to restore hair when removed 
by ill health or age. Apply the onions frequently to 
the part affected. The stimulating powers of this 
vegetable are of service in restoring the tone of the 
skin and assisting the capillary vessels to send forth 
new hair. 
Tomatoes.—“The tomato is one of the most health- 
ful as well as most relished of all vegetables. Its 
qualities do not depend upon the mode of preparation 
for the table. It may be eaten thrice a day, cold or 
hot, cooked or raw, and to the utmost that can be 
taken with an appetite. Its excellence arises from its 
slight acidity and the seeds which it contains. The 
acidity refreshes and tones up the system in the same 
manner as fruit, while the seeds act as mechanical, 
gentle irritants to the inner coating of the bowels, 
causing them to throw out a large amount of fluid 
matter and thus keeping them free. The tomato 
is also very nutritious. The tomato season ends with 
the frost. If the vines are pulled up before frost 
comes and are hung up in a well-ventilated cellar with 
the tomatoes hanging to them, the “love apple” will 
continue ripening until Christmas. The cellar should 
not be too dry nor too warm. The knowledge of this 
may be improved to great practical advantage for the 
benefit of many who are invalids and who are fond of 
the tomato.” 
Bee Sting.—When stung by a bee or wasp make 
a paste of common earth and water, put on the place 
at once and cover with a cloth. 
When a felon first begins to make its appearance 283 
PHYSICAL AND MLNTAL METHODS. 
take a lemon, cut off one end, put the finger in, and 
the longer it is kept there the better. 
Often after cooking a meal a person will feel tired 
and have no appetite. For this beat a raw egg until 
light, stir in a little milk and sugar and season with 
nutmeg. Drink half an hour before eating. 
“For the benefit of the man who ‘blows out the 
gas, ’ it should be generally known that a few drops of 
acetic ether on a lump of sugar will usually revive 
people who have become insensible from the effects of 
illuminating gas. Hotel clerks should paste this in 
their hats.” 
“ That ‘blood will tell ’ all thoughtful men agree, 
But whether good or bad the story be 
Which thus is told, depends entirely 
Upon the blood itself—its quality. 
If bad the blood, the story bad will be; 
If good the blood, a story good we see.” 
Drug1 Remedies.—When humanity come to realize 
that dosing with poisonous medicine is always a 
dangerous experiment, and is disease-producing, a sys- 
tem that taxes and destroys, that is always more a 
curse than a blessing, there will be hopes of a better 
day. Health will then be the rule and not the ex- 
ception. Let us all work for this result. 
“ Opinion is the main thing which does good or 
harm in the world; it is our false opinions of things 
which ruin us.”—Aurelius. 
Drink Slowly.—Water and milk are both natural 
drinks; they are both necessary and healthful. Do 
not hurry when you drink, but do so slowly. In 
drinking hot—boiling hot—water, red-hot raw lemon 
or orangeade, for stomach, liver and other troubles, 
sip one-third of a tumblerful. The remainder may, 
and ought in many cases, to be swallowed rapidly. 
Light.—Light unfolds the slumbering faculties, 
and is a magic wand in the hands of an intelligent 284 
THR NATURE CURE. 
healer. Sunshine and sunheat are more potent to 
heal than all the discoveries of the past or future. 
Use them freely and receive a continued blessing. 
Thinking people are beginning to recognize the law 
and use of increased or diminished vibration in the 
cure of disease; wives and mothers should seriously 
consider the good influence of light and sunshine 
upon the animal as well as the floral kingdom. 
Children under fifteen years of age will learn geog- 
raphy and mathematics much faster by travel and 
comparison than by drill in the common schools, and 
will grow and unfold their senses and mental percep- 
tions without injury to health. 
“Above all things we should have a care to keep 
the body from disease, and the soul from ignorance. ’ ’ 
Rest.—Take a rest after meals, especially after 
dinner; this is one of the conditions of perfect health. 
Mothers’ Mistakes.—Mothers make great mistakes 
in allowing their children to be upon the streets after 
dark. Children should go to bed early, boys as well 
as girls. There are a hundred good reasons for observ- 
ing this rule to one opposed to it. Eight hours is 
enough for play or amusement, eight for work or 
study, and eight for sleep. To do the most and best 
that is possible for your children, teach them early 
how to unfold their physical lives, their five senses; 
teach them to be helpful, orderly, careful and self- 
sustaining. This is more important up to twelve or 
fifteen years of age than books or music. No one 
thing is more important than to feed them right. The 
grains, fruits, nuts, milk and water are the best. 
The Smoking Habit.—“The smoking habit is a 
form of barbarism. No entirely civilized man ever 
sets afire the better end of himself. Your pardon, 
brethren, but out of my conviction I speak—the 
truth. I am traveling on a Central Iowa freight 
train—riding in a way-car. There are nine passen- PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
285 
gers aboard; one a lady. Five of the company are 
busy smoking cigars and pipes. Circumstantial evi- 
dence would, I think, convict one of the remaining 
four of being addicted to the same vice. The lady, a 
colored preacher and myself might plead ‘ not guilty ’ 
without great danger of impeachment. Barbarism 
precedes civilization, attests the world’s history. 
On a fully equipped passenger train the same thing 
is true—the smoking car precedes the coaches and the 
palace cars. And in freight trains the rule still holds 
good, and preference is given the barbarians by per- 
mitting them to convert the public conveyance into a 
den of obnoxious odors. It is a strange code of un- 
written morals that will allow a lot of indecent men 
to indulge in a filthy vice in the presence and to the 
injury of a cleanly woman! No gentleman is ever 
guilty of smoking in a room where there are other 
persons who do not smoke. It is high time that 
public sentiment and railroad officials discriminate 
between this kind of ‘personal liberty’ and one of the 
highest rights of decent people—the right to breathe 
pure air and be comfortable while traveling. Public 
sentiment ought to ostracise socially the smoking 
barbarian, and railroad companies should forbid his 
being a barbarian on their premises.”—The Uni- 
versalist. 
Stomach.—The stomach was designed solely for 
the digestion and assimilation of pure food and water. 
If all other fluids and substances were prohibited from 
entering this important organ, disease and sickness 
would be unknown. Poisonous drugs ought to be 
prohibited by law; also tobacco and alcoholic drinks. 
Heredity.—It is a mistake to think because our 
parents transgressed the laws of life and health, and 
died of some painful disease, that we may expect to 
go the same way. There may be some hereditary 
tendencies, but if wTe live in accordance with the light 286 
THE NATURE CURE. 
we have in the world at this time, we need not fear 
heredity, not in the least. 
Healing* Power of Love.—Who can measure the 
healing power of love and sympathy ? Who would 
be so ignorant or presumptuous, as to place medical 
experiment in contrast—in place of love and sympathy 
as a healing power. 
Kow to Avoid Pain.—Nature Cure teaches that 
pain may be avoided only by knowing and avoiding 
the causes. Pain is a warning that there is some- 
thing wrong in the camp. 
Poisonous Remedies.—Nature Cure teaches and 
believes, that any method or remedy that will paralyze, 
narcotize, poison, overstimulate, depress, produce 
sickness or pain upon any person in health, is injuri- 
ous to the sick, and that the people should and may 
demand that laws be enacted to prohibit their sale or 
use as remedies for the sick. 
Espeeial Attention.—The author of Nature Cure 
especially requests all young married women to care- 
fully read chapter nine. This chapter contains in- 
formation and instruction invaluable to all married 
women. There is nothing to be found in any other 
work that is so practical and reliable upon subjects 
presented. 
Best Thoughts.—“The best thoughts that have 
ever reached humanity have been born in adversity; 
they have come to the world through struggle, some- 
times through blood, often through tears and soul 
anguish.” 
A Suggestive Cure.— “ If any dyspeptic young 
lady will take five pounds of loose-waistedness, four 
of short-skirtedness, three of body cleanliness and 
warmly-clothedness, and with these take a stomach 
moderately full of unseasoned fruits and vegetables, 
and unbolted, unfermented bread two or three times 287 
PHYSICAL and MENTAL METHODS. 
a day, with nothing between, excepting occasionally 
a gill or half a gill of pure soft water, mixed well with 
out-of-door exercise, pure fresh air, and plenty of sun- 
shine for both soul and body, she will be cured of the 
dyspepsia, or almost any other ill that flesh is heir to, 
without ‘ aloes, ’ alcohol, or any other poisonous abom- 
inations.” 
Wisdom of the Ag’ed.—One of the mistakes of old 
people is in allowing themselves to become sour, irri- 
table, stolid, unsocial, desponding, depressed, indif- 
ferent about habits, magnifying their troubles, com- 
plaining of their ailments, and too often making their 
homes and their own lives unpleasant. The aged 
should be ripe in wisdom and goodness, attractive in 
person, cleanly and orderly, free from every bad 
habit, broad, kind, sympathetic and charitable; ripe 
in love as well as wisdom. If old people desire to be 
recognized, loved and respected, they must live the 
lives that will command such love and recognition. 
Aged people may dress and live very plain, simple 
lives, and still retain the love and respect of the wise 
and good. The aged should never think of being 
sick; envy and selfishness should be buried at fifty, if 
not before. Character and personality should not be 
lost sight of. Cremate the selfish, ambitious man, 
and foster and protect the spiritual, religious man. 
Kidneys.—Diseased kidneys are common to those 
who have indigestion, torpid livers and constipation. 
The circulation becomes vitiated, the secretions poi- 
soned, and results in disordered kidneys. The kid- 
neys very seldom become deranged if the laws of 
health are lived as set forth in this volume. 
Kidney disease is blood poison; constipation is the 
immediate and direct cause. A derangement of 
stomach and liver is the producing cause. Every- 
thing that tends to derange and poison the circulation 
may be classed as causes. Stimulants, narcotics, big 288 
THE NATURE CURE. 
dinners, sexual excess, extremes in dress and all drug 
medicines are producing causes. Symptoms.—Pain 
and heat in small of back and groins, with irritation 
and frequent desire to urinate; urine highly colored or 
bloody. Treatment.—Tepid sitz baths three times 
each day. When there is soreness and inflammation 
wear the wet compress nights, changing once at least 
if it gets dry and hot. Drink only raw hot lemonade 
and pure cold water. Eat Graham bread (home-made 
if it can be obtained), Graham mush and the best 
ripe fruit, including apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, 
cherries, strawberries, currants, tomatoes, pears and 
bananas. A cup of hot water may be taken at meal 
hours, but should always be sipped slowly at the close 
of the meal. Rest and sleep and a quiet life will do 
more—with a plain, common-sense diet—than all the 
medicine ever dreamed of. 
Bright’s Disease should be treated as above. 
Hygiene of Old Age.—The teeth in old age are of 
course lost, and they should, unless under exceptional 
circumstances, be replaced by artificial teeth, for the 
thorough chewing of food is even more necessary in 
the old than in the young, because in the old the 
digestive powers are apt to fail. With the best arti- 
ficial teeth mastication is apt to be imperfectly per- 
formed; hence the food of the aged should be soft and 
readily comminuted, and especially should it be of easy 
digestion. Very few old people need stimulating diet; 
very many are injured by an excess of nitrogenous 
food. The kidneys, like all other organs, are feeble, 
and if meats and other rich foods are used in excess, 
they greatly increase the strain upon these organs. 
Milk and milk products, or preparations of breadstuff's 
soaked with milk, should form a very large propor- 
tion of the food of the ordinary aged individual, but 
individual peculiarities differ so much that personal 
medical counsel should in all cases be taken, so that PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
289 
the diet may be regulated to the needs of the indi- 
vidual case. Very many old people are hurt by the 
use of food in excessive quantity; but little exercise can 
be taken; all growth has ceased, and the bodily fur- 
naces which make heat are able to destroy but very 
little of food fuel. 
Elder Evans’ Treatment for Felons.—“For the 
past ten years we have treated felons with hot water, 
and with unerring success. No cutting, no blistering, 
no anything but immersing the finger, hand, or even 
the whole arm, if necessary, in water as hot as can be 
borne, until the pain is all gone and the core is loos- 
ened and drawn from the bone. When rusty nails have 
produced wounds, the same course has been pursued. 
If on the hand or foot, keep it in hot water. The 
cold water compress will check and cure felons, if 
applied and kept stone cold for the space of from three 
to five days. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours will 
cure many cases.” 
Cancer; Causes and Treatment.—All scrofulously 
inclined persons are liable to be attackd with cancer- 
ous troubles. The majority of humanity have scrofula 
lurking in their blood. All nations and people who 
eat the unclean, scrofulous-hog are liable to this dis- 
ease. Syphillis is a scrofulous expression, and, no 
doubt is the result of a scrofulous tendency and un- 
cleanliness. Excess has to do with all such diseases. 
Tobacco Develops Cancer.—Senator Hill, of Geor- 
gia, and General Grant died of tobacco cancer. R. 
G. Ingersoll, it is said, is afflicted with the same 
trouble. Our regular doctors never seem to know the 
cause of any of these terrible expressions of disease, as 
they often recommend tobacco for indigestion, dyspep- 
sia and other stomach disease caused by gluttony and 
all manner of excesses. We suppose some doctors will 
cry, “ quack, quack, quack” when they read that The 
Nature Cure points out the causes of cancer and names THE NATURE CURE. 
290 
the causes ill plain English. Drugging is another 
developing cause of cancer. Avoid it if you have any 
desire to be cured of your cancer or cancer tendency. 
A large majority of the cases of cancerous tumors 
may be cured or entirely arrested and brought within 
safe limits by the following management : First. 
Wear a wet compress (covered with half a dozen thick- 
nesses of dry flannel) every night over the tumor. 
Second. Go out much in the sun. Third. Breathe 
full of the purest air day and night. Fourth. Eat 
—as taught in these pages. Fifth. Go to bed at 
eight o’clock and sleep as long as possible. Lie down 
an hour in the middle of every day and try to sleep. 
Sixth. Cultivate a cheerful, jolly temper. Seventh. 
Exercise freely every day in the open air. Eighth. 
Keep your skin clean by a regular morning bath. As 
in all other disease the best remedy is to avoid the 
cause. 
Boils and Carbuncles,—These afflict those who 
live too high or grossly as well as those who are ill-fed 
and poorly housed. They are an evidence of a debili- 
tated condition. Strict attention to diet will modify 
the trouble. Treatment.—In severe cases two or three 
vapor baths, the milk-packs and milk and water 
poultices will remove the cause. 
The Carbuncle is only a malignant boil. By using 
hot fomentations or compresses in such troubles, the 
circulation is quickened; this promotes healthy granu- 
lation and prevents the formation of pus. All ulcers 
and troubles of this type should be kept clean by 
frequent washing with warm soft water and old 
English Castile soap. Use the water as hot as can be 
borne. 
Abscesses, Ulcers, Fever Sores.—Treat about the 
same as for boils and carbuncles. Study the laws of 
health; cease to violate them. Five a true common- 
sense life, and all of these scrofulous troubles will be PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
291 
unknown. Banish every vestige of hog from your 
home; remember lard and ham are hog. 
Tetter, Ringworm, Shingles, Salt-Rheum, Nettle 
Rash or Hives.—These are eruptive affections, small 
watery or mattery pimples appearing upon the skin, 
which dry up, form scabs and scale off. Causes.— 
Bad food, irritating condiments, liquors, neglected, 
inactive and in some cases dirty skin. Treatment.— 
Cleanse the skin and adopt the hygienic diet. Daily 
bathing must be observed in all skin disease, and all 
coarse, gross foods abandoned. The grains, vegetables 
and fruits should constitute almost the entire diet, 
and some of the most indigestible vegetables should 
be discarded. Drink raw hot lemonade and orange- 
ade freely; eat raw onions at least once each day. 
Discard all salted foods; salt is not food, is not 
necessary, cannot be digested and assimilated, is 
always an irritant and a producing cause of salt- 
rheum and other skin disease. 
Erysipelas; St. Anthony’s Fire.—This affection is 
divided into two classes; one produced by the general 
causes of fever, and the other the result of wounds 
and injuries which require surgical operations. Symp- 
toms.—Chills, nausea, vomiting, great confusion of 
the head, sometimes amounting to delirium; tongue 
moist and white, pulse full and frequent. Causes.— 
Same as scarlet fever; the two expressions of disease 
are very intimately connected with bad dietetic 
habits. Both are very prevalent where swine-food, 
greasy sweet cakes and concentrated, indigestible 
preparations of food are used. Sudden colds, caused 
by changes of temperature, where the system is pre- 
pared by constipation and inflamed by gross foods, 
seem to be the conditions to develop these eruptive 
fevers. 
