The Science and Fine Art of Fasting

by Herbert M. Shelton

In presenting this volume on fasting I am well aware of existing prejudices against the procedure. It has long been the practice to feed the sick and to stuff the weak on the theory that “the sick must eat to keep up their strength.” It is very unpleasant to many to see long established customs broken, and long cherished prejudices set at naught, even when a great good is to be achieved.

“Shall we not respect the accumulated wisdom of the three thousand years?,” ask the defenders of the regular school and their feeding and drugging practices.

Where, we ask, is the wisdom for us to respect? We see little more than an accumulation of absurdities and barbarities. “The accumulated wisdom of three thousand years!” Look at sick humanity around you; look at the mortality reports; look at generation after generation cut off in the very spring-time of life, and then talk of wisdom or science!

In this volume we offer you real wisdom and true science—we offer you the accumulated wisdom of many thousands of years, wisdom that will still be good when the mass of weakening, poisoning and mischief-inflicting methods of regular medicine are forgotten.

Genres: Health, Nutrition, Reference, Philosophy, Science

476 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Herbert M. Shelton was an American naturopath, alternative medicine advocate, and prolific author best known for promoting natural hygiene, fasting, and raw veganism. Born in Texas in 1895, Shelton was deeply influenced by observing animal behavior during illness and early pioneers like Isaac Jennings and Sylvester Graham. He studied at several institutions devoted to chiropractic and naturopathy, eventually graduating from the American School of Naturopathy. Shelton believed that cooked food was harmful and that the human body could heal itself without medical intervention, primarily through fasting and a raw, plant-based diet.
In 1922, he self-published Fundamentals of Nature Cure, later retitled An Introduction to Natural Hygiene. He went on to write the influential seven-volume The Hygienic System and published The Hygienic Review for forty years. In 1948, he founded the American Natural Hygiene Society, which became the National Health Association. Despite facing frequent legal challenges for practicing medicine without a license, Shelton maintained a loyal following and left a lasting legacy on the raw food and fasting movements.
A pacifist, Shelton was jailed during World War I for opposing the draft. His career was marred by controversy, including patient deaths and lawsuits, one of which led to his financial ruin and the closure of his health school. Afflicted by a degenerative disease in later life, he remained active in his work until his death in 1985. His legacy remains polarizing, viewed by some as visionary and by others as dangerously unscientific.

Reviews

[Student · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough and comprehensive book on fasting.

Modern medicine doesn't recognize fasting as a method to treat patients.

Herbert Shelton says in this book that he has cured thousands of patients of various diseases and conditions by fasting. He says fasting the natural way of letting our body do some repairs. When we don't eat, we give our body a break from constantly having to digest food and that enables the body to focus on healing. Not very scientific I know, but it makes sense from an evolutionary point of view. He gives many examples of animals fasting to heal themselves.

He describes in detail how to perform a fast, the do's and dont's, how to break a fast etc..very thorough book

"A fast is more effective than any form of diet; not because fasting
cures for it does nothing of the kind, but because it affords the body full
opportunity for house-cleaning."

[Audrey Lévesque · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf,
Lot of repetition for nothing

[Lerxst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff!