Spur Health Dictionary

The escape of blood from any of the blood vessels, normally in response to some trauma, or as a result of a clotting disorder such as HAEMOPHILIA. The bleeding may be external – for example, following a skin laceration; or it may be internal – for example, haematemesis (bleeding into the stomach), haemoptysis (bleeding from the lungs), or haematuria (bleeding from the kidneys or urinary tract). For more information about these conditions, see separate entries.

Bleeding into or around the brain is a major concern following serious head injuries, or in newborn infants following a di?cult labour. Haemorrhage is classi?ed as arterial – the most serious type, in which the blood is bright red and appears in spurts (in severe cases the patient may bleed to death within a few minutes); venous – less serious (unless from torn varicose veins) and easily checked, in which the blood is dark and wells up gradually into the wound; and capillary, in which the blood slowly oozes out of the surface of the wound and soon stops spontaneously. Haemorrhage is also classi?ed as primary, reactionary, and secondary (see WOUNDS). Severe haemorrhage causes SHOCK and ANAEMIA, and blood TRANSFUSION is often required.

When a small artery is cut across, the bleeding stops in consequence of changes in the wall of the artery on the one hand, and in the constitution of the blood on the other. Every artery is surrounded by a ?brous sheath, and when cut, the vessel retracts some little distance within this sheath and a blood clot forms, blocking the open end (see COAGULATION). When a major blood vessel is torn, such spontaneous closure may be impossible and surgery is required to stop the bleeding.

Three main principles are applicable in the control of a severe external haemorrhage: (a) direct pressure on the bleeding point or points;

(b) elevation of the wounded part; (c) pressure on the main artery of supply to the part.

Control of internal haemorrhage is more dif?cult than that of external bleeding. First-aid measures should be taken while professional help is sought. The patient should be laid down with legs raised, and he or she should be reassured and kept warm. The mouth may be kept moist but no ?uids should be given. (See APPENDIX 1: BASIC FIRST AID.)... haemorrhage

Literally, inflammation of one or more joints, usually with pain and sometimes with changes in the structure. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition of loss in the organization of joint cartilage, with gradual calcification of the gristle, formation of spurs, and impaired function. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder, with chronic inflammation and eventual distortion of the joints; the victim experiences a lessening of good health, worsening metabolic imbalance, allergies, and general stress (emotional, physical, and dietary).... arthritis

Linn.

Synonym: D. ajacis Linn.

Family: Ranunculaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in gardens.

English: Forking Larkspur, Larkspur, Lark's Claw, Knight's Spur.

Action: Parasiticide. A tincture is used to destroy lice in hair.

The toxicity of the seeds is due to diterpene alkaloids (delcosine, delso- line, consolidine). Delsonine and an- thranoyllycoctonine are amorphous alkaloids.

The alkaloids lead to bradycardia, lowering of blood pressure, and cardiac arrest. Also, they have a central paralyzing and curare-like effect on the respiratory system. (German Commission E.)

Entire plant, including roots and seeds, is used topically. Not to be used on abraded skin.

Seeds contain 1.01-1.06% alkaloids and 28.7% of a fixed oil. A digly- coside pigment, delphonin and kaem- pferol have been isolated from the flowers.... delphinium consolida

Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: The warmer regions of India; often cultivated for hedges.

English: Triangular Spurge.

Ayurvedic: Snuhi (Substitute), Vajra-kantaka, Vajratundi

Siddha/Tamil: Chathurakkali.

Folk: Tridhaari, Tidhaaraa Sehunda.

Action: Latex—purgative. Applied on burns. Plant—used in dropsy, anasarca, sores, venereal sores, syphilis; also in dysentery, bronchitis, asthma. Root—anthelmintic. Fresh stems—used for skin sores and scabies. A decoction of stems is given in gout.

