J. Ellis Barker

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J. Ellis Barker
Born9 May 1870
Cologne
Died16 July 1948 (1948-07-17) (aged 78)
Occupation(s)Homeopath, writer

James Ellis Barker (9 May 1870 – 16 July 1948) was a British historian, journalist,

autointoxication
from chronic poisoning and vitamin starvation.

Biography

Barker was born in

New Health Society.[1]

Cancer research

At age thirty, Barker suffered from constipation.[4] He believed he was in a state similar to that of a man about to develop cancer so he began to study food, improve his diet and exercise.[4][5] He eliminated his constipation and came to the conclusion that he had prevented the occurrence of cancer in himself, so his system of dieting and exercise would prevent cancer in others.[5] He argued that cancer was caused by autointoxication from chronic poisoning and vitamin starvation.[6][7][8] Barker was influenced by the research of Sir William Arbuthnot Lane.[6]

Barker commented that cancer stemmed from "autointoxication of the bowel. Apparently civilization and constipation go hand in hand."[9] He stated that constipation is caused by the overuse of food preservatives, stress and the lack of "natural foods" in the diet. Barker opposed the use of toilet seats and promoted squatting which would assist bowel movements.[9]

In 1924, Barker authored the book Cancer: How It Is Caused; How It Can Be Prevented, which ran to more than 400 pages.[4] Barker stated that cancer is a disease of civilization and rarely occurs amongst primitive tribes or uncivilised nations due to their lack of intestinal stasis.[4][6] He argued that cancer is caused by "chronic poisoning" from the bowels.[4] Barker recommended a high-fibre diet of raw fruit, salads and wholemeal bread, cheese and eggs, with plenty of exercise.[4] He campaigned for the consumption of raw vegetables and undried meats.[9] In his book, Barker did not oppose the consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea or tobacco.[10] However, in other publications he advised against coffee and tea as heat "acts as a cancer poison".[11]

The book was negatively reviewed in medical journals for not providing reliable evidence for its claims. A review in the

Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that the book is a "pernicious and harmful piece of literature".[5] George Soper suggested that the book is overloaded with long quotations from Sir William Arbuthnot Lane and concluded that Barker "cannot be said to have advanced the subject of cancer control in any way".[13]

Selected publications

Quotes

I have endeavoured to show by an overwhelming mass of facts that cancer is caused by chronic poisoning and vitamine starvation, that it is largely due to dietetic mistakes, and especially to the consumption of concentrated, manipulated, de-vitaminised and de-mineralised foodstuffs, that it is a disease of civilisation and over-civilisation.

— J. Ellis Barker, in 1924[11]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4039-3910-4
  2. ^ a b c "British Homeopathy during two centuries". Homéopathe International.
  3. ^ "Doctor and demagogue". British Homeopathic Association.
  4. ^
    ISBN 0-19-513581-4
  5. ^
    hdl:2027/uiug.30112069863816
    .
  6. ^
    S2CID 4042630
    .
  7. ^ "The Causes of Cancer; J. Ellis Barker, a British Investigator, Argues That It Is Due to Chronic Poisoning and Vitamin Starvation Over a Period of Years". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "A Study of Cancer". The New York Times Book Review: 14. 1924.
  9. ^
    ISBN 0-674-21625-3
  10. ^ Barker, J. Ellis. (1924). Cancer: How It Is Caused; How It Can Be Prevented. New York: E. P. Dutton & Company. pp. 249–250
  11. ^
    PMID 29418794
    .
  12. Journal of Cancer Research
    . 10 (1): 157–158. 1925.
  13. doi:10.2105/AJPH.14.9.787
    .
  14. ^ "Great and Greater Britain Discussed by J. Ellis Barker". The New York Times.

External links

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