Treatment.—Cool the head by cold, wet cloths, 
or the pouring head bath, at the same time treat 292 
THE NATURE CURE. 
the feet to a hot foot bath. The wet sheet pack in 
the early stages of erysipelas, is no doubt the very 
best treatment to reduce the fever, cool and remove 
poison from the blood. The rubbing wet sheet may 
be given in place of the pack, if preferred. At least 
three or four packs in twice as many days will be 
required to remove the cause. In cases where the 
fever assumes a typhoid form, pulse weak, circulation 
low, and heat irregular, it is better to sponge the whole 
surface with tepid water. Tepid injections should be 
given freely at the commencement of the attack, but 
should be omitted in the eruptive stage. An entire 
change of dietetic habits should be adopted—in fact, 
a revolution in all the habits. I would substitute the 
milk-pack in place of the water, notwithstanding it is 
a recent discovery. The use of water for the above 
disease has been practiced for more than fifty years by 
hydropaths. 
How to Become Lean,—The secret of reducing 
corpulence can be summed up in two words: never 
drink. If you have the misfortune to be stout, re- 
member it depends entirely on yourself not to be so. 
It depends on whether you or your appetite are master; 
it depends on whether you can turn your glass upside 
down, and refuse water, wine, coffee and all bever- 
ages, no matter how tempting. Let your motto be, 
never drink, and in ten days you will lose as many 
pounds. Persevered in, you will go on losing flesh, 
but gaining better health, more energy and power. 
To Purify the Blood.—More than three-fourths or 
seventy-nine per cent of the blood is water (serum). 
Now, as the human system is so largely composed of 
water, that is one of the reasons why it yields such 
wonderful results in treating disease. When the 
blood' isAhick—a common condition—it should be 
thinned,; ifcthick it lacks water, then why not give it 
some? The blood* does not lack drugs, but water, PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
293 
therefore we prefer water; don’t'trouble your corner 
drug store. Instead, go to your grocer and supply your- 
self with lemons. 
Inflammation, To Cure.—How shall I cure inflam- 
mation ? Apply heat both internally and externally; 
this with an entire fast will reduce inflammation and 
relax the system. 
Prevent Asphyxiation.—Avoid asphyxiation by 
always having or window open when stoves, 
furnaces, lamps or gas are used for lighting or heating 
sleeping rooms, particularly when gas is used for light- 
ing purposes. 
An Antidote.—Hot lemonade is an antidote to all 
fevers, all causes of fevers, to inflammatory, chronic 
and skin disease. One-lialf to a full teaspoon of lemon 
juice to a coffee cup of boiling water, is the recipe 
for the genuine article. Drink it red hot; yes, you 
can, and continue as long as there is one symptom of 
fever, any pain or sickness. Hot lemonade and an 
absolute fast will cure when the orthodox drug 
methods have failed; of course other methods and 
instructions set forth in Nature Cure must be lived 
to the letter if a permanent and rapid cure is expected. 
When health is restored, be thankful your system is 
not full of poisonous drugs. 
Coffee and Sulphur Disinfectants.—Coffee burned 
is a pleasant disinfectant in the home, and in ordinary 
sickness is sufficient. Sulphur is much more destruct- 
ive of disease germs, and may be relied upon as a safe 
and sure disinfectant. The fumes of burning sulphur 
will purify the house and all surroundings; as it is 
not expensive, may be used universally. Place on a 
common stove shovel live coals, then sprinkle the 
sulphur over them, and burn it wherever unpleasant 
odors are detected. In cholera, small-pox, typhoid 
and yellow fever seasons, fumigate your home and 
surroundings three times a week, every day if you can. 294 
THE NATURE CURE. 
The Reckless Spirit of the Age.—There comes 
with our modern discoveries and inventions a great 
increase in death by accident; the masses seem reck- 
less. There are many simple hints in this book that 
will save life, and protect the body from deformity. 
Honey a Remedy.—Honey is the best remedy for 
the sting of wasps. Spirits of ammonia is good, also 
common baking soda; dissolve and apply with sponge 
or rag. 
Our Special Specific.—There is law and sound 
philosophy in our hot lemonade specific. It is a dem- 
onstrated, scientific fact that soap and hot water, with 
a little elbow grease added, will cleanse soiled linen. 
It is just as thoroughly demonstrated in many thou- 
sand families, that our hot lemonade will cleanse the 
stomach, liver, kidneys, bowels and blood, as that 
soap and hot water will cleanse dirty linen. The 
philosophy is simple, the law universal and therefore 
scientific. Heat expands; opens the meshes of the 
linen, while the alkali or chemicals neutralize the 
soiled, greasy parts; the dirt disappears and the gar- 
ment is purified. The hot lemonade opens and 
cleanses the pores, the lemonade acting upon the 
human organism as soap does on the linen, and with- 
out harm. 
Milk Drinking as an Art.—Drink milk slowly, 
only a mouthful at a swallow. 
Influence of Food on Complexions.—UA fine skin 
is one of the most wonderful and lovely things in 
nature. It really consists of six layers of network- 
like lace of the most exquisite texture, the filaments 
various in size and irregular in arrangement, lustrous 
as gossamers. The uppermost layer is a series of tiny 
facets forming a grain, which, when in perfection, 
shines not only with the reflected brilliancy of the 
under layers, but with a light of its own, producing 
that exquisite whiteness which would be destroyed PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
295 
by anything like rough friction. And people are so 
idiotic as to lay on cream and unguents, ointments 
and other mysterious preparations, of whose ingre- 
dients they know nothing. In a case that cropped out 
not long since it was proved in court some stuff sold 
in a bottle at half a guinea cost exactly three farth- 
ings to make. Or was it one farthing? Some frac- 
tion of a penny. Coarse skins can be improved, but 
chiefly from within, not by laying on all sorts of greasy 
stuffs that clog the pores. 
Ladies’ papers are always full of questions about 
them, entreaties for advice, which prove that the 
owners are alive to their deficiencies. The coun- 
sel given is often as superficial as the remedies, 
chiefly on the principle of offering what is likely 
to be taken instead of something unpalatable that 
will be immediately rejected. For it is usually 
the owners of these large-grained skins who incline 
to highly flavored sauces, fatty matters, such as rich 
cream, butter, oily dishes, food fried in fat, salt 
meats and dried fish, and almost every form of 
indigestible food. Allied with this is a disinclina- 
tion to the plentiful use of pure cold water and regu- 
lar exercise in the open air. Lounging with a novel 
and munching sweets is a good way to prevent the 
skin from attaining the degree of beauty possible to it. 
It is the digestion, overtaxed and unaided, that renders 
many a girl plain who would otherwise be pretty.” 
What are Your Habits ?—If your face presents 
pimples or boils, either one or a dozen, know at once 
your blood is impure, and immediately seek the cause, 
for there is one, or may be more than one. 
1. Inquire as to the food; is it rich, greasy and 
indigestible ? 
2. Do you take daily out-door walking exercise, if 
only a block each day, so that you unload the carbon 
from the blood by frequent deep breathing? 296 
the; nature cure. 
3. Do you take your daily or tri-weekly bath, 
keeping the pores open, thus enabling the impurities 
of the blood to pass out ? 
Heartburn.—“Half a teaspoonful of common table 
salt, dissolved in a little cold water and drank will in- 
stantly relieve 1 heartburn ’ or dyspepsia. If taken 
every morning before breakfast, increasing the quan- 
tity gradually to a teaspoonful of salt and a tumbler 
of water, it will in a few days cure any ordinary case 
of dyspepsia, if at the same time due attention is paid 
to the diet. There is no better remedy than the above 
for constipation. As a gargle for sore throat it is 
equal to chlorate of potash, and is entirely safe. It 
may be used as often as desired, and if a little is swal- 
lowed each time it will have a beneficial effect on the 
throat by cleansing it and allaying irritation. In doses 
of one to four teaspoonfuls in half a pint to a pint of 
tepid water, it acts promptly as an emetic, and in 
cases of poisoning is always on hand. It is an excel- 
lent remedy for bites and stings of insects. It is a 
valuable astringent in hemorrhages, particularly for 
bleeding after the extraction of teeth. It has both 
cleansing and healing properties, and is therefore a 
most excellent application for superficial ulceration. 
“ Mustard is another valuable remedy. No family 
should be without it. Two or three teaspoonfuls of 
ground mustard, stirred into half a pint of water, acts 
as an emetic very promptly, and is milder and easier 
to take than salt and water. Equal parts of ground 
mustard and flour, or meal, made into a paste with 
warm water and spread on a thin piece of muslin, with 
another piece of muslin laid over it, forms the indis- 
pensable ‘ mustard plaster.’ It is almost a specific for 
colic when applied for a few minutes over the ‘ pit of 
the stomach. ’ For ail internal pain and congestions 
there is no remedy of such general utility. It acts as 
a counter-irritant by drawing the blood to the surface; PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
297 
hence, in severe cases of croup a small mustard plaster 
should be applied to the back of the child’s neck. The 
same treatment will relieve almost any case of head- 
ache. A mustard plaster should be moved about over 
the spot to be acted upon, for if left in one place it is 
liable to blister. A mustard plaster acts as well when 
a considerable distance from the affected part. 
“An excellent substitute for mustard plasters is what 
is known as ‘mustard leaves.’ They come a dozen in 
a box, and are about four by five inches. They are 
perfectly dry, and will keep for a long time. For use 
it is only necessary to dip one in a dish of water for a 
minute and then apply it. 
“ Common baking soda is the best of all remedies in 
cases of scalds and burns. It may be used at the sur- 
face of the burned place either dry or wet. When 
applied promptly the sense of relief is magical. It 
seems to withdraw the heat, and with it the pain, and 
the healing process soon commences. It is the best 
application for eruptions caused by poison ivy and 
other poisonous plants, as also for bites and stings of 
insects. Owing to colds, over-fatigue, anxiety and 
various other causes the urine is often scanty, highly 
colored and more or less loaded with phosphates, 
which settles to the bottom of the vessel on cooling. 
As much soda as can be dipped up with a ten cent 
piece, dissolved in half a glass of cold water taken 
every three hours will soon remedy the trouble.” 
—Hall's Journal of Health. 
Cornmeal Poultice for Inflammation.—Scald two 
quarts of cornmeal with boiling water and mix with 
it mustard and red pepper equal parts—say one-quarter 
of a pound. Will retain heat for a long time and re- 
move inflammation. May be used when hot water 
applications are not possible. 
Uterine Injections.—Recipe: To a quart of warm 
water use a teaspoonful of tincture of myrrh; if ulcer- 298 
THE NATURE CURE. 
ation is suggested by offensive discharges, a table- 
spoonful of the tincture will not be too much. Use 
twice or three times a day in severe cases. 
Sweating (Sick) Feet.—Recipe: Wash the feet daily 
with warm water; wipe dry, then soak five minutes in 
a quart of water in which is dissolved twenty grains 
of tannic acid; let the feet dry without wiping them. 
This can be relied upon; try it. Some of the largest 
and most numerous pores of the body are found in the 
feet; this fact would suggest the great importance of 
daily bathing, using either cold, tepid or hot water as 
the occasion requires. 
Remedies for Measles.—There is no objection to 
the use of saffron tea for measles. Hot teas of any 
kind are no better, however, than hot lemonade with- 
out sugar, or plain hot, very hot water, if enough is 
used. Too much is impossible. Both will produce 
equally favorable results. 
One Jesus, Plato and Lincoln.—“Only once on 
earth a Jesus; only once in a millenium a Plato; only 
once in a century a Lincoln; but all through the ages 
have been humble men and women, lovers of the race, 
laboring to complete the grand edifice whose founda- 
tions the builders of the aeons, the milleniums and 
the centuries have laid.” 
His Own Baseness.— “He is himself mean who 
without cause thinks meanly of another. Conscious 
of his own low moral plane, he would drag others to 
his level. His opinions are the suggestions of his 
own baseness. They are the reflections of himself, 
and his calumnies his own condemnation.” 
Infinitude Itself.—“All around you are the ele- 
ments and essences necessary for the development of 
your higher nature. You stand in the realm of infini- 
tude itself, and have but to direct your soul in thought 
and desire toward it, ere you feel it permeating your PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
299 
innermost life, for lie who truly aspires can not fail 
to be inspired. ’ ’ 
Praise Your Wife.—“How many really good men 
there are who live from one year’s end to another 
without ever uttering one word of praise for the 
patient, self-sacrificing wife or mother, who works 
from sunrise until way into the night. They seem 
to think it is beneath a man to praise his wife. The 
orderly, well kept house, the dainty table, and the 
clean, well-dressed children, are taken as a matter of 
course. Perhaps she has made your favorite pudding 
for dinner in hopes of pleasing and winning a smile 
from you, but you haven’t any time or words to waste 
on her. You eat it, and that ought to satisfy her. 
Would it have cost you any more to have told her 
how nice it tasted and how kind she was to make it? 
It would surely have brightened the day for her and 
lightened her weary load. 
When you wanted to win her for your wife, it was 
very easy to praise her; in fact, everything she did 
then was all right in your eyes. Why should it be 
different now? Is she less dear as your wife than 
she was as your sweetheart? A man who has never 
time to praise his wife or give her a few words of 
encouragement is not worthy of a good wife. The 
day may come when all too late he will appreciate 
her, and would give anything to be able to praise or 
win a smile from the cold, dead face. Women can- 
not stand everything and I believe that more wives 
die from their husbands’ coldness and indifference 
and unappreciation than from any disease.”—The 
Farmers' Voice. 
Tape-Worm Removed by Pumpkin Seeds.—“It 
is a medical fact, that persons can be cured of tape- 
worm by the use of pumpkin seeds. The outer skin 
being removed, the seeds are bruised in a mortar into 
an oily, pasty mass. It is swallowed by the patient 300 
THE NATURE CURE. 
after fasting some hours, and it takes the place of 
chyle in the stomach, and the tape-worm lets go its 
hold on the membrane, and becomes gorged with this 
substance, and in some measure, probably, torpid. 
Then a large dose of castor oil is administered, and 
the worms are ejected before they are enabled to 
renew their hold. A prominent physician of New 
York city, speaking of the properties of pumpkins, 
says that in his travels in Syria he found pumpkin 
seeds almost universally eaten by the people on 
account of their supposed medicinal qualities. Not 
because they are diuretic, but as an antidote against 
animalculae which infest the bowels. They are sold 
in the streets as apples and nuts are here.”—Home 
and Health. 
Scrofulous Eruptions of Face and Hands.—Slice 
one or two onions; sprinkle a little salt on each layer; 
set them away over night, and in the morning bathe 
the eruptions with the juice. Eat freely of raw 
onions two or three times daily. You will soon 
realize the great virtue of this simple remedy. If all 
people would eat more freely of onions, sickness 
would be greatly lessened. 
Goitre.—An increase of the gland of the neck; in- 
creased by a pressing of corpuscles from a blood vessel, 
or, overcrowding the stomach with food and the blood 
with corpuscles. Those of scrofulous tendencies are 
most liable to this affection. Cause.—Immoderate 
eating of rich foods, more attention given to what the 
appetite craves, than what the brain ought to have. 
Not enough cultivation of the intellect. Treatment. 
—Cut down the supplies, eat less and drink more, go 
out more in the open air. Eat plain food, study the 
the teachings of The Nature Cure, and in particular, 
Chapters I., II., III., IV. If any meat is eaten, let it 
be fish, and only fish. Abandon big dinners, devote 
more of your life to thought. Go out and help the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
301 
poor and sick, become a real missionary, preaching 
the “Gospel of Health,” living it at. home at all 
hazards. The goitre should be reduced by wearing 
a simple appliance for this purpose. 
“ It is no dream, 
No castle-building time, that we call life. 
To catch the gleam 
Of heaven in the strife, 
Our toil must tend to reach the better life. 
There is much room 
For gratitude—much room for tenderness 
In all the gloom 
Of sorrow, much to bless, 
If we will labor more and murmur less.' ’ 
Lockjaw.—A correspondent of the Scientific Ameri- 
can says: “ Let any one who has an attack of lockjaw 
take a small quantity of turpentine, warm it and pnt 
it on the wound, no matter where the wound is, and 
relief will follow in less than a minute. Nothing 
better can be applied to a severe cut or bruise than 
cold turpentine; it will give certain relief almost in- 
stantly. Turpentine is also a sovereign remedy for 
croup. Saturate a piece of flannel on the throat and 
chest, and in a very severe case three or four drops on 
a lump of sugar may be taken inwardly. Every 
family should have a bottle on hand.” 
Coughs.—The paroxysm of coughing may often be 
prevented or cured by using a little dry salt as a gargle. 
Let those who doubt try it. It will relieve the tick- 
ling in the throat. 
To Relieve Severe Coughs.—Equal parts of hoar- 
hound, elecampane root, comfrey root, spikenard and 
wild cherry bark. Boil in one gallon soft water, 
down to one quart; strain and add one pound of 
honey. Take a tablespoonful three times a day, or 
when the cough is troublesome. The wet compress 
is as good for coughs as for sore throat. Try it. 
Roast a lemon very carefully without burning it; 
when it is thoroughly hot, cut and squeeze it into a 302 
THE NATURE CURE. 
cup upon three ounces of sugar, finely powdered. 
Take a spoonful whenever your cough troubles you. 
It is good and agreeable to the taste. Rarely has it 
failed of giving relief. 
To Cure Headaches.—Much sick headache is 
caused by overloading the stomach—by indigestion. 
