Orthopathy
Encyclopedia
Orthopathy or natural hygiene (NH) is an alternative medicine
originating from the nature cure movement. It is a form of vitalism
that considers self-healing the best and only cure for disease, and favours fasting as restorative and favours dietary and other lifestyle measures as preventative. There is no scientific or clinical evidence that supports self-healing as a general method for treating severe medical conditions such as cancer, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular disease.
Orthopathy is generally against medical treatment, with the exception of surgery in certain situations, such as for broken bones and to "remove a deadly secondary cause."
Natural hygiene is often confused with naturopathy, though they differ by philosophical definition and practice.
, began formulating his ideas about orthopathy in 1822. Several other mostly later thinkers, including Sylvester Graham
, likewise from Connecticut
, influenced the movement or are considered important to it. Also, during the 1880s, Thomas Allinson
developed his theory of medicine, which he called "Hygienic Medicine".
The founder of natural hygiene, Herbert Shelton, became a major writer on the topic, beginning with The Hygienic System: Orthopathy in 1939, bestowing a new name on the discipline.
Shelton distinguished the method of nature cure from other medical schools of thought of its time, including naturopathy, heliopathy (sun cure,) homeopathy
, 'Bio-chemic', and what Shelton called allopathy (meaning medicine
.) The nature cure movement and Shelton used standards of evidence that they considered ignored or underutilized by physicians, such as the observation that some sick animals will rest and fast except for water.
Interest in natural hygiene was renewed in the 1980s following publication of Fit for Life
and Living Health by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond.
Several natural hygiene associations currently exist, including the National Health Association, which was founded by Shelton as the American Natural Hygiene Society. The International Association of Hygienic Physicians was founded in 1978, and the International Natural Hygiene Society in 2003.
s, herb
s or excessive sunlight
as in heliopathy. Natural hygienists also recommend rest
and fasting with water for most ailments, relying on the body's vital
recuperative powers. This is known as Vis medicatrix naturae
, the healing power of nature
. Treatment of any other kind is said to interfere with this process, and symptoms such as inflammation
and vomiting are considered a natural part of healing.
Food combining
, consumption of 'incompatible' foods at the same meal, is said to lead to ill health, and consumption of only 'compatible' foods to restore it. Shelton defined 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).
Shelton rejected the germ theory of disease
, and considered all drugs and vaccines toxic. Consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, and salt are likewise discouraged, and refined, i.e. white, flour and sugar, are similarly considered to induce toxicity. So are most herbs and spices, whether used for naturopathy or even a medium amount used for flavouring.
Critics of natural hygiene have stated that NH is dangerous because it encourages prolonged fasting
and discourages proven medical interventions; Stephen Barrett
of Quackwatch
stated that "its recommended avoidance of dairy products is an invitation to osteoporosis
.".
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
originating from the nature cure movement. It is a form of vitalism
Vitalism
Vitalism, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is#a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct from biochemical reactions...
that considers self-healing the best and only cure for disease, and favours fasting as restorative and favours dietary and other lifestyle measures as preventative. There is no scientific or clinical evidence that supports self-healing as a general method for treating severe medical conditions such as cancer, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular disease.
Orthopathy is generally against medical treatment, with the exception of surgery in certain situations, such as for broken bones and to "remove a deadly secondary cause."
Natural hygiene is often confused with naturopathy, though they differ by philosophical definition and practice.
Etymology
Orthopathy is explained by Shelton as:History
The movement originated with Isaac Jennings, who, after practicing traditional medicine for 20 years in Derby, ConnecticutDerby, Connecticut
Derby is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,391 at the 2000 census. With of land area, Derby is Connecticut's smallest municipality.The city has a Metro-North railroad station called Derby – Shelton.-History:...
, began formulating his ideas about orthopathy in 1822. Several other mostly later thinkers, including Sylvester Graham
Sylvester Graham
The Reverend Sylvester Graham was an American dietary reformer. He was born in Suffield, Connecticut as the 17th child of Reverend John Graham. Sylvester Graham was ordained in 1826 as a Presbyterian minister. He entered Amherst College in 1823 but did not graduate...
