Dr. Haig argues that not only the so-called "bilious headache," but also gout, rheumatism, and epilepsy are caused by excess of uric acid in the blood, and may be controlled by limiting the consumption of animal food and putting the patient on a farinaceous diet. With respect to epilepsy, he considers that the fits are caused by the same condition which produces periodic bilious headache in others. Dr. Haig conclusively shows that an excess of uric acid in the blood profoundly alters the circulation, and interferes with tissue change and nutrition, which finally result in serious organic disease.

Mental Depression

We are all acquainted with those unfortunate persons who, though they are possessed of all the good things of this world, though they have within their reach the pleasures which wealth can give, and the comforts and enjoyments of home and family, yet persist in thinking that life is not worth living, that ruin haunts their steps, and that the affection of friends is not for them. These are the victims of uric acid in the blood, or what is called uric-acidaemia. The condition is graphically described by Dr. Haig: " Self-reliance is absolutely gone, extreme modesty is common, or even habitual, a feather weight will crush one to the dust, and even the greatest good fortune will fail to cheer. If roused from such a condition a considerable amount of irritability and bad temper is sure to be manifested, quite out of proportion to the requirements of the case.... Clear the blood of uric acid... and the mental condition alters as if by magic; ideas flash through the brain, everything is remembered, nothing is forgotten, exercise of mind and body is a pleasure, the struggle for existence a glory, nothing is too good to happen, the impossible is within reach, and misfortunes slide like water off a duck's back."