There Is a River

by Thomas Sugrue

  These appliances, now properly built and maintained, were in the hospital, along with cabinets where sweat baths could be had while the fumes of needed elements enveloped the body, entering it through the opened pores.

  There was all the regular equipment of a hospital, of course, and the orthodox physiotherapy laboratory: sinusoidal machines, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, baths, cabinets, rubbing tables. Dr. House, being both a medical doctor and an osteopath, supervised the allopathic treatments and administered the mechanical adjustments. Mrs. House saw to it that each patient’s diet was kept; she had charge of the kitchen and dining room. The nurses, in addition to their ordinary duties, learned to give the rubs prescribed for certain patients and took others to the beach—weather permitting—for sand packs. Hot sand was packed around a body wet with sea water. The readings said the sand at Virginia Beach had a large gold content and was highly radioactive.

  When summer came the boys were put to work. Hugh Lynn and Tommy took over the job of acquainting newcomers and visitors with the history and theory of the readings. Gray, who liked to build things, took over the manufacture of the radioactive appliances and the maintenance of the electrical machines.

  “I don’t see any use in going to college, Edgar,” he said; “I can learn more here about the things that interest me than any school can teach me.”

  “Good,” Edgar said. “You can build yourself a workshop out back.”

  Work was begun on several medicines which, though the procedure was clearly outlined in readings, were difficult to produce. Two of these were carbon ash and animated ash. In each case the ash had to be that of the wood of a bamboo tree, burned with the flame of a carbon lamp, and treated in a vacuum. These were to be taken internally, for such things as tuberculosis.

  The readings had always been democratic in the selection of medicines as they were in the selection of treatments. No drug manufacturer was shown the slightest favor. Smith’s preparation for one ailment might be preferred, while his product for another trouble was snubbed in favor of that of his rival, Jones. Often the readings suggested uses for the drugs which were not listed by the manufacturer. In one instance they helped the chemist perfect his formula, and then put it to a use which had not entered the inventor’s head.

  The chemist was a distinguished and learned Hindu, Dr. Sunker A. Bisey, who had won his doctorate in chemistry at Oxford University in England. He had been concerned for years with the problem of producing iodine in a form that could be taken internally in doses large enough to have an appreciable effect on diseases caused by its lack in the body.

  He had himself been psychic since birth, and was in the habit of taking his problems to bed with him and sleeping on them. When he heard of Edgar and came to him with the problem of “atomic iodine,” the formula was almost perfected. The readings offered suggestions, and whether it was these or Dr. Bisey’s dreams or his continued laboratory experiments, the product was eventually marketed successfully as Atomidine. Promptly the readings began to prescribe it for infantile paralysis, particularly as a preventive for this disease in times of epidemic. Dr. Bisey hadn’t thought of such a use: the readings gave the cause of infantile paralysis as a filterable virus which can enter the body through the mucous membranes (being carried in the air), or even by way of the sensitive skin under the arms, or in drinking water.

  The explanation of infantile paralysis was only one of the things which Edgar felt hopeless about, so far as the world was concerned. Even with a hospital, how could such a thing be proved? How could anyone prove the statement that the appendix and tonsils should not be removed, because they act as focal points for poisons, gathering and sending them out through the proper channels? Only when overloaded to the point of breaking down should they be removed, the readings said, and such a breaking down meant that some part of the body was overproducing waste material.

  What about the implication of a cycle in the metabolism of each body? The readings gave medicines in cycles: ten days, then a three-day rest, for example. Or, “For this body it is best to take the prescription on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

  “Maybe science will discover those things someday,” Mrs. House would say as they sat on the hospital porch after dinner.

  “Keep the records,” Dr. House would say. “Keep everything. Someday they’ll catch up with us.”

  “If they do, and the records are here, that will at least prove that psychic phenomena aren’t frauds,” Edgar would say.

  Gertrude would shake her head.

  “I don’t know how you can explain those things to people,” she would say. “How would you go about telling someone a thing like this: The readings say that when an ultraviolet ray treatment is given, the ozone created is as beneficial, or more so, than the rays from the lamp, because the ozone kills bacteria. The patient should stay in the room where the treatment was given and breathe in the ozone.”

  Edgar would look at the boys.

  “Maybe the younger generation will prove it for us,” he would say.

  “I’ll build the things,” Gray would say.

  “I’ll sell them,” Tommy would say.

  “I’ll explain them,” Hugh Lynn would say, “if I can ever learn to understand them.”

  About this time Mrs. House would drop her sewing, turn her piercing brown eyes on the group, and say:

  “Edgar, shouldn’t the people themselves do something? If you have to stuff truth down a man’s throat it’s not going to do him any good. He at least ought to want it.”

  “More cases, more cases,” Dr. House would say. “That’ll prove it to them.”

  More cases were coming in every day, and they were providing all the variety needed to illustrate the latitude of the readings.

