This is an antique book of alternative health practices, "Book of Complete Membership in the RALSTON HEALTH CLUB" by Edmund Shaftesbury. 1895; Martyn College Press Association; Washington, D.C. The book features 400 illustrations. There is a signed, formal Membership Certificate at the back. "Being a Complete Study of the Natural Causes and the Natural Cures of Disease, without Medicines of Apparatus of Any Kind." Ralstonism ("one of history's more bizarre health movements") was a social movement in the 19th century with about 800,000 followers (including U.S. Presidents and, supposedly, Queen Victoria); it promoted white superiority, a diet and exercise regime, and the supposed ability to develop control buying over the minds of others.
The contents are grouped into 17 "Departments," as follows: The Ralston Movement Cure; Ralston School of Physical Culture; Public School Exercises; The Nine Great Laws of Nature; Ralston Massage; Man as an Invalid; Woman as an Invalid; Colds and Their Dangers; Catarrh and What It Is; The Throat and Lungs; The Stomach; Special Organs; Bones, Muscles and Nerves; The Blood and Skin; Miscellaneous Diseases; The Brain; Local Clubs, Charter, Constitution and By-Laws.
Condition:
Light stain at the top edge of the front cover, and along the left-hand and top edges of the back cover; tiny cloth tear at the lower-outer corner of the back cover. There is a crack at the front hinge between the end papers resulting in the front cover being a bit shaky. The text block has a light stain at the right half of the top edge, and at the top of the long edge...this stain appears on the pages - there is a thin, light stain at the top edge throughout the book; the stain also appears here and there along the outer page edges. Aside from this thin, light stain to the pages, the interior of the book is clean with no other issues found.
Product code: 1895 RALSTON HEALTH CLUB Book of Complete Membership, buying 400 Illustrations, Alternative Medicine