Barbiturates were manufactured in 1912 and were used extensively for the next 60 years as a tranquillizer to calm the anxious. In a moderate dose they can be used as a hypnotic for sleeping. In an even higher dose they can be used in general anaesthesia, knocking people out completely for surgical operation.

After many years it became apparent that a lot of people abused barbiturates, becoming addicted to them, There were serious withdrawal symptoms. People who were on high doses of these pills could not stop taking them and needed a higher and higher dose to have the same desirable effect. People who were on high doses for a long time and stopped suddenly experienced serious withdrawal symptoms. Not only could they not sleep, but also they could go into convulsion and could even develop temporary psychotic illness. These pills have a narrow safety margin, and people have overdosed either accidentally or on purpose. Remember the sad cases of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley?

*56\174\4*

Ideas have a rather different meaning for us—a different significance—according to our state of mind when the ideas are presented to us. At this moment, as you are reading this paragraph, you are in a state of mind that is relatively alert and critical. In this state of mind you read the heading “Emphasis on the feeling that it is good” and quite likely you think critically to yourself that it is a rather strange heading, a strange idea. This is natural enough in your alert state of mind. But remember that we are going to use this idea by presenting it to ourselves when we are in an extremely relaxed, unalert, uncritical, and partially regressed state of mind. In this condition the idea, which now may seem rather odd and childish, takes on a new meaning of greater simplicity, and of deeper and more profound significance which quite eludes us in our normal state of critical alertness.

When we suffer from anxiety and chronic nervous tension, it is easy to feel that nothing seems good any more. The lustre goes from life. The brightness of the day has gone.

Things that once brought us pleasure can no longer stir us. There may come a sensation of emptiness, the feeling that good has gone from us, and that we are indeed destitute. We can let ourselves relax and help ourselves along these lines:

Relaxed.

Good to relax.

Feel the relaxation all through me.

Good to feel it like that.

Really good.

Wonderful feeling.

In our regressed state it is easy to experience the feeling of relaxation as good. When we have been tense and anxious for a long period, we come to forget that things can feel good. We learn to experience the feeling again in our relaxing exercises, and soon we find that our outlook is changing, and once more things in our ordinary life begin to feel good.

*82\57\2*

It all started during the hot summer of 1957. Mrs. Guldi Deiber started to feel a dull pain in her muscles. She hoped that it was something that would pass. But the pain didn’t go away. Instead it became worse with every new day. Then, a few weeks later, she noticed that the joints of her arms and legs started to swell.

She recalled that she had similar symptoms about 20 years ago, but then the pain gradually disappeared. This time she didn’t seem to be able to shake it off; it only became worse each week. Her knees and hips were particularly painful.

Mrs. Deiber went to a doctor. He prescribed a drug. Several weeks of medication didn’t help. Then she visited a new doctor, he prescribed new drugs and so on—an endless cycle of visits from doctor to doctor, from one hospital to another hospital, from one toxic drug to another. When a drug caused unpleasant side effects, she was prescribed a new drug to mask the symptoms caused by the previous drug. This continued for four years. Although some of the drugs she received were able to dull temporarily her unbearable pains, her condition was growing worse.

The most horrifying experience she had with powerful drugs occurred in 1962. Her doctor prescribed a new and controversial drug called Imagon. Its effect on pain was remarkable. Fain disappeared as if by magic and happy Mrs. Deiber continued with the drug from October, 1962 to April, 1963. At this time she noticed that her eyesight was becoming impaired. Everything began to look hazy to her. She hurried to the doctor who had prescribed Imagon.

“Oh, it hurt your eyes already,” was the doctor*s comment

Damaged eyesight was the price Mrs. Deiber paid for temporary relief from pain!

Now she was referred to an eye specialist and had to go to this doctor three times a month during the summer of 1963. When the doctor finally prescribed cortisone, she became alarmed and reluctant to use such powerful drugs again-after all she already had a very bad experience with drugs before!

