Page:Linda Hazzard - Fasting for the cure of disease.djvu/291

 was marked by constant improvement after the fast was broken.

The treatment of tuberculosis of the lungs by means of the fast, to insure successful issue, must be undertaken before the stage when excessive structural break-down of lung tissue has occurred. If attacked at this time, a cure is assured. Otherwise, the case classes itself with that of advanced organic disease, which, in the light of previous discussion, bars all remedy.

The symptom named in the medical diagnosis of the next case was valvular heart disease, and prognosis assumed that the patient had no hope of recovery. There was great pain in the regions of the heart, stomach, and liver, and at times in the abdomen. The heart missed one beat in every three; and, in view of the seriousness of the condition, the fast was begun without preparation immediately upon coming under observation. Enormous amounts of dark bilious fluid came away with every enema, of which four were administered daily throughout the fast. Excruciating pain and nervous excitement were experienced until the twentieth day, when at least a cupful of gallstones was evacuated. These continued to be passed until the thir-