Holistic concepts of health and disease

SUMMARY

In Western holistic concepts, disease seldom arises from a single cause. Three or more factors in combination may be needed for the dis-ease to become manifest. These factors upset the balance between the external and internal environments and overload the capacity of the adaptive mechanisms.

In Chinese concepts, dis-ease occurs when the balance of the vital energy (Qi) in the acupuncture (AP) Channels² is disturbed. This arises as a result of external or internal insults overcoming the body's defences. Chinese and unorthodox concepts recognise many more forces which can cause dis-ease (and many more ways of controlling dis-ease) than are recognised by orthodox science.

There is considerable agreement between progressive, holistic Western concepts and ancient Chinese concepts of dis-ease. In both philosophies, any dietary, medical, physical, psychological or other treatment which restores the balance of Qi or the balance between the external and internal environments will automatically restore health. The exception is in cases where irreparable damage has occurred, for instance, death of nerve cells, inoperable malignant cancer, extensive fibrosis of the liver or kidneys etc, or where physical damage renders self-healing impossible (for instance in tuberculous spinal injury, severe dislocation of joints etc).

Theorem: the BODY HEALS ITSELF by its own defence/adaptation mechanisms. Medicines, surgery, acupuncture etc do not cure disease!

Implications:

a. Orthodox and unorthodox medicine may help the organism to heal itself and to adapt to its new reality. (This is the best therapy).
b. Orthodox and unorthodox medicine may suppress the symptoms/remove dis-eased organs or functions. (This is inferior therapy).
c. Orthodox and unorthodox medicine may fail to help the patient, due to incorrect understanding of the case or because the defence mechanisms can not be activated sufficiently. (This is useless "therapy").

INTRODUCTION

A dictionary-definition of holism is: "A philosophical theory according to which a fundamental feature of nature is the existence of wholes which are more than the composite assembly of the parts and which always tend to become more highly developed and complex". A transcendant element is inferred, i.e. something greater than the sum of the parts.

A poet's definition of mysticism is: "Man's dialogue with God, Man-in-the-world-and-why" (Brendan Kennelly 1983).

By definition, a holistic concepts involve all possible component parts, how they interact (fit together), how they fit into the larger plan of Nature and (in the end) an artistic-intuitive search for aspects of the transcendant immaterial blueprint which religious people call God or atheistic physicists see as the infinite interchange of matter and energy. Holism and holistic concepts of health, disease and medicine contain elements of scientific medicine, art, poetry and mysticism.

Mechanistic materialistic medicine has blind spots. It tends to label "Man-who-dialogues-with-God" as duped, irrational or mad. It tends to look on "Man-in-the-World" through half-blind eyes. It does not recognise transcendant "Whys".

Ancient Chinese medical philosophy states that "Man stands between Heaven and Earth." In modern concepts, this can be translated as: "The organism is the product of (embodies the characteristics of) Heaven (spirit, mind, non-material forces) and Earth (food, physical environment, material forces)." This can also be translated as: "The organism is influenced by spiritual, psychic arid non-earthly forces (cosmic, solar, lunar forces) as well as forces in its immediate environment (nutrition, climate, electro- magnetic and geophysical forces)".

Other factors which influence the organism include hereditary influences and the internal environment (emotions, neuroendocrine system).

Health in man and animal may be defined as harmony within the internal environment and with the external environment. The organism has adapted successfully to stimuli from its internal and external environment and can carry on its natural functions in a variable (changing) world. Thus, health is not an absolute state. It is a relative state which depends onthe environment. For instance, it might not be healthy (normal) for men to have a heart rate of 84 and a PCV of 57 in Holland, but for men living high up in the Andes or in Mexico City these could be normal, healthy values.

Dis-ease arises when there is disharmony or imbalance/maladaptation between the internal and external environment, or within the internal environment. Dis-ease seldom arises from a single cause. A combination of three or more factors may be needed for the dis-ease to become manifest. The combination overloads the body's adaptive (homeostatic) mechanisms. It follows that dis-ease may be treated by removing the causes singly or in combination and/or by enhancing the adaptive/homeostatic mechanisms.

Holistic medicine, including acupuncture (AP) and homoeopathy, must be seen against this holistic (unified) theory of health and dis-ease. AP is only one modality among many which can be used to help the adaptive mechanisms. Other forms of therapy which work in the same direction will usually complement the effects of AP. Whatever can be done to remove the causes or to neutralise them will increase the probability of cure.

