31.
THE MEDICINES OF NATURE 39
faction, which proves deleterious to the constitution. The stomach becoming coated with thickened, tenacious secretions or "canker," is a general cause of a disease being protracted as this indicates a "low" state.
It was an observation of Dr. Thomson, that "where there is a settled fever there is canker seated in the stomach." The tongue, as stated, is more or less coated with cankerous or morbid secretions, and its appearance affords a criterion by which to judge of the condition of the entire mucous membrane surface. The tendency in this canker to soften and clean off from the edges of the tongue, is usually one of the first and most favorable signs of the successful passing of a crisis.
34. To free the mucous membranes from canker is of the
first importance in the cure of disease. This requires in the
first place the use of agents that will excite the secretions, and
restore the inward or natural heat, by which, as Dr. Thomson
expressed it, "the canker is brought to a point," and as these
morbid secretions soften they may be removed.
First of all then, the stomach should be cleansed thoroughly by the reasonable use of Lobelia and warm water. After the stomach is freed of its foul contents, always present in fevers of every description, the vital forces are reinforced with Capsicum and the morbid condition of the entire system is protected by Echinacea. Here we have three sovereign remedies, and all of vegetable origin. In fact, these are not medicines, but true foods supplying the system with material that it requires to balance itself.
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