Vitality Supreme | Page 9

that a meat diet or a high-proteid diet is
extremely harmful in disorders of this organ. It has been found that
dogs fed on meat after the thyroid gland has been removed invariably
die in a few days, but that they can be kept alive for a long time if fed
on a diet very low in proteids. It is found as a rule that those suffering
from thyroid troubles do very well on a milk diet.
Some students of the subject conclude that the function of the thyroid
gland is to destroy poisonous products formed by the decomposition of
proteid food substances. It is believed by others that it also has a
defensive action against other poisons in the body, including alcohol
and poisonous drugs. In other words, it is thought to have an "antitoxic"
action. It has also been held that this organ has much to do with the
supply of iodine in the system, being particularly affected by the lack
of iodine in the food. Again, it is said that when the thyroid gland has
degenerated there ensues a condition of auto- intoxication, followed by
a degeneration of other organs which destroy and eliminate poisons in
the blood. It is claimed that in many cases of thyroid deficiency, as in
cretinism, good results have been obtained by the use of thyroid extract,
thus supplying the body with the secretion which normally should have
been obtained from this gland.
But, whatever may be the function of this remarkable little organ, the
fact remains that it is of tremendous importance to health, being

undeniably endowed with extraordinary influence on virility, physical
strength and mental vigor. Now these facts were in mind when I
commenced the experiments which, as I have said, led to the discovery
of a method of stimulating the vital forces of the body. The problem
seemed simple in some respects. If the thyroid gland has such a definite
effect upon bodily health, the query as to how it can be strengthened
and stimulated to perform its work more satisfactorily, assumed
unusual importance and I was strongly moved to discover the answer.
The problem, however, was not by any means an easy one. A long time
elapsed before a satisfactory solution presented itself. The first thought
that naturally occurs to one when endeavoring to stimulate the activities
of any part of the body is to find some means of increasing the
circulation to that part. Ordinary massage will usually accomplish this
purpose to a limited degree, though massage to my mind is a superficial
agent in many cases. It will increase local circulation, but it does not
facilitate tissue changes to the same extent as exercise which directly
affects the structures concerned, or the mechanical movements of the
parts themselves that are brought about through active use of them in
some way. I have known of cases in which pressure and massage
applied to the region of the thyroid gland have been followed by
harmful effects, such as fainting, and certainly no one with a weak
heart should attempt to stimulate this organ in this manner. Therefore,
in endeavoring to find a satisfactory means of stimulating this
important gland, I did not give massage serious thought. And I might as
well say that I finally "stumbled" upon the important truth which is the
basis of the method that I am presenting.
For many years I have been a student of vocal culture, having taken up
the study of this art chiefly as a recreation, with no thought of ever
publicly using any ability I might acquire, though I might mention that
the additional vocal strength obtained as a result of this training
assisted me greatly in public speaking. While giving my attention to
this particular study, I was greatly impressed by the extreme
importance of maintaining an erect spine, holding the chin down,
inward and backward, and keeping the shoulders back and the chest
expanded. I found, however, like many others who become "slack" in
bodily posture, that a considerable effort was required to maintain a

proper position at all times. I therefore began a series of special
exercises intended really to force myself to assume a properly erect
position. While experimenting with these exercises for the purpose
mentioned, I noted a marked effect upon my general vital vigor. Not
only was this made apparent by an increase in physical strength and
stamina, but it was marked in an equal degree by additional mental
energy and capacity. My mind was clearer, and I could surmount
difficulties presented in business enterprises in which I was interested
with far more ease than before. I could make decisions more easily and
quickly. In addition, a decided gain in weight was noted-not by any
means in the form of mere fatty tissue, but