The stems yielded friedelan-3 alpha- ol and 3 beta-ol, taraxerol and taraxe- rone. The roots yielded taraxerol. Latex gave beta-amyrin, cycloartenol, euphol (70%) and alpha-euphorbol.... euphorbia antiquorum

Linn.

Synonym: E. pilulifera auct. non Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout warmer regions of India.

English: Euphorbia, Australian Asthma Weed, Pill-bearing Spurge.

Ayurvedic: Dudhi, Dudhikaa, Naagaarjuni, Vikshirini.

Unani: Dudhi Khurd.

Siddha/Tamil: Amman pachharisi.

Action: Pectoral, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic. Used for asthma, laryngitis, chronic nasal and bronchial catarrh; diarrhoea, dysentery, intestinal parasitosis Also used in postnatal complaints, failure of lactation. Latex— vermifuge. Used in diseases of urinogenitory tract.

The herb contains several terpenes, anthocyanins, alcohols and steroids. Aerial parts also gave shikimic acid, choline, L-inositol and free sugars.

Antiasthmatic activity is attributed to choline and shikimic acid. Shikimic acid and choline showed relaxant and contracting properties on guinea-pig ileum.

The aqueous extract of the herb exhibited sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities; exerted an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation.

Quercitrin is reported to be responsible for antidiarrhoeal activity.

Methanolic extract of the leaves exhibits antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Dimeric hydrolysable tannins, eu- phorbains, have been isolated from the plant.... euphorbia hirta

Bony spurs or projections. They occur most commonly at the margins of areas of bone affected by OSTEOARTHRITIS.... osteophytes

The platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus is found in fresh water streams along the eastern seaboard of Australia from Cooktown, in northern Queensland, to Tasmania. It is an unusual looking, furry mammal with a bill like a duck, webbed feet with claws (used for digging burrows), and a paddle -like tail for swimming. The male has spurs on its hind legs connected to venom glands. Venom injection causes excruciating, long-lasting pain needing hospital admission and treatment. Although never fatal in humans, death has occurred in hunting dogs.... platypus

Pseudocyesis means spurious or false pregnancy, a condition characterised by enlargement of the abdomen, and even enlargement of the breasts and early-morning sickness – the woman being quite convinced that she is pregnant.... pseudocyesis

(Linn.) J. Persl S C. Persl.

Synonym: Spergula rubra D. Dietr.

Family: Caryophylaceae.

Habitat: Native to Southern France and Malta; found in Punjab and Western Uttar Pradesh.

English: Sand-Spurry, Sandwort, Arenaria Rubra.

Action: Diuretic. Used in cystitis and urethral colic, dysuria and urinary calculi.... spergularia rubra

A herb with a caustic action on the skin, i.e. the milky juice of Sun Spurge (Euphorbia) has a corrosive effect upon warts and hard schirrhous lesions. Once used on small malignant spots to dry- up and enhance formation of a crust or scab that in the course of time might detach itself. Blood root. ... escharotic

Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Smaller var., equated with E. thymifolia, is found in tropical plains and low hills of India, ascending to 1,750 m. Bigger var., E. pilulifera/E. hirta Linn. is found in warmer parts of India from Punjab eastwards, and southwards to Kanyakumari.

Ayurvedic: Dudhi (smaller var.), Dugdhikaa, Naagaarjuni, Swaaduparni.

Siddha/Tamil: Sittrapaladi.

Action: Plant—antispasmodic, bronchodilator, antiasthmat- ic (used in bronchial asthma), galactagogue (also used for spermatorrhoea). Root—used in amenorrhoea. Latex—used in ringworm, dandruff. Leaf, seed and latex—purgative. A decoction of the plant, with honey, is given to treat haematuria.

Aerial parts gave epitaraxerol, n- hexacosanol, euphorbol, two derivatives of deoxyphorbol-OAC, 24-meth- ylene cycloartenol and quercetin galactoside. Co-carcinogenic activity is due to phorbol derivatives. The plant exhibits antimicrobial activity due to alkaloids.

