epsom salts

November 18, 2001

I feel that my bowels may be emptying to quickly to give the bulk

necessary to push out the stones.

Perhaps I should do only one epsom drink at 8 p.m.?

Suzanne

November 18, 2001

I'm new here, so I'm sure there are others who know

FAR more than I do. But I will offer my thoughts

anyway, if you're interested.

I hear what you're saying, but isn't it the action of

the gallbladder itself that pushes out the stones?

Then they go into the digestive system and get

eliminated through the bowels. So it would seem to me

that the important thing is how the bowels move after

the flush is completed, right?

Feel free to correct me if I'm not understanding this

right.

--- suzanne_on_ca@... wrote:

> I feel that my bowels may be emptying to quickly to

> give the bulk

> necessary to push out the stones.

> Perhaps I should do only one epsom drink at 8 p.m.?

> Suzanne

>

__________________________________________________

November 18, 2001

<< Eat a no-fat breakfast and lunch such as cooked cereal with fruit,

fruit juice, bread and preserves or honey (no butter or milk), baked

potato or other vegetables with salt only. This allows the bile to

build up and develop pressure in the liver. Higher pressure pushes

out more stones. "

**********************************

Hello,

I think the cleanse can be modified, myself. I modify mine. I do have my

lemmon or lime water in the morning first thing. In that way, I follow Dr.

Cabot. But this is something that I do every morning since I started Dr.

Cabot's healthy liver-cleansing diet.

Then I have my water, and lots of it, followed by a steamed potato about

1:00. At 2:00, I stop drinking my water and then somewhat follow Dr. 's

method with the ES at 6:00 and 8:00. But where I differ, I add more water to

my ES and when I mix up my olive oil/grapefruit juice, I usually add 1/4 cup

of organic apple juice. I then try to take this dose at least twice at 20

minutes apart.

I've never had any problems passing tons of stuff, but I'm very well cleaned

out even a couple of days before my cleanse. The pre-cleanse is just as

important as the cleanse, and most every method will tell you this. Some

pre-cleanses even recommend an enema during the week at least a couple of

days before the cleanse. Keep in mind, there are several cleanses with

variations, and they work well. The ES, which is magnesium sulphate, it

relaxes your bile ducts. But you can also apply heat, which opens up the

bile ducts, too. I usually do both.

Susie

November 19, 2001

Here is a quote from the above book (which I'm sure that many of you

are familiar with).......

" Eat a no-fat breakfast and lunch such as cooked cereal with fruit,

fruit juice, bread and preserves or honey (no butter or milk), baked

potato or other vegetables with salt only. This allows the bile to

build up and develop pressure in the liver. Higher pressure pushes

out more stones. "

I felt, especially on my last cleanse that not too many stones came

out because the " bulk " all exited my body before I went to bed. That

left nothing to form bile. Do you have any more clarifications on

this?

I hope that I am explaining this properly - or is it normal for

bowels to do what mine do on a cleanse?

November 19, 2001

Hi,

As I understand things, the liver always produces bile(and gallstones).

The gallbladder stores bile and therefore it has a ready supply, should

the body need it. The no-fat breakfast and lunch on the day of the

cleanse, causes the bile to back up in the liver, because none is

needed unless you have eaten fat( although I've read bile helps digest

protein as well). Therefore, almost 24 hours has passed before you

drink the olive-oil/grapefruit. The olive oil stimulates the body to

secrete bile to digest it, and as a result of pressure due to the bile

backup, more stones are passed than would be normally.

I'm not sure I understand what you meant when you said, " the " bulk " all

exited my body before I went to bed. " If you're meaning that you have

bowel movements before going to bed, it could be that you are extra

sensitive to the epsom salts. Epsom salts are a laxative, and could

start the bowels to move before taking the olive oil, but I don't think

epsom salts would effect bile secretion or the amount of stones passed.

I'm just guessing though....

Adrienne

--- suzanne_on_ca@... wrote:

>

> Here is a quote from the above book (which I'm sure that many of you

> are familiar with).......