The concepts which will be discussed now are based mainly on concepts of human health and dis-ease but many of them apply also to animals.

YIN-YANG, DUALITY, RELATIVITY

Thousands of years before the Bible spoke of Good and Evil, the Chinese developed the concepts of duality and relativity. To them, nothing was absolute, but was a mixture of opposing forces, Yin (the passive or negative force) and Yang (the active or positive force).

"Yin and Yang are the source of creation and the cause of destruction of all things": Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang were essential, fundamental parts of this world view. The Yin-Yang principle referred to opposites. Everything in creation has its opposite. Yin-Yang referred to female-male, below-above, earth-heaven, passive-active, front-back, dark-bright, etc.

The totally balanced system has equal amounts or Yin and Yang. Neither could exist in isolation, (i.e.) there is always some Yin in Yang and some Yang in Yin. Each was necessary for the other (interdependence) yet each opposed the other (inter-opposition). Balance or equilibrium was maintained by the mutual antagonism, yet mutual dependence of opposing forces. For example, for life to exist (as we know it on our planet) we need a balance of sunlight and darkness. If there was perpetual sunlight or perpetual darkness, life on the planet would cease. Similarly, in the family there must be Yin and Yang. If both husband and wife are Yang (active, bossy) there are family arguments, and if both are Yin (passive, inactive the marriage will be dull, apathetic and uncreative. Either way, the lack of balance (antagonism between Yin and Yang) leads to poor family life.

On the other hand, the male (Yang) may have some Yin characteristics (gentleness, laziness) and the female (Yin) may have some Yang characteristics (strong-mindedness, creativity). If the Yin-Yang balance is maintained, the marriage (unity) can be very stable.

This concept of Yin-Yang was applied to everything in Chinese life - art, politics, philosophy, medicine, architecture, etc. In medicine, Yin-Yang referred to hypo-hyper states, solid organs-hollow organs, female genitalia-male genitalia etc. Chronic dis-eases were Yin, acute dis-eases were Yang, etc. Table 1 shows some other examples of Yin-Yang.

Yin Water Ice Cold Female Passive Dark Material Solid
Yang Fire Steam Hot Male Active Bright Immaterial Gas

Yin Slow Centripetal Precipitation Winter Night Downwards Inner
Yang Fast Centrifugal Evaporation Summer Day Upwards Outer

Yin Solid organs LU SP HT KI PC LV CV Below waist Dorsal Medial lower
Yang Hollow organs LI ST SI BL TH GB GV Above waist Ventral Lateral upper

Yin Inhibition Relaxation Hypo- (deficient) Chronic Cold Moon
Yang Excitation Contraction Hyper- (excess) Acute Hot Sun

Yin Parasympathetic Diastole Flaccid
Yang Sympathetic Systole Erect

CHANGE, RHYTHMS, CYCLES

The concept of CHANGE is fundamental to Chinese thought. Everything in existence must change in a ceaseless cycle of anabolism (building up) and catabolism (breaking down). Nothing is permanent. All great civilizations were aware of the rhythms and cycles in nature:

a. the seasonal cycle
b. the lunar and tidal cycle
c. the mating-birth-growth-death cycle (d) the sexual (menstrual and male) cycles.

We have the activity-rest, the day-night cycles, sunspot cycles, political cycles. Internal (diurnal) cycles include the cardiac cycle (systole-diastole), respiratory cycle, hormone secretion cycle etc. All of life and nature follows cyclic patterns.

Yin-Yang concepts imply continuous transformation, change and movement. Nothing is static. Day must become night. Winter must become Summer, (i.e.) Yin reaches a limit and transforms into Yang. Yang reaches a limit and transforms into Yin. Substance (Yin) transforms into function (Yang) and function transforms into substance.

The Monad or wheel symbolises the cycle: endless and beginningless revolution. Within the Monad, we see the Yin-Yang symbol also. Yin changes to Yang and Yang changes to Yin in a changing, yet changeless cycle. Thus, mountains become flat land and flat land becomes mountains. Rock becomes sand and sand becomes rock. Thus, tears and laughter are opposite yet essential parts of the same whole.

