“First, in the inception of this body, some nineteen years ago—not what may be termed properly (as in old considerations) prenatal conditions, but as of prenatal surroundings—there were those elements taken by the mother which affected the body. These made for first tendencies.
“Then, with the character of the surroundings of the body, the character of the water as assimilated, the general dispositions that made for the resuscitating forces in the assimilating system, in many portions of the body the glands have been deficient in some respects and overactive in others in supplying the elements necessary for the proper distribution of forces in the system.
“These are the points of infection, then, that make for tendencies in the structural portions of the body to become more active than other portions. This has not reached the point where the growth is turned into that position or manner where the elongation of bone itself begins, but rather the crystallization in the muscular forces and tendons. The substance is lacking that should supply to the joints of the extremities that oil or that plasm that makes possible normal functioning. Were this turned into one more infectious point, we would have rather the tendency of Elephantiasis Proboscidis in its inception. As it is in the present—from those glands of the lacteals in assimilation, from the activities from the spleen and those glands from the kidneys, the adrenal and those in the lyden, overactive at times, and those of the pancrean supplying to the blood stream those forces that are as the chrysalis of the infectious forces from the adrenals—all of this makes for the stoppage, rather than the drainage from extremities. This must eventually cause Sleeping Paralysis or Stony Paralysis, or bring on a condition that makes for a twisting and turning of the bones themselves, by the muscular forces becoming hardened in such conditions.
“Then, to meet the needs of such conditions, various stages of this particular disorder necessarily indicate that different amounts of elements are lacking or are excessive in portions of the functioning body.
Treatment
“We would first be very mindful of the diet. Keep away from all forces that supply an overabundance of salines, limes, silicon, or the like, in the system. Supply an overabundant amount of those foods that carry iron, iodine and phosphorus in the system, for these will act against that already supplied to bum or destroy those tendencies of demarcation in the activities of the glands. We would outline something of this nature:
“In one meal each day we would supply principally citrus fruits, or nature’s sugars, nature’s laxatives in citrous fruits, figs, prunes, and berries. A great deal of those forces that may be found in the pieplant, or the like; salsify, gooseberries in any of their preparations—whether those that are preserved or otherwise, provided they are without any of the preservatives; currants and their derivatives (that is, properties that are made from them, you see, without preservatives). Beware of apples and bananas among the fruits. Beware of any that would carry more of those that would add silicon in the system. One meal each day would consist of foods from such as these.
“Then there should be one meal almost entirely of nuts, and the oils of nuts. The activities from these in the system are such as to produce a different character of fermentation with the gastric forces of the stomach and the duodenum itself. The type of the lactics that are formed in the assimilation must be entirely changed. The hydrochlorics that are formed in the system must be changed. The lacteals must be stimulated to throw off that which will gradually build in the pancreas, the spleen, the kidneys, the duodenum, more of those forces that will lessen the tendency for the accumulation of those conditions in extremities.
“The evening meal may be of well-balanced vegetables that are of the leafy nature, and that carry more of those properties as given. We will find much in turnips, eggplant (no cabbage of any nature, either cold or cooked), some characters of beans—provided they are well dried and grown in a soil that is different from that carrying iron, see? These will aid. The meats should be preferably (when taken at all) of wild game, or lake fish, or oysters, or sea foods. So much for the diet.
“Then we would take also, internally, those properties of Atomidine. This is iodine in a form which may be assimilated in the system. In the beginning, if this is taken in large quantities, it would tend to make for a greater stiffness. Then, we would begin with small quantities. Twice each day take three minims in water, morning and evening. Each day increase the amount one minim, until there is being taken at least ten minims twice a day; then stop for five days, then begin over again.
“At the end of the third period of taking the Atomidine, we would begin with Epsom Salts baths (not until the third period of taking the iodine). These would be taken once a week. Add five to eight pounds of the salts to sufficient water in the bath tub to cover the body up to the neck. This would be five to eight pounds to twenty or twenty-five gallons of water. The water should be just as hot as the body can well stand. As it cools add more hot water. The body should lie in this for at least twenty-five to thirty minutes.
“After coming from this bath, the body should be rinsed off in plain water, then rubbed down thoroughly. Massage thoroughly into the whole of the body (that is, all of the cerebrospinal, all of the shoulders, head, neck, ribs, arms, lower limbs, toes, feet, hands, fingers) a solution of equal parts of Olive Oil, tincture of myrrh, and Russian White Oil. Heat the Olive Oil first, then add the same amount of tincture of myrrh while the Olive Oil is hot, and while cooling stir in an equal amount of the Russian White Oil. This doesn’t mean any of those that are of the paraffin base, but rather that which has been purified. This should be massaged in thoroughly, all that the body will absorb. Follow this (because it will make the body rather oily) with a general rub-off or sponge-off with rub alcohol. After such treatments, of course, the body should rest.