It will be relieved by drinking freely of hot water, or 
hot, unsweetened lemonade or orangeade (lemon is 
best). If feet are cold warm them or bathe in water, 
very hot, in a deep vessel, so that the water will reach 
nearly to the knees; keep hot for half an hour. If 
pain is very severe apply a hot compress to head. 
Pack the head. Treat common headache same as 
above. To prevent it, let plainness, simplicity and 
temperance preside at your table. Medicine is not 
necessary. The above treatment, using from two to 
four goblets of hot water or raw lemonade will cure 
any case in two hours’ time. 
Rheumatism.—Acute or Chronic, Sciatica, Lum- 
bago, etc.—This is an inflammatory disease. Symp- 
toms so well known as not to require a description 
from us. Causes.—Improper habits of eating, drink- 
ing, sleeping, exercise, breathing, dressing, bathing, 
etc. Study the Nature Cure, especially the chapters 
on diet, exercise and bathing; live up to the teach- 
ings and you will not have rheumatism in any form. 
Ti'eatment.—The Russian and massage treatments 
are sure cure in connection with right living. 
Tobacco, liquors and all medicines must be avoided. 
The Russian method of concussion if followed up 
persistently will cure old chronic cases, also mas- 
sage, which is similar. Slapping and rubbing until 
reaction or the circulation is increased will remove 
the trouble. Treat inflammatory cases with hot com- 
presses, fasting, rest and the best nursing that can be 
obtained. 
The primary cause of all rheumatic conditions PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
303 
is a thickening or coagulation of the blood. Hot 
water, hot lemon or orangeade without sweetening 
drank three or four times a day, will aid in a perma- 
nent cure of all this class of troubles. 
Inflammatory Rheumatism.—A Strange Cure.— 
A gentleman writes to a Pittsburgh paper that he was 
completely cured by handling doves. He procured a 
number and would stroke and play with them daily, 
and the result was a cure for him but death to the 
doves. This remedy is so simple the experiment is 
worth trying. We know that doves, as well as the 
peacock, possess a large amount of magnetism. 
Neuralgia, like rheumatism, is well known. Causes. 
—Use of tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco, drugs, rich foods, 
fiery condiments, pungent spices, etc., etc. Treat- 
ment.—Two thermal or vapor baths daily if pain is 
severe, washing off in tepid water. If face and head 
are affected bathe them with tepid water. In severe 
cases the hot compress applied same as cold compress 
will be very beneficial. Discontinue tea, coffee and 
all highly seasoned rich foods, live plain and bathe 
more. 
A Suggestion to Men.—The best way to increase' 
your strength, cool your passional nature, quiet your 
nervous system, gain perfect control over all the 
passional part of your life, which, if controlled, gives 
tone, strength and character, but without control 
drags down the very best men. Take the cold sponge 
or towel bath every morning, as regularly as you wash 
your hands and face; be particular to bathe the hips, 
groins and private parts. This course, adopted and 
practiced, will do much to give men power over 
themselves, secure health and vigor to the entire 
system, ward off piles, kidney, bladder and other dis- 
ease. 
Milk Leg.—An inflammatory dropsical swelling of 
the leg, occurring generally after child-birth, though 304 
THE NATURE CURE. 
sometimes in pregnancy, but never will occur if tbe 
teachings of Nature Cure are followed. Under the 
drug system it often seems incurable. Treatment.— 
See that the bowels are not ‘‘locked up;” if they are, 
study article oil constipation. As soon as uneasiness 
is felt about the groin and thigh, with urinary trouble, 
take a cold sitz-bath once or twice a day; if chilliness 
is felt, keep the hands and arms in hot water during 
the bath, which may last from fifteen to thirty min- 
utes. The cure can be made perfect by following this 
course of treatment a short time, which is very impor- 
tant to prevent a recurrence of the difficulty. Diet 
should be of fruit and grain, with strict attention paid 
to rest, sunshine, and a harmonious use of all the 
functions and faculties of the body without neglect of 
the brain. 
Palpitation of the Heart.—This trouble usually 
indicates a deranged condition of stomach, liver and 
bowels, also lack of active out-door exercise. Plain 
food, cold baths, use of hot water in place of tea and 
coffee, plenty of sleep and no worry, will heal the 
worst cases. Frequent thermal baths will prove ben- 
eficial. 
Yellow Fever.—As the cause of this malignant 
type of fever has not been ascertained and accepted, 
we will take the time of the reader only to give our 
views. Debility is the immediate cause. The pri- 
mary cause, there can be no doubt, is a deranged 
condition of the digestive organs, caused by poison- 
ous gases inhaled for months prior to the breaking 
out of the epidemic. The cause is similar to that 
which develops typhoid fever, diphtheria and other 
summer and early fall disease in the north, which is 
surely very bad sanitary conditions about the homes 
of the persons or families who are attacked with these 
troubles. In some instances a partially dry well, low 
water, bad sewerage or some nuisance of a public PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
305 
character, like the cemeteries of New Orleans, vaults 
all above the ground, or nearly so. If the city of 
New Orleans would cremate their dead and compel 
the authorities to enforce perfect sanitary conditions, 
yellow fever would not be the terrible disease and 
scourge that it is and has been. 
People should turn their attention to seeking 
causes, and then they would not fear effects. There 
is no doubt that yellow fever is first invited into 
the homes by persons who have become debilitated 
from overwork, excess of some kind, poor, coarse, 
gross food, bad surroundings, poisonous gases, re- 
sulting in indigestion, torpid liver, deranged kidneys 
and bowels and a general letting down of the 
whole vital system. Treatment: First, disinfect 
the house and entire premises, and do it most 
thoroughly. Second, exclude everyone from the prem- 
ises except those who are interested in the recovery 
of the sick one. Third, adopt the hydropathic treat- 
ment and you are safe—more safe than in any other 
known method. Fourth, the pouring head bath, to 
be continued and extended, so that a steady stream 
of water is conveyed down the back upon the spine, 
from the base of the brain to the hips. It will aid 
much for one of the two attendants to rub with hands 
the base of the brain, neck, spine and back until the 
system is restored to a natural condition. After an 
hour’s rest, and time to judge of the effects, if farther 
treatment is needed to reduce the fever and restore the 
system to the normal temperature, use the rubbing wet 
sheet. Continue the head bath and dripping wet sheet 
treatment, not omitting the rubbing, until normal 
condition is restored. Fifth, take a vapor bath and 
sweat copiously, drinking an abundance of cold water 
—a half tumblerful at a time—and swallowing slowly 
while in the sweating bath. Let this bath be fol- 
lowed by the head bath and rubbing wet sheet, occu- 
pying only time enough to cool and equalize the 306 
THE NATURE CURE. 
circulation. The patient should drink a large tumbler 
of raw, hot lemonade three or four times every twelve 
hours, and all the cold water possible between. Fast 
until entirely restored. 
If proper sanitary conditions are adopted, and hot, 
raw lemonade is used through the entire warm season, 
no fear need be entertained of yellow fever or any 
other dangerous disease. Always include common- 
sense hygienic living. Sixth, secure the best, most 
healthy, positive nurse, and then act promptly; 
follow up the treatment persistently until a change 
comes. We know of extreme cases, requiring the 
combined efforts of strong men to control them, 
who were treated by pouring or dashing cold water 
upon them until the fever and delirium were sub- 
dued. We do not advise such heroic treatment as 
the above, but would feel safer even with that than 
with all the drug doctors and drug science yet known. 
If you expect to recover, do not under any circum- 
stances take poisonous drugs. 
Sleeplessness.—Causes.—Severe study, intense at- 
tention to business and protracted watching are com- 
mon causes. Cold feet, eating near bed-time, taking 
stimulating drinks in the evening are causes. Reme- 
dies.—A hip bath at bed-time, or the hip bath and drip- 
ping wet sheet is better, when the causes seem to be 
mental. The warm foot bath, abdominal compress, 
active outdoor exercise or exercising in a cool room 
well ventilated, in a state of nudity, when the causes 
are physical. Drink hot milk instead of tea or coffee. 
Fidgets and Anxiety,—Fidgets is known by a per- 
petual desire to change the bodily position; anxiety 
by a desire for continued locomotion. Cause of fid- 
gets, too long confinement of the body in a motionless 
position. Children at school, writers at the desk, 
women with the needle are illustrations of causes. 
Restlessness with anxiety is peculiar to persons of PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
307 
nervous temperament. Constipation is a common and 
very frequent cause. Treatment same as for sleep- 
lessness, adding hip bath and warm water enemas 
where constipation is a producing cause. Take rest 
and change, go fishing and “ rough it ” for a few 
months, avoiding tea, coffee, tobacco and all stimu- 
lating causes, and the trouble will fly away. 
Baldness.—“The cause of the falling out of the 
hair is not fully understood. In most cases it is doubt- 
less due to some failure in the nutrition of the hair 
follicles. In the aged it connects with the feebleness 
that characterizes the functions of the skin generally. 
Heredity has much to do with it, as it has with all the 
bodily functions and organs. Individuals in some 
families become bald early in life from generation to 
generation. Coarse hair seems to have more vigor 
than fine. It is well known that violent emotions 
sometimes suddenly blanch the hair, the cerebral nerve 
(the tropic center, so called) which controls the nour- 
ishment of the hair, being affected by the shock. 
Fright has caused a rapid and almost immediate fall- 
ing off of the hair.” 
In Cases of Poisoning.—Make your patient vomit 
by giving a tumbler of warm water with a teaspoonful 
of mustard in it, and send for the doctor. If the 
poison is acid, give magnesia and water, or chalk and 
water, or soap and water, and plenty of warm water 
besides. If it is an alkali like potash, give vinegar 
and water, lemon juice or some other safe acid. Al- 
ways remember the emetic first. If laudanum, strong 
coffee is a good thing to give until the doctor conies. 
Keep the patient awake. 
Lard for Bruises.—Hard as an application for 
bruises is considered indispensable by many house- 
keepers. If put on as soon as possible it will usually 
remove all soreness and prevent the discoloration that 
usually follows such a hurt. If the bruise is severe 308 
THE NATURE CURE. 
it may not cure it entirely, but will lielp it in any 
case. A blow on the face followed by a black and 
blue spot is especially annoying, but unless so near 
the eyes as to settle black under them, lard will pre- 
vent such discoloration. Try it when next you are 
so unfortunate as to get a bruise. Should not care to 
use lard for any other purpose. 
Quinsy.—Inflammation of the throat, or sore throat, 
unless promptly attended to, may run into malignant 
or putrid sore throat, diphtheria or croup. Throat 
and tonsils become swollen, sore and painful; swallow- 
ing difficult, and generally violent fever. Treatment. 
—Same as for a cold or diphtheria. If feet and legs 
are cold, take hot foot bath, also immerse hands and 
wrists, and bathe arms in hot water. If tonsils and 
throat are ulcerated, gargle with hot water. If not 
gargle with cold water. Use ice in small lumps, or 
snow, to be melted in the mouth. Continue the treat- 
ment until relief is secured. If the fever becomes 
violent, and the inflammation of the throat severe, 
the dripping wet sheet will be necessary; the object 
being to attract the excessive heat to the surface. 
Causes of Sudden Death.—Very few of the sudden 
deaths which are said to arise from disease of the 
heart, do really arise from that cause. To ascertain 
the real origin of sudden deaths, an experiment was 
tried and reported to a scientific congress at Stras- 
burg. “Sixty-six cases of sudden death were made the 
subject of a thorough post-mortem examination. In 
these cases only two were found who died from disease 
of the heart. Nine out of the sixty-six had died of 
apoplexy, while there were forty-six cases of conges- 
tion of the lungs—that is, the lungs were so full of 
blood they could not work, there not being room 
enough for a sufficient quantity of air to enter to 
support life.” Congestion and a clogged condition are 
more dangerous than heart failure. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
309 
A Cure for Hydrophobia.—“Take three ounces 
of the root of elecampane, stew it in a pint of 
new milk and give it, milk and all, to the patient 
in the morning while the stomach is empty; have 
him fast six hours after taking it; repeat the dose 
three times in three successive mornings and the 
cure is complete. Several persons have written to 
say that it had been tried, on my recommendation, 
and with success. One man who had two children 
and, I think, twenty hogs and cows bitten by a dog 
furiously rabid, had administered it to all, and six 
months after wrote to say that none of them had had 
any symptoms of hydrophobia. Elecampane is gen- 
erally known as a powerful medicinal plant, and, as 
it has been successful and doctors are powerless before 
this disease, I hope it will be promptly tried.”— 
Jane Grey Sivisshelni. 
Cholera Morbus.—This is a bilious variety of 
cholera, the special symptoms being frequent vomit- 
ing and purging, including a copious amount of bile, 
and attended with much pain.—Causes most com- 
mon are indigestible articles of food, and too free use 
of drugs. Treatment: Cleanse the whole alimentary 
canal as promptly as possible by drinking freely of hot 
water and a copious use of warm water enemas; 
follow this by frequent sips of cold water, administer- 
ing cool enemas after each evacuation. Apply to the 
abdomen a cold compress covered with dry, soft 
flannel, which should be frequently changed. If the 
griping is severe use the hot sitz-bath. If there is 
much external heat and tenderness of the abdomen, 
use the cold sitz-bath. Let the food be exceedingly 
simple. Ripe acid fruits (whatever is craved) may be 
eaten in moderation, with gruels of wheat or rice. 
Diphtheria and Croup Cure.—A Paris paper con- 
tains a .report made by the “French Academy of 
Medicine,” and written by Dr. Delthel, giving a cure 310 
THE NATURE CURE. 
for diphtheria and croup. The doctor states that the 
vapors of liquid tar and turpentine will dissolve the 
fibrinous exudations which choke up the throat in 
croup and diphtheria. The directions for use are as 
follows: “ Pour equal parts of turpentine and liquid 
tar into a tin pan or cup. Set fire to the mixture. 
The air of the room soon becomes obscured by the 
dense resinous smoke, which arises therefrom. The 
patient immediately seems to experience relief; the 
choking and rattling cease, the patient falls into a 
slumber, and, seemingly, is very grateful for the 
smoke. The fibrinous membrane soon becomes 
detached, and the patient coughs up microbicides. 
These, when caught in a glass, may be seen to dis- 
solve in the smoke. In the course of three days 
afterward the patient entirely recovers. Two table- 
spoonfuls of tar and two tablespoonfuls of turpentine, 
will be a sufficient quantity to use at one time.” The 
above cure could be used in connection with the 
water, ice and bath treatment, as presented in the 
ninth chapter, if so desired. There would be no harm 
to the patient if both were used. CHAPTER XI. 
OBJECT LESSONS AND TABLES. 
REPETITION is an almost universal expression 
in all forms of life. Growth and Repetition go 
hand in hand in all the varied expressions, from the 
atom to a world, like the one we live on; from our small 
world to a system of Suns, Moons and Stars to an in- 
finite universe; from the first form of organic life to 
human life, on and on to spirits, angels, arch-angels, 
demi-gods to ‘ Being,’ universal spirit. 
The Methods of Common Sense Medicine.— 
Medicine, like life, is a round of repetition in many 
respects. The methods of common sense medicine 
are as varied as human faces and forms. Repetition 
of any established rules, methods or remedies in treat- 
ing the sick, ignoring change, growth and the infinite 
variation of conditions and human expressions, is a 
serious mistake, a dangerous error. In this and 
the closing chapter some repetition may be necessary, 
as the author desires to make some portions of them 
just as emphatic as it is possible for the English lan- 
guage to make them. 
Sunlight and Sunheat.—If it were possible for me 
to dip my pen into the condensed extract of life, light, 
beauty, strength and glory, I should fail to convey 
my convictions of the value of sunlight and sunheat 
upon animal life. 
In the first chapters, my views have been given 
311 312 
the: nature cure. 
fully upon the necessity of air, water, food and exer- 
cise in preventing disease. 
Deprived of sunlight and heat the human form 
could not be perfected; deprived of light and heat, 
animal and vegetable life would shrink, shrivel and 
become extinct. To shut out sunlight and sunheat 
from homes is to dwarf our children, invite disease, 
increase nervous irritation, weaken sight, debilitate 
the entire physical structure, limit the vital electric 
spark, depress—retard—vibrations, shadow the spirit- 
ual and moral aspirations of the entire household, and 
cast a cold, oppressive influence upon friend and 
neighbor; but the lace curtains, carpets and furniture 
will look better, smell more musty, and the home 
will conform more strictly to society’s whims, by 
barring out the sun and its life and health-giving vir- 
tues. 
The home can never be successfully converted into 
a dungeon, tomb, or fashionable furniture advertise- 
ment. Use your homes, and never allow your homes 
to use you, is my advice. 
Health Tints.—Health tints are as natural as the 
beautiful tints upon the flowers; without sunlight and 
sunheat, the flowers would be as pale and sickly look- 
ing as many of our young ladies who exclude the sun 
from their homes. 
