The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1936-10-16


DIR. Barton. layman recognizes
that there are times
of extreme need for powerful drugs
--strychnine or digitalis for a fast
failing heart and morphine for UNI
bearable pain.
What about all the other drugs
commonly used for headaches,
rheumatic pains, pain of stomach
ulcer, to correct constipation, to
prevent diarrhoea?
Give Nature a Chance.
There isn't any question but that
headache powder, some baking
soda for the stomach, and the usual
remedies for diarrhoca are helpful
and harmless when used for short
periods. 1t is considered better to
use the drug than to have the whole
nervous tone of the body lowered
by the depressing effects of the
pain.
Then of course there are simple
tones containing iron, phosphorus
and lime that put these body build
ing materials into the blood and
tissues direct, instead OF trying to
get them by eating large quantities
OF food with no appetite and a poor
digestion.
However, what is wrong is the
habit so many have acquired of
drugging themselves regularly and
often for slight headaches, constipa-
ton and other little disturbances,
failing to realize that nature will
correct conditions IL given the least
chance.
Seek Cause of Trouble.
What caused the headache? Eat
ing too fast or too much; eyestrain?
Why not correct the cause? What
caused the gas" pains in the stom-
ach or intestines? Certain foods
that you know cause it? Why are
you constipated? Is it no exercise;
not enough fruit and vegetables?
The point is that drugs-leaves
and roots-have their place in our
present civilization under circum-
stances. To use them often and
regularly for conditions that nature
or your common sense can correct
is big mistake.
Advantages of Fasting.
That too much food or the wrong
kinds of foods can cause disturb
ances in the body whether the in
| diVidual is sick or well is now gen.
orally known. That most of us eat
more food than we need is like
wise known and admitted.
Thus most physicians agree that
fasting seems to be of real help in
various disturbances of the body.
The ailments in which fasting
seems to be good treatment are
! some acute ailments such as flu.
simple colds, and high blood pres
sure, bronchial asthma, rheumatic
disturbances, acute stomach or in
festival upsets and overweight
| (obesity).
However, fasting is really danger
Gus in many cases il not supervised
by a physician. DR.. w. Eisenberg,
Munich, states that the fasting cure
may involve danger. Patients with
cancer and with tuberculosis shoul3
not fast. Hysterical patients should
not be allowed to fast, and most
cases OF mental disturbances should
not undergo fasting cures.
Limits Of Usefulness.
Sometimes the fasting cure il
used on patients with a poor an
petite, the idea being that il allowed
to go without food for some time
the appetite will increase. DR..
Eisenberg points our that this is
dangerous in cases of neurasthenia
(being tired physically and mental
ly) as these cases need food TO keep
up their strength.
While the fasting cure is helpful
in many cases of heart disease, il
should not be used when there is
rheumatism or tonsillitis.
The length of time the fasting
cure can be given safely depends
upon the condition of the patient
and the physician is best qualified
to say how long the fasting cure
should be continued.
The food to be eaten at the end os
the fast depends upon the patient
and his ailment, for although fruits
may be advisable in overweight pa
tients, patients with stomach, intes-
tine or liver disorders need less
| harsh diet.
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