ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE OF GREAT BRITAIN
Recently the subject of alimentary toxemia was discussed in London before the Royal Society of Medicine by fifty-seven of the leading physicians of Great Britain. Among the speakers were cminent surgeons physicians, and specialists in the various branches of medicine.
POISONS OF ALIMENTARY INTESTINAL TOXEMIA
The following is a list of the various Poisons noted by the several speakers: Indol, skarol, phenol, cresol, indican, Sulphurretted hydrogen. ammonia, histidine, indican, urrobilin, methylmercaptan, tetramerhy-lendiamin, pentamethy lendiamine, Putrescin, cadaverin, neurin, cholin, muscarine, butyric acid, bera-imidazzolethy-lamine, methylgandinine, ptomarropine ne, botulin, tyramine, agamatine, tryptophane, sepsin, idolethylaynine, sulpherroglobine.
Of the 36 Poisons mentioned above, several are highly active, producing most profound effects, and in very Small quantities. In cases of alimentary toxemia some one or several of these Poisons is constantly bathitig the delicate body cells and setting up charges which lirally result in grave disease.
SYMPTOMS AND DISEASES DUE TO ALIMENTARY TOXEMIA
It should be understood
that these findings afe not mere theories, but are the results of demonstrations In actual practice by eminent physicians. Of course it is not claimed that alimentary toxemia is the only cause of atl the symptoms and diseases named: Although of many it rnay be the sole or principal Cause, some of them are due to ot;ier causes as well. In the following summary the vdrious symptoms and disorders mentioned in the discussion in London, to which reference has been made above, are grouped and classified.THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS
Duodenal ulcer causing partial or complete obstruction of the duodenum; pyloric spasm; pyloric obstruction; distension and dilation of the stomach; gastric ulcer; cancer of the stomach; adhesions of the omentum to the stomach and liver; inflammation of the liver; cancer of the liver.
The muscular wall of the intestine as well as other muscles atrophy, so that the passage of their contents is hindered. The abdominal viscera lose their normal relationship to the spine and to each other, on account of weakening of the -abdominal muscles: these displacements are much more marked and Serious in women. Other conditions are: Catarrab of the intestines; foul gases and foul smelling stools; colitis; acute enteritis; appendicitis, acute and chronic; adhesions and "kinks" of the intestines; visceroptosis; enlargement of spleen distended abdomen, tendernesss of the abdomen, summer diarrhea of children: inflammation, of Pancreas; chronic dragging abdominal pains; gastritis; cancer of pancreas; iniammatory changes of gall bladder; cancer of all bladder; gallstones; degeneration of liver; cirrihosis of liver; infection of the gums and decay of the teeth; ulcers in the mouth and pharynx.
HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS
Wasting and weakening of the heart muscles; micorbic cyamosis from breaking up of blood cells; fatty degeneration of the heart; endocarditis; myocarditis, subnormal blood pressure; enlargement ofthe heart; the dilitation of the aorta; high blood Pressure; arteriosclerosis; permanent dilation of arteries.
Dr W, Bezley says: "There are a few phases of cardiovascular trouble (disease of heart and blood vessels)
with which disorder of some part of the alimentary tract Is not causatively associated,"THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Headaches of various kinds -- frontal, occupital, temporal, dull, or intense, hemicrania; headache of a character to lead to a mistaken diagnosis Cf brain tumor. Dr. Lane tells of iw case where a surgeon had proposed an operation for the removal of a tumor from the frontal lobe of the brain; the difficulty was wholly removed by the exclusion of the colon.
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irritibility; disturbances of nervous system, varying from simple headaches to absolute II
depression. Insomnia; troubled sleep, unpleasant dreams; unrefreshing sleep, the Patient awakening tired; excessive ,1C0 apse; mental and physical
sleepiness, Patient falling asleep in the daytime; shivery sensation across lower spinal region; burning sensations in race, hands, etc,; epileptiform tic; typhoid state; paralysis; chronic fatigue; horror of noises; morbid introspection; perverted
coma.
moral feelings; melancholia, mania, loss of memory; difficulty of mental concentration; imbecility; insanity; delirium,
THE EYES
Degenerative changes in the eye; inflammation of the lens; inflammation of the optic nerve; hardening of the lens; selerotitis, sclerokeratitis; iritis; iridocyclitis; Cataract; recurrent hemmorrhage in the retina; eye dull and heavy.