Dosage: Whole plant—10-20 g paste. (CCRAS.)

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Native to Africa; naturalized in the warmer parts of India.

English: Milk-Bush, Milk Hedge, Indian tree Spurge, Aveloz, Petroleum Plant

Ayurvedic: Saptalaa, Saatalaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Tirukalli.

Folk: Angulia-thuuhar.

Action: Purgative, emetic, antiasthmatic, bechic. Used for whooping cough, asthma, dyspepsia, biliousness, jaundice, enlargement of spleen, leucorrhoea. Latex—applied externally on warts.

Used as a purgative and for rheumatism and neuralgia. Stem bark—used for gastralgia, colic, asthma.

The latex contains an ingol ester besides triterpenoids, euphorbinol and cycloeuphordenol.

Presence of a number of ingenol and phorbol esters (diterpenoids), and tri- terpenoids are reported from the plant. The stem gave hentriacontane, hentri- acontanol, beta-sitosterol, Me-ellagic and ellagic acids and kaempferol glu- coside.

The latex is a weak tumour promoter.... euphorbia thymifolia

Places on the body where arteries lie near the surface and pressure can be applied by hand to limit severe arterial bleeding (in which bright red blood is pumped out in regular spurts with the heartbeat). Major pressure points of the body include the brachial pressure point in the middle part of the upper arm and the carotid pressure point at the side of the neck, below the jaw.... pressure points

Underdevelopment of the lower jaw. The condition can be corrected by the use of orthodontic appliances used in the growth spurt at adolescence or by cosmetic surgery.... receding chin

Also called a stretch-mark, a line on the skin caused by thinning and loss of elasticity in the dermis. Striae first appear as red, raised lines. Later they become purple, eventually fading to shiny streaks.

Striae often develop on the hips and thighs during the adolescent growth spurt, especially in athletic girls. They are a common feature of pregnancy, occurring on the breasts, thighs, and lower abdomen. Purple striae are a characteristic feature of Cushing’s syndrome.

Striae are thought to be caused by an excess of corticosteroid hormones.

There is no means of prevention, but in some cases laser treatment may be used.... stria

n. a spurlike projection. The calcar avis is the projection in the medial wall of the lateral ventricle of the brain.... calcar

n. the situation in which an apparent association between two *variables is in fact explained by a third variable that correlates with one or both of the variables under investigation. If confounding is not recognized, it can lead to the false assumption that two variables are directly related, known as a spurious correlation.... confounding

Wall.

Synonym: Drypetes roxburghii (Wall.) Hurusawa.Family: Euphoriaceae.

Habitat: Throughout tropical India, wild and cultivated as an avenue tree.English: Child-life tree, Indian Amulet Plant, Spurious Wild Olive.Ayurvedic: Putranjiva, Putrajivaka, Putrajiva, Yashtipushpa, Arth- saadhanaSiddha/Tamil: Karupali Garbhadaa and Garbhakaraa are misleading synonyms.Folk: Jiyaapotaa.

Action: Fruit—powered (deseeded) fruits are used against cough, cold and sprue. Rosaries of hard stones are used for protecting children from infections. (Due to misleading nomenclature, the "conception-promoting" property has been attributed to the drug in folk medicine. Its use is possible in vaginal infections and genitourinary diseases, or skin eruptions during pre-conception stage.)The seed kernel on steam distillation yield 0.5% of a sharp-smelling essential oil of the mustard oil type. The oil contains isopropyl and 2-butyl isothio- cyanates as the main constituents and 2-methyl-butyl isothiocyanate as a minor component. The iso-thiocyanates are produced on enzymic hydrolysis of glycosidic progenitors present in the kernels, viz. glucoputranjivin, gluco- cochlearin and glucojiaputin respectively. An additional glucoside, gluco- cleomin has been identified in the seed kernel, it affords a non-volatile mustard oil, cleomin. A glycosidic pattern similar to that in the seed is reported in the shoots and roots.The fruit pulp contains a large proportion of mannitol and small quantities of saponin glucosides and alkaloids.The seed coat gave putranjivoside, putranoside A, B, C and D, beta- sitosterol and tis beta-D-glucoside.The leaves gave amentoflavone and its derivatives, beta-amyrin and its palmite, polyphenols, putranjiva sa- ponin A,B,C, and D and stigmasterol.The bark contains friedelin, friede- lanol, friedelanone, friedelan-3,7-di- one (putranjivadione), 3-alpha-hydro- xy friedelan- 7-one (roxburgholone), carboxylic acid, putric acid, putran- jivic acid.The essential oil from leaves showed mild antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani.

