It is thus seen that obstacles are put in the way of the practice of fasting as a therapeutic measure by the scientist and by the ignorant layman, but this has a direct advantage in promoting investigation, for criticism, especially from scientific sources, necessarily induces in an intelligent and conscientious observer intense concentration upon all phases of the subject. No point that may conduce to favorable issue is overlooked; no natural law or accessory is permitted to remain without investigation. Considerations merely selfish in character might here prove motives for a certain sort of endeavor--desire for gain, the hope of triumphing over other schools. But a broader deeper feeling actuates the true student of nature In him the search for perfect understanding of cause and effect, the giving of a truth to the world the relief of physical suffering, are the stimuli that impel him to surmount the obstacles he meets and that bring success to his labors.

The discovery of the general therapeutic worth of the fast was soon followed by a knowledge of its value as a diagnostic agent. Properly directed, the method never fails to uncover every weak point in an ailing body, to reveal the exact location of organic distress or defect, the focal point of disease. Continued experiment and observation established the desirability of correct approach to complete abstinence from food through gradual diminution of intake, thus insuring systemic accommodation to the physiological changes involved, while permitting elimination naturally to dominate. Here also was demonstrated the importance of enemata and cleansing baths for the purpose of facilitating the disposal of the harmful products of catabolism.

During a fast, as elimination of body waste progresses, the observer is permitted, to a degree approaching accuracy, to determine the condition of function of each vital organ, and, if structural defect is present, it is certain to be detected. For cessation of food intake inhibits organic labor with the exception of that compelled by systemic utilization of the reserve contained in tissue. At this time organs, the functioning ability of which is equal to normal demand, completely relax with no symptoms of distress and with no signs of defect in structure; while organs diseased, either functionally or structurally, maintain a state of congestion combined with distress or pain, the latter due to inflammatory conditions or to lesions already formed. In addition, the internal chemistry of the organism is more or less fully and accurately revealed, since discharges from the body are most easily analyzed, unmixed as they are with the products of recently ingested food.

In the event that grave organic defect exists in a patient, signs more or less determinant are displayed both during the time of preparation and in the early stages of a fast. Serious symptoms do not as a rule transpire until about the second or third week of abstinence, and then these demonstrations may assume any of the forms of debility. In the experience of the writer are several cases in whom at this period violent delirium occurred, as well as others who suffered from milder mental derangement. But in all of these instances, even in those in which death succeeded, there was rapid emergence from the mental cloud, and consciousness continued unimpaired either to dissolution or to recovery.

In the cases mentioned as having developed extreme mental disturbance some structural deformation of the colon was noted. This defect, despite the employment of high enemata, acted as an obstacle to the movement of bowel contents through the organ, and the refuse, liquid in form, purely waste and poisonous in the extreme, was thus permitted to be absorbed in quantity, giving rise to a degree of toxemia that induced the delirium. No surprise is evinced at intoxication resulting from the consumption of alcohol; none should be shown at the drunkenness produced by poisons that are self-generated.

There are other instances in whom organic development of the small intestines has been arrested in early life through disease or through drugs, or in whom other forms of deformation of this portion of the alimentary tract exist. During a fast these subjects may exhibit distressing symptoms that continue for some days. They seldom, however, experience mental crises, but they do require exceeding care in direction, both while fasting and in the after-period of rebuilding. But always each case develops its own manifestations, and it does not necessarily follow that severe forms of mental aberration invariably proceed from intestinal organic defect.

When functional disease alone is the difficulty to be overcome, the case in treatment is simplicity itself. Patients of this class ordinarily are able to care for themselves throughout a fast of the duration necessary. But, whenever organic disease exists, whether in the form presented in Class 2, or in that in Class 3 of previous mention (Chapter VIII), unpleasant and possibly severe symptoms are inevitable. In these circumstances all of the courage and the wisdom evolved through long experience in handling disease as nature dictates are needed to meet the conditions. Knowledge of the direct causation of the delirium, of the stupor, of any and all of the symptoms of toxic poisoning, none of which are ever wholly absent in extreme organic disability, then gives confidence to the directing mind. It knows that, because of abstinence from food, because of the purifying processes in progress, because of reduced organic effort, the life of the patient will be considerably prolonged. It also knows that, if death occur, it is the result of lesions in the organ or organs involved, progressed to a degree that even the minimized labor demanded is beyond performance.

Let it be repeated that in the fast there can be no danger of death by starvation. The safeguard of all life is hunger--true hunger, not appetite. And, when the process of systemic purification is successfully completed--and this is always possible unless conditions just noted are existent--hunger must return and food must be supplied.

Skill in the treatment of disease by the use of the fast and its natural accessories cannot be acquired from books, for as yet there are none that cover any except basic truths, and these with but meager detail. The subject is vast, and it is the more interesting in that it controverts age-long belief in the efficacy of drugs and the efficiency of the medicine men, the opposition of whom to the spread of its teaching is still most effective. Hence only long practice of the method with resulting experience can give the knowledge essential in surmounting the difficulties that may and do arise.

In concluding this chapter it is again affirmed that the fast in itself is but a means to an end' a process that permits of organic rest, physiological purification, and bodily recuperation. Cure--recovery--cannot be achieved until the subject agrees then and thereafter to cooperate with nature thus permitting her to carry what has been successfully begun to successful conclusion.