Page:Linda Hazzard - Fasting for the cure of disease.djvu/124

 return of hunger, weak-willed patients are almost certain to overstep the bounds of supply. In these cases acute symptoms may develop, due to congestion of the entire circulatory system. The brain may suffer to the extent of the production of violent delirium, and all the organs of the body are included in the revolt. When a gradual process of return to normal amount in sustenance is not pursued, all the benefits of the fast are worse than destroyed, and, if will-power be lacking in the patient, its equivalent in supervision must be furnished by the director of treatment. If necessary, personal watch must be established over the convalescing subject.

When organic defects are present in the colon, they may or may not prove seriously shortening to life; but, when, at the end of a fast, feeding is resumed, even a slight displacement of the lower bowel may retard elimination to such degree that absorption of fecal material proceeds so rapidly as to cause severe physical and mental derangement. This is especially so in cases that are not under guidance, in which ignorance of consequence exists, and will-control is absent. Yet, even under competent supervision, oftentimes desire impels the patient to overeat.