LDLN - No 036

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit," number 36, from April 1961, is dedicated to exploring profound questions about humanity's place in the universe, the potential for extraterrestrial life, and the crucial aspects of youth education. Founded by R. Veillith, the magazine aims to guide readers toward truth and uncover often-overlooked realities.

LE POINT DE VUE DE SIRIUS

This section opens with a quote from Camille Flammarion, posing a question from beings of Sirius or Capella about humanity's "national and international politics." The author uses this as a springboard to encourage readers to contemplate humanity's smallness in the vast cosmos. By mentally traveling to Sirius, a journey that would take 90,000 years at high speed, the Earth appears insignificant. The article reflects on the vanity of human endeavors and the perpetual, seemingly senseless wars that plague humanity, citing a calculation that the number of men killed in wars could form a necklace six times around the globe. It suggests that true citizenship is cosmic, transcending national and ideological barriers.

VENUS, CETTE INCONNUE (Venus, This Unknown)

Authored by Joseph Andre, this article discusses Venus in light of a recent Russian space probe launch. It references previous studies on Venus, Mars, and the Moon, including signals detected from these celestial bodies. The author mentions a past article titled "La Lune est-elle habitée" (Is the Moon Inhabited?) published in 1933, which garnered attention. The article highlights that Venus is the planet most similar to Earth in terms of density. It presents a description of Venus's surface based on research from 1936, depicting continents, oceans, communication routes, and even suggesting a colossal bridge. The text notes the presence of high mountains but contrasts this with telescopic observations that reportedly show no relief, only insignificant valleys. The author posits that Venus could be habitable if vegetation purifies its atmosphere, which is rich in carbon dioxide. The article also touches upon the planet's magnetic field, comparing it to Earth, the Moon, and Mars, and suggests that beings similar to humans might exist there, sending signals.

LE RATIONALISME ET LA PLURALITE DES MONDES HABITES (Rationalism and the Plurality of Inhabited Worlds) - Continued

This section, authored by Pierre Guerin, a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics in Paris, continues the publication of a conference given to the Union Rationaliste. It discusses research by Audouin Dollfus on the polarization of light reflected from planetary surfaces, which helps determine surface composition. Dollfus's work on Mars suggests its dark surface areas are covered by a deposit of fine, dark granules, possibly microscopic plants like cryophytes or phaeophytes, rather than purely mineral oxides of iron. The article notes that this dark matter appears seasonally and its rapid spread is unlike anything seen on Earth's deserts. It also references the work of astrophysicist William Sinton, who identified hydrocarbon and carbohydrate bands in Mars's infrared spectrum, suggesting an organic nature for the dark material. The possibility of life on other planets is discussed, with the current scientific consensus favoring the general process of planet formation over cataclysmic events. However, observing exoplanets remains a challenge due to their faintness and proximity to their stars.

EDUCATION DES JEUNES (Education of Youth)

Authored by Louis Canivet, a Doctor of Philosophy, Theology, and Letters, this article addresses the challenges of educating young people. It begins by referencing Mgr Fulton Sheen's critique of parental education methods. Canivet shares a personal anecdote about his own childhood, marked by his mother's exclusive affection due to past losses. He argues against overly exclusive methods, advocating for granting young people a sense of relative freedom and autonomy as they approach puberty, while maintaining discreet supervision. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the "awkward age" and the infinite variations in individual personalities, suggesting that rigid rules are often inadequate. The article highlights the need for educators to be receptive and avoid projecting their own issues onto the adolescent. It concludes by stressing that true education involves more than procreation; it's about "creating" individuals who can integrate effectively into society, are enlightened, adapted to modern challenges, and capable of becoming responsible parents themselves. A quote from Alexis Carrel is included, stating that impoliteness, dirtiness, jealousy, and duplicity are graver faults than ignorance of grammar or geography.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rationalist and scientific approach to understanding the universe, while also embracing philosophical and spiritual contemplation. There's a strong emphasis on seeking truth, questioning established norms, and exploring the potential for life beyond Earth. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to broaden their perspectives beyond terrestrial concerns and to consider humanity's cosmic destiny. The inclusion of articles on education suggests a concern for the development of future generations and their ability to navigate complex societal and scientific issues.

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night), identified as issue II and dated November 1958, focuses on critiques of contemporary science and emphasizes the importance of health and preventive medicine. The cover headline announces an "ADMONITION TO MEDITATE, BY AN ACADEMICIAN, ON THE INEXPLICABLE SCIENCE."