A good friend suggested that she try wheat germ oil for her eyes. Mrs. Deiber had already taken six cortisone tablets by that time. She discontinued using the drug and started taking six capsules of wheat germ oil each day instead, reduced later to four capsules a day. At the same time she continued to visit her eye specialist every ten days. After a few weeks on wheat germ oil the doctor noticed an improvement in her eye condition. Further improvement was registered with each visit to the doctor.

Meanwhile, her arthritis was becoming more and more unbearable. Violent pains in her joints continued day and night; and now she didn’t dare use any more pain-killing drugs. She had difficulty raising herself up from a chair without help. In the morning, her whole body was stiff and the slightest movement caused piercing pains.

At this time she met an old friend who had suffered from arthritis who just returned from the Bjorkagarden Clinic. She saw how much better her friend felt—the woman could now do all her housework with ease, she took long walks, etc. Should she try? She didn’t know what else to do. Doctors had tried everything for four years without success. She decided to try the “nature cure” at the Bjorkagarden Institute.

Mrs. Guldi Deiber came to Bjorkagarden Clinic on September 13,1963. She was tired and very depressed. In addition to excruciating pains in all her joints she had a frightful chronic headache. She felt so debilitated that she had to stay in bed much of the time.

She stayed at the clinic three weeks. The first week she was on a special diet. It was the usual diet of the clinic—but far different from the “usual” diet Mrs. Deiber was accustomed to at home. No coffee and pastry, to which Mrs. Deiber was so addicted! Instead, it was vegetable broth with flaxseed for the morning beverage; yogurt and fresh fruits for breakfast; or a choice of several cereals: brown rice, potato cereal,2 whole grain cereal, Molino.2 Lunch consisted of a big bowl of vegetable salad with oil dressing. Dinner was the same as breakfast. In between meals she drank fresh juices and herb teas.

After one week she felt better, but tiredness and pain remained. The next phase of her treatment was fasting. She lasted five days on juices and vegetable broths. After fasting she continued on the same lactovegetarian diet prescribed the week before her fast.

The results of the three week stay at Bjorkagarden could be summed up like this:

Her condition was improving steadily during all three weeks. Particularly during the fast she felt a great improvement At the time she left the clinic she was completely free from pain and felt better than any other time during the past four years. The swelling in her joints disappeared. In addition to the disappearance of the arthritis symptoms she noticed other improvements in her health. She had suffered from sciatic nerve trouble in both legs, which now totally disappeared. She lost six pounds. Her sedimentation rate went down from 33 to 15. Her blood pressure, although not too high previously, went down from 130 to 115.

Happy and healthy Mrs. Deiber returned to her home full of enthusiasm for the new, healthful way of life she had found at the Bjorkagarden Institute.

“Did you have any difficulties adapting yourself to the diet and the treatments at the clinic?” I asked her.

“No, actually it was not difficult at all. But the right attitude is important. You just can’t passively let them treat you with a doubtful wait-and-see-what-happens attitude. When I decided to try this method I also decided then and there to do it wholeheartedly and cooperate completely. I was fortunate to have enthusiastic support and encouragement from my husband Now, we both are sold on this new way of life. We will continue with lactovegetarian health foods at home. Actually, my husband always wanted to try health foods, but we didn’t know how to go about it.

“Now I have a new and clearer insight into the problems of health and disease. I know that most diseases are of our own making. I will continue with the new way of life. To go back to the old living habits would mean inviting disease back to my door,” concluded happy Mrs. Guldi Deiber, who not only recovered from a bad case of arthritis but has found a new, healthier, happier way of life!

This was in September of 1963. Three years later, in September of 1966,1 asked Mrs. Deiber if her cure was permanent. She replied that she felt fine and that her arthritis had not recurred since she left the clinic.

*39\176\2*

We emphasize that the vast majority of children who have epilepsy can take part in all the activities and games that make childhood such fun and an exciting time of life. Unfortunately, many people-including parents, are too afraid and concerned about what may happen if a child has an attack, and because of this become over-protective. Being over-protective is, in some ways, more of a danger to the child than not caring enough; children may never learn to do things for themselves, may never be involved in decisions about their own treatment and may never develop the necessary skills to become independent. This is very important because parents will not be around for ever to care for their children.