“When this has been taken for a period of three to five weeks, then we will give further instructions. Remember, the diet must be kept up; remember, the Atomidine must be kept up for this full period, and then further instructions will be given.”
Question
Q. “What causes severe night sweats, and what may be done to correct them?”
A. “We have given what may be done, and we have given the cause; for with these conditions that are caused by the glands’ functioning, and the attempts of the system to reject these conditions, it would make sweat break out on anyone!”
“Do as we have outlined, and then when the period has passed as given, we will give further instructions.”
Comment
A hasty reading of the preceding document may result in confusion owing to involved sentence structure and peculiar use of words. Naturally, our point of view must differ somewhat from that of the young woman who received this information. Her first consideration must have been, “What hope does this offer?” The reference to glandular conditions, improper assimilation, etc., may have been impressive; the warnings regarding serious complications certainly must have fitted in with the report from physicians; and the simplicity of the treatments probably impelled an effort to give the suggestions a trial. But we can well understand that faith in the reports from those who had followed similar readings, and desperate need, were the important factors which moved this young woman to give the information a thorough trial.
Back of this ready flow of technical terms there apparently lies a comprehensive understanding of this condition. This is no exposition of theory, but a definite application of general laws relative to arthritis to a particular case. The analysis includes not only present conditions, but future possibilities involved in the advancement of the trouble. The range of the perception seems unlimited.
Reports
These statements are taken from letters now in the Association files, written by the patient’s mother. The first reading was given on October 21, 1932. Reports began on the first of the following month.
—
November 1, 1932—“It seem
s too soon to say or think that M. J. is better, but she seems to be. The pain in her knees is gone; they are still stiff. Her elbows are better (not so painful). There is color creeping into her face. She has been so white. She has had one spell of palpitation of the heart, and a night sweat last night (one night in 3, 4, or 5) as before it was every night.”
November 18, 1932—“M. J. finished the second series of drops this morning. The pain and then the stiffness ceased in all joints, except the left elbow, with the first series. There could not have been such a marked change with the second series, but the left elbow has yielded and is practically as good as the other; there is some soreness in some of the joints upon pressure. The night sweats are better, but the last one (last Sunday night) was more profuse. They are further apart. This week (Wednesday night) she had an acute attack in her left thumb, the pain, as acute or more so, than ever it has been in any joint. Thursday it ceased, and by night a finger on the right hand hurt, but less severely.”
December 3, 1932—“M. J. has finished her third series of Atomidine. She will take her first bath this coming Monday night . . . Her left thumb insisted on hurting her for three or four days this week but is some better today. The night sweats are remaining better. She had two during this series of drops. We believe they are of a different type as they are more profuse and more general (all over her from head to foot). Her heart palpitation seems better and her complexion is very good at present, clearing up in the past week.”
December 17, 1932—“We saw no change after the first bath, except a hard night sweat. The second bath was this past Tuesday night. Wednesday she ached all over and had a headache. Pain in her left thumb is still persisting and Wednesday was more acute, hurting into her hand and arm. Her right knee felt queer, rather creepy; like when she first took this. Today (Saturday) the other knee hurt just a little. Friday evening she had several hard lumps in her fingers of the right hand, which got very sore. She has had them, at times, for the past seven or eight years, but they have been gone since just before she started your suggestions. Her face and neck broke out badly this week, even before the bath (per usual). This is accompanied each time, it seems, with acute gas pains. We think her shin bones are sharper and more prominent; her flesh seems flabby.”
December 17, 1932—“We can feel a bump or lump along the right shin about two inches wide and three long; there are small lumps close against this shin bone at this spot. They are not sore. She starts with the Atomidine this morning and has the bath Tuesday night. We hope for favorable results next week . . . Besides taking iron and copper capsules, a white salicylate tablet and a strychnine tablet at bed time, she was taking diathermy treatments from an osteopath. We told him we wrote you. He asked what you were giving her, and we said iodide. He rather gasped, ‘Iodide of Potassium?’ There was a hushed ‘Oh!’ when we said, ‘Atomidine.’”
December 28, 1932—“M. J.’s third bath was on last Tuesday (December 20) and since Thursday her pain is all gone. Her two thumbs are a little stiff. If you remember, the pain leaves first, then the stiffness. She has stood the holiday season very well. She has had a lot of extra work, trips to town for me, as I was not so good myself. She is tired, but no more than a well person would be. One more thing about the diet. We thought that ‘no cabbage of any kind’ included cauliflower, Chinese celery and Brussels sprouts, but I’ve changed my mind. I believe it was meant for kraut, slaw, etc., or cabbage proper. If we can add these to the diet it will help out a change of vegetables. I have trouble with this diet business . . .”
