FONG WAN - Library

CAUSES OF VARIOUS AILMENTS
Shin Nong, an ancient Chinese Emperor Herbalist, likened the human
system unto the universe. As all life is dependent on Nature for
sustenance, he concluded that in the body of each person were to be
found the five principal formative elements of Nature, viz: minerals,
vegetation, water, fire and earth. In other words, he held that each
human being resembled Nature in miniature.
When Nature's five elements are working with equilibrium of power
and balance, there are no thunderstorms, volcanic eruptions, earth-
quakes, upheavals or sinking of the earth, typhoons, etc. Likewise,
when in our human systems equilibrium is maintained among the five
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elements, we are strong and well; free from complaints of all kinds.
The most active element in both Nature and the human body is fire.
Whenever the water element (blood) is over-heated or there is too much
fire, we have the condition known as "Inflammation of the System."
It resembles a heat wave on the earth which produces wind, otherwise
known as gas or air circulation. The human system contains two cir-
culations: the breath and the blood. The Chinese writers say that tihe
blood is man's glory and the breath his protection. If their circulation
is impeded, the viscera are inactive. When the internal organs cease to
function properly the entire system becomes poisoned. For example,
the lungs of Influenza victims were congested and clogged with black
blood. The blood sometimes poured from their mouths and noses even
after death. Likewise, in bad cases of cancer of the breast there is a
purplish black color and the edges are upturned. Ninety per cent of
such cancers are incurable, the poison being so deep-rooted that noth-
ing is able to drive it out. Even operations do little or no good, as the
cancer either appears again or the sufferer dies before long. Whether
a cancer can be dealt with successfully or not depends upon
tion.
its condi-
The devastations of the fire element, or inflammation, cause the
most suffering. Inflammation of the heart causes valve enlargement,
palpitation, hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure. Inflammation
of the kidneys causes Bright's disease; of the pancreas, diabetes.
Inflammation of the bladder causes discharges; of the nerves, neuritis
or inflammatory rheumatism. Inflammation of the bowels or rectum
causes piles or bleeding bowels. Inflammation of the uterus causes tu-
mors and hemorrhage; of the eyes, blindness; of the throat, soreness,
tonsilitis and swellings. Inflammation and cold in the head causes
headaches and catarrh. It thickens and condenses the moisture, chang-
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