/97 e n 9 LE/201 /1.D.

AN ANTHROPOSOPHICAL APPROACH

TO

CANCER

by

Rita L e r o i , M . D .

MERCURY PRESS
SPRING V A L L E Y , N . Y .
 C O N T E N T S

Page 1

Enlargement O f Medicine T h r o u g h S p i r i t u a l
Science

Page 7
This M E R C U R Y P R E S S p u b l i c a t i o n o f Cancer A s A n A i d T o D e s t i n y
An A n t h r o p o s o p h i c a l A p p r o a c h T o C a n c e r,
is t h e s e c o n d p r i n t i n g o f t h i s s e r i e s o f
lectures g i v e n i n 1973. Page 1 4
The l e c t u r e s w e r e g i v e n u n d e r t h e
auspices o f t h e A n t h r o p o s o p h i c a l C a n c e r, T h e D i s e a s e O f O u r T i m e
Therapy a n d H y g i e n e A s s o c i a t i o n .

ISBN 0 - 9 3 6 1 3 2 - 2 1 - 3 Page 2 7

Mistletoe A n d I t s Use I n T h e Treatment

Of C a n c e r

Page 3 7

The L u k a s K l i n i k A n d T h e R e s e a r c h I n s t i t u t e

Copyright © 1 9 8 2
by
Mercury Press

Printed b y
M E R C U RY P R E S S
Fellowship Community
Spring V a l l e y , N . Y. 1 0 9 7 7
 I

ENLARGEMENT O F M E D I C I N E

THROUGH

SPIRITUAL SCIENCE

Dear F r i e n d s ,

First o f a l l I w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k y o u m o s t
s i n c e r e l y f o r y o u r i n v i t a t i o n and t h e o p p o r t u n i t y
you g i v e me t o s p e a k i n y o u r g r o u p . L o o k i n g a t
the d e s p e r a t e s i t u a t i o n o f h u m a n i t y, o n e f e e l s
the g r o w i n g i m p o r t a n c e o f m e e t i n g and c o m m u n i -
cating f r e e l y w i t h f r i e n d s who aim a t a s p i r i t u a l
conception o f t h e w o r l d a n d mankind. T h e s e
endeavors are met w i t h a g r e a t deal o f a d v e r s i t y
and e n m i t y w h i c h t r y h a r d t o c u t man o f f f r o m his
spiritual o r i g i n . E v e r y human b e i n g has, o f
course, t o f i g h t a g a i n s t s u c h d i f f i c u l t i e s f o r
himself. T h i s , h o w e v e r, w i l l n o t b e o f r e a l
value f o r t h e w o r l d a s a w h o l e . T h e r e f o r e ,
communities m u s t b e f o r m e d w h e r e m a n y
individuals w o r k t o g e t h e r. B y these combined
a c t i v i t i e s a much g r e a t e r f o r c e w i l l emerge t h a n
from a n u m b e r o f s i n g l e e f f o r t s .

To d a y, w h e n w e w a l k t h r o u g h t h e s t r e e t s o f o n e
of t h e l a r g e c i t i e s and l o o k a t t h e people w h o
pass us b y, w e m a y be o v e r w h e l m e d w i t h f e e l i n g s
of deepest sympathy and compassion f o r them.
In t h e i r f a c e s o n e c a n r e a d s o r r o w a n d
loneliness, a l t h o u g h o u t w a r d l y t h e y may behave
in q u i t e a c h e e r f u l a n d e a s y m a n n e r. O n l y o n
rare occasions do w e m e e t a p r o f o u n d and k i n d -
hearted l o o k . T h e n o u r s o u l w o u l d l i k e t o
j u b i l a t e and say, " B r o t h e r , l e t us shake hands and
go f o r t h t o h e l p h u m a n i t y ! "

1
To d a y, t h e m i g h t y o p p o n e n t s , t h e a h r i m a n i c hidden w i t h i n them t h e r e is a f e r v e n t desire f o r a
p o w e r s , a r e s t r o n g e r t h a n e v e r. I t i s i n n o w a y s p i r i t u a l l i f e . T h i s longing may e i t h e r l e t them
s u f f i c i e n t t o hold them in c h e c k by g o o d w i l l and resign and d r i v e t h e m i n t o the m a t e r i a l i s t i c side
devotion t o the spirit. W e must t r y to look at o f l i f e w i t h i t s s h o r t l i v e d p l e a s u r e s , o r some m a y
the h a r d f a c t s o f t h e w o r l d w i t h c l e a r t h o u g h t s seek s a t i s f a c t i o n i n v a r i o u s r e l i g i o u s c o m m u n i -
and p e n e t r a t i n g m i n d s , o t h e r w i s e w e s h a l l n o t ties. A h r i m a n w i l l r e j o i c e o v e r those c l i n g i n g
cope w i t h t h e p o w e r f u l i n t e l l e c t o f A h r i m a n . to t h e m a t e r i a l i s t i c side o f l i f e , t h e o t h e r s may
A t t h e end o f D r. R u d o l f S t e i n e r ' s f o u r t h m y s t e r y become a v i c t i m o f L u c i f e r . I f we w i s h t o h e l p
drama, B e n e d i c t u s s a y s , " W e s h o u l d n o t o n l y b e in t h i s s i t u a t i o n w e c a n o n l y d o s o i f w e l o o k a t
able t o b e h o l d A h r i m a n b u t a l s o b e c a p a b l e o f the h u m a n b e i n g i n a n e w w a y , a s a k i n d o f
thinking h i m i n w a t c h f u l n e s s . " A h r i m a n c a n measure o f a l l o t h e r t h i n g s . L e t u s r e m e m b e r
o n l y be s a v e d w h e n he f i n d s h i s b e i n g m i r r o r e d i n how R u d o l f S t e i n e r d e s c r i b e d a g a i n and a g a i n t h e
the h u m a n t h o u g h t . T h e r e f o r e , i t i s n e c e s s a r y, four principles o f t h e human being.
especially f o r people w o r k i n g i n t h e f i e l d o f
medicine, t o s t u d y a n d k n o w t h e r e s u l t s o f When w e a n a l y z e c h e m i c a l l y a d e a d b o d y , a
today's s c i e n c e a n d t h e n e n l a r g e t h e i r scope corpse, w e f i n d i n i t t h e same e l e m e n t s w h i c h we
with t h e h e l p a n d k n o w l e d g e c o m i n g f r o m also m e e t i n t h e m i n e r a l w o r l d s u r r o u n d i n g u s .
spiritual science. T h i s i s the meaning o f the These s u b s t a n c e s , h o w e v e r, a r e f o r m i n g t o g e t h e r
new m y s t e r i e s o f h e a l i n g w h i c h R u d o l f S t e i n e r an o r g a n i s m c a p a b l e o f g r o w t h and r e p r o d u c t i o n .
was a b l e t o b u i l d u p w h e n w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r w i t h In t h e s a m e w a y a s t h e p l a n t s d i f f e r f r o m t h e
I t a Wegman. T h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h i s n e w i m p u l s e mineral w o r l d , s o t h e l i f e l e s s e l e m e n t s a r e
dates b a c k t o t h e c o u r s e s h e l d f o r y o u n g changed w i t h i n u s i n t o l i v i n g s u b s t a n c e s . T h e
p h y s i c i a n s and m e d i c a l s t u d e n t s . Y o u can f i n d a well known physicist Wa l t e r H e i t l e r, makes t h e
concentrate o f these new Mercury Mysteries i n following statement:
the s o - c a l l e d " b l u e b o o k " w h i c h D r . S t e i n e r
completed d u r i n g t h e l a s t m o n t h s o f t h i s l i f e "The a r c h e t y p e a f t e r w h i c h a n o r g a n i s m i s
t o g e t h e r w i t h F r a u D r . We g m a n . T h i s b o o k i s a molded s t a n d s a t a m u c h h i g h e r l e v e l t h a n t h e
real b o o k o f m e d i t a t i o n . E v e r y s e n t e n c e physical l a w, because e v e n t h e m o s t p r i m i t i v e
reveals enormous g e r m i n a t i v e p o s s i b i l i t i e s which organism s h o w s i n f i n i t e l y m o r e w i s d o m i n i t s
are a b l e t o i n s p i r e t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e construction t h a n lifeless m a t t e r. "
world a n d m a n k i n d w i t h n e w t h e r a p e u t i c
Our l i v i n g m a t t e r, l i f t e d u p i n t o t h e r e a l m o f t h e
impulses.
etheric b o d y w i t h i t s o w n l a w s , i s f u r t h e r
L e t u s g o b a c k t o t h e f a c e s o f men i n t h e l a r g e transformed w i t h i n us. F o r l i f e i n a n i m a l s a n d
cities, hiding deepest sorrow behind a mask o f men does n o t o n l y t a k e p l a c e o n t h e s u r f a c e as i t
cheerfulness. W e m a y ask ourselves, " W h y are does i n t h e p l a n t w o r l d , b u t i t a l s o c o n c e n t r a t e s
these p e o p l e s o u n h a p p y ? " W e c a n g e t a n in i n n e r o r g a n s . S i m i l a r t o a n i m a ! o r g a n i s m s ,
answer f r o m t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s e p e o p l e h a v e and a l s o i n u s , a n e w l a w f u l n e s s l e a d s t o
knowledge o n l y o f t h e i r p h y s i c a l bodies a n d o f consciousness w h i c h i s k i n d l e d b y a l l t h e
the m a t e r i a l n e c e s s i t i e s o f l i f e . B u t , o n e i s n o t impressions s t r e a m i n g t h r o u g h t h e t w e l v e d o o r s
o f o u r senses. T h i s n e w p r i n c i p l e f u r t h e r g i v e s
able t o s p e a k t o t h e m i n a c o n v i n c i n g m a n n e r
rise t o f e e l i n g s a n d i m p u l s e s o f w i l l w h i c h
about t h e i r s p i r i t u a l o r i g i n o f w h i c h , h o w e v e r,
express t h e m s e l v e s i n m o v e m e n t s . H e i t l e r h a s
t h e y seem t o h a v e a v a g u e f e e l i n g . S o m e w h e r e
s o m e t h i n g t o s a y a b o u t t h i s p h e n o m e n o n as w e l l :

2 3
 "Let u s b e q u i t e c l e a r, p a i n i s a t o t a l l y compassion a n d l o v e . I t i s p o s s i b l e f o r u s t o
different q u a l i t y f r o m physical a n d chemical steel o u r f o r c e s o f w i l l t o a n e x t e n t t h a t some
processes. T o b e l i e v e t h a t p a i n c o u l d b e a individuals a r e c a p a b l e o f p e r f o r m i n g o u t -
sublimation o f m a t e r i a l events is com- standing deeds o f s a c r i f i c e a n d d e v o t i o n w h i c h
plete nonsense." may a l t e r t h e f a c e o f t h e w o r l d .

Yo u c a n p e r c e i v e i n t h e s e n e w l a w s t h e a c t i v i t y Between m a n a n d a n i m a l t h e r e e x i s t s a
o f the a s t r a l b o d y, w h i c h g i v e s r i s e t o a p r i m i t i v e fundamental, n o t a gradual, d i f f e r e n c e because
inner l i f e . man i s e n d o w e d w i t h a n e g o a n d c a n d e v e l o p a
consciousness o f t h i s f a c t . ( H e p o s s e s s e s a
What h o l d s o u r i n t e r e s t m o s t o f a l l i s t h e u n i q u e , conscience w h i c h m a k e s i t p o s s i b l e f o r h i m t o
the e t e r n a l , t h e i n d e s t r u c t i b l e e g o , w h i c h differentiate b e t w e e n g o o d a n d e v i l . ) T h i s
t r a n s f o r m s us i n t o human beings. A s t h e e t h e r i c picture o f the human b e i n g may be t h e s t a r t i n g
needs t h e f l u i d e l e m e n t , t h e a s t r a l b o d y uses t h e point f o r e v e r y c r e a t i v e a n d h e l p f u l a c t i v i t y.
element o f t h e a i r t o shape t h e w h o l e organism. The t a s k o f t h e m e d i c a l a r t is t o f i n d t h e r e l a t i o n
The e g o , h o w e v e r, n e e d s t h e e l e m e n t o f w a r m t h . b e t w e e n man a s a m i c r o c o s m a n d t h e l a r g e w o r l d
Already i n t h e higher animals a n organism o f of t h e macrocosm. I w i l l t r y t o demonstrate
warmth e x i s t s i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f t h e a n i m a l s this i n a n example.
surroundings. H u m a n b e i n g s c a n h a n d l e t h i s
organism o f w a r m t h i n a s o v e r e i g n m a n n e r b y L e t u s c o n s i d e r, f o r i n s t a n c e , t h e h u m a n l i v e r .
creating consciously t h e e x a c t amount o f heat We f i n d a l a r g e o r g a n s i t u a t e d i n t h e r i g h t u p p e r
needed i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e m o s t e x t r e m e abdomen h a v i n g no f o r m o f i t s own, b u t shaped b y
climatic conditions. I n m a n t h e element o f the o r g a n s s u r r o u n d i n g i t . T h r o u g h t h i s o r g a n
physical warmth may even change i n q u a l i t i e s o f flow f i v e streams o f various fluids: t h e mighty
the m o r a l s p h e r e . I c a n " w a r m u p " t o an i d e a , I p o r t a l v e i n c a r r y i n g venous b l o o d f r o m a l l o r g a n s
can e v e n b e i n f l a m e d . I n t h a t c a s e m y e g o i s of digestion; t h e h e p a t i c a r t e r y c a r r y i n g l i f e -
d e e p l y e n g a g e d . O r , a n i d e a l e a v e s me " c o l d . " bringing oxygen; t h e hepatic veins t a k i n g blood
An " i c y " s i l e n c e a r i s e s w h e n a s p e a k e r u t t e r s laden w i t h c a r b o n d i o x i d e t o t h e r i g h t side o f t h e
disturbing o r displeasing things. O n t h e o t h e r heart; t h e b i l e capillaries i n t o w h i c h t h e most
hand, a " h e a t e d " d e b a t e may ensue w h e n t h e e g o s important product o f the l i v e r is secreted; and
engage t h e m s e l v e s p a r t i c u l a r l y . T h e e g o , l i - the l y m p h a t i c c h a n n e l s p a s s i n g t h r o u g h t h i s
ving in warmth, expresses i t s e l f p h y s i c a l l y in o u r organ, w h i c h t h e R u s s i a n s c a l l " l i t t l e s t o v e "
upright a t t i t u d e , m a k i n g i t possible t o w a l k because i t h a r b o r s i n t e n s i v e w a r m t h p r o c e s s e s .
royally upon t h e e a r t h . I t a l s o gives u s t h e This o r g a n , f u l l o f l i f e , w i t h c o m b i n i n g ,
f a c u l t y t o communicate c l e a r -shaped thoughts c o n v e r t i n g , and decomposing a c t i v i t i e s manages
by m e a n s o f s p e e c h t o o u r f e l l o w m e n . I t i s the p r o t e i n , f a t , a n d c a r b o h y d r a t e m e t a b o l i s m .
through o u r e g o t h a t w e c a n c o m b i n e o u r The l i v e r p r o d u c e s b i l e , d e t o x i f i e s , e n g a g e s
thoughts l o g i c a l l y, t h e r e b y b r i n g i n g o r d e r a n d i t s e l f i n t h e m e t a b o l i s m o f hormones, s t o r e s and
understanding i n t o a w o r l d o f o t h e r w i s e eliminates vitamins and i s p a r t i c u l a r l y engaged
incoherent e v e n t s . O n l y m a n i s c a p a b l e o f in t h e d e f e n s e a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e b o d y .
approaching consciously t h e s p i r i t u a l c o n t e n t s
of the world. W e can master o u r feelings and By c o n t e m p l a t i n g such a n o r g a n w i t h i t s c o m p l e x
deepen t h e m t o t h e p u r e , h u m a n q u a l i t i e s o f f u n c t i o n s , w e c a n r e a l i z e h o w t h e e t h e r i c b o d y is
w o r k i n g c l o s e l y t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y,
4 5
bringing a b o u t t h e m e t a b o l i c c h a n g e s . T h e II
astral b o d y enables t h e l i v e r t o have sensory
activity; i t observes t h e composition o f t h e CANCER A S A N A I D O F D E S T I N Y
blood and c o n s t a n t l y r e s t o r e s i t s h a r m o n y. T h e
ego l i v e s i n t h e w a r m t h o f t h i s o r g a n , r u l i n g , a n d
adjusting t h e f o r m a t i o n o f bile. O n e c a n n o w When a p a t i e n t i n n e e d o f h e l p p l a c e s h i m s e l f i n
understand w h e n R u d o l f S t e i n e r says: our c a r e , h e a c t u a l l y e x p e c t s f a r m o r e f r o m u s
t h a n we a r e a b l e - as we a r e i n o r d i n a r y l i f e - t o
"Man h a s w i t h i n h i m s e l f a c h e m i s t , h a s g i v e h i m . F r o m t h i s a s p e c t e v e r y p a t i e n t comes
something o f a h e a v e n l y sphere i n h i m s e l f , i n as a n u r g e n t c h a l l e n g e t o u s t o g r o w b e y o n d
which l i e s t h e o r i g i n o f a l l c h e m i c a l r e a c t i o n s . ourselves, s o t h a t w e c a n r e a l l y h e l p h i m , b y
This i s l o c a l i z e d i n t h e l i v e r . " which more is meant t h a n m e r e l y p r e s c r i b i n g the
r i g h t r e m e d y.
We c a n n o w a l s o u n d e r s t a n d h o w t h e l i v e r w a s
shaped a n d b u i l t u p w i t h i n u s b y t h e f o r c e s o f Beside t h e a c t u a l s y m p t o m s , t h e i m m e d i a t e cause
wisdom c o m i n g f r o m t h e J u p i t e r s p h e r e . Y e s , o f his c o n s u l t i n g us, t h e p a t i e n t comes w i t h a d i m
we c a n e v e n t r y i n o u r c o n s c i o u s n e s s t o e x t e n d , f e e l i n g t h a t somehow h i s members o f b e i n g are i n
to e n l a r g e t h e l i v e r a s f a r a s t h e s p h e r e o f d i s o r d e r. H e e x p e c t s h e l p , e v e n a m i r a c l e , f r o m
wisdom, b y m e d i t a t i n g a n d d e e p e n i n g o u r i n s i g h t the p h y s i c i a n t h a t w i l l r e s t o r e h i m t o h a r m o n i o u s
in t h e m a n i f o l d p r o c e s s e s t a k i n g p l a c e i n t h i s health. T h i s w i s h f u l a t t i t u d e l i e s behind even
organ. S u c h c o n t e m p l a t i o n s l e a d u s f i n a l l y t o the m o s t o r d i n a r y r h e u m a t i s m , b e h i n d e v e r y
therapeutical ideas. B y studying and t h i n k i n g headache, a n d l i e s e s p e c i a l l y s t r o n g l y b e h i n d
in t h i s w a y, w e e x t e n d n o t o n l y t h e d r y f a c t s o f c a n c e r.
science, b u t we also widen t h e microcosmic i n t o
the m a c r o c o s m i c s p h e r e , a n d t h i s p u t s u p s o m e There i s s c a r c e l y a d i s e a s e i n w h i c h t h e s u f f e r e r
resistance against the forces o f Ahriman. S u c h f e e l s h i m s e l f so c a u g h t b y t h e p o w e r o f d e s t i n y
e f f o r t s u n i t e us w i t h M i c h a e l i n t h e f i g h t f o r t h e as i n c a n c e r. M o r e o r less c o n s c i o u s o f i t , h e i s
humanization o f medicine. s u d d e n l y, o u t o f t h e b l u e , c o n f r o n t e d b y d e a t h .
I f t h i s k n o w l e d g e i s p r e v e n t e d b y c o v e r i n g up t h e
We m a y c h o o s e t h e t i n a n d t i n c o m p o u n d s , t h e true d i a g n o s i s , t h e n a u n i q u e p o s s i b i l i t y i s
e a r t h l y r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f J u p i t e r, t o f o r t i f y t h e withheld f r o m him. T h e disease f l i n g s o p e n the
liver as a whole. W e c a n discover t h a t t h e door t o s e l f - c o n t e m p l a t i o n . W i t h o u t p s y c h o -
dandelion i n t h e p l a n t w o r l d i s a n a l l - a r o u n d analysis, p a t i e n t s suddenly t e l l o f events in t h e i r
medicament f o r l i v e r f u n c t i o n s , s t i m u l a t i n g lives w h i c h have sunk d e e p l y b e l o w t h e s u r f a c e
the b i l e w i t h i t ' s b i t t e r s u b s t a n c e s , t h e s u g a r and b e e n l o n g h i d d e n . W h e n t h e n , a s o f t e n
m e t a b o l i s m w i t h i t ' s m i l k y sap, a n d c o p i n g w i t h happens, t h e s t e r e o t y p e q u e s t i o n c o m e s , " W h y
the b a l a n c e o f t h e f l u i d s . did I g e t c a n c e r , I ' v e a l w a y s l i v e d a h e a l t h y
l i f e ? " , t h e r e is nevertheless a presentiment t h a t
This s h o u l d o n l y s e r v e a s a n i n t r o d u c t i o n t o perhaps a c h a i n o f d e s t i n y g o e s b a c k i n m a n y a
conversations a n d q u e s t i o n s . I k n o w a s y e t life t h a t has l e d t o t h e present condition.
little o f your p a r t i c u l a r problems, b u t I hope
that we shall g e t t o know each o t h e r during the Rudolf Steiner describes how f r o m the manifest
following days. c a n c e r, a w a y c a n b e f o u n d l e a d i n g b a c k t o
various i n c a r n a t i o n s i n w h i c h L u c i f e r i c a n d