  There was apparently no elaborate medical system, or theory, to be got from the cures. Glandular conditions were the basic causes for many disturbances; childhood bumps and bruises often caused lesions that brought on obscure ailments; karmic conditions predisposed a body to a certain trouble or gave it a weakness. Once diagnosed, an affliction was attacked at its source. No cure could come except through the natural channel: assimilation of needed properties through the digestive system, from food taken into the body. An affliction or disturbance upset the natural equilibrium of this process; certain necessary properties for the maintenance of the body were not extracted from the digested food (in cases of malnutrition the necessary ingredients were not in the food). The proper equilibrium of the assimilating system had to be restored. All treatments were aimed at this accomplishment.

  That, if anything, was the medical philosophy of the readings. It made no difference about the treatments—all schools and types were useful in one way or another—so long as health was procured for the patient. There was a difference between the aim of the readings and the aim of the average doctor. The doctor aimed at curing a specific ailment. The readings aimed at producing a healthy body, which would itself get rid of the ailment. In one case the evidence of the ailment was removed. In the other case its cause was eliminated.

  In cases of chronic disturbance the readings outlined systems of treatment far more complex and detailed than a doctor would devise; and the treatments lasted longer (sometimes for years) than the average physician would consider necessary for recovery from the same ailment.

  A typical example was the check reading for a patient suffering from arthritis and destruction of nerve tissue. The patient had lost the use of his legs and was affected in the elbows, neck, and lower back.

  As has been heretofore indicated, the nerve ends have been destroyed throughout the locomotory activities of the lumbar and sacral, or the nerves of the sciatic portions of the limbs themselves—the outer nerves, or the superficial circulation; and atrophy is indicated.

  Now, the rubs and those influences which have been applied, as well as the low electrical forces, have been to stimulate these areas fro
m which impulses arise for the completing of the circulation, sufficient to bring recuperative forces to these areas.

  At the same time properties have been indicated to be taken with the assimilating forces of the system, and to prevent a spread of the atrophy, or to prevent the nerve forces becoming so inactive as to produce static conditions; and this to a great extent has been accomplished.

  Now the conditions, as we find, are at a turning point. Either the body from the waist up will continue to develop towards a greater normalcy, and the lower extremities become more atrophied, or static in their reactions . . . and thus leaving the body incapacitated for locomotion; or the pathological, the physiological and the psychological conditions or activities will be so stimulated as to allow a greater tendency . . . gradually, but continually . . . towards the abilities of the assimilating forces of the body to not only resuscitate but to revivify, reanimate, the nerve forces through the areas indicated—to such an extent as to become more and more active, with a greater and a better resuscitation.

  Then—it is necessary that there be cooperation in regard to the applications, the persistency and consistency as related to all influences and forces towards this one direction.

  Little has been done that is of a curative nature. Little may be done, in the present, that is of any great curative value.

  However, the impulses may be stimulated so as to allow the natural, living cellular force of the body to recuperate itself! so that the natural sources, or nature’s sources, or the psychological reactions may be such as to enable nature to produce in the body-physical a physiological reaction; and thus bring a pathological condition to the portions of the body now under distress.

  Now, as to the activity of those things that may be administered in the present:

  The continued use of the aspirin with the soda-mint is as yet very well, and it may be necessary that this be taken in a regular order. But, if it is practical or possible for the body, do not set hours for this to be administered! For this only tends to lessen pain; and the activity of this by mouth (which is the only way to take it) is such that it still leaves drosses, being an active force which prevents the full elimination of poisons that are the result of tissue being enlivened. For, dead cellular forces are being released in the blood stream for elimination, from the flesh as well as muscle and bone portions even—from the activity of those properties within the blood stream, as the effluvium—as fast as there is the ability of the cell to reproduce itself.

  And these properties are only as sedatives, or palliatives for the moment, and not curatives; only adding to the drosses for elimination.

  Then, let’s not produce a greater burden than the system is capable of adjusting itself to; so that at the same time we may bring resuscitating, revivifying forces to the body.

  The mechanical osteopathic adjustments:

  While these are not curative, neither palliative, they are that means by which impulses may be stimulated from centers in the cerebrospinal nervous system; and the pelvis, sacral and ileac plexus, and throughout the lower portion, are the areas to be stressed, in such stimulation. There is not to be such activity as to break up and cause bruises, ever, but the bursa about ganglia heads and centers are to be greatly stressed—especially in the lumbar axis, the lower lumbar areas, through the sacral, even to the ends . . . especially . . . of the spinal plexus.

  These have not been given as thoroughly, nor as consistently, as they may be done. Give more time to these. For, with greater activity there comes a greater strain, especially on the nerves and muscles about the head of the sacral bones, and the limbs, and especially at the branch of the sciatic center, or the last bones or joints or segments in the end of the spine. These must be gradually . . . easily, but consistently . . . relaxed.