Article 1: Avertissement à méditer, d'un académicien, sur la science inexplicable (Admonition to Meditate, by an Academician, on Inexplicable Science)

This section, written by René PRADEL, introduces an article by Monsieur Jules ROMAINS, a member of the Académie française. Pradel recounts being surprised to hear Romains discuss the "confusion" and "hermeticism" of contemporary science on a television program. Romains presented a small book titled "Pour Raison Garder" (To Keep Reason), which contains his reflections and meditations on scientific questions. Romains invited readers and viewers to share their opinions. Pradel, intrigued that such a renowned writer was interested in science, ordered the book. He notes the book's modest size, suggesting it's meant to be accessible and widely read.

Pradel highlights several chapter titles from Romains' book, including "The Why?", "Reactions of the Spirit," "Science and Reality," "Virtues of Astonishment," and "Legibility - etc., etc." He finds a striking parallelism between Romains' thoughts and his own articles. Specifically, he quotes Romains' astonishment regarding the properties attributed to light and photons, questioning the nature of light particles. Romains poses questions about what truly happens in the interval between the origin and arrival of phenomena, and whether we should not be less easily satisfied with suggested explanations. He also raises a general problem of "conceivability" of real mechanisms, arguing that even positive science, which claims to merely observe and formulate reports, implicitly presumes real mechanisms.

Pradel concludes that Romains, like himself, advocates for critical thinking and not accepting everything at face value, urging readers to remain positivists. He expresses satisfaction that an eminent writer is raising concerns about science becoming increasingly opaque, attributing this opacity to the very people responsible for making it clearer. Pradel agrees with Romains' call to action, stating, "Monsieur J. ROMAINS is right to call them out!" The book "Pour Raison Garder" is published by Flammarion.

Article 2: La Mort est dans l'Intestin (Death is in the Intestine)

This article, by Docteur BOESNACH, draws upon the work of the Austrian doctor MAYR. Dr. Mayr, while assisting in a spa town treating digestive diseases, sought to understand the signs of good health from medical professionals. He found that no one could provide a clear definition, nor could they ascertain if seemingly healthy individuals had a normally functioning intestine free from harmful substances. Mayr developed a method of radical intestinal cleansing for all his patients, which proved highly successful in treating various ailments. This practice revealed that many people who felt well, even those with regular bowel movements, had intestines that were not functioning normally.

After decades of practice, Dr. Mayr established the principal signs of good health. The article laments that billions are spent annually on treating diseases, while preventive medicine receives little attention, despite the adage that prevention is easier than cure. The failure to identify signs of good health leads to a lack of early disease detection. The article acknowledges that poor diet and lifestyle are primary causes of illness, emphasizing that health is not bought at a pharmacy but achieved through active participation in combating detrimental habits.

Dr. Mayr's work suggests that disease unfolds in three acts: waiting at the doctor's, hospitalization/clinic/bed, and finally, burial. The article posits that most civilization diseases stem from digestive system defects, caused by overeating and poor diet from birth to death. It notes that both the young and old, healthy or sick, commit serious errors in the quality and quantity of their food. The digestive system, comprising the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, duodenum, large intestine, rectum, and anus, along with accessory organs like salivary glands, mucous glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys, requires balanced activity for good health.

Beyond food transformation and assimilation, the intestine's vital function is to expel waste as feces. This, along with the skin, is a crucial depurative function that detoxifies the blood and the entire organism. Fecal matter contains not only food waste but also the body's worn-out products and byproducts of disassimilation. The article states that if these intestinal wastes are not expelled, a significant portion passes into the blood through osmosis, causing intoxication and diseases, including auto-intoxication of the intestine.

Article 3: The Dangers of Intestinal Auto-Intoxication

This section continues the discussion on intestinal health. It questions the characteristics of normal stools, describing them as cylindrical with rounded ends, varying in odor and color based on diet, and sinking in water. If stools adhere to the anus, it indicates intestinal disturbance. The excessive use of toilet paper is presented as evidence that most people unknowingly have a malfunctioning intestine.