6 7
A h r i m a n i c i m p u l s e s s u p p o r t e d e a c h o t h e r. W i t h patient. H e h i m s e l f needs a l l h i s courage, h i s
the a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e p h y s i c a l t u m o r , A h r i m a n will t o h e l p , a s w e l l a s a l l h i s t a c t .
seems t o h a v e w o n t h e f i n a l b a t t l e . W h e n ,
h o w e v e r, a s a r e s u l t o f t h e d i s e a s e , t h e The a t t i t u d e o f a F r e n c h a r m y o f f i c e r , s u f f e r i n g
cancerous o r g a n o r t h e w h o l e b o d y c o l l a p s e s , from c a n c e r o f t h e p r o s t a t e w i t h m a n y b o n e
then t h e g o o d Powers save t h e human soul f r o m metastases, w a s a t f i r s t v e r y r e s e r v e d a n d
Ahriman's clutches. unresponsive. H e changed a l m o s t u n b e l i e v a b l y
a f t e r a c o n v e r s a t i o n i n which t h e seriousness o f
The c h a i n o f e v e n t s t h a t l e a d s t o c a n c e r i s o f his c o n d i t i o n w a s m a d e k n o w n t o h i m . H e
course d i f f e r e n t i n e v e r y i n d i v i d u a l c a s e . accepted the f a c t s w i t h the admirable discipline
Cancer c a n a l s o h a v e i t s c h i e f r e a s o n s i n t h e and c o m p o s u r e o f a b a t t l e - e x p e r i e n c e d m e m b e r
p r e s e n t l i f e , o r i t m a y be o f v a l u e f o r t h e f u t u r e . of " L a G r a n d e N a t i o n . " A f t e r w a r d h e s u b -
I t i s n o t i m p o s s i b l e t h a t a n i n d i v i d u a l i t y aims t o mitted most w i l l i n g l y to a l l the treatments. A
live t h r o u g h t h i s disease, w i t h a l l t h e s u f f e r i n g few months l a t e r h i s w i f e w r o t e :
and t h e d i f f i c u l t t r i a l s i t b r i n g s , i n o r d e r t o g a i n
the f r u i t s f r o m t h i s e x p e r i e n c e , w h i c h c a n o n l y "He r e a l l y a c c e p t e d t h e s u f f e r i n g , a n d
be w o n o n e a r t h , a n d b r i n g i t t o t h e G o d s . changed f r o m a h a r d , s t e r n man t o a m i l d one f u l l
Through t h e s e , h e a l i n g i m p u l s e s c a n c o m e t o t h e of g r a t i t u d e f o r h i s l i f e a n d d e s t i n y. "
physician w h o h a s t h e s t r o n g w i l l t o h e a l .
It is important t h a t t h e patient, however i l l he
Whatever s i t u a t i o n i t i s i n w h i c h t h e p a t i e n t is, s h o u l d r e a l i z e t h a t w i t h o u r t r e a t m e n t h e i s
finds h i m s e l f , t h e p h y s i c i a n m u s t e n d e a v o r t o on t h e w a y t o h e a l t h a n d d e l i v e r a n c e . W h e t h e r
gain a n i n s i g h t i n t o t h e s t a t e o f h i s h i g h e r this i s a c h i e v e d i n t h i s l i f e o r l a t e r , i s o f
members a n d t o s o m e d e g r e e i n t o t h e p a t i e n t ' s secondary importance when considered i n r e l a -
karma. H e m u s t d o t h i s , a v o i d i n g a n y m o r a l t i o n t o e t e r n i t y. W e a r e o f t e n a m a z e d h o w v e r y
judgement. T h e p a t i e n t f e e l s t h a t he has come ill, even dying patients experience a feeling o f
to one w h o w a n t s t o h e l p , n o t t o o n e w h o j u d g e s , convalescence, a n d say: " I am much b e t t e r. I
or e v e n g o e s s o f a r a s t o condemn. feel I s h a l l r e c o v e r. "

The n e x t s t e p , i n t h e w o r d s o f N o v a l i s , i s t o s e e Even t h e s i m p l e s t s o u l s d e v e l o p u n b e l i e v a b l e
the disease as a m u s i c a l p r o b l e m and t o s o l v e i t i n courage i n t h e c o u r s e o f t h i s d i s e a s e . T h i s
a musical w a y. T h e physician, a n d a l s o t h e quiet heroism o f p a t i e n t s i n t h e w h o l e w o r l d ,
therapist w i t h t h e w i l l t o heal, needs not only could w e l l i n t h e c o u r s e o f t i m e , b u i l d u p a
knowledge f o r t h e t h e r a p e u t i c s t e p s , b u t h e bulwark, a counterweight to the widespread fear
should t r y a l s o t o p r a c t i c e h e a l i n g a s a n a r t . inspired b y A h r i m a n .
What e x p e r i e n c e c a n h e g a i n e x c l u s i v e l y w i t h
cancer p a t i e n t s ? A v e r y i n t e l l e c t u a l j o u r n a l i s t , w h o came t o us as
a p a t i e n t w i t h a r e c u r r e n c e o f b r e a s t c a n c e r,
The p a t i e n t f e e l s r e a l l y r e l i e v e d w h e n he l e a r n s wrote, a f t e r she h a d s i x y e a r s ' t r e a t m e n t , a s
the t r u e n a t u r e o f h i s d i s e a s e , e s p e c i a l l y i f h e follows:
has l o n g b e e n s u r r o u n d e d b y l i e s . T h e t r u t h
tears t h e m a s k f r o m A h r i m a n ' s f a c e . T h e "Made a n x i o u s b y t h e g e n e r a l p r o p a -
physician must o f course exercise g r e a t care t o ganda w h i c h s t i r s u p f e a r , a n d w i t h t h e
choose t h e r i g h t m o m e n t t o e n l i g h t e n t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t n o t h i n g c o u l d h e l p a n y h o w, I

