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   The salts of bromin most commonly used are potassium, ammonium and sodium bromid. These salts act as depressants and narcotics, particularly to the brain and nervous system. They lessen the sensitiveness of the nerves and their conductivity and are also powerful depressants on the heart and sex organs, often causing loss of sex power.

   Bromids show in the iris as white or yellowish white discolorations. They appear in the form of a crescent in the upper regions of the iris, indicating that the drug exhibits a special affinity for the brain and sympathetic nervous system. (Color plate, a-e, p. 116.) The more strongly marked this sign in the iris the more symptoms of chronic bromism will be exhibited by the patient. A very noticeable symptom of chronic bromid poisoning is a peculiar acne form rash.

   The eruptions on the face and neck may turn into abscesses and ulcers. Frequently the victims of bromism exhibit erythema and copper colored blotches. They also suffer from digestive disturbances. Mental symptoms are very prominent, there being a distinct action on the blood vessels of the brain, these blood vessels contract causing anemia and atrophy of tissues, weakening and loss of memory, defective coordination of muscular activity, difficulty in walking and tremor of the limbs.

   J. Mitchell Bruce, M. D., in his "Materia Medica and Therapeutics", says:

   "The great vital centers of the medulla are depressed by bromids; respiration becomes weaker and slower, whence, possibly, part of the value of the drug in whooping cough. The heart is also slowed and weakened in its action. . . . The spinal centers, nerves and muscles are all depressed by bromids, the latter so much so that the convulsions of strychnin poisoning cannot be induced." This confirms my assertion that all sedatives, hypnotics and narcotics are merely brain and nerve paralyzers.

   The salts of bromin, in addition to serving as painkillers and sleep producers, are the great epileptic remedy of the old school of medicine. It matters not where the epileptic seeks relief from his terrible malady--whether he consults the doctor on the next corner or the high priced "specialist"; whether he buys nostrums of an advertising quack or visits the great sanitariums for epileptics in Europe; the treatment is the same--bromids in some form or other. This treatment may be varied sometimes by the use of other brain paralyzing agents, such as chloral, cannabis indica, etc., but these, like the bromids, merely give temporary, fictitious relief; they never cure the disease. Professors in medical colleges acknowledge this freely to their students.

   The bromids are given primarily to suppress the epileptic convulsions. Unfortunately, however, they benumb and paralyze not only the centers of the brain affected by the convulsions, but the entire organ, some parts suffering more than others. This explains the gradual loss of memory, mental decline, progressive paralysis and final idiocy of the victims of bromism. These chronic complications are due not to the disease itself, but to the paralyzing effect of the drug.

   Medical science has failed to discover the "epileptic center", that is, the locality of the brain especially affected in the epileptic convulsions. The discovery was made through the diagnosis from the iris, in the following way, by Rev. N. Liljequist, a Swedish clergyman, who has devoted his life to the study of this interesting science and who has written a most instructive book on the subject.

   Liljequist one day examined a man suffering from epilepsy. The disease had been caused by an accident in a saw-mill. A saw burst, a piece of it striking the man behind the left ear, burying itself deeply in the bones of the skull. The epileptic convulsions dated from that time. Evidently the condition was due to pressure on the brain, caused by the piece of steel, which had penetrated the skull. Liljequist looked into the iris for a sign of the wound in the head and found a well defined open lesion in the left iris. Afterwards, when examining the eyes of epileptics he always looked for signs of the disease in this area of the iris and seldom failed to discover indications of abnormal conditions in that locality.

   My experience has been the same. In almost every case of epilepsy I find the signs of drug poisons, of nerve rings, or of acute and chronic lesions in the iris area of the left cerebellum. (See chart, frontispiece, area 3.)

   Ten years ago Mr. L. came to me for examination. His left iris showed a marked lesion in area 3. It was apparently the sign of an injury, and when I examined the skull I found behind the left ear deep scars radiating from the depression. The location of the lesion in the iris and the scars behind the ear made me think at once of epilepsy, and I asked him whether he was not affected by the malady.

   He answered, "This is the trouble about which I have come to consult you; when I was four years old I had a fall and crushed in the bones of the skull behind the left ear. Immediately following the accident I went into spasms and convulsions and have suffered with epilepsy ever since."

   The findings in this case fully confirmed the discovery, of Liljequist. It will be seen that the epileptic area lies in close proximity to the ear.

   Physiology teaches us that one of the functions of the internal mechanism of the ear is to aid in the maintenance of equilibrium. These centers, therefore, must be the ones affected in epileptic convulsions, for muscular coordination and the sense of equilibrium are instantly and completely inhibited in such attacks as evidenced by the sudden fall and violent spasms.

   Iridology has been of incalculable value, not only in discovering the location of the epileptic center, but also in throwing new light on the causes of the dreadful ailment. Undoubtedly, in the instance of Mr. L., whose skull was injured by a fall, the disease was caused by pressure of the indented bones, and therefore seemed to be a fitting case for a surgical operation. Fortunately for him he was not operated upon. I say fortunately, because trephining of the skull has proved to be anything but a blessing. For a time the operation was popular in the hospitals of Vienna, but it was found that most of these "successful" operations were, in the course of years, followed by serious brain diseases. It has been practically abandoned as a cure for epilepsy except in cases of accidental injury to the bony structure of the skull similar to the one above described.

