The millennium and medical science

Front matter

I

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

THE MILLENNIUM

Preface

I T is not the intention of the author that this work be considered as a text book or a treatise on the subject of medicine or methods of treat¬ ment in disease, but as three individual essays combined, making a concrete story of life; empha¬ sizing life in particular, from a view-point of sociology. The work in its entirety may also be considered as an essay concerning human under¬ standing or liberal education.

In the general outline of this work the writer has kept constantly in mind the necessity of pre¬ senting it in terms understandable to the laity, and has adhered to this idea as far as possible. How¬ ever, in some parts the subjects are entirely new to the eyes and ears of the laity and it is essential that the special nomenclature pertaining to these subjects be used, if we would not lose the impor¬ tance of its argument and thereby sacrifice its full significance.

The reader will notice that each of the three parts may be considered as a book in itself with more or less connection or bearing on the other two and that the three parts, embodied as a whole, make the concrete impression intentionally im¬ plied by the writer. Mention of the chief distinc¬ tive features of these three parts will give the reader an idea of what has been contemplated.

First: The entire work is in complete har¬ mony with all contemporaneous writings by the different authors on the many subjects involved and their relative angles.

Second: As near as possible concise state¬ ments are made, of knowledge and authorita¬ tive opinion on facts, acquired in recent years and at the time of writing, regarding the maintainance of health, and cause and effect of disease, pertaining to the individual and to society.

Third: Stress is laid upon the necessity of teaching youth, at the age of puberty, the truth regarding right living, the true cause and effect of disease and the essential need of knowledge relative to a recognized method of treatment of the different diseases of man.

Fourth: All parts contain, to a marked de¬ gree, a volume of truth as we understand truth in its naked form, or a volley of facts which have been encountered and proven true facts, and which we have accepted as facts.

Fifth: While reading this volume the reader may, at times, seem inclined to interpret some parts of the work as an apparently cold and cynical rebuke to the actions of society, or a crude criticism of our present day customs and traditions. This is not the case or intention; on the contrary, this work should be accepted in the broad sense of a sincere endeavor to add, if possible, to the good and welfare of humanity.

The writer has been brief in some instances and on some subjects, merely stating the proven facts which have taken years of time and labor to de¬ fine and determine, and would require in them¬ selves many volumes, if detailed explanation were attempted in each instance.

While it has been truly said that definitions are tiresome and make monotonous reading, there are instances where they are the only recourse we have, when defining a thing of any consequence or distinguishing one thing from all others or when

Preface clearly outlining what the content of a conception is; therefore, at times, we must necessarily resort to the use of the definition in a work of this type and caliber, that being the only elucidative and comprehensive method of explanation when at¬ tempting to define any subject, especially in any work of an instructive or scientific nature. In these instances all definitions have been given in a concise manner, and in words which tend to make them as plain as possible.

The subject, “Endocrinology” or the study of the “Internal Secretions,” its importance and sig¬ nificance, has been advocated by several far-seeing men, in years long past, but only in recent years has it gained much ground. The recognition of the few facts now in our possession is acknowledged only by those who have given the subject some little time and study. This is obvious because of its primary and intimate complex obscurity of the present time, and the possibilities of the vast fields of far-reaching entanglements which may be in¬ volved, in the study and practice of medicine and surgery, in the near or far future.

One object in mind while writing this volume is to advocate a theory, which may in time become a proven fact, and, therefore, a valuable asset to the practicing physician in the ultimate determina¬ tion of the true cause of disease, and a guide in the diagnosis and treatment of a given case. This would especially apply to those ailments due to the disturbance of the glands in the human economy which produce the internal secretions, wherein are contained the so-called hormones. However, the advocation of this theory is in no way restricted to the sense, study and practice of the physician, but should be of vital interest,—only of course, in a general way,—to the average indi¬ vidual, because it entails important facts and some valuable information, as well as theory, of much consequence concerning ourselves, and which every one ought to know.