8 9
 c o n t i n u a l l y behave l i k e a p i g in o r d e r t o a t t r a c t
went t o t h e d o c t o r t o o / a t e . A f t e r s u r g e r y t h e y attention."
gave me h o r m o n e i n j e c t i o n s , w h i c h k i n d l e d i n me He h a s n o w, 1 0 m o n t h s a f t e r his p r e d i c t e d d e a t h ,
a very dubious lust f o r l i f e . T h e f e a r remained. passed a w a y . W h i l e s t i l l f u l l y c o n s c i o u s h e
For a long time I l e f t my door unlocked at night, divided h i s possessions among h i s f r i e n d s , a n d
expecting t o be dead b y morning. E v e r y l i t t l e looked h i s d e s t i n y c o u r a g e o u s l y i n t h e e y e .
upset made me t h i n k : n o w i t i s b e g i n n i n g a g a i n .
A l l t h e same, I d i d n ' t w a n t t o g i v e u p . I w e n t t o We a r e e s p e c i a l l y p l e a s e d w h e n w e c a n o b s e r v e
the C l i n i c i n A r l e s h e i m , a n d a f t e r a f e w d a y s I how c a n c e r p a t i e n t s w h o f r e q u e n t l y h a v e n o
became c h a n g e d . T h i s w a s d u e , n o t o n l y t o interests outside themselves, show social i m p u l -
I s c a d o r, b u t t o t h e p o s i t i v e a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s t h e ses. W e r e p e a t e d l y o b s e r v e h o w t h e s e p a t i e n t s ,
p a t i e n t t a k e n t h e r e , w h i c h helps him t o l i v e w i t h bound t o g e t h e r b y t h e i r common c a n c e r d e s t i n y,
the d i s e a s e . T o d a y , I d o n o t l e t m y l i f e b e emerge f r o m t h e i r s t a t e o f p a s s i v i t y and s t a r t t o
spoiled a n y m o r e . I l i v e j u s t a s c o n s c i o u s a s h e l p e a c h o t h e r. A v e r y i n t r o v e r s i v e , p S y c h i a -
b e f o r e , w o r k s u c c e s s f u l l y, a n d k n o w t h a t e v e r y t r i c n u r s e w i t h i n o p e r a b l e s t o m a c h c a n c e r, s k i n
day i s a g i f t . " and b o n e m e t a s t a s e s , b e c a m e s o t r a n s f o r m e d
after several months o f treatment, t h a t she
We w e r e a b l e , i n s p i t e o f an a t t a c k o f c a n c e r o u s began t o h e l p h e r l e s s i l l r o o m m a t e s w i t h
p l e u r i s y, t o k e e p t h i s p a t i e n t f i t f o r w o r k f o r a touching c a r e . W e w e r e a b l e t o b r i n g t h e
period o f eight years. S h e did not f i n d h e r way metastases t o regression. T h e p a t i e n t l i v e d on
to A n t h r o p o s o p h y i n t h i s l i f e , b u t t h e seed w a s n e a r l y t h r e e y e a r s u n t i l she f e l l v i c t i m t o u r e m i a
planted. (kidney f a i l u r e ) .
A 1 6 - y e a r o l d y o u t h , w h o had a r e c u r r e n c e on t h e On o n e o f o u r e v e n i n g r o u n d s w e s a w a n o t h e r
stump l e f t a f t e r a m p u t a t i o n o f a l e g w i t h b o n e patient w i t h metastasized b r e a s t c a n c e r e a r -
sarcoma, w a s i n d i s c r e e t l y t o l d t h a t he h a d a f e w nestly showing her new eurythmy exercises t o a
weeks t o l i v e . A n a u n t b r o u g h t h i m t o o u r very i l l , l e g paralyzed companion, who j o y f u l l y
Clinic, w h e r e , o n a r r i v a l , h e announced h i s tried t o j o i n t h e movements.
s e n t e n c e o f d e a t h . H e was i n no w a y a f r a i d , a n d
l o o k e d a t t h e f a c t o b j e c t i v e l y. H e s a i d , " I f i t Then we o f t e n n o t i c e h o w p a t i e n t s g e t an u r g e t o
has t o be, t h e n I ' l l d i e , b u t i f you can h e l p me, a l l give o f t h e i r b e s t . T h i s c a m e t o e x p r e s s i o n
the b e t t e r . " once i n a q u e e r and t o u c h i n g w a y. A t a n E a s t e r
festival breakfast, a f t e r a reading f r o m t h e
B e i n g a c o n v i n c e d h i p p y, h e i m m e d i a t e l y s t u c k Gospels, a n d a s h o r t s p e e c h , a n o l d e r m a n w i t h
some i m p o s s i b l e p i c t u r e o n t h e w a l l b y h i s b e d . r a t h e r a d v a n c e d b l a d d e r c a n c e r, w h o s e passion
Of course w e showed t h e necessary enthusiasm, was h o r s e s , r a t t l e d o n h i s c u p f o r s i l e n c e . H e
otherwise w e w o u l d h a v e b e e n done f o r . W e rose a n d s a n g a j o l l y r i d i n g d i t t y i n a t h i n ,
succeeded i n g e t t i n g h i m e n t h u s e d f o r p a i n t i n g , rasping v o i c e . T h e b e s t w a s t h a t n o b o d y
m o d e l l i n g , a n d e u r y t h m y. I n s p i t e o f t h e l u n g laughed, e v e r y o n e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e p a t i e n t
metastasis t h a t was t o be expected, he was able wanted t o present h i s most p r e c i o u s possession.
to l e a d a c o u r a g e o u s n o r m a l l i f e f o r a n o t h e r
eight m o n t h s . W i t h h i s h i p p y a t t i t u d e , h e The m o s t i m p o r t a n t e v e n t d u r i n g t h e t r e a t m e n t i s
continued t o struggle against the t r a d i t i o n , b u t a readiness i n t h e p a t i e n t t o open h i m s e l f t o
in a w e a k m o m e n t h e c o n f e s s e d , " T h a n k G o d I spiritual impulses. W e have t o / e a r n h o w t o
shall s o o n h a v e a h o l i d a y, a n d w o n ' t h a v e t o
11
10
a n s w e r his q u e s t i o n s and t o k n o w j u s t t h e m o m e n t operation f o r b r e a s t c a n c e r, w r o t e :
when w e c a n g i v e h i m t h e r i g h t b o o k f o r h i s
needs. O f course w e m a y n o t a l l o w o u r s e l v e s t o " W h a t e s p e c i a l l y shaped m y l i f e i s s u c h
be l e d b y a p a t i e n t ' s n e e d t o f o r c e s p i r i t u a l an i n t e n s i v e a n t h r o p o s o p h i c a l w o r k t h a t my i n n e r
science u p o n h i m . A f t e r t a l k s o f t h i s k i n d , a a t t i t u d e has c o m p l e t e l y changed. I t i s as i f I
p a t i e n t w i t h a n a w f u l mass o f melanoma o n a n had b e g u n a n e w e a r t h l y l i f e a f t e r t h e s e c o n d
amputated l e g , t h e w o r s t w e h a v e e v e r seen, operation f o r c a n c e r 6 years a g o . "
wrote: " W h e n someone, s u c h a s I , i s blessed
with the g i f t o f longer l i f e , t h e d a i l y thoughts In cases where we do not succeed i n overcoming
are n o t o n l y f u l l o f t h a n k f u l n e s s , b u t f u l l o f the d i s e a s e i n t h i s l i f e , t h e c r o s s i n g o f t h e
interceding love f o r other sick people. I t is not threshold can be a g r e a t help, n o t o n l y f o r t h e
only t h e I s c a d o r i n j e c t i o n s a n d t h e o t h e r p a t i e n t , b u t also f o r t h e r e l a t i v e s . T h e h u s b a n d
medicines I received f r o m you, i t is the a t t i t u d e of one o f o u r patients w r o t e a f t e r h e r death:
with which all the co-workers meet the patient.
I know o n l y t o o w e l l t h a t t h e p r e s e n t good w e e k s , "I now f e e l a b e t t e r and r i c h e r man
w h i c h I e x p e r i e n c e a s a w o n d e r, w i l l n o t a l t e r s p i r i t u a l l y. S o m e t h i n g i n m e d i e d , s o m e t h i n g
the r o a d I have t o go. I go on t h i s r o a d w i t h o u t was b o r n . "
sorrow and w i t h a heart f u l l o f acceptance. I n
spite o f all the changes f o r the b e t t e r, I h a r b o u r On s e e i n g t h e r a d i a n t e x p r e s s i o n o f t h e f a c e o f
no h o p e s . M a l i g n a n t m e l a n o m a i s i n c u r a b l e - his d e c e a s e d w i f e , h e s a i d s p o n t a n e o u s l y : " I
t h a t i s m y r e a l i t y. T h r o u g h t h i s i l l n e s s I h a v e know t h a t m y r e d e e m e r l i v e t h . "
been a l l o w e d t o e n t e r i n t o s u c h d e p t h s t h a t I
experience n o t a n e n d , b u t a r e n e w a l . " When w e s e e t h e w i d e v a r i e t y o f e x p e r i e n c e
brought o u t b y the disease, w e c a n comprehend
We w e r e a b l e t o s u s t a i n t h i s m o r t a l l y i l l p a t i e n t that i t is t h e good powers who w o r k through t h e
for another 16 months. illness. I n t h e f a c e o f such d e s t i n i e s , o n e i s
moved t o d e e p awe o f t h e w i s d o m t h a t g u i d e s t h e
Even a v e r y s t r i c t P r o t e s t a n t p a r s o n w i t h world. R u d o l f S t e i n e r e x p e c t e d u s t o a p p l y
lymphatic leukemia, w h o comes t o t h e C l i n i c "every possible means o f m a i n t a i n i n g l i f e " .
repeatedly f o r short periods and has been i n a But, i f we are n o t able t o b r i n g a p a t i e n t t o such
good s t a t e f o r y e a r s , w r o t e r e c e n t l y : an i n n e r d e v e l o p m e n t , t h a t i s , t o r e s o l v e h i s
illness m u s i c a l l y , w e s h o u l d h a v e a b a d
"While I was i n t h e C l i n i c t h e door to a conscience, e v e n i f t h e c a n c e r i s p h y s i c a l l y
new l i f e w a s o p e n e d t o m e . T h r o u g h t h e cured.
lectures d u r i n g E a s t e r w e e k t h e M y s t e r y o f
Golgatha r e v e a l e d i t s e l f t o m e a n e w . F r o m As w e a c c o m p a n y t h e p a t i e n t o n h i s p a t h o f
r e c o g n i t i o n a n d a d m i r a t i o n o f Jesus I h a v e b e e n d e s t i n y, h i s e t e r n a l b e i n g r e v e a l s i t s e l f t o u s
led o n t h e r o a d o f s p i r i t u a l k n o w l e d g e t o t h e step b y s t e p . T h e n , a s t h e r a p i s t s , w e become
Christ. O n t h i s r o a d m y l i f e h a s b e c o m e more a n d m o r e c o n s c i o u s o f t h e i n f i n i t e
inwardly f u l l e r, b r o a d e r and d e e p e r. " r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f e v e r y t h e r a p e u t i c s t e p we t a k e .

With A n t h r o p o s o p h i s t s , t o o , i t c a n l e a d t o a n
unbelievable d e e p e n i n g . A n e l d e r l y m e m b e r
who h a d c o m e f o r t r e a t m e n t a f t e r h e r s e c o n d
12 13
 III could k i l l t h e m .

CANCER, T H E D I S E A S E O F O U R T I M E In o t h e r c a n c e r s , f o r i n s t a n c e b r e a s t - c a n c e r,
results show n o improvement f o r decades, a n d
Ladies, a n d G e n t l e m e n , more a n d m o r e w o m e n a r e s t r i c k e n w i t h i t .
Lung c a n c e r looms t h e m o s t t h r e a t e n i n g . T h e
May I b e g i n b y t h a n k i n g t h o s e w h o m a d e i t c u r v e e s p e c i a l l y f o r male p a t i e n t s , r i s e s s t e e p l y,
p o s s i b l e f o r me t o s p e a k o n t h r e e e v e n i n g s o f a the c o n d i t i o n b e i n g u s u a l l y i n o p e r a b l e b y t h e
s u b j e c t w h i c h is p r o b a b l y t o p i c a l f o r a l l o f us. I time o f i t s d e t e c t i o n , w i t h p o o r response t o
will t r y to t a c k l e the subject f r o m angles which c h e m o t h e r a p y. T h i s f o r m o f d i s e a s e i s b y n o w
might b e l e s s f a m i l i a r t o some o f y o u . the N o . 1 k i l l e r o f t h e m a l e p o p u l a t i o n .

Cancer a n d i t s t h e r a p y h a v e t u r n e d i n t o a I n t h e U . S . A . , 4 1 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e d i e d o f c a n c e r in t h e
problem i n v o l v i n g all o f mankind. N e v e r before year 1 9 0 0 . I n 1 9 7 2 t h e n u m b e r a p p r o a c h e d
was t h e r e a d i s e a s e t h a t a f f e c t e d so m a n y p e o p l e 350,000, h e n c e m u l t i p l i e d a l m o s t e i g h t t i m e s .
in t h i s measure. A t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e e v e r y f i f t h
person d i e s o f i t . E v e r y d a y 1 0 0 0 A m e r i c a n s In 1970, 6 , 0 0 0 famous c a n c e r research w o r k e r s
lose t h e i r l i v e s t h r o u g h t h i s d i s e a s e . T h i s i s from a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d m e t i n Houston. F o r
more t h a n f r o m w a r o r o t h e r d i s a s t e r s . L e t u s many f a r - s i g h t e d s c i e n t i s t s t h e s u m m a r y o f t h i s
add t h a t n o i l l n e s s h a s b e e n a p p r o a c h e d b e f o r e congress w a s o n e o f d i s c o u r a g e m e n t a n d
with a similar expenditure of o ff i c i a l and p r i v a t e resignation. T h e r e a l o r i g i n of cancer remained
means a n d t h e p e r s o n a l s a g a c i t y a n d e n e r g y o f fundamentally unknown, t h e r e f o r e n o decisive
countless researchers has n e v e r been m o b i l i z e d measures c o u l d be t a k e n t o c h e c k i t . A l l t h e j o i n t
on a s i m i l a r s c a l e . therapeutic proceedings f a i l t o diminish t h e
general c a n c e r m o r t a l i t y.
But d e s p i t e a l l e f f o r t s o f o f f i c i a l i n s t i t u t i o n s ,
cancer cases a n d c a n c e r m o r t a l i t y a r e o n t h e I am s o r r y t o present t o you t h i s d a r k p i c t u r e .
r i s e . T h i s f a c t c a n n o t b e o v e r l o o k e d . I f some Ye t , i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o g i v e r e a s o n s f o r a n
types o f c a n c e r s h o w a n i m p r o v e d l i f e e x p e c - entirely n e w a p p r o a c h t o t h i s m a l a d y. O f
tancy of f i v e years, we must consider this mainly course I w i l l n o t b e a b l e t o o f f e r a p a t e n t
as a f a l l a c i o u s r e s u l t , d u e t o an e a r l i e r d e t e c t i o n solution f o r this medical problem, b u t I might a t
of cancer and a consequent s h i f t i n g o f the f i v e l e a s t show some n e w w a y s and p o s s i b i l i t i e s i n t h e
y e a r l i f e e x p e c t a n c y. F o r some t y p e s o f c a n c e r fight a g a i n s t t h i s disease.
such a s l e u k e m i a a n d m a l i g n a n t l y m p h o m a s , a
real l i f e p r o l o n g a t i o n h a s b e e n a c h i e v e d b y Let us f i r s t g i v e our attention t o the bearer o f
massive c h e m o t h e r a p y. I n c e r t a i n c a s e s , h o w - disease: m a n , a n d a t t e m p t a n o v e r a l l k n o w -
e v e r, t h e q u e s t i o n a r i s e s w h e t h e r t h i s g i f t o f l i f e ledge o f h i s e n t i r e b e i n g . T h i s i s t h e o n l y w a y
time is o f true value when, f o r instance, c h i l d r e n to p e n e t r a t e t h e e s s e n c e o f a d i s e a s e l i k e
are i s o l a t e d f o r m o n t h s i n s o - c a l l e d " L i f e c a n c e r. T h e p r e v a l e n t t r e n d , n a r r o w i n g d o w n
I s l a n d s " s e p a r a t e d f r o m e v e r y b o d y, a w a y f r o m the p i c t u r e o f t h e human b e i n g t o p u r e l y p h y s i c a l
their parents because t h e i r resistance i s s o processes, o m i t s f u n d a m e n t a l s o f man: h i s s o u l
reduced b y chemotherapy t h a t a minor i n f e c t i o n and h i s s p i r i t . T h e s e f a c t o r s a r e g r e a t l y
involved i n c a n c e r.

14
15
A t f i r s t w e s h a l l t r y t o l o o k a t man i n c o n n e c t i o n Spiritual science distinguishes the aspect o f life
with t h e n a t u r a l kingdoms around him. from t h e p u r e l y p h y s i c a l p r o c e s s . I n t h i s
sphere, t h e e t h e r i c b o d y i n d i v i d u a l i z e s , a s
We a r e a l l w e l l a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e m i n e r a l bearer o f a l l o r g a n i c f u n c t i o n s , o f g r o w t h a n d
kingdom. T o d a y w e k n o w m o r e a b o u t t h e reproduction. T h i s e t h e r i c b o d y i s , h o w e v e r,
s t r u c t u r e o f substances than e v e r before. T h i s subject t o t h e i n f l u e n c e s o f f o r c e s responsible
k n o w l e d g e e n a b l e d us t o b u i l d - i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e p a r t l y f o r t h e d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n o f organs, p a r t l y
three n a t u r a l kingdoms - a f o u r t h one: t h e f i e l d for the psychological properties. W e call this
o f t e c h n o l o g y, f u l l y s u b j e c t t o t h e l a w s o f f o r c e - c o m p l e x t h e a s t r a l b o d y, w h i c h we possess
chemistry a n d p h y s i c s . B u t , t u r n i n g t o t h e in c o m m o n w i t h t h e a n i m a l k i n g d o m . T h i s
plant w o r l d , chemical and physical laws w i l l not correlated physical-lifebearing-psychical
give a c l u e t o i t s w o r k i n g s . W e a r e f a c e d h e r e structure i s permeated, d o w n t o i t s smallest
w i t h g r o w i n g and s e l f - r e p r o d u c i n g organisms not f r a c t i o n s b y t h e p u r e , s p i r i t u a l p o w e r o f t h e Ego.
with dead m a t e r i a l . A n e n t i r e l y n e w l a w f u l -
ness, t h e l a w s o f l i f e h a v e t a k e n h o l d o f t h e Ta k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t w h a t h a s j u s t b e e n s a i d ,
substance, t u r n i n g i t i n t o the vegetable kingdom. health might be defined as a condition in which
the o r g a n i s m t u r n s i n t o an i n s t r u m e n t r e s p o n d i n g
Looking at the animals we realize again e n t i r e l y faultlessly to Ego-impulses. D i s e a s e is always
new p h e n o m e n a . I n n e r o r g a n s w i t h v a r i o u s a reduction o f t h i s possibility caused b y
f u n c t i o n s , d i f f e r e n t i a t e d s e n s o r y o r g a n s a p p e a r, a l t e r a t i o n s a n d s h i f t s w i t h i n t h e h i g h e r members
bringing f o r t h p r i m i t i v e f e e l i n g s l i k e p a i n and of t h e human being.
enjoyment. T h e r e i n a r e t h e r o o t s o f i n s t i n c t s
which e n a b l e t h e a n i m a l o r g a n i s m , c a p a b l e o f How c a n w e p e n e t r a t e t h e c a n c e r o u s a f f l i c t i o n
movements, t o h a v e v o l u n t a r y a c t i o n s . A t t h i s from t h i s v i e w p o i n t ? Y o u w i l l h a v e n o t i c e d
l e v e l w e f i r s t e n c o u n t e r a s o r t o f m e m o r y. T h e that I r e f e r t o t h i s c o n d i t i o n a l l a l o n g a s
relatively simple metabolism o f the vegetable cancerous d i s e a s e a n d n o t a s c a n c e r . T h e
kingdom t u r n s i n t o t h e h i g h l y d i f f e r e n t i a t e d one conception t h a t a carcinoma i s a disease o f the
of the animal w i t h i t s s t i l l p r i m i t i v e l i f e o f the whole o r g a n i s m h a s b e e n w i d e l y a c c e p t e d
soul. nowadays. I t h a s b e e n r e c o g n i z e d t h a t p e r t u r -
bations o f t h e g e n e r a l m e t a b o l i s m a r e p r e s e n t
Man, h o w e v e r , d i f f e r s f r o m t h e a n i m a l k i n g d o m many y e a r s b e f o r e t h e l o c a l m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f
t h r o u g h t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f h i s p e r s o n a l i t y, h i s c a n c e r, w h i c h t h e y u l t i m a t e l y f a v o u r . T h i s
Ego, h i s i m m o r t a l e n t i t y w h i c h c a n n o t b e precancerous c o n d i t i o n i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y
d e s t r o y e d . T h i s Ego a l l o w s h i m t o w a l k u p r i g h t disturbances i n t h e p r o t e i n , f a t a n d c a r b o -
upon t h e e a r t h , i t g i v e s h i m t h e f a c u l t y o f hydrate metabolism and by a general functional
understanding t h e w h o l e w o r l d . M a n a l o n e i s weakening o f a l l o r g a n s . T h e m e t a b o l i c p r o -
capable o f c o m p a s s i o n a n d goodness, o f c o n - cesses b e c o m e l a z y , t h e d i g e s t i v e e n z y m e s , f o r
ceiving h i g h i d e a l s , a n d a i m i n g a t t h e i r instance, g a s t r i c a c i d a r e i n s u f f i c i e n t l y s e c r e -
realization. T h e r e f o r e , man is responsible f o r ted, h o r m o n a l a c t i v i t i e s s l a c k e n , a n d we n o t i c e a
his a c t i o n s a n d f o r t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s . distinct t r e n d t o subtemperature. A c u t e ,
f e v e r i s h a t t a c k s n o l o n g e r o c c u r. W h a t i s t h e
It i s b y this t u r n o f thought t h a t spiritual key t o a v a i l o u r s e l v e s o f an e x t e n d e d i m a g e o f
s c i e n c e g i v e s us t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f s e e i n g t h r o u g h man a n d i n v e s t i g a t e t h e r e w i t h t h e s e v e r a l
the d i f f e r e n t r e a l m s o f m a n a n d n a t u r e . levels o f c a n c e r o u s d i s e a s e , i t s p r e l i m i n a r y

16 17
c o n d i t i o n s , a n d f i n d , i n t h i s m a n n e r, a p p r o a c h e s nervousness a n d p r o b l e m s i n t h e s l e e p i n g a n d
to a p r o p h y l a x i s . digestive r h y t h m s .

