Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-12-08
rs -.
Home Health
i Club /
ByDAvID q. READER, Ph. D.,M.D.
La Porte, Ind.

At this season of the year there are
nearly always more cases Of typhoid
fever than at any other. and for that
reason it is in order for the Home
Health Club to discuss the subject OF
its home treatment. With proper home
treatment, typhoid becomes one OF the
least dangerous of fevers. In the
first place, the regular hydrotherapeu-
tic treatment for fevers, as have de-
scribed it, should be thoroughly car
ried out, and then the question OF
diet and massage will constitute all OF
the necessary remaining treatment,
with the exception that enemas OF
about one-half gallon Of warm water
containing one tablespoonful Of salt
should be given every night until
symptoms of diarrhea appear; then
either stop them or give every other
night, until the typhoid discharge ap-
pears, and then the principal danger is
past.
81 Nearly every symptom Of tympan-
tits, hemorrhage and fever can be al
most entirely prevented by a strict
adherence to the fasting principle, abb
solutely no food, liquid or solid should
be given until the bowel discharge
above referred to has appeared (usu-
ally about the seventh or ninth day.,
and then it must be given in very
small quantities and slowly increased.
Give ell the pure water the patient
wants at any and all times.
1t is well to remember that no &C
cumulations, either of a healthful or
unhealthful character, can take place
In the system except through the con-
sumption Of food, water or air. When
the bright sunlight is admitted into
our dwellings it reveals accumulations
of dust, filth or cobwebs unmanifest
but for the introduction of light, just
60 when "the creature" we call dis
ease germ has found Judgement in our
inner being, and forthwith kindles
big fire, we may know but for the
presence of material with which to
build such fires there would be none,
these materials, which are properly
speaking, waste or refuse from over
feeding, or improper living, must be
gotten rid Of in some way. Now, al
though this interior fire causes intense
suffering, and needs to be extinguished
with all reasonable speed. yet real
service is being done for the afflicted
one, because, in accordance with some
Of the higher laws, nature is striving
to clean house" for us. We need,
then, not only to secure relief from
pain, but to cleanse and put into such
order as will require no further reno
waiting for time at least, these dwell
ing places where the dirt-loving bug
found herself so much at home. Opin-
ions differ a. y feeding the patient;
but here, agal, sommon sense must
grasp the helm The tongue is the cor
rect indicator Of bodily needs; and,
until 1t is no longer coated, the pa
tent needs no food of any kind. Pure
water, and that alone, will suffice for
every need; though. If the sufferer de-
ci0edly wishes, very little diluted
sweet milk or fresh buttermilk may
be given. Is there reason in this pre-
scription of food? Suppose yourself
carrying a heavy burden for a long
and weary distance, your strength at
last gives away, and you sink down
exhausted. The burden you have been
carrying has caused your collapse, re-
member Next, suppose some assist
ance is sent for, and, upon arriving
where you lie, at once prescribed that
your burden be increased, and you to
] arise and go forward with 1t. A heavy
lash, such as is laid upon a poor tired
beast sometimes, might cause you to
stagger along under such conditionS,
but, like him, also, you might sud-
denly die from lack of breath. Would
| It not be wiser to tighten the burden
you had borne, or, II possible. remove
II entirely, and allow you to rest?
Well, the burden Of waste, largely I'M
used food accumulations, doubtless
was the cause of your fever Now,
lay the load down utterly, and leave
It until nature furnishes you bright,
new strength to take 1t up again, and
she requires no help from food for q
while. Eating while this "house-
cleaning" is in progress will only de-
lay. the work, and there is no danger
of starving. To the reader who does
LIS own thinking-and members of the
Home Health Club are such-these