Swimming is perfectly safe, providing it is not done alone, but with someone who knows what to do if a seizure does occur in the pool; a swimming-pool attendant must also be told. The child should not swim in deep or very cold water, and if in the sea, should be within wading distance of land. For sailing obviously a life-jacket should be worn.

Cycling and horse riding are popular activities, and safety helmets should be worn by everyone who cycles or rides, whether or not they have epilepsy. Care should be taken when cycling on a busy road or in traffic, and ideally horse riders should not ride alone, in case of an accident.

Most children enjoy climbing—whether it is trees, rocks and cliffs on the beach, or apparatus in the gym at school. Where the child’s epilepsy is fully controlled, then climbing is usually safe. However, it is probably unwise to climb mountains (using ropes) either alone or with friends, as the risk of severe injuries (to others as well as oneself) is greater if there is a fall due to a seizure.

Sports such as badminton, squash, tennis, hockey, and football are likely to be entirely safe. It is reasonable to take part in contact sports such as rugby and wrestling, but boxing is best avoided. A very small proportion of people with epilepsy may have seizures triggered by flashing or flickering lights, particularly if they are tired. Certain precautions should be taken when playing video games or even when watching television. These include the following:

• sitting at least three feet (if playing a video game) or ten feet (if watching television) from the screen;

• when changing TV channels use a remote control unit, or if there is no remote control, one eye should be covered as the channel is changed;

• the video game should not be played in a dark room; a bright light should be on in the room; and the video game should not be played for more than an hour at a time, nor late at night when tired.

The use of computers or word processors for work either at home or school only rarely causes seizures and they may be used safely.

Most parents of children who do not have epilepsy will encourage adventures and taking part in activities, whilst taking sensible precautions to reduce the risk of injury, but there are always certain hazards—and accidents do happen, such as falling off bicycles, off playground equipment, or out of trees. It is important that parents do not become too anxious or worried about these risks, just because their child has epilepsy. Some families live in constant fear of the recurrence of a seizure—in the home, at school, or just outside playing. This fear is very easily detected by children, so that everyone becomes afraid of epilepsy and further seizures. Other parents may be ashamed of their child’s epilepsy and will never talk about it; this is very unfortunate and will frequently cause the child to become isolated, withdrawn, and ashamed of having epilepsy. This may then limit their expectations and opportunities in life.

*76\188\2*

Reactive arthritis is a label that just generally refers to any kind of joint inflammation resulting from sensitivity to some particular disease or substance. Psoriatic arthritis is one of those. People with psoriasis often develop arthritis. As a probable preventive for this type of arthritis, CMO would best be taken at the very first signs of psoriasis. It has even helped control the skin disease itself.

A few university investigations seems to have determined that there is a small segment of the population whose arthritis is caused by food sensitivities – mostly to wheat, corn, or milk products. If cutting one or more of those food products out of a diet tends to relieve arthritis symptoms even a little, then it may possibly be the source of that reactive arthritis. It may be necessary to eliminate the trigger foods permanently. Otherwise, continued use would keep triggering the process anew.

The same may be true for certain substances like dust or pollen or chemicals or vapours.

As for chronic or degenerative diseases (like fibromyalgia, lupus, scleroderma, etc), these often appear in other family members. Anyone with a family history of such ailments may do well to be on the alert for the slightest sign if they care to use CMO as a preventive.

*92\142\2*

Roseola is an acute, infectious disease characterized by a high fever followed by a rash. It is not known which virus causes the disease. Roseola occurs almost exclusively in children between the ages of six months and three years. The incubation period – the time it takes for symptoms to develop once a child has been exposed to the virus – is seven to 17 days. One attack of roseola provides lifelong immunity.

