Herbal Health

Pregnancy is the most intimate and heartwarming experience in the life of a married couple. Not only are the events which lead up to it very personal, but the actual incident represents a merging of the essential features of both partners.

Characteristics of both parents, including physical, mental and psychological elements, are united in an amazing manner. These factors take place at the moment of conception, and are inevitably destined to go with the new life from that point onwards to the end of his life.

In recent years, more is becoming known of this life before birth. Chromosomes, the microscopic filaments that bear the genes, the actual heredity-bearing organs, can now be studied in detail by the use of special mechanisms. The amazing extent of “genetic predetermination” is becoming understood more and more as these intricate items are visualized under powerful microscopes.

By taking cells from the amniotic fluid, the watery substance in which the baby floats in prenatal life, and examining these, a great body of information can be adduced.

The sex of the developing baby can be determined. If the infant is likely to have certain physical abnormalities, this too can often be discovered. Indeed, in several trials carried out in the United Kingdom, the researchers even claimed they could give an indication if the developing baby would grow up to be a criminal!

In every pregnancy, there must be two elements, a male and a female. The male contributes to reproduction the single-celled units called spermatozoa. These are produced as a continual, ongoing process in the testes which are located in the scrotum.

As they are produced, they are conveyed by a narrow canal called the vas deferens into the body. Here they are deposited in a storage chamber located behind the urinary bladder, and named the seminal vesicles.

Certain glands add fluid to this storage tank, so that the sperms are able to move actively about. The fluid contains nutritive elements to enable them to keep alive and very active.

Each sperm has a head and an actively waving tail which is used to propel it along. Located in the head is the nucleus, and deeply inside this, are positioned the tiny filaments called the chromosomes. These contain small knobs along heir length, termed genes. The chromosomes and genes are the heredity-bearing elements of the cell.

Just before they are discharged by the testes, the number of chromosomes in each sperm is halved. A normal cell contains forty-six, but the sperm contains only twenty-three. Included in this number is the sex-determining chromosome. This is referred to as either an X or Y chromosome.

When the sperm finally unites with the female counterpart, the ovum (which also has divided so that it contains twenty-three chromosomes), the sex of the subsequent infant will be immediately determined. An X-bearing sperm will produce a female; a Y-bearing sperm will produce a male. The ovum contains only X chromosomes, so the male contribution is the sex determinant.

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The average pregnancy will proceed with few problems until “term,” and a normal, healthy baby will be delivered. Mother and baby will be fit and well. The family will share the delight.

However, while this is the usual picture, a certain number of abnormalities can take place. Some women appear to be at special risk, and are more prone to running into trouble than others.

Some of the more important complications that may take place during the course of pregnancy are outlined briefly. This is not done to frighten the mother-to-be; nor is it meant to deter anyone from falling pregnant. This chapter is written solely to let women know that things can sometimes go wrong.

It is important that these abnormalities be recognized. The earlier this takes place, the sooner suitable treatment can be started. The majority of these complaints are readily amenable to treatment.

Many of the so-called complications may be discovered only by the doctor during his routine regular examinations. This is one very important reason why these prenatal visits should not be neglected, for, maybe quite unbeknown to you, some sinister problem is starting to develop. The doctor may pick this up promptly, but if left, it may not become evident until trouble strikes in a much bigger way.

So consider these points. The important symptoms are set out. If you notice any of these starting to make their appearance, it is essential that you contact your doctor promptly.

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So many heartaches and heartbreaks have occurred in recent years that the position has suddenly assumed major magnitude in the lives of many, and in the minds of many more, doctors included.

Without knowledge, a great many errors are made regularly. With increasing knowledge, the chances of reducing these errors increase also. Fewer errors mean fewer disasters. In turn, this yields fewer dilemma situations and sorrowful incidents.

Everybody loves to see a new life develop and be born. But nobody rejoices when that life is marred by some unfortunate, ugly deformity. There are no laurels for martyrs these days. Having a major defect at birth, or even worse, of developing one some years later for reasons entirely out of one’s control, but due to influences occurring before birth, is an even more difficult plight to contend with.