January 10, 1933—“M. J. is doing nicely (all the house work, cooking, and caring for me at present)!”
January 18, 1933—“M. J. has not been so well this week. She has pains in various joints. She has gotten better, but when she first gets up of a morning her thumb and knee will hurt for a while and sometimes in the afternoon or evening.”
Second Reading
The second reading, given on January 20, 1933, indicated a definite improvement in the whole system. The treatments previously outlined were to be continued. The following comment on the diet is of interest:
“Be mindful that the diet is kept in the manner that does not work crosswise with the elements that are being created in the system. As much sea foods as convenient will work with the balancing of the forces in system, for they create a character of element in the minutia, and supply, to the blood and nerve forces of the system, an assimilated character of force that works with the activities of the body. Also green vegetables; as, lettuce, celery, spinach, mustard greens, and the like. Also those foods that carry sufficient elements of gold and phosphorus are needed. These are found partially from sea foods and partially from vegetables—as in carrots, the oyster plant, and especially in those of that nature. These make for better forces with the system than those of the meats, that become more active with the other principles in the system that require more gastric forces in their digestion or assimilation.
“While the latter are necessary for the strength, for the vitality of the system, these may be kept in a consistent manner. Never any hog meat, very little of beef unless it is of the very lean (and the juices) but mutton and wild game—or the white meat of the fowl, or the like. These are very, very good for the body; provided, of course, they are not taken in excess for the system.”
Very small quantities of Olive Oil were recommended to be taken two or three times each day for a week to ten days. This was to be followed by a rest period of a week or ten days and then repeated.
Suggestions were made to massage the bottoms of the feet, under the knees and the spine, below the kidneys, during the menstrual period with the following:
To four ounces of denatured alcohol or pure grain alcohol, add:
Russian White Oil....................1 ounce
Oil of Cedar....................1 ounce
Oil of Sassafras....................1/2 ounce
Witch Hazel....................1 ounce
“These will be strengthening, and have a tendency to draw the blood supply to these portions of the system, so that the eliminations will become more regular and the activities of the organs that are involved in the functioning during such periods will become coordinating and balanced with the rest of the system.”
Warnings were given not to take drugs to relieve this condition.
The following questions and answers helped to clarify the conditions in the minds of those treating the body:
Q. “What is the cause of and remedy for scaly spots on face and neck?”
A. “Impure circulation, as we have given. When we apply these conditions from time to time, gradually the change will come in the circulation in such a way as to relieve these conditions. Not so much application is necessary from the external, but rather from the internal. To relieve the itching, or when the scalp or the cuticle become scaly, there may be the application of the violet ray over portions of the system. This would be very well, but—as we will find—these will be better relieved by the internal causes being treated, so that the external and internal—capillary and lymph—circulations become more normal.”
Q. “Is the kernel at base of or below left ear causing these pains?”
A. “These come from the improper circulation, improper contribution of elements from various glands in the system—tending to accumulate or gather in portions of the system. Hence the applications that are turning these to the better coordination in the eliminating systems of the body.”
Q. “Is there infection in the mastoid?”
A. “If we will follow the suggestions as given, we will remove these conditions. There is scarcely any organ in the system where there isn’t some kind of infection, or some character of infection! For the natural condition of the system is to involve all forces in the body. We will eliminate these, if you will follow the suggestions that have been given.”
Further Reports
January 26, 1933—“For the past two weeks, M. J. has not been so good. She is having stiffness in her joints and soreness. Last night she had another night sweat, the first in a long time. The last two baths have left yellow stains on the tub and wash cloth . . . The lady at the library called M. J. and had a long chat, says she has more pep.”
February 1, 1933—“M. J. is feeling better again. She has a little stiffness.”
June 11, 1934—“We are so happy to answer your recent note inquiring about M. J.’s health. She was feeling better at the time, it seems. She has more strength and is feeling like a healthy person should . . . I would say that for the past two months she has had very little pain and has felt better generally.”
Two months after the last report was received from the mother the Research Department of the Association requested Miss McC. to write a statement outlining her case and giving in brief the results obtained. A copy of this statement follows:
Dayton, Ohio
August 14, 1934
Dear Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce:—
I am writing in answer to your request.
In July, of 1932, my right knee became affected with what we thought to be a very sore bruise or perhaps a strained ligament.
I had been having night sweats for some nights previous to this. I went to a doctor and he prescribed hot salt packs for the afflicted joint. This didn’t help at all; in fact, I grew steadily worse.
During the month of August, I took diathermy treatments, as we heard that it ofttimes helped in similar cases to mine, but after quite a few treatments I had eight afflicted joints instead of the six I had when I started.
The pain was intense, so much so that at times I could hardly stand it. I couldn’t sleep, could hardly walk and couldn’t turn or twist my knees or ankles at all.
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