RELATIVITY: Yin and Yang are seen as relative states. Summer is Yang relative to winter (Yin) but a cold, wet summer is Yin relative to a normal summer and a warm, dry winter is Yang relative to a normal winter. The head is Yang relative to the chest (Yin), but the chest is Yang relative to the feet (Yin). In the male (Yang) childhood, adulthood and old age are relatively Yin, Yang and Yin respectively. In the female (Yin) childhood, adulthood and old age are relatively Yang, Yin and Yang respectively.

BALANCE AND TRANSFORMATION: Yin or Yang can not exist in isolation. They need each other and they change into each other. The circle is complete, without beginning, middle or end.

If there is no day, there is no night. If there is no excitation, there is no inhibition. The balance of Yin-Yang is a dynamic, changing state. There is seldom exact balance, with equal amounts of Yin and Yang. For instance in Summer, daylight exceeds darkness (Yang is predominant) but in Winter, darkness exceeds daylight (Yin is predominant). Equal amounts of Yin and Yang (night and day) occurs only at the equinoxes (March 2lst and September 23rd). The limits of Yin and Yang are seen, for example at the Winter solstice (December 2lst) when Yin is maximal (relative to Yang) and Summer solstice (June 2lst) when Yang is maximal. This transformation of Yin to Yang and Yang to Yin is a natural, universal phenomenon. It is natural for Yin to predominate at certain times and Yang to predominate at other times, in dynamic cycles.

WESTERN EXAMPLES OF DUALITY: In modern medical and scientific concepts, the idea of duality and relativity is accepted easily. We know that homeostasis in the body is maintained by mutually antagonistic yet mutually dependent systems. For instance, health requires the balance (harmony) of Yin-Yang : sleep-wakefulness; flexor muscles-extensor muscles; parasympathetic-sympathetic systems; feedback-feedforward systems; inhibitor-activator; relaxation-contraction; sensory-motor systems; corpus luteum-follicle; calcitonin-parathyroid hormone; receptor-ligand etc. We also know that an excess or deficiency of any one of these can lead to imbalance in the system. In time, this may lead to dis-ease.

Thus, the Chinese concept of Yin-Yang is not as incomprehensible as it may seem at first glance. It is similar to western ideas of duality-relativity. But it preceded our concept and use of binary theory (the idea of on-off, as used in modern computers) by thousands of years. Indeed, those who appreciate the beautiful symmetry of Chinese Yin-Yang philosophy have no difficulty in accepting the probability of advanced concepts in physics and astronomy etc such as ; gravity-antigravity; matter-antimatter; expanding space-black holes; time-negative time.

INTERDEPENDENCE, INTERACTIONS IN THE BODY

There was a story about the relative importance of the organs. They were arguing among themselves: "I am the most important", said the brain. "I do all the thinking, make all the decisions and control the lot of you!". "Not at all", said theheart. "I am more important because I keep you alive by pumping blood, oxygen and glucose up to you and I take away all your waste for disposal!". "Hold on!" said the liver. "I am the most important. I am responsible for glucogenesis and detoxification. Without me, both of you would be in trouble!". "Bull-shit!", growled the stomach. "Without me, you three would starve to death!". The argument grew fierce. The spleen, lungs, gallbladder, bones, muscles et al all had their spake.

Meanwhile, the anus (which had not said a word) got fed up with all the arguing and ballyhoo. Muttering "I'll show them who is boss!", it seized up tight and said nothing (kept its mouth shut). After a few days of severe constipation, colic and toxaemia set in. The stomach lost its appetite, the liver was unable to cope with the toxins, the heart went into failure and the brain began to grow faint. At the last moment, the brain screamed to the anus: "All right, you win!". The anus relaxed and all was well³ .

Although moral of the original joke was: "Don't underestimate an Ass-Hole!", there is an obvious moral for clinicians also. There isinterdependence and interaction between the organs, functions, and emotions of the body.

We saw earlier that the Chinese regarded man as a unity of Yin-Yang in body-spirit. Psychosomatic medicine also sees man as a unity of mind (spirit) and soma. Thus, interactions between these components of the organism influence the health (balance) of the organism. Psyche influences Soma and Soma influences Psyche. Those who ignore this reality have a very incomplete view of factors influencing health. In vet medicine, it would appear that the animal psyche plays a less important role in dis-ease than the psyche in human medicine. Nevertheless, the animal psyche is important and can be harnessed in many practical ways, as any experienced animal handler knows. The psyche (and psychic energy) of the therapist can (and should) be focused to help/love and beam compassion into the psyche of the willing patient, animal or human.

