Acid Diseases
The origin, progressive development and cure of acid diseases
are very much the same whether they manifest as rheumatism, arteriosclerosis,
stones (calculi), gravel, diabetes, Bright's disease, affections
of the heart or apoplexy.
The human body is made up of acid and alkaline constituents. In
order to have normal conditions and functions of tissues and organs,
both must be present in the right proportions. If either the acid
or the alkaline elements are present in excessive or insufficient
quanitities, abnormal conditions and functions, that is, disease
will be the result.
All acids, with the exception of carbonic acid,
exert a tensing influence upon the tissues of the
body, while alkalies have a relaxing effect. The
normal functions of the body depend upon the equilibrium between
these opposing forces.
Acidity and alkalinity undoubtedly play an important part in the
generation of electricity and magnetism in the
human organism. Every electric cell and battery contains acid and
alkaline elements; and the human body is a dynamo made up of innumerable
minute electric cells and batteries in the forms of living, protoplasmic
cells and organs.
It has been claimed that what we call vital force is electricity
and magnetism, and that these forces are manufactured in the human
body. This, however, is but a partial statement of the truth. It
is true that vital force manifests in the body as electricity and
magnetism, but life or vital force itself is not generated in the
system.
Life is a primary force; it is the source of all activity animating
the universe. From this primary force other, secondary forces are
derived, such as electricity, magnetism, mind force, nerve and muscle
force, etc.
These secondary, derived forces cannot be changed back into vital
force in the human organism. Nothing can give life but LIFE itself.
When the physical body is dead, as we call it, the life which
left it is active in the spiritual body. It is independent of the
physical organism just as electricity is independent of the incandescent
bulb in which it manifests as light.
After this digression we shall return to our study of the cause
and development of acid diseases. Nearly every disease originating
in the human body is due to or accompanied by the excessive formation
of different kinds of acids in the system, the most important of
which are uric, carbonic, sulphuric, phosphoric and oxalic acids.
These, together with xanthines, poisonous alkaloids and ptomaines,
are formed during the processes of protein and starch digestion
and in the breaking down and decay of cells and tissues.
Of these different waste products, uric acid causes
probably the most trouble in the organism. The majority of diseases
arising within the human body are due to its erratic behavior. Together
with oxalic acid, it is responsible for arteriosclerosis, arthritic
rheumatism and the formation of calculi.
Dr. Haig of London has done excellent work in the investigation
of uric-acid poisoning, but he becomes one-sided when he makes uric
acid the scapegoat for all disease conditions originating in the
organism. In his philosophy of disease he fails to take into consideration
the effects of other acids and systemic poisons. For instance, he
does not mention the fact that carbonic acid is produced in the
system somewhat similarly to the formation of coal gas in the furnace;
and that its accumulation prevents the entrance of oxygen into the
cells and tissues, thus causing asphyxiation or oxygen starvation,
which manifests in the symptoms of anemia and tuberculosis.
Neither does Dr. Haig explain the effects of other destructive
by-products formed during the digestion of starches and proteins.
Sulphurous acid and sulphuric acid (vitriol), as well as phosphorus
and phosphoric acids actually burn up the tissues of the
body. They destroy the cellulose membranes which form the
protecting skins or envelopes of the cells, dissolve the protoplasm
and allow the latter to escape into the circulation. This accounts
for the symptoms of Bright's disease, the presence of albumen (cell
protoplasm) in blood and urine, the clogging of the circulation,
the consequent stagnation and the accumulation of blood serum (dropsy)
and the final breaking down of the tissues (necrosis) resulting
in open sores and ulcers.
Excess of phosphorus and the acids derived from it overstimulates
the brain and the nervous system, causing nervousness, irritability,
hysteria and the different forms of mania.
An example of this is the distemper of a horse when given too
much oats and not enough grass or hay. The excess of phosphorus
and phosphoric acids formed from the protein materials of the grain,
if not neutralized by the alkaline minerals contained in grasses,
hay or straw, will overstimulate and irritate the nervous system
of the animal and cause it to become nervous, irritable and vicious.
These symptoms disappear when the rations of oats are decreased
and when more fresh grass or hay is fed in place of the grain.
Similar effects to those produced upon the horse by an excess
of grains are caused in the human organism, especially in the sensitive
nervous system of the child, by a surplus of protein foods, of meat,
eggs, grains and pulses.
Still, when patients suffering from overstimulation of the brain
and nervous system consult their doctor, his advice in almost every
instance is: "Your nerves are weak and overwrought. You need
plenty of good, nourishing food (broths, meat and eggs), and 'a
good tonic.' "
The remedies prescribed by the doctor are the very things which
caused the trouble in the first place.
As stated before, uric acid is undoubtedly one of the most common
causes of disease and therefore deserves especial attention. Through
the study of its peculiar behavior under different circumstances
and influences, the cause, nature and development of all acid diseases
will become clearer.
Like urea, uric acid is one of the end products of protein digestion.