>

> " Eat a no-fat breakfast and lunch such as cooked cereal with fruit,

> fruit juice, bread and preserves or honey (no butter or milk), baked

> potato or other vegetables with salt only. This allows the bile to

> build up and develop pressure in the liver. Higher pressure pushes

> out more stones. "

>

> I felt, especially on my last cleanse that not too many stones came

> out because the " bulk " all exited my body before I went to bed. That

>

> left nothing to form bile. Do you have any more clarifications on

> this?

>

> I hope that I am explaining this properly - or is it normal for

> bowels to do what mine do on a cleanse?

>

__________________________________________________

November 19, 2001

<< I feel that my bowels may be emptying to quickly to give the bulk

necessary to push out the stones.

Perhaps I should do only one epsom drink at 8 p.m.?

>>

************************

all I can say is that you can try it. If it was me, I do both doses. You

want water BMs before you drink you mixture. As I stated before, you want to

be flowing. Also, it's the oil that pushes out the stones!

Susie

November 19, 2001

I hear what you're saying, but isn't it the action of

the gallbladder itself that pushes out the stones?

Then they go into the digestive system and get

eliminated through the bowels. So it would seem to me

that the important thing is how the bowels move after

the flush is completed, right? >>

************************

You're right, . The oil helps start the GB to pushing. Now, earlier in

the day, the potato or whatever veggie starts pressure to building up in the

liver. But the oil makes the GB start working, pushing. Being cleaned out

helps the nausea, too, which many people get. The only time that I've hd

nausea was this last time. I think it's because I didn't have my quart of

organic apple juice every day before the cleanse for 5 days. That apple

juice breaks stuff up more. Dr. Cabot says it dissolves many stones.

Susie

November 19, 2001

The no-fat breakfast and lunch on the day of the

cleanse, causes the bile to back up in the liver, because none is

needed unless you have eaten fat( although I've read bile helps digest

protein as well). Therefore, almost 24 hours has passed before you

drink the olive-oil/grapefruit. The olive oil stimulates the body to

secrete bile to digest it, and as a result of pressure due to the bile

backup, >>

********************************

Hello,

You explained it very well, a whole lot better than I could.

Susie

November 19, 2001

Hello, everyone,

My early morning posts may have been repeats. I checked my e-mail this

morning and didn't realize that it was my old e-mails. I just want to

apologize if I did repeated posts. I.e., I wasn't really awake good when I

wrote my posts. I goofed!

Susie

November 19, 2001

Hi Adrienne,

Yes, I believe you have understood what I'm trying to

say - I have had to use a bowel cleanser called " Go

Lightly " prior to surgery. It really cleans out your

bowels - you are very light after that!

The Epsom Salts seem to have the same effect on me -

my bowels are very sensitive. Is it good to have such

a cleanout just before the oil/juice drink at night?

Thanks again for all of your ideas.

Suzanne

P.S. I'm just in the process of doing a week of the

Gold Coin Grass treatment before I do my next cleanse.

_______________________________________________________

Build your own website in minutes and for free at http://ca.geocities.com

November 19, 2001

11/19/01 8:32:27 AM, Tishri7@... commented on someone's

thoughts that:

> The no-fat breakfast and lunch on the day of the

> cleanse, causes the bile to back up in the liver, because none is

> needed unless you have eaten fat( although I've read bile helps digest

> protein as well).

That's one view. There is another---namely that bile is waste removed

from the blood by the liver and that the gallbladder stores it up for explusion

into the next mass of food going by. This waste, bile, is then excreted out of

the body along with the feces that passed by. It's sort of like " Honey, if

you're going to the curb please take out the trash from under the kitchen

sink. "

I can tell you that when you are butchering animals, any spilled bile from a

carelessly nicked gallbladder makes the flesh absolutely inedible. In other

words, bile, at least in this case, doesn't digest anything but it sure makes

the meat toxic.

Regards,

Rex Harrill

November 20, 2001

Hi again,

I'm not positive, but I don't think the early bowel movements effect

things one way or the other. The important thing is that the epsom

dialates the bile ducts so that the stones pass painlessly.

