J. Ellis Barker

James Ellis Barker (9 May 1870 – 16 July 1948) was a British historian, journalist, homeopath and naturopath. Barker was also an alternative cancer treatment advocate who promoted the idea that cancer is caused by autointoxication from chronic poisoning and vitamin starvation.

Biography

Barker was born in Cologne as Otto Julius Eltzbacher and was naturalised as a British citizen in 1900. Barker wrote on politics warning Britain about the danger of conflict with the Kaiser's Germany and advocated free trade. He attempted to conceal his German Jewish origins. Barker was taught homeopathy by John Henry Clarke an anti-Semite. Barker became an influential British homeopath and took over the editorship of The Homeopathic World from Clarke in 1932. He renamed the magazine Heal Thyself which he co-edited with his wife, Eileen Homer. He was Honorary Secretary of the New Health Society.

Cancer research

At age thirty, Barker suffered from constipation. He believed he was in a state similar to that of a man about to develop cancer so he began to study food, improve his diet and exercise. He eliminated his constipation and came to the conclusion that he had prevented the occurrence of cancer in himself, so his system of dieting and exercise would prevent cancer in others. He argued that cancer was caused by autointoxication from chronic poisoning and vitamin starvation. Barker was influenced by the research of Sir William Arbuthnot Lane.

Barker commented that cancer stemmed from "autointoxication of the bowel. Apparently civilization and constipation go hand in hand." He stated that constipation is caused by the overuse of food preservatives, stress and the lack of "natural foods" in the diet. Barker opposed the use of toilet seats and promoted squatting which would assist bowel movements.