It is formed in much smaller quantities than urea, in proportion
of about one to fifty, but the latter is more easily eliminated
from the system through kidneys and skin.
The principal ingredient in the formation of uric acid is nitrogen,
one of the six elements which enter into all proteid or albuminous
food materials, also called nitrogenous foods. Uric acid, as one
of the by-products of digestion, is therefore always present in
the blood and, in moderate quantities, serves useful purposes in
the economy of the human and animal organism like the other waste
materials. It becomes a source of irritation and cause of disease
only when it is present in the circulation or in the tissues in
excessive amounts.
How Uric Acid Is Precipitated
The alkaline blood takes up the uric acid, dissolves it and holds
it in solution in the circulation until it is carried to the organs
of depuration and eliminated in perspiration and urine. If, however,
through the excessive use of nitrogenous foods or defective elimination,
the amount of uric acid in the system is increased beyond
a certain limit, the blood loses its power to dissolve
it and it forms a sticky, glue-like, colloid substance, which occludes
or blocks up the minute blood vessels (capillaries), so that the
blood cannot pass readily from the arterial system into the venous
circulation.
This interference with the free passing of the blood is greater
in proportion to the distance from the heart, because the farther
from the heart, the less the force behind the circulation. Therefore
we find that slowing up of the blood currents, whether due to uric
acid occlusion or any other cause, is more pronounced in the surface
of the body and in the extremities than in the interior parts and
organs.
This occlusion of the surface circulation can be easily observed
and even measured by a simple test. Press the tip of the forefinger
of one hand on the back of the other. A white spot will be formed
where the blood has receded from the surface on account of the pressure.
Now observe how quickly or how slowly the blood returns into this
white patch.
Dr. Haig says that, if the reflux of the blood take place within
two or three seconds, the circulation is normal and not obstructed
by uric acid. If, however, the blood does not return for four or
more seconds, it is a sign that the capillary circulation is obstructed
by colloid uric acid occlusion.
In this connection I would call attention to the fact that the
accumulation of carbonic acid in the cells and tissues, and the
resulting oxygen starvation, may produce similar interference with
the circulation and result in the same symptoms, including the slow
reflux of blood after pressure, as those which Dr. Haig ascribes
to the action of uric acid only.
When this obstruction of the circulation by uric or carbonic acid
prevails throughout the body, the blood pressure is too high in
the arterial blood vessels and in the interior organs, such as heart,
lungs, brain, etc., and too low in the surface, the extremities
and in the venous circulation. The return flow of the blood to the
heart through the veins is sluggish and stagnant because the force
from behind, that is, the arterial blood pressure, is obstructed
by the uric acid which clogs the minute capillaries that form the
connection between the arterial and the venous systems.
Because of this interference with the normal circulation and distribution
of the blood, uric acid produces many annoying and deleterious effects.
It irritates the nerves, the mucous membranes and other tissues
of the body, thus causing headaches, rheumatic pains in joints and
muscles, congestion of blood in the head, flushes, dizziness, depression,
fainting and even epilepsy.
Other results of uric acid irritation are: inflammatory and catarrhal
conditions of the bronchi, lungs, stomach, intestines, genitourinary
organs; rapid pulse; palpitation of the heart; angina pectoris;
etc.
These colloid substances occlude the minute excretory ducts in
liver, spleen, kidneys and other organs, interfering with their
normal functions and causing the retention of morbid matter in the
system.
All these troublesome and destructive effects of uric
acid poisoning may be greatly augmented by excessive accumulation
of sulphuric, phosphoric and other acids, and by the formation of
ptomaines and poisonous alkaloids during the metabolism of proteid
substances.
The entire group of symptoms caused by the excess of uric acid
in the system and the resulting occlusion of the capillary blood
vessels by colloid substances is called collemia [a glutinous or
viscid condition of the blood].
If in such a condition as collemia the amount of uric acid in
the circulation is still farther increased by the taking of uric
acid-producing food and drink and the saturation point of the blood
is reached, that is, if the blood becomes overcharged with the acid,
a curious phenomenon may be observed: the collaemic symptoms
suddenly disappear as if by magic, giving way to a feeling
of physical and mental buoyancy and strength.
This wonderful change has been wrought because the blood has lost
its capacity for dissolving uric acid and holding it in solution
and the acid has been precipitated, thrown out of the circulation
and deposited in the tissues of the body.
After a period of rest, that is, when no uric acid- or xanthine-producing
foods have been taken for some time, say, overnight, the blood regains
its alkalinity and its capacity for dissolving and carrying uric
acid and begins to reabsorb it from the tissues. As a consequence,
the blood becomes again saturated with uric acid and the collaemic
symptoms reappear.
This explains why the hilariousness and exaltation of spirits
at the banquet is followed by "Katzenjammer" [hangover]
in the morning. It also explains why many people do not feel fit
for their day's work unless they take a stimulant of some kind on
arising. Their blood is continually filled with uric acid to the
point of saturation and the extra amount contained in the coffee
or alcohol repeats the process of uric-acid precipitation, the temporary
stimulation and relief.