The “Addendum” should not be considered as an integral part of this book, in the strict sense of being “all bona-fide facts” but to the contrary; a supplement and theory of the writer, based not only upon the many facts involved in this book proper, but also upon many other up-to-date and co-related subjects containing recognized facts, from a material, as well as a scientific view.

The author wishes to express his gratitude to those authors whose books he has read with a bearing on and relative to the subject of “Internal Secretions,” also, the publishers who have made this work possible.

D. N. S.

104 So. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, Illinois.

Foreword

Whosoever shall find and condescend to read—in this little book—these kindly intended meaty words.

Will find, without a doubt, some things worth knowing, written here, within and between, its few pages,

Perhaps, some valuable information of wellmeaning import, concerning himself and herself, also their children;

Which should surely create much whole¬ some food for timely and daily thought, in each and every mind,

Relative to the future institution of things, for the good and welfare of everyone, and present constitutions.

Our “being” was—conception—our only “beginning,” the result of an accidental incident, of a momentary pleasure.

That secret inclination or compulsory force of animation demands we obey the commands of nature’s laws;

Love and affinity; with cheek to cheek, heart to heart, desire for desire, the ecstasies of love’s climax come;

After many of love’s pleasures, there follow the many pains, when a cherub of loving, troublesome comfort appears.

The waste of a little blood at the end of each Moon,—in the human—tells the ebb and flow of life’s tide;

When a microscopic animalcule, alive with motion, finds its way to impregnation of the ovum, or nature’s egg,

Then the change in the monthly cycle and the retention of this vital fluid tissue mark the “conception” of a bride;

Locked in darkness, so intimate, so close, and yet so far from all human eyes, nature’s all “wonderous process” moves;

For forty successive lunar phases, here develops in “marvelous form,” without worldly aid, one more “being” to be born.

To each and every infant, its Father and Mother owe good blood; that it may have an equal chance in life.

We may be rich in cash or gold, in lands or fields and many other things of worldly loss or gain,

But, to be rich in health; that which none can buy or sell, is the greatest richness of them all,

In any stage of life, or in any clime, regardless of the daily wage, common earthly worth or temporal power gained.

Foreword

Of every race and nationality, at any age, and all humanity, this should pertain, in part or as whole;

The daily social intercourse and the physical merits, side of life, as well as the moral point of view,

Provided, the reader has ordinary intelligence, is of sound mind, and sober sense, with truly sane capability,

Should one be called to task, to render unto himself or herself, an honest opinion and a fair decision,

In the giving or the passing of a just judgment, upon each and all, not as we would desire, but as we deserve.

For by our actions or deeds, of good and bad, of yesterday, today and to¬ morrow, we shall all be judged.

When the hour comes death will claim its own and we must needs pay the toll, with life and personality;

There is no prolonging, no barter or trade and none to ask, none who know, who can say, or bid us stay;

The air so vast and free we cannot breathe, our functions fail our vital needs, we have no choice but must go.

“Our character” needs be brave of heart, should we attempt success, as we mingle with the mighty throng;

Yesterday we may have been big and strong, today we are weak, things are wrong, tomorrow, we are gone.

So do we depart; into the “Boat of Charon” or across the “River Jordan,” we are hied into the unknown,

From whose bourne, no man born of woman has ever returned and in the ultimate book, our finis is writ.

But, when into our eternal graves we go, the secular misdeeds and virtues of a material doing will refuse to follow.

It is the temporal way of things, our seemingly small indiscretions now be¬ come mountains of bites and stings.

Strange to say, these acts shall live; the misdeeds as gruesome specters of shame and humiliation.

Our noble virtues to be remembered and hailed as monumental memories of lasting honor and exaltation;

Into the future lives of those loved ones left behind,—these acts will live— who will sing and play or pay, and pay.