Signs and symptoms

Roseola begins suddenly with a fever of 40°C to 41 °C. It is one of the more common causes of convulsions with fever, which occur at the onset of the disease. It rarely produces any other symptoms, although sometimes roseola can cause a runny nose, mild redness of the throat, and minimal enlargement of the lymph nodes of the neck. Generally, the fever persists for three or four days and cannot be kept down consistently with aspirin or acetaminophen. Meanwhile, the child appears to be less ill than the degree of fever suggests. The fever disappears abruptly; at the same time, a splotchy, red rash appears on the trunk and spreads to the child’s arms and neck. The rash disappears in one or two days, and the child is well again. Complications are rare.

Roseola is difficult to identify until the fever drops and the rash appears.

Home care

Give aspirin or paracetamol and use lukewarm baths to help control the fever.

Precautions

• Another common illness that produces a high fever but few other symptoms is infection of the urinary tract. This is more common in girls.

• Coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, discharge from the eyes or ears, and extreme fatigue or collapse are not associated with roseola. If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor.

Medical treatment

The doctor will conduct a careful physical examination to rule out other illnesses which cause a high fever. The doctor may order blood or urine tests if he or she is concerned about other illnesses, but usually a few days’ observation will confirm the diagnosis of roseola.

*178/84/5*

What is Allergy?

Allergy is a sensitivity to allergens. These cause an allergic disease when eaten or inhaled or by direct contact.

Are There Any Dormant Illnesses Awakened by Allergy?

There are a number of nervous ailments that become more obvious when a person has a basic allergic constitution. These are functional disorders, behavior problems, psychoneuroses, anxiety states, depression, headaches, stomachaches, bladder and visual disturbances, low-grade fever, pallor, fatigue, circles under the eyes, and sweating. The treatment of the allergy must precede the treatment of the nervous illness.

How Many Children Develop Allergies?

The prevalence of allergy among the child population of the United States is about 50 percent, if we consider the word allergy to pertain to atopic disease, contact dermatitis, and drug sensitivity. However, statistics show that only 35 million people in this country are actively sick with hay fever, asthma, or eczema, the main diseases treated by allergists.

Is Allergy a Family Disease?

A child may be born with an allergic tendency which he inherits from his father, his mother, or both. If both parents have allergies, his chances of developing an allergy are about 70 percent; if only one of his parents is allergic, his chances are about 30 percent; and if neither one of his parents is allergic, he still has a 10 percent chance of developing an allergy. Intermarriage has made all the inhabitants of the world potential carriers of the allergy gene to some extent; anyone may develop an allergy if exposed long enough to powerful allergens beyond his tolerance level to them. This level varies from person to person and within the same person from time to time. It is called his “allergic threshold,” and it consists of the combined effects of all the allergic reactions taking place within him at any one time. For example, a child who is slightly allergic to cantaloupe and does not have symptoms when he eats it, may have them in the presence of an animal to which he may also be slightly allergic.

Is There a Pattern to the Development of Allergies?

Although there are many exceptions to this rule, an atopic child usually develops eczema during his first year, allergic rhinitis in the second or third year, asthma and its complications later on.

*2/99/5*

One clinic, Reproductive Healthcare in North London, uses a process called a monitored cycle. This involves taking a number of ’snapshot’ tests over one menstrual cycle to identify the particular point where the cycle is not functioning. Conventionally, tests are all done on different cycles, a 21-day blood test in one month, maybe a laparoscopy another month. But doing it this way makes it hard to get the ‘big picture’ about what is actually happening with your reproductive system. You get more complete information by closely monitoring a single menstrual cycle. The monitored cycle looks at hormonal balance and reproductive function and the way they work together.

Monitored Cycle Using Ultrasound and Blood Tests

At the beginning of the cycle, between days 1 and 3, a blood test is taken to measure oestradiol (from the ovary) and LH and FSH (from the pituitary gland) and to check the egg reserve. This blood test is very useful for older women as it can give an indication of the likelihood of conceiving (ovarian reserve). The blood test also checks the hormone output from the thyroid gland as well as prolactin, both of which are: essential for normal fertility function.

The first ultrasound scan is done between days 6 and 8 of the cycle (day 1 is the first day of the period).

Approximately three serial scans are performed during the cycle. These can show the thickness of the womb lining, and the size, growth and blood flow to the developing follicle in the ovary.

