Health News and Information

Although each kind of cell is different in structure from the others, they all have basic similarities. The cell’s most important part is the nucleus, just like the yolk of an egg. The nucleus is, as a rule, surrounded by a nutrient reserve, similar to the egg white that envelops the yolk. The cover holding everything together in the cell is the cell membrane. The cell itself is a small state within a state and enjoys a certain independence. There are even cells that circulate or wander for the purpose of being on hand wherever their help may be needed. That is why they are called ‘wandering cells’. We can say that every cell has it own internal regulations, and absorbs and releases certain substances. This process is called metabolism. The cell uses the absorbed nutrients and changes them into energy, or it converts them into a new substance that serves the body, especially in its growth.

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The above case shows that rules formulated on the basis of experience and observation do have exceptions and that some people respond well to something to which they should not. Most people suffer and experience intense disturbances when the seasonal winds blow, for instance the fohn, khamsin and monsoon, but there are some who feel well in this kind of weather. The sea air may not agree with some individuals, while they may feel good in the mountains, perhaps when engaging in winter sports. Whatever good advice the doctor can give you, it would be appropriate to get to know yourself a little better, to find out what your body needs in order to feel fit and well. You cannot always go by what others think or tell you. It is useful to watch yourself and see what benefits your well-being so that you can be guided by the favourable effects and so be able to choose the best place for your holidays or work. I can tell you from experience that some people suffer from liver trouble in Europe but the moment they change their habitat and move to the United States they are completely rid of their disturbances. Then I know patients who simply did not feel well while living in Basle, but after moving to the Appenzellerland where the fohn is often blowing, they had no complaints whatsoever. The opposite is also true, for many people feel unwell in areas with much fohn, but when they go to the Jura where it is unknown, or stay by Lake Geneva, even with a northeasterly wind, they remain fit and well.

Unfortunately, there are not many books that deal with biocli-matic influences on general well-being and the various illnesses. The only such manual so far published that I am aware of is one by the American physician Dr Manfred Curry.

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Although milk is a popular food in Switzerland, it should be used much more for drinking. Many other countries have a much better arrangement, for everywhere you go in the United Kingdom or the United States, for example, milk is available in small cartons, so that workers, schoolchildren, travellers, in short, anyone who wants a cool, nourishing and strengthening drink of milk can obtain one without difficulty. I have even seen some railway stations where milk automats have been installed. It is definitely better and cheaper to enjoy a cool, fresh drink of milk in the heat of summer rather than alcoholic beverages or sweet soft drinks with artificial additives.

Milk is a natural product with many benefits. It is only regrettable that not every dairy farmer is well enough equipped to produce and supply uncontaminated milk, but efforts are being made to improve the quality.

Unfortunately, deliberate interference in nature can reduce the value of the best quality milk, especially when the cows are inoculated. It is necessary, therefore, to raise this subject and draw the dairy farmers’ attention to the problem.

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People who have problems with the liver and pancreas must take care not to eat stone fruit, such as plums and peaches, in any great quantity, for if they do, they will probably pay for it with increased discomfort and pain. It is also important to remember that stone fruit should never be eaten on an empty stomach. What is more, be absolutely sure to eat slowly and insalivate the fruit thoroughly before swallowing. If you eat some crispbread, rusks or wholewheat bread along with the fruit, the gastric reaction to the acids, especially hydrocyanic acid, will be diminished. Healthy constitutions used to raw foods can probably digest stone fruit very well and eat it at any time, but sick or delicate people should not take the risk. It is better to abstain from eating stone fruit than to eat it and suffer the consequences, only because other people might be able to enjoy it. If you should happen to eat some and upset the gastric and intestinal mucous membranes, you can obtain relief by taking a tablespoon of clay in water, morning and evening for a few days. Should excessive gastric acidity develop, take a teaspoon of wood ash before each meal and the disturbance will quickly disappear.

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When you buy fruit, make sure that it has not been sprayed with pesticides. Traces of lead, arsenic and other chemicals pose health hazards and will make the fruit inedible. Eating sprayed fruit need not necessarily bring on an acute case of poisoning, but chemical pesticides may have a cumulative effect and continuous doses, however small, can, sooner or later, lead to the development of pathological conditions.

In any case, fruit purchased at the market should always be properly cleaned and it is a good idea to peel it if spray spots can be seen. Many orchards are sprayed with chemicals to which has been added a substance with a special adhesive property so that the rain cannot wash the spray off the fruit. It is true, however, that by peeling the fruit you will lose valuable elements that are found in and under the skin, so it would be much better still to be discriminating when buying your fruit and to look for organically grown produce. If you have fruit trees of your own, make sure that no hazardous sprays are used.

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