CONTENTS PAGE

Preface . 5

Foreword.9

Introduction.17

Part Two

3. Vital Glands in the Female (of the human) 122

4. Vital Glands in the Male (of the human) . 122

5. Vital Glands in the Male and Female (of

the human).140

6. Vital Glands Connected by Blood Stream (of

the human).140

ADDENDUM

7. Where Life Begins in the Human (front

8. The Beginning of Life in the Human (front

9. Where Life Begins in the Human (side

10. The Beginning of Life in the Human (side

Introduction

Ad vivum

(to the life; to the living)

E say, “Sociology” is the science which treats

▼ V of the origin and history of human society and its social phenomena, the progress of civili¬ zation, and the many laws controlling humanity, in its numerous phases of every-day life, as found the world over, as viewed from the many aspects of human intercourse in its relation to domestic and political economy.

We of today, also all the different peoples of the world—the so-called civilized and uncivilized, Christian and heathen, regardless of their respec¬ tive station in life, highly cultivated or grossly ignorant—in one form or another, have our own methods and means of conforming to the laws, written or unwritten, which dominate our so-called “Social System” in accordance with its govern¬ ment (be that system of government good or bad), and the condition under which we live, in the dif¬ ferent parts of the world. All study their present and future life (more or less) from several angles, regardless of color or creed.

As the world progresses and the coming genera¬ tions make their appearance, it is quite evident that there will be more and more knowledge—in every branch of learning—piled up for those to absorb, who are yet to come. In the past century the social, economic and industrial systems and constitutions have changed materially by leaps and bounds of advancement, and the signs of the times (now more than ever) point the way to a future which will be a continual change of pro¬ gressiveness. As a consequence we find in our literature of today such terms as, ultramicroscopic, metabolism, susceptibility, prophylactic, idiosyncrasy and many others, all of which are also used quite commonly in the vocabulary of the public in general.

When we view our educational life, generally, it is truly surprising to learn how little some people know about themselves, relative to their physical make-up. By this we mean the physiology of the human system, its normal functions in health, and the cause of perverted function or abnormal con¬ ditions produced in any disease process. It is quite evident—from the history of the few former generations—that society in general has paid entirely too much attention to the general appear¬ ance of our outer-selves; methods of business, style of dress, politics, club-life, automobiles and worldly pleasures in general, but little or no atten¬ tion to our inner-selves. It is the things about our inner-selves which we should learn and come to know as being worth while, for these, as well as a knowledge of our outer-selves, are important, and essentially concern us, our families and our future generations.

Biblical legends are of value and may be used as moral lessons. Those historical traditions of interest and worth should be considered, but in a class by themselves. And especially so when the material influences and achievements of the ancient world can be used as axioms and postu¬ lates of importance in readjusting and instituting

Introduction a regime pertaining to our present day life of reality and progress.

It is only of late years that the essential need of such subjects as “Bacteriology” and “Pathol¬ ogy” have been duly recognized by the educational authorities. These studies and their allied sub¬ jects are now being taught—more or less—in all the high schools, therefore the coming generations will be more fortunate than our Fathers and Moth¬ ers of yesterday. For this reason the average grown-up of today—who knows, comparatively speaking, very little of these matters—will un¬ doubtedly find, briefly outlined in this work, some interesting facts concerning the methods of all infections and all processes leading to or produc¬ ing abnormal conditions as found in any localized or systematic disease, with an explanation of their important bearing on the general health.

It will be seen and recognized by the average individual, after reading this book, that it is im¬ possible to draw a hard and fast line between those subjects which are contained in the first part of this work, namely, Biology, Physiology, Bacteriology, Pathology, Metabolism, Immunity and Susceptibility. Each of these plays its own integral part in nature’s process under the normal and abnormal conditions. It will also be seen that a knowledge of the subjects in the first, second and third parts of this book is necessary, if we wish to comprehend and appreciate the full significance of the “Addendum.”