Increase Vibration.—The sun’s rays increase vi- 
bration, strengthen the physical form, sweeten the 
temper and disposition. Among the producing causes 
of rheumatism, neuralgia, and nervous affections are 
sunless, illy-ventilated sleeping and living rooms. 
Turn on the light and sunshine. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
313 
Overwork is destructive to life and health; it is 
much wiser to dispense with a thousand trifling luxu- 
ries of dress and appetite, than to be compelled to 
overwork in caring for them, or to prepare unneces- 
sary dishes for our tables. 
Do not bustle, worry or get excited; keep nerves and 
muscles perfectly under control of your good common 
sense. 
Weigh and measure all your efforts; do nothing in 
a careless or haphazard manner; order is law, and to 
be happy we must obey all of nature’s laws. God’s 
laws are good and natural, because uniform and just. 
Do not work and worry yourself nearly to death 
that you may live; make every day joyous; put aside 
pride and the follies of fashionable life, and live true 
and free to your own conditions and circumstances. 
To be free, happy, harmonious and contented one 
needs to understand what life signifies—to see that it 
means more than selfish gratification. 
Tired People, worn out housewives, should under- 
stand the result of the extra strain put upon them, 
take the matter in their own hands and make a 
change for the better. First, cut off all unnecessary 
work, dispense with all or many of the luxuries, and 
you will soon find the rest so much needed. 
Every portion of the physical organism is built up, 
healed and invigorated while we are sleeping, resting. 
Rest you can, rest you must, or rest you will in your 
grave. 
The Mother of Maladies.—Everything about the 
home that relates to health in any direction should be 
orderly, cleanly and convenient as possible. The bath- 314 
THE NATURE CURE. 
room and out-lionse should be as clean and inviting 
as the diningroom. Neglect in this direction invites 
constipation, which is said to be the ‘‘mother of mala- 
dies. ’ ’ 
Hot Baths.—Hot baths remove impurities from the 
blood and vital organs more rapidly than cool or cold 
baths, also equalize the circulation and restore normal, 
healthy action of all the parts. Taken in connection 
with the hot lemonade, we have the most thorough and 
powerful therapeutic agent known to the medical pro- 
fession. 
The Best Appetites.—Avoid stomach stimulators 
and appetizers. If the stomach does not want food, 
give it a rest until you have an honest appetite. Stimu- 
lators weaken the stomach, as well as all the vital or- 
gans, by overtaxing them, and are indigestible. A 
rest of three, six, ten or twenty days, with out-door 
exercise, in the sun, eating only one scanty meal each 
day, will give the stomach and digestive organs time 
to recuperate and regain a normal condition. The 
very best appetizers are exercise in the open air, plain 
vegetable and fruit diet and well-ventilated sleeping- 
rooms. 
Eat to Live, Not Live to Eat.—Hat slowly and 
enjoy your meals; give your thoughts and time to one 
of the most important necessities of life. Make every 
meal a pleasure; it may be seasoned with pleasant 
conversation, but not with any taxing, irritating or 
exciting discussion. 
Turkish Towel.—An editor offers a turkish towel 
as a premium to new subscribers, probably on the well- 
known principle that towels increase the circulation. PHYSICAL AND MLNTAL METHODS. 
315 
Supreme Intelligence Rules,—“The sick should learn that 
supreme intelligence rules the universe and that health stares them 
in the face. The air we breathe is full of life. The electric com- 
pany runs it on a wire. But we must keep our fingers off the live 
wires. Let electric appliances alone. Let drugs alone. Put your- 
self in touch with nature by a repair of the visible nerve centers, 
so as to utilize this ever-present force, which is sufficient for our 
bodily needs.” 
Appetites Normal and Abnormal.—An able pro- 
fessor, teacher in one of our most advanced and liberal 
medical universities, when asked for some practical 
rule for selecting food, gave the following: “First, ex- 
amine the article of food with your eyes; second, smell 
it; third, taste it. If it passes these three sentinels 
you may trust it to your stomach.” 
In connection with the above we will here repeat 
what we have written in a previous chapter as our 
suggestion. It is only a single sentence but is very 
far-reaching and significant, viz.: The foods that feed 
the body the most) and tax the least to digest and as- 
similate are the best. 
The natural appetite is satisfied with the food nursed 
from a healthy mother’s breast. It is difficult to find 
a normal appetite after the age of ten years. Normal 
appetites will reject all condiments and stimulants and 
will be fully satisfied with natural foods. 
Obesity, Corpulence.—This, when it assumes large 
proportions, may be called disease. Fat accumulates 
about the kidneys and the abdomen and causes diffi- 
culty of breathing, because the motion of the dia- 
phragm is restricted. 
Causes.—Often too free indulgence in rich and 
highly seasoned food; too much flesh food, freedom 316 
THE NATURE CURE. 
from worry, an indolent or sedentary life. Too much 
thought spent upon what we shall eat, and not enough 
time devoted to the culture of the intellect. 
Symptoms.—Enlarging of muscles, want of breath 
and impeded circulation. 
Treatment.—Stop drinking stimulating or other 
drinks. Restrict yourself to eating very plain food 
partaken of in very small quantities. Abstain from 
starch and other nutritious and fattening foods. Take 
two meals each day. Use regular and daily active 
out-door exercise. Bathe daily. Get a bicycle; riding 
is an excellent method of reducing flesh. Sleep but 
few hours; rise wTith the lark every morning. Rigidly 
observe these directions, and the most unwieldy man 
or woman will soon be reduced to proportions agree- 
able. Should you desire treatment more in detail as 
to food, etc., etc., write the author, enclosing stamps, 
and he will be glad to advise further. 
Mental Light.—Mental and spiritual light crystal- 
lize error as sunlight does disease germs; therefore 
turn on the light; let into your life all the mental, 
physical and spiritual light possible, and drive out 
error, sickness, ignorance and disappointment. 
Wheat the Best Cereal Food.—Wheat prepara- 
tions, what is now labeled the “entire wheat flour,” 
are said to be the best, because all the organs and 
functions of the body are fed in about the right pro- 
portions by its use. 
Wheat is Superior to Oatmeal, is easier digested, 
contains more to feed the brain and nerves, and less 
of the heating fatty elements. 
How to Prevent Sickness.— “My husband has a PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
317 
sure preventive of sickness; shall I tell you what it 
is?” said a lady to one of our solicitors, who was 
spending the winter in a southern city. 
“Every morning he drinks a large cup of hot or 
cold lemonade, without sugar, before he eats his 
breakfast, and he never gets sick; he has kept up this 
practice now for nearly a year. Before this he was 
often sick.” 
The lemon acts as an antidote for any condition of 
poison that may exist in the blood, and the water 
cleanses and carries off impure secretions. What a 
world of wisdom is contained in those few words! 
The Nature Cure teaches the same thing and a deal 
more. 
Anti-Poison Drug Doctors.—If you think you 
must take drugs, why not employ the anti-poison 
drug doctor ? 
The Physio-Medical school of drug doctors do not 
use any poisonous drugs. A college of anti-poison 
drug practice is established in Chicago. Dr. Pecu- 
men is one of the professors. 
Demonstrated.—The basic principles of Nature 
Cure have been demonstrated in this, and every 
country upon this globe; they are the life experiences 
of millions of intelligent people, and are a positive 
protest against drug experiments. Divested of tradi- 
tion and prejudice, the masses can abandon the old 
for the new, and be successful. 
Indorsed.—All that is true and practical in mental 
healing, prayer and faith cure, Christian science, 
and all other science, I indorse so far as understood. 
The world at this time needs all the healers. 318 
THE NATURE CURE. 
OBJECT LESSON No. 1. 
The following are popular medicines used by drug 
doctors in their practice at this time: 
1. CALOMEL. 
2. CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE. 
3. STRYCHNINE. 
4. MORPHINE AND OPIUM. 
5. ARSENIC. 
6. PRUSSIC ACID. 
7. SULPHURIC ACID. 
8. NITRIC ACID. 
9. QUININE. 
10. ACONITE. 
11. CHLORAL HYDRATE. 
12. DIGITALIS. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
319 
OBJECT LESSON No. 2. 
The following are the remedies and methods of 
reformatory doctors at the present time: 
1. SUNSHINE AND SUNHEAT. 
2. PURE AIR. 
3. PURE WATER, Hot and Gold. 
4. PURE FOOD. 
5. LEMONS, and other Acid Fruits. 
6. SOAP, OLIVE OIL, OOCOANUT OIL. 
7. MILK, Hot and Gold. 
8. THE MAGNETIC HAND. 
9. ELECTRICITY. 
10. MASSAGE. 
11. MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING. 
12. ANTISEPTIC REMEDIES. 
A score or more of home remedies may be 
found upon a single page in this 
Chapter. THE NATURE CURE. 
NECESSITIES 
OF 
LIFE FIRST. 
320 
REAL LUXURIES, 
LOVE, SYMPATHY, 
AND 
JUSTICE 
ARE NOT SOLD 
ON THE 
MARKET; 
THEY ARE ROYAL ROBES 
FREE TO ALL. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
321 
PURE AIR 
FOR THE LHNG-S. 
PURE FOOD and WATER 
FOR THE 
STOMACH. 
ACTIVE EXERCISE, 
FREEDOM OF MUSOLE 
NERVE AND THOUGHT, 
WILL VITALIZE 
THE CIRCULATION, 
THE RIVER 
OF LIFE. 322 
THE NATURE CURE. 
The Nature Cure Remedies.—Air, water, sunlight, 
sunheat; cleanliness inside and out; baths, hot, cold, 
Turkish and vapor; sun baths, sea baths, air baths 
and towel or sponge baths. Flaxseed tea, flaxseed 
lemonade, turpentine, tar, pumpkin seeds, onions, 
resin, pitch (pine), potash, hoarhound, sage, olive oil, 
coacoanut oil, phosphate of lime, carbolic acid, En- 
glish castile soap, scorched flour, quassia, salt, lime, 
honey, hops, smartweed, vaseline, tincture of myrrh 
and other antiseptics, smoke of woolen rags, frozen 
milk, lime water, glycerine, white of eggs, catnip, 
slipperly elm, gum arabic, tincture of bloodroot, etc., 
etc., etc. 
The following menu, which I will call old style, is 
copied from The New Buckeye Cook Book (considered 
a standard work, I know of none better). 
January Menu, Old Style, One Day. 
Breakfast. —Cracked wheat, pigs feet souse, fried po- 
tatoes. 
Dinner.—Boiled bacon with cabbage, potatoes, tur- 
nips, carrots, onion sauce, chicken pie, bread pud- 
ding with sauce. 
Supper.—Biscuit, cold bacon shaved, bread and milk, 
sponge cake and jelly. 
April Menu, Old Style. 
Breakfast.—Long breakfast rolls, broiled porterhouse 
steak, hominy croquettes. 
Dinner.—Chicken soup, chicken dressed with egg 
sauce, whole potatoes, spinach, young lettuce and 
onions, sweet pickles, orange float, caramel cake. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
323 
Supper.—Cold chicken and current jelly, cold rolls, 
snow custard, cake. 
The new style bill of fare is a fruit and vegetable 
diet almost exclusively, and is considered by the au- 
thor as far superior to the old style, and requiring 
much less time in its preparation. 
January Bill of Fare, New Style. 
Breakfast.—Apples, oranges, figs, dates and raisins 
(your choice), graham, ryemeal or oatmeal mush 
and griddle cakes. 
Dinner.—Apples, raisins, figs and nuts; vegetable 
soup, baked sweet potatoes, potato salad, Indian 
pudding, cranberry sauce. 
Supper.—Baked sweet apples, stewed peaches, cold 
graham gems, cold mush and milk. 
April Bill of Fare, New Style. 
Breakfast.—Apples, oranges, bananas, figs, dates, 
boiled eggs, sweet potatoes, griddle cakes, maple 
syrup, graham gems, nuts and raisins. 
Dinner.—Apples, oranges, bananas, figs, dates, boiled 
eggs, bean soup, potato salad, baked potatoes, 
parsnips, vegetable oysters, spinach, rice pud- 
ding, pumpkin pie, cheese. 
Supper. —Oranges, evaporated apples or dried peaches, 
bananas, milk toast, eggs on toast, cold mush 
and milk, plain molasses cake, graham gems. 
July Bill of Fare, Old Style. 
Breakfast—Breakfast puffs, stewed kidneys, radishes, 
young onions. 324 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Dinner.—Boiled fish with egg sauce, mashed pota- 
toes, squash; cherry dumplings with sauce, lady 
fingers. 
Supper.—Cold rolls, sliced ham, fried tomatoes, rusk 
with stewed currants. 
October Menu, Old Style. 
Breakfast.—Sunday—Baked beans with Boston brown 
bread, baked apples with cream. 
Dinner.—Oyster soup, roast duck, grape jelly, celery, 
mashed potatoes and turnips, slaw, lemon ice, 
compote of pears, cake. 
Supper.—Sliced duck, bread and milk. 
July Bill of Fare, From Health Point of View, 
Breakfast.—Oranges, bananas, berries, figs, dates and 
raisins, cream or milk toast, graham gems, cot- 
tage cheese, graham, ryemeal, or oatmeal mush, 
cereal coffee. 
Dinner.—Tomato soup, oranges, bananas, ripe cher- 
ries, strawberries and cream, green corn, peas, 
string-beans, beet greens, squash, tomatoes, egg 
omelet, nuts, raisins, bread pudding, rice pud- 
ding, cake. 
Supper.—Pears, peaches, cherries, plums, berries, 
bananas, figs, graham bread or gems, cheese, 
cake. 
October Menu, New Style. 
Breakfast.— Sunday. — Apples, pears, peaches, mel- 
ons, sliced and cooked tomatoes, sweet potatoes, 
mush and cream, griddle cakes and syrup, nuts 
and raisins. PHYSICAL AND MENTAI. METHODS. 
325 
Dinner.—Vegetable soup, apples, pears, grapes, mel- 
ons, lima beans, sweet potatoes, boiled eggs, 
cranberry sauce, sliced tomatoes, beets, squash, 
Indian baked pudding, currant jelly. 
Supper.—Grapes, peaches, pears, poached eggs on 
toast, cheese, cold gems, honey. 
The Causes Within.—Be mindful of the causes 
within as well as those without. Sewer gas within 
if allowed to accumulate and remain, is quite as 
dangerous as sewer gas (the commercial article) with- 
out. Keep the sewers within, clean, is a law of health. 
The Survival of the Fittest.—Learn or perish, is 
a lesson to be gained from constantly recurring epi- 
demics. To prevent their recurrence wre must have 
more knowledge. Knowledge is power and will ban- 
ish fear. 
His Hearty Meal.—One of the leading thinkers, a 
teacher and reformer of this age, when asked what 
time he would like his hearty meal on Sunday, re- 
plied: “I do not like hearty meals; they tire the per- 
sons that eat them, as well as those that cook them.” 
What Disease Afflicts.—Tell me what diease afflicts 
the body, and I will point out the food you eat and 
give the cause of the physical derangement. 
Digestion.—An important part of digestion is per- 
formed after the food leaves the stomach. 
Physicians a Necessity.—As long as humanity re- 
mains in ignorance and darkness neglecting the every- 
day necessities of life, often disregarding every law of 
health, physicians are a necessity. 
The drug doctor is educated to get a living by prac- 326 
THE NATURE CURE. 
ticing the drug methods. He must live by his profes- 
sion; he will never change so long as the masses 
demand drugs and drug experiments. As soon as 
better, more reasonable, safer and surer remedies are 
demanded he will change and adopt the best. The 
drug doctor must live, live honestly if he can, but 
live he must. Some of them are sorely tempted. If 
they were taught to teach the people how to main- 
tain health, how to live and avoid sickness, how to 
doctor without drugs or dangerous experiments, the 
profession of medicine would be uplifted to its true 
plane and position. 
Advice to Mothers.—Let me give you a few sug- 
gestions worthy of careful attention: 
When your family physician (who is only human), 
or some surgical expert advises you to submit to an 
operation for the removal of ovaries or uterus, one or 
both kidneys, or any other similar experiment, ask 
him how you can live and fulfill your duties and 
obligations if a part of your womanhood is taken from 
you ? Say to him, you will consult your husband, 
and if he will consent to go on the operating table 
and be unsexed at the same time, and pay the bills, 
you will consider his advice and the whole subject 
seriously. 
His reply will be quite sure to settle the question 
of the necessity of an operation; the doctor will con- 
clude he has lost one good paying case. 
Operations Denounced.—Such operations, like 
those previously mentioned, should be denounced by 
every lover of humanity, because unnecessary. Such 
experiments, if successful, will not produce health, PHYSICAL, AND MENTAI, METHODS. 
327 
but weakness, sickness and loss of womanhood. Such 
operations are schemes of the unscrupulous for the 
money in it, no more nor less. 
These experimental operations pay well in two ways. 
First, they afford opportunity for a reckless class of 
physicians to become experts. Second, as experts 
they command large compensation. 