The Chinese were aware of the unity of the psyche-soma and of the interdependence of the organs and emotions. Disorders of the heart may influence the kidneys and lungs, and vice-versa. Disorder of the liver-gallbladder may influence the stomach. Chinese medical philosophy developed a complete schema of interdependence between the organs in the Five Phase Cycle. The Five Phase Theory and its uses in medicine are discussed in another paper, to which the reader is referred.

INTERACTIONS WITH EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

The organism does not exist in isolation. All living organisms survive by a process of adaptation to their external (and internal) environments. Those who can not adapt successfully must suffer as a result. The organism acts upon and is influenced by natural forces in its external environment. Environmental factors are not often considered but are very important nonetheless. They include Cosmic, Solar and Lunar forces, climatic changes, electromagnetic fields, geographical conditions and geophysical fields. (In a later section, we will examine other external factors).

The effects of cosmic and solar forces on animal health are poorly defined. Effects of the moon on health include a tendency to haemorrhage during new and full moon. Surgical complications are less likely to arise if major surgery is avoided for a few days before and after new and full moon.

Many years ago, Harold Burr, USA, recorded the electrical potentials of trees, day after day for many years. He found a cyclical change in potentials related to moon phase, day v night and sunspot activity. Maximum DC electrical potentials occurred at new and full moon; in daytime; and at peak sunspot activity. Minimum potentials occurred at quarter and three-quarter moon phase; at night and at minimum sunspot activity. He found similar changes in electrical potentials in humans.

Robert Becker (Veterans Administration Hospital, Syracuse, New York) and others have reported that people are more irritable at new and full moon and that violent crimes (rape, murder, assault, suicide) and admissions to psychiatric hospitals are more common at these times. The English word lunatic is derived from the Latin luna (Moon) and tic (fit, convulsion). Epileptic fits, convulsions and hallucinations are more likely to arise at these times also. I am unaware of published work on the effects of the full and new moon on animal dis-ease, but I suspect that neuromuscular disorders such as convulsions in dogs and grass (hypomagnesaemic) tetany in cows may be more common at these times also.

Geophysical forces: For thousands of years, in all civilisations, certain people claimed to be able to find water under the ground, using instruments like Y sticks (divining rods) pendulums, etc. When the diviner passes across underground streams, an involuntary muscular contraction causes the instrument to react. The diviner tries to locate exactly the course of the stream. He then tries to find the place where one or more other streams intersect (usually at different depths). The hole for the well is sunk at this point. Diviners explain this phenomenon by claiming that the water, running in fissures in the underground rocks, creates a distortion in the magnetic field above the fissure. The body of the diviner reacts as a biosensor to this alteration by an involuntary muscular contraction. (See the paper on psychic methods of diagnosis and therapy in AP and homoeopathy).

Diviners in Europe, Australia, Africa and America have reported that many dis-eases in man and animals are associated with strong reactive points over these streams. Insomnia, arthritis rheumatism, asthma and cancer have been associated with these places. Where cattle or other animals are confined to a stall or pen directly over these geophysical reaction points, chronic disorders can arise, such as poor growth, chronic ketosis and infertility. Orthodox treatment is often unsuccessful in these cases. If, however, the animals are moved to a stall/pen which is free of reactive points, the condition usually disappears quickly.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): It is known that many species are extremely sensitive to weak EMFs. Some cases of chronic dis-ease may be associated with these EMFs such as those created by high-voltage cables , electric cables underground, electrical equipment (electric blankets, TV and VDU screens etc. Other electro-magnetic and gravitational influences include eclipses, planetary alignments, thunder-storms etc.

Effects of climate: Exposure to cold, damp weather when animals are turned out to pasture in the Spring are often associated with outbreaks of grass tetany and muscular degeneration (white muscle dis-ease, associated with selenium deficiency). There is evidence that cattle can sometimes eat large amounts of ergot (Claviceps purpurea) with no effects if they are warm and dry. If, however, the weather is very cold and the lower limbs are wet or freezing (as in cold, damp cow-sheds in winter) severe outbreaks of ergotism (gangrene of the limbs etc) can follow.

