This
is a libel on nature, for she tends in the direction of health.
The prevalent idea at present is that various germs, which are found in
water, food, air and earth, are responsible for these diseases, but they
are not. The fact that infants properly cared for do not develop one of
them is proof enough that germs per se are unable to cause these ills.
The germs play their part in most of these diseases, but it is a kindly
part. They are scavengers, and attempt to rid the body of its debris and
poisons. Through false reasoning they are blamed for causing disease,
when in fact their multiplication is an effect. They are a by-product of
disease. The so-called pathogenic bacteria never thrive in the baby's
body until the infant has been overfed or fed on improper food long
enough to break down its resistance.
The improper feeding not only kills an army of babies each year, but it
handicaps the survivors very seriously. The degenerated condition of the
system leaves every child with some kind of weakness. The foundation may
be laid for indigestion, catarrhal troubles, which may or may not be
accompanied with adenoids and impeded breathing, glandular troubles,
often precursors of tuberculosis, in fact children may be acquiring any
disease during infancy from chronic catarrh to rheumatism.
Pages:
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443