Adrienne ;-)

--- Suzanne Gilmore <suzanne_on_ca@...> wrote:

> Hi Adrienne,

>

> Yes, I believe you have understood what I'm trying to

> say - I have had to use a bowel cleanser called " Go

> Lightly " prior to surgery. It really cleans out your

> bowels - you are very light after that!

>

> The Epsom Salts seem to have the same effect on me -

> my bowels are very sensitive. Is it good to have such

> a cleanout just before the oil/juice drink at night?

>

> Thanks again for all of your ideas.

>

> Suzanne

>

> P.S. I'm just in the process of doing a week of the

> Gold Coin Grass treatment before I do my next cleanse.

>

> _______________________________________________________

> Build your own website in minutes and for free at

> http://ca.geocities.com

>

__________________________________________________

November 20, 2001

Thanks, I'd never heard that before. I'm always amazed at the

complexity of our bodies, and how much our " scientific " community (and

we too) still has to learn.

--- " R. Harrill " <brixman@...> wrote:

> 11/19/01 8:32:27 AM, Tishri7@... commented on someone's

> thoughts that:

>

> > The no-fat breakfast and lunch on the day of the

> > cleanse, causes the bile to back up in the liver, because none is

> > needed unless you have eaten fat( although I've read bile helps

> digest

> > protein as well).

>

> That's one view. There is another---namely that bile is waste

> removed

> from the blood by the liver and that the gallbladder stores it up for

> explusion

> into the next mass of food going by. This waste, bile, is then

> excreted out of

> the body along with the feces that passed by. It's sort of like

> " Honey, if

> you're going to the curb please take out the trash from under the

> kitchen

> sink. "

>

> I can tell you that when you are butchering animals, any spilled bile

> from a

> carelessly nicked gallbladder makes the flesh absolutely inedible.

> In other

> words, bile, at least in this case, doesn't digest anything but it

> sure makes

> the meat toxic.

>

> Regards,

> Rex Harrill

>

__________________________________________________

January 28, 2002

Ira wrote:

> You are treating liver cleansing as though it were a religion that must not

> be questioned. I fear that this approach is what turns off the

> skeptics. If we have a system that works, we must try to understand how it

>

> works and not take it on blind faith. Especially when one of the

> approaches does away with Epsom salts entirely and apparently has no

> negative effects as a result.

I can see how you would read it that way, but let me clarify that this was

not my thought process at all. I have questioned everything every step of

the way - trust me! What I was trying to say was that I was looking for

an answer from the allopathic medical establishment and they are not the ones

who generally even acknowledge the flush, so it's unrealistic to expect to

find an explanation of the role of Epsom Salts from a non-cleanse source.

My personal choice was that I don't really need an explanation of HOW the

Epsom Salts dilate the bile ducts. After all, I don't have an explanation of

how drinking a lot of apple juice works as a laxative, and yet I use it. I

don't know how the pectin in the apples allegedly breaks down or softens the

gallstones, and yet I use it.

Would I like to read an explanation of the claim that Epsom Salts dilate the

bile ducts? Sure - that would be interesting and it would probably make me

lean more toward using them again. Do I take it on blind faith? Nope.

What I do take on blind faith is the success that others say they have had

with using them. Does that alone convince me to include them? Not really -

since I've had success without them. Do I respect their choice to use them?

Absolutely!

So no, Ira, I definitely don't treat this cleanse as a religion that is not

to be questioned. In fact, I don't consider religion as something that is

not to be questioned! But that's a topic for another place and time.

I'm glad you're also interested in an answer to the question. It's nice to

know that I'm not the only one who was curious about it. It will be

interesting to see if anyone has any information to post about it. As for

me....I will continue with my current plans for preparation for my next

cleanse which will be this Friday.

Thanks for listening,

January 28, 2002

wrote in Digest Number 936:

>Now, though, I'm thinking about this idea of the ES opening up the bile ducts

>and allowing for more stones to pass through. I guess that's something I

>should consider. What I would like to know is if anyone has a reference of

>any kind to any source OTHER than cleansing sites that might support the

>theory of Epsom Salts relaxing the bile ducts.