Effects of diet and food-sensitivity/intolerance: The diet is one of most obvious environmental factors affecting animal health. Deficiencies or imbalances in total intake of dry matter, its energy, protein, mineral and vitamin status, are well studied and need no further comment. The diet may also influence health if it contains plant, organic or inorganic poisons. In man, the role of masked (hidden) allergies to common feedstuffs, drugs, contact and inhalant-allergens has been recognised only in recent years. Many chronic dis-eases are associated with a hypersensitivity or intolerance, hidden allergy to common foods etc (Randolph; Mackarness; Coca; Breneman).

Diagnosis of masked allergy is based on systematic elimination of specific items from the diet or the environment of the patient for a period of 8-14 days or so. Then the patient is challenged orally, sublingually or nasally with each suspect food, etc in single tests. If a violent reaction occurs within 0-2 hours after challenge, the food etc is eliminated completely from the diet. Following this, the health of the patient improves dramatically. The role of these masked allergies in animal dis-ease is not yet as well established as in human dis-eases.

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Signals or stimuli from the external environment are transmitted to the internal environment in many ways. The sensory nervous system transmits stimuli of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. These signals are transmitted to the spinal cord and, via the ascending tracts, to the brain and higher centres. Sensory input may activate segmental, intersegmental and supraspinal reflexes. It may also activate the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamus-pituitary etc. The role of the nervous system and the endocrine system in adaptation responses is well discussed by other authors ^{(4, 14)}.

External stimuli and internal sensory stimuli may reach the internal environment by another route, thePRIMITIVE NERVOUS SYSTEM of Becker and his colleagues in New York. They postulated the existence of two systems which can transmit information in the body : (a) the neuroendocrine system as already described, and (b) a slow acting non-nervous system analogous to the primitive nervous system of plants and lower animals. This Primitive Nervous System acts by sensing alterations in the electrical potentials at the skin⁵ and in damaged organs and tissues. The DC current of injury is transmitted along planes of low electrical impedance (the AP Channels) and is boosted (amplified) at the AP points. This system switches on when injury grossly alters the normal electrical potential. When healing occurs, the electrical potentials return to normal and switch off the system.

The ancients, mystics and many moderns accept that humans and animals have a psychic (sixth) sense. By Yin-Yang philosophy that sense implies a psychic transmission force also. These are the bases of telepathy, divination, telekinesis, kinaesthesia, prayer-healing, spells, incantations, symbolic healing rituals, magic (black- and white-) etc. In spite of the ridicule of many scientists, telepathy, telepathic diagnosis and telepathic healing or injury (voodoo, black-magic) are realities for many people (see the paper on Psychic Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment in AP and homoeopathy).

The Chinese name for the AP point (Xue) means "hole". The Chinese have claimed for centuries that influences such as heat, damp, cold, dryness, wind and physical injury can gain direct access to the body via the "body holes" (the AP points). Electro-magnetic forces may gain entry through the "leaky holes" in the same way, as the AP points are characterised as zones of high DC potential/low electrical resistance. We know that lightning tends to strike in certain places which have low electrical resistance. (Diviners claim that all lightning strikes at strong geophysical reactive points, low-resistance "holes" in the earth). AP points may attract EMF and external signals in the same way as a lightning conductor attracts lightning. The skin and mucous membranes are the interfaces between the external and internal environment; the AP points are the "leaky places" on the skin, which connect the external and internal environments. The AP system is also said to connect all the organs and body parts with each other, via planes of higher electrical permeability/lower impedance.

CHINESE CONCEPTS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE

The Chinese concept of Qi represents the vital life force. All living things contain Qi. Balance of Qi in the body maintains health. Imbalance of Qi (excess Yin or excess Yang, deficient Yin or deficient Yang) causes ill-health. Absence of Qi occurs at death. Qi is obtained from the lungs (oxygen, air) and the food (nutrients). It circulates to every cell in the body, via the Channel-Organ System (COS) and blood stream.

Qi interacts with genetic influences, immunity to infections and non- specific resistance to trauma, poisons and dis-ease, autonomic balance and hormone balance. If the degree of insult disturbs the balance of Qi, dis-ease results. See diagram:

External insults: Trauma, dietary imbalance, allergies, infection, parasitism, poisons, pollution, stresses, cosmic, solar, lunar, EMF, geophysical- forces, climatic changes.

