Give it a Go— But Remember, Billions Have Tried it Already

Radio Record, 4 September 1936, Page 54

Give it a Go— But Remember, Billions Have Tried it Already

Speciall y Written

'by

Dr.

Ulric

Williams

essential if we are to understand the problem presented by disease. It is exactly because there are still so many who fail to compfelend them that we have made such disappointing headway ‘in our efforts to solve this most pressing problem. The points are these :- FIRST: Disease is mostly a degenerative process, due to failure to fulfil the requirements of health, and of this process the acute illness is frequently Nature’s method of cure. SECOND: The ‘primary causes of almost all diseases may be "grouped « ‘under two heads (1). Psychological : ’ Wrong beliefs or ideas * and mental’ tensions. (2) PhyA THOROUGH ‘grasp of certain principles is

sical: Wrong. feeding; and wrong. general habits. ©. THIRD: The reason. for the oceur: "rence -,of...chronic : disease ‘is (a) éontinuation of the cause, and (b). ‘suppression of Nature’s efforts °to

heal. ; True, ' there. may * be contributary causes-hereditary, environmental, bacterial, economic, or accidental; but, in the main, whatever your symptoms may he, the causes will almost invariably be found to be either psychological’ or physical, or both.- Sometimes the one prédominates, sometimes the other; but if you look for permanent rélief with-, aut. correcting the cause, well-give ‘it a £0, by -all ‘means. But remember that a good many "billions of people have tried. it’ ‘already, but not one of, thém hes ever succeeded so far. 2 ‘And when you have failed, ‘vefleet that correetfon of the: cause is ustrally followed by disappearance of... the effect. Let ug see for a moment what frequently happens’ when We approach a typical ease. in Agporance. of these Simple principles: _. & young man, 24 years, of age, a footballer of very fine build, sought ‘medical advice because of paleness, loss "of weight, headaches and bilious attacks, accompanied ‘by’ loss. of sleep and inability to concentrate. His doctor, having been. taught that germs are the cause’ of disease, went through the customary preposterous rite of tracing them to their lair; and could do no better than advise him to have his tonsils removed. So he entered one of our big hospitals for the purpose. Here the diagnosis was queried; and a comprehensive examination undertaken, all the resources of a modern hospital being called upon for the purpose, All these tests were negative, so he was told there: was nothing the matter with him, and discharged. His disturbing condition gradually became worse,

Now let us approach such a problem from the ‘common-sense point of view. What is likely to be the matter with such a young man?. As I have said above, ‘and hope to say frequently again: Whatever you symptoms may be, lock for the cause of them in your methods of living! Look tothe thinking, the diet, and the general habits. So we did; and a few questions immediately disclosed’ that: the man had.a gargantuan appetite; that his diet contained a tremendous excess of starch and meat food; that he bolted: his meals; that ‘he was in the habit‘of :going to bed very late; that he washed down his meals with large draughts. of strong tea; that he had almost

no molars to chew his food. with; that he was given to worrying over his work and his physical condition; and that he was exceedingly constipated into the bargain. Not. a very difficult problem, is it?

But many thousands as simple go, not merely unsolved ‘every year, but are definitely made worse, and frequently chronically and even dangérously ill by treatment which, though usually, well-intentioned enough, is wrong in principle, . and therefore inevitably ineffective in practice! "This young man must have his teeth put in order; he must.eat-slowly and chew thoroughly; he must go to bed in reasonable ‘time; he must not wash down his meals with » tea; he must give up the attempt to live on excessive quantities of dead.:and adulterated foods, and exercise modera- , tion’ and wise choice; he must resume the exercise he had beén ordered to stop: and, he must be encouraged to discipline his thinking, so that the destructive habit of worrying maybe replaced w ith the constructive one of cheerful confidence, ‘ It is in just such exceedingly simple problems that we are constantly’ being betrayed, by orthodox beliefs, into a variety of costly and: ‘tragic blunders. Tonsils and teeth are remoyed-probably the appendix and gall bladder ’ also ; -while all theitime the causes continue and effects: become consequently more difficult of correction. The degenerative process gradually gets worse and, ‘sooner or later, symptoms of gross disorder appear. Operation: after operation is, advised; and _expensive treatment and investigation of every kind undertaken, until at last some symptom .occui's ‘for .which there is no effective expedient-at which stage the sufferer is told that nothing more can be done for him, Apparently we have yet to learn that disease seldom attacks healthy people. If we would enjoy good . health, however, we:must-be willing to: take a. itile.:

trouble to deserve it. Too many of us have been willisg to drift along; and look te somebody to remove for us the consequences of our ignorance and neglect. What fools we are! Why not spend a little time on physical culture; and mental and spiritual development and discipline? Take -a pride in personal appearance and mental poise; in the glow of radiant health; in sweetness of disposition. Loveliness, happiness, and efficiency will be our reward-and that at a modest price in restraint that makes the requisite effort a pleasure rather than a penance, You older people whose apparently mysterious sufferings have cost you so dear-look to your habits of thought; look to your methods of feeding; look to your general habits. Do you think that fear and worry, impatience, irritability and depression spell good health? Do you not know that it is the live elements in food that supply us with an important part of our vitality; and that dead foods which have had these live elements removed in refining, preserving or preparation will not suppert healthy life? Do you think you can ignore the bodily requirements with regard to rest, exercise, sunshine and fresh air, water, clothing and posture, and then go to somebody who doesn’t even take into consideration their vital concern with your sufferings, and sacrifice some portion of your anatomy, or swallow some deadly poison, in the hope of restoring your body to health? ; You have a duty to your children, and the community as well, to say nothing of your dyty to yourself. And by the same token, do you think that financial difficulties cannot be avoided ang do not spring from causes as ridiculously simple? — Shake it up, you people! Life more abundant is ours for the taking Open your eyes (of both kinds); look around you; a world, and a people, of almost infinite possibilities! Which is it to be? Health or disease? Poverty or wealth? Happiness or despair? Hndeavour or self-indulgence? We must make our choice. I’ve made mine. Many others have done, and are doing, the same, And let me tell you this, I wouldn’t go back to the best of the old ways for a knighthood and £20,000 a year.