A w e l l - o r g a n i z e d and h a r m o n i o u s i n t e r p l a y o f a l l The s i t u a t i o n i s e v e n w o r s e i n t h e r e a l m o f v i t a l
organic functions i n man i s guided b y t h e Ego- functions: f o o d s t u f f s , w a t e r, t h e whole w o r l d
organization. T h i s guidance should f o r m a n d a r o u n d us i s p o i s o n e d and u n d e r m i n e s o u r v i t a l i t y
d i ff e r e n t i a t e a l l organs. B u t t h e development from e a r l i e s t i n f a n c y. A s a w e l l - k n o w n p r o -
o f ego i s c o u n t e r a c t e d i n o u r t i m e s f r o m i n f a n c y. fessor w r o t e r e c e n t l y , " t h e f o o d g i v e n t o
I n s t e a d o f u n f o l d i n g i n i t i a t i v e i n p l a y, c h i l d r e n children h a s n e v e r b e e n s o expensive a n d s o
are s i t t i n g d u m b l y i n f r o n t o f t h e T V s c r e e n . i n f e r i o r as n o w " . M o r e o v e r , w e f a c e t h e e v e r -
School, i n s t e a d o f a p p e a l i n g t o e a c h c h i l d increasing d r u g d a m a g e s , w h i c h w r e c k o u r
i n d i v i d u a l l y, a i m s a t a u n i f o r m t e a c h i n g f o r t h e defense o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e s a l u t a r y f e v e r ,
masses. I n t h e n e a r f u t u r e , e v e n t h e d i r e c t p r a i s e d b y H i p p o c r a t e s as a f l a m e t h a t c l e a n s t h e
influence o f t h e t e a c h e r ' s p e r s o n a l i t y w i l l body, i s r e p r e s s e d f r o m i t s o n s e t . A l l i n f e c -
vanish a n d s u b j e c t s w i l l b e p r e s e n t e d b y s o - t i o n s a r e s t i f l e d , t h e o r g a n i s m g e t s no p o s s i b i l i t y
called " c e l e b r i t i e s " b y means o f audio-visual to t r a i n i t s f i g h t i n g p o w e r a g a i n s t a n e n e m y.
techniques. T h e goal o f study brings about t h e This i s t h e r o a d t o t h e s o - c a l l e d i m m u n e -
destruction o f individual s e l f -realization, e n - tolerance, a b l i n d n e s s o f t h e b o d y w h e n
courages t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f p e o p l e l a c k i n g threatened b y malignant c e l l s .
f a n t a s y and w i l l - p o w e r who are e a s i l y malleable
members o f a m a s s . T h i s p r o c e s s c o n t i n u e s By t h e n o r m a l e d u c a t i o n p r a c t i c e d t o d a y ,
later b y automatization i n a l l realms o f l i f e . organic b u i l d i n g f o r c e s are d i v e r t e d t o o soon b y
All we have t o do is t o press a button, w i t h o u t a b a l l a s t o f m e m o r i z i n g and d r y i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m ,
thinking o r r e a l i z i n g personal impulses. T h i s while l i v e l i e r, c r e a t i v e forms o f t h i n k i n g are n o t
weakening o f o u r e g o s h o w s u p p h y s i c a l l y i n promoted. W e see a p p l e - c h e e k e d k i d s t u r n i n g
vascular i n s u f f i c i e n c y, c o l d h a n d s a n d f e e t , w i t h i n a f e w months o f school i n t o t i r e d c h i l d r e n
posture f a u l t s w i t h c o n s e q u e n t s p i n e - d e f o r - who c o m p l a i n o f h e a d a c h e s . H o w m a n y y o u n g
mations, i n s u f f i c i e n t s e l f - d e f e n s e i n f a c e o f people s u f f e r f r o m a s l u g g i s h n e s s o f a l l v i t a l
various i n f e c t i o n s , a n d m a n y o t h e r d e f e c t s . functions, calling, a f t e r a while, f o r stimulating
drugs o r t h e s o m n o l e n c e o f h a s h i s h !
Among t h e h i g h e r m e m b e r s o f t h e h u m a n b o d y,
the a s t r a l b o d y i s e q u a l l y m a i m e d . O r g a n i c a l l y I n c l o s e i n t e r a c t i o n , t h e t h r e e h i g h e r members -
i t s h o u l d shape t h e sense- o r g a n s and t h e n e r v o u s e t h e r i c b o d y, a s t r a l b o d y and e g o - o r g a n i z a t i o n -
system; i n t h e p s y c h i c a l d o m a i n i t s h o u l d w o r k shape t h e - c e l l u l a r s t r u c t u r e o f o u r p h y s i c a l
out t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f f e e l i n g s . A n o v e r l o a d b o d y. T h e y c o m p e l t h e c e l l s t o s p e c i a l i z a t i o n ,
of purely intellectual informative m a t t e r h i n - they elongate t h e round c e l l i n t o a muscle c e l l ,
ders a h a r m o n i o u s d e v e l o p m e n t o f f e e l i n g l i f e . form polygonal nerve- c e l l s , endow the l i v e r cells
There w i l l f o l l o w , i n c o n s e q u e n c e , u n r e s t r a i n e d with complicated f u n c t i o n s a n d s o on.
explosions o f suppressed f e e l i n g s . R a d i o , a n d
picture magazines confuse a n d chaotisize o u r When t h e e g o a n d i t s h e l p e r s a r e w e a k e n e d , t h e
emotions, f i n a l l y d e a d e n o u r a t t e n t i v e n e s s w i t h c e l l s e s c a p e t h e i r r u l e a n d f o l l o w t h e i r own l a w s
an i n c r e a s i n g c r a v i n g f o r e v e r s t r o n g e r s t i m u - t u r n i n g i n t o m a l i g n a n c y and p r o l i f e r a t i o n . T h e
lation. A s a r e s u l t o f a n o v e r s t r a i n e d a n d l o c a l i z a t i o n o f a t u m o r o r i g i n a t e d in this manner
finally weakened astral organization, w e see w i l l , o f c o u r s e , be c o n d i t i o n e d b y d i r e c t , o r g a n -

18 19
specific, c a r c i n o g e n i c influences. members o f t h e b o d y, h a v i n g d o n e t h e i r m a j o r
organic w o r k i n t h e e m b r y o w h e r e o n e s h a p e
Look, f o r instance, a t t h e e f f e c t o f t a r products evolves a f t e r the next, s l o w l y w i t h d r a w when the
in c i g a r e t t e s . W e k n o w t h e i r a c t i o n o n t h e organs a r e f u l l y d e v e l o p e d . T h e y w i l l t h e n
lungs. 9 0 % o f l u n g c a n c e r p a t i e n t s a r e smokers. restrict themselves t o keep u p t h e functional
The t i m e o f d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h i s d i s e a s e i s apparatus. T h i s w i l l e n a b l e t h e m t o e x p a n d
approximately 2 0 y e a r s . B u t w h i c h t y p e o f more i n s p i r i t u a l a c t i v i t i e s : t h e e t h e r b o d y i n
person t u r n s i n t o a s m o k e r ? I t w o u l d b e t h e thinking, t h e a s t r a l body in feeling, t h e ego i n
n e r v o u s , p e r h a p s s h a k y man, s u b j e c t e d t o s t r e s s w i l l p o w e r. A s t h e a g i n g p r o c e s s c o n t i n u e s , a n d
and t e n s i o n , w h o s e e k s i n s m o k i n g a n a p p a r e n t the f o r m i n g o f t h e o r g a n s i s f i n i s h e d , a f u r t h e r
r e l a x a t i o n , a pseudo- c o u r a g e . T h e e f f e c t is o f stage o f e x c a r n a t i o n i s r e a c h e d : s o m e o r g a n i c
short duration, hence the next c i g a r e t t e w i l l be functions regress, n o t o n l y those o f the ovaries
lighted. and t h e r h y t h m i c a l t e r a t i o n s i n t h e m a m m a r y
gland, b u t a l s o t h e s e c r e t i o n s i n t h e d i g e s t i v e
I t is equally a recognized fact, t h a t the gastric tract a n d o t h e r glands.
cancer o f innkeepers o r a l c o h o l i c s i s due t o a
permanent i r r i t a t i o n as: h o t f o o d s w a l l o w e d in If t h i s process comes about i n a harmonic
haste, i n s u f f i c i e n t l y m a s t i c a t e d , l a r g e p o r t i o n s f a s h i o n , t h e r e i s n o d a n g e r. B u t i n some c a s e s ,
o f m e a t , h i g h l y s p i c e d m e a l s and l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s for i n s t a n c e a f t e r hormonal t h e r a p y, w h e n
of a l c o h o l . P s y c h o l o g i c a l l y, h o w e v e r, t h e a r t i f i c i a l y o u t h f u l n e s s has been f o r c e d o r when
background o f g a s t r i c c a n c e r m i g h t come f r o m the a b o v e m e n t i o n e d c a n c e r o g e n i c i n f l u e n c e s o f
unsolved problems, a " s w a l l o w i n g " o f r e p e a t e d the e n v i r o n m e n t a c t a s p e r m a n e n t i r r i t a t i v e
vexations. f a c t o r s on t h e c e l l s , m a l i g n a n t d e g e n e r a t i o n c a n
easily a f f e c t t h e a g e g r o u p i n w h i c h shaping
Cancer o f t h e c o l o n , a f o r m o f m a l i g n a n c y forces d e c l i n e . H e r e w e e n c o u n t e r c a n c e r o f
especially frequent in the States, is often found the g e n i t a l o r g a n s , o f t h e b r e a s t a n d m a n y o t h e r
in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a m e c h a n i c a l , n o t v e r y l o g i c a l types.
or c o n c e n t r a t e d t h i n k i n g . W h e n y o u r t h o u g h t s
are c r e a t i v e a n d c o n c e n t r a t e d , b o w e l f u n c t i o n s You m a y ask, w h y are so m a n y c h i l d r e n and young
will b e a l r i g h t . W i t h t h e c u r r e n t s c a t t e r - people a l s o v i c t i m s o f m a l i g n a n t n e o f o r m a t i o n s .
brained t h i n k i n g t y p i c a l f o r our time, peristalsis In t h e s e c a s e s w e a r e f a c e d w i t h a t o o f e e b l e
stagnates, w h i c h leads t o c h r o n i c c o n s t i p a t i o n . i n t e r v e n t i o n o f the h i g h e r members, a n i n s u f f i -
This, i n t u r n , w i l l b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e ciency of incarnation. W i t h the development of
m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f d e f o r m a t i o n s such as d i v e r t i c u - our e x t r e m i t i e s w e t u r n i n t o e a r t h l y b e i n g s .
losis o r p o l y p o s i s . B o t h c o n d i t i o n s a r e l o c a - When t h e s h a p i n g f o r c e s a r e d e f i c i e n t , w e s e e
lized pre- c a n c e r sites where t h e shaping forces the b o n e m a l i g n a n c i e s f r e q u e n t l y l o c a l i z e d i n
f a l l o u t a n d a c a n c e r c a n a p p e a r. the l i m b s . S i m i l a r l y , t h e u n c o n t r o l l e d i n c r e a s e
of white c e l l s in the bone marrow is a sign o f the
We s e e n o w h o w t h e c a n c e r d i s e a s e p r o c e e d s ego's w e a k n e s s : i t f a i l s t o c o n t r o l i t s i n s t r u -
s l o w l y f r o m s p i r i t u a l and p s y c h o l o g i c a l stages to ment, t h e b l o o d . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e m a n y
physical f u n c t i o n s a n d m a n i f e s t a t i o n s . extraneous i n f l u e n c e s w e described, a s w e l l as
ionized r a d i a t i o n s t u r n t h e c e l l u l a r e l e m e n t s
P h y s i o l o g i c a l l y, o l d e r p e o p l e a r e m o r e s u b j e c t t o into less malleable, h a r d e r ones, l e s s l i a b l e t o
neoplastic a ff e c t i o n s . T h e f o r m - g i v i n g higher differentiation.
20 21
All these aspects o f the cancer situation were organs l i k e t h e e y e o r e a r, w h i c h a r e b u i l t l i k e
already mentioned i n 1920 b y Rudolf Steiner in analytical instruments reacting t o a l l kinds o f
basic c o m m u n i c a t i o n s f o r p h y s i c i a n s . A t t h a t vibrations. H e r e w e s e e o r g a n i c substance
time l i t t l e w a s k n o w n a b o u t c a n c e r. R u d o l f differentiated t o p e r f e c t i o n . T h e f o r m i n g
Steiner was one o f the f i r s t s c i e n t i s t s t o s t a t e forces a r e a b l e t o r e t i r e . B u t , i f a s i m i l a r
the r e v o l u t i o n a r y i d e a t h a t c a n c e r is a disease o f process o c c u r s i n t h e w r o n g p l a c e , l o c a l i z e d
the w h o l e o r g a n i s m . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , h e precancer tendencies w i l l manifest themselves.
stressed t h e f u n d a m e n t a l antagonism o f c e l l and Organic substance w i l l g r o w h o r n y, h a r d , o r
organism, w h e n h e s a i d : undergo d e f o r m a t i o n , t h e r e b y f a l l i n g o u t o f t h e
"In o u r organism w e f i g h t i n a p e r - pattern of life. W e find indurations in the skin
manent w a y a g a i n s t t h e l i f e o f t h e c e l l s . T h e and mucous m e m b r a n e s , w e e n c o u n t e r p o l y p s a n d
worst m i s c o n c e p t i o n is b r o u g h t about by c e l l u l a r other deformations.
p a t h o l o g y w h i c h c o n s i d e r s t h e human o r g a n i s m as
an e d i f i c e m a d e o u t o f c e l l s , w h e r e a s t h e h u m a n Acute inflammation presents a p e r f e c t l y c o n -
b e i n g is an e n t i t y c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e cosmos a n d t r a s t i n g p i c t u r e . H e r e w e see e x t r e m e a c t i v i t y
has r e a l l y a c o n s t a n t f i g h t w i t h t h e o b s t i n a c y o f and i n t e n s e c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n a l l m e m b e r s o f
the c e l l s . " the o r g a n i s m . A p h y s i o l o g i c a l c o u n t e r p a r t c a n
be o b s e r v e d i n t h e s m a l l i n t e s t i n e w h e r e a n
Thirty-five y e a r s l a t e r t h e famous S w i s s extraordinary c e l l p r o l i f e r a t i o n i s a t w o r k
zoologist, Portmann, w r o t e : without malignant degeneration, since the new
"Nowhere i s t h e r e a n organism c o n - cell substance is i m m e d i a t e l y seized and shaped.
structed o f c e l l s ; a p l a s m a t i c e n t i t y w h i c h
subsists d u r i n g t h e w h o l e d e v e l o p m e n t s u b - We k n o w t h a t s o - c a l l e d s p o n t a n e o u s r e m i s s i o n s
divides i t s e l f . N o t t h e s t o n e s c r e a t e a n o f c a n c e r have been n o t e d a f t e r a c u t e , f e v e r i s h
edifice, t h e invisible e n t i t y at work creates its i n f l a m m a t i o n s . I t was demonstrated l a t e l y t h a t
own b r i c k s . T h e s h a p i n g p o w e r s o f an o r g a n i s m o p e r a t e d cases o f l u n g c a n c e r have a m u c h b e t t e r
impart t h e plasma i t s systemic departments, c e l l chance t o s u r v i v e i f a p u r u l e n t e x u d a t i o n
formation i s a l a t e r stage." i n t e r f e r e s a f t e r s u r g e r y.

