A Wrong Cure for the Spanish Influenza

The Spanish influenza pandemia which is encircling the globe and claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands, aye, of millions of people, presents a problem before which the medical profession stands baffled. A multitude of hypotheses have been offered as a basis for as many methods of treating the plague, but the disease runs its course unchecked. Thus far the medical faculty of the world has not even succeeded in defining the nature of the disease. The first problem, therefore, at least the first aspect of the problem, is to ascertain the nature of the disease, to uncover its underlying cause, in order that we may have a scientific foundation on which to base our diagnosis and our treatment of it.

The Spanish influenza pandemia1 which is encircling the globe and claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands, aye, of millions of people, presents a problem before which the medical profession stands baffled. A multitude of hypotheses have been offered as a basis for as many methods of treating the plague, but the disease runs its course unchecked. Thus far the medical faculty of the world has not even succeeded in defining the nature of the disease. The first problem, therefore, at least the first aspect of the problem, is to ascertain the nature of the disease, to uncover its underlying cause, in order that we may have a scientific foundation on which to base our diagnosis and our treatment of it.

1. An older form of the word “pandemic,” an epidemic spread across the world.

This is the last word medical science has to say with respect to the basic cause of influenza; the bacillus is to be regarded as its cause. But why should we regard the bacillus as the cause? To arbitrarily regard the bacillus as cause is to beg the question. It is clear, however, that medical science has no idea of how to ascertain the cause. Whatever else it may be, viewing the bacillus as the cause is unscientific. What a thing is and does, that is what science seeks to explain. Scientific knowledge is based upon facts, and deals with laws, but has no relation to dogmatic opinions.

This is the last word medical science has to say with respect to the basic cause of influenza: the bacillus2 is to be regarded as its cause. But why should we regard the bacillus as the cause? To arbitrarily regard the bacillus as cause is to beg the question. It is clear, however, that medical science has no idea of how to ascertain the cause. Whatever else it may be, viewing the bacillus as the cause is unscientific. What a thing is and does, that is what science seeks to explain. Scientific knowledge is based upon facts, and deals with laws, but has no relation to dogmatic opinions.

2. Pfeiffer’s bacillus, a bacterium many doctors then believed caused influenza. It did not.

As a matter of fact, all the evidence of Prof. Kuhnemann’s diagnosis, every symptom he lists, points unerringly to something beyond the bacillus as the primary cause of the disease. When the basis of those symptoms is explained, the medical profession would, indeed, be hard put to disprove that the bacillus is a result of the disease, instead of its cause.

As a matter of fact, all the evidence of Prof. Kuhnemann’s3 diagnosis, every symptom he lists, points unerringly to something beyond the bacillus as the primary cause of the disease. When the basis of those symptoms is explained, the medical profession would, indeed, be hard put to disprove that the bacillus is a result of the disease, instead of its cause.

3. The author of a book on medical diagnosis whose description of influenza Dechmann quotes in the previous chapter.

Insofar as the present pandemia is concerned, however, there can be no doubt in the mind of any person who is willing to think the matter out for himself in the light of the electro-chemical nature of life, that the emotional stress incident to the war, plus dietetic upheavels, offer an explanation of it.

Insofar as the present pandemia is concerned, however, there can be no doubt in the mind of any person who is willing to think the matter out for himself in the light of the electro-chemical nature of life that the emotional stress incident to the war, plus dietetic upheavals, offer an explanation of it.

The Vagus nerve, as stated a moment ago, is concerned with the expression of these very emotions. In consequence of the high tension of the emotions it was consumed at an alarming rate. It is almost incredible that this fact has been given no thought whatever in connection with the spread of Spanish influenza!

The Vagus nerve,4 as stated a moment ago, is concerned with the expression of these very emotions. In consequence of the high tension of the emotions it was consumed at an alarming rate. It is almost incredible that this fact has been given no thought whatever in connection with the spread of Spanish influenza!

4. A real nerve running from the brain to the throat, lungs, heart and stomach. Its link to influenza was Dechmann’s own idea.

The effect of this emotional conflagration could not be other than the depletion of the Vagus, the reduction of the vital resistance, and the preparation of the soil for an epidemic, aye, for a pandemia of influenza, and all sorts of constitutional disturbances.

