Pathologic uterine haemorrhage falls into one of four clinical groups: (a) epimenorrhoea, (b) menostaxis, (c) menorrhagia, (d) metrostaxis. Epimenorrhea is the clinical manifestation of hyperactivity of the sex complex; menostaxis is an incomplete infertile menstrual abortion. Menorrhagia is the result of uterine insufficiency, which may be (a) developmental, (b) inflammatory or (c) degenerative. The insufficiency may be associated with lesions in (1) the metrium; or (2) the endometrium.
Metrostaxis is commonly the reflection of outside influences on the uterus. The accessory factors most frequently associated with irregular uterine bleeding are (1) functional hyperthyroidism, and (2) hypersensibility of the sympathetic nervous system. Estimation of the blood tolerance of sugar and of the basal metabolic rate is said to provide important data in the investigation of uterine haemorrhage at periods of unstable equilibrium, especially puberty and the menopause.” J.A.M.A.
Lest we forget, let us suggest, than in the light of the above, there are patients to be prescribed for and many remedies which, suitable for them, have the symptoms of uterine haemorrhage in their pathogenesis. Hence, do not overlook such medicines as Phosphorus, China, Ferrum, Trillium, Secale, Sabina and a host of others. Individualize your case can prescribe accordingly, but always make sure of your diagnosis first and of its pathology, if you can. In bleeding caused by an incipient uterine fibroid, in the absence of subjective symptoms of any value, try Hydrastinum muriaticum 6x, 12x or higher.
Use of Alcohol in Medicine. “The greatest value of alcohol, Willcox asserts, lies in its hypnotic and psychologic effect. Nothing can replace it in relieving the worry, distress and anxiety of the patient, and in giving him that feeling of repose and well being that plays so vital a part in helping him over a crisis, or in rendering a case of helpless suffering more bearable.” J.A.M.A.
Well, well! And this was said in the U.S.A., Anno Domini 1926! Watch out Willcox, or some citizen of the Kansas prairies will be camping on your trail! Of course, the devilish italics are ours. Here in New York, poison hooch continues to slay its hundreds, while our hyprocritical fanatics still clamor for more Prohibition. Perhaps in time, all the wets will be at peace, six feet under the ground, and the drys can then dance in an orgy of satisfaction, to the accompaniment of the popping of bottles of lemon soda.
Good Diet and Bad One: Effects. “An experiment made by McCarrison demonstrates that a diet composed of whole wheat, milk, milk products, sprouted legumes, uncooked vegetables and fruit, with fresh meat occasionally, far surpasses in nutritive value that composed of white bread, tea, sugar, margarine, jam, boiled vegetables, and tinned meat, to which the common food preservatives-boric acid, formaldehyde vapor, and sulphurous acid-are added. The former promotes physical efficiency and health, but the latter give rise to stunting of growth, to physical inefficiency and often to disease. The maladies to which the poor diet may give rise are lung disease and gastro- intestinal disease. The results of this experiment furnished additional proof of this influence, and suggested also that the common food preservatives may contribute their share to the harmful effects of such a food.” J.A.M.A.
Righto! The observations are especially applicable to Americans, of whose cooking the less said the better. McCarrisons second diet is one, which in all its ghastliness, is employed by thousands of our American workers, particularly in the large cities, where people live in one or two-room apartments, graced by a so-called kitchenette. PAckage goods and canned foods have reached their greatest development in the United States. Canned chicken soup, for example, seems to have about as much nourishment as dishwater, no doubt less and is certainly more translucent.
Just compare this with the Italian minestra, well covered with grated Parmesan cheese; a meal in itself, especially when a hunk of Italian bread goes with it and not the refined white sponge, which is usually rammed down the average American throat. There are states in this great country of ours, which import most of their foodstuffs in cans and packages, when they could easily grow their own food within their own borders. So long as cotton is king and the one crop system continues to prevail, this state of affairs will go on. Diversification of crops, dairy and fruit farming, poultry raising, animal husbandry in general, will overcome this, provided that our “flappers” will be willing to soil their hands in the mixing bowl or in cooking fruits and vegetables for home consumption.
Diagnosis of Exophthalmic Goiter. “Mark holds that the usual textbook symptoms of exophthalmic goiter, with the exception of bilateral exophthalmus, are not of much diagnostic value. Pulse rates which are persistently above 80, especially during sleep, should be looked on with suspicion, and every effort made to rule out disease, especially hyperthyroidism. Quadriceps power loss is one of the most important diagnostic symptoms of exophthalmic goiter. A feeling of sustained warmth for weeks or months in the absence of fever is practically pathognomonic. A history of ravenous appetite is practically always present at some time during the disease.
Weight loss, together with a ravenous appetite, are to be found only in patients with hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Thrills and bruits over the superior thyroid vessels occur in from 60 to 80 per cent. of cases, and when louder here than over the inferior thyroid vessels are practically diagnostic. The tendency for exophthalmic goiter patients to develop crises is quite marked. Properly done metabolic readings, repeated as needed, offer the most absolute method of diagnosis, especially in borderline cases. REsponse of exophthalmic goiter patients to compound solution of iodine amounts almost to a therapeutic test.” J.A.M.A.
An interesting topic and worthy of some consideration. There are pathologists and clinicians who believe, that exophthalmic goiter and hyperthyroidism are in reality manifestations of the same underlying pathology. In this connection, the work of Crile of Cleveland and of Plummer of the Mayo Clinic, is deserving of the highest commendation. The United States are to a large extent an iodine starved nation; certainly goiters are extremely common and apparently becoming more so. From the standpoint of homoeopathic prescribing, simple goiter is more difficult to cure than the exophthalmic type, at least in our experience.
Iodine as a remedy, from the 3d potency to the cm., plays a very important part and of course, so does Natrum muriaticum. A diet rich in fresh green vegetables and ripe raw fruits, one rich in the natural mineral salts and vitamins, is essential and here we are again reminded of the gastronomic atrocities which are prevalent in American cookery. We would do well to follow French, German and Italian methods in this respect. The French cooks use of the casserole for example, is a superb way of retaining and conserving the precious juices and flavors of everything which goes into its spacious maw. How well we recall the exquisite dinners served at Mother Mouquins, at Sixth Avenue and Twenty- eight Street, in the days of the Golden Age. One lived then, one lived.
The New York Homoeopathic Medical College. We are glad to inform RECORDER readers, that the Department of Gynecology of this college, under the leadership of Prof. Joseph H. Fobes, gives instruction to its students in homoeopathic therapy. It is pleasing to note, that along with surgery in this important field of gynecologic instruction, homoeopathy is not omitted as a part of the course.
American Homeopathy Doctor.
Rabe graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College and trained under Timothy Field Allen and William Tod Helmuth.
Rabe was President of the International Hahnemannian Association, editor in chief of the Homeopathic Recorder, and he wrote Medical Therapeutics for daily reference. Rabe was Dean and Professor of Homeopathic Therapeutics at the New York Homeopathic Medical College.