ANEMIA by Daniel H. Kress

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 6, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 32.

ANEMIA.

By Daniel H. Kress

[D. H. Kress, M. D., in Australian Good Health.]

ANEMIA, better known as poverty of blood, is becoming a very prevalent disease. It is surprising to see the number of pale-faced and nervous young women in every city, town, and village, and even in the country where nature has an opportunity and is doing her best to paint roses on the cheeks of all.

Recently at the close of a lecture a young woman came to me and said, "Doctor, I am very nervous, do not sleep well, and am also troubled with deafness." I inquired, "Have you had your ears examined to see if there is any local disease." She replied, "Yes; but the doctor said there was no local difficulty, that I was suffering with poverty of blood, that I needed more iron in my blood. He advised me to take tincture of iron. I have been taking it for some time, but am not improving."

The question naturally arises, What are the causes of anaemia? The causes, no doubt, are many. I shall only call attention to what I consider two of the principal causes of anemia in young women. It will be noticed that the disease usually makes its appearance in young ladies after reaching their teens; before this period it is of rare occurrence.

Why Is This?

It is well known that poisonous products are constantly being formed in the human body by the breaking down of tissue from muscular and mental activity. These wastes are mostly eliminated from the body through the lungs. Every ten minutes sufficient poison is thrown off through this channel alone to cause death.

It is through the rapid interchange of gases that takes place in the lungs by having pure air brought into almost immediate contact with the impure blood, that the blood is kept freed from impurities.

So-called blood purifiers never can purify the blood. Nature recognizes but one blood purifier, and that is pure air, and we need plenty of it. The Creator has given us none too much lung capacity to keep the blood pure. Up to the age of twelve, the girl is permitted to dress loosely and play with her brother in the open air. It will be noticed that up to this time she is also usually in equal good health. Now a change occurs. The boy is still allowed his freedom, but the girl has to have her waist placed in corsets. The lungs are thus constricted, which makes exercise impossible. Not a sufficient amount of air can now be taken into the lungs to keep the blood pure. Is it any wonder that soon the nerves shriek out because of the impurities and irritants circulating in the blood, and headaches, backaches, nerve-aches, and nervousness result?

Another cause of anemia is the use of tea. The evil resulting to the human family from the use of tea is greater than from the use of alcohol, great as I know that evil to be. It takes one part in one hundred of alcohol to kill a man, but it does not require near that amount of theine, the poisonous principle

contained in tea. A strong man accustomed to the use of alcohol could take an ounce of pure alcohol without it's causing death, but even one-tenth of that amount of theine would result fatally. Theine is therefore ten times more powerful than alcohol.

There are two and one-half grains of theine in every cup of tea as ordinarily made; one-eighth of a grain will kill a frog. Two cups of tea contain five grains, or sufficient to kill a rabbit. Three cups contain seven and one-half grains, or enough of this poison to kill a cat, in spite of the proverbial nine lives. Aside from this, every pound, or sixteen ounces, of tea contains four ounces of tannin. Tannin interferes with the digestion of the food, especially the albumens, thus impoverishing the blood. Tannin also destroys the iron contained in the food. It is well known that the system can not appropriate an inorganic substance, as iron. The vegetable kingdom feeds upon these minerals and changes them into other forms, which can be utilised by man.

The grains, vegetables, and fruit all contain iron, and a sufficient amount to fully supply the needs of the human body. To ascertain the effect of tannin upon the iron contained in the food and blood, place a small amount of tincture of iron in a glass half full of water, now add to it a half cup of tea and note the result. It becomes as black as ink. Tea destroys the iron contained in the food and blood and causes anemia. The physician recognizes that the blood needs more iron, and so recommends the use of tincture of iron, or some other iron preparation, but the patient takes the iron, drinks more tea, and makes more ink. Is it any surprise that anemia is a condition that is so difficult to overcome? There is but one way of getting rid of anemia; that is by removing the causes. Stop the use of tea, give the lungs an opportunity to take a bountiful supply of air to purify the blood, eat pure food, and take plenty of out-door exercise.