... putranjiva roxburghii

Rose. ex.Sm.

Synonym: Z. spurium Koen. Amomum spurium Gmel. A. sylvestre Poir.

Habitat: Throughout India from the Himalayas, southwards. Cultivated in Asian tropics.

English: Zerumbet Ginger.

Ayurvedic: Mahaabhari-vachaa (also equated with Alpinia galanga), Sthula-granthi (also equated with Alpinia speciosa). Source of Martinique Ginger, used as Shunthi in Indian medicine.

Unani: Narkachoor, Zarambaad. (Curcuma caesia is also equated with Narkachoor.)

Folk: Karrallamu (Telugu).

Action: Rhizomes—used for cough, asthma; colic; intestinal worms, and in leprosy and skin diseases. Oil— antiseptic.

The rhizome contains several flavo- noid glycosides and curcumin.

The oil of Zerumbet contains about 13% monoterpenes and several ses- quiterpenes of which humulene and zerumbone are major constituents. The major constituent of monoter- penes is camphene. Unlike the oil of Z. officinale, Zerumbet oil does not contain any methyl heptanone; instead, it contains camphor.

Zerumbone inhibits the growth of Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Indian samples contain only 37.5% of zerumbone, while those from Fiji 58.7, Vietnam 72.3 and Tahiti 65.3%.... zingiber zerumbet

Pain in the ‘tail bone’ at the base of the spine. Cause usually ascribed to referred pain from lumbar disc tissue, neurosis or spasm of muscles of the pelvic floor. May be due to osteoporosis, old fractures, bony spurs or necrosis of blood vessels. The coccyx receives its blood supply from the median artery, damage to which contributes to avascularity of the coccyx.

Treatment. Osteopathy or plaster jacket immobilisation.

Alternatives. Ladyslipper, Barberry, Valerian, St John’s Wort, Cramp bark.

Powders. Mix, equal parts: Barberry, Valerian, St John’s Wort. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Equal parts: Hops, Valerian, St John’s Wort. One 5ml teaspoon thrice daily, in water. Practitioner. Tincture Gelsemium: 3-5 drops in water when necessary. For pain. ... coccydnia

n. 1. the thin forward-projecting portion of the anterior lobe of the cerebellum, in the midline. 2. a small section of the upper lobe of the left lung, extending downwards in front of the heart. 3. a bony spur on the inside of the mandible, above the angle of the jaw. 4. a small backward-pointing projection on each side of the sphenoid bone.... lingula

See: WEAKNESS.

ASTHMA. Spasmodic contraction of the bronchi following exercise, emotional tension, infection, allergens, pollens, house dust, colds.

Symptoms. Obstruction of airways with wheezing, rales or whistling sounds with a sense of constriction. Often related to eczema – ‘eczema of the epithelium’. Infantile eczema treated with suppressive ointments may drive the condition ‘inwards’ and worsen asthma. “My son’s eczema has got better, but he now has asthma” is a common observation.

Causes: hypersensitivity to domestic animals, horses and pet birds. Common salt. Red or white wine allergy. An older generation of practitioners recognised a renal-bronchial asthma encouraged by faulty kidney function. With addition of a relaxing diuretic (Dandelion, Buchu or Parsley root) to a prescription, respiratory symptoms often abate.

