Hippocrates, born about 470 years B
Posted by admin on Dec 14, 2007
Hippocrates, born about 470 years B. C., is one of the bright lights of
the medical world. He was so far ahead of his time that he still lives.
He was the founder of medical art as we know it. He used many drugs, but
he also relied on natural means. He was the first medical man on record
to pay serious attention to dietetics. The following quotations will
show how well his mind grasped the essentials of the healing art: ‘Old
persons need less fuel (food) than the young.’ ‘In winter abundant
nourishment is wholesome; in summer a more frugal diet.’ ‘Follow
nature.’ ‘Complete abstinence often acts very well, if the strength of
the patient can in any way maintain it.’ In acute disease he withheld
nourishment at first and then he prescribed a liquid diet. He also made
use of the ‘milk cure,’ which is considered modern, in conjunction with
baths and exercise; this is very efficacious in some chronic diseases.
He further spoke the oft-forgotten truth that physicians do not heal.
‘Natural powers are the healers of disease.’ ‘Nature suffices for
everything under all conditions.’
Another symptom that may alarm the attendant is the lowered blood
Posted by admin on Dec 14, 2007
pressure
Another symptom that may alarm the attendant is the lowered blood
pressure. This is natural and should cause no anxiety. Eating and
drinking keep the blood pressure up. When the food intake is decreased,
the blood pressure is reduced. When the food intake is stopped, the
blood pressure is still further reduced. This fact should give the
intelligent healer the hint to reduce the food intake in such abnormal
conditions as arteriosclerosis and apoplexy. During prolonged fasts the
blood pressure generally becomes quite low.