Internal insults: Genetic susceptibility, uncontrolled emotions; auto-immune diseases, autonomic and hormonal disturbance, reflex effects of injury.

The life energy (Qi) has its Yin and Yang aspects, seen as the typical energy in the Yin and Yang Channels.

Dis-ease arises when the Qi is disturbed by any deficiency, excess or blockage of Yin or Yang energy in the Channel-Organ System (COS). Abnormality is a relative state caused by a poor adaptation to internal or external changes, associated with an abnormal excess or deficiency of energy in one or more Channels.

• a.Excess Yin will consume (weaken) Yang. Deficient Yang will allow a relative excess of Yin. In both cases, there is a relative net excess of Yin. This causes Yin (Cold) Syndromes.
• b. Excess Yang will consume (weaken) Yin. Deficient Yin will allow a relative excess of Yang. In both cases there is a relative net excess of Yang. This causes Yang (Hot) Syndromes.
• c. Excess of Yin or excess of Yang causes conditions known as Shi (excess) Syndromes.
• d. Deficiency of Yin or deficiency of Yang causes conditions known as Xu (deficiency) Syndromes.

Chinese combinations allow 4 main Syndromes Cold Shi, Cold Xu, Hot Shi and Hot Xu Syndromes. In Shi (excess) Syndromes, the body resistance (anti-pathogenic defence systems) are relatively normal and the cause of dis-ease is usually external.

In Xu (deficiency) Syndromes, body resistance is relatively weak, and the dis-ease has usually gained the interior and is more serious. 

AP therapy is different for Shi and Xu Syndromes. In the Shi (excess) Syndromes, a sedation technique (Xie) is used (In Shi, use Xie). In the Xu (deficiency) Syndromes, a tonification technique (Bu) is used (In Xu, use Bu). These are discussed in other papers (Five Phase Theory and its Use in Medicine and Techniques of Stimulation of the AP Points) to which the reader is referred. 

WESTERN CONCEPTS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE

In a given case, the cause of dis-ease (the insult) may appear to be simple. For instance, a herd of cattle may show depigmentation of the coat, enteritis, abortion/stillbirth /neonatal deaths and infertility. Blood tests may show severe copper deficiency. One may be tempted to assume that copper deficiency is the main cause, or the only cause. However, further examination may show that infection and parasitism are involved also and the role of these may not be appreciated fully. If very detailed investigation were done, other factors (for instance excess of iron, molybdenum, lead or zinc and stress factors) may also be present. In practice, herd supplementation with copper salts could restore health and fertility. If, however, the other factors were corrected singly or together, the same good result could be obtained even without copper supplementation.

Similarly, outbreaks of infectious dis-ease in young calves (enteritis, pneumonia, septicaemia, oomphalitis, etc) may suggest very heavy bacterial challenge as the main cause. On further examination, however, it may be found that the herd is deficient in trace-minerals (Cu, Co, Se, Zn) which are essential to herd immunity. Control of the "infectious disease" in these cases may be achieved by adequate supplementation of the calves with the correct trace-elements. Prevention, in subsequent years, is based on supplementation of the pregnant cows, so that the calves are born with adequate trace-mineral status and the dams' colostrum is adequate in antibody. Of course, improvement in the housing and hygiene on the farm will also help.

CONCLUSION

The best chance for healing or cure depends on:

a. recognition that the organism is influenced by many more forces than orthodox concepts consider;
b. removing or alleviating as many causal factors as possible and/or
c. stimulating the defence systems or homeostatic- adaptive systems of the body.

It follows that many conditions respond to a wide variety of treatments, singly or in combination. These treatments include orthodox medical or surgical methods, physiotherapy, desensitisation to allergens, alteration of diet or lifestyle, relaxation therapy, hypnosis, psychiatric care etc. AP is extremely valuable in stimulating the adaptive mechanisms. This will be discussed in another paper (AP for immunomediated disorders).

Unorthodox therapies, such as homeopathy, cytotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, "neutralising" geophysical forces, radiaesthesia, laying on of hands etc may also be effective in man and animals but the absence of controlled studies has limited their acceptance and their use.