Portmann, w h o m a d e t h e s e s t a t e m e n t s o n t h e The e s s e n c e o f c a n c e r l i e s , a s w e s e e , i n a
basis o f a n i m a l e x p e r i m e n t s , p r o c e e d s t o a s k : certain p a r a l y s i s a n d d i s i n t e g r a t i o n o f t h e
"Who i s t h a t s e l f - r e a l i z i n g b e i n g ? " higher principles, a process beginning o n t h e
His r e p l y i s : level o f s p i r i t , t r i c k l i n g down g r a d u a l l y i n t o t h e
"Here we f i n d ourselves c o n f r o n t e d b y soul a n d t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y. G e n e r a l i z e d p r e -
the m y s t e r y o f t h e s e l f , w h i c h f a c e s us a g a i n a n d cancerosis t u r n s t h e n i n t o a s t a g e o f c e l l u l a r
again." e m a n c i p a t i o n w h i c h does n o t c o n f o r m a n y m o r e t o
the g e n e r a l l a w s o f human l i f e b u t o n l y t o t h o s e
S u b s e q u e n t l y, R u d o l f S t e i n e r p o i n t s t o t h e of autonomous c e l l u l a r propagation.
polarity o f tumor and inflammation. I n n e o -
plastic processes, t h e h i g h e r members o f t h e The m e r e o b s e r v a t i o n o f p h y s i o l o g i c a l a n d
body a r e n o t o n l y g e t t i n g p a r a l y z e d , t h e y pathological situations shows u s herewith t h e
disintegrate, s t o p cooperating. T h i s c o n f i g u - way t o a t h e r a p y o f m a l i g n a n t disease w h i c h s h a l l
r a t i o n o f t h e h i g h e r p r i n c i p l e s i s n o r m a l i n sense be d i s c u s s e d i n t h e c o u r s e o f o u r f o l l o w i n g
evening sessions.
23
22
To d a y, I s h o u l d s i m p l y l i k e t o a d d some h i n t s f o r cation i s c u r a t i v e . I t e n h a n c e s a h u m a n
cancer p r e v e n t i o n , meaning genera/ measures o f development a n d c o u n t e r a c t s t h e d e s t r u c t i v e
hygiene, t o be a p p l i e d f r o m e a r l y childhood on. instincts o f modern y o u t h b y setting u p h i g h
ideals. P a r e n t s a t home s h o u l d e n c o u r a g e t h e
An i n f a n t ' s best p r o t e c t i o n is m o t h e r ' s m i l k . I t trend t o helpfulness and loving i n t e r e s t f o r the
enhances t h e f o r m i n g p o w e r s and s t r e n g t h e n s t h e world a r o u n d . R e g u l a r d a i l y r h y t h m s a r e
infantile c o n s t i t u t i o n , a f a c t w h i c h w i l l i m p o r t a n t . S l e e p i n g , w o r k i n g and e a t i n g s h o u l d
influence a l l o f l a t e r l i f e . have t h e i r w e l l - a p p o i n t e d t i m e s , a n i n v a l u a b l e
factor f o r health.
The c h i l d ' s o r g a n i s m , w h i c h w a s p e a c e f u l l y
s h e l t e r e d i n t h e w o m b , s h o u l d n o t be e x p o s e d t o o Food s h o u l d b e s i m p l e , b u t o f b e s t q u a l i t y ,
soon t o c o l d f r e s h a i r o r i n f a n t g y m n a s t i c s . therefore b i o l o g i c a l o r , e v e n b e t t e r , b i o -
Both p a v e t h e w a y t o p r e m a t u r e h a r d e n i n g dynamic f r u i t a n d v e g e t a b l e s s h o u l d b e p r e -
processes o p p o s e d t o t h e a c t i o n o f s h a p i n g ferred. O v e r e a t i n g , e s p e c i a l l y w i t h s w e e t s ,
powers. E a r l y , massive dosage o f V i t a m i n D i s meat a n d f a t s h o u l d b e a v o i d e d . C e r e a l s a n d
wrong i n t h e s a m e r e s p e c t . W e k n o w b y n o w m i l k p r o d u c t s , e s p e c i a l l y c o t t a g e cheese, a r e t h e
that i t m i g h t b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r s c l e r o t i c best a d d i t i o n s t o f r u i t , v e g e t a b l e s a n d s a l a d .
alterations s e e n a l r e a d y i n c h i l d h o o d . A n
excess o f v a c c i n a t i o n s i s e q u a l l y h a r m f u l . Great m i s t a k e s a r e m a d e a t t h e c o s t o f o u r
Normal i n f a n t i l e d i s e a s e s l i k e c h i c k e n p o x , warmth organism. E s p e c i a l l y ladies' fashion to
s c a r l e t f e v e r, e t c . , t e a c h t h e o r g a n i s m t o f i g h t walk a r o u n d w i t h b a r e l e g s a n d t h i n n y l o n
against i n f e c t i o n s . I n t h i s b a t t l e t h e immune- stockings even i n the w i n t e r, are a,physiological
organization s t e e l s i t s e l f a n d a c q u i r e s t h e nonsense. T h e y t e n d t o w e a k e n and d i s o r g a n i z e
necessary a b i l i t y f o r t h e f i g h t a g a i n s t l a t e r the e g o ' s t e m p e r a t u r e r e g u l a t i o n . I t i s a
malignant disease. O f course, t h e s e i n f e c t i o n s c u r i o u s t h i n g t h a t so m a n y c a n c e r p a t i e n t s h a v e
must be u n d e r m e d i c a l c o n t r o l and g u i d a n c e . D o no f e e l i n g f o r t h e i r own t e m p e r a t u r e . T h e y w i l l
not w o r r y a b o u t f e v e r i s h c o n d i t i o n s . I f t h e sit i n i c y rooms w i t h i c e - c o l d hands a n d f e e t
temperature i n small inflammations and feverish saying, " I f e e l q u i t e w a r m " .
colds is suppressed i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h a n t i b i o t i c s ,
we c o m m i t a m a j o r e r r o r o f m e d i c i n e . C o n s t a n t A l l these rules o f hygiene are n a t u r a l l y v a l i d f o r
suppression o f f e v e r i s h c o n d i t i o n s l e a d s i n a people o f e v e r y a g e a n d e s p e c i a l l y f o r c a n c e r
straight line t o cancer disposition. patients.

To p u t c h i l d r e n b e f o r e t h e T V - s c r e e n i s o n e o f I n o u r days, c a n c e r r e s e a r c h is a t a dead end. I t

the w o r s t s i n s o f t o d a y. T h e s o u l ' s f o r c e s a r e hopes t o g e t o u t o f t h a t i m p a s s e b y r e v e r t i n g t o
impaired; w e n o t i c e restlessness, t i r e d n e s s o r immunological p r o c e s s e s , a s t i m u l a t i o n o f
even e x p l o s i o n s o f u n c o n t r o l l e d w i l d n e s s a s a natural organic defence. T h i s , indeed, i s t h e
consequence, p r e p a r i n g t h e g r o u n d f o r f u t u r e only w a y o f h o p e . Y e a r s a g o , w h e n a n t h r o -
disease. I n s t e a d , c h i l d r e n s h o u l d b e e n c o u r - posophic researchers mentioned o r g a n i c d e f e n c e
aged t o p l a y g a m e s o f t h e i r o w n a n d g e t s o m e processes t h e y w e r e r i d i c u l e d . T o d a y , t h i s l i n e
artistic coaching during the kindergarten and of approach h a s b e e n r e c o g n i z e d a s o n e o f
school age. C r e a t i v e impulses should be a w a k - greatest i n t e r e s t a n d t h i s i s t h e f i e l d w h e r e
ened. I n t h i s r e s p e c t , R u d o l f S t e i n e r ' s e d u - o f f i c i a l medicine and our cancer research reach
a common p l a t f o r m . W e s h a l l discuss t h i s p o i n t

24 2 5
tomorrow n i g h t a n d g o o n t o n e w therapeutic IV
possibilities.
M I S T L E T O E A N D I T S U S E I N T H E T R E AT M E N T
All I wanted t o show y o u t o d a y was a n e w OF C A N C E R
understanding o f c a n c e r d i s e a s e a n d s o m e
general t h e r a p e u t i c measures b a s e d o n t h i s . M i s t l e t o e is m e n t i o n e d more o f t e n t h a n a n y o t h e r
R e a l c u r e o f c a n c e r, i n t h e f u t u r e , w i l l o n l y b e p l a n t i n t h e o l d sagas. T h e Edda, a c o l l e c t i o n o f
p o s s i b l e i f we g i v e u p t h e n a r r o w v i e w e m b r a c i n g o l d G e r m a n i c m y t h s , r e l a t e s how t h e r a d i a n t god,
p u r e l y p h y s i c a l phenomena a n d i n c l u d e s p i r i t u a l B a l d u r, t h e Sun- E a r t h god, h a d b a d dreams w h i c h
viewpoints i n o u r endeavors. predicted his imminent death. T h i s led Frigga,
the m o t h e r o f t h e g o d s , t o d e m a n d a n o a t h f r o m
all e a r t h l y creatures t h a t t h e y would n o t harm
B a l d u r. S h e f o r g o t t h e m i s t l e t o e , b e c a u s e i t i s
n o t a t r u e E a r t h p l a n t , b u t one t h a t has r e m a i n e d
in a s t a g e o f e v o l u t i o n t h a t p r e c e d e d t h a t o f t h e
present E a r t h , and so i t d i d n o t t a k e t h e o a t h .
The g o d , L o k i , c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e o l d r a c e o f
Giants, w h o h a d n o t c o n t i n u e d t o e v o l v e ,
r e g a r d e d t h e o t h e r gods w i t h e n m i t y and t r i e d t o
stop a l l p r o g r e s s . H e h e a r d o f t h i s a n d p u t a
twig o f mistletoe i n t h e hand o f the b l i n d god,
H o d u r, so t h a t h e c o u l d p l a y w i t h t h e o t h e r gods
who w e r e t h r o w i n g a l l s o r t s o f e a r t h l y o b j e c t s a t
B a l d u r, d e l i g h t e d t h a t n o t h i n g c o u l d h u r t h i m .
Then H o d u r came a n d h u r l e d t h e m i s t l e t o e , w h i c h
wounded B a l d u r t o d e a t h . D e e p m o u r n i n g n o w
reigned on E a r t h . B a l d u r , w h o gave t o Mankind
the c a p a c i t y t o b e h o l d t h e r a d i a n t S p i r i t u a l
Wo r l d , i s d e a d . H o d u r , t h e b l i n d , r e p r e -
sentative o f t h e i n t e l l e c t t h a t i s t u r n e d
e x c l u s i v e l y t o w a r d m a t e r i a l things, remains and
dominates t h e e v o l u t i o n o f t h e E a r t h i n e v e r
increasing d e g r e e , a s w e e x p e r i e n c e t o d a y.
Please k e e p t h i s p i c t u r e i n m i n d - a t t h e e n d o f
the l e c t u r e w e w i l l c o n t r a s t i t w i t h a n o t h e r one.

The m i s t l e t o e we a r e r e f e r r i n g t o , V i s c u m a l b u m ,
belongs t o t h e l a r g e f a m i l y o f L o r a n t h a c a e , o f
which there are more than 13,000 species. T h e y
are b u s h y, h a l f - p a r a s i t i c p l a n t s t h a t g r o w o n
trees, d r a w i n g o f f t h e w a t e r and m i n e r a l s a l t s
necessary f o r t h e i r growth. T h e w h i t e - b e r r i e d