Health Destroyed.—Not one woman in ten ever 
secures health though she lives through an operation 
for the removal of the ovaries or uterus. A few 
women, I am sorry to say, seek to be operated upon 
for the purpose of preventing conception; they are 
sure to succeed, even though they die. They refuse 
motherhood, God’s highest gift to woman, and want 
to be unsexed. 
There is no civil law to-day forbidding woman to 
destroy her womanhood or unborn offspring, but a 
higher moral law should suffice, and prevent this too 
frequent occurrence. 
Money Experiments.—This is my position: Ovari- 
otomy, laparotomy, removal of the uterus and vermi- 
form appendix are, nine times out of ten, experiments 
for money. Such experiments, attended with great 
danger to precious human life are unprofessional, and 
the medical expert entirely unworthy of respect or 
patronage. 
Wretched Results.—In one locality where these 
practices are carried on quite extensively, every girl, 
young woman, whether married or single, troubled 
with disease of the uterine organs—a complaint al- 
most universal—is urged to submit to an operation. 
A large number fall into the hands of experimenters 328 
THE NATURE CURE. 
and a flourishing business is the result. After some 
months of research and observation, I have failed in 
said locality to find one woman, young or old, benefited, 
or who could speak well of the treatment. 
They Are Criminal.—I repeat, such operations are 
unnecessary; they are both dangerous and criminal, 
and the eyes of the people should be opened to the 
enormity of these crimes. 
Doctors’ Families Not Exempt.—Who ever heard 
of a surgeon operating upon one of his own family, 
wife or daughters ? They are equally subject to disease 
and cannot be wholly exempt. 
Are Experimenters Willing to be Unsexed?—Are 
these expert experimenters willing to take their own 
medicine? Are they willing their wives and daugh- 
ters should be robbed of sexhood? Are any of the 
doctors who practice this shameful business on unsus- 
pecting, innocent and ignorant women and girls will- 
ing to own up and face their business? Who will 
answer ? 
Doctors’ Laws.—Are not this same class of doctors 
scheming every winter with our state legislatures to 
induce them to pass what are best known as “doctors’ 
laws,” that the “dear people” may be protected from 
quack practice? That is their argument, but the 
facts are they want protection for quackery in the pro- 
fession. Medical colleges grind out every year so 
many physicians that the market is overstocked, con- 
sequently competition drives the unscrupulous to every 
conceivable scheme to hoodwink the masses. It is 
this quackery within the profession that seeks protec- 
tion through monopoly. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
329 
Surgeons and Physicians.—The science of health 
is not dependent upon medical colleges or the physi- 
cians they graduate, no more than anatomy and phy- 
siology are dependent upon surgery or the experienced 
surgeon. The science of health, like all other science, 
is as eternal and everlasting as time and space. How 
much of the science of life and health every person 
and community may possess, depends upon personal 
and community effort to discover and accept. Any 
ordinary child may be taught this science while in 
the kindergarten school from the age of three to 
twelve years. This is the proper place to teach lessons 
which are the most important ones that can be taught 
the child; they are the foundation lessons of life. 
Teach the child the universal law of life and health, 
and he will discover the necessity of protection, and 
the means and methods to maintain health. Anatomy, 
physiology and hygiene are important requisites in 
every child’s education, and can be taught and 
mastered by the child and youth, as surely as other 
primary and intermediate studies. 
Health is our birthright as much as sunshine, and 
may be maintained without any of the present dan- 
gerous experiments which are practiced for money. 
The only safe course for those who value life, or the 
lives of those dependent upon them, is to protest loud 
and long against any and every experiment with 
drugs or instrument in the hands of any doctor, unless 
he or she be a full fledged, experienced physician or 
surgeon; all honorable, honest physicians will endorse 
this view and advice. CHAPTER XII. 
MISCELLANEOUS HEALTH SUGGES- 
TIONS. 
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. 
THE past ought to be rich in fruitage gained from 
the experiences of those who have made good use of 
their opportunities; it is ours to reject, criticize, adopt 
or ignore the errors. The present is always with us; 
the past we cannot recall if we would; the future we are 
not sure of, therefore we must live, enjoy or suffer in the 
present; this is our fate; this we must face and accept. 
We May Fool With Time.—Our future depends 
very much upon the use we make of the present. We 
may fool with time and life, but we will surely reap 
what we sow; there is no evading or avoiding results. 
Are we sick, in pain, hobbling about and complain- 
ing of old age, rheumatism, paralysis, neuralgia, stiff 
joints, indigestion and other maladies ? Are we not 
reaping what we have sown ? Does old age neces- 
sarily signify stiff joints, pain, dyspepsia or any dis- 
ease? Do not nature, observation, reason and com- 
mon sense teach that the aged ought to be well and 
wise, harmonious and happy ? 
Ought Age to Signify a Tax or Nuisance ?—Did 
not our Creator make us to grow physically, mentally 
and spiritually? Ought we to become a tax and 
nuisance because of our age ? Can we not reasonably 
330 PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
331 
excuse sin and sickness of the young, but refuse such 
excuse to the old ? Did not our Infinite Creator in- 
tend that the crowning work of creation—humanity 
—should grow, become wise, ripen and drop into 
their graves without pain, suffering or regret ? 
Nature nowhere teaches in the lower order of expres- 
sions or anywhere in the animal kingdom, that old 
age should be dreaded; that it must be sickly. On the 
contrary, the blooming rose, the ripened fruit and 
grain are always inspiring and uplifting. 
Why Dread Old Age ?—Is it not reasonable to 
believe and teach, that with the physical growth, and 
mental and spiritual unfoldment, humanity should 
reach a plane above and beyond pain, sickness and 
infirmity at the prime of life, and should live and die 
as free from sickness and disease as do the birds and 
fishes ? Do we not dread old age because our infirm- 
ities make us dependent ? 
Answer these queries as we may, the fact remains. 
If we transgress the laws of health, just such results 
and conditions as we deprecate and would like to 
avoid, will overtake us; the penalty must follow the 
transgression. 
Come Up Higher.—So long as humanity live to 
gratify appetites and passions, sickness, deformity and 
infirmity of old age will result. Reason and sound 
sense are ever beckoning us to come up higher, come 
up out of our appetites and passions, come up on the 
broad plane of health, light and liberty. Why wallow 
with the lower animals that have but one object in 
life ? No man ever lived to regret his escape from the 
slavery of the appetites and passions; not one ever 332 
THE NATURE CURE. 
lived only to gratify, that did not sooner or later 
regret his or her folly. 
Life is more than show, or a selfish gratification of 
our animal natures. Joy, peace, and perfect freedom 
result from right living, physically, mentally and 
spiritually. 
Those men and women who manage to live well, 
will be apt to die ivell. 
Bryant’s injunction is apropos in this connection: 
“So live, that when thy summons comes to join 
The innumerable caravan, which moves 
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death, 
Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night, 
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed 
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.” 
Man’s Salvation.—“Man’s salvation largely de- 
pends on the kitchen; we need change of stomach 
more than change of heart.” 
Prayer and Faith Cures.—Remarkable cures are 
of every-day occurrence outside of the drug system, 
but seldom inside. Magnetic, electric, mental and 
spiritual methods of healing are recognized by multi- 
tudes of intelligent people. Prayer, faith and Divine 
cures are compelling attention. The regulators (reg- 
ulars) are persecuting this class of anti-drug doctors, 
which signifies their recognition of the cures and 
their fear and jealousy of them. 
Error is Seldom Persecuted.—They are not en- 
gaged in persecuting them because of their errors, 
or ignorance, or from lack of truth in their methods. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL, METHODS. 
333 
Great truths, not errors, inspire the spirit of persecu- 
tion in all ages of the world’s history. It is strange, 
but true, that progress goes forward outside of profes- 
sions and institutions, and seldom inside. 
An Inspired Leader.—A new, broader and more 
perfect system of medicine is awaiting a national, 
comprehensive and inspired leader. This new system 
will recognize these unseen laws and forces of heal- 
ing, and will be all-inclusive rather than exclusive, 
as at the present time. Cause and prevention will 
be cardinal corner-stones in the new college of ma- 
teria medica. 
Listen to what eminent drug doctors say regard- 
ing their own system and methods—Dr. Oliver W. 
Holmes and Dr. Jacobi: 
“ The disgrace of medicine is that colossal system 
of self-deception, in obedience to which mines have 
been emptied of their cankering minerals, the vege- 
table kingdom robbed of all its growth, the entrails 
of animals taxed for their impurities, the poison bags 
of reptiles drained of their venom, and all the con- 
ceivable abominations thus obtained thrust down the 
throats of individuals suffering from some fault of 
organization, nourishment, or vital stimulation.” 
For the foregoing diatribe against the over-medical 
tendency of his time, the late Dr. Oliver Wendell 
Holmes, who was for thirty-five years professor of 
anatomy at Harvard Medical School, came near 
being read out of the profession in 1861; but, as 
compared to the condition of affairs today, the ma- 
teria medica of his time was little more than a family 
medicine chest. 
Coming down to the present moment, let us con- 
sider a few points made by Dr. Jacobi in his address 
delivered before the sentiment uttered by Dr. Holmes 334 
THE NATURE CURE. 
before a medical class in 1861, and which I have 
already quoted, though couched in less elegant and 
more epigrammatic phrase. 
“The schools are chiefly to blame for all this 
wretched business. For generations they have been 
turning out thousands upon thousands of graduates 
crammed to surfeit with things that ‘ ain’t so,’ and 
are still turning them out every spring in swarms, 
their heads so filled with poison chaff as to leave 
little room for common-sense innovations, or even 
capacity for recognizing these when within reach, in 
after years. The supply of such doctors is already 
so largely in excess of the demand that they are liter- 
ally a drug on the market, while the proprietary 
medicine-makers and the mental scientists are getting 
a large share of the business. The former are able 
to promise more than the regular physician, at so 
cheap a rate as to catch the poorer classes, and with 
testimonials well calculated to tempt the average con- 
gressman; while their faith-cure rivals actually suc- 
ceed in booming their patients’ hope and courage 
(always an important factor in any treatment), and 
secure for the drug-debauched systems a chance to 
clear. What wonder that thousands of naturally 
bright young men, with diplomas from the most ap- 
proved colleges, are to-day wandering over the earth, 
peddling books or leaving samples from the chemical 
manufacturers with their more fortunate brethren in 
the profession !” 
A Medical Education.—There is a growing neces- 
sity, in every well-ordered home, for a universal 
health education. Such an education is of more im- 
portance than any branch taught in our public or pri- 
vate schools, excepting only reading, writing and 
arithmetic. 
It is not the study of the thousand and one names PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
335 
of disease, or a greater number of chemical remedies 
found in our modern pharmacopeias, that I advocate. 
No! Do not waste your valuable time on any mod- 
ern or ancient shams and deceptions; no, not in the 
study of dead languages or Latin prescriptions. It 
is dangerous and demoralizing to even think of such 
a course. 
Study Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene. — 
What I desire to encourage is the study of anatomy, 
physiology and hygiene, that you may be able to 
live and maintain health in your home. 
Protect Yourselves.—Some doctors and foolish 
husbands ridicule such education with the wise re- 
mark, “The less you know of yourself, the better.” 
Do not be put off in this way and made to believe 
that such education is useless or unsuited to you. A 
proper medical education is the only possible protec- 
tion from quackery within or without the profession. 
Such a medical education could be gained in one 
year at the American Health University of Chicago, 
or in the closing year of the high schools if so or- 
dered by the board of education. 
A Practical Home Medical Education.—No young 
man or woman can be truly educated, fitted to battle 
in business or professional life, or to enter the 
marriage relation, until he or she has received a prac- 
tical (home) medical education. Such a one is 
a necessity; it gives the possessor independence; 
it is a triumph. To omit it is to invite shadows 
and disappointment. Such knowledge is now con- 
sidered by intelligent and practical people much 
more important than any of the higher branches 336 
THE NATURE CURE. 
taught in our schools. Fraud and deception are as 
brazen-faced in medicine as in politics and business. 
Even life itself is not considered in the many schemes 
for money. Do not fail to get a reformatory medical 
education and protect yourselves. 
Ice and Ice-Water.—It is nearly half a cen- 
tury since the hydropathic cure was introduced and 
advocated as a reform method in America. The 
early history of the “cold water barbarity,” as it 
was termed by the “regulars” at that time, is familiar 
to reformers of that day. Craze and fad were un- 
coined expressions half a century ago, so the words 
cruel and barbarous were used to brand the hydro- 
pathic reform. Cold water treatment was considered 
barbarous, but the “regulars” have grown in spite of 
their dogmas; they now use ice and ice water, in 
cases and under circumstances that make the term 
barbarous treatment the only correct term to use. 
With Ice Bags.—With their ice bags, placed upon 
parts of the body that in health could not resist such 
treatment, they literally freeze the life out of patients. 
Very cold water, ice water or ice, are seldom neces- 
sary in the present reform methods. We do not con- 
sider it advisable to torture the sick with ice bags, or 
cauterize, or blister; our methods are all soothing and 
healing; any method that does not remove pain, har- 
monize and quiet the sick at once, and continue until 
recovery is complete, is quackery, is dangerous. 
Drugged to Death.—Without doubt more sick 
people have been drugged to death than have died a 
natural one in the past two centuries. The same is true 
to-day; this will continue until the people inform PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
337 
themselves; they must demand a change. The present 
and future generations must live differently, think 
differently, and doctor differently, or the race will 
become extinct; certainly some branches of it. 
Not Approved in Health.—Any method or remedy 
that can injure a well person, should never be applied 
to the sick; poisonous drugs, cauterizing, blistering, 
ice water and ice bags are taxing and trying for peo- 
ple in health, and are considered dangerous. If they 
are not relished or approved by people in health, why 
should they be forced upon the sick, who have lost a 
part of their resisting power ? Such questions must 
be answered. / unhesitatingly pronounce the present 
poisonous drug system, with its recent surgical (ex- 
perimental) operations as both barbarous and crimi- 
nal; it is worse than a pestilence; it is irregular and 
unprofessional; it must and will be abandoned. 
Nerve Prostration; Cures.—Every violation of 
health laws weakens the nerve forces. Women more 
than men suffer from nerve troubles, therefore I write 
from observation and practice, more than from ex- 
perience. Women violate in dress, in irregular eating 
and drinking, in neglecting physical exercise, in fol- 
lowing sedentary habits, in ignorance of their own 
sex life, neglecting to understand, care for and protect 
the charms they are often willing to make almost any 
sacrifice to regain. How much wiser to know how to 
preserve and maintain beautiful womanhood, than to 
make great efforts to regain in ignorance, what is lost 
by carelessness and neglect. All clogged conditions 
mentioned so often in this book, are foundation causes 
for broken down nerves. Tea, coffee and all stimu- 338 
THE NATURE CURE. 
lating drinks and foods overwork the nerves, and in 
consequence overtax them. 
Over Study.—Over study of young misses is an 
almost universal cause. Nearly all the brightest, 
most promising young girls graduate with shattered 
nerves, unfitted for everything but an asylum or sani- 
tarium. 
Ladies say they are “well, only nervous,” as if ner- 
vousness was nothing important. Without the health- 
ful action of the nerves the vital organs would cease to 
play their part in the human mechanism, and nerve 
prostration or paralysis would soon follow. Turn on 
the light and turn over a new leaf. 
Practice What You Preach.—A few plain words, 
addressed especially to those who are disposed to be 
critical and skeptical, may be proper in closing. I 
practice what I preach, and take my own medicine, 
the remedies recommended and prescribed for patients, 
whenever there is necessity for treatment, which 
seldom, very seldom occurs, for the very best of 
reasons. I seldom have symptoms of sickness, and 
know of no remedies better than those we prescribe. 
For many years before this book was written, I had 
abandoned the use of poisonous drugs, for the very 
good reason that they were dangerous and destructive. 
A Fact.—Only a few physicians take their own 
medicines, or prescribe them for family or intimate 
friends. Does any sane man or woman believe, that 
a doctor of character or intelligence would allow his 
wife to submit her person to local treatment or specu- 
lum examinations, by any young inexperienced medi- 
cal graduate? We answer no, empatliically no! PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
339 
Not one case in fifty require examinations or local 
treatment. Will mothers who have daughters recognize 
the significance of these schemes of characterless 
doctors, who too often have a double object in view, 
the fee and the debauchery of the woman ? 
Our Methods Unobjectionable.—Our methods and 
remedies do not require that the highest and holiest 
family relations be trailed in the filth of the sensuous 
or licentious. Every high, divine thought and aspira- 
tion, finds full and complete recognition on every 
page of this book. Any teacher of health, any 
physician who fails to hold up the standard of the 
purest virtue, and the divinest physical and spiritual 
life, is unfit to occupy the position of doctor or 
teacher. Experienced physicians of every school 
recognize the truth of our methods, but claim they 
are not practical; too much time and detail are re- 
quired of the family doctors, who can write Latin 
prescriptions without removing their kid gloves. 