This is an excellent idea. Especially considering that some people refrain

from using Epsom salts and have good results anyway. And considering that

ingesting Epsom salts is a very unpleasant experience. Perhaps their only

function is indeed laxative, and in that case they could be replaced by a

less distasteful laxative.

I'd be very interested in learning what the basis is for that claim that

Epsom Salts open up the bile ducts.

And so I was disappointed by 's next decision:

>Never mind about the Epsom Salts question. Chances are that if I did come

>across a site with an explanation of how the magnesium sulfate dilates the

>bile ducts I probably wouldn't understand it any more than I do now anyway!

>

>So I will just believe that it does and leave it at that. Sometimes I just

>investigate things TOO far and it isn't always necessary. :)

You are treating liver cleansing as though it were a religion that must not

be questioned. I fear that this approach is what turns off the

skeptics. If we have a system that works, we must try to understand how it

works and not take it on blind faith. Especially when one of the

approaches does away with Epsom salts entirely and apparently has no

negative effects as a result.

I therefore ask anyone who's reading: what evidence is there for the claim

that Epsom salts open up (dilate) the bile ducts?

-----------------------

IRA L. JACOBSON

-----------------------

mailto:laser@...

January 28, 2002

Hi Ira and everyone,

I asked my husband (a chiropractor) how the epsom salt works. He said

it probably had to do with the Sodium-Potassium Pump action of the

body's cells. He said to start there. I did a search and here is one of

the links I found:

http://www.nd.edu/~aseriann/nak.html

I don't understand what's written there, but maybe some of you will.

Adrienne

--- " Ira L. son " <laser@...> wrote:

> wrote in Digest Number 936:

>

> >Now, though, I'm thinking about this idea of the ES opening up the

> bile ducts

> >and allowing for more stones to pass through. I guess that's

> something I

> >should consider. What I would like to know is if anyone has a

> reference of

> >any kind to any source OTHER than cleansing sites that might support

> the

> >theory of Epsom Salts relaxing the bile ducts.

>

> This is an excellent idea. Especially considering that some people

> refrain

> from using Epsom salts and have good results anyway. And considering

> that

> ingesting Epsom salts is a very unpleasant experience. Perhaps their

> only

> function is indeed laxative, and in that case they could be replaced

> by a

> less distasteful laxative.

>

> I'd be very interested in learning what the basis is for that claim

> that

> Epsom Salts open up the bile ducts.

>

> And so I was disappointed by 's next decision:

>

> >Never mind about the Epsom Salts question. Chances are that if I

> did come

> >across a site with an explanation of how the magnesium sulfate

> dilates the

> >bile ducts I probably wouldn't understand it any more than I do now

> anyway!

> >

> >So I will just believe that it does and leave it at that. Sometimes

> I just

> >investigate things TOO far and it isn't always necessary. :)

>

> You are treating liver cleansing as though it were a religion that

> must not

> be questioned. I fear that this approach is what turns off the

> skeptics. If we have a system that works, we must try to understand

> how it

> works and not take it on blind faith. Especially when one of the

> approaches does away with Epsom salts entirely and apparently has no

> negative effects as a result.

>

> I therefore ask anyone who's reading: what evidence is there for the

> claim

> that Epsom salts open up (dilate) the bile ducts?

>

> -----------------------

> IRA L. JACOBSON

> -----------------------

> mailto:laser@...

>

__________________________________________________

January 28, 2002

Ira asks:

I therefore ask anyone who's reading: what evidence is there for the claim

that Epsom salts open up (dilate) the bile ducts?

responds:

> Ira, the evidence is in the collander! of DH

>

Then what about the colanders that are full of stones for people (like

myself) who don't usually use Epsom Salts? I think the colander is evidence

that the Epsom Salts clean out the bowels, sure. And I don't really doubt

that they do have some effect on the bile ducts. It just would be

interesting to read an explanation, that's all.

In the meantime, we'll all keep doing the cleanses that work best for us!

in health,

January 28, 2002

Thanks for asking him, Adrienne! I'll admit I didn't understand a lot of

what was written there either, but it's the closest I've seen to an

explanation.