, likewise from Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, influenced the movement or are considered important to it. Also, during the 1880s, Thomas Allinson
Thomas Allinson
Thomas Richard Allinson was a British doctor, dietetic reformer, business man and journalist. He was a proponent of whole grain bread consumption. His name is still used today for a bread popular in Europe, Allinson bread....
developed his theory of medicine, which he called "Hygienic Medicine".
The founder of natural hygiene, Herbert Shelton, became a major writer on the topic, beginning with The Hygienic System: Orthopathy in 1939, bestowing a new name on the discipline.
Shelton distinguished the method of nature cure from other medical schools of thought of its time, including naturopathy, heliopathy (sun cure,) homeopathy
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners claim to treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient...
, 'Bio-chemic', and what Shelton called allopathy (meaning medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
.) The nature cure movement and Shelton used standards of evidence that they considered ignored or underutilized by physicians, such as the observation that some sick animals will rest and fast except for water.
Interest in natural hygiene was renewed in the 1980s following publication of Fit for Life
Fit for Life
Fit for Life is a diet and lifestyle stemming from the principles of natural hygiene, an offshoot of naturopathic medicine. It is promoted mainly by the American writers Harvey and Marilyn Diamond...
and Living Health by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond.
Several natural hygiene associations currently exist, including the National Health Association, which was founded by Shelton as the American Natural Hygiene Society. The International Association of Hygienic Physicians was founded in 1978, and the International Natural Hygiene Society in 2003.
Practice
Like many methods of treatment, natural hygiene emphasizes prevention over cure. Natural hygiene practitioners recommend clean air, water, enough sleep, wholesome food, sunlight, exercise, and a healthy psychological life. The recommendations for a diet low in fat and high in fiber are in line with modern nutritional practice. Natural hygiene proponents do not support the use of foreign objects during treatment, whether that is drugDrug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
s, herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
s or excessive sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight, in the broad sense, is the total frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. On Earth, sunlight is filtered through the Earth's atmosphere, and solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.When the direct solar radiation is not blocked...
as in heliopathy. Natural hygienists also recommend rest
Rest
Rest may refer to:* Leisure* Human relaxation* SleepRest may also refer to:* Rest , a pause in a piece of music* Rest , the relation between two observers* Rest , a 2008 album by Gregor Samsa...
and fasting with water for most ailments, relying on the body's vital
Vitalism
Vitalism, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is#a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct from biochemical reactions...
recuperative powers. This is known as Vis medicatrix naturae
Vis medicatrix naturae
Vis medicatrix naturae is the Latin translation of the Greek, νονσων φνσεις ιητροι, a phrase attributed to Hippocrates but which he did not actually use...
, the healing power of nature
Nature
Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general...
. Treatment of any other kind is said to interfere with this process, and symptoms such as inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
and vomiting are considered a natural part of healing.
Food combining
Food combining
Food combining is a term for a nutritional approach that advocates specific combinations of foods as central to good health and weight loss...
, consumption of 'incompatible' foods at the same meal, is said to lead to ill health, and consumption of only 'compatible' foods to restore it. Shelton defined 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).
Shelton rejected the germ theory of disease
Germ theory of disease
The germ theory of disease, also called the pathogenic theory of medicine, is a theory that proposes that microorganisms are the cause of many diseases...
, and considered all drugs and vaccines toxic. Consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, and salt are likewise discouraged, and refined, i.e. white, flour and sugar, are similarly considered to induce toxicity. So are most herbs and spices, whether used for naturopathy or even a medium amount used for flavouring.
Critics of natural hygiene have stated that NH is dangerous because it encourages prolonged fasting
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
and discourages proven medical interventions; Stephen Barrett
Stephen Barrett
Stephen Joel Barrett is a retired American psychiatrist, author, co-founder of the National Council Against Health Fraud , and the webmaster of Quackwatch. He runs a number of websites dealing with quackery and health fraud. He focuses on consumer protection, medical ethics, and scientific...
of Quackwatch
Quackwatch
Quackwatch is an American non-profit organization founded by Stephen Barrett with the stated aim being to "combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct" and with a primary focus on providing "quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere."...
stated that "its recommended avoidance of dairy products is an invitation to osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
.".