This is True.—Nature Cure methods and remedies 
require physicians of experience and common-sense, 
those willing to take off coats, roll up sleeves and show 
the people—teach them—how to use Nature’s safe 
and sure medicines. Wise, patriotic lovers of the 
human race and liberty, will always frown down any 
class or profession, who by word or act strike at the 
foundation of good order and noble womanhood. The 
professional excuse for much to which women are 
asked to submit, is a cheat, a deception, a lie. 
Note the Hints.—There are sufficient hints in the 
Nature Cure regarding uterine troubles, to cover 
nearly every case; there are good experienced nurses 340 
THE NATURE CURE. 
and honest manly physicians, ready to assist all that 
may possibly require special treatment, not set forth 
in this volume. Uterine troubles are a gold mine for 
unscrupulous experimenters. The crimes committed 
upon women under cover of the profession, in and out 
of marriage, are too shameful to be more than hinted 
at for the public ear. Uterine disease excuse is the 
open door into the valley of darkness and crime. 
Right Living.—With a fair amount of common 
woman sense, enough to cleanse, cool, or warm those 
sensitive organs, a fountain syringe, some antiseptic, 
as tincture of myrrh, to prepare the way for kind 
Nature to do her work, is often all that is necessary. 
Right living is the only sure panacea. A worn out, 
over-worked condition, which relaxes and lowers the 
strength and tone of nerve and muscle, will more or 
less derange the female organs. Nothing short of rest 
and living as taught in this book, will permanently 
restore woman to her royal womanhood. It may be 
proper in this closing article to state that I have con- 
scientiously avoided exaggeration and boasting; an in- 
spiration has ever led me to be fearless and true to 
the work in which I am engaged. Rest assured that 
these teachings are corroborated by the best minds, the 
highest, most advanced and fearless men and women 
of every enlightened country. 
A Born Hetrodox.—The orthodox drug doctor will 
antagonize and strive to cover up the truth, but being 
thoroughly hetrodox as regards poisonous drugs and 
many other destructive methods of the past and pres- 
ent, I do not look for approval in that direction, nor do 
I court it. Truth will attract and command approval. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL METHODS. 
341 
Sure and Reliable.—Nature’s methods and reme- 
dies tell their own story; where they are lived health 
is the result; sickness and the fear of it are relegated 
to the dead past. Nature Cure methods of prevention 
are as sure and reliable as the everlasting hills. 
A False System.—Drugging people to heal them 
is most unreasonable. Every conceivable scheme is 
resorted to, to induce the ignorant and so-called intel- 
ligent to dose and drug for health’s sake. There is 
sufficient reliable evidence in the world at this time 
to overturn every shadow of this false system. In 
addition to the innumerable selfish schemes of the 
eighty thousand drug doctors and their drug store 
attachments, some few professed reformers have joined 
the drug poison band, and advertise as clairvoyants; 
some have made fortunes by advertising their won- 
derful cures, and appealing to the credulous and 
marvelous. 
Some of the clairvoyants are possessed of mag- 
netic healing powers. So long as they have power 
to impart healing to the vile drugs they prepare, 
the drugs becoming the medium by which their 
magnetic power is conveyed, the healing goes on; but 
the time comes when the magnetic power is exhausted 
—lost—and then the sickening compound fails. The 
object sought is to stimulate torpid livers. Only a 
little sense is required to learn that aloes, a vile, 
drastic drug, will stimulate the liver for the time 
being; perhaps five in a hundred may be benefited 
temporarily; not one permanently cured, not one. 
Drugs Multiply Disease. — Healing is never the 
result of drugging; put that down as a truth that will 342 
THIS NATURE CURE. 
stand the test. The healing is not by virtue of the 
drugs, but exactly the opposite; drugs multiply 
disease; nature’s forces always do the healing; all 
humanity can do is to assist Nature; pure air, water 
and food, rest and peace, with a long fast, are Nature’s 
requirements; by and through these simple methods 
healing is accomplished. The discerning mind can 
see why wonderful clairvoyant cures, that occurred 
in a few cases ten or fifteen years ago, are still 
paraded before the public like the flaming patent 
medicine “ ads ”; they are of the same stamp. Igno- 
rant people still believe there is magic in a sickening, 
deadly drug with which to restore life and health. 
This book gives the reader a few remedies that are 
safe and sure; they will make the best possible con- 
ditions for the Nature Cure. Will the people ever 
learn that drugging is unnatural, expensive, danger- 
ous, and unnecessary ? We hope the many hundred 
plain suggestions in this volume, this common-sense 
work on health, may prove a blessing to millions of 
people who will read and practice its teachings. 
No Similar Work.—There is no book similar to 
The Nature Cure in the English language or any 
other, so far as we can ascertain. Its purpose is ex- 
pressed upon every page. To tell the plain, unvarnished 
truth has been our highest aspiration; we denounce all 
mystery connected with the subject of life and health. 
If poisonous drugs had any healing properties, if they 
ever healed anybody, if they ever acted only to 
destroy, the above caution would be inexcusable; but 
it is the testimony of hundreds of the wisest and ablest 
physicians who have lived in this wonderful century, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
343 
that poisonous drugs, prescribed by licensed M. D.’s, 
kill people. Isn’t it a crime to kill the sick under a 
Latin prescription (and make the friends pay for it), 
as much as to kill by any other method ? In place of 
a Latin prescription we offer you pure air, water, food 
and a hundred common-sense remedies, and only 
require that the same persistence and devotion be 
observed as in the use of dangerous chemical com- 
pounds. Natural cure methods are not only safe, but 
infinitely superior to any sickening compound, no 
matter by whom prepared or administered. Ours are 
nature’s remedies ; they are all-healing and con- 
structive; they are safe in the hands of a common 
nurse, and are not destructive. 
“It is the great law of nature that, whosoever shuts 
his heart to the sympathies of humanity, shuts it at 
the same time against the ingress of all happy influ- 
ences. ” 
‘ ‘ Give me neither poverty nor riches, for with the 
one I may become a slave to iny necessities, and with 
the other to my avarice.” 
Society Cruel and Unjust. — Why should sexual 
purity be demanded of the young lady about to wed 
and not of the young man ? Such injustice in society, 
in any condition or relation of life is inharmonious, 
and may cause disease. It will not do to ignore men- 
tal influences if we would reach the most perfect 
health, which is the highest possible attainment. 
Faith Cure.—At this writing Francis Schlatter is 
demonstrating, day after day, upon the streets of 
Denver, Col., that there is a power unseen and 
to the masses unknown that cures disease, and is 344 
THE NATURE CURE. 
beyond the power of the old material methods to 
effect. Mr. Schlatter is called a magnetist or mes- 
merist—a medium—a divine healer; it is sufficient for 
our purpose to state that he is only one of the extra- 
ordinary healers. Thousands are doing a similar good 
work in every part of America. In every city of 50,- 
000 inhabitants mental scientists and magnetic healers 
may be found performing wonderful cures. It does 
not signifiy what name or names are given to the per- 
sons who are possessed of what is 110 doubt properly 
called the gifts of healing; the important fact for the 
afflicted is to be cured. 
The Good Physician.—“He who knows how to 
make persons around him happy wherever he goes; 
he who knows how to do it in the morning, noon and 
night; he who knows how to make love his uniform 
disposition; he who knows how to radiate sympathy 
and gentleness, and forbearance and patience toward 
others, and to make the sick feel better by his pres- 
ence with them, possesses the qualities requisite for a 
good physician.” 
Do Not Wait to be Sick.—Read and study Nature 
Cure methods before you are sick, and learn how 
easily you can avoid sickness. 
The Power of Thought.—“ Earnest thought and 
intelligent reason are the great moving powers in the 
progress of the world. In the freedom of thought, 
the mind grows strong, and in its strength is embodied 
the power of controling matter, molding it by its ser- 
vants, the hands, into practical utility. Careless 
thoughts lead to careless habits. “As a man 
thinketli, so is he.” Never was there a truer sentence PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
345 
uttered. The strength and accuracy of thought is 
manifested in the life of the thinker. If his thoughts 
are wise, he will act wisely. If his thoughts are fool- 
ish, he will act foolishly. It is often said, actions 
speak louder than words. Whether this be true or 
not, they speak the thought that precede them. It is 
impossible for us to do evil deeds, if our minds are 
full of good thoughts. Correct thinking leads to 
correct acting. Thinking and feeling are always in 
sympathy with each other. The hand and the tongue 
are the servants of thought. Thinking and acting in 
harmony with natural law restores and preserves 
health, insures happiness and prolongs life. ”—Helmet 
of Reason. 
Right Living.—People claim to know how to live 
right, but at the same time are sick and complaining 
every time the weather changes. Come to the test, a 
large majority know but little about right living or 
what it signifies; they do not dream that it means 
perfect control of appetites and passions; that it means 
health every day in the year, also continued happiness. 
They have not imagined that the doctor and corner 
drug store are wanted no more; that pride does not 
rule; that reason and common sense are the corner 
stones of right living and a true life for all. 
Healing Potency.—The elixir of life, the healing- 
potency of the world will not be discovered in the 
veins of sheep, horse, dog, mountain goat, or upon the 
bag of cows in the form of ulcer or cancerous tumor. 
If we look in exactly the opposite direction, and 
forget fenner’ error, ignore Pasteur, Koch, and every 
other visionary experimenter, including Dr. Cyrus 346 
THE NATURE CURE. 
Edsoii’s “Phenol, Pilocarpine, Hydro-oxide, and Acep- 
tolin, we will be more likely to reach the truth. Rem- 
edies with such mysterious attachments are all the rage 
with a class of experimenters. Their mysterious names 
may recommend them to the lovers of mystery and 
experiment. No doubt the remedy of Dr. Edson will 
side-track or kill any patient. 
I am inclined to hope that such grossly absurd ex- 
periments will open the eyes of the living to see the 
danger and folly of all such unreasonable methods. If 
in life they cannot or will not see, death will give 
them the sight of experience. If people of sense are 
willing to submit to such dangerous remedies and 
treatments as are urged upon them (by those who 
should protect instead of scheme to get money at any 
risk to their patients), they must reject experiments or 
they will get their experience; my duty is done when 
the warning is given. 
Health Depends.—There are said to be over three 
thousand pores or glands in a square inch of the palm 
of the hand. Good health depends upon good breath- 
ing, and a healthy action of skin, liver and kidneys. 
Vegetable Diet.—Four-tenths of the human race 
live on a vegetable diet and are the strongest, most 
healthy and moral of the human family. 
Right Thinking’.—Right thinking signifies right 
living; right living means perfect health; this is 
mental healing. 
The Result.—When poor food, badly prepared, does 
not and cannot satisfy the demands of nature, the 
ignorant often resort to strong drink. Temperance 
reformers are invited to join food reformers. PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL, METHODS, 
347 
Do Not Satisfy,— Drugs do not satisfy even drug- 
doctors; the teaching of this book satisfies everyone 
who has studied and lived it. 
New and Old Reforms.—Health reformers recog- 
nize and adopt all new and old reform methods from 
experience, well-knowing that no one method will fit 
every case or satisfy every person. 
Selfish, Mysterious Methods.—The careful reader 
has discovered that many health subjects have been 
only briefly treated in this volume. Our effort is to 
condense and simplify, therefore minor methods and 
effects only receive passing notice. We strike at the 
producing causes, and let theories take care of them- 
selves. We have aimed to notice the important recent 
discoveries that can be made practical, and to hold 
fast to the old methods that have stood the test of 
time. To strip the subject of medicine of every selfish 
mysterious method and remedy, has been the inspir- 
ing thought upon every page. Liberty and freedom 
are corner-stones in every method of healing, there- 
fore liberty is our watchword; natural, rapid healing 
must result from liberty, perfect freedom; therefore 
mysteries must be solved, and reason and common 
sense substituted. 
The Wonderful Power of Mind. — Mental and 
spiritual healing are much talked about, but as yet 
only partially understood. As soon as the people can 
lay aside prejudice and preconceived notions, healing 
by all of the simple methods will be studied and 
adopted, because they are safe, cheap and common- 
sense methods. When we begin to weigh and 
measure, and candidly consider the power of mind, 348 
THE NATURE CURE. 
we see that mind is back of every act of life. Mind 
builds ships that cross the mighty deep, builds pal- 
aces for kings, lays cables for electric communication 
between continents, constructs our great overland 
railways, moves armies to battle for liberty or des- 
potism. Mind does all, yes, controls every organism, 
vegetable, animal and spiritual. Given conditions 
to the mental and spiritual forces, then disease can be 
controlled, health becomes the rule and not the excep- 
tion as at this time. Without mind neither health 
nor sickness would be possible; accepting this truth 
we see the superior position mind occupies. This is 
not a new fact or discovery, only a more general 
recognition of a very important truth. 
Mind Discovers, compounds, prescribes and ad- 
ministers all remedies; Nature, assisted by mind, does 
all the healing. Without the careful, experienced 
nurse, the prescription of the best physician might 
cause death instead of recovery. All know these to 
be common sense facts, but not all have given them 
sufficient thought to cause a recognition and practical 
application to every-day life. 
To Think Health, coupled with an understanding 
of the laws that govern life, to deny disease with all 
our mind and strength and live in line with that 
thought, is to be able to prevent sickness. The posi- 
tive and normal condition is perfect health, a con- 
dition to which we may all aspire and be proud to 
attain. 
Maintain an Equilibrium of Forces.—By ignor- 
ance, imprudence and neglect we invite disease, 
become abnormal, and our lives are imperiled. The PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
349 
normal condition of every human organism is an 
equilibrium of the constructive and destructive forces. 
Remember, that every day a portion of the physical 
house we live in must be torn down and the debris 
disposed of. If the rcv/structive forces do not equal 
the destructive, the balance is lost and sickness and 
death results. Knowledge is power; use it in the line 
of maintaining an equilibrium of the life forces and 
you need not fear disease. 
Disease is Always a Result.—Mind is cause ; 
mind can cause health to dominate by a compliance 
with the laws of life. The ablest scientists, philoso- 
phers and discoverers of this age, accept mind as the 
ruling material power in all this vast universe of 
time and space, therefore call to your aid this all- 
potent power and do not allow prejudice, or the 
whims of a less enlightened age to prevent your 
deep, undivided consideration of the power of mind 
over disease, mind over matter. 
Trust in Nature’s Materia Medica.—Feeling con- 
fident that we have inspired, stimulated and intensi- 
fied trust, great trust, in Nature Cure methods and 
remedies, we only desire to add that under all circum- 
stances it is more wise, safe and reasonable to trust in 
nature'' s materia medica alone for the cure and pre- 
vention of disease, than to all other systems and 
methods combined. Study health from The Nature 
Cure standpoint, and success will crown your efforts. 
Diagnosis and Advice Free.—Every purchaser of 
The Nature Cure desiring counsel and advice, or 
diagnosis with suggestions relating to a rapid cure, 
can obtain the same free of charge by addressing the 350 
THE NATURE CURE. 
author, Dr. M. E. Conger, box 328, Chicago. Give 
a brief description of symptoms, enclosing four two- 
cent stamps, and a reply will be mailed without 
delay. To those desiring our personal service at their 
homes we promise immediate improvement. Charges 
will be moderate. Treatment through correspon- 
dence is solicited with those who have grown out of 
the old, having confidence in the new methods and 
remedies of The Nature Cure. APPENDIX. 
The Breath; A Discovery.—“A curious fact in 
physical science has recently come to the surface, 
simple in itself, but of much consequence to the 
student. It is the fact that we breathe out of but one 
nostril at a time. This seems incredible at first, but 
a test if rightly made will convince the most skeptical. 
Moisten the hand and breathe against it, and you will 
find that you are breathing through either the right 
or left nostril. The breath from the right nostril is 
called the sun breath; from the left, the moon breath 
—the former the day breath, the latter, the night. A 
strictly well person uses the right nostril by day, the 
left at night. A debilitated person is as apt to be 
found using one as the other. Now, much bodily 
habit can be formed by right breathing. If, for ex- 
ample, you awake in the night, restless and sleepy, 
try to discover which nostril you are breathing through. 
If it is the right, compress that nostril and force the 
breath through the left. You will many times go to 
sleep and breathe rightly till morning. 
‘ ‘ The change of breath usually occurs about waking 
time in the morning. Students who have observed 
the fact can tell exactly when the change takes place. 
There is a slight movement in the upper structure of 
the nose, or one will be inclined to sneeze. At night 
the moon breath will begin in early evening, or when 
one begins to feel sleepy. The writer of this once 
351 352 
THE NATURE CURE. 
awoke with an alarming soreness and dryness in the 
throat. Remembering the breath theory, he found he 
was breathing from the right nostril. Resorting at 
once to the method of change, he felt wholly relieved 
in a half hour, and soon thereafter fell asleep and 
slept quietly until morning. 
“This study of the breath affords great opportunity 
for discovery. Deep breathing is invaluable. In 
fact, a series of deep breathings will frequently do 
more to equalize the system than artificial remedies. 
For nervous disorders and sleeplessness, proper breath- 
ing is a royal curative; and by a little careful study of 
the breath, one can perform for himself or herself a 
service to be had from no other source. Study the 
subject and report your conclusions.” 