I appreciate you doing that!

in health,

adriennelynn1@... writes:

> I asked my husband (a chiropractor) how the epsom salt works. He said

> it probably had to do with the Sodium-Potassium Pump action of the

> body's cells. He said to start there. I did a search and here is one of

> the links I found:

>

> http://www.nd.edu/~aseriann/nak.html

>

> I don't understand what's written there, but maybe some of you will.

>

January 29, 2002

Ira asks:

I therefore ask anyone who's reading: what evidence is there for the claim

that Epsom salts open up (dilate) the bile ducts?

Ira, the evidence is in the collander! of DH

" People are like stain glass windows; they sparkle and shine when the sun is

out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there

is alight within. " -Kubler Ross

" Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that

followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. "

Holy Bible

---------------------------------

January 29, 2002

Hi , you are correct. I think maybe didn't read all of

your last posts to understand the question fully.

Yes, you can get many stones by not using the epsom because the oil

will contract the gb and get the stones out also. And, the juices you

use will also help to eliminate in the morning so that you can see

the results.

To be honest with you, IMO, if you can 'handle' the epsom, I think it

will probably give you better results. I think the epsom not only

opens the bowels/colon, but also opens the other digestive organs in

your body. Like the intestines, liver ducts and pores, etc. Epsom

salts are used for constipation, stomach aches, etc. It can even

relieve gb attacks because it will relax the ducts and allow the

stone to drop back down into the gb.

So, even though I don't have documented proof at this moment, my

knowledge of epsom salt (even before this cleanse) is that it acts as

a relaxer and opener of all the body organs in effect. It does lots

of things to your body to aide in the passing of most objects

throughout your digestive system.

Use it if you can, it works better on your entire digestive system

than if you don't.

Just my thoughts. I know you want some documentation but I can only

tell you the action of the salts from a lifetime of knowledge about

what it does to many systems in your body (not just the liver ducts).

Barry.

> Ira asks:

> I therefore ask anyone who's reading: what evidence is there for

the claim

> that Epsom salts open up (dilate) the bile ducts?

>

> responds:

>

> > Ira, the evidence is in the collander! of DH

> >

> Then what about the colanders that are full of stones for people

(like

> myself) who don't usually use Epsom Salts? I think the colander

is evidence

> that the Epsom Salts clean out the bowels, sure. And I don't

really doubt

> that they do have some effect on the bile ducts. It just would be

> interesting to read an explanation, that's all.

>

> In the meantime, we'll all keep doing the cleanses that work best

for us!

>

> in health,

>

January 29, 2002

In a message dated 1/28/02 10:31:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,

barry91162@... writes:

> Just my thoughts. I know you want some documentation but I can only

> tell you the action of the salts from a lifetime of knowledge about

> what it does to many systems in your body (not just the liver ducts).

>

I appreciate your thoughts. I know that from your experience you believe

that the Epsom Salts do certain things. I certainly don't want to beat this

topic into the ground. I don't have anything against the Epsom Salts -

don't get me wrong. I think there are those who think I'm trying to stir

something up here, but it was just an honest question! I have used them,

remember, and so it isn't a phobia or a reluctance to drink something that

tastes nasty. I don't even mind the taste once there's lemon juice added to

it.

You believe that it opens up the internal organs even though you don't have

any documentation to explain it - and that's fine. I was just looking for a

little actual explanation. I guess I still think of Epsom Salts as drinking

a chemical and I need to get that idea out of my head. They are natural,

right?

Anyway - thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts about them. I

haven't ruled out using them at some future cleanse, but for now I think I'll

continue as I have been doing - with much success.

in health,

January 29, 2002

I am grateful to for writing in Digest Number 938, in

response to my question:

>Ira asks:

>I therefore ask anyone who's reading: what evidence is there for the claim

>that Epsom salts open up (dilate) the bile ducts?