Broncho-dilators such as Ephedra and Wild Thyme are widely used by the practitioner. To relieve spasm: Lobelia, Pleurisy root. White Horehound, Ammoniacum, Cramp bark, Garlic, Grindelia, Hyssop.

Anti-cough agents serve to remove sticky sputum: Coltsfoot, Garden Thyme, Slippery Elm bark, Maidenhair Fern, Linseed, Bayberry bark.

For the chronic asthmatic, bacterial invasion spells distress, when Echinacea or Balm of Gilead should be added. Where an irregular pulse reveals heart involvement, add: Hawthorn or Lily of the Valley.

Lobelia is of special value for the anxious patient with spasm of the bronchi. Should be tried before resorting to powerful spray mists which frequently produce gastro-intestinal disturbance.

Alternatives. Teas. Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Horehound (White), Mullein, Skullcap, Marshmallow, Thyme, Valerian, Wild Cherry bark, Elecampane, Plantain. Formula: equal parts herbs Coltsfoot, Mullein, Valerian. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 10-15 minutes; dose, 1 cup twice daily and when necessary.

Antispasmodic Drops. See entry.

Practitioner. Ephedra, Lobelia, Gelsemium, Grindelia, Euphorbia (pill-bearing spurge), Skunk Cabbage, Senega, Pulsatilla, Lily of the Valley (cardiac asthma), Thyme. Formula. Equal parts, Tincture Lobelia simp; Tincture Belladonna; Tincture Ephedra. 5-10 drops thrice daily (maintenance), 10-20 drops for spasm.

Cockayne, Ernest, FNIMH. Hyssop tea for children throughout childhood to avoid respiratory disorders. Dr Finlay Ellingwood. Gelsemium 3.5ml; Lobelia 3.5ml. Distilled water to 120ml. One 5ml teaspoon in water every 3 hours.

Dr Alfred Vogel. Ephedra 20 per cent; Ipecac 15 per cent; Hawthorn berry 10 per cent; Blessed Thistle 5 per cent; Burnet Saxifrage 5 per cent; Garden Thyme 5 per cent; Grindelia 1 per cent. 10-15 drops in water thrice daily.

Dr Wm Thomson. 1 teaspoon Ephedra herb to cup boiling water; infuse 10-15 minutes. Half-1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Traditional. 2 teaspoons shredded Elecampane root in cup cold water; stand overnight. Next day, heat to boiling point when required. Strain. Sips, hot, with honey: 1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Potter’s Asthma & Bronchitis Compound 32. 40g medicinal teabags. Ingredients: Clove BPC 4.84 per cent; Elecampane root 17.24 per cent; Horehound 26.20 per cent; Hyssop 17.24 per cent; Irish Moss 17.24 per cent; Liquorice 17.24 per cent. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons when necessary.

Chinese Medicine. Decoction or extract from the Gingko tree widely used, as also is Ephedra, Garlic, Liquorice and Bailcalensis.

Tablets/capsules. Lobelia. Iceland Moss, (Gerard). Euphorbia (Blackmore).

Powders. Formula. Lobelia 2; Hyssop 1; Elderflowers 1; Grindelia quarter; Liquorice quarter: pinch Cayenne. Dose: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon) 2-3 times daily.

Aromatherapy. 6 drops Rosemary oil in 2 teaspoons Almond oil for massage upper chest to relieve congestion.

Inhalation. See: INHALATIONS, FRIAR’S BALSAM.

Nebulizer. A germicidal solution is made from 5 drops oil Eucalyptus in one cup boiling water. Use in nebulizer for droplet therapy.

Ioniser – use of.

Cider Vinegar. Sips of the vinegar in water for whoop.