The only intelligent view of our cell life (in the human) must necessarily come in the form of “cell life under the microscope” if we would know and understand it. Any individual is dumb to the extreme who does not know—after attaining the age of twenty-five, if not before—that, every human has a liver and the function of the liver is to produce bile; that every human has (or should have) two kidneys and their function is to produce urine; that every female has two ovaries (or should have) and their function is to produce the ovum or egg; that every male has two testes (or should have) and their function is to produce the sperma¬ tozoon or spermatozoa; it is the generative ele¬ ment of the male (the spermatozoa) which serves to impregnate or fertilize the generative element of the female (the ovum) and thereby produces life; all the above mentioned organs and functions are considered common place knowledge of to¬ day. The human body is truly composed of many structures or organs and these are surely made up of specific cells, each cell performing its own func¬ tion.

When we speak of the cell life and its compo¬ sition—in the make-up of the human body and the part it plays in “health and disease” in the life of every individual—using such terms as nucleus and nucleins, protoplasm and proteins, it must be understood that it is a difficult matter to draw a strict or definite line, separating those intimate constituents which make up the individual cell or the unit or component parts of the organs of the human.

We may say, however,—it being important of observation as we proceed—that the “nucleus” in a general way is considered as the “germinal cen¬ ter” or the germ of all cell life, it being—as a

Introduction rule—a spheroid body within the cell forming the essential and vital part, and is distinguished from the rest of the cell by its denser structure. It is made up of a network of threads (chromatin) contained in a clear liquid (achromatin) and by containing the “nuclein,” which forms the essen¬ tial chemic constituents, of the nuclei of cells, it being a colorless amorphous compound (of no definite shape) consisting of nucleic acids and bases which vary with the different varieties of nuclein, filling the spaces between the network of threads.

The “protoplasm”—as a rule—surrounds the “nucleus” or nuclear body; protects and supports the life of the “nucleus,” being a viscid, granular material which forms the essential constituents of the living cell. It is composed mainly of “pro¬ teins,” and under the microscope is seen to consist of a network (spongioplasm) containing a fluid matter (hyalplasm) in the meshes; the whole— “nucleus” and “protoplasm”—being closed within a delicate film-like structure, the cell membrane. In every instance of all life, these cells are held in place or together by a network or framework known as the “stroma,” which make up the organ.

It is quite possible that for many thousand years before man came, there existed upon our earth only a crude form of cell life. Therefore, it would not be fair to our early or late ancestors (have it as you please), whomso-ever or whatso-ever they may have been, not to mention at this point some¬ thing about those progenitors, as we know them, namely, cell life. We, no doubt, are the result of an early “cell life” which has priority of right, by virtue of first arrival, therefore previous dis¬ covery and possession;—long before the domina¬ tion by man arrived, long before man inaugurated education;—long before the science of sociology had its original conception, by the education of man. We now know,—should we take the time and trouble to learn—that from the very begin¬ ning of all life and at the present day, everything that has life is made up of cell-life and all cell life, great or small, independent or organized, lives its life and dies; even as you and I.

Part One Object Lessons

IN

HEALTH AND DISEASE

H EREIN will be discussed several subjects of interest, laying particular stress upon their relations to the human body with its various and intricate compositions of live mechanisms, which provide the controlling forces for the disposition of all liquid and solid foods, its conduction into mental and physical energy and its elimination of all waste products; the combinations of defen¬ sive forces and detoxicating functions with its never ending opposition and battle against food toxins, chemical toxins, bacterial toxins, irritations and injuries of a minor or major character.

These individual affinities, idiosyncrasies, im¬ munities and susceptibilities and its hidden process of body mineralization, assimilation and growth, as viewed from the physiological, biochemical, physiochemical, bacteriological, pathological and its constructive and destructive metabolism, stand¬ points.