26 27
mistletoe, Viscum album, is found c h i e f l y i n t h e Let u s n o w c o n s i d e r i t s peculiarities m o r e
temperate z o n e o f Europe, w h e r e a s y o u have c l o s e l y. T h e s e e d k e r n e l o f m i s t l e t o e , i f b u r i e d
other m i s t l e t o e s i n t h e S t a t e s , f o r e x a m p l e in t h e e a r t h , w i l l n o t g r o w - m i s t l e t o e h a s n o
phorodendron and arceuthobium oxycedri. B u t , relationship t o mineral s o i l , i t c a n o n l y g r o w
according t o n e w s f r o m y o u r D e p a r t m e n t o f above t h e l e v e l o f t h e g r o u n d i n t h e l i v i n g w o o d
Agriculture r e c e n t l y, V i s c u m a l b u m h a s b e e n o f t h e t r e e . I t has no r e a l r o o t s , b u t p e n e t r a t e s
discovered i n C a l i f o r n i a . the w o o d w i t h w e d g e s h a p e d r u d i m e n t a r y o r g a n s ,
the s i n k e r s , w h i c h f i n d t h e i r w a y t o t h e w a t e r -
I f you travel i n early Spring through France, carrying vessels o f t h e t r e e . M i s t l e t o e t h u s
which i s a m i s t l e t o e p a r a d i s e , y o u s e e t h e draws o f f w a t e r and m i n e r a l s u b s t a n c e s , b u t does
spherical bushes, t h a t c a n r e a c h a d i a m e t e r o f not harm t h e t r e e b y robbing i t o f any i m p o r t a n t
n e a r l y one m e t e r, o n t h e b r a n c h e s o f t h e l e a f l e s s nutritional substances. T h e reverse has e v e n
trees. W h e n y o u e x a m i n e a b u s h c l o s e l y y o u been f o u n d , b e c a u s e i t s e e m s t h a t o r g a n i c
find t h e w h o l e f i l l e d o u t w i t h s i m p l y f o r m e d s u b s t a n c e s pass b y an as- y e t - u n k n o w n p a t h f r o m
leaves a n d s m a l l y e l l o w i s h b u d s o r f l o w e r s , b y mistletoe t o t r e e . T h i s e x p l a i n s w h y t h e
which y o u c a n e a s i l y d i s t i n g u i s h t h e m a l e a n d mistletoe-bearing b r a n c h e s o f a d y i n g t r e e
female bushes. I n w i n t e r y o u f i n d t h e w h i t e usually r e m a i n g r e e n / o n g e r.
berries in w h i c h t h e "seed k e r n e l " l i e s embedded
in a s t i c k y s u b s t a n n c e . T h i s s u b s t a n c e , v i s c i n , Mistletoe c a n n o t f l o u r i s h o n e v e r y t r e e . I t
has been used t o m a k e b i r d l i m e , w i t h w h i c h s m a l l prefers t h o s e t h a t g r o w a b o v e s u b t e r r a n e a n
birds were f o r m e r l y caught. M i s t l e t o e - b e a r i n g streams, c r a c k s a n d d i s l o c a t i o n s i n t h e g e o -
oaks w e r e h o l y t o t h e p e o p l e o f t h e e a r l y logical layers. T h e s e a r e places where some-
Germanic t r i b e s . T h e i r p r i e s t s , t h e D r u i d s , t h i n g o f t h e f o r c e s o f t h e O l d Moon P e r i o d o f t h e
wearing w h i t e robes, moved in solemn procession Earth surge u p . W a t e r d i v i n e r s c a n t r a c e t h e
to t h e o a k woods, w h e r e t h e y c u t t h e m i s t l e t o e presence o f s u c h " a c t i v e z o n e s . " W e o n c e
from t h e t r e e w i t h a g o l d e n s i c k l e . I t w a s arranged f o r one t o l o c a t e such zones i n a small
caught i n a w h i t e c l o t h because i f i t t o u c h e d the wood. T h e m a n k n e w n o t h i n g a b o u t m i s t l e t o e
earth i t w o u l d l o s e i t s h e a l i n g p r o p e r t i e s . and h a d n o t e v e n n o t i c e d i t s p r e s e n c e o n t h e
Mistletoe w a s c o n s i d e r e d a r e m e d y f o r a l l t r e e s . H e made us a p l a n o f t h e p l a c e , a n d s u r e
diseases. T h r o u g h o u t t h e M i d d l e A g e s , r i g h t u p enough t h e z o n e s h e t r a c e d c o i n c i d e d w i t h t h o s e
to m o d e r n t i m e s , i t w a s u s e d f o r e p i l e p s y , where m i s t l e t o e w a s g r o w i n g . T h i s i s u n d e r -
s t e r i l i t y, h i g h b l o o d p r e s s u r e a n d d e p r e s s i o n . standable, a s R u d o l f S t e i n e r p o i n t e d o u t ,
In 1 9 1 7 , R u d o l f S t e i n e r, t h e f i r s t t o d o s o , because m i s t l e t o e d r a w s o v e r - a b u n d a n t l i f e f r o m
p o i n t e d t o i t s m o s t i m p o r t a n t p r o p e r t y f o r t o d a y, the t r e e , s u c k s i t i n a n d t h r i v e s o n i t . I t l i k e s
namely i t s e f f e c t o n c a n c e r . H e d e s c r i b e d also t o g r o w o n t r e e s t h a t h a v e a t e n d e n c y t o
m i s t l e t o e as a s u r v i v o r o f an e a r l i e r p e r i o d i n t h e s w e l l a n d f o r m t u m o r s on t h e i r t r u n k s . O n e g e t s
evolution o f the E a r t h before the surface of f i r m the i m p r e s s i o n t h a t m i s t l e t o e i s N a t u r e ' s r e m e d y
mineral ground had formed. I n s t e a d , there was f o r superfluous, u n d i ff e r e n t i a t e d p r o l i f i c E a r t h
only a s o f t mass w i t h h o r n y islands o n w h i c h forces t h a t r i s e u p e s p e c i a l l y f r o m s w a m p y
plants at a stage between o u r present plant and g r o u n d . V i s c u m a l b u m has a much h i g h e r r a t e o f
a n i m a l , c o u l d l i v e . M i s t l e t o e i s such an a n i m a l - t r a n s p i r a t i o n t h a n i t s h o s t , a s l o n g as i t i s on t h e
plant t h a t has been l e f t behind from t h i s e a r l y tree. T h e l o s s o f w a t e r f r o m p i c k e d t w i g s i s
so-called O l d Moon period o f t h e Earth. very m u c h less, s o t h e y d o n o t w i t h e r v e r y
q u i c k l y.
28 2 9
Can w e f i n d a n y s i g n s t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e
mistletoe a s a n animal-plant? as i f t h e E a r t h w e r e n o t t h e r e . O t h e r p l a n t s ,
through h e l i o t r o p i s m a n d g e o t r o p i s m , a l i g n
A normal plant lives c h i e f l y i n i t s surfaces. t h e m s e l v e s i n t h e d i r e c t i o n Sun- E a r t h . C e r t a i n
starch cells i n t h e r o o t t i p s enable t h e m t o d o
The l i m e t r e e , f o r i n s t a n c e , s t r e a m s i t s l i f e o u t
this. T h e s e c e l l s a r e l a c k i n g i n t h e s i n k e r s o f
into i t s f o l i a g e , w h i c h surrounds i t l i k e a skin,
mistletoe, w h i c h i n consequence grows i n a n y
leaving l e s s a n d l e s s b e h i n d i n t r u n k a n d
direction w h i c h happens t o s u i t i t , sideways,
branches. M i s t l e t o e b u i l d s up an i n n e r space a s
downward, a n y d i r e c t i o n where i t finds r o o m t o
animals do, w h i c h i n c o n t r a s t t o p l a n t s develop
build u p i t s o w n i n n e r s p a c e . T h e l a c k o f
i n n e r organs. A n o r m a l p l a n t l i v e s i n t h e s t r a i g h t
relationship t o t h e usual directions i s obvious
line o f time, i t germinates, f l o w e r s a n d bears i t s
even i n g e r m i n a t i o n . S o - c a l l e d " l i m b s " , u s u a l l y
f r u i t i n s e q u e n c e , a n d none o f t h e s e p r o c e s s e s i s
reversible. W i t h m i s t l e t o e , o n t h e o t h e r hand, t w o , g r o w o u t o f t h e seed k e r n e l 9 f the b e r r y, a n d
you f i n d r i p e b e r r i e s n e x t t o o p e n f l o w e r s , o r like f e e l e r s t h e y t u r n t o f i n d a base o n w h i c h
they c a n d e v e l o p a h o l d . I f t h e s i n k e r t h a t
next t o small green berries i n the f i r s t stage o f
development, and a l l t h i s among young, g r o w i n g develops o u t o f t h i s succeeds i n p e n e t r a t i n g t h e
bark, t h e o t h e r end rises u p f r o m t h e b r a n c h and
leaves. Y o u can f i n d f l o w e r s a n d b e r r i e s on t h e
the s e e d l i n g b e g i n s t o g r o w i n o n e d i r e c t i o n o r
old t w i g s a t t h e same t i m e a s on t h e y o u n g ones.
a n o t h e r, h a v i n g r e v e r s e d i t s d i r e c t i o n u p t o 1 8 0
The s e e d o f m i s t l e t o e i s c a l l e d " e m b r y o " ( t h e
word p o i n t s t o a n i m a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ) . I n degrees. T h e d i r e c t i o n i n w h i c h t h e b u s h g r o w s
does n o t a f f e c t t h e l e a v e s , o n w h i c h y o u c a n n o t
contrast t o t h a t o f a normal p l a n t , i t needs no
" l a t e n t period", i t germinates equally whether i t distinguish a l o w e r o r u p p e r surface.
is s t i l l w i t h i n t h e b e r r y o n t h e b u s h o r has b e e n
Mistletoe also goes i t s o w n w a y w i t h r e g a r d t o
dropped b y a b i r d o n t o a b r a n c h . H e r e w e h a v e
another i n s t a n c e o f simultaneousness. L i f e time. I t h a s i t s o w n r h y t h m t h a t f a l l s o u t o f
continues as i t does i n a n i m a l s . A l s o , t h e w a y line w i t h t h e r e s t o f v e g e t a t i o n . T h e f l o w e r
mistletoe spreads shows i t s c o n n e c t i o n w i t h buds b e g i n t o f o r m i n M a y b u t d o n o t o p e n t i l l t h e
animal l i f e . T h e b e r r i e s a r e e a t e n , m a i n l y b y following February or March. T h e berries then
mistle thrushes, w h i c h drop them a f t e r 10 - 15 develop s o s l o w l y t h a t m a n y o n l y r i p e n i n
minutes, f r e e d o f the skin, so t h a t t h e y s t i c k t o D e c e m b e r, p e r h a p s e v e n J a n u a r y. T h o s e t h a t
some b r a n c h . I f y o u l o o k c a r e f u l l y a t m i s t l e t o e are n o t r e m o v e d b y some e x t e r n a l r e a s o n r e m a i n
you f i n d t h a t t h e s t e m s a r e j o i n t e d l i k e t h e l i m b s on t h e bush. T h e y have b e e n seen e v e n up t o t h e
o f an i n s e c t . W h e n y o u t a k e a m i s t l e t o e s t e m i n following A u g u s t , g e r m i n a t i o n h a v i n g t a k e n
place w i t h i n t h e m . T h e w h o l e d e v e l o p m e n t o f
your h a n d y o u h a v e t h e f e e l i n g t h a t y o u a r e
the f r u i t t a k e s a b o u t 1 8 m o n t h s . M i s t l e t o e
touching s k i n - m i s t l e t o e does n o t f o r m bark.
exposed t o t h e w i n t e r sun t u r n s a g o l d e n y e l l o w ,
The c h e m i c a l a n a l y s i s o f m i s t l e t o e s h o w s t h a t i t b u t g r e e n s a g a i n i n s u m m e r. W h e n y o u see h o w
mistletoe k e e p s t o i t s o w n r h y t h m y o u c a n
contains m a n y f r e e a m i n o a c i d s , e s p e c i a l l y
understand R u d o l f S t e i n e r when he spoke o f i t s
arginine w h i c h is also found i n f i s h sperm, b u t
"insane a r i s t o c r a c y . " M i s t l e t o e w i l l n o t d i r t y
r a r e l y in plants. T h e leaves l a c k glutamine and
its t i n y " f e e t " w i t h s o i l , i t f l o a t s a b o v e t h e
asparagin, f o u n d i n a l l o t h e r p l a n t s .
plants t h a t carpet the Earth, using the branch o f
the t r e e l i k e a r e s t i n g p l a c e .
M i s t l e t o e i s a s e l f - w i l l e d p l a n t i n t h a t i t behaves
We s p o k e e a r l i e r o f t h e a b o u n d i n g v i t a l i t y o f
30
31
m i s t l e t o e , w h i c h i t owes t o i t s o r i g i n i n t h e t i m e them f r e e a g a i n a n d l e a d s t o a r i s e i n b o d y
when t h e E a r t h i t s e l f w a s y o u n g . T h i s v i t a l i t y temperature.
shows i t s e l f i n t h e f a c t t h a t t h e l e a v e s n e v e r
w i t h e r - t h e y e v e n g r o w a l i t t l e e v e r y y e a r, u p t o Yo u see t h e d o u b l e n a t u r e o f m i s t l e t o e . O n t h e
t h e i r f o u r t h y e a r. T h e n t h e y d r o p o f f , g r e e n as one h a n d i t s u c k s f r o m t h e E a r t h , b y w a y o f t h e
they a r e , i n s u m m e r. A n I t a l i a n f a i r y - t a l e tree, w a t e r y, moon- r e l a t e d f o r c e s o f sprouting
c a t c h e s t h i s q u a l i t y. I t t e l l s o f a r a d i a n t f a i r y and p r o l i f i c g r o w t h . L i k e s u b m e r g e d l e a v e s o f
who a p p e a r e d w i t h a c r e s c e n t M o o n b e a r i n g t h e aquatic p l a n t s , m i s t l e t o e l e a v e s a r e c o v e r e d
sign o f t h e H o l y G r a i l a t h e r f e e t a n d a t w i g o f with a s i n g l e l a y e r o f c h l o r o p h y l l - c o n t a i n i n g
mistletoe i n h e r hand. T o a k n i g h t who came epithelium. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , m i s t l e t o e
r i d i n g b y she s a i d , " B e h o l d t h i s m i s t l e t o e i n m y exposes i t s e l f t o t h e c o s m i c f o r c e s o f l i g h t a n d
hand, i t k e e p s me f o r e v e r y o u n g a n d b e a u t i f u l . " warmth, and detached f r o m the earth, permeates
These y o u t h f u l f o r c e s i n t h e m i s t l e t o e e x p r e s s i t s e l f w i t h t h e m . A s a r e s u l t , m i s t l e t o e has t w o
themselves a l s o i n t h e shape o f t h e l e a f , w h i c h contrasting conditions in the course o f the year:
maintains the embryonic, seed- l e a f f o r m a l l i t s mid- w i n t e r , w h e n t h e r e t a r d e d M o o n f o r c e s i n
life w i t h o u t a n y metamorphosis. the E a r t h a r e e x p e c i a l l y s t r o n g , b u t w h i c h i t
counteracts w i t h its exaggerated blooming, and
A v e r y d i f f e r e n t q u a l i t y o f m i s t l e t o e , h o w e v e r, Mid- s u m m e r, w h e n i t m e e t s t h e s t r o n g c o s m i c Sun
opposes t h e s e f o r c e s . W h e n y o u t h f u l g r o w t h f o r c e s b y c o n c e n t r a t i n g on d a r k - l e a f g r o w t h a n d
persists t o o l o n g , i t begins t o p r o l i f e r a t e a n d retarding t h a t o f f l o w e r a n d f r u i t .
must b e h e l d u n d e r c o n t r o l . W e s e e s i g n s o f
such c o n t r o l i n t h e r h y t h m i c d i c h o t o m i c A n a l y s i s o f the m i n e r a l c o n t e n t o f m i s t l e t o e a l s o
formation o f the m i s t l e t o e p l a n t , and also i n i t s brings t o l i g h t s o m e t h i n g o f i t s s p e c i a l n a t u r e .
strong f l o w e r i n g i m p u l s e . T h e b l o o m i n g o f a I t contains l i t t l e o f calcium and iron, substances
plant, a l w a y s p o i n t s t o t h e t e r m i n a t i o n o f which a r e s t r o n g l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e E a r t h .
growth. F o r m a t i v e , d i f f e r e n t i a t i n g , cosmic It also lacks chlorine, w h i c h combines w i t h
f o r c e s d e s c e n d i n t o t h e blossoms. F r o m N o v e m - sodium t o s a l t . I n c o n t r a s t , i t i s r i c h i n
ber o n , m i s t l e t o e b u s h e s a r e c o v e r e d f r o m t h e phosphorus a n d m a g n e s i u m , b o t h o f w h i c h a r e
periphery t o d e e p i n t o t h e c e n t e r w i t h f u l l y light- r e l a t e d substances. I n a d d i t i o n i t has a
developed f l o w e r b u d s t h a t o p e n i n F e b r u a r y - good d e a l o f p o t a s s i u m a n d s u l f u r , s u b s t a n c e s
M a r c h . T h e f l o w e r i n g i m p u l s e e v e n comes d o w n that h a v e t o d o w i t h o r g a n i c g r o w t h a n d
into t h e leaves w h i c h change t o golden y e l l o w. development.
We see h e r e t h e r e l a t i o n t o l i g h t . M i s t l e t o e has
the p e c u l i a r i t y t h a t i t c a n o n l y g e r m i n a t e i n All t h i s can make i t c l e a r why mistletoe i s a
light, whereas most p l a n t s need darkness f o r the remedy f o r c a n c e r . I n i t s p a r a s i t i s m a n d
germination. C h l o r o p h y l l , t h e g r e e n c o l o r i n g unbounded l i f e f o r c e m i s t l e t o e h a s s o m e
matter i n plants t h a t i s b u i l t u p b y light, i s s i m i l a r i t y t o t h e t u m o r. R u d o l f S t e i n e r p o i n t e d
present i n a l l p a r t s o f m i s t l e t o e , e v e n i n t h e o u t t h a t N a t u r e , a s i t w o r k s i n m i s t l e t o e , seems
s i n k e r, a l t h o u g h t h i s g r o w s i n t h e d a r k n e s s o f t h e quite m a d : t h e p l a n t does e v e r y t h i n g a t t h e
wood. N o o t h e r p l a n t c a n p e r m e a t e i t s e l f w i t h wrong t i m e . J u s t s o i s t h e t u m o r a m a n i -
light processes i n t h i s w a y. M i s t l e t o e a l s o f e s t a t i o n o f f o r c e s t h a t w o r k in an i n s a n e w a y i n
needs w a r m t h p r o c e s s e s , a n d d o e s n o t g r o w , the h u m a n o r g a n i s m . B u t m i s t l e t o e c o n q u e r s
t h e r e f o r e , i n the f a r north. I t also i n t e r i o r i z e s the t u m o r o u s t e n d e n c y w i t h i t s o w n r h y t h m i c a l l y
w a r m t h p r o c e s s e s . U s e d a s a r e m e d y, i t s e t s built u p formation, a n d w i t h i t s exaggerated