Supportives. Yoga. Singing. Cures have been reported of patients on taking up singing. “During singing, up to 90 per cent of the vital capacity may be used without a conscious effort to increase tidal volume.” (Dr M. Judson, New England Journal of Medicine)

Diet. Low salt, low fat, high fibre, cod liver oil, carrots, watercress, Soya beans or flour, lecithin, sunflower seed oil, green vegetables, raw fruit, fresh fish. These foods are valuable sources of antioxidant vitamins and minerals essential for the body’s defence mechanism. A diet deficient in these reduces ability of the airways to withstand the ravages of cigarette smoke and other air pollutants.

Foods that are craved are ones often causing sensitivity. Among problem foods are: milk, corn, wheat, eggs, nuts, chocolate, all dairy products, fat of meats. Check labels for tartrazine artificial colouring.

Salt intake. Linked with chest diseases. “Those who eat a lot of salt had more sensitive airways than those with low salt intake . . . excess salt tended to cause most pronounced symptoms.” (Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Oavia, Italy)

Asthma mortality could be significantly reduced by sufferers lowering their salt consumption, an epidemiologist predicted.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin B6 50-100mg. Vitamin C 500mg. Vitamin E 400iu. Magnesium, Zinc. Cod liver oil: 2 teaspoons.

Anti-allergic bedding. Provides a protective barrier against the house dust mite on mattresses and bedding. Droppings from the tiny pests are worse in the bedroom. ... asthenia

Amoebiasis. Ulcerative colitis of the large bowel chiefly with entamoeba histolytica from infected food, water, or by ‘carriers’. Penetration through colon walls may lead to increased peristalsis. Period of infection – one to six months. Travelling upwards via the portal vein. Symptoms: may invade the liver causing abscess. Colic, changed bowel habits. Where severe – fever, bloody stools and pain in iliac fossa.

Treatment by or in liaison with general medical practitioner.

Attention to water supply. Water should be boiled for five minutes to destroy cysts. Avoid fruits and salad materials from unhygienic sources and exposure to flies.

Alternatives. Agrimony, Balm, Bayberry, Bistort, Blue Flag, Burdock, Calamus, Catechu (black), Cranesbill, Echinacea, Fenugreek, Garlic, Goldenseal, Holy Thistle, Ipecacuanha, Ladies Mantle, Marshmallow, Mullein, Nettles, Pulsatilla, Raspberry leaves, Red Clover, Shepherd’s Purse, Slippery Elm, Spurge (hirta), Tormentil root, Thyme (garden), Wild Yam, Witch Hazel, Yarrow.

Tea. Equal parts: Holy Thistle, Marshmallow, Thyme. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes; 1 cup thrice daily or every 2 hours acute cases.

Decoction. Combine, Wild Yam 1; Marshmallow root 1; Echinacea 2. One heaped teaspoon to two cups water. Simmer gently 20 minutes. Half-1 cup thrice daily: every 2 hours acute cases.

Formula. Equal parts: Bayberry, Burdock, Echinacea, Peppermint. Dose: Liquid extract: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: one to two 5ml teaspoons. Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half teaspoon) in water, honey or fruit juice, thrice daily: every 2 hours for acute cases.

Practitioner. (1) Tincture Ipecacuanha (BP 1973). Dose: 0.25-1ml as prescribed.

(2) Formula. Liquid Extract Echinacea 15ml; Liquid Extract Monsonia ovata 4ml; Liquid Extract Marigold 4ml; Tincture Goldenseal 2ml; Oil Cinnamon 1ml. Distilled water to 240ml (8oz). Dose: 1 dessertspoon (8ml) every 3 hours. (A. Barker)

Preventative: two Garlic capsules at night.

