Vitality Supreme | Page 3

goes through life without living. In other words,
he scarcely exists. He has never felt the throbbing exultation of a keen
joyous moment. Nor on the other hand has he ever suffered the tortures
that are supposed to be associated with the damned, for we must
remember that the power to enjoy carries with it a corresponding power
to suffer. But we should also remember that the possession of these
extremes, the ability to enjoy or to suffer, indicates the attainment of
what might be termed the most complete human development. If we
wish to find a perfect picture of the phlegmatic temperament, we can
study a pig to advantage. And yet there are many human beings
incapable of manifesting life-forces equal to those of this humble
animal.
But why not be alive, vital, vivacious? Why not be alert, keen,
energetic, enthusiastic, ambitious, bubbling over with fiery ardor? The
possession of these pulsating, vibratory forces proves that one's
physical development has closely approached to perfection. To such
vital individuals life opens up opportunities that are almost countless.
But those who have never lived in this "world" of fiery ambitions and
throbbing powers, who have never been stirred by the keen, satisfying
joys that go with these extraordinary, vital qualities, may ask if these
invaluable powers can be developed. Are these stirring, vital forces the
possession of favored classes only, or may they be obtained by anyone
and everyone? In other words, can they be cultivated or developed? My
reply, in nearly all cases, would be in the affirmative. There may be
exceptions. There is a limit to the development of the physical force,
but health is attainable by the majority. So long as there is life you
should be possessed of sufficient vitality to attain a normal degree of
health. It really takes more power to run a defective machine than it
does to operate one in which all parts are working in harmony, and the
same can be said of the body and its parts or organs. Therefore, if you
have vitality enough to continue to live even though diseased, rest
assured that you have enough to acquire health if you conform to
Nature's enactments. And this kind of health usually brings a physical
and mental exaltation that is truly beyond description.

It is my purpose in these pages to help the reader to solve the problems
associated with the attainment of vitality and health at its best. By
following out the suggestions which you will find in this volume, by
stimulating the life-forces in connection with the thyroid gland, by
straightening and strengthening the spine, by toning up the alimentary
canal, and by adopting other suggestions set forth in these pages, you
should be insured the attainment of vital vigor really beyond price. Do
not be satisfied with an existence. If life is worth anything, it is worth
living in every sense of the word. The building up of one's physical
assets should be recognized as an imperative duty.
CHAPTER II
: Functional Activity-The Secret of Power
Vitality means normal functioning. When the organs of the body are all
performing their duties satisfactorily, you can practically be sure of a
plentiful supply of vitality. So it can truly be said that proper
functioning is the secret of power.
The most important of all functional processes begins in the stomach.
There is where the blood-making process commences, and, since a man
is what the blood makes of him, you can realize the tremendous
importance of this particular function. If the digestion is carried on
properly, and the blood is made rich in those elements that add to life,
health and strength, then the functions of the stomach are being
properly performed. Strength of this organ, therefore, is absolutely
indispensable in vitality building.
This blood-making work is then continued by the small intestines,
where a large part of the elements of nourishment essential to life are
assimilated, taken up and carried to the portal circulation, thence to the
lungs and heart, and finally throughout the entire body. It is absolutely
impossible for one to enjoy the possession of a high degree of vitality,
or of the general good health upon which vitality depends, unless the
intestinal tract is in a healthy and vigorous condition, so that the
functions of this particular part of the body- machine may be performed

without a flaw. The entire digestive system may be compared to a
boiler supplying the energy by which the engine does its work.
Then consider the heart itself. One cannot underestimate the functional
importance of this organ. It is commonly regarded as the most vital
spot in the body, the very center of life-indeed the poets have made it
the seat of love and the emotions in general. If anything, the brain and