Page:Linda Hazzard - Fasting for the cure of disease.djvu/280

 self on the fifty-fifth day. The loss in weight was normal, averaging about three-quarters of a pound a day.

The medical history of the next instance tells of constant treatment for thirty years for the disease symptom known as diffuse psoriasis. At the time that the patient turned to natural methods, the inflamed, bleeding surfaces characteristic of the symptom covered at least one-third of the skin of the body, and were not confined to any particular locality, but appeared indiscriminately on trunk, arms, and legs; while hands, face, and feet were not affected. The sores were exuding blood and serum and were itching intolerably, so much so that in order to exist in anything approaching comfort, local application of mercurial preparations had long been resorted to to relieve the pain and inconvenience. But these proved only temporary in effect and the symptom returned in a short time more angry and more obstinate.

The general health of the patient was excellent, and to this a strong constitution and a robust physique contributed. Perhaps, as is often the case, the outlet that nature had established in this instance was most salutary in so far as the appearance of other disease