   In many instances the removal of the pieces of bone pressing on the brain has undoubtedly cured cases of epilepsy, insanity and other mental disorders, but the after effects of trephining, on the whole, have not been desirable.

   In many cases of this kind adhesions are formed which draw the brain tissues out of their proper alignments and interfere with circulation and nutrition. The developments in Mr. L.'s case proved that, at least in some instances, epilepsy caused by injury to the skull can be cured by natural methods of treatment applied to the organism as a whole. When he came to us for treatment his condition was serious. The attacks displayed especial severity at night. An attendant had to be with him constantly. Aside from the typical brief spasms, he exhibited a peculiar form of convulsions, which I have not observed in any other case.

   For hours at a time he would be tossing about in spasms, in a dazed, semi-conscious condition. Within six months, however, the convulsions ceased entirely. He remained with us nine months longer, undergoing the regular regimen without experiencing a recurrence of the old trouble.

   In many instances we have, by means of Iridology, traced the exciting cause of the disorder to abnormal conditions in the digestive organs. Several cases resulted from irritation by worms, others from certain forms of indigestion. The latter patients were invariably addicted to voracious over eating.

   A certain form of indigestion, due to an abnormal condition of the stomach, and to over eating, affects the solar plexus, and from there the impulse to convulsions is transmitted to the epileptic brain center. In such cases we found fasting to be of great benefit in overcoming the abnormal appetite, as well as in curing the digestive disturbance.

   In patients of this type we have observed that the convulsions begin with the undulatory movements in the stomach region and thence travel upward to the brain.

   It is a fact that epilepsy often comes and goes with rheumatic conditions and no doubt many cases are due to excess of either phosphoric or uric acid in the organism. These acids are powerful stimulants and irritants of nerve and brain tissues and their activity must be held in check by sodium and sulphur. Proteid foods abound in the acid producing elements, phosphorus and nitrogen, but are lacking entirely in the acid binding alkaline elements. "We can readily see why a one sided meat-and-egg-white-bread-potato-coffee-and-pie diet may produce nervous ailments, such as epilepsy, St. Vitus' dance, hysteria, nervous excitability and sexual over stimulation.

   Naturally the cure of such abnormal excitability of nerve and brain tissues lies in a reduction of the acid producing proteids and carbohydrates and in an increased use of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in the acid binding and eliminating organic salts.

   Years ago, when my professional shingle was adorning one of the old mansions on sooty, gasoline scented Michigan Boulevard, a Southern lady came to me with her son who was about twenty-two years of age. His blue eyes displayed a heavy scurf rim. The dark pigmentation was especially marked in the areas of feet and legs, and it protruded like a "V" into the field of the left cerebellum. In this area were visible also segments of several nerve rings. The upper iris displayed very distinctly the whitish half-moons of bromids.

   The stomach and intestines exhibited the light yellowish discoloration peculiar to scrofulous elimination through these organs. (This discoloration of the intestinal field is often mistaken for the yellowish signs of quinin and sulphur.) This data given, the rest was easy.

   I addressed the young man as follows: "You have always suffered from poor circulation, cold, clammy, sweaty hands and feet." "Yes, that is so." "You suppressed the foot-sweat."

   "Yes, that is so. I was playing with a football team and perspiration of the feet troubled me very much. I used drying powders and cured it."

   "Soon after that you had attacks of dizziness and fainting spells and then regular epileptic fits." "Yes, that is true."

   "Since then you have taken bromids in large quantities but, instead of curing the disease, it has grown worse. Lately your memory has been very much weakened. There is a lack of concentration and at times a great physical lassitude and mental stupor."

   "It is worse than that," answered his mother; "of late he has frequently left home for his office and landed in a different part of the city without knowing how he came there. Once, in that dazed condition, he was nearly killed by a street car. It seems that nothing can be done for him. I have been traveling with him now for three years from one specialist to another, but without avail."

   "All this is very plain, Madam," I replied. "As long as you adhere to allopathy, it matters not how many authorities you consult, the treatment is bromids and bromids and nothing but bromids. These so called sedatives are in reality brain paralyzers. They are given with the idea of paralyzing the brain centers in which the epileptic convulsions arise, but unfortunately these agents do not confine their benumbing influence to the left back brain, which is the seat of these disturbances. You notice that these white half-moons in his eyes extend more or less over the entire brain region. (Color plate, a-e, p. 116.) Bromism paralyzes the speech center in one, memory in another, the center for 'locality' in another, according to where the poison happens to concentrate. These signs in the eye also explain why the consumers of these drugs are slowly but surely turned into idiots and paralytics."

   "Then you think there is no hope for him," sadly interrupted his mother.