A Novel Consumption Cure.—“ It is a well-known 
fact that the earth is magnetic. The sun is electric, 
the earth is the opposite. A consumptive has great need 
of the magnetic forces. The following treatment has 
been found most effective: Dig a hole in your back 
yard, say, three feet deep. Ret the patient lie, face 
down upon the ground, and breathe deeply the mag- 
netic currents emanating from the fresh earth. It is 
well to cover the patient’s head to get the whole 
benefit. This should be done for half an hour each 
day, and a decided improvement will soon result. 
People who are magnetic never have consumption. 
It is the electric temperament which is ailing first. 
Therefore, let Mother Earth provide the remedy. 
The above method is a simple yet efficient one.” 
Speedy Cure for Stomach Ache.—“Stomach ache 
comes from a coldness of that vital, a lack of warm PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
353 
blood. To fill tbe stomach with warmth, take several 
long, deep breaths. This will cause the blood to in- 
vade the stomach, and relief is certain. A daily prac- 
tice of this kind will be most beneficial.” 
Through the kindness of Dr. Geo. Dutton, we are 
permitted to publish the following very important 
letter. 
Victory I Victory I Victory ! 
“My Dear Brother Geo. Dutton:—The Royal Com- 
mission that was out nearly eight years has given its 
decision against vaccmation—limiting one more liber- 
ty from the worst monoply ever on earth. I am 
glad to congratulate you that you lived to see the day 
that your grand efforts are crowned in victory. 
I hold shares in the Columbia Liberty Bell; I think 
it should be rung when the Queen signs the docu- 
ment. Your obedient servant, L. H. Piehn, 
President Anti-Vaccination Society of Americas 
Medical Clairvoyance.—If any purchaser of this 
volume desires a clairvoyant examination, by enclos- 
ing four two-cent postage stamps in letter (stating 
age, sex, and one leading symptom, or two if the dis- 
ease seems to be complicated), to the author of Nature 
Cure, box 328, Chicago, I will give written diagnosis 
and advice for treatment free. 
The author will not notice any but plain, straight- 
forward letters of inquiry. 
Fruit, Vegetables and Flesh.—Among the many 
important and remarkable changes of this age and 
generation, no one, in my opinion, promises more 
for the uplifting of woman than the fruit and vege- 354 
THE NATURE CURE. 
table diet reform, that is rapidly taking the place of 
flesh eating. 
This change saves at least one third of the labor of 
the thrifty housekeeper, and surely one third the 
expense of the food supply. Add to this the moral 
and spiritual influence of the prospective dismissal of 
the slaughter house and butcher shop in the near 
future, and certainly this makes an important change, 
and the future outlook for the women who preside 
over culinary affairs, much brighter, less, much less 
wearisome. 
The following brief quotation from The Nature of 
Disease, a small but thoroughly critical pamphlet by 
F M. R. Spendlove, M.D., of Montreal, upon the use 
of antitoxin for diphtheria and other foreign matter, 
viz: vaccine and aceptolin, is accepted as additional 
testimony against such poisonous drug experiments. 
The Antitoxin Deception Exposed.—“ By no pro- 
cess of Nature can drugs be transformed into living 
material, bioplasm; they are, under all forms and con- 
ditions, foreign matter—poisons. They never cure; 
they never balance the tides; they only change the 
form of disease through retarding or arresting Nature’s 
efforts at elimination. 
“The whole history of medicine is proof of this. 
The brightest intellects during all the ages have 
never discovered a single drug that is a specific for a 
single disease; and furthermore, we may assume the 
rdle of a prophet and state that there never will be 
discovered a drug or specific for any form of disease. 
The nature of disease and the modus operandi of drugs 
render this an impossibility. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL METHODS. 
355 
Disease.—“ Vital action in regard to foreign matter 
can never be cured by adding more foreign matter, 
neither on the principle of similia similibus curantur 
nor contraria contraris curantur, nor both combined. 
“A general recognition of this fact would save 
enough money on proprietary medicines alone to send 
a missionary to every hamlet in ‘Darkest Africa,’ 
and have a substantial surplus to convert the heathens 
at home. 
Diptheria.—“Antitoxin has been before the profes- 
sion but a comparatively short time, yet already a 
note of warning is coming from leading scientific men 
of the profession in all countries that the death rate 
from kidney, heart, nervous and other forms of dis- 
ease, is rapidly on the increase among diphtheretic 
cases treated with antitoxin. 
“ ‘Could it be otherwise ’ Can the introduction of 
more poison make it easier to expel what is already in 
the system? Can Nature throw off two or more 
poisons more easily than one ? 
“ ‘The administration of drugs to a person already 
diseased is like casting out devils through Belzebub, 
the prince of devils. It is neither Scripture nor phil- 
osophy, neither science nor common-sense.’ ” INDEX 
A. PAGE. 
Abscesses, Ulcers, Fever 
Sores 290 
A Confession 78 
Air and Sunshine Free 9 
Air Suffocating 13 
A Mistake 20 
Anatomy, Physiology and 
Hygiene 335 
Ancient Affliction 135 
An Everyday Occurrence... 151 
Another Truth 15 
Antidote 293 
Antitoxin Deception Ex- 
posed 354 
Anteversion 260 
A Perfect Net-work 268 
A Pleasure to be Well 
Dressed 280 
Appendix 351 
Appetites, Normal and Ab- 
normal 315 
A Puzzling Question 264 
Are You Well? 225 
A Request 76 
A Retrospective View 35 
A Revolution 125 
A Rigid Fast 72 
A Scientific Fact 39 
A Sitt and Crime 23 
Asparagus and Kidneys 268 
Asphyxiation, to Prevent... 293 
Asthma Cure 153 
A Suggestive Cure 286 
At Peace with All Doctors.. 152 
Attacking Man and Beast... 136 
At What Age? 215 
B. PAGE. 
Bath, Ancient Object of..... 164 
Bath, Cold 80 
Bath, Foot 177 
Bath, Hip or Sitz 177 
Bath, Hot 3L4 
Bath, Intestinal 176 
Bath, Nutritive 210 
Bath, Plunge 165 
Bath, Pouring Head 177 
Bath, Practical 166 
Bath, Temperature of. 168 
Bath, Towel 164 
Bath, Spinal 17& 
Bath, Sponge 110 
Bath, Vapor 138 
Baths 162-70 
Baths, Mud 279 
Baths, Nerve 173 
Baths, Oil 211 
Bathers, Hints to 186 
Bathing at Home 165 
Bathing, Fresh and Salt 
Water 165 
Bathing. Methods of 164 
Bathing, Reasons for 163 
Bathing, Surf. 165 
Bedroom Window Open 97 
Beef, Raw 278 
Bee, Sting of. 282 
Be Persistent 113 
Best Thoughts 286 
Bicycle 208 
Bicycle a Success 60 
Big Dinner Results 29 
Biliousness, Cause and 
Treatment 84 
356 INDEX 
357 
PAGE. 
Bill of Fare, Jan. and April 
(old) 322 
Bill of Fare, July (old) 323 
Bill of Fare, July and Oct. 
(new) 324 
Blackheads, to Remove 276 
Blindness 176 
Blood, to Purify 292 
Boils, Carbuncles 168-290 
Bread, Graham the Test 79 
Breasts, Care of. 231 
Breath, The, a Discovery... 351 
Breathing Resson 213 
Bright’s Disease 288 
Bright’s Disease, Cure for... 133 
By the Sweat of My Brow... 100 
C. 
Calomel and Rancet 125 
Cancer, Cause and Treat- 
ment 289 
Cancer and Tobacco 289 
Can’t Rive Over Six Weeks. 96 
Can’t Eat Fruit 46 
Catarrh, Cause and Cure... 109 
Catarrh Remedy 266 
Catarrh, Will Cure 110 
Catching Cold 91 
Change of Rife 257 
Change, Necessity for 123 
Child-Bearing 229 
Child-Birth Painless 227 
Child, Scrofulous 261 
Children, Good for 210 
Children, Innocent and 
Free 26 
Children, Contrast of. 262 
Children Make Me Smile... 263 
Cholera Cure 140 
Cholera Infantum 240-245 
Cholera, Milk Cure for 141 
Chronic Disease 122 
Circulation, Impeded 163 
Cleanliness 68 
Climate and Malaria 26 
Climate and Quinine 144 
Climatic Changes 135 
Cocoanut Oil 211 
Coffee, a Medicine 48 
Colds 89 
Cold and Catarrh 269 
PAGE. 
Cold-Water Treatment 182 
Colic 243 
Come Up Higher 331 
Compress, Abdominal 184 
Compress, Head 74-183 
Constipation, Cure for 47 
Constipatiop....206-212-233 243 
Constipation Must be 
Avoided 71 
Consumption Cure, Re- 
markable.. 94 
Consumption, Old Fash- 
ioned 95 
Consumptives, Good for 210 
Convalescence 73 
Convulsions 243 
Corns 149 
Corn Salve 149 
Cosmoline 206 
Cough Remedy 274 
Cough, for 281 
Croup 246 
Cured by Simple Remedies.. 151 
Cured Quickly 68 
D. 
Darkest Africa, Mission- 
aries to 355 
Dead, How to Tell 275 
Death is only a Fleeting 
Breath 105 
Diagnosis Free... 349 
Diarrhoea and Cholera In- 
fantum 240-244 
Diet, Vegetable 346 
Digestion, Good 57-154 
Digestion 325 
Diphtheria 247-355 
Direct Material Causes 27 
Disease 355 
Disease Always a Result.... 349 
Disease, Every-Day Causes, 28 
Diease is a Unit 22 
Disease of Women 197 
Disinfect with Earth, Rime 
and Ashes 65 
Disinfectants, Coffee and 
Sulphur 293 
Distribution of Sense of 
Taste 280 
Do Not Condemn 226 358 
INDEX, 
PAGE. 
Doctor Books 149 
Doctors Disagree 135 
Doctors Laws 328 
Dr. Bruch 83 
Dr. Buzzard’s Advice 44 
Dr. Coggswell 117 
Dr. Dawson Says 241 
Dr. Desmoulins 118 
Dr. Dutton 115 
Dr. Holbrook 228 
Dr. Holmes, O. W 333 
Dr. Jacobi 333 
Dr. Melendy 235 
Dr. Noyes 116 
Dr. Page,How to Feed Baby 241 
Dr. Peabody 77 
Dr. Spendlove 354 
Dr. Taylor 202 
Dr. Thomas 202 
Dr. Trail 47-118 
Dr. Wilson 168 
Do Not Wait to be Sick 344 
Dress Bad, Breathe Bad Air. 103 
Dress,Hints for Over Fleshy 224 
Doctor’s Stuff. 222 
Dripping Wet Sheet 184 
Drowned Persons, Treat- 
ment of. 275 
Drugs Absurd 
30-10-116-115-13-226-283 
Drug Doctors, Testimony of 114 
Drug Doctors Compelled to 
Confess 160 
Drugged to Death 336 
Drugs Multiply Disease 341 
Dysentery 244 
Dyspepsia and Indigestion. 86 
Dyspeptics 35 
E. 
Eyes and Ears, Treatment 
of 142 
Earache, Treatment 269 
Ear, Care of 252-143 
Eat only Simplest Food 102 
Eatirg without Appetite.... 97 
Efficient Means of Saving 
Life 82 
Egg Lemonade 266 
Elizabeth Cady Stanton 221 
Embryo and Foetus 193 
PAGB. 
Enemas, Hot and Cold 175 
Epidemic Disease 122 
Epilepsy 119 
Equilibrium of Forces 348 
Eruptions, Scrofulous 300 
Erysipelas, St. Anthony’s 
Fire 291 
Excoriations 243 
Exerci.se 203 
Experience the Best School. 31 
Eyes and Stomach 141 
Eyes, Care of 252 
F. 
Fainting Spells 271 
Faith Cure 221-343 
Fasting Endorsed 78 
Favorable Conditions 93 
Fear, to Banish 88 
Feet, Care of. 148 
Feet, Sweating of. 298 
Felons 282 
Felons, Elder Evans 289 
Fire as a Purifier 60 
Fish and Flesh 38 
Flatulency 153 
Flaxseed Lemonade 266 
Flesh, How to Gain 267 
Fever, a F'riend 75 
Fevers Cured 75 
Fevers and Inflammations, 
Cause of 87 
Fever, Scarlet 249 
Fevers, Treatment of. 93 
Fever and Ague and Inter- 
mittent 108 
Fevers, Nature’s Methods... 108 
Fevers, Value in 212 
Food, Artificial 62 
Foods, Clogging List of..... 110 
Foods 34 
Food and Drink Question... 37 
Foods, to Avoid 87 
Food for Pregnant Women. 230 
Food for the Lean 266 
Food, Cooked Inferior 37 
Food, Test it All 41 
Food, Influence on Com- 
plexion 294 
Foul Air, to Remove from 
Churches 66 INDEX, 
359 
PAGE. 
Foul Breath 250 
From Old English Almanac 97 
Fruit as a Medicine 45 
P'ruit, Desirable 261 
Fruit, Ilealthfulness of 54 
G. 
Gave the Dead Skin Life.... 98 
Gertrude Baby Suit 238 
God’s Punishment 113 
Goitre 300 
Gratification Lawful 25 
Gravel, Cause and Cure 268 
Gross Elements 195 
Gymnastic Exercises 60 
H. 
Hair, Care of 253 
Hair Cleanser, Excellent... 253 
Hair, To Strengthen 265 
Hand Rubbing 70-80 
Haphazard Methods 40 
Have Exhausted Drug Store 108 
Have Tested Water—Never 
Disappointed 79 
Hard Times 146 
Hay Fever Ill 
Healing Power of Love 286 
Health Depends 346 
Health Destroyed 327 
Health, Signs of 213 
Health Not for Sale 270 
Health Important 18 
Health and Climates 41 
Health instead of Catarrh 
Colds 110 
Health, Life and Truth 147 
Health Tints 312 
Healer, Qualifications of.... 121 
Heartburn 274-296 
Heart-Failure, Cause of..... 92 
Heart-Failure 18 
He Keeps the Skin Soft 232 
Herbs Are Good 109 
Herbs May Be Used 173 
Heredity 285 
Hereditary Tendencies 25 
Heterodox 340 
His Hearty Meal 325 
His Own Baseness 298 
Home Treatment 106 
PAGE. 
Honey a Remedy 294 
Hot and Mineral Springs... 155 
Hot Lemonade and Fasc.... Ill 
Hot Lemonade Cure 267 
How I Cured Myself 95 
How to Be Beautiful 254 
How to Drink 113 
How to Get Well 154 
How to Proceed 171 
Human Building 51 
Plygiene, Rigid Rules of ... 206 
I. 
Ice Bags 336 
Ice Drinks 146 
Ice and Ice Water 145, 336 
If Neglected 90 
If Darling Had Been a Sen- 
sitive Plant 150 
Ignorance and Neglect 92 
Ignorance the Cause 23 
I know of No Other Re- 
demption 38 
Important Facts in the 
Home 267 
Impossible without Exer- 
cise 57 
Increased Tax on Vital Or- 
gans 24 
Increase Vibration 312 
Indigestion 153 
Indigestion and Dyspepsia, 
Cause of. 154 
Infallible Cure 270 
Infants, Care of. 236 
Infinitude Itself. 298 
Inflammation, To Cure .... 293 
Inoculation a Gross Error.. 128 
Insane... 161 
Insomnia. 269 
Insufficient Rest. 25 
Intelligence Rules 315 
I Remember I Did Laugh .. 99 
It Absorbs Disease 133 
It Cannot Be Proven 131 
It is Foolish to Complain... 159 
Ivy Poison, Antidote for ... 276 
K. 
Kidneys 194, 287 
Keep Your Mouth Shut 271 360 
INDEX, 
L. page. 
Labor a Blessing 58 
Labor, or Childbirth 233 
Lacteopathy Cure 131 
La Grippe 134 
La Grippe, Cure for 90 
La Grippe,Treatment of.136,135 
La Grippe: Why Prevalent.. 119 
Lard, Substitute for 277 
Laziness a Disease 61 
Lead Poison, Specific for... 270 
Lean, How to Become 292 
Lemon or Orangeade 266 
Less and Better Food 41 
Less Dying and More Liv- 
ing 105 
Let us “Slow Down’’ 145 
Leucorrhea, or Whites 197 
Life-Saving Device 81 
Light a Magic Wand 283 
Light for the Eye 142 
Lime Water and Milk 266 
Listen, Friends o232 
M. 
Malaria, Treatment of. 93 
Man’s Salvation 332 
Many Theories, Facts Dem- 
onstrated 136 
Massage 64 
Measles 247-298 
Medical Clairvoyance 353 
Medical Education for the 
Home 335 
Medical Men Befogged 83 
Medicine, Avoid Using 259 
Medicine, Methods of. 311 
Menstruation 255 
Mental Causes 87-27 
Methods, Selfish 347 
Mildly Drawn 124 
Milk Alone as Food 49 
Milk, an Art 294 
Milk Frozen 272 
Milk-pack 113 
Mind Discovers 348 
Mind, Wonderful Power of.. 347 
Money Experimenters 327 
More Exercise, Less Food.. 112 
More Faith in Home Treat- 
ment 107 
Most Absurd 281 
PAGE. 
