vention. Nine-tenths of the inmates of our insane asylums are incurable, according to our present knowledge. What an argument for the prevention of the disease!"
Other instances where organic development of the small intestines has been arrested in early life through disease and drugs, give rise to unpleasant symptoms and require most careful attention, not only in the fast, but in the after period of dieting. These cases never occasion mental crises, however. The latter are uniformly confined to instances such as cited above.
As has been said, fear, the dread of death by starvation, calls down upon the fasting patient, despite the courage of his convictions, the torture that follows acts in opposition to the wishes of affection. And, often, in sheer hopelessness of family cooperation, and in spite of personal faith and benefit, the fast is abandoned and drugs are again resumed.
In the fast there can be no danger of starvation. The great safeguard of all life is hunger true hunger not appetite. And, when the process of purification is complete, hunger returns and food must be supplied.
Skill in the treatment of disease by natural
