for infectious reaction, because of the lack of coagulation and the removal by the flow of impulse of disintegrations from the energies of the body-exercise; and would also tend to make for healing forces.
1525-1
The ultraviolet light is also regarded as a form of deep therapy, though with superficial benefits as well. More properly known as a mercury vapor lamp, it has several different names in the readings, including ultraviolet ray and mercury quartz (or quartz mercury) light. Here electricity discharged through mercury vapor in a vacuum tube (mercury arc) emits a light that’s rich in actinic and ultraviolet rays. Actinic rays, which consist of radiant energy, are found especially in the shorter light waves, and the ultraviolet are outside the visible spectrum at the violet end.
This lamp is not to be confused with the common sunlamp, which produces light in the ultraviolet spectrum as well. It is also quite different from a violet ray, a handheld device that emits static electricity when placed in contact with the skin.
Ultraviolet radiation is typically regarded as a circulation stimulant and infection fighter:
Use the deep therapy of the ultra-violet that we have indicated from the first. Not too strong, as to destroy tissue, but of sufficient strength that there may be the reactions from the flow of the stimulated circulations to those portions of the body that have been affected by the tendencies for the accumulation of infectious forces . . . This will relax the body.
632-10
As with the infrared, it is helpful in some cases to use this lamp in concert with tiny internal doses of animated ash so the “. . . circulatory forces—that are aided by the releasing of the oxygen for the system through the Ash itself—may have the effect of the deeper therapy . . .” (901-1) Other readings (or sometimes the same ones) advise using “. . . the Ultra-violet with a green light {glass} between same and body . . .” (632-2)
When asked to explain the purpose of the green glass, Cayce responded:
Breaks up the rays and rather than being of destructive natures, as it is in the destroying of tissue, it enlivens the good tissue and destroys the bad.
257-236
Blue glass might be of similar, or complementary, benefit to some, as in one reading advising the use of “spectro-chrome” therapy, or “. . . the ultra-violet ray broken up by the green and blue light {glass} . . .” (988-2)
Due to precautions respecting excess usage, ultraviolet light treatments must be carefully timed. Initial durations are often no more than a minute and a half to avoid burning the skin. Cayce also warned more than one enthusiast against conducting light treatments without the right expertise:
. . . None of these should be used except under one that has the training in such things—for this body as well as for anyone else!
480-16
Sun lamp, or the quartz mercury is the better—but under the supervision of one knowing, and not turned loose freely!
325-29
This leads us to the familiar sun lamp, another source of ultraviolet radiation that shares some benefits with both the mercury lamp and natural sunlight. Often referred to as the sunlight or carbon light, this was, in Cayce’s day, an arc lamp that used a carbon rod. According to Cayce, “the Sun Lamp only stimulates the superficial circulation, or causes superficial irritation.” (632-10)
However, this kind of stimulation can sometimes have therapeutic value when treatments are kept to a couple of minutes:
We would find it also well . . . that there is the glow from the Sun Lamp or Light on the cerebrospinal system—from the base of the brain to at least the middle of the dorsal area . . .
917-1
It will be found at times that the sun lamp will be beneficial. This does not mean to become merely rote, but the practical applications of heat—as the sun lamp—will be helpful.
1710-1
So far as this condition is concerned, it will be only when the body is tired or overstrained, overworked, that it would be of any particular benefit.
257-172
But the readings largely tend to view sun lamps as temporary substitutes for natural sunlight. As such, they are promptly discontinued when enough outdoor time can be had:
If there is not the exercise in the open air or sunshine, this is well.
257-240
From now on, or through a period until the body will be active sufficient, it will not be necessary; for the body can keep out of doors or in sunlight sufficient.
738-3
. . . As we find, the sun baths would be much preferable to a sun lamp in this particular season or time. These are the better violet ray at this particular time . . .
365-4
And this brings us back to helios, the sun, the original life-giving light. Here again, Cayce is very conservative about exposure, advising limited durations in the summertime before ten in the morning and after three or four in the afternoon. A good rule of thumb is to avoid the sun whenever your shadow is shorter than you are. When done properly, however, “sun bathing will add to those vitamins necessary, or aids the body materially in this.” (275-27)
Castor Oil Creativity: The Abdominal Zone
One result of the Cayce information spreading far and wide is the emergence of a new kind of health nut, who will be known here as the castor oil convert. We probably all know at least one. When confronted with just about any of the ills that plague humankind, this person will reach for the castor oil, devise some often ingenious way of applying it, and then proceed to sing its praises. He’s definitely on to something, based on the stories that are coming in.
The basic mechanics of castor packs are almost ridiculously simple. All that’s required is a willingness to experiment with something truly messy. Since this can be an obstacle for those who prefer oil-free sheets, many castor converts were originally pushed into it somehow, whether by prayerful prompting, an opportunistic situation, or just plain desperation. They then developed a form and style that worked for them, perhaps unaware that the readings themselves encourage practitioners to make their own decisions about many of the details.
A prime example of this is the abdominal pack recommended in most of the seven hundred or so castor oil references. Here the choices, and sometimes also debates, start right away. To begin with, the pack itself consists of several layers of soft, absorbent fabric with some readings specifying heavy flannel and a few, wool. Users can take their choice of new material, old shirts, or pre-made packs, and even determine a pack’s size and shape. While the ideal size in most cases is probably that of a standard heating pad, some readings imply that it might be smaller when targeting areas such as the liver. On the other hand, since extra sites such as the duodenum, colon, gall duct, uterus, and appendix are so often mentioned, covering the whole abdominal zone could be a very good idea.
With a pack selected or created, it’s time to saturate it with oil. Although the readings tend to favor dipping
