CURING GOITRE WITH A PROBE.
One of the most obstinate disorders that afflict humanity--and one
which seems to be rapidly on the increase--is goitre. Goitre is a
general condition, in which the thyroid gland becomes progressively
enlarged, producing an unsightly swelling low down on the front of the
neck.
Associated with this swelling--whether as a cause or as an effect no
one knows for a certainty--is a distressing state of nervousness,
apprehension, and general discomfort.
Frequently the case becomes “exophthalmic” in type, running a pulse
of 150 or more to the minute, and later developing irregularities in
the heart’s action. In this form there is also a marked protrusion
of the eye-balls, from pressure behind the globes of the eye, due to
disturbances in the local circulation.
Many causes have been assigned for goitre, but no one knows for certain
which is the correct one. Because of its prevalence in Switzerland and
in other mountainous regions, where the inhabitants are obliged to
depend upon water which was originally snow for their drinking supply,
it was thought that the condition arose as a result of the lack of lime
and other mineral salts ordinarily found in water which had been more
intimately in contact with the earth. Yet the feeding of these mineral
salts to those afflicted with goitre made no appreciable difference in
the condition of these patients.
Other observers have ascribed goitre to the influence of
the nervous tension, under which we live in this era of
break-your-neck-to-get-there-and-do-it. Others locate the seat of this
disease in the brain itself, in the blood vessels, and in the blood;
others, who favor the so-called “mechanical theory,” ascribe the
symptoms to compression by an enlarged thyroid gland of the nerves and
vessels in the neck, although they neglect to tell us how the gland
became enlarged, in the first place.
Many authorities claim that the trouble originates most frequently as
a result of eye strain. They insist that the visual centres, using as
they do, one-third of all the brain energy, are overworked, in our
intensive modern life, and react upon the body to produce the toxins
of fatigue. The thyroid body, one of whose functions it is to secrete
a product which tends to neutralize these toxins, works overtime on
the job, and not knowing when to quit, keeps right on working--with
the result that the system is overcharged with thyroid extract. This
thyroidism, as it is called, ultimately produces the goitrous symptoms.
Other clinicians contend that the disease is of microbic origin--which
is quite unlikely--because when the glands have been brought to the
autopsy table and the pathological laboratory, microbes have not been
found in quantity sufficient to cause these grave symptoms.
But what interests and discourages those afflicted most is that if the
cause is known, the successful treatment is even more unknown.
Medical men have treated these conditions on the general supposition
that there was either too much or not enough thyroid extract secreted
and discharged into the circulation by the thyroid gland.
So they gave thyroid tablets, made from the dried and pulverized glands
of sheep. If these diminished the intensity of the symptoms, the
doctors knew that the gland was deficient in its functioning powers,
and that furnishing an additional supply from the glands of our woolly
brothers would tend to restore the thyroid deficiency in us.
If, on the other hand, thyroid medication aggravated the condition,
the physicians figured that the patient already had more thyroid
substance than he knew what to do with. Hence they administered iodine
in some of its combinations--generally as iodide of potash--in order to
bring about a more active condition of the glandular system, and assist
in the elimination of this extra thyroid secretion.
If the gland still grew, and the symptoms became worse, there remained
the alternative of ligating or “tying off” the lobes, in order to
diminish the secreting power of the organ. Or, more radical, yet hardly
more generally effective, an operation was made--extirpating (cutting
out) a considerable portion of the body of the thyroid.
This, as may be imagined, is a very serious operation, and fraught
with considerable danger. Not so much from the operation itself, as
from the consequences of the operation upon the psychological and
mental condition of the patient. Not infrequently the entire nature and
disposition of an individual may be changed by the apparently simple
procedure of removing a few cubic inches, or less, of tissue.
So, on the whole, goitre has been a bugbear--most unsatisfactory
from every angle. Yet, with the proper application of the principles
of zone therapy, goitre--including the most advanced forms of
exophthalmic--is one of the many conditions we are most certain of
curing.
Almost from the first treatment, the feeling of suffocation, the
distressing nervous symptoms and the pulse rate are favorably
influenced. In from two to eight months the “pop eye” and the swollen
gland are progressively reduced to normal.
Up to this writing, I have had more than thirty cases, every one of
which, with two exceptions, have been cured and discharged, or are well
on the way towards a cure. The tape measure shows that in some of these
patients the swelling decreased three inches in as many weeks. One very
responsive case was reduced from 14-1/2 to 13 inches in less than three
days’ treatment. The photographs accompanying this chapter speak for
themselves. (See Figures 7 and 8.) There is no possibility of doubting
the actual accomplishments of this method in the face of these visual
demonstrations. And, as with all matters detailed in these pages, the
original patients and data may be seen by any medical man who is fairly
interested.
