The indications that a fast is needed are pain and fever and acute
attacks of all kinds of diseases. Some of the more common diseases that
call for a complete cessation of eating are: The acute stage of
pneumonia, appendicitis, typhoid fever, neuralgia, sciatica,
peritonitis, cold, tonsilitis, whooping cough, croup, scarlet fever,
smallpox and all other eruptive diseases; colics of kidneys, liver or
bowels; all acute alimentary tract disturbances, whether of the stomach
or of the bowels.
Sometimes it is necessary to fast in chronic diseases, especially when
there is pain, but as a rule chronic diseases yield to proper hygienic
and dietetic treatment without a fast, provided they are curable. Here
is where many people who advocate fasting go to extremes. A fast is the
quickest way out of the trouble, but it is at times very unpleasant. By
taking longer time the result can be obtained by proper living and the
patient is being educated while he is recovering. In chronic cases it is
especially important to eat properly.
The only disease of which I know that seems to be unfavorably influenced
by fasting is pulmonary tuberculosis in well advanced stages.
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