Current knowledge allows many of these problems to be stopped before they occur. Care in medication, care if certain diseases are contacted or contracted, sticking implicitly to medical advice, all plays a valuable part.

It is imperative that every prospective mother (and father too, for that matter) at least be aware of the potential hazards in the world of today. They are many. But equally, many can be avoided by sound common sense.

Please read this advice, try to remember it, and at least be practical about it. It could make someone’s future so much brighter.

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Cytomegalovirus Infections (CMV). Infection with this virus is common among adults, and it often passes unrecognized. However, should a pregnant woman become infected for the first time, the virus readily passes the placental barriers into the developing embryo. Here, serious consequences can occur. In fact, in many cases it causes the death of the developing infant. But in instances where it survives, severe neo-natal illness invariably follows.

The liver is affected, and jaundice can occur to a severe degree. But the most important defect is in the brain. The virus is responsible for serious neurological complications which frequently result in mental retardation. In fact, about 10 per cent of the cases of mental retardation in the United Kingdom are allegedly due to CMV infections before birth. At best, treatment is poor, and the outlook for babies affected before birth is grave.

Other Viral Infections. Since the recognition of these two well-established viral foes to developing infants, a large amount of investigation has been carried out with other common forms of viral infection.

Although the evidence is not so concrete, it seems that almost any viral infection during early pregnancy may, in some cases, produce developmental problems. The common cold, due to an ever-changing number of related viruses, and various forms of influenza, have also been incriminated.

No doubt time and more research will give a clearer picture of their virulence and danger in the pregnancy picture.

Poliomyelitis is fortunately a disease that has almost vanished from the scene of Western medicine. But sporadic cases are still reported. It is worth noting that pregnant women are quite prone to this very disabling disease, and the risks of paralysis, it seems, are more likely in the early stages of the disease.

Therefore, women who have not received immunisation against polio are advised to have this carried out. This is even more important if they intend travelling in the near future to a country where polio is still rampant, and there are many countries in the world where this is the case.

Bacterial Infections. Two other infections are worthy of mention. These are both venereal in nature, and are represented by gonorrhoea and syphilis. Both may have an adverse effect on the developing embryo, as well as having serious repercussions on the parent if left untreated.

Both diseases are produced by bacteria. Therefore, they are much more amenable to treatment. Massive doses of currently used antibiotics can quickly destroy the bacteria before they can do much harm to the embryo, provided therapy is instituted promptly.

However, there must be a history of sexual contact (presumably with an infected partner) before these diseases can be contracted. Both diseases have been fairly quiet until very recent times, when both have shown a marked upsurge in activity. It is now well recognized that promiscuous living and a variety of sexual partners constitute the most common way of contracting either or both of these diseases.

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For many reasons, I urge you to discuss all problems involving disfigurement with your family doctor. He will evaluate the situation, and if an operation is indicated, he will know how to find a good plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Be sure to consult your doctor about wens, fatty tumours, and other growths, even if their appearance does not particularly trouble you, as it may be necessary to remove them to prevent later difficulty. Never consult a self-styled ‘beauty expert’ in these cases. Your doctor will know who can be trusted in matters such as the removal of unsightly hair.

Squint (strabismus)

Although a squint can be corrected late in life, it is most important to consult a doctor early for this condition. If it is not attended to in time, the vision may be badly impaired.

The eyes of infants tend to waver and turn inwards, but this usually corrects itself by the time the baby is three to six months old. If it does not, or if the eyes are continually crossed in the same way even before the baby reaches six months, consult your doctor. He may be able to start correcting the condition quite early. For example, he may put a patch over the baby’s good eye, forcing him to use the weaker one, instead of letting it get worse from lack of use. He may recommend glasses or exercises or both, making it possible to avoid an operation, or to keep the condition from doing any damage to the vision until the suitable time for an operation.

Artificial eyes and other prosthetic devices

A person who has lost an eye, or who has one that is sightless and disfiguring, can now be fitted with a glass or plastic eye that is indistinguishable from a real one. These prosthetic devices have been improved so tremendously that not only is such an eye absolutely identical with the natural one, but it moves in unison with it, since it is attached to the eye muscles. Even a child can be fitted with one, and a new eye provided as he grows.