Most Perfect Health 39 
Mother of Maladies 313 
Mothers 196 
Mothers, Advice to 326 
Mother’s Mistakes 284 
Moth, To Remove From 
Face 265 
Mrs. Stanton Wrote 227 
Mumps 245 
Mucilage a Substitute 130 
Muscle-Beater 64 
Mustard Plaster Tends to 
Disease 84 
Must Take Exercise 97 
My Father was a Doctor 238 
N. 
Nature Cure Methods 137 
Nature Cure Remedies 322 
Nature’s Materia Medica... 349 
Nausea, Remedy for 278 
Necessary Requiremeuts... 67 
Neglected Sewers 168 
Nerve Prostration 120-337 
Nervous Irritation To Allay 211 
Neuralgia, Cure for 112 
New Methods 19 
Never Submit to Being Poi- 
soned 130 
Night Sweats, Novel Cure 
for 272 
No Consultation with Doc- 
tors 70 
None to Discourage Her 104 
No Pasteur-Kocli Craze 134 
No Perfect Climates 27 
Normal Appetites 36 42 
Nose, Bleeding of. 272 
No Similar Work 342 
Note Elements of Success.... 103 
Note This Point 19 
Nurse Health, not Aches 
and Pains 152 
Nymphomania 202 
O. 
Obesity 225 
Obesity, Corpulence 315 
Objectionable Procedure.... 78 
Object Lesson 1 318 
Object Lesson 2 319 361 
INDEX 
PAGE. 
Often Years Recovering 139 
Oil-Rubs 209 
Old Age, Hygiene of 288 
Old Age, Why Dread 331 
Olive Oils 211 
One Disease 14 
One Jesus, Plato and Lin- 
coln 298 
One Physical Method of 
Cure 30 
Onions, Cooked or Raw 281 
Only for Protection 156 
Only the Fittest Survive 105 
Operations Denounced 326 
Ought Age to Signify a 
Tax? 330 
Ought to Know 262 
Our Public Men 16 
Our Special Specific 294 
Out-door Work 58 
Ovaries andFallopian Tubes 193 
Ovaries Congestion of. 201 
Over-eating 53 
Overstudy 338 
P. 
Pain, How to Avoid 286 
Pain, What is It? 226 
Palpitation of the Heart 146 
Paralysis, Cause and Cure.. 268 
Paralysis, Cured by Sun- 
Baths 185 
Past, Present and F'uture... 330 
Patent Medicine Vendors... 159 
Pay for Advice 223 
Persist and Succeed 70 
Physicians, Five Best 271 
Physician, Not the System 
Condemned 82 
Physician, the Good 344 
Physicians, Three Great 214 
Physio-Medical School 317 
Placenta 194 
Pneumonia 89-138 
Pneumonia, Case of. 139 
Pneumonia, Bath for 90 
Poem, Somebody’s Baby.... 263 
Poem, Most Blessed Water. 163 
Poison Condiments 53 
Poison or Hot Lemonade... 123 
Pores, the 226 
PAGE. 
Poultice, Cornmeal 297 
Power of Thought 344 
Practice What You Preach. 338 
Praise Your Wife 299 
Prayer and Faith Cures 332 
Pregnant Women, Care of.. 228 
Prof. Horace Green 118 
Prof. Fowler’s Night Cap... 277 
Prolapsus 201 
Prolific Cause 29 
Proper Time to Exercise.... 61 
Protect Yourselves 335 
Pruritus, an Itch 205 
Puberty 193-217 
Pure Air Necessary 235 
Q. 
Quiet in the Sick Room 138 
R. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson 161 
Reckless Spirit of the Age.. 294 
Reforms, New and Old 347 
Religious and Medical Mis- 
sionaries 114 
Remedies, New 122 
Remedies, Poisonous 286 
Removed to the Lazaretto. 132 
Replenish a Coal Fire 271 
Rest 203-284 
Retroversion 200 
Rheumatic Remedy 267 
Rheumatism, Cause and 
Cure Ill 
Rhematism, Inflammatory. 112 
Rheumatism, Lemons for.. 45 
Right Living 345- 340 
Right Living is the Best.... 153 
Right Thinking 346 
Ring-Worm 280 
Rise from the Table Hun- 
gry 231 
S. 
Sand Bag 270 
Sand in the Crop 41 
Sawing Wood Exercise 63 
Scrofula 206 
Sea-Sickness, Cure for 268 
Sea-side Air 165 
Self-Abuse 215-205 362 
INDEX 
PAGE. 
Self Development 221 
Sewing for Unborn Infant.. 233 
Sexual Expression 234 
Sexual System 190 
Shamefully Criminal 157 
Short-Cut’s Object 88 
Short-Cut Treatment 85 
Sick-Headache 49-107 
Sickness, How to Prevent 316 
Sickness Impossible 23 
Skin, Dryness of 274 
Slight Advance in the Heal- 
ing Art 76 
Small-pox, Cure for 124 
Small-pox Marks, To Pre- 
vent 126 
Smoking Habit 284 
Society, Cruel and Unjust 343 
Sore Mouth, Remedy for... 276 
Sowing and Reaping 226 
Spinal Beef Marrow 266 
Stains to Remove 265 
Sterility 204 
Stomach 285 
Stomachache, Speedy Cure 
for 352 
Stomachs Diseased 143 
Stone in the Bladder 196 
Strychnine, Arsenic and 
Quinine 143 
Suffer in Mind 42 
Suffocation by Gas 269 
Sunday Dinners 50 
Sunlight for the Home 214 
Sunlight, Value of 104 
Sunshine, Air and Water... 10 
Surgeons and Physicians... 329 
Survival of the Fittest 325 
Sympathy 104 
System False 341 
T. 
Table Disease 154 
Take the Hint 85 
Take Our Small-pox Virus. 157 
Tape Worm Removed 299 
Teach by Observation 281 
Teachers Should Never 
Deny 196 
Tea, Coffee and Effects. 48 
PAGE. 
Tea Drinking and Consti- 
pation 49 
Teeth, Care of. 251 
Teething 240 
Ten Health Command- 
ments 187 
Tetter, Salt Rheum, Hives. 291 
The Best Expectorant 99 
The Brain and Muscle 
Worker 38 
The Charm of Mystery 150 
The Clear-headed Nurse 69 
The Coming Girl 227 
The Elixir of Life 155 
The Free Gifts 11 
The Gospel that will Re- 
deem 37 
The Lemon Juice Cure 44 
The Problem of Life Solved 145 
The Reformatory Doctor... 149 
The Regulars are Jealous... 20 
The Result 24 
The Stone and Grist of the 
Past 59 
The Tides of Life 32 
The Trench Diggers 39 
The True Physician 156 
The Young Doctor 95 
This is True 339 
Tired People 313 
Turkish Towel 314 
Tissue to Supply 211 
Tomatoes 282 
To Strengthen Back and 
Loins 62 
Trusses, Braces 203 
Typhoid Fever Subdued 74 
Typhoid Fever, Successful 
Treatment of. 76 
U. 
Ulceration 199 
Urea 194 
Ureters 195 
Urinary System,.,.. 194 
Use of Drugs 115 
Use of Hot Lemonade 135 
Uterine Injections 297 
Uterus 192 
Uterus, Congestion of. 199 INDEX. 
363 
V. page. 
Vaccination, Decision 
Against 353 
Vaccination Increases Dis- 
ease 127 
Vaccination for Every Dis- 
ease 129 
Vaccination Does Not Pre- 
vent 131 
Vaccination, Opposed to 126-128 
Vagina 192 
Vaginal Injections 200-233 
Vegetables Medicinal Prop- 
erties of. 51 
Ventilation 65 
Vertigo 277 
Virtue is in the Change 155 
W. 
Wakefulness, Cause of 48 
Water and Its Relations 10 
Water, Cold or Hot 270 
Water Pack 182 
Water Treatment, Success 
of in Philadelphia 81 
Water Remedy Has Stood 
the Test of Time 84 
Wealth, Rage for 220 
Weaning 242 
Wear Flannel 160 
We Eat Too Much 279 
Wet Sheet Pack 178 
What Are Your Habits ? 295 
page. 
Wheat Best Food 316 
Wheat Superior to Oatmeal 316 
White Hands 265 
White of Egg for Infants... 273 
Whooping Cough 244 
Why Doesn’t He? 224 
Why Demoralized 16 
Why Should We Take Ex- 
ercise? 60 
Why Water is Valuable in 
Treating Disease 162 
Wisdom of the Aged 287 
Womb, Falling of. 200 
Womb, Inflammation of..... 198 
Women, Worn-Out 220 
Women and Children 189 
Wore but Little Clothing... 101 
Work Out Your Salvation.. 107 
Worms 244 
Would Not Eat until Hun- 
gry for Plain Food 98 
Wounds and Bruises 279 
Wounds, Dangerous, Cure 
for 273 
Y. 
You See, I Dress Right 102 
Yellow Fever 134 
Z. 
Zymotic Disease, Remedies 
for 127 BOOKS PUBLISHED 
BY 
THE EDUCATOR PUBLISHING CO. 
THE EDUCATOR; CAUSE AND CURE OP ALL DISEASE. 
Drs. M. E. and Eosa C. Conger, 
AUTHORS. FIRST EDITION, 1887. 
SPIRITUAL SCIENCE OP HEALTH AND HEALING. 
First Edition Issued in 1887. 
SPIRITUAL THERAPEUTICS, OR DIVINE SCIENCE. 
First Edition Issued in 1888. 
WORLD’S PAIR TEXT BOOK OP MENTAL THERAPEUTICS. 
First Edition Issued in June 1893. 
W. J. Colville, author of the above three books Avhich 
treat upon mental and spiritual healing, is well known as 
one of the most able teachers. A description of the con- 
tents of his books, also of The Educator, will follow in suc- 
ceeding pages. 
Address, 
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LOOK BOX 328. 
CHICAGO. SPIRITUAL SCIENCE OP HEALTH AND HEALING. 
Thirteen lectures delivered inspirationally in Boston 
and San Francisco during 1886 and published by urgent 
request. To which is added glossary and index, making 
it a convenient text book. 365 pages, Cloth, Price Post- 
paid. $1.25. 
6PIRITUAL THERAPEUTICS, OR DIVINE SCIENCE, 
applied to moral, mental and physical harmony. Twelve 
lectures, also a lecture on unscientific science, by Dr. 
Anna Kingsford, author of “ The Perfect Way,” etc. 330 
pages, cloth, postpaid, $1.10. 
WORLD'S PAIR TEXT BOOK OP MENTAL THERAPEUTICS. 
Comprising twelve lessons delivered at the health 
college, Chicago. “ Multum in parvo” the most brief 
and comprehensive book since the commencement of the 
tidal wave of spiritual and mental healing. 140 pages, 
postpaid, One Address, Three Copies, $1.00; single copy, 
50 cents leatherette binding). 
ON Sf\LE 
THE EDUCATOR PUBLISHING CO. 
Mr. Colville’s latest book, viz: 
DASHED AGAINST THE ROCK. 
A romance of the coming age. 310 pages, postpaid, paper, 
50 cents; cloth, $1.00. Address, 
Look box 328. Chicago. TIib EctucdtOT Publishing Co. THE EDUCATOR. 
CAUSE AND GURE OP ALL DISEASE. 
BY DBS. M. E. AND ROSA C. CONGBB. 
CONTENTS: 
Chapter 1—Introductory. 
“ 2—Causes. 
“ 3—Remedies. 
“ 4—Lungs, Stomach and Circulation. 
“ 5—Heart and Liver. 
“ 6—Constipation and Piles. 
“ 7—Baths, Gymnastics and Ventilation. 
“ 8—Hygienic Food. 
“ 9—Physiology op Marriage. 
“ 10—Fevers and Inflammations. 
“ 11—Bowels, Kidneys and Bladder. 
“ 12—Sunshine and Shadow . 
“ 13—Dress. 
“ 14—Colds, Catarrh, Consumption, Bronchitis, Asthma 
and Indigestion. 
“ 15—Useful Recipes. 
“ 16—Health Crystals . 
“ 17—Pregnancy. 
“ 18—Children, Their Care at Birth and During Child- 
hood. 
“ 19—Diseases of Women and Children. 
“ 20—Testimony of One Hundred Eminent M. D’s. 
*' 21—Tobacco and Alcoholic Liquors. 
“ 22—Health Hash. 
“ 23—Mestruation and Change of Life. 
“ 24—Miscellaneous Diseases, Remedies and Sugges- 
tions . 
vi TUB BDUCA.TOR 
Is a practical, Common Sense work upon the Cause and Cure 
of all disease. This hook of 650 pages is regarded by the 
thousands of families who have it, and like its teachings, as 
the best teacher and healer ever offered to the public. 
The Educator is free from technical words and sentences, 
is written in plain English, and is entirely free from the rubbish 
of Latin prescriptions. Its object is to introduce light into dark 
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upon ignorance and deception. Not one valid reason can be 
given for keeping the people in ignorance of the laws of life 
and health, except the selfish ones of keeping the family doctor 
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The Educator handles this subject without fear or favor, 
suggests safe methods and remedies in place of dangerous ones, 
and puts into the hands of the intelligent parent an invaluable 
teacher of health, with common sense remedies that will heal, 
and are nevei destructive. 
The Educator is mailed to any address in the United States 
or Canada for $3.00 cloth, and $3.50 morocco binding. 
Address 
Ttie Educator Publishing 60.. 
P. 0. BOX 328. 
CHICAGO. 
AGENTS WANTED IN EVERY STATE. 
SEND FOR DESCRIPTIVE CIRCULAR AND TESTIMONIALS. 
vii World’s Fair Text book 
OP 
MENTAL THERAPEUTICS, 
Comprising Twelve Lessons Delivered at the Health 
College, Chicago. 
Lesson I. 
Statement of Being—Relation of Man to Deitv. 
Lesson II. 
Prayer and Unction—a Study of Desire and Expectation. 
Lesson III. 
Faith—Its True Nature and Efficacy. 
Lesson IV. 
Chemicalization or Crisis—Death of Error and Birth of the 
New Life in Man. 
Lesson V. 
Divine and Human Will—Not Two Wills, but One Will. 
Lesson VI. 
The Creative Work of Thought—Our Thoughts Build Our 
Bodies. 
Lesson VII. 
Telepathy or Thought Transference and Hypnotism—With 
Practical Directions and Statement of Benefits. 
Lesson VIII. 
Intuition the True Educator. 
Lesson IX. 
Diagnosis—Correspondence between Mental and Physical Con- 
ditions. 
Lesson X. 
A Practical Lesson on the Most Direct Method of Spiritual 
Healing. 
Lesson XI. 
Concentration—Its Development and Use. The Real Antidote 
to Hysteria. 
Lesson XII. 
Practical Illustrations of the Correspondences between Mental 
States and Their Physical Expressions. 
APPENDIX. TESTIMONIALS. 
Please send to my address three copies of your excellent 
“World’s Fair Text Book of Mental Therapeutics.” I most 
heartily congratulate you on the great good you are doing by 
sending these valuable teachings broadeast into all the world. 
They will survive and continue your great work long after we, 
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Yours most sincerely. 
MRS. P. T. BURRELL, 
Oakland, Cal., Nov., 1893. 
A friend presented me one of your books “World’s Fair 
Text Book.” I have shown it to friends and have three orders. 
I am an earnest student of mental science and value your book 
highly. Success is yours in whatever you undertake. 
MRS. A. MELLETTE, 
Boulder, Colo., Nov., 1893. 
The three copies of Text Book of Mental Thei'apeutics duly 
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MRS. P. H. PARSONS, 
Sacramento, Cal., Nov., 1893. 
I herewith enclose $1.00 for three copies of “ World’s Fair 
Text Book;” have an order for one copy. I told the lady I 
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Blue Anchor, N. J., Nov., 1803. 
Please send me one copy oi your “ World’s Fair Text Book.” 
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MRS. E. R. HAGUE, 
Washington, D. C., Nov., 1893. ROYAL HEARTS. 
ALWYN M. THURBER. 
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400 pp. Paper, 50 cents. 
Published and for sale by 
authors publishing Co., Chicago. 
THE HIDDEN FAITH. 
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Quaint Crippen, Commercial Traveler. 
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Cloth, $1.00; Paper, 50 cents. 
Sent postpaid, on receipt of price, by 
Hutbore publishing Co., Chicago. A true medical and health education for the 
whole people is offered by the 
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OF CHICAGO, ILL. 
Special text-books provided for home courses of 
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These two institutions are practically one and the 
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Cost of books for home study, $10.00. Cost of a 
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ADDRESS —— 
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CHICAGO, ILL.