The significance of all forms of bacteria and the part played by them in all infections—in any localized or general condition—in the human body, and the possibilities of these microorganisms bringing about a pathological condition, resulting in a temporary or permanent disease. Considera¬ tion of mode and methods of transmission of the so-called social diseases now prevalent, to a great extent, in society.

It is necessary that we recognize first of all the great importance of the individual cells,—each with its own particular construction, adapted to its individual function—which make up the differ¬ ent organs in the human. We cannot afford to pass the question of cell life, without some men¬ tion and comment relative to the important cells which are found in the blood stream. To disre¬ gard the cell life of the blood stream and its gen¬ eral properties would be an error. The study of the blood is known as hematology, and a little knowledge of this study is very essential to all sub¬ jects in this work. The blood stream as a whole consists of liquids and solids and is sometimes termed the “vital fluid tissue.”

The blood stream is to the human body what water is to vegetation; the blood stream supplies the necessary nutrient properties, to all other cell life (contained in all the organs of the human, so they can perform their several functions); it car¬ ries the energy-yielding and body-building food from the digestive organs to all other regions for immediate use, or for storage (as fat or starch molecules) against the time of want, during men¬ tal and physical exertion, and all the work we do is an expression of the energy derived from these stored up molecules, previously contained in the food we eat; all being brought about by way of the blood stream; it carries from the lungs to the

Object Lessons in Health and Disease 25

needy structures, far from the source of supply, the oxygen required for internal combustion; it distributes heat in the body from warm to cold areas; it conveys waste materials (carbon dioxide, water and salts) from where they are produced by the wear and tear of bodily activity, to and from the lungs, kidneys and the intestinal tract, as well as other organs, in its process of elimination; it is the means of influencing (through the internal secretions) all manner of structures and functions in the human body.

We will discuss for the moment, only the two cells of the blood which are apparently most im¬ portant; first, the red blood cell known as the erythrocyte, is a biconcaved disc in shape, com¬ posed of a soft elastic substance. In thin layers these cells are green, and in thick layers red in color; they are composed of a stroma, or kind of framework, largely of lipoid material, in the meshes of which is deposited the substance known as hemoglobin. In this way the red-blood cell per¬ forms its most important function necessary to life, the oxygen-carrying power of the blood. There are about five million of these red-blood cells to every cubic millimeter of normal blood in man. The red-blood cell in its normal structure and under normal conditions has no nucleus.

The white-blood cell known as the leukocyte is also a native of the blood-stream but differs greatly from its brother, the red-blood cell, in size, con¬ sistency and function; there are several kinds of these white-blood cells in normal blood under nor¬ mal conditions. These white-blood cells are mostly important from a function standpoint, it being their duty to assemble in vast numbers at the spot or site of any injury, infection, or process of in¬ flammation, to combat any disorder of an abnormal tendency by attacking any foreign body, organism or necrotic (dead or decaying) tissue, by an un¬ known process of ingesting and digesting them; these white-blood cells are sometimes termed the protective cells, or the policemen of the human system. This cell differs from the red-blood cell, having in its normal construction and under nor¬ mal conditions, a nucleus, of various shapes and sizes. The origin of the cells of the blood is said to be the red marrow of the bone and the lymph glands but there is some contention as to the spe¬ cific origin of specific cells found in the blood, so that the question remains (more or less) an open one, with much to be learned. It is said that dur¬ ing all periods of life there must be a more or less continual formation of all cells of the blood with an ever constant deterioration or wasting of these cells, the process of production and destruction being greatly accelerated by different stimulations and under different conditions, with nutrition and abnormal conditions playing their parts. It has been said: “We are at the present time in the beginning of the experimental phase of hema¬ tology,” or the study of the blood.

Chapter I

“Life is not for learning, nor is life for working, but learning and working are for life. ,,

—Herbert Spencer.