   "There is no hope for him, Madam," I replied, "by the bromid route; but under natural treatment his chances of recovery are very good indeed. Suppression of the foot-sweat threw the scrofulous taints, in process of elimination through the feet, into the cerebellum and this causes the periodical irritation of the 'epileptic center'. Natural methods of living and of treatment will eliminate these systemic poisons and thus remove the cause of the trouble."

   Deeply impressed by the diagnosis and by my explanation of the natural methods of treatment, she concluded to leave the young man under our care. I then explained the law of crises and told them to look for five or six weeks of steady improvement, then for a temporary return of the old conditions, for convulsions, gastric disturbances, nose bleed, perspiration of hands and feet, nervous depression, homesickness, etc., etc.

   After the mother's departure there arrived in due season a letter from the father, which ran as follows:

   "Dear Son: Dr. X., our family physician, after listening to your mother's report, informs me that your doctor and his Nature Cure are a humbug and a fake. I want you to return home without delay."

   In reply to this Mr. B., Jr., wrote to his father: "So far I have obeyed you in everything, but in this matter, which concerns me so deeply, I am going to follow my own judgment. Our family physician is entirely ignorant of this system, while Dr. L. has studied allopathic medicine in addition to his Natural Therapeutics. Dr. X. does not know what he is talking about and is not competent to judge."

   The preliminary improvement made in his case was marked and rapid. The bromid eruptions and the dull, stupid expression of the face cleared and in six weeks the patient looked the picture of health. Convulsions had decreased from two or three daily to about one a week. In the latter part of the sixth week the iris area corresponding to the intestines became covered with a white film. I informed the patient that a bowel crisis was approaching, and within twentyfour hours my prediction was verified by the development of a lively diarrhea. This lasted several days and subsided without interference on our part.

   I gave the patient one dose of homeopathic sulphur in a high potency. The convulsions now came thick and fast and with great severity. One morning his pillow was covered with blood from the nose-bleed. At times his hands and feet were dripping wet. The perspiration was of a disagreeable, sweetish odor, peculiar to these epileptic crises.

   At this time he felt very much depressed, discouraged and homesick, and if it had not been for my accurate prediction and description of almost every crisis symptom, he would have followed his father's advice and taken the next train home. But by means of a magnifying mirror he himself saw the black patches in the areas of the left cerebellum and feet interwoven with white lines, indicating the active elimination of scrofulous encumbrances.

   For about four weeks more these acute manifestations continued and then subsided never to return.

   At the end of the fifth month he left for home in perfect, health.

   Frequently we read in the daily papers about people who have wandered away from home and lost all recollection of their identity, their home and former occupation. Some of these patients recover, others remain permanently affected.

   The majority of these cases are caused by bromids, coal tar poisons or other brain paralyzing drugs. The only possibility of cure in such cases lies in thorough, systematic natural treatment.

   Some of the most pitiable wrecks of humanity in early youth are to be found among the victims of bromism. I have known young men and women still in their teens who walked with a tottering gait and presented the aged and withered features of people seventy years old, feeble in body and stunted in mind, the stare of idiocy in their eyes, typical defectives created by the bromids or other brain and nerve paralyzing drugs.

Allopathic Uses:

   1. Externally, elementary bromin is used occasionally as an escarotic.

   2. Internally the bromids are used as sedatives, hypnotics and antispasmodics in acute specific fevers, acute alcoholism, mania, hysteria, infantile convulsions, whooping cough, hypochrondriasis, general nervousness, sexual over excitement, gastro-intestinal disorders of reflex origin, and "with great success" in epilepsy.

Toxicology:

   Is rapidly absorbed from broken skin and mucous surfaces. Circulates as sodium bromid. Appears in the secretions a few minutes after ingestion, yet its total elimination stretches over a long period of time, so that by repeated doses the patient is kept continuously under its influence.

   Its sedative effect is due partly to depression of sensory and motor nerves, but chiefly to reduced activity of nerve centers in brain and cord. (This confirms our claims that bromids and other sedatives and hypnotics benumb and paralyze brain and nerve matter.--Author.)

Symptoms of Bromism:

   1. Brom-acne, so common in drugged epileptics--is in turn treated with arsenic.

   2. Yellowish discoloration of skin with formation of blisters.

   3. Catarrh. Salivation.

   4. Headache, dizziness and general depression.

   5. Impotence.

   6. Diminished reflex excitability.

   7. Neuro-muscular weakness, especially of lower extremities.

   8. Premature senility, paralysis, insanity, loss of self consciousness.

Elimination of Drug in Healing Crises:

   1. Kidneys (mainly). Increased urination.

   2. Salivary glands, mucoid accumulations in the mouth.

   3. Mucous membranes, acute catarrhal elimination.

   4. Skin in form of brom-acne, so familiar in drugged epileptics--in turn treated with arsenic.

   5. Abnormal perspiration, nose bleed, diarrhea.

Signs in the Iris:

   White crescent in region of brain and white wreath in outer margin of iris. (Color plate, a-e, p. 116.)

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