FURTHER READING MATERIAL

1. Becker, R.O. (Veteran's Administration Hospital, Upstate Medical Centre, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA). Over 100 scientific publications on tissue regeneration, electrical potentials, the primitive nervous system, AP and geo- physical effects on health.
2. Breneman, J.C. (1978) The basics of food allergy. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois.
3. Burr, H.S. (1972) Blueprint for immortality: the electric patterns of life. Neville Spearman Ltd., London. (or) Burr, H.S. (1973). The Fields of Life: our links with the universe. Ballantyne Books Inc., New York.
4. Buxton-Hopkin, D.S, (1976) James Reilly and the autonomic nervous system: a prophet unheeded: Annals of Royal College of Surgeons of England, 60, 108-116.
5. Coca,A.F. (1978). The pulse test: easy allergen detection. Arco Books, c/o Thorson's Books, Wellingborough, Northants, England.
6. Graves,T. (1977)Dowsing techniques and applications. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, UK.
7. Journal of the British Society of Dowsers. Quarterly journal from: The Secretary B.S.D., Sycamore Cottage, Hastingleigh, Ashford, Kent, UK.
8. Mackarness,R. (1976) Not all in the mind. Pan Books, London.
9. Ostrander,S. and Schroeder,L. (1977) Psychic discoveries behind the iron curtain. Abacus Books (Sphere Books), London.
10. Randolph,T.G. (1951) Food allergy. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, U.S.A.
11. Randolph,T.G. (1965) Ecologic orientation in medicine: comprehensive environmental control in diagnosis and therapy. Annals of Allergy, 23, 7-22.
12. Russell,E.W. (1971) Design for destiny. Neville Spearman Ltd., London.
13. Russell, Edward W. (1973) Report on radionics: science of the future. Neville Spearman Ltd., London.
14. Selye,H. (1976) Stress in health and disease. Butterworths, London.
15. Watson,L. (1973) Supernature. Hodder and Stoughton, London.
16. Watson,L. (1979) Lifetide. Hodder and Stoughton, London.
17. Mann,F. (1973) AP Cure of many Diseases. Heinemann Medical Books, London.
18. Austin,M. (1974) AP Therapy. Turnstone Books, London.
19. Connolly,D. (1979) The Law of the Five Elements. Centre for Traditional AP, American City Building, Columbia, Maryland 21044, USA.

HOMOEOPATHY AND AP

AP and homoeopathy make an excellent therapeutic partnership. Homoeopathic remedies may be given orally or by injection into the AP points chosen to fit the case. Austrian, German and French Vets are using this method successfully.

The British Vet Homoeopathic Society was founded in the UK in 1987. Contact the British Vet Association, 7 Mansfield St., London W1M 0AT for details.

Further information on U.K. Supply Houses and Homoeopathic Materia Medica (by Allen or Boericke or Boenninghausen or Clarke or Kent) from: Royal Homoeopathic Hospital, Great Ormond St., London; Nelson's Pharmacy, 73, Duke Street, London; Ainsworth's Pharmacy, London

TEXTBOOKS ON HOMOEOPATHIC THEORY AND PRACTICE

McLeod,G. (1978) Treatment of horses by Homoeopathy. Health Science Press, Holsworthy, Devon, UK.
Roberts,H.A. (1976) Principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy. Health Science Press, Holsworthy, Devon, UK.

ESSENTIAL READING, EXCELLENT BACKGROUND

Tyler,M.L. (1975) Homoeopathic Drug Pictures. Health Science Press, Holsworthy, Devon, UK.

¹ 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, IRELAND. Fax: 353-46-25187; Tel: 353-46-25214 (lab); 353-1-6281-222 (home)
² Throughout this text, the following convention is used for the codes for the Channel-Organ System (COS): LU=Lung; LI=Large Intestine; ST=Stomach; SP=Spleen-Pancreas; HT=Heart; SI=Small Intestine; BL=Bladder, with BL40=WeiZhong; KI=Kidney; PC=Pericardium, Heart Constrictor, or Circulation-Sex; TH=Triple Heater/Endocrine; GB=Gall Bladder; LV=Liver; CV=Conception Vessel (ventral midline); GV=Governor Vessel (dorsal midline). Other authors may use different conventions.
³ Joking aside, the miracle of life outside the womb begins with the first breath and ends with the last. LU function is the most important of all vital Qi functions. All the other organs and functions die within minutes if starved of oxygen (part of the Qi of air). Body energies at their lowest ebb, the Qi cycle ends in LