This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 18th day of February, 1933, in accordance with request made by self - Miss [278], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body here, [278]; this we have had before.
2. Now, as we find, conditions are much in the manner that we have given might be expected when there was begun the adding to the system of those things, elements, vibrations, which would bring about a balancing of the conditions, that there might be the proper and normal coordination for the body.
3. While there has been the entrance or the decided activity of a congestion, this is a result of the warring of elements in the system that war one with another, and is now affecting the system in such a way as to produce greater irritations to the body.
4. If there will be the continued use of those active and activating forces that have been outlined for the body, as we find, these will bring about a stability in the physical forces as to gradually now make for the better and more near normal conditions of the body.
5. To be sure, precautions must be taken that there is not allowed too much activity of the "flu" or cold germs; by keeping warm and the system in more of an alkalin condition, and the like.
6. For this particular condition (that is, the congestion) we would, at least once or twice a day, massage the soles of the feet, the throat, bronchi, head and the soft tissue, or over the portions in the head of the soft tissue or antrum, and the like, with equal parts of turpentine, mutton tallow and spirits of camphor. This will tend to relax those portions of system and allay the humor that is created by the excitements in the blood stream (causing temperature), and allow the congestion from various portions of the body to be thrown more and more by the circulation into the eliminating channels. This should only be done while the congestion is apparent, or until the congestion has been entirely eliminated or relieved.
7. While the strength is still in a low condition, from many of the existing forces, the activities of those properties and principles that have been taken internally for the various organs of the system, are in reality creating a greater resistance; for the basic activities of the system are exercising their functionings in the present.
8. Ready for questions.
9. (Q) How may I strengthen my heart, improve and clear my circulation system?
   (A) By keeping up those properties that have been outlined for increasing the flow of energies in the system, to the various portions.
   The weakness, or the condition in the heart's action, is rather exhaustion from the removing of poisons and their conditions in the system. Because these conditions become such as to cause palpitation, or those tendencies for dizziness even, these are NOT so much organic disturbance as the natural disturbed functioning TO the organ itself; and we would keep those things outlined.
10. (Q) What physical activity or exercises are permissable and advised?
    (A) Until there is relief from the cold and congestion, and the general abilities of the system are better, not a great deal of activity would be advisable for the body. Just that sufficient in the present to prevent the abnormalcies of locomotions being settling, as it were; or, as seen, there is the tendency or appearances of continued weakness by over-exercise, or a weakening condition by too little exercise. Hence just sufficient to keep rather a balance for the body.
11. (Q) What are my best sources for studying the problem of diet? ["I use Kellogg's New Dietetics, McCoy's Fast Way to Health, Hay's Health via Food, Lendlahr's Practice of Nature Cure."]
    (A) There are many varied channels that are what would ordinarily be termed an authority on varied and various conditions. As we have outlined for the body, these are rather too general; but if the body will watch self and the REACTIONS of the various foods or preparations, and draw a comparison from what may be termed a combination of ALL the various authorities, then the body will find what is best for self. See?
12. (Q) Why do I fail to enter or make progress on the path to renewal and restoration?
    (A) Progress IS being made! The body physically is passing through those periods, as we have just described, where the removal or stirring up of the basic forces that have been the foundation of the disturbances makes for that feeling or reaction in the present of the extra weakened condition. But with patience does one possess, or re-possess, one's own self, WITHIN self - see?
13. (Q) Any other advice for this body at this time?
    (A) We would with patience, persistence, and a great degree of consistency, carry on with those suggestions that have been previously made, as well as adding those made here for the immediate conditions - see? and we will find that the better forces in the physical body will respond.
14. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to File

BACKGROUND

1. 1/14/33 She obtained 278-1 for chronic membranous mucous colitis.
2. 2/14/33 She submitted questions saying her most marked symptom at present was heart weakness and irregularity, also suffering from influenza cold.

REPORTS

1. 2/22/33 She thanked EC for the reading: "I am glad and thankful to report that I believe I have thrown off the cold and bronchial attack to a large extent. There remain some ear and throat affection, irritable bronchial tract and lingering cough. These will be helped by the massage with the application prescribed by the reading..." [She asked questions about her diet.]
2. 3/15/33 EC's letter: "After studying your letter I have been wondering if it would not have been well for you to have had the reading to outline for you rather a specific diet; that is, giving you what you should have for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But, inasmuch as you have been studying diet, possibly you have arrived at more or less of a satisfactory routine; though I am very sure you should not reduce your vitality by making too many strains on your system. The usual routine given through the readings is more like this:
   Mornings - citrus fruit, citrus fruit juices, or stewed fruits of any kind. Or it may be changed to any of the cereals, dry or cooked. However, do not use the citrus fruit at the same meal with cereals or stewed fruits. A coddled egg, or the yolk of an egg. The albumin or white is rather hard for those who have a disturbed digestion. However, by this time you should be sufficiently balanced in the gastric juices of the digestive system, with the use of AL-CAROID, to be able to change to possibly a much more nutritious diet; those foods that are - while not acid - tended towards the digestive influences, or a well-balanced gastric flow for their digestion.
   Noons - green vegetables made into salads, a combination of all those that you find agreeing with your digestion; lettuce, celery, spinach, mustard, radish, onion, or any of these that are of a palatable nature. Or there may be added beans, especially prepared for such salads; peas or the like. Or the fruit; as canned peaches, apples, pears, apricots, prunes and the like. Any of these may be eaten at the same meal with the vegetable salad. Nuts may be hard for your system as yet, but they are most nutritious and carry a very large quantity of oil that is most beneficial to most people in recuperation for any condition that has used up the vitality. To be sure, these should be taken in a way best assimilated.
   Evenings - cooked vegetables and meats.
   Whether this is the routine you have worked out or not, I'm sure if you will study along this line you will be able to arrive at a diet that will be most satisfactory; for we have found this to be rather a consistent formula or order of the meals throughout all the information we have had, even for those very low in resistance or where the digestion or stomach disorders have existed and do exist.
3. 3/15/33 She wrote: "I can say mucous of colitis less evident which is encouraging, though constipation continues, perhaps slightly improved...
   "That I have been put in the way to receive help through your insights and spiritual gifts gives confidence that the unseen is working for me."
4. 5/20/33 She wrote: "It is my regret and loss that demands on my margin of time and energy have not allowed me to follow up the help I have received from you with further expressions of appreciation and gratitude...
   "Just now there is an acute physical condition of stomach and liver requiring help... There is greater or less tension of the stomach and sometimes, almost a spasm is felt. I have known for a number of years, from checking of test foods and their elimination, that excessive peristaltic action exists in the small intestine. This condition is complicated by an inactive crippled colon. To me my problem seems to be, how to equalize undue evacuation in one quarter and lack of normal action in another. Please advise me...
   "The colitis has improved with greater and more regular bowel action uninduced by enema or medicine. I feel I owe subsidence of mucous of colitis to your 'Atomidine'. I cannot trace action of Eno's fruit salt, which I do not seem to require now, nor Alcaroid and Caroid & Bile Salts tablets so definitely, though I know they have benefitted me.
   "Do I repeat 28 day cycle of treatment as given in your first reading, indefinitely, or for how long?...
   "I followed faithfully to the best of my intelligence the first cycle but have not repeated it, although I have adhered so far as able to the diet suggested, only adding from prohibited underground vegetables potatoes and carrots within the last few weeks. When is prohibited list to be allowed? With irritated stomach have been able to use less of citric fruits and dried limas and navy beans do not agree. I hope not to burden you with so much detail."
5. 5/27/33 EC wrote her about attending the Edgar Cayce Foundation dinner meeting in N.Y. Then:
