The process of gradual lessening of food supply, in all save acute disease, is the normal rational method to follow first, for the physical reasons given, and second, because of ignorant opposition on the part of the public and the medical profession. Ample time is thus given to discover what is possible under a diet, and the necessity of continuing the treatment by a fast is fortified by the knowledge thus obtained.
When merely functional disease is in question, the case in treatment is simplicity itself, unless dissipation, excessive nervous expenditure, or serious blood taint, has largely prohibited vital expression. Patients of this class are ordinarily able to care for themselves throughout a fast of average length.
Whenever organic disease exists, whether in the form given in Class 2, or that in Class 3 in previous discussion (page 87), unpleasant symptoms are bound to arise. And at times all the courage and the wisdom of long experience in handling disease by the method of nature are needed to meet the conditions. Knowledge of the causes of delirium, of stupor, of any and all of the symptoms of toxic poisoning, none of which can be wholly overcome in extreme organic disease, makes