In nature, healthy animals do not soil themselves with their excrement. If they do, it's a sign of intestinal illness. Constipation, previously thought to be mere intestinal laziness, is corrected by Dr. Mayr's findings, which show that the small intestine can be sluggish even with regular bowel movements. This condition can manifest over years with seemingly minor symptoms like malaise, lack of enthusiasm, discouragement, irritability, nervousness, fatigue, depression, insomnia, headaches, cold hands and feet, cramps, respiratory and cardiac discomfort, and dizziness upon standing. The prolonged retention of waste in the intestine, at body temperature, leads to fermentation and putrefaction, producing harmful substances like Indol, Scatol, Patrescine, Cadaverine, Neurine, Ptomaïnes, and numerous toxins. This fosters a detrimental intestinal flora and weakens the beneficial flora, leading to unfavorable dysbacteriosis.

It is unfortunate that these poisons are not fully expelled with the stool. A large part is absorbed into the bloodstream via osmosis, causing systemic intoxication and diseases. This leads to a significant increase in blood cholesterol and the production of sclerotic products. The article cites an autopsy of 22-year-old American soldiers from the Korean War, where 77% showed signs of coronary artery sclerosis. In contrast, the Chinese population, with a simple diet of rice, soy, and little animal fat, exhibits far less sclerosis.

Hormones play a critical role in health, and glandular function is essential for blood purity and effective intestinal detoxification. Professor W. KOLLATH is quoted saying that aging and weariness are not caused by years but by one's diet and lifestyle. Dr. Mayr and the authors declare that intestinal intoxication is the primary cause of diseases, senility, and premature death. His extensive experience suggests that perfect health, free from disease, can be achieved through a biological diet, a lifestyle in harmony with natural laws, and regular intestinal detoxification. Dr. Mayr illustrates the effects of intestinal sluggishness on the body and skin through photographs. Purifying fasting is presented as both foresight and healing.

The article concludes by stating that achieving good health is possible, but changing deeply ingrained dietary habits requires strong conviction and character. It urges readers to recognize the dangers of a diet based on animal flesh and make the decision to adopt a biological lifestyle in harmony with natural laws. Those who do will quickly enjoy all the benefits. To achieve this, ten commandments are listed:

1. Do not wait for illness to seek good health.
2. It is better to prevent than to cure.
3. Health cannot be bought at the pharmacy.
4. No medicine can provide it.
5. You must acquire it yourself.
6. To do this, abandon all bad dietary habits.
7. Adopt a diet and lifestyle in full harmony with biological law.
8. Admit that animal flesh is very harmful.
9. Eating too much does not nourish the body; it nourishes disease.
10. Raw foods have the greatest nutritional value.

Faithful practice of these principles ensures good health, a source of happy life and pleasant old age.

Other Content

Note: The article by Dr. Boesnach is presented with the assent of Monsieur Raymond DEXTREIT, Director of the review "Vivre en Harmonie," and is an excerpt from their November 1958 issue.

Book Reviews: Two books by Henri SABARTHEZ are featured: "LETTRES DE MON JARDIN" (Letters from My Garden) and "JOURNAL DE LA VALLEE" (Journal of the Valley). These books are described as little-known but valuable, offering a perspective that runs counter to modern trends. They are praised for their health-giving qualities and marvelous truth, evoking a sense of primal innocence. The reviewer notes that these books present many of the same ideas cherished by the magazine's readers, often with humor, by an author who has shed modern errors and prejudices. The books are available for 5.10 NF each.

Subscriptions and Back Issues: Information is provided for subscriptions to "Lumières dans la Nuit," with various rates for annual and six-month subscriptions, including options for "soutien" (support) subscriptions. Foreign subscription rates are also listed. Correspondence and payments should be sent to M. R. VEILLITH at "Les Pins," Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire), with CCP LYON 27-24-26. A list of available back issues (numbers 5, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, and 35) is provided at 0.50 NF each, with other numbers being out of print. Readers are encouraged to spread the word about the magazine and to request free specimens.

Editorial Stance: The magazine states that its only true propaganda is word-of-mouth from its subscribers. It also notes that articles published under the "tribune libre" (free speech) section express the author's responsibility. The publication details indicate that the Director is R. Veillich-N, the printer is R. Veillith, and the printing was completed in the first quarter of 1961.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are a critical examination of established science, particularly its perceived opacity and complexity, and a strong advocacy for natural health, preventive medicine, and a holistic approach to well-being. The editorial stance is clearly aligned with alternative perspectives on health, emphasizing the body's natural healing capabilities and the importance of diet and lifestyle. There is a consistent call for critical thinking and a rejection of conventional, often materialistic, explanations, whether in science or medicine. The magazine positions itself as a platform for ideas that challenge mainstream thought, promoting a more natural and self-empowered approach to life and health.