by the profession. In both sexes it should be carefully conducted
the moment that the slightest protrusion shows itself; whether the
hernia occurs in infancy, youth, middle age or at later periods of life,
if properly watched and judiciously supported, it usually gives but
little trouble; in many cases it is even cured. But on the contrary, if
it be neglected, increase in bulk and, sooner or later, diseased states
of the rupture, often leading to the death of the individual, will
almost infallibly occur."

And there is only one thing in the world that can _give_ the mechanical
support which Dr. Birkett and other famous physicians say is essential.

That is the right kind of _truss_.

Any system of treatment (except operation) which claims to relieve or
cure rupture _without_ the use of a truss is simply a fraud.

[Sidenote: Why You Need a Truss]

The weak muscles at the rupture opening can't possibly get strong
without the aid of a truss that will do what the muscles themselves are
_too weak_ to do; a truss that will hold the bowels in place.

But trusses which will do _that_ even _half_ the time are mighty
_scarce_.

Thousands of sufferers have tried truss after truss in _hopes_ they
would finally get one that would do it; and to this day haven't found
such a truss.

All trusses and "appliances" _claim_ to hold you together.

But ordinary trusses-- those with bands or belts or springs around the
body, those with leg-straps, those sold by drug-stores and "Hernia
Specialists"-- are absolutely _wrong_ in principle, construction and
action.

They are like trousers worn without suspenders or belt-- continually
slipping-- you've got to keep adjusting and "hitching them up."

The "harness" shifts or pulls the holding pads _away_ from the rupture
opening.

Thus your rupture is continually coming out-- Nature never gets the
ghost of a chance to start any healing process.

But even if such trusses _did_ hold the rupture in place, that _alone_
could never result in cure; couldn't even result in improvement.

Because that alone does nothing whatever to _strengthen_ the weakened
muscles, or to overcome the muscle _lifelessness_, the conditions which
_cause_ rupture.

No man ever made his _arm_ strong by not _using_ it.

And if a truss does nothing _more_ than hold the rupture in _place_, the
_muscles_ at the rupture opening are never _used_, get no _exercise_, so
they grow constantly _weaker_ instead of _stro