Other prosthetic devices such as hands, ears, feet, arms, and legs have been so greatly improved in recent years that they look and function as though they were real. No one, child or adult, need be disfigured today because of an accident or a congenital condition requiring the use of an artificial limb.

Harelip and cleft palate

These two conditions are similar, resulting from the failure of the two sides of the face to unite properly before the baby is born. This disunity may involve only the superficial tissues, or may extend to the uvula or the hard and soft palates.

The extent of difficulty in sucking, and later in speaking, caused by this condition varies according to its degree. But even if it does not cause much difficulty, it should be corrected by an operation or series of operations as early as your doctor recommends. These operations are performed so skilfully today that it is almost impossible to detect any disfigurement. It is important to start speech therapy as soon as possible after an operation has united the tissues.

Cauliflower and other types of unsightly ears

A cauliflower ear, which we associate with prizefighters, is caused by bleeding beneath the skin of the ear, usually as the result of a blow. The blood eventually becomes a hard substance, but this need not happen. The blood can be drawn off by a physician with a needle before the blood hardens and alters the shape of the ear. Even after the hardening occurs, cauliflower ears can be corrected by surgery.

Large, protruding, or mis-shapen ears can be operated upon with excellent results. There is no reason for being embarrassed by them, or letting your child run the risk of becoming shy and anxious because of constant teasing about his ears.

Mis-shapen nose

Most people have heard about the truly remarkable results that are obtained by plastic surgery to correct the size and shape of the nose. It is even possible to rebuild crushed and destroyed noses by means of implants of tissue from other parts of the body, or replace them with substances such as silver and latex. However, I do want to caution you against having your nose, or that of your child, operated upon by anyone but a really competent plastic surgeon.

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Take your time

It takes time to eat proper meals and learn to enjoy them instead of swallowing your food as quickly as possible. A relaxed atmosphere or pleasant surroundings may help to prolong your mealtime so you can eat more without feeling stuffed. As a rule, people eat more at meals where the food is all placed on the table and they help themselves, than they do when food is passed to them formally. It takes thought and attention for you to find out what is best for you.

Substitute high calorie for low calorie foods

Concentrate on fattening foods such as cream soups, mayonnaise, cereals with heavy cream, sauces made with butter or margarine or thickened with flour, and desserts to which hard sauce or whipped cream has been added. Substitute high calorie vegetables such as peas, potatoes, and lima beans for bulky, low calorie ones until your stomach has grown accustomed to handling larger quantities.

Add high calorie foods

Get in the habit of putting a little more butter or margarine on your bread; add an extra pat of butter—which most restaurants will provide—to your vegetables and soups. Add cream to your milk.

Eat more

You can do it. Another piece of bread and butter or a second helping soon becomes a matter of habit.

Snacks

You can learn to enjoy snacks, especially before bedtime. Rich milk or cocoa or an eggnog with some biscuits can add plenty of calories and may even make you sleep better. Try it. If insomnia or restless sleep results, you may be able to add snacks between meals.

Sweets

These present a ticklish problem. They may satiate the hunger for more valuable foods. If they do not interfere with your appetite and do help you to gain weight, be sure to have frequent dental check-ups.

Smoking

There is no doubt that smoking tends to keep people from eating and interferes with the enjoyment of good food. As I have mentioned, heavy smoking is such a health hazard in so many ways that your weight problem is one more good reason for cutting down.

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Do not worry about mixing foods. There is no truth to the old superstition that something terrible will happen when acid and alkaline foods get together in your stomach, or that you will get sick if you eat lobster and milk, or ice cream and cherries, at the same meal.

You may react violently to certain foods because you are allergic to them. (See the entry on allergy in the encyclopaedia section.) However, some foods may disagree with you because of an association; for example, one patient of mine says he is always nauseated by orange juice because his parents used to give him foul-tasting castor oil in it. You yourself know best whether to try to overcome the aversion or to avoid the food.

There is no basis for such superstitions as that eating oysters will increase virility or that fish is brain food. Garlic will not purify the blood, and carrots will never make your hair curl.

