The Science of Therapeutics - Classical Homeopathy Online

Full text of "The Science of Therapeutics: According to the Principles of Homeopath...Page 328 of 653generally and every dietetic indiscretion in particular; next, atstopping the paroxysms of distress as soon as possible ; and finaat effecting a retrograde metamorphosis of the disorganization.In a curative point of view, tlie dietetic treatment is really apcable only to fatty heart, not to fatty degeneration. There is nodoubt that we are sometimes able to remove an excessive tendencyto fatness, and most probably to influence by similar proceedingsthe excessive deposition of fat about the heart. In this respect,extraordinary etiicacy of the Karlsbad springs is so well knownthat we could not help censuring a physician who would refuseto send his patients to Karlsbad from no higher motive than afanatical adherence to a therapeutic system. Unfortunately thefat which had disappeared under the influence of Karlsbad, but tooften and rapidly returns even in an increased quantity after theAdipositas Cordis. 885patient has gone back to his home. This is sometimes and perhapsmost commonly the patient's own fault; but not unfrequently it isthe fault of the improper dietetic instructions emanating from thphysician. We should be led too far, if we were to go into fullparticulars regarding the diet ; all we shall do is to present thlowing general propositions to the reader's attentive regard. Theproduction of fat is owing to an excessive supply of food, the suconsiderably exceeding the waste. The quantity of fat producedwill be so much greater the more the supply consists of substancethat are known to make fat, principally animal and vegetable fatsand starch-containing food. ]ieer generally promotes the formatioof fat either directly or indirectly. Meat, if constituting the carticle of diet, scarcely ever makes fat. These few points sufficgeneral dietetic directions. Let the supply and waste be properlybalanced by bodily and mental occupation, and let whatever excessremains be done away with. The patients should principally uselean meat, not starch-containing vegetables or fruit, and but litbread and wine ; and they should be directed never to overloadtheir stomachs as so many people do from mere habit, not fromnecessity. By pursuing such a system of diet and hygiene, thepatient will be able to do without a resort to Karlsbad. Starvaticures are the more condemnable in the case of such patients, themore the heart has already become diseased. At the same time, itmust be admitted that there are many persons who, most generallyin consequence of abnormal changes in the functions of the liver,deposit such quantities of fat, even under the simplest and mostcautious diet, that it seems, impossible to suggest any furtherchanges in this respect.Fatty degeneration may sometimes, but assuredly only in rareinstances, have its primary origin in a constitutional tendency tfatness ; otherwise we are unacquainted with any other cause ofthis disease that might suggest special dietetic preventive rulesIf the presence of the cardiac disease is substantiated beyond andoubt, the patient's mode of living has to be regulated with a viof preserving his strength as much as possible. Substantial nouriment, so far from being forbidden, should be recommended; themoderate use of wine is generally attended with the happiest resuIn the case of drunkards, spirits should be withdrawn gradually,http://www.archive.org/stream/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog_djvu.txt