Most of such substances that are absorbed into the blood are later excreted through the kidneys. Some are oxidized in the tissues and excreted in part through the lungs. Others, after being absorbed from the intestines, are later cast back into the intestines as excretions and pass out into the stools.

All of this is a very wonderful and complicated process. Most "diseases" and deaths are due to an over-strain and breakdown of the organs and functions of elimination, or, more correctly, when the processes of elimination are impaired and the poisons permitted to accumulate, we sicken and die from the accumulation of a toxic over-load. This is equally true of what we designate normal wastes of the body as it is of poisons which should never have been introduced into the organism.

Oranges and other fruits have very minute quantities of proteins while the juicy fruits are all comparatively low in carbohydrates. Their real cleansing and detoxifying effects are obtained largely by forcing the body to consume its surplus of proteins and "fuel foods." As soon as the supply of these foods is cut off and the body is given nothing but fruit juices or fruit, the accumulated excesses are called upon to supply the cells with protein and sugar.

Fruits and fruit juices are rich in alkaline bases and in vitamins and quickly replenish any deficiency of these that may exist and also overcome the acidosis (hypoalkalinity), usually present in those living on the modern dietary.

This principle need not be limited to oranges, or grapes, nor even to juicy fruits, but may also be extended to include all green, non-starchy vegetables. Mr. Hastings says that "All scientifically planned weight reducing diets are in this general class, but weight reducing is not the only purpose for using such types of diets. As temporary measures they may be beneficial to general vitality, even when the weight lost is to be later replaced."

The eliminating diet is as near protein-starch-fat-sugar free as can be fed, in order to enable the body to use up and throw off its surplus of these elements. It is also rich in organic salts and organic acids thus supplying to the body an abundance of alkalinizing elements, so that "acidosis" is overcome and the accumulated toxins in the body are prepared for elimination and thrown out.

The foods most commonly used in eliminating diets are oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tomatoes, apples, grapes, carrots, spinach, chard, lettuce, celery, cabbage, beet greens, onions, etc. Melons are sometimes used, as are peaches. The fruit chosen is taken at regular intervals during the day in varying quantities depending on the individual case.

All of these foods are valuable for their pure water, organic acids, minerals, vitamins and cellulose. They are all low in fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Since the food elements abundant in these foods are the ones chiefly lacking in the conventional diet and the food elements in which they are deficient are the ones that predominate in the conventional diet, salts and vitamins are supplied while at the same time utilization of the surpluses of carbohydrates, fats and proteins is compelled.

An eliminating diet may be a mono-diet. (The citrus fruit diet is perhaps the best-known of these); or it may be a diet consisting of a variety of the unconcentrated foods.

These fruits are rich in organic salts, which are liberated during digestion, and supply the body with the elements necessary to the neutralization and chemicalization of the toxins preparatory to their elimination. They are at the same time extremely limited in the amount of proteins and carbohydrates which they possess and are well-adapted to a curative purpose. There is absolutely no foundation for the old medical delusion that acid fruits should not be given in "acid diseases." We often find that to give acid fruits where hyper-acidity of the stomach is present increases the distress in the stomach and for this reason are forced to use a diet of a different kind. Hyper-acidity of the stomach is not, however, "acid-blood," and fruit acids (organic acids) do not enter the blood as acids. The fruit diet proper consists of the exclusive use of any juicy or acid fruit.

Acid fruit diets are often distressing to patients with hyperacidity. They are also often hard on nervous patients, making them irritable and preventing sleep. In rare cases the acids seem to get into the lymph unchanged and cause skin eruptions. In cases of this kind, other diets are preferable.

The Orange Diet: The orange, because of its palatableness, because it is available at all seasons of the year, and, because it may be had in all parts of the country, is the most popular, at least in this country, of eliminating diets. Usually as many oranges as one desires are consumed. Sometimes the number is limited. From three to sixteen oranges a day are permitted. Not only the amount of oranges permitted, but the intervals between feedings must be determined by the condition of the patient.

The patient may be fed several oranges at each of three meals a day; or, he may be given an orange every half hour, or every hour during the day. Some may be given the whole orange, others must be given only the juice.

Due, perhaps, to the sugar in the orange, many people are troubled with gas while on this diet. Unless there is considerable distress, this need not cause the diet to be changed. Unripe oranges are likely to cause considerable distress, making lips, tongue and perhaps the stomach, raw in a few cases. I prefer Texas oranges; next to these in the order named, California and then Florida oranges.