Note: Fenugreek tea: frequent cupfuls. Good results reported. Drink plenty of fluids: milk, oatmeal porridge, vegetable juices. ... dysentery, amoebic

An epileptic fit is a temporary spasmodic disturbance in the brain of sudden onset caused by a spurious discharge of electrical energy by brain cells. Can be sparked off by an excess of zinc. Loss of consciousness signalled by an aura and a fall to the ground with a cry. Breathing is noisy, eyes upturned. General causes: hereditary, severe head injury (even before birth), chronic disease, stroke, tumour, hardening of the arteries, drugs, lack of oxygen. An attack may be triggered by the flickering of a television or computer screen. Screen-addicted children may develop photosensitive epilepsy, suffering fits while using electronic games.

Three forms: major (grand mal); temporal lobe; and minor (petit mal). In petit mal the period of unconsciousness consists of brief absences lasting less than 15 seconds.

Treatment. Orthodox medical: Carbamazepine, phenytoin and many other drugs.

Alternatives. BHP (1983) recommends: Grand mal: Passion flower, Skullcap, Verbena. Petit mal: Hyssop. Standard central nervous system relaxants are Hops, Lobelia, Passion flower, Vervain, Valerian, Skullcap. Wm Boericke used Mugwort. Peony leaf tea had a long traditional use. In nearly all epileptics there is functional heart disturbance (Hawthorn, Lily of the Valley, Motherwort). Mistletoe can help in the struggle to control seizures and improve the quality of life.

Two important remedies are Skullcap and Passion flower. Both work quickly without risk of respiratory arrest. If dose by mouth is not possible insert gelatin capsules containing powders, per rectum, child or adult lying prone. This method is particularly suitable for feverish convulsions or Grand mal.

Repeat after 5 minutes if patient continues in convulsion. Where neither of these powders are available, Chamomile, Valerian or Mistletoe may be used.

“The remedy I have relied on most,” writes C.I. Reid, MD (Ellingwood’s Journal) “is Passion flower. Use this alone or in combination with Gelsemium – more often alone. I cannot say I obtain an absolutely curative effect, but the spasms disappear and do not return while the remedy is continued. It has none of the unpleasant effects of other medicines. I give the liquid extract in doses from 25-30 drops, 3-4 times daily, for continued use. It may be given more frequently for convulsions.”

Alfred Dawes, MNIMH. Green tincture of Mistletoe, 3-5 drops. Or, combine equal parts: Liquid Extract Skullcap, Valerian and Black Horehound.

Finlay Ellingwood MD combines White Bryony, Prickly Ash, Skullcap and St John’s Wort.

Samuel Thomson MD. Lobelia 2; Cayenne 1; (antispasmodic drops) given at the premonitary stage. 1-2 teaspoons.

Edgar Cayce. Passion flower tea. Hot Castor oil packs.

Excess acidity and intestinal toxaemia. There is considerable opinion that these trigger an attack. Combination: Liquid Extracts – Skullcap 15ml; Mistletoe 10ml; Meadowsweet 10ml; Elderflowers 10ml. Two 5ml teaspoons in water thrice daily.

West African Black Pepper. (Piper guineense) is used by traditional Nigerian healers to good effect. Associated with imperfect menstruation. Liquid Extracts, single or in combination: Black Cohosh, Life root, Lobelia. Dose: 5-15 drops thrice daily.

Associated with mental weakness. Liquid Extract Oats (avena sativa). 2-3 teaspoons in water thrice daily.

Aromatherapy. (Complex partial seizures) Massage with essential oils found to be beneficial. (The Lancet, 1990, 336 (8723) 1120)

Diet. Salt-free lacto-vegetarian. Oatmeal porridge. A cleansing 8-day grape juice fast has its advocates. Vitamin E. In 24 epileptic children refractory to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) with generalised tonic- clonic and other types of seizures, addition of Vitamin E 400iu daily to existing AEDs was accompanied by a significant reduction in 10 of 12 cases. (Epilepsy 1989; 30(1): 84-89)

Supportives: osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments.

Note: A number of Italian physicians linked a salt-rich diet with epileptic fits. Number and violence diminished when discontinued and did not recur for weeks. Dr W.P. Best found that, in children, circumcism made a valuable contribution.