You do not need to cut down on the quantity of food you eat in the summer, unless, of course, you cut down on your activity and do not want to gain weight. But foods will not thicken or heat the blood, no matter what the weather.

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There is more to food than the simple matter of satisfying one’s hunger pangs. Some people enjoy food so much that they practically live in order to eat. Others care little about it and simply eat in order to live. I have seen patients from both these groups whose diets are inadequate, sometimes even incompatible with good health. This chapter gives information about good diets and eating habits for everyone.

When to eat

Doctors advise three square meals a day, with or without additional snacks. The latter depend on you—your weight, whether or not they spoil your appetite for the food you should have, and how much you want them. Some people are miserable when deprived of their coffee break or afternoon tea or a bedtime raid on the refrigerator. On the other hand, some people are undernourished because they drink countless cups of tea or coffee instead of eating regular meals, or they spend restless nights because they indulge in sandwiches or snacks before going to bed.

Why three meals? Why not just eat when you feel like it? Mainly because it is more practical in our present civilization. (And, incidentally, some primitive people eat a morning, noon, and late evening meal.) Energy-producing foods can be spaced better when you have three meals a day; if you eat one huge meal, you are apt to feel like a hibernating python when you have finished! Three meals a day make it easier to plan an adequate diet and to make sure you are getting it.

The relative size, of the midday and evening meals is up to you. The only point I stress is: if you have your dinner at noon, allow enough time for it. The average lunch hour is not long enough for the trip to your home or a good restaurant, with a few stops on the way to attend to errands, and a hearty dinner. Doctors no longer advise people to chew each mouthful a specific number of times; but I do urge you not to bolt your food. Chewing mixes it with saliva and gets your digestion off to a good start; having enough time to relax encourages the whole digestive process considerably. Besides, many women might be better cooks if their families did not gulp down their best efforts like seals swallowing a piece of fish—as a housewife complained to me recently.

When I write about three meals a day, I am thinking of a man or woman in reasonably good health. Persons with certain illnesses, like coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, may be better off eating four or five smaller meals a day.

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Good posture is usually an expression of good health rather than a major factor in producing good health. As a rule, a healthy person will automatically find a comfortable, attractive posture.

There are a few posture rules worth putting into practice every day. At work, at school, or at home, your chair should feel comfortable and should give sufficient support so that your back rests against its back. The chair should be strong and solid enough to take your weight comfortably and should not sag or rock when you sit in it. The choice of a well-designed chair is especially important for people who sit for long periods during their working hours—for example, typists and office workers. They should sit squarely, with their feet placed on the floor a short distance in front of their chairs as shown on page 19, avoiding such bad habits as wrapping one leg around the leg of the chair.

A patient of mine, a six-footer who travels a great deal by car, told me that he always pulls the seat as far forward as possible when he is driving. In this way he sits quite straight, his back is supported, and he is able to press down on the accelerator instead of having to stretch out his leg to reach it at an angle. This driving posture is far easier on the muscles of the back as well as of the leg, but be sure that your control over the steering wheel is not affected by the change of position.

Posture for the standing position is important if your work requires that you be on your feet for long hours at a time. Study the illustrations on page 20, which show good and bad posture. When correcting your posture, find a relaxed, attractive stance that feels restful. Do not try to stand as erect as a soldier at a military parade.

If your posture does not satisfy you, try to improve it by a period of exercises. Also, be sure your weight is correct as judged by the information I give in Chapter 2. Develop skill in one of the sports I have suggested, or take long walks. If after several months you are still troubled by problems with your posture, see your doctor for a check-up and advice.

Posture during and after pregnancy

Many women lose their fine carriage and figure during pregnancy and never regain their former good posture and muscle tone. There is no need for this. During pregnancy, the pull on the abdominal and back muscles can be reduced by the use of maternity corsets that your doctor will prescribe if they are necessary.

After the baby has been born, the mother should carry through the series of exercises given on pages 219-220. These will help to bring back the strength of the abdominal muscles. Many women have borne a half-dozen children and have retained trim body outlines.

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