>

> responds:

>

> > Ira, the evidence is in the collander! of DH

And so, responds and thereby clarifies my question:

>Then what about the colanders that are full of stones for people (like

>myself) who don't usually use Epsom Salts? I think the colander is evidence

>that the Epsom Salts clean out the bowels, sure. And I don't really doubt

>that they do have some effect on the bile ducts. It just would be

>interesting to read an explanation, that's all.

Let me then restate my question:

We understand that Epsom salts are a laxative. We understand that liver

flushes with and without Epsom Salts produce results in the form of

intrahepatic stones eliminated from our bodies.

Therefore, I ask whether Epsom salts are needed at all (or are desirable at

all).

I ask whether they perform any function other than laxative. If the answer

is affirmative, how do we know so?

If they are no more than a laxative, why not use a pleasant tasting laxative?

Why use a laxative at all?

If they perform such a function as dilating the bile ducts, how do we know

that? (This is not the same as asking how do we know that liver flushes

cause the elimination of intrahepatic stones.) Is such a claim made

anywhere other than in this forum?

Are there any comparisons of liver flushes using Epsom Salts and not using

them?

============

Then rachel adds:

>In the meantime, we'll all keep doing the cleanses that work best for us!

And I reply that I am working up to doing my first flush, which I would

like to be most effective but with the least unpleasantness. So I have no

reference for " the cleanses that work best " for me.

-----------------------

IRA L. JACOBSON

-----------------------

mailto:laser@...

January 29, 2002

This is what I have been able to find on Epsom salts.

I don't see anything about dilating bile ducts. It may be a bit old, though.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy.

by Finley Ellingwood, M.D., 1919.

Group V. Agents acting upon the Intestinal Glandular Organs and upon the

Intestinal Canal.

Chapter IV. Agents used as hydragogue cathartics:

Elaterium - Jalap - Helleborus - Magnesium Sulphate - Croton Oil.

MAGNESIUM SULPHATE.

Other tomes: --

Formula—MgSO47H2O.

Synonyms—Epsom Salt, Sulphate of Magnesium.

Administration—For general administration it is better to give this agent

in a hot solution. Usually one-half of the otherwise necessary dose will

accomplish the same result if hot. It is stated that if an ounce be boiled

for a short time in a pint of water to which a grain or two of tannic acid

is added, it will be entirely deprived of its bitterness. In solution in

hot milk, it is of value in debilitated patients. The dose as a hydragogue

is from half an ounce to an ounce, well diluted. As an aperient and

antacid, from ten to thirty grains will prove satisfactory.

Physiological Action—By osmotic processes, this agent abstracts water

directly from the intestinal capillaries. This explains the efficient

influence of the remedy in dropsy. Its solutions are not readily absorbed,

and it directly stimulates intestinal peristaltic action. Concentrated

solutions of the agent are more active in abstracting water, and thus more

efficient when given for the reduction of dropsical effusions. The

solutions so concentrated must be avoided if there be no dropsy. While

epsom salt is considered perfectly safe, it has produced death in

overdoses. Concentrated solutions when dropsy is not present occasionally

produce from rapid absorption of the drug, marked constitutional effects,

and death may occur, from convulsions or from suppression of urine. There

has been extreme vomiting and paralysis. The agent is also poisonous when

solutions are injected directly into the blood stream. There is a

pronounced influence upon the respiratory apparatus with sudden respiratory

failure.

Therapy—This agent is demanded when a non-irritating cathartic is needed,

which will produce copious watery stools without nausea or pain. It is of

much service in abdominal surgery, thoroughly evacuating the intestinal

canal prior to an operation. Given in small doses it stimulates normal

secretion, causes liquid feces and prevents any possible impaction. This is

accomplished without stimulating the peristalsis to any great extent, or

otherwise disturbing the muscular structure of the bowels.

It is a most available remedy in dropsy. If the skin is cool, it eliminates

large quantities of water through the kidneys as well as from the

intestinal canal.

If the character of the kidney disease is such that active elimination is

undesirable, it will cause active transpiration through the skin instead,

if the skin be thoroughly warm and moist at the time of its administration.