The effect of this emotional conflagration could not be other than the depletion of the Vagus, the reduction of the vital resistance, and the preparation of the soil for an epidemic, aye, for a pandemia of influenza, and all sorts of constitutional disturbances.

Influenza is a negative disease, as we have seen; a member of the catarrhal group of affections. After careful consideration of all aspects of its origin and development, I am of the opinion that it would be more accurate to name this disease Panasthenia: general loss of vitality.

Influenza is a negative disease, as we have seen;5 a member of the catarrhal6 group of affections. After careful consideration of all aspects of its origin and development, I am of the opinion that it would be more accurate to name this disease Panasthenia: general loss of vitality.

5. Dechmann sorted diseases into “positive” and “negative” by an electrical theory of the body.
6. Marked by inflammation and heavy mucus in the nose and throat.

Insofar as prophylactic measures are concerned, we may sum them up very briefly: Keep your head cool, physically and mentally; your feet warm, the bowels regular, the pores open, and breathe plenty of fresh air. Eat enough wholesome food to satisfy your appetite. In short, keep your metabolism (the process of discarding worn-out matter and replacing it with fresh nutritive material) in good order.

Insofar as prophylactic measures are concerned, we may sum them up very briefly: Keep your head cool, physically and mentally; your feet warm, the bowels regular, the pores open, and breathe plenty of fresh air. Eat enough wholesome food to satisfy your appetite. In short, keep your metabolism (the process of discarding worn-out matter and replacing it with fresh nutritive material) in good order.

But if for any reason you experience a chill these days, go to bed at once as a precaution. [...] Thus all danger may be averted. This course is easy to follow. Ignorance of it has cost a great many people their life!

But if for any reason you experience a chill these days, go to bed at once as a precaution. Thus all danger may be averted. This course is easy to follow. Ignorance of it has cost a great many people their life!

[...] In addition, the vigor of the patient is to be increased by giving him alternately Dechmann’s Plasmogen and Dechmann’s Tonogen [...]

In addition, the vigor of the patient is to be increased by giving him alternately Dechmann’s Plasmogen and Dechmann’s Tonogen7

7. Products sold under Dechmann’s name. The booklet does not say what was in them.

It is essential that the supply of vital force, but that of the nerves in particular, shall be increased speedily, and for this purpose nothing better can be obtained than Dechmanna Egg Punch. [...]

It is essential that the supply of vital force, but that of the nerves in particular, shall be increased speedily, and for this purpose nothing better can be obtained than Dechmanna Egg Punch.8

8. A drink of his own devising, made with egg yolks. The recipe is cut here.

This divine Ambrosia is at once medicine and food. [...]

This divine ambrosia is at once medicine and food.

The author does not practice medicine, does not visit patients. He is a counselor in biology and physiological chemistry. If the physician in charge desires he will consult with him about the application of the principles outlined herein to the treatment of patients suffering from influenza.

The author does not practice medicine, does not visit patients. He is a counselor in biology and physiological chemistry. If the physician in charge desires, he will consult with him about the application of the principles outlined herein to the treatment of patients suffering from influenza.

In the light of what has been revealed with regard to the functions of the Vagus nerve and the development of influenza, the bacillus should be forever left inside the covers of learned books on bacteriology. It has been but a poor apology for an explanation of the disease to which human flesh is heir!

In the light of what has been revealed with regard to the functions of the Vagus nerve and the development of influenza, the bacillus should be forever left inside the covers of learned books on bacteriology. It has been but a poor apology for an explanation of the disease to which human flesh is heir!

I have sought to apply the principals of physiological chemistry to the diagnosis and treatment of influenza. I know that I have not only succeeded in throwing some light upon this darkest of all epidemics, but have explained the underlying cause of it, and my task is finished. Philosophy teaches us that knowledge is like love, a veritable paradox, in that we can only preserve it by giving it away. Such knowledge as I have, I give freely to humanity.

I have sought to apply the principles of physiological chemistry to the diagnosis and treatment of influenza. I know that I have not only succeeded in throwing some light upon this darkest of all epidemics, but have explained the underlying cause of it, and my task is finished. Philosophy teaches us that knowledge is like love, a veritable paradox, in that we can only preserve it by giving it away. Such knowledge as I have, I give freely to humanity.