NEURITIS
This inflammation of the nerves is a common and painful condition which may affect any part of the body, particularly that area which is most involved in your daily labour. Nerve cells are sensitive to a lack of Vitamin B-1 and the increase of consumption of this essential matter (provided for in the Fountain of Youth Cocktail) frequently is all the treatment needed for neuritis.
Unlike arthritis, neuritis is not caused by infection. And unlike rheumatism, neuritis does not confine itself to joint areas, its home lying anywhere throughout the body's nervous system. It is now widely realized that neuritis is frequently induced through worry, fear and despair. This is another instance of the inseparable relationship between body and mind. The treatment for neuritis may therefore begin with a better understanding of the individual and his place in Nature's pattern.
RHEUMATICS
Chronic rheumatism can be said to have caused more human misery than all the wars fought since the beginning of time. Only a person who has had his body racked with the pain of chronic rheumatics can truly understand the truth of this statement. The dull throbbing pain that lingers day and night, intensifying during periods of cold and damp, is a mortal enemy of man and a direct product of modern man's flight from nature. Improper diet, lack of sufficient sunlight and a body that has not been hardened by Nature's agents are largely responsible for rheumatic conditions.
It is necessary to distinguish acute rheumatics or rheumatic fever from the more common ailment known as chronic rheumatism or simply, rheumatism. While rheumatic fever may cause chronic rheumatism, it is by no means the sole cause. The pain of rheumatism comes without fever and the affected joints need show no outward sign of the ailment, but are generally cold and stiff.
Rheumatism is apparently among the most deeply rooted of all human ailments. I have never seen a case of chronic rheumatism placed on the road to recovery in less than three months. And this only with the most stringent care and self-control on the part of the patient. But those months were well spent, as anyone who has been relieved of the pains of rheumatism can attest.
N. S. was a successful farmer in his mid-fifties suffering from chronic rheumatism. The pain of his ailment had forced him to give up all but supervisory work upon his farm, and this after nearly forty years of constant and agreeable work. The discontinuance of his life's work was as much a mishap for N. S. as the pain that had caused it, for he was a man devoted to his work. Retirement at his age would not only have been wasteful and difficult for him, it would have meant an early death for a man of his vigorous and enthusiastic existence.
First step in assisting N. S. was taken at the dinner table. He was placed upon a light and completely non-stimulating diet. All spices were removed and pork was strictly forbidden. Special attention was placed upon an increased consumption of green leafy vegetables and tobacco, coffee and tea were removed from the patient's living habits.
Sun-bathing, particularly the bathing of the affected areas, was prescribed. Steam baths were a daily requirement followed by a brisk wet rub of the entire body (never permitting the over-heated body to become too quickly cooled). The full pack was applied whenever pain was severe and the patient was permitted to remain within the pack for two hours. Following this and a thorough drying of the body, affusions were applied. The sensitive areas of N. S.'s body could not withstand the pain of direct affusion, and therefore the jets were applied in an area immediately surrounding the centre of pain.
Zone therapy was partially successful in alleviating the patient's pa ip and was applied quite simply. A steel comb was held by the patient in that hand corresponding to the side of his body in pain. By clenching his fist so that the teeth of the comb bit deeply into the palm of his hand and holding this position, N. S. was able to overcome his pain on repeated occasions.
Air-baths and frequent wet rubs were largely responsible for hardening the patient's body to the effects of changing temperature, so often the immediate cause of rheumatic pain. But only the combination of all these was able, after three months, to bring total relief to N. S. My last view of him came several years ago as I drove away from his New Jersey farm. There, standing upon the floor of his barn, Farmer N. S. was effortlessly pitching large pitchforks full of hay high into the hay loft of the barn. I would call that complete recovery.
RHEUMATISM
This condition is frequently mistaken for arthritis, since, like the latter, rheumatism settles in the joint areas of the body, producing great pain and discomfort. Unlike arthritis, rheumatism is not accompanied by some body infection. Many years ago it was recognized that rheumatic conditions frequently appear for the first time during the winter or early spring. Further research indicated that during these months the consumption of citrus fruits and fresh salad vegetables was at a critical low level among many people. In this way, the first knowledge of a link between rheumatism and Vitamin C deficiency was come upon.
The rational diet can prevent rheumatism. However, the correction of this condition is more involved. Once rheumatism has appeared, the programme for alleviation of this condition involves increased consumption of Vitamin C (provided in the Fountain of Youth Cocktail as described in "Your Daily Routine For Better Health"in my website). Nightly warm natural baths (8o°) and warm compresses (heating pad) will stem the pain almost instantly. Sun-bathing is particularly favourable in rheumatic conditions.