32 33
flowering i m p u l s e i n w h i c h d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n mystical p h i l o s o p h e r. I t w a s d i s c o v e r e d t h a t
s u b d u i n g mere g r o w t h , i s e v i d e n t . T h i s d y n a m i c mistletoe contains proteins, which when tested
power t o overcome t u m o r g r o w t h , c o n v e y e d t o in a n i m a l a n d c e l l - c u l t u r e e x p e r i m e n t s , w e r e
patients b y injection o f a suitable preparation found t o be among t h e substances t h a t have t h e
has a h e a l i n g e f f e c t . strongest t u m o r - i n h i b i t i n g e f f e c t s y e t known.
Besides t h i s , m i s t l e t o e c o n t a i n s p o l y s a c c h a r i d e s
A formlessly growing carcinoma i s a r e a l and f a t s u b s t a n c e s t h a t a r e a l s o e f f i c a c i o u s
parasite, l a c k i n g i n n e r l i g h t . T h i s shows i n i t s against t h e t u m o r. T u m o r i n h i b i t i n g b a c t e r i a ,
oxygen- f r e e f e r m e n t a t i o n - m e t a b o l i s m a n d a l s o specific t o mistletoe, h a v e e v e n been found.
in t h e l o w e r e d m a g n e s i u m b l o o d l e v e l o f c a n c e r You c a n s e e t h a t m i s t l e t o e i s t h r o u g h a n d
patients. T h e forces o f light, b y contrast, are t h r o u g h a t u m o r r e m e d y.
formative, a s c a n b e seen f r o m t h e d e l i c a t e ,
f i n e l y c h i s e l e d shapes o f mountain plants. T h e But, w h e n w e h e a l w e w a n t t o a c h i e v e m o r e t h a n
light f i l l e d , h a l f -parasite, m i s t l e t o e , b r i n g s the d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e t u m o r , w h i c h w o u l d b e a
f o r m a t i v e forces to the t u m o r - b e a r i n g organism. purely s y m p t o m a t i c t h e r a p y. W e w a n t t o p u t
the p a t i e n t as a w h o l e b e i n g i n o r d e r, t h a t i s , t o
There i s a n o t h e r p o i n t o f v i e w w h i c h h e l p s us t o bring his d i s c o r d a n t members o f being b a c k i n t o
understand t h e n a t u r e o f m i s t l e t o e as a r e m e d y harmonious f u n c t i o n . T h i s i s w h y we do n o t t r y
a g a i n s t t h e t u m o r. I d e s c r i b e d t o y o u y e s t e r d a y to e x t r a c t t h e c y t o t o x i c i n g r e d i e n t s f r o m
how i n c a n c e r t h e r e i s an a t t e m p t t o f o r m a sense m i s t l e t o e , b u t use t h e w h o l e p l a n t ' s sap i n o r d e r
organ i n t h e w r o n g p l a c e . M a n h a s o n l y to m a i n t a i n i t s b i o l o g i c a l u n i t y. I n d o i n g t h i s ,
d e v e l o p e d h i s sense o r g a n s d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f we a c h i e v e a f u r t h e r a n d c o m p l e t e l y d i f f e r e n t
the p r e s e n t m i n e r a l s t a t e o f o u r E a r t h . I f t h i s e f f e c t , n a m e l y, t h e s t i m u l a t i o n o f t h e d e f e n s i v e
tendency i s p r e s e n t t o a n exaggerated e x t e n t forces o f t h e b o d y. T h i s s h o w s u p i n t h e
then a p e r s o n b e c o m e s t o o e a r t h l y . H e increase o f c e r t a i n w h i t e b l o o d c o r p u s c l e s ,
succumbs t o s e n s e i m p r e s s i o n s , c e a s e s t o s e e enhanced p h a g o c y t i c a c t i v i t y , i n b e t t e r c i r c u -
beyond t h e m , a n d f i n a l l y b e c o m e s m a t e r i a l i s t i c . lation, a n d s t i m u l a t i o n o f c e l l u l a r i m m u n i t y.
This i s a c o n d i t i o n t h a t g o e s w i t h t h e i n c r e a s i n g No o t h e r c a n c e r r e m e d y has t h i s d o u b l e p r o p e r t y
age o f t h e E a r t h and o f t h e human b e i n g , w h e n no of simultaneously i n h i b i t i n g t u m o r g r o w t h and
other impulse c o m e s i n t o a c t i o n . C a n c e r i s stimulating t h e i m m u n o l o g i c a l p o t e n c y. W i t h
p r i m a r i l y a disease o f o l d age. M i s t l e t o e , w i t h these u n i q u e f a c u l t i e s m i s t l e t o e a c t s o n t h e
its o r i g i n c r e a t e s a s t a t e o f b a l a n c e . I t disordered members o f b e i n g . I n j e c t e d a s a
rejuvenates. makes people less r i g i d , q u i c k e r t o r e m e d y, i t u n f o l d s i t s c a p a c i t y t o a b s o r b t h e
react, and more capable o f resistance. B u t i t s u p e r f l u o u s l i f e f o r c e s o f t h e t u m o r. T h a t is i t s
opens t h e m a l s o f o r s p i r i t u a l i m p u l s e s . W i t h a cytostatic aspect. I t does n o t k i l l t h e m a l i g -
carcinoma a p e r s o n b e c o m e s t o o e a r t h l y . nant cells, b u t leads t h e i r growth back i n t o laws
Mistletoe leads h i m b a c k t o a union w i t h t h e of t h e w h o l e organism. A t t h e same t i m e i t
cosmos. incites t h e h i g h e r f o r m a t i v e f o r c e s o f t h e
patient to renewed a c t i v i t y in the region where
Scientific methods o f examination applied t o the t u m o r t o o k c h a o t i c h o l d . T h i s i s t h e a s p e c t
mistletoe i n the l a s t decades, show t h a t t h i s i s o f d e f e n s e s t i m u l a t i o n . Y o u see h o w m i s t l e t o e
more t h a n a f a n c i f u l t h e o r y . T h e y p r o v e t h e t r e a t m e n t i s i n t h e t r u e s t sense a c a u s a l t h e r a p y.
truth of Rudolf Steiner's statements, which f i f t y
years a g o w e r e l o o k e d o n a s t h e d r e a m s o f a In t h e R e s e a r c h I n s t i t u t e i n A r l e s h e i m w e h a v e

34 35
been t r y i n g f o r y e a r s t o e n h a n c e t h e s e n a t u r a l V
q u a l i t i e s o f t h e m i s t l e t o e b y means o f a s p e c i a l
method o f p r e p a r a t i o n . P a r t o f t h i s t a k e s place THE L U K A S K L I N I K
in a k i n d o f c e n t r i f u g e w h e r e i n t h e m i s t l e t o e sap AND
is f r e e d f r o m t h e e a r t h l y f p r c e s o f g r a v i t y a n d THE R E S E A R C H - I N S T I T U T E
exposed t o t h o s e o f t h e p e r i p h e r y . I n t h i s
condition w e combine t h e saps e x t r a c t e d f r o m I f I t r y to give you a p i c t u r e o f the Lukas K l i n i k ,
the p l a n t i n s u m m e r a n d i n w i n t e r , i n a v e r y i t i s because t h i s c l i n i c was f o u n d e d i n o r d e r t o
thorough m i x t u r e , i n o r d e r t o c r e a t e a u n i t y treat malignant disease i n a n especially a l l
again. around m a n n e r , h o l i s t i c , a s y o u w o u l d c a l l i t
t o d a y. S u c h p l a c e s a n d c l i n i c s f o r a l l o t h e r
I f you w i l l now r e c a l l the s t o r y o f Baldur's death
disease c o m e i n t o b e i n g a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d .
through t h e m i s t l e t o e , y o u c a n c o n t i n u e i t a s
T h e r e f o r e I suppose t h a t t h e t o p i c w i l l h o l d some
follows: T h r o u g h t h e d e a t h o f B a l d u r, w h i c h
interest f o r y o u i n y o u r c o u n t r y.
means t h e l o s s o f t h e a b i l i t y t o p e r c e i v e t h e
Spiritual World, m a n became engrossed i n t h e After Rudolf Steiner held his f i r s t course f o r
sense w o r l d . T h i s l e d t o t h e disease o f our t i m e , physicians i n 1920, t h e q u e s t i o n emerged h o w
c a n c e r. W i t h t h e h e l p o f t h e g i a n t f o r c e s t h a t these n e w i m p u l s e s i n m e d i c i n e c o u l d be p u t i n t o
work i n machines, w e t r a n s f o r m t h e m i s t l e t o e practice i n adequate surroundings, p e r m i t t i n g
into a medicament. I n o t h e r words, w e harness thorough o b s e r v a t i o n and t r e a t m e n t o f patients.
the A h r i m a n i c f o r c e s t o s e r v e a r e m e d y. W e The e x p e r i e n c e s o f t h e s e c l i n i c s s h o u l d b e
reconcile t h e o l d enemies o f the r i g h t e v o l u t i o n g a t h e r e d and used t o e n c o u r a g e o t h e r p h y s i c i a n s .
w i t h t h e gods o f l i g h t . T u r n i n g m i s t l e t o e i n t o a From t h i s i m p u l s e , t h e I t a W e g m a n C l i n i c i n
remedy f o r the disease w h i c h i t helped t o cause, Arlesheim, t h e f i r s t o f i t s kind and a model f o r
we r e d e e m i t f r o m i t s g u i l t . all f u t u r e i n s t i t u t i o n s had been s t a r t e d b y I t a
Wegman, R u d o l f S t e i n e r ' s m e d i c a l c o w o r k e r. I n
this i n s t i t u t e a r o s e i n j o i n e d f o r c e s a n i n t e n s e
cooperation b e t w e e n R u d o l f S t e i n e r and o t h e r
doctors f o r the p r a c t i c a l application o f this new
extended m e d i c i n e .

Tw e n t y - e i g h t y e a r s l a t e r, due t o t h e e f f o r t s o f
Alexandre L e r o i , t h e House Hiscia was founded,
with t h e i n t e n t i o n t o d e v e l o p t h e m i s t l e t o e
therapy o f c a n c e r o n a m o r e s c i e n t i f i c b a s i s .
To d a y, t h i s I n s t i t u t e i s i n f u l l a c t i v i t y . T h e r e
the I s c a d o r i s e l a b o r a t e d a n d m a n u f a c t u r e d ,
beginning w i t h t h e search o f m i s t l e t o e - b e a r i n g
trees, w h i c h a r e m o s t l y f o u n d i n F r a n c e . T h e
mistletoe harvest takes place t w i c e a y e a r and
h e a l t h y, s t r o n g p l a n t s a r e c a r e f u l l y s e l e c t e d f o r
the p u r p o s e . T h e p l a n t s a r e t r a n s p o r t e d w i t h
the g r e a t e s t s p e e d t o t h e H i s c i a , w h e r e t h e y