[Illustration: FIG. 7.
FIG. 8.
FIGS. 7 and 8.--Photographs of patient from New Hampshire, who
consulted me April 1st, 1914, with well-marked bilateral goiter of
two years’ standing. Patient had had constant pressure and frequently
pain over sternum for three months, but responded quickly to distal
pressures, and was agreeably surprised to learn that the pain and
discomfort would disappear for hours after pressure as depicted in
illustration. Twice daily the patient exerted pressure on the posterior
wall of the epipharynx via the nostrils with a cotton-wound applicator
moistened with spirits of camphor--for its antiseptic effect merely.
Patient returned to New Hampshire the first of May, after one month
treatment, or fifteen visits, considerably benefited. The growth had
entirely disappeared by the middle of June. The last photograph was
taken in Hartford, July 1st. Pressure through the thumbs and index and
middle fingers of both hands, (inasmuch as only three zones on a side
were involved), and pressure on the posterior walls of the epipharynx
with metal applicator alternately, which she continued at home, was the
only treatment she received.]
The explanation for the non-relief of the two cases which did not
improve under treatment is simple--and very conclusive to those
familiar with the method and its workings. One of these two
non-benefited cases refused to carry out her “home treatment”. The
other was a patient suffering from an uterine tumor. This produced a
pathological condition in the goitre zone. Hence the goitre would not
yield until all other conditions influencing this zone were removed. I
sent this lady to a gynecologist and it is quite certain that, after
this tumor is removed, she will, under appropriate treatment, entirely
recover from her goitre.
Dr. Reid Kellogg and Dr. Thomas Mournighan of Providence, R. I., Dr.
George Starr White of Los Angeles, Dr. Plank of Kansas City, and a
number of other medical men, have reported that they have the same
uniformly favorable results in treating goitre that we have here.
Dr. Kellogg has had a dozen cases, all of which have been, or are
being, cured. It is interesting to note that one of his cases, also, a
lady suffering from a slight erosion of the neck of the womb, made no
progress until this condition was cleared up by proper local treatment.
Dr. Mournighan has also reported on fifteen cases--eight of which were
of the exophthalmic variety--all improving or discharged as recovered.
In treating goitre by zone therapy a thin probe, (See Fig. 9), the
point of which is wrapped in cotton dipped in a little alcohol, spirits
of camphor or camphor water (these seem to increase the “impulse”)
is passed through the nostrils to the posterior or back wall of the
pharynx. Pressure is made in various spots “low down” on this wall
(a little practice will soon determine almost the exact “spot” to
probe), until a definite sensation is felt in the region of the goitre.
Sometimes this is “metallic”. Or it may be a sensation of cold, or
tickling, or like an electric current, or else a mild pain.
[Illustration: FIG. 9.--Special type of nasal probe used for attacking
the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.]
[Illustration: FIG. 10.--Dr. White’s Uni-Polar Post-Nasal Electrode for
Zone Therapy. May be used with or without electricity.]
This pressure is held for several minutes--repeated three or four times
daily. It can be done just as well by the patient himself, if he has
the courage to hurt himself a trifle. In addition to the treatment
on the pharyngeal wall, pressures may be made upon the joints of the
thumb, first and second fingers, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Or, if
the goitre is a very broad one, and extends over into the fourth zone,
the ring finger must also be employed. A moderately tight rubber band,
worn upon these fingers for ten or fifteen minutes, (see Fig. 5),
three or four times daily, will also help. Rubber bands may also be
worn with benefit upon the toes governing the zones involved. But
the treatment must be persistent. It must be the intent to keep the
goitre zone “quieted,” never allowing it, except during sleep, to come
completely out of the influence of the pressure. And even during sleep
in aggravated cases, moderate pressure should be continued.
I would especially emphasize the importance of seeing that the teeth
are put in a perfect condition before attempting the cure of any case
of goitre. For there is no doubt that the evil influence of bad teeth
is not, by any means, confined to the throat and tonsils, as many
observers contend. Indeed, I do not recall having ever seen a goitre
case in which there was not something wrong with the teeth. I therefore
make a routine practice of sending all goitre patients to their
dentists for a thorough overhauling of their teeth when commencing
treatment.
Also, it may be interesting here to note that if the theory of eye
strain causation of goitre is true--and it seems quite likely that,
in many cases, it may be--pressure therapy may logically be looked
for to give satisfactory results. For the effects of eye strain can
undoubtedly be relieved by pressure exerted on the first and second
fingers, as we shall show in the next chapter.
So one of the most puzzling and unsatisfactory conditions with which
physicians have had to deal can now be said to be almost invariably
curable. And the only instruments we need to operate these grave
conditions are a straight steel probe, a few rubber bands, and the
patient’s fingers.