   "Now regarding your physical condition at the present time, I am sure you have read and re-read the information that was presented in your first reading. I had to remark to my secretary just now, as I reviewed your first reading, that to me it does seem remarkable that this reading could present to you those conditions that are even arising in your physical body just now. I may not say that I wholly comprehend this, but I see it as this: "First, you - yourself - understand what you have to contend with, in physical suffering, better than anyone could possibly tell you; and, as that first reading gives, these conditions CAN be eliminated. It requires more patience and persistence than anything else. I would infer from that given, that it would require - every few periods, say every month or such matter - the resorting to many of those elements given in the first reading; possibly the necessity of the salts, or bile salts tablets, will not arise so often. Our experience with the AL-CAROID is that this will assist occasionally, and it may be taken today and not be taken again for a week - but it will assist in reducing acidity in the digestive system, stomach itself; causing digestion to take place without producing an excess of gas, which no doubt is that disturbing you - as I gather from what you say in your letter. I'm sure you will find periods, too, when for a few days it would be well to take the Atomidine. And when you find, of course, that such foods as beans and things do not agree with you, you will know best to leave them off - and you will change the diet to such things as barley, or rice, prepared in different ways. These last are starchy, I realize, and may be just a bit different from potatoes, carrots, or things of that kind - but these you will try out, as the various circumstances arise. If I understand aright, Miss [278], the whole gist of the information through these channels is this:
   "Everything we have in this material world is GOOD - for something; it does not always coincide with that we have builded within our own experience, either physical or mental. We may not be able to eat certain foods today, that may be the very things for us within a week or ten days. Why? There is within a normal living physical body every element that is outside of the physical body. It is the unbalancing of these elements within our systems that produces an environ such as to create cross-currents. Let me illustrate this for you in your own line of endeavor: You have seen individuals in certain environs who choose to fill their minds with reading of a certain character, until they warp their whole mental outlook upon life; it is over stimulated in certain directions with a lack of equilibrium in other directions. Now the mental body and the physical body, of course, work hand in hand. So, if there arises anytime when one condition produces an unbalancing, change to another. Remember, one of the writers has said to us, 'All things work together for good to those who love the Lord,' but 'TRY ye the spirits -' and test them out, KNOW from whence they have their power over you! Now this may be applied to foods, drugs, reading matter, or what not - for they are all ONE, aren't they?
   "I hope I have made myself clear. Sometimes I ramble so far, that some say I do not explain things at all. "You will find it necessary, I am sure, to use high enemas at times to overcome that sluggish condition in the colon; just as you will find it necessary to reduce any irritation to the muco-membranes of the upper intestinal system, preventing the burning sensation arising from the overtaxed digestive system. Have you ever attempted to take very small quantities of olive oil? This we have found to be possibly one of the best foods for the intestinal system. Take it in very small quantities two or three times a day; a few drops or a quarter teaspoonful at the time. Should the condition be such that this burns your stomach, or you belch it, then reduce the quantity but keep on taking it; for it is food for the membranes of the digestive system. Try this.
   "I hope I have helped to get conditions clarified, and that you will find an opportunity to write us often. Know we are very anxious to help, and we certainly do appreciate your beautiful letters.
   "With all good wishes, I am"
   Sincerely,
   EC:GD
6. 10/18/34 She wrote: "My interest in your work and its advancement is even deeper than when I was in communication with you. Each day shows me that guidance for the whole man must have its final source from within. My faith and belief are more firmly established, yet the desired rapport of spirit, mind and body, which means harmony, health on these levels, has not been achieved. On account of heart, head and kidney symptoms (colitis not overcome but helped by your suggestion of Atomidine), I wanted a ck. up by you very much, your vision giving a more penetrating and inclusive analysis than is possible from the best medical examination alone. Lack of funds only has prevented me...My obligations so exceed my resources that I am unable to pledge the support that I would like to give your work for which I have so sincere a regard, yet I wish to keep in touch with it."
7. 10/29/34 EC wrote her not to hesitate to ask for help whenever she felt he might give it, regardless of finances.
8. 6/01/37 GD's note: We took her off our Active mailing list today, since we have not heard from her since 10/34.

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation