He was assured by the principal that no changes had been made in the food. Samples of the new water-supply were analysed by the chemical examiner to the Punjab Government, who reported that it contained no iodine. Not satisfied with this, Colonel McCarrison caused 25 gallons of water to be evaporated to dryness after the addition to it of sodium carbonate. The residue thus obtained was sent to the chemical examiner for estimation of its iodine content. He reported that it contained no iodine.
It was clear, therefore, that the disappearance of goitre was not due to an increased intake of iodine either by way of the new water-supply or of food. Surely this well-attested instance of endemic goitre, ended by the introduction of a water-supply devoid of iodine, should alone by enough to demolish the lack of iodine theory altogether”. And express his belief, based upon long observation, study and experience in many continental countries, as well as in England and Scotland, that the true cause of simple goitre is to be found in the presence of calcium in potable waters. In this connection he states:
“To my mind there is abundant evidence that the cause of endemic goitre is to be found in drinking water, and though I fully admit that the actual nature of the poison is not definitely proved, I am inclined to think that in the minute particles of inorganic mineral matter (probably calcareous), suspended in the water, we find, even if not the actual poison, at any rate an essential accompanying factor. when visiting various goitrous districts I have been struck by the frequency with which the disease occurs among people who habitually drink turbid waters, and time after time I have been told the same story-that in certain districts goitre has disappeared or has greatly diminished since the introduction of a new and better water-supply.
Undoubtedly much more attention is directed nowadays to the importance of the water-supply in connexion with endemic goitre, but whether the action taken in consequence is always wise is questionable. For instance, the adoption of the lack of iodine” theory by medical officers of health has led to the practice of adding iodine to public water-supplies both in America and Switzerland and also in this country. Whether this is a good method of administering iodine for the prevention or cure of goitre had led to much controversy both here and abroad.
Some advocate the alternative method of giving it in sweets or chocolate to school-children, or adding it to salt. this practice of the indiscriminate administration of iodine, though in may be suitable to places with high endemicity like many parts of Switzerland, is hardly necessary in England.
“I may refer to an excellent paper of the subject by Dr. James Wheatley, M.O.H. for Shropshire, who gives the preference to the iodisation of salt,l and to another by Sir Alexander Houston, Director of Water Examinations, Metropolitan Water Board. It is to be regretted that both these writers appear to accept fully the lack of iodine theory. There is at least some evidence that iodine poisoning may occur from the indiscriminate administration of iodine”.
His observation that iodin poisoning may occur from the indiscriminate administration of iodin is of course, highly significant and will find a responsive echo in the minds of homoeopathic physicians, who, as a result of their knowledge of the pathogenesis of iodin, know when and when not to give it. Finally, his conclusions will be of interest to physicians:
1.Simple endemic goitre is not a hypertrophy but essentially a degeneration of the thyroid gland. The gland is not over-active, but under-active.
2.Whatever may be the connexion between iodine and the thyroid gland,there is no reason for believing that a lack of iodine has anything to do with the causation of endemic goitre, as found in the human subject.
3. It is quite certain that, at least in the vast majority of cases, the disease is produced through the agency of drinking water.
4. There is much evidence that practically all waters which produce goitre contain frequently, although not necessarily at all times and seasons, mineral matter in suspension, usually in an extremely fine state of subdivision.
5. There is also a good deal of evidence that this mineral; matter is generally of a calcareous nature.
“6. Organic matter in suspension, although capable apparently of causing a hyperplasia of the gland, at least in animals, has not been proved to be the cause of endemic goitre as seen in man”.
Klinische Homoopathische Arzneimittellehre von Dr. Karl Stauffer, prakt. Arzt; zweite vermehrte und verbesserte Auflage-1926. Published by Johannes Sonnatag. Verlagsbuchhandlung, Regensburg, Sternbergstrasse 10, Germany, Price, half leather, 35 marks; linen, 28 marks. (Approximately dollar 7 and 9).
This work of 1034 pages, now called by its author “Clinical Homoeopathic Materia Medica,” is the greatly enlarged and much improved second edition of the authors “Homoopathische Arzneimittellehre” published in 1922.
The remedies are arranged in the same alphabetical order as in the first edition; each remedy is prefaced by a brief notice of its pharmaceutical preparation, which is of course, in accord with the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of Willmar Schwabe of Leipzig. Then follow in the order of their importance, the regions or organs chiefly affected, leading symptoms and clinical notes. the latter reflect the long and extensive experience of the author, as well as that of others, upon whom he has drawn for information. dosage, frequency of repetition, potencies and preparations used or recommended and finally, a list of analogous remedies for comparison, complete the analysis of each drug.
The book is excellently printed and bound; the various headings is greatly facilitated. Here then, is a work which will be of great help to every practitioner of the homoeopathic art; every homoeopath will be interested in it and will wish to add it to his other treasures in the library.
Stauffers clinical notes contain many valuable observations, based be they are, upon practical experience. When he has had no experience with a remedy,he does not hesitate to say so. Hence one feels a sense of security in what he does say. For example under PRUNUS SPINOSA, Klinische, HE STATES: “as with Phosphorus, Prunus acts more upon the inner eye, chiefly upon blood stasis; I believe that I have brought about amelioration in disturbances of the eyes due to fatigue caused by prolonged reading under artificial light.
The action of Prunus is good in cases of constipation associated with haemorrhoidal complaints. Other experiences I have none”.
Der Kampf um die Homoeopathic-pro et contra, published by Dr. med. Reinhardt Planer, practicing physician. Hugel Verlag, Leipzig-Gohlis Wilhelmstrasse 54, 362 pages. Price marks 10 (dollar 2.,50).
The publication of this book was instigated by the intense interest in and discussion of the claims of homoeopathy in Germany during the past year. Dr.Planer, its author or rather compiler, has brought skilfully together the many essays, both for and against, on homoeopathy and its principles. Some thirty- three articles are presented to the reader, many by physicians of the orthodox school (Schuhlmedizin) others by well-known German homoeopaths, in reply. All are of interest and value.
Among the list of names of the essayists, we find those of Prof-August Bier, Hugo Schulz and George Klemperer. The last named, now a Geheimrat Professor at Berlin. We well remember his quick, snappy manner and his great ability as a teacher of physical diagnosis. That was thirty years ago, times does assuredly fly!.
Among well-known homoeopaths whose articles form an important part of the compilation, we not Otto Leeser of Frankfurt A/M; Sanitats Rat Dr.Gisevius of Berlin, San. Rat Dr.Hugo Dammholz, also of Berlin, Dr.Stiegele of Stuttgart, where he is resident physician of the Homoeopathic Hospital; Dr.Hans Wapler, etc.
To the seeker of knowledge concerning homoeopathy and the controversy which it has aroused in scientific circles,this book is to be highly commended. Its compiler has presented the subject matter in an impartial and judicial manner and has himself refrained from comment, in order to avoid the possibility of influencing the reader. Medical libraries in this country should possess this work as a contribution to the efforts everywhere put forth, to advance truth in medicine.
Allan D. Sutherland was born in Northfield, Vermont in 1897, delivered by the local homeopathic physician. The son of a Canadian Episcopalian minister, his father had arrived there to lead the local parish five years earlier and met his mother, who was the daughter of the president of the University of Norwich. Four years after Allan’s birth, ministerial work lead the family first to North Carolina and then to Connecticut a few years afterward.
Starting in 1920, Sutherland began his premedical studies and a year later, he began his medical education at Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia.
Sutherland graduated in 1925 and went on to intern at both Children’s Homeopathic Hospital and St. Luke’s Homeopathic Hospital. He then was appointed the chief resident at Children’s. With the conclusion of his residency and 2 years of clinical experience under his belt, Sutherland opened his own practice in Philadelphia while retaining a position at Children’s in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.
In 1928, Sutherland decided to set up practice in Brattleboro.