CHAPTER IX.

Low Living

Just as blood circulates in the arteries and veins, carrying material food to every portion of body and brain, so thought force circulates in the nerves, carrying spiritual fire for the transmutation of matter into higher forms.

All disease is due to the clogging either of nerves or veins, or both. The eating of rich food in greater quantities than can be assimilated and eliminated, produces thick, sluggish blood, which tends to deposit sediment at every twist and turn of veins and arteries, thus choking the flow. When a stream gets into this condition navigation has to be abandoned until the stream is dredged out again. When the human body is so choked and clogged with stagnant matter inflammation, fermentation, sets in, a “sick spell” occurs and the doctor administers a cathartic to excite the secretions and dredge out the festering debris. Then the patient “feels better” and free circulation is once more established.

Of course it is not easy to know just how to regulate the supply of rich food so that the circulation shall not become clogged; at least it is not easy whilst we cling to the habit of eating three or four square meals a day, whether we feel hungry or not; and whilst we tempt appetite with all manner of highly seasoned dishes.

Wild animals have to hunt for their food, which consists of but one thing at a meal. They work for all they get. Unless hungry they do not hunt. No one calls a catamount or an eagle to highly seasoned feasts at regular intervals. Catamount or eagle eats when he is hungry. And before eating he has to wake up and work for his dinner. This induces full breathing and sets his blood to racing at such a rate that it clears the track and leaves room and power enough to take care of the new meal. No sluggish circulation in wild animals, and no disease.