Drug-dependency. Herbal medication may offer a supportive role to primary medical treatment. Under no circumstances should sufferers discontinue basic orthodox treatments except upon the advice of a physician.

Information. British Epilepsy Association, 40 Hanover Square, Leeds LS3 1BE, UK. Send SAE.

To be treated by or in liaison with a qualified medical practitioner. ... epilepsy

Asthma weed. Pill-bearing spurge. Euphorbia hirta, L. Euphorbia pilulifera. Dried herb.

Constituents: terpenoids, flavonoids, gallic acid.

Action. Antasthmatic, antispasmodic, anti-catarrh, expectorant.

Uses: Asthma, laryngitis, chronic nasal and bronchial catarrh. An ingredient of an external application used by the Cardiff Cancer Curers (Rees-Evans family) of the early 20th century. Its use for tumours recorded (J.L. Hartwell, Lloydia, 32, 153, 1969)

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea. Quarter to half a teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 10 minutes; dose quarter of a cup sweetened with honey.

Liquid extract. Dose – 1-5 drops in water.

Tincture BPC 1923. 1:5 in 60 per cent alcohol: dose – 0.6 to 2ml. ... euphorbia

Loss of blood from the circulatory system caused by damage to the blood vessels or by a bleeding disorder. Bleeding may be visible (external) or concealed (internal). Rapid loss of more than 10 per cent of the blood volume can cause symptoms of shock, with fainting, pallor, and sweating.

The speed with which blood flows from a cut depends on the type of blood vessel damaged: blood usually oozes from a capillary, flows from a vein, and spurts from an artery. If an injury does not break open the skin, blood collects around the damaged blood vessels close under the skin to form a bruise.

Any lost blood that mixes with other body fluids such as sputum (phlegm) or urine will be noticed quite readily; bleeding in the digestive tract may make vomit or faeces appear darker than usual.

Internal bleeding may not be discovered until severe anaemia develops.... bleeding

The development of secondary sexual characteristics before age 8 in girls and 9 in boys. It is uncommon and may be caused by various disorders that can result in production of sex hormones at an abnormally early age. Possible underlying causes include a brain tumour or other brain abnormalities; abnormality of the adrenal glands (for example, congenital adrenal hyperplasia); ovarian cysts, and tumours, or a tumour in the testes. In some cases, no underlying cause can be identified.

The hormones may cause a premature growth spurt followed by early fusion of the bones. As a result, affected children may initially be tall but, if untreated, final height is often greatly reduced.

The child’s pattern of pubertal development is assessed by a doctor. Blood tests are performed to measure hormone levels. Ultrasound scanning of the ovaries and testes, and CT scanning of the adrenal glands or brain, may also be carried out, depending on the underlying cause suspected.

Treatment is of the underlying cause, and hormone drugs may be given to delay puberty and increase final height.... precocious puberty

A height significantly below the normal range for a person’s age. Short stature in children is often due to hereditary factors or slow bone growth. In most cases, growth eventually speeds up, resulting in normal adult height. Less commonly, it is due to a specific disorder such as bone disease (as in untreated rickets or achondroplasia) or certain hormonal disorders such as growth hormone deficiency and hypothyroidism. Emotional deprivation, chronic malnutrition and malabsorption can also limit growth. Certain chromosomal disorders cause short stature; stunting occurs in Down’s syndrome, and the pubertal growth spurt is absent in Turner’s syndrome. Other causes of restricted growth in children include prolonged use of corticosteroids and anticancer drugs. Severe untreated respiratory disease or congenital heart disease can also cause short stature.

An affected child’s growth rate is monitored by regular measurement of height.

X-rays and blood tests may help identify an underlying cause, which will then be treated.

Growth hormone is given for hormone deficiency, and also to treat short stature due to disorders such as Turner’s syndrome.

(See also growth, childhood.)... short stature