36
37
undergo p r e p a r a t i o n w i t h o u t d e l a y . F u r t h e r care o f c a n c e r p a t i e n t s , t h o u g h some c a s e s w i t h
procedures are t h e n applied f o r the enhancement i n t e r n a l diseases f i n d a d m i s s i o n . T h e house w a s
and c o n s e r v a t i o n o f t h e o b t a i n e d p l a n t s a p s .
named a f t e r L u k a s t h e E v a n g e l i s t , t h e f i r s t
F i n a l l y, t h e c o m p l e t e d p r o d u c t i s f i l l e d i n t o
Christian physician. G r e e k by b i r t h , he became
ampules a n d d i s t r i b u t e d b y t h e W e l e d a . T h e r e
a c l o s e f r i e n d and t r a v e l c o m p a n i o n o f Paulus and
are b y n o w m o r e t h a n 1 0 0 0 p h y s i c i a n s a l l o v e r
took his share i n t h e C h r i s t i a n i z a t i o n o f Europe.
Europe a n d o t h e r c o n t i n e n t s w h o m a k e c o n s t a n t
Lukas k n e w a b o u t t h e s e c r e t b y w h i c h h u m a n
use o f t h i s p r o d u c t ; t h e f i g u r e o f p a t i e n t s
i n s t i n c t s a n d d e s i r e ful w i l l p o w e r s c o u l d b e
actually treated i s above 10,000. T h e p r o p a -
mastered a n d t u r n e d i n t o h e a l i n g f o r c e s . H i s
gation o f the product is increasing, and we keep
gospel c a n b e t r u l y c o n s i d e r e d a s a s p i r i t u a l
up c o n t a c t s w i t h s e v e r a l t h o u s a n d d o c t o r s i n
guide f o r t h e m e d i c a l p r o f e s s i o n . L u k a s
many c o u n t r i e s .
t e a c h e s us l o v e t u r n e d i n t o a c t i o n , i n t o t h e d e e d
The H i s c i a i n c l u d e s a t e c h n i c a l d e p a r t m e n t , of healing. T h o s e who share w o r k at the Lukas
Klinik t r y t o be spurred on b y this ideal.
staffed by two engineers. T h e r e the design f o r
o u r n e w m a c h i n e was d e v i s e d , s i n c e m i s t l e t o e sap
Patients e n t e r i n g t h e K l i n i k a r e a t o n c e
only g a i n s i t s f u l l p o t e n c y b y a c o m p l i c a t e d
surrounded b y a f r i e n d l y, c o l o r f u l atmosphere.
mixing procedure i n a high-powered centrifuge.
In t h e r o o m s t h e y f i n d l i g h t w o o d f u r n i t u r e
The o t h e r d e p a r t m e n t s i n c l u d e a s t a f f o f
within w a l l s o f d e l i c a t e c o l o r shades. T h e y
biologists and o t h e r research- w o r k e r s i n o r d e r
look i n t o a large f l o w e r i n g garden, surrounded by
to c o n t r o l a l l stages o f p r o c e s s i n g t h e m i s t l e t o e -
a s o f t , h i l l y landscape. T h e physician, who pays
juice a n d t h e f i n i s h e d p r o d u c t . D i f f e r e n t
his f i r s t v i s i t a f t e r t h e p a t i e n t ' s a d m i s s i o n , t r i e s
methods h a d b e e n d i v i s e d f o r t h i s p u r p o s e ,
to g e t a f i r s t i m p r e s s i o n o f t h i s n e w p e r s o n a l i t y,
including one t e s t b y which Iscador as a c e l l -
with a l l i t s problems. A f u l l knowledge o f
i n h i b i t o r is t e s t e d on c u l t u r e s o f m a l i g n a n t c e l l s .
previous diseases i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t and g i v e s a
The s t i m u l a t i o n o f t h e d e f e n s e m e c h a n i s m i n man
clue t o t h e o r i g i n o f t h e a c t u a l c o n d i t i o n . T h e
can b e o b s e r v e d o n c u l t u r e s o f h u m a n l y m p h o -
d o c t o r must a l s o k n o w w h e r e a n d h o w t h e p a t i e n t
cytes o r b y the observation o f c e l l u l a r behavior
in s m a l l c u t a n e o u s w o u n d s o f c a n c e r p a t i e n t s . spent h i s e a r l y years, w h a t h i s p r o f e s s i o n is and
what t h e f a m i l y s i t u a t i o n i s l i k e . M o r e o v e r , h e
The a b o v e m e t h o d s a r e o f a m o r e q u a n t i t a t i v e
must g r a d u a l l y l e a r n a b o u t t h e p a t i e n t ' s
kind. B u t a l s o q u a l i t a t i v e m e t h o d s h a v e b e e n
d i f f i c u l t i e s , w o r r i e s and i n n e r l i f e . T h i s brings
established t o j u d g e o u r saps. T h e s e a r e t h e
us b a c k t o w h a t I t o l d y o u on o u r f i r s t d a y. T h e
crystallization t e s t o f P f e i ff e r, t h e c a p i l l a r y
antecedents o f malignant disease must be w e l l
dynamolysis o f K o l i s k o a n d S c h w e n k ' s d r o p -
known i n o r d e r t o f i n d a t h e r a p e u t i c approach.
pictures. T h e s e methods represent an e n t i r e l y
We m u s t r e t r a c e i t s d e v e l o p m e n t o n t h e
new a p p r o a c h t o c o m p r e h e n d t h e e t h e r i c f o r c e s
by m e a n s o f i m a g e - f o r m i n g p r o c e d u r e s . spiritual, emotional, and physical level. W h e n
this is done, a t h o r o u g h c l i n i c a l e x a m i n a t i o n i s
F o u r t e e n y e a r s l a t e r , i n 1963, t h e L u k a s K l i n i k - due, i n c l u d i n g a l l t h e d i a g n o s t i c p o s s i b i l i t i e s
w h i c h we h a v e a t o u r d i s p o s a l t o d a y. W h e n v e r y
another achievement o f A . L e r o i - opened i t s
special questions arise, we r e v e r t to specialists,
doors, f i r s t a s a s m a l l i n - p a t i e n t d e p a r t m e n t
mainly f r o m B a s e l U n i v e r s i t y, w h o a r e a l w a y s
with e i g h t e e n beds. B y n o w, t h e c l i n i c h a s
willing t o v i s i t o u r patients.
grown a n d has rooms a n d w a r d s f o r f o r t y - f i v e
patients. T h e main f i e l d o f a c t i v i t y is s t i l l the
A f t e r having thus evolved a complete p i c t u r e o f
38
39
our p a t i e n t , w e e s t a b l i s h a p l a n f o r t h e r a p y treatments.
which i s o f t e n t a l k e d o v e r b e t w e e n a l l
physicians. T h e b a s i c r e m e d y, t h e I s c a d o r , We g i v e s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n t o a w e l l - b a l a n c e d
must b e c a r e f u l l y c h o s e n a n d d o s e d . S p e c i a l diet. C a n c e r p a t i e n t s a r e u s u a l l y t o o m u c h
attention should b e given t o l i v e r functions, bound t o e a r t h l y h e a v i n e s s . F o r t h i s reason, w e
which m u s t b e a c t i v a t e d i n e v e r y p a t i e n t , t h e try to avoid meat in our diet, t h i s being a food
liver being the main organ o f natural defense t o w h i c h d r a w s man d o w n t o e a r t h a n d a l i e n a t e s him
malignant a f f e c t i o n s . A m o n g s t o t h e r v i t a l from his s p i r i t u a l origins. W e give cereals in a
functions, t h e l i v e r i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a wide c h o i c e w h i c h , r i p e n e d b y t h e sun, a r e r i c h i n
n e u t r a l i z a t i o n o f t o x i c b y - p r o d u c t s i n c a n c e r. strengthening proteins and carbohydrates. W e
I t r e g u l a t e s , m o r e o v e r, t h e e n t i r e m e t a b o l i s m add s a l a d s a n d f r e s h v e g e t a b l e s f r o m b i o -
w h i c h must be i n good o r d e r i f we w a n t t h e r a p y t o dynamic f a r m s . R o o t s a c t i v a t e t h e b r a i n a n d
prove s u c c e s s f u l . A t t e n t i o n m u s t b e g i v e n t o t h i n k i n g c a p a c i t y, f l o w e r s s t i m u l a t e t h e m e t a -
the d i g e s t i v e f u n c t i o n s . I n t h e p r e s e n c e o f bolism, a n d l e a v e s a r e e s p e c i a l l y e f f e c t i v e f o r
constipation, I s c a d o r f a i l s t o t a k e e f f e c t . the r h y t h m i c s y s t e m . P r o d u c t s o f s o u r m i l k ,
Heart a n d c i r c u l a t i o n a r e i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r s : yoghurt and d i f f e r e n t types o f l i g h t cheese, a n d
good v a s c u l a r i z a t i o n i n a l l o r g a n s m e a n s f a i r bread f r o m r o l l e d g r a i n c o m p l e t e o u r m e a l s .
supplies o f oxygen and c o u n t e r a c t s the t e n d e n c y Instead o f f a t , we give o l i v e and sunflower o i l s
to f e r m e n t a t i o n , w h i c h is a c t u a l l y a p r e - s t a g e o f and s o m e b u t t e r . W e a v o i d a r t i f i c i a l l y h a r -
c a n c e r. I f p a t i e n t s a r e s t i l l m o b i l e , w a l k s i n dened f a t s , l i k e m a r g a r i n e . F o r s e a s o n i n g , w e
the open a i r, w i t h deep r e s p i r a t i o n a r e i m p o r t a n t use h e r b s i n g r e a t v a r i e t y. F r u i t j u i c e s p r o v i d e
and a c u r a t i v e a g e n t . R e g u l a r f u n c t i o n s o f a l l for freshness. To m a t o e s do n o t f i g u r e o n o u r
e x c r e t o r y o r g a n s , e s p e c i a l l y t h e k i d n e y s and also vegetable l i s t - b e i n g p r o l i f e r a t i n g nightshade
the s k i n a r e n e c e s s a r y . E v e n t u a l a n e m i a s plants a n d c a r c i n o g e n i c . M u s h r o o m s , t h r i v i n g
should b e c o n t r o l l e d . A l s o t h e s l e e p i s c a r e d in m o l d y s o i l , a r e n o t o n o u r d i e t . M a i n l y , w e
for w i t h g e n t l e , c a l m i n g remedies. I n t h i s forbid alcohol i n every f o r m as weakening t h e
m a n n e r, e a c h p a t i e n t b e n e f i t s b y a n i n d i v i d u a l forces o f t h e ego.
medication program w h i c h prepares t h e ground
for a p r o p e r response t o I s c a d o r t r e a t m e n t . Meals, t a k e n i n c o m m o n , i n o u r l a r g e , c o l o r f u l
dining r o o m c o n s t i t u t e a n o t h e r t h e r a p e u t i c
In a d d i t i o n t o m e d i c a t i o n , w e a l s o u s e element. P a t i e n t s and members o f the s t a f f are
p h y s i o t h e r a p y. B a t h s w i t h d i f f e r e n t e t h e r i c i n t e r m i x e d , t h e t o p i c o f disease i s f o r b i d d e n , a n d
oils o r o t h e r substances, f o r instance, h e r b s and it is the d u t y o f all coworkers t o keep cheerful
conversation going.
salt s o l u t i o n , w i l l b e p r e s c r i b e d i n o r d e r t o
a c t i v a t e t h e w a r m t h organism, t h e instrument o f
Let u s come n o w t o t h e a r t i s t i c t h e r a p y - a n
the E g o , i n d i f f e r e n t w a y s . I f t h e p a t i e n t
integral p a r t o f o u r t r e a t m e n t . A l I o u r
suffers f r o m h y p o - t e m p e r a t u r e , w e g i v e h i m
repeated, prolonged h y p e r - t h e r m i c baths during patients, i n c l u d i n g g r a v e l y - i l l a n d b e d r i d d e n
cases, p a r t a k e o f c u r a t i v e e u r y t h m y. T h e t y p e
which his t e m p e r a t u r e rises v e r y high. M a s s a g e
of exercises has t o be chosen b y the physician
can b e a h e l p f u l a d d i t i o n a l t r e a t m e n t . W e
and c o m m u n i c a t e d t o t h e e u r y t h m i s t i n c h a r g e .
usually a p p l y t h e ' r h y t h m i c a l Hauschka-massage
In t h e m o r n i n g , e a c h p a t i e n t p r a c t i c e s h i s
by w h i c h a s e l e c t i v e s t i m u l a t i o n o f d i f f e r e n t
individual exercises. I n the afternoon, all j o i n
organs i s p o s s i b l e . A c h o i c e o f d i f f e r e n t o i l s
in g r o u p e u r y t h m y, w h i c h i s m o s t i m p o r t a n t f o r
enables u s t o h a v e e v e n m o r e d i f f e r e n t i a t e d
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the i n t r o v e r t e d a n d s e l f - c e n t e r e d c a n c e r
in h i s d o c t o r a n d t h e r a p i s t s . T h e o f t e n
patients. T h e y learn hereby t o t a k e notice o f introverted individuals begin t o speak a b o u t
other people and t o move a l o n g w i t h them i n a
their inner difficulties, t o ask about the real
common r h y t h m . T h e s e h o u r s a l w a y s t u r n i n t o a purpose o f l i f e . P a t i e n t s , w h o a r e a w a r e o f
very c h e e r f u l experience.
their diagnosis, m i g h t p u t questions regarding
t h e i r disease. I t is a p r i n c i p l e w i t h us t h a t e a c h
For t h i n , i n t e l l e c t u a l p a t i e n t s , w e p r e s c r i b e
p a t i e n t is e n t i t l e d t o k n o w w h a t he s u f f e r s f r o m
p a i n t i n g t h e r a p y. B y g e t t i n g a b s o r b e d i n t h e
and w h a t h i s c h a n c e s a r e . I t i s a s i n a g a i n s t
luminous w o r l d o f w a t e r c o l o r s , t h e y l e a r n t o
human d i g n i t y t o k e e p h i m i n d a r k n e s s a b o u t h i s
shape f o r m s c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e s e c o l o r s . W e
diagnosis and f e e d h i m on f a l s e hopes up t o t h e
s t a r t t h e m b y e x p e r i e n c i n g b l u e shades a n d t h e n
last m i n u t e . N a t u r a l l y , t h e p h y s i c i a n s h a l l
contrast these w i t h sunny y e l l o w i n o r d e r t o
broach h i s c o m m u n i c a t i o n s s o a s n o t t o
reach f i n a l l y t h e r a i n b o w colors. I f the p a t i e n t
wishes f o r c o n c r e t e o b j e c t s , h e c a n t u r n t o d i s c o u r a g e t h e p a t i e n t . T h e l a t t e r m u s t be w o n
as p a r t n e r i n t h e f i g h t . T h e p a t i e n t s h a l l f e e l
landscapes o r o t h e r t h i n g s a f t e r t h e c o l o r
that h i s d o c t o r w i l l always stand b y him and
exercises. C o r p u l e n t a n d i n a d e q u a t e l y shaped
never desist f r o m his healing e f f o r t s . I n t h i s
patients a r e s e t d o w n t o m o d e l l i n g , t h u s
way a t h e r a p e u t i c a t m o s p h e r e m a y a r i s e e v e n i n
awakening t h e i r own f o r m i n g powers b y the f e e l the f i n a l s t a g e s o f c a n c e r . C o n v e r s a t i o n i n
o f v a u l t e d a n d h o l l o w s u r f a c e s . W h e n w e see a such u t t e r t r u s t b e t w e e n d o c t o r and p a t i e n t w i l l
patient l e a v i n g his t e a c h e r w i t h g l o w i n g cheeks
have t o t o u c h o n f a t e f u l l y g r a v e q u e s t i o n s .
and e y e s , w e k n o w t h a t t h e t h e r a p y w a s
successful.
The p a t i e n t m u s t l e a r n t h a t h i s c o n d i t i o n is n o t a
punishment imposed upon h i m b y God. H e must
It i s striking t o note how many patients have
learn t o s e e t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r i n n e r
trouble i n s p e a k i n g w i t h g o o d a r t i c u l a t i o n .
development. A n d o f t e n h o p e l e s s , l i f e l o n g
They mumble, s t a m m e r, o r speak h a s t i l y. O f t e n
entanglements a r e s o l v e d b y h i s disease. I n
the s p e e c h i s n o t u n d e r c o n t r o l , b u t p o u r s o n
order t o reach t h i s a t t i t u d e , t h e p a t i e n t m u s t
w i t h o u t t h o u g h t and o r d e r. T h e s e p a t i e n t s m u s t
recognize h i m s e l f as a s p i r i t u a l e n t i t y - whose
benefit f r o m l e s s o n s i n s p e e c h -formation,
native element is in the s p i r i t u a l w o r l d and who
t e a c h i n g t h e m t o become c o n s c i o u s o f c o n s o n a n t s
has t o g o t h r o u g h m a n y i n c a r n a t i o n s i n o r d e r t o
and t o m a s t e r a n d m o u l d t h e s t r e a m o f unfold a n d b e a n i n s t r u m e n t f o r t h e w o r l d ' s
respiration.
progress. S u c h f u n d a m e n t a l exchanges a r e t h e
c r o w n i n g f e a t u r e o f our t h e r a p e u t i c e f f o r t s . I f
The w h o l e a r t i s t i c t h e r a p y i s a i m e d a t t h e
they have r e a l i m p a c t , a person's e n t i r e l i f e
unfolding o f the soul's creative faculties which
might t a k e a n e w t u r n .
nowadays l i e f a l l o w . T h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f s u c h
qualities counteracts the wrong creativeness o f
malignant g r o w t h . T h e ego's i n i t i a t i v e should
I have sketched o u t f o r you a l l the possibilities
a g a i n r a d i a t e t h r o u g h t h e e n t i r e p e r s o n a l i t y.
o f o u r t h e r a p y. Y o u a r e n o w e n t i t l e d t o a s k :
What d o y o u a c h i e v e b y t h e m ?
Of course, t h e physicians w a t c h c a r e f u l l y o v e r
the r e s p o n s e o f e a c h p a t i e n t t o t h e r a p y .
Many p a t i e n t s c o m e t o u s f o r f u l l c l i n i c a l
E v e n t u a l l y c h a n g e s a r e n e c e s s a r y. D u r i n g h i s
stay at t h e K l i n i k , t h e p a t i e n t gains confidence investigation a n d f o r a conclusive diagnosis.
When a c a r c i n o m a i s d e t e c t e d , w e r e v e r t t o
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surgical measures a f t e r a s h o r t p r e - o p e r a t i v e a t h i r d i n s t i t u t i o n , planned by A. L e r o i but which
Iscador t r e a t m e n t . I f we g e t a chance t o c a r r y materialized o n l y a f t e r his death: t h e school
the p o s t - o p e r a t i v e t r e a t m e n t t h r o u g h o v e r t h e for physicians who intend t o g e t f a m i l i a r with
y e a r s , w e see t h a t t h e s e p a t i e n t s , c o m p a r e d w i t h anthroposophic medicine. T h e s e seminars have
cases w h i c h w e r e n o t I s c a d o r - t r e a t e d , h a v e a been i n e x i s t e n c e f o r t h r e e y e a r s . M o r e t h a n a
d i s t i n c t l y b e t t e r l i f e - e x p e c t a n c y. hundred p h y s i c i a n s a n d m e d i c a l s t u d e n t s h a v e
already a t t e n d e d t h i s s c h o o l w h e r e f o r t y
When a p a t i e n t c o m e s t o t h e K l i n i k w i t h a n lecturers a r e i n c h a r g e . T h e s t u d e n t s a l s o
inoperable t u m o r , r e c u r r e n c e s o r metastases, p a r t a k e i n e u r y t h m y and a r t i s t i c t h e r a p y. T h e y
the b e n e f i t f r o m I s c a d o r d e p e n d s o n t h e g e n e r a l learn a b o u t m e d i c i n a l p l a n t s b y p l u c k i n g ,
c o n d i t i o n . R e l i e f f r o m p a i n and i m p r o v e m e n t i n pressing, a n d f i n a l l y f i n i s h i n g o f f t h e p r o d u c t .
the g e n e r a l w e l l - b e i n g o c c u r i n p r a c t i c a l l y A w o r l d w i d e d e m a n d f o r a n t hroposophically
every c a s e . T h e l i f e b e c o m e s a g a i n w o r t h trained physicians p r o v e s t h a t t h i s schooling
living. M a n y p a t i e n t s r e g a i n , t h r o u g h t h i s corresponds t o u r g e n t r e q u i r e m e n t s .
t h e r a p y, a r e n e w e d i n i t i a t i v e a n d g e t r i d o f t h e i r
depressions. V e r y f r e q u e n t l y t u m o r g r o w t h can Dear Friends,
be r e t a r d e d , s o m e t i m e s a c o m p l e t e s t a n d s t i l l m a y A l l I could do here was t o describe our approach
be o b s e r v e d o v e r y e a r s . W e c o u l d s e e m a n y to c a n c e r - r e s e a r c h , t r e a t m e n t a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l
cases w h e r e h i s t o l o g i c a l l y v e r i f i e d t u m o r s training i n t h i s f i e l d . C a n c e r research i s ,
regressed o r d i s a p p e a r e d c o m p l e t e l y. C a r c i - h o w e v e r, o n l y o n e a s p e c t o f a n t h r o p o s o p h i c
nomas o f t h e b l a d d e r , g e n i t a l a n d d i g e s t i v e medicine, w h i c h c o v e r s a l l a s p e c t s o f human
t r a c t , and melanomas show t h e b e s t response t o suffering a n d shows n e w approaches t o t h e m .
I s c a d o r. B r e a s t c a n c e r i n women i s a s o m e w h a t Contacts w i t h a g r i c u l t u r e , e d u c a t i o n , a n d
d i f f i c u l t f i e l d ; f o r these, o u r best results are i n religious r e n e w a l a r e i n h e r e n t p a r t s o f t h i s
the p o s t - o p e r a t i v e p h a s e , w h e r e a s t h e p r e s e n t science. S u c h a c o l l a b o r a t i o n o f j o i n t f o r c e s
tumor i n o f t e n r e f r a c t o r y. A s i m i l a r s i t u a t i o n might r e n e w t h e p h y s i c a l and s p i r i t u a l f o r c e s o f
arises f o r i n o p e r a b l e l u n g c a r c i n o m a w h e r e w e mankind and c o u l d , b y more and more i n c r e a s i n g
c a n n o t b o a s t o f more t h a n a s o m e w h a t l o n g e r l i f e efforts, a l t e r t h e f a c e o f t h e present w o r l d
e x p e c t a n c y, w h e r e a s r e s u l t s w i t h o p e r a b l e l u n g situation. I t h i n k , w h a t i s done h e r e i n t h e
carcinoma a r e e s p e c i a l l y g o o d . U n i v e r s i t y different p a r t s o f Spring Va l l e y represents
clinics, w h e r e Iscador is administered, c o n f i r m indeed a v e r y e s s e n t i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h i s
our r e s u l t s . development. A n d I am happy t h a t I have had
t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o k n o w a b o u t a l l t h a t has b e e n
The f i e l d o f c a n c e r p r e v e n t i o n is most i m p o r t a n t . created h e r e .
I n g e n e r a l i z e d and e v e n i n a l r e a d y l o c a l i z e d p r e -
cancerous s t a t e s , I s c a d o r i s a p o t e n t f a c t o r . *
These s t a g e s c a n b e r e c o g n i z e d , a s I t o l d y o u
yesterday amongst o t h e r methods, b y s p e c i f i c
tests: c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n a n d c a p i l l a r y - d y n a m o -
lysis. B o t h methods are able t o p o i n t t o c a n c e r
d i s p o s i t i o n i n an e a r l y s t a g e so t h a t an e f f e c t i v e
preventive treatment c a n be given.

Before p a r t i n g from you, I should like t o mention

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