The Grapefruit Diet consists in taking grapefruit exclusively. It is given in the same manner as is the orange diet (without sugar), and almost never causes gas.

Grapefruit are often preferable to oranges and many are able to take grapefruit who cannot take the orange diet. Grapefruit seems to hasten elimination even more than do oranges. I prefer Texas grapefruit; next to these, in the order named, Arizona, Florida and California grapefruit.

The Lemon Diet, consisting of eating lemons only, is usually too much for the average patient. The procedure is to begin with one half of a lemon three times a day and increase this by one and a half lemons each day until nine lemons are taken. The process is then reversed and one and a half lemons are dropped off each day until the starting point is reached. After ten days of feeding, this regimen may be repeated if necessary. This diet is especially recommended in rheumatic conditions and in liver disorders.

The Tomato Diet: This diet consists in the use of ripe tomatoes. These are given as in the orange diet. Tomatoes should be employed only during the tomato season. Hot house tomatoes are not advisable.

The Grape Diet: This consists in living for several weeks at a time on nothing but grapes, swallowing the seeds and skins. This diet has won great renown in European Nature Cure Institutions, particularly those in France and Southern Germany. Many, including the author, in this country have used it with excellent success. It was heralded as a specific for cancer a few years ago. This was unfortunate. It is not a specific for cancer nor for anything else.

On the upper Rhine they have Trauben Curen--sanitaria where people are fed almost exclusively on ripe grapes in order to purify their blood. The grapes generally used for this purpose are of the variety known as Musketeller, with big, honey-sweet berries, of a most enticing flavor. It is the opinion of those who employ this diet that their patients cannot hurt themselves by eating all of the Muskatellers they may desire.

Grapes are rich in iron and have proven very useful in anemia and chlorosis. The grape diet has also been found very serviceable in such conditions as gout, rheumatism, dyspepsia, constipation, catarrh, stones and gravels, malaria, liver and lung troubles including tuberculosis. General Booth employed the grape diet to "cure" inebriates. He was not only successful in breaking the drink habit in this way but his patients gained in weight.

Fresh, vineyard ripened grapes should be used. Hot house grapes, and those shipped long distances--from Africa, Spain or South America--being pulled very green, are not so good. The grape diet should be employed only during the grape season.

Five to eight pounds of grapes are fed daily, beginning with a pound and increasing the amount used each day until the capacity of the patient is reached.

Some patients develop large quantities of gas on this diet. Others develop a diarrhea which persists as long as the diet does. In such cases some other diet should be employed.

The Apple Diet, consists of eating apples exclusively. In cases where this diet does not cause too much gas it is excellent.

Fruit-Vegetable Diet: This consists in feeding fruits and green vegetables at separate meals. Any fruit in season may be used. Fruit may be used at one meal and vegetables at two meals; or fruit at two meals and vegetables at one.

The vegetable meal should consist of a large raw combination salad, without oil or dressing, and two cooked non-starchy (green) vegetables. Or, it may simply be a large salad. In some nervous disorders the raw vegetables may have to be temporarily excluded. In other such cases the raw salads may be eaten if lettuce is omitted. Lettuce causes much gas and discomfort in some cases.

Vegetable broths are sometimes used instead of fruit and with practically the same results. These are used to distinct advantage En those cases where the digestive tract is so sensitive that the acid fruits cause distress.

Vegetable broths are of two kinds--cooked and uncooked. The cooked broths are made by chopping one or a combination of the succulent vegetables up fine and boiling them. It is usually strained after cooking to remove the cellulose.

The uncooked broths are made by finely chopping one or a combination of the succulent vegetables and pressing out their juices.

There should be no great hurry about breaking away from an eliminating diet. One who is actually desirous of regaining health will continue on such a diet long enough to secure the desired results. After the body has been thoroughly cleansed and the forces of the organism recuperated; when all or nearly all symptoms of trouble are gone, then, a gradual return to a normal.diet should begin.

Obviously a diet composed exclusively of oranges or grapefruit or lemons cannot be continued as long as a grape diet or a fruit and vegetable diet; although, it may usually be continued long enough to bring about the desired results. (I had one man on a grapefruit diet for forty-five days). Or, else they may be employed for a period and followed by a less frugal diet, after which they may be resumed.