The provers did not note any urinary symptoms but at times when our water supply was heavily charged with chlorine gas many doctors reported numerous cases of cystitis, many quite severe with blood and albumen in the urine.
The marked increase in heart and kidney disease, coincident with the almost universal use of chlorine in the water supply of our country, suggests that this highly irritating substance might be a big factor in this increase of kidney and heart conditions noted by the various boards of vital statistics. And our old school friends who at one time lauded this substance as a splendid germicide and disinfectant against all forms of disease have concluded that its efficacy as a germicide is unsatisfactory because if used in sufficient strength to make it effective, it is dangerous and deleterious to those subjected to its influence. Hence at present it is rarely if ever used either as a disinfectant or remedy.
I have observed as a disinfectant in my practice during the period when water chlorinization was carried on in an intensive way in Chicago that may be helpful to other physicians.
The cases of asthma, heart, kidney and gastro-intestinal disease will respond very slowly if at all to treatment until you substitute distilled or spring water in their drink and diet for the chlorinated water they are ordinarily compelled to use.
While some acute conditions of disease may have been mitigated by chlorinization of water it has indisputably increased to an alarming degree many forms of chronic sickness, including the more alarming and difficult conditions such as Brights disease and cancer.
For proof of the aforementioned statements we need only cite the reports of the various boards of vital statistics, State and Federal, showing the alarming increase of those diseases.
Any substance that changes the vital processes and brings about even blood and tissue changes in a relatively short time and when taken in very minute, even infinitesimal doses, if given over longer periods in more material dosage, must necessarily produce serious harm in a large majority of those using such a substance.
The system may become immune to a degree to a poison if given in small graduated doses so that immediate death or even much inconvenience may not be price of weakened body resistance and damaged vital organs.
In his book The Collected Works of Arthur Hill Grimmer, Grimmer spoke out against the fluoridation of water and vaccinations. Grimmer wrote prodigeously, Gnaphalium, Homeopathic Prophylaxis and Homeopathic Medicine and Cancer: The Philosophy and Clinical Experiences of Dr. A.H. Grimmer, M.D.