I N the early stage of man’s development, long before the so-called “stone age period” it is possible that this animal-man devoted the greater part of his life to self-protection; waging a con¬ tinuous battle with the elements, as well as fighting not only the other wild animals of different species but also the antagonistic nomadic tribesmen; hunt¬ ing and fishing for food and seeking shelter for himself, his mate and offspring. Through the ages this trait in man has been paramount to all other considerations, thereby creating the hereditary tendency which has rightfully inspired or prompted the expression, “Self preservation is the first law of nature.”

During the many periods or ages of transfor¬ mation,—from subservience of his early environ¬ ment, to the master-mind of our present day life, long after the indefinite stages of early metamor¬ phosis of the really lower animal had passed,— the daily routine of the animal-man compelled him to be out in the open air the greater part of his time, therefore he was strong and healthy in body, ambitious in the way of reproduction of his 27 kind, and brave in spirit as well as moral courage, but his mental capacity was undeveloped, his only school being his powers of observation.

This animal-man now changes to the man-ani¬ mal. It is true that he had changed in the contour of his body many years ago, but the animal traits and instincts remained. Every day he arose with the sun, for the sun was his only clock and he went forth to secure, as best he could, enough food and drink to sustain the life of himself and his family but for that day only. After darkness had come and gone and the sun again shone, he would go forth again to find things to eat and drink, just like other animals. To this animal-man there was no tomorrow and no thought of the morrow.

Then came the instigation of valuation and there soon followed the greed for gold. The men¬ tality was beginning to assert itself, the wild animal nature was losing its prominence. No longer did this semi-civilized man sleep in the underbrush or in caves, nor eat his meat raw. Man had learned to kindle fire at his will and therewith boil water, live in a house and clothe his body; finally he developed an inclination to acquire knowledge. Is it any wonder that the small boy of today does not want to attend school or learn anything, not to mention the many grown-ups who have a marked aversion to learn¬ ing. Gould there be any doubt as to this heredi¬ tary trait, “being in the blood”?

The alchemist of the “Middle Ages” who sought to produce gold from a chemical compound was indeed a typical example of how the animal-man had passed into the man-animal, then advanced from the brutish nature and untutored mind to the literate and industrious. However, it also demonstrated other lessons learned by man; the development of the avaricious nature, to have, to hold and to hoard. No longer was this man-animal, like his ancestors, the lower-animal spe¬ cies, there being much evidence of change, even to his close relations, the plantigrade carnivorous mammals, who still remained in the wild animal kingdom; roaming on the mountain-side among the elders in search of food, crawling into a cave, a hole in the ground or into a hollow log, when night came, to rest and sleep, and for protection from the elements.

So we find the man of ancient history, with the strong, healthy body, containing an almost fearless animal courage and the hereditary spirit of adventure, incensed by ambitions of discovery, conquest and future power, devising and contriv¬ ing the ways and means to visit the distant and strange lands and seas. In systematic methods he begins to delve into the secrets and laws of nature’s processes relative to “his own existence” and those of his environment, “Mother Earth.”

When we keep in mind the fact that, “we do not live to eat, but we eat to live,” this should bring home to us also the fact that, every indi¬ vidual is composed of the earth’s products; in other words, we are to a marked degree, the result or sum and substance of the fruits and salts of the earth, with its many chemical properties and environment, namely, gases, liquids and solids, principally composed of the many primary ele¬ ments such as, oxygen, hydrogen, sodium, calcium, and many other minerals, singly or in combina¬ tion, all being more or less of a chemical and in¬ organic nature.

We will not consider, for the moment, those compounds and better known products of nature’s work, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The carbohydrates are known as the different forms of sugars and starches; the proteins in the form of albumins, glutens and legumins; the fats are butter, lard, tallow and fatty oils. These are found in many combinations, constituting man’s food in its various forms, being produced by the several “ways and means” of nature’s process, and are known to be composed of the many primary elements. Perhaps we should entitle this chapter “Bionomy,” or “Physiochemic Biology,” since we are dealing, more or less for the moment, with the science which treats of the study of the laws of living functions.