Every time this precipitation of uric acid from the circulation
is repeated, some of the morbid materials remain and accumulate
in different parts and organs. If these irritating substances
become lodged in the joints and muscles, arthritic or muscular rheumatism
is the result. If acids, xanthines and oxalates of lime form earthy
deposits along the walls of arteries and veins, these vessels harden
and become inelastic, and their diameter is diminished. This obstructs
the free circulation of the blood and causes malnutrition of the
brain and other vital organs. Furthermore, the blood vessels become
brittle and break easily and there is danger of hemorrhages.
This explains the origin and development of arteriosclerosis (hardening
of the arteries) and apoplexy.
Apoplexy may also be caused by other acids and drug poisons which
soften, corrode and destroy the walls of the blood vessels in the
brain.
In individuals of different constitutions, accumulations of uric
acid, xanthines, oxalates of calcium and various other earthy substances
form stones, gravel or sandy deposits in the kidneys, the gall bladder
and in other parts and organs.
The diseases caused by permanent deposits of uric acid in the
tissues are called arthritic diseases, because the accumulations
frequently occur in the joints.
Thus we distinguish two distinct stages of uric acid diseases:
the collaemic stage, marked by an excess of uric acid in the circulation
and resulting in occlusion of the capillary blood vessels, and the
arthritic stage, marked by permanent deposits of uric acid and other
earthy substances in the tissues of the body.
During the prevalence of the collaemic symptoms, that is, when
the circulation is saturated with uric acid, the urine is also highly
acid. When precipitation of the acid materials from the blood into
the tissues has taken place, the amount of acid in the urine decreases
materially.
I have repeatedly stated that xanthines have the same effect upon
the system as uric acid. Caffeine and theobromine, the narcotic
principles of coffee and tea, are xanthines; and so is the nicotine
contained in tobacco. Peas, beans, lentils, mushrooms and peanuts,
besides being very rich in uric acid-producing proteins, carry also
large percentages of xanthines, which are chemically almost identical
with uric acid and have a similar effect upon the organism and its
functions.
From what has been said, it becomes clear why the meat-eater
craves alcohol and xanthines. When by the taking of flesh
foods the blood has become saturated with uric acid and the annoying
symptoms of collaemia make their appearance in the forms of lassitude,
headache and nervous depression, then alcohol and the xanthines
contained in coffee, tea and tobacco will cause the precipitation
of the acids from the circulation into the tissues of the body,
and thus temporarily relieve the collaemic symptoms and create a
feeling of well-being and stimulation.
Gradually, however, the blood regains its alkalinity and its acid-dissolving
power and enough of the acid deposits are reabsorbed by the circulation
to cause a return of the symptoms of collaemia. Then arises a craving
for more alcohol, coffee, tea, nicotine or xanthine-producing foods
in order to again obtain temporary relief and stimulation, and so
on, ad infinitum.
The person addicted to the use of stimulants is never himself.
His mental, moral and emotional equilibrium is always unbalanced.
His brain is muddled with poisons and he lacks the self-control,
the clear vision and steady hand necessary for the achievement of
success in any line of endeavor.
We can now understand why one stimulant craves another, why it
is almost impossible to give up one stimulant without giving up
all others as well.
From the foregoing it will have become clear that the
stimulating effect of alcohol and of many so-called tonics depends
upon their power to clear the circulation temporarily of uric and
other acids. Those who have read this chapter carefully,
will know why this effect is deceptive and temporary and why it
is followed by a return of the collaemic symptoms in aggravated
form, and how these are gradually changed into chronic arthritic
uric acid diseases.
In order to give a better idea of the various phases of uric acid
poisoning, I have used the following illustration in some of my
lectures:
A man may carry a burden of fifty pounds on his shoulders without
difficulty or serious discomfort. Let this correspond to the normal
solving-power and carrying-capacity of the blood for uric acid.
Suppose you add gradually to the burden on the man's back until
its weight has reached one-hundred and fifty pounds. He may still
be able to carry the burden, but as the weight increases he will
begin to show signs of distress. This increase of weight and the
attendant discomfort correspond to the increase of uric acid in
the blood and the accompanying symptoms of collaemia.
If you increase the burden on the man's shoulders still further,
beyond his individual carrying-capacity, a point will be reached
when he can no longer support its weight and will throw it off entirely.
This climax corresponds to the saturation point of the blood, when
the limit of its acid-carrying capacity is exceeded and its acid
contents are precipitated into the tissues.
The Treatment of Acid Diseases
The treatment of acid diseases is the same as of all other diseases
that are due to the violation of Nature's laws: purification of
blood and tissues from within and building up of the vital fluids
(blood and lymph) on a natural basis through normal habits of eating,
dressing, bathing, breathing, working, resting and thinking as outlined
in other parts of this volume.
In severe cases which have reached the chronic stage, the treatment
must be supplemented by the more aggressive methods of strict diet,
hydrotherapy, curative gymnastics, massage, manipulation and homeopathic
medication.