  And after such let the body rest for at least two or three hours, that there may be the greater flow of impulse from the improved circulation throughout the body.

  So much, for the physiological and pathological effects.

  The applications of the low electrical vibrations carrying the solutions that act upon the glandular forces of the body: The Gold Solution—make the attachments to the last dorsal plexus, and to the lacteal duct and umbilical plexus; this to be given on every third day, you see. Watch the Gold Solution, that it does not deteriorate too fast, but is kept at near a normal strength.

  The Atomidine, now—attach the copper plate at the brachial center, and the one carrying the electrical charge more over the liver area; not the plexus, but on the right side about the distance from the center area of the body that the little finger of the hand would touch, with the hand turned diagonally across the body—not from the umbilical plexus, but more from the sternum plexus.

  The Camphor Solution—this we would keep to the lower limbs, or to the bursa about the heel, and to the fore portion of the foot, and to the lacteal duct and umbilical plexus.

  The strength of the charge should be almost three times, or two and a half times, above the normal solution ordinarily indicated. Leave off the doubling, or tripling, of the quantity of charcoal. Only use one-half pound of the charcoal in this solution.

  Now, as to the activity of these:

  The Gold Solution is nerve building, supplying a balance in the vibratory forces of the energies of the system to work with glandular reactions, as to stimulate the nerve building plasm in the white cellular force.

  The Atomidine adds the vibrations to minimize the pain that is active in the movement of poisons through the channels of the superficial circulation, or perspiratory system; as well as to set up drainages in the circulatory system for the eliminating of drosses through the dross channels, as well as the general circulation.

  The Camphor Solution is a healing property, as well as an active force for the better eliminations through the alimentary canal.

  Keep up the rubs and the applications for the external portions. Now, we find that the Peanut Oil and the Olive Oil may be applied singly or in the same combinations that have been indicated; but keep these in different solutions, and use them at different periods.

  Also we would now have the stimulations or vibrations occasionally from the Ultra-Violet, that should be given to the back portions of the body, but as far from the body as is possible with this particular type of light indicated here. In the beginning give this for not more than ten to eighteen minutes—never more than eighteen minutes—for the first fifteen to eighteen days, or for the first few applications . . . which would be five to six days apart. For, the body easily irritates.

  But if there is all the stimulation mechanically (osteopathically), all the stimulation dietetically, all the stimulation as may be given through the rubs, the body may be able to take more of this. But do not burn, nor irritate the body!

  Occasionally . . . once a month, oftener as improvements are shown . . . give the Epsom Salts bath. While in such a bath, massage especially the soles of the feet, the knees, and the muscular forces under the limbs—both above and below the knees.

  At least once each week apply the Epsom Salts saturated solution in packs for the knees. Following this massage the oils into them.

  As to the activity of these:

  The baths are to stimulate the superficial circulation, and the massaging while in them is to break up the static forces about the tendon and muscular forces; that the activity of the circulation from those properties given vibratorially may become more efficient. The local applications are to break up the cystic forces that are static in the cartilage about the end of the bones in the knee.

  Then, as to the diet, and as to the ingredients to be taken otherwise internally:

  Take three to four drops of the Wheat Oil about three times each week; not oftener, but do not miss taking it at these periods! Its active principle is upon the stimulated glandular system, for not only reproduction of the red blood supply but of the genital reaction in the syste
m; for, as “germ” indicates, this is the activity in the system.

  The diet—this must be, as the rest, consistently, persistently, followed!

  Take more of the vegetable forces that are life-giving in their assimilation through the body; more carrots (raw), celery and lettuce. These, at least these three, should be combined to make the greater part of one meal each day; or they may be taken with each meal if it is the more preferable. They must be taken, if there will be better recuperative forces, or the supplying to the system of properties and energies that are to be the real healing forces!

  For here alone (in the diet) will there be the coming of curative or healing powers. All the rest are for the preparations of the body for the usage of energies in food values, which may be had from those foods indicated to be supplied.

  With the taking of the Wheat Oil in the manner indicated, supply vitamins B-1 . . . as well as A, B, and G . . . through the cereals. We do not mean dried cereals! These should be cooked cereals! The cracked Whole Wheat at one time, the Steel Cut Oats at another time, and wheat and barley at another time! These should be taken with cream or milk, and not too much sugar! Put barely sufficient for making same palatable!

  Have plenty (and more than has been taken!) of oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit and the like. These supply salts that should be had by the body. Preferably use the fresh fruits, though grapefruit juice is preferable to the green fruit, and is more vitamin-giving.

  Fish, fowl, lamb. Occasionally . . . about once a week . . . give the body a good, stiff steak, smothered in onions! and mushrooms may be added if so desired.

  Rye bread, or brown bread, is preferable.

  The Wine—red wine only, or the light wines, as a stimulant.

  Do these, and we may expect bettered conditions.

  All these treatments were carried out; the patient continued to get well.