If the patient is greatly debilitated, it will not produce increased

weakness, if it is given in conjunction with the carbonate of iron or some

other mild, well selected tonic. If given when the stomach is empty, it

seems to act more directly upon the kidneys, as a diuretic.

In the treatment of dysentery, given in small doses, it is an efficient

remedy. It apparently has a soothing instead of an irritating effect, as

have most cathartics in this disease.

It is valuable in impaction of the bowels from any cause. In this case

fifteen grains of the salt with an equal amount of the bitartrate of

potassium every two hours will produce satisfactory results. This

combination is also useful as an antacid and refrigerant in many of the

disordered conditions of the stomach and bowels during hot weather.

If the agent be administered in full doses in colica pictonum it will serve

an excellent purpose. Inasmuch as sulphuric acid is a direct antidote in

lead poisoning, the dilute acid may be added in small quantities to a

solution of this remedy.

Dr. Vogler claims that it will produce sleep where the cause depends upon

indigestion or constipation if given in dram doses. It is used both

internally and externally in rheumatism.

I have had many reports during the last two years of the application of a

solution of an ounce of epsom salt in a pint of boiling water to which ten

or fifteen drops of carbolic acid has been added. This is not only

beneficial wherever a fomentation is required but is a superior

application, Dr. Gordon says, in the treatment of erysipelas.

There is a peculiar disease of the skin in old people characterized by a

hard incrusted condition, dusky red or purplish, which cracks and bleeds,

and fissures with a slimy exudate at times, which Dr. Waterhouse cures

satisfactorily with the above solution.

Where the patient has a large number of warts which persist in spite of

treatment, from two to five grains of epsom salts four or five times a day

with a drop or two of thuja will cure, Dr. Webster says, in a short time.

As a pain reliever, this agent has come into prominence during the past few

years, through the teachings of many observers: Burgess of Chattanooga

claims it to be distinctly anesthetic. Externally applied in concentrated

hot solutions, it often exhibits this influence satisfactorily for local

inflammations. It was suggested for intra-spinal injections to control

tetanus, and at one time to induce temporary anesthesia of the extremities

and of the pelvic organs, but serious results followed its use in so many

cases that it has now been largely abandoned.

Dr. advises the agent in ounce doses of the saturated solution every

two hours in the treatment of amebic dysentery. After the first active

operations, he gives thirty drops of this solution until the patient has

entirely recovered, using starch, water and laudanum, if necessary for the

tenesmus, and aconite in fever.

When salt rheum so called is present on the hands and fingers, he immerses

the parts in warm solution for ten or fifteen minutes, at bedtime. Then

draws on clean white cotton gloves for the night, repeating this each night

until cured.

Where the urine scalds or burns in passing from high acidity, he cures with

teaspoonful doses of this solution four times a day. Extreme gastric

acidity is relieved by small doses frequently repeated.

He treats simple conjunctivitis by dropping a few drops of the saturated

solution into the eye, to which is added two grains of cocaine to the

ounce, He treats ascaris scabei with hot concentrated solutions applied at

bedtime.

Dr. Burgess advised the use of this agent to reduce excessive fat. He

treated a patient weighing 238 pounds, reducing him to his normal weight,

178 pounds at the rate of about ten pounds per month. His method was to

bathe the body night and morning with a solution of one ounce of the salt

to a pint of water. At the same time a teaspoonful of the same strength

solution was taken internally three times a day.

The above course is recommended to reduce the quantity of uric acid in the

system when excessive.

To unsightly and disfiguring scars, he applied the same solution preferably

hot, twice daily. By so doing, he reduced them to a great degree, sometimes

removing them entirely. Dr. Broadnax suggested that this treatment might

prevent cancers, which develop in scars.

Group V. Agents acting upon the Intestinal Glandular Organs and upon the

Intestinal Canal.

Chapter IV. Agents used as hydragogue cathartics:

Elaterium - Jalap - Helleborus - Magnesium Sulphate - Croton Oil.

Edited by for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine

Back to the main page - classic texts page - Henriette's herbal homepage

-----------------------

IRA L. JACOBSON

----------------------

mailto:laser@...

January 29, 2002