Orthopathy
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Orthopathy (from the Greek ὀρθός orthos 'right' and πάθος pathos 'suffering') or natural hygiene (NH) is a set of alternative medical beliefs and practices originating from the Nature Cure movement. Proponents claim that fasting, dieting, and other lifestyle measures are all that is necessary to prevent and treat disease.[1]
Natural hygiene is an offshoot of
History and practice
19th century
The orthopathy movement originated with Isaac Jennings in the 1820s, who practiced conventional medicine for many years but became discouraged with its results.[3][4] Jennings' system was firmly opposed to all medicine and was known as the 'no-medicine plan'.[4][5] He prescribed bathing, rest and a vegetarian diet as part of his system.[6][7]
In 1837, Colonel John Benson, Sylvester Graham and William Alcott founded the American Physiological Society (APS) in Boston to promote Grahamism, which lasted just three years.[8][9] The APS was the first natural hygiene organization in the United States.[9] Mary Gove Nichols lectured for the Ladies Physiological Society, an off-shoot of the APS.[9] In the 1840s, Joel Shew was influenced by the dieting ideas of Sylvester Graham and promoted natural hygiene practices such as bathing, exercise and massage as well as the elimination of alcohol and tobacco.[10]
Isaac Jennings in his 1867 book The Tree of Life, defined orthopathy as 'from orthos, right, true, erect; and pathos, affection. Nature is always upright—moving in the right direction'.
Natural hygiene was often associated with
In 1887,
During the 1880s, Thomas Allinson developed his theory of medicine, which he called 'Hygienic Medicine'.
20th century
Natural hygienist George S. Weger managed Weger Health School in Redlands, California (1923–1935).[17]
Herbert M. Shelton who has been described as 'the twentieth century's premier natural hygienist', was influenced by Sylvester Graham and Russell T. Trall.[18] Shelton wrote much on the topic, beginning with The Hygienic System: Orthopathy[19] in 1939, which renamed orthopathy as 'Natural Hygiene'.
Consumption of 'incompatible' foods in one meal is said to lead to ill health, and consumption of 'compatible' foods is said to maintain it: Shelton defined food combining and seven groups of food, sorted by function as: supplying energy (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) needed to build the body (proteins, salts, and water) and regulating bodily processes (minerals, vitamins, and water).[1]
White supremacist Ben Klassen was influenced by Shelton and natural hygienic principles and promoted his own 'racial health' regimen known as Salubrious Living.[20][21] However, Klassen emphasised there were differences between his doctrine and the natural hygiene movement as the latter did not focus on perpetuating the white race like his regimen did.[21] Klassen co-authored the book Salubrious Living with Arnold DeVries in 1982.[20]
Interest in natural hygiene was renewed in the 1980s following publication of Fit for Life and Living Health by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond.[1]
Organizations
In 1948, the American Natural Hygiene Society (ANHS) was founded by Herbert Shelton, William Esser, Gerald Benesh, Christopher Gian-Cursio, Jesse Mercer Gehman, Irving Davidson, Jack Dunn Trop and Symon Gould.[22] In 1998, the ANHS became the National Health Association.[23]
In 1956, Keki Sidhwa established the British Natural Hygiene Society (BNHS).[24][25] The International Association of Hygienic Physicians was founded in 1978.[1]
Criticism
Medical experts consider natural hygiene practices such as
Claims from natural hygienists about fasting curing cancer are not supported by scientific evidence. According to the American Cancer Society, "available scientific evidence does not support claims that fasting is effective for preventing or treating cancer in humans".[30]
Founders
See also
- List of orthopaths
References
- ^ a b c d e f Barrett, Stephen (1 January 2007). "A Critical Look at 'Natural Hygiene'". Retrieved 15 April 2009.
- ISBN 0-8493-2705-9
- ^ Orcutt, Samuel; Beardsley, Ambrose (1880). The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642–1880. With Biographies and Genealogies. Press of Springfield Printing Company. pp. 601–603
- ^ ISBN 978-1-85573-957-4
- ^ ISBN 978-0691641898
- ^ Fletcher, Robert Samuel (1943). A History of Oberlin College From its Foundation Through the Civil War. Oberlin College. p. 332
- ISBN 978-0275975197
- JSTOR 20300989.
- ^ ISBN 978-0275975197
- ISBN 0-275-97541-X
- ISBN 978-1-60497-621-2
- ISBN 978-1-4511-7319-2
- ISBN 978-0275975197
- ISBN 0-299-16694-5
- ISBN 978-0275975197
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8262-1791-2
- ^ Anonymous (1936). Bulletin of the University of Maryland School of Medicine 1935–1936. University of Maryland School of Medicine. p. 48
- ISBN 978-0275975197
- ^ Herbert M Shelton, 'The Hygienic System' vol. VI: Orthopathy, Dr. Shelton's Health School: San Antonio, Texas, 1941
- ^ ISBN 978-1438462035
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8156-3544-4
- ^ 'National Health Association Timeline' Archived 27 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ 'History of the National Health Association' Archived 27 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ 'British Natural Hygiene Society'. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ 'Dr Keki Sidhwa, 92: Energetic advocate of natural cures'. The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ a b Pepper, Claude (1984). Quackery: A $10 Billion Dollar Scandal. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 94
- ^ Dunning, Brian (19 February 2007). "Skeptoid #28: Natural Hygiene: Health Without Medicine (or Wisdom)". Skeptoid. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ISBN 0-7236-7046-3
- ^ ISBN 0-87975-855-4
- ISBN 978-0944235713.