DISEASES OF THE LIVER
Liver complaints are always closely related to other diseases of the
digestive organs. The colon being clogged, the intestines are rendered
sluggish, which in turn acts upon the duodenum, or second stomach, and
prevents the food from properly passing out--then fermentation takes
place.
Bile is poured out on the accumulated food again and again, for
the presence of anything in the duodenum is a demand for the secretion
of bile. As a result too much bile is mixed with the food to be
absorbed--the blood becomes tainted with biliary secretions showing
itself in a yellow skin, dizziness of the head, dull, sleepy condition
and lack of ambition.
This overtaxing of the organ results in what is
known as acute congestion, the symptoms of which are tenderness to
touch and a feeling of painful tension on right side just above the
edge of the ribs, slight jaundice, furred tongue, loss of appetite and
scanty high colored urine.
TREATMENT.
Open the colon by the use of the "Cascade," when the intestines and
duodenum will be in turn relieved, then open up the pores of the skin
with baths and allow Nature to expel the waste from the system in that
manner. The wet sheet pack will he found specially valuable for that
purpose.
An unnatural appetite often accompanies bilious attacks, but it should
be resisted. Eat sparingly of bread and milk, slightly salted, for two
or three days, then take more solid food, but do not eat meat more
than once a day for a week or two.
Any exercises that call the muscles
of the stomach into play are beneficial and should be practiced daily,
especially horseback riding and rowing. Exercise by bending forward,
trying to touch the toes without bending the knees; at the same time
taking a deep breath--you then have the liver as in a vise, thus
inducing active circulation.
The "Bear" walk, or walking about the room on all fours without
bending the knees, is one of the best exercises for a torpid liver
that can be imagined, but it should be practised in private, or your
friends may question your sanity.
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