The Grit-advocate., 1905-09-22
o.
Home Health
Club I
by David H. Reeder, Ph. D., MD.
MALARIA-AGUE.


In series of articles previously
published, l gave full directions and
description for the successful home
treatment of all kinds of fever, in
cluding malarial fever, but there has
been a great demand this summer for
more upon the subject of malaria or
aSue as it is popularly called.
If l We're to go into detailed or
technical description Of the sickness
called ague, would use up all of the
space that is allotted TO me, and you
would receive no practical information.
l think you are able to recognize the
disease. Formerly it was supposed
that ague was caused solely by damp
marshy lands and damp cellars, be-
cause of its being more prevalent. in
such places, but it has during recent
years been quite conclusively demon
strated that the cause originates in
the bite of certain kinds of mosquitoes,
and that one may with perfect safety
and freedom from malaria sleep for
months in the open air of the worst
kinds of swampy places if fully pro-
tected from the bite of mosquitoes.
Recent research also demonstrated
that this knowledge was common prop
erty over two thousand years ago, and
that several hundreds kinds of mos
quitoes were known and classified.
Now while 1 am convinced that the
bite of the poisonous insect is the
cause, I do not believe that person
in perfect health would suffer, and in
fact experience proves that many peO-
pie are immune, although exposed to
the same cause.
Our lesson is, therefore, keep the
blood pure and the aimentary canal
free from impurities. The right kind
of food in the right quantities and
properly eaten, with sanitary sur
roundings is the safeguard which must
be used for prevention.
First. good wholesome food that is
not difficult to digest; second, not to
overeat; third. to masticate all food
very thoroughly: fourth, no liquids
while eating; fifth, an abundance of
pure water between meals and on aris-
ing in the morning; sixth, 4 good warm
bath with plenty of soap and water at
least twice week; seventh, a perfe&
emptying of the colon at least one
daily. This is very important point
in the prevention or successful home
treatment of ague. The disease is
much more likely to be fastened to one
whose colon is filled with stagnant
and impacted fecal matter, which
should have been promptly eliminated.
If there is the slightest sign of consti-
patton the colon should be thoroughly
cleansed by the use of from two to
three quarts of warm water in which
has been dissolved one tablespoonful
of salt to the quart Of water. This
should be injected by means of a long,
flexible soft rubber tube called colon
tube, such as is used in hospitals in
administering what is called "high
enema
About the only medicine that will
be needed for keeping the system in
excellent fighting condition in case the
above suggestions are followed is eth
er the good old-fashioned herb remedy
compound gentian syrup mot tincturc
or about one grain of capsicum or com
mon red pepper, taken just at the fin
1sh of Breakfast and another at din
ner. The best way to take capsicum
is in soluable capsules.
When the disease has become cstab-
lished, the Home Club method of treat
ment as given in Vol. 2 of the Club
Books should be rigidly followed in ad
dition to the observance of the diet
etc and hygienic rules above given.
II