by Richard Hobday, PhD
Two contrasting paradigms of our health relationship to the sun are presented in this book: advice from the modern medical community to avoid the sun, and the record of healing work done using the sun during the first half of the 20th century. The view espoused by the medical community today that sun exposure causes cancer and/or cataracts appears not to be validated when the research data is closely examined. There can be no doubt that the lethal skin cancer melanoma is a serious danger. We have been cautioned to use sunscreen and sunglasses whenever we are exposed to the sun. Examination of research data shows that melanoma rates are higher in populations using sunscreen than in those not using it. There is no research to suggest that sunscreen causes melanoma per se. Potentially the problem comes from people relying on the sunscreen and staying in the sun for extended exposure when they have no tan, thus causing damage to their skin. Diet is also a contributing factor in skin cancers. Research shows that habitual use of dark glasses, limiting exposure to ultraviolet light, can cause the pituitary gland to atrophy, resulting in a number of deleterious health effects.
In dramatic contrast to current attitudes of sun avoidance, various success stories are presented for heliotherapy cures for a number of diseases during the first half of the 20th century. Dr. Hobday examines the importance of the vitamin D produced by safe sun exposure and details the diseases and health problems that can be improved through this vitamin’s production. The list of diseases related to a lack of sunlight includes many major health problems today: breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, ovarian cancer, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, psoriasis, rickets, seasonal affective disorder, tooth decay, and tuberculosis. Research shows that vitamin D supplements are not as effective as the D produced naturally by the skin with sun exposure.
The work of several of the luminaries of heliotherapy during the first half of the 20th century is recounted, most notably Dr. Finson of Copenhagen and Dr. Rollier of Switzerland. Dr. Finson was the Nobel Prize winner for medicine in 1903 for his work at his Light Institute in Copenhagen. He worked with sunlight during summer months, and during the winter he used an arc light that produced ultraviolet. His preference was to work with sunlight, but his northern location made this impractical in winter. Dr. Rollier treated thousands of patients in the mountains of Switzerland, with a 77% cure rate for bone tuberculosis. It is most interesting to note that bones which had been severely damaged by the disease were regenerated by the heliotherapy as is illustrated by the before and after pictures of a 12 year old patient treated for bone tuberculosis of the spine for 18 months in Dr. Rollier’s clinic in Switzerland. Dr. Rollier’s treatments included controlled sun exposure, rest, fresh air, water, proper nourishment, and exercise. In addition to curing tuberculosis, Dr. Rollier successfully treated rickets, burns, varicose ulcers, osteomyelitis, septic abscesses, anemia, and fractures.
At the end of World War I there was extensive work curing wounded soldiers of tetanus and gangrene with sunlight. Wounds and fractures were rapidly healed without infection through the use of sunlight. Although the cure rates were very high with these methods, they have been forgotten today due to our reliance on antibiotics. With the growing incidence of resistant strains of infectious bacteria and the reemergence of such diseases as tuberculosis, it is time to become aware once again of the cure rates possible with heliotherapy.
Cosolargists are well aware of the importance of sunlight. What we can learn from this book is the best sun exposure for the purpose of maintaining good health. The details are provided for safe sun exposure methods (sungazing0 as well as the frequency necessary to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. Dr. Hobday advocates starting with exposure to the feet and legs for short times, preferably in the morning around 9 am, gradually increasing exposure area and time as a tan develops. It is advantageous to be cool, causing the body to increase circulation to warm itself, and best to be protected from the wind. Avoid sunburn and baking in the sun during hot midday times. We all can achieve health benefits from finding a sheltered spot in the morning to spend 10 to 15 minutes relaxing in the sun.
Dr. Hobday also explores the health importance of natural light in buildings and the orientation of buildings that produces the best natural light. This well-researched book is full of good, practical information on how to derive health benefits from the sun.