A scan a week after ovulation checks on the functioning of the corpus luteum (which pumps out progesterone, the hormone needed to maintain a pregnancy).The scan at this stage can also determine whether the womb lining is thick enough for a fertilised embryo to be implanted.

A blood test is also performed after ovulation to check on the hormone progesterone.

There is also a test called a hysterosalpingosonogram (HSS) which is usually performed before ovulation to check that there are no blockages in your fallopian tubes. This is an alternative to HSG because it can be done in the first part of the cycle which means that the gynecologist can have a complete set of information by the end of that particular cycle. The HSS does not involve the use of X-rays so there is no radiation risk. A sterile fluid is injected into the uterus and traced with ultrasound as it passes through the fallopian tubes. The scan outlines the uterine cavity and the tubes and shows the spill of fluid around the ovaries.

You can get these monitored cycle investigations done through the NHS. Ask your gynecologist about it. Otherwise you may need to find a private hospital unit or clinic that offers this approach.

*78/73/5*

What is it?

A condition characterized by excessive weight. It is generally accepted that the term obesity applies to people who are 30 per cent or more above their ideal weight-allowing for their frame size. About 15 per cent of 16-19-year-olds, and 54 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women aged 60-65, are thought to be overweight. Forty per cent of adult men overall and 32 per cent of adult women overall are overweight, with 6 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women truly obese.

Recent research has found that even being mildly overweight matters-it is not just the truly obese who are at risk. Weight is especially important to those with a family history of diabetes and heart disease and in those who already have high blood pressure. If you or your family have diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, it is especially important to watch your weight and that of your family.

Smoking is linked to weight too. Smokers tend to be less heavy than non-smokers but they are at greater health risk. Many people give up smoking and promptly put on weight but the hazards of smoking are greater than those of being overweight.

What causes it?

• Eating the wrong foods.

• Bad nutritional habits from the cradle.

• Too little exercise.

• Too much alcohol.

*198/72/5*

Dyspareunia – painful intercourse – is a problem that needs to be dealt with more specifically because of the physical and emotional stresses involved. Here is given some insight into the possible ways that might help you to overcome or cope with this particular problem.

When a woman does not want her partner to know she suffers from dyspareunia, she may try to ‘put up with it’ for a number of reasons. Some women may feel they would be letting their partners down while others fear that their partner may leave them for someone else. For those who try to keep dyspareunia a secret from their partner, there is the possibility that when you try to avoid intercourse because of the pain, he is going to interpret this as rejection. For a woman wanting to become pregnant, avoiding sexual intercourse because of the pain is not going to help so she may pretend that everything is normal.

Equally, there may be problems when your partner is aware of dyspareunia. He may try to avoid sex so that he does not hurt you and this in turn may leave you feeling confused – particularly if your partner does not say why he is avoiding sex.

On an emotional level, it can destroy your self image – if you let it. The combination of a chronic illness and sexual difficulties is a tough hurdle to overcome. Add to this a decrease in libido (sometimes caused by the hormonal treatment) and the problem of infertility and you can appreciate why this condition can cause so much heartache.

Dyspareunia can also be a result of other physical problems. Hormonal treatment can result in a dry vagina because of a lack of oestrogen and it may cause thrush which should be treated by your doctor. Some women may experience vaginismus which is an involuntary painful spasm of the vaginal muscles as a result of anticipated pain.

In order to overcome dyspareunia you must communicate! Talk to your partner and share your feelings. Work together and be honest with each other. Help your partner to understand how the pain affects you. Understand that he has feelings and needs love and attention as well.

Relax and give yourselves time. Intercourse may be less painful if you take the time to become fully aroused beforehand. Deep penetration usually causes the most pain so experiment with different positions until you find one that is more comfortable.

Explore other satisfying sexual activities that do not involve penetration. Show affection to each other in different ways such as kissing, hugging, masturbation and massage.

If you are having difficulty coping with the many emotional and physical problems associated with dyspareunia do not feel too embarrassed to seek professional advice. Your gynecologist or GP should be able to suggest appropriate sources of support.

*68/41/5*