Ozark Herb & Spice

“FOREWORD and Introduction by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons

This volume discusses a new interpretation of the nature of obesity, and
while it does not advocate yet another fancy slimming diet it does describe
a method of treatment which has grown out of theoretical considerations
based on clinical observation.
We have grown pretty sure that the tendency to accumulate
abnormal fat is a very definite metabolic disorder, much as is, for instance,
diabetes. I have always held that overeating is the result of the disorder,
not its cause.
During the 16 years that have elapsed since I first published my
findings, I have had many hundreds of inquiries from research institutes,
counselors and clients. Hitherto I could only refer those interested to my
scientific papers, though I realized that these did not contain sufficient
information to enable counselors to conduct the new treatment
satisfactorily. Those who tried were obliged to gain their own experience
through the many trials and errors which I have long since overcome.
Doctors from all over the world have come to Italy to study the
method, first hand in my clinic in the Salvator Mundi International Hospital
in Rome. For some of them the time they could spare has been too short
to get a full grasp of the technique, and in any case the number of those
whom I have been able to meet personally is small compared with the
many requests for further detailed information which keep coming in.

Obesity as a Disorder

As a basis for our discussion we postulate that obesity in all its
many forms is due to an abnormal functioning of some part of the body
and that every ounce of abnormally accumulated fat is always the result of
the same disorder of certain regulatory mechanisms. Persons suffering
from this particular disorder will get fat regardless of whether they eat
excessively, normally or less than normal. A person who is free of the
disorder will never get fat, even if he frequently overeats.
Those in whom the disorder is severe will accumulate fat very
rapidly, those in whom it is moderate will gradually increase in weight and
those in whom it is mild may be able to keep their excess weight
stationary for long periods. In all these cases a loss of weight brought
about by dieting, treatments with thyroid, appetite-reducing drugs,
laxatives, violent exercise, massage, baths, etc., is only temporary and will
be rapidly regained as soon as the reducing regimen is relaxed. The
reason is simply that none of these measures corrects the basic disorder.
While there are great variations in the severity of obesity, we shall
consider all the different forms in both sexes and at all ages as always
being due to the same disorder. Variations in form would then be partly a
matter of degree, partly an inherited bodily constitution and partly the
result of a secondary involvement of endocrine glands such as the
pituitary, the thyroid, the adrenals or the sex glands. On the other hand,
we postulate that no deficiency of any of these glands can ever directly
produce the common disorder known as obesity.
If this reasoning is correct, it follows that a treatment aimed at curing
the disorder must be equally effective in both sexes, at all ages and in all
forms of obesity. Unless this is so, we are entitled to harbor grave doubts
as to whether a given treatment corrects the underlying disorder.
Moreover, any claim that the disorder has been corrected must be
substantiated by the ability of the client to eat normally of any food he
pleases without regaining abnormal fat after treatment. Only if these
conditions are fulfilled can we legitimately speak of curing obesity rather
than of reducing weight.
Our problem thus presents itself as an enquiry into the localization
and the nature of the disorder which leads to obesity. The history of this
enquiry is a long series of high hopes and bitter disappointments.”