1. Introduction

Many of the methods of treatment that were often prescribed by physicians during the 19th century and before are today considered useless and life-threatening. But the physicians during that time persisted in such practices as bleeding, blistering, purging, and the use of heavy metals, especially mercury, because they witnessed that, in some patients, symptoms would disappear. This, however, was an illusion. Symptoms were suppressed but there was no recovery of health. Indeed, many people died because of the treatment but the physicians did not recognize that the "cure" itself was the direct cause of the deaths.

Since that time, there has been a constant search for that elusive "cure." Harmful results occur when people become so convinced that these "cures" will restore health that they rely upon this illusion instead of looking to their modes of living as the real cause of their ill health. You must, therefore, strive to become more independent thinkers. You must begin to question "cures" and seek the truth by seeing things from a different perspective.

If a certain drug is found particularly harmful and taken off the market, we are told that we should not doubt the effectiveness of all of these agents. However, we should not follow ourselves to be deceived by them. One may feel better for awhile after taking one of these symptom-suppressing agents, but our so-called "cure" is a deception. The "cure" will not last. By seeking the truth, we will be lead to the true cause of disease and from this we may know how to regain our health.

A good example of how the American people have been misled by this delusion of "cures" lies in the practice of immunization. People have been told that vaccines build up antibodies that protect the vaccinated from disease. This is a false claim. Disease is the result of unhealthful living and one cannot be "immunized" against his errors in living.

Any violation against physiological law always results in sickness. This would include any failure to meet sleep requirements, proper food, air, water, sunshine, exercise, or other needs The body's ability to adapt is remarkable but freedom from symptoms is a delusion when it is produced by drugs in contravention of physiological functions. Under such circumstances, the body will inevitably become exhausted and more chronic illnesses will ensue.

The adverse effects of drugs were illustrated in a previous lesson and more and more people are realizing the dangers of these poisons and are looking elsewhere for "cures." Thus, we see many drugless practitioners throughout the country promising all sorts of "cures." This lesson will review some of the more popular "cures" and it will be demonstrated that they are harmful and, at best, relatively innocuous.

You should keep in mind that there are no "cures." There is no diet, no herb, no massage therapy that will restore health if the underlying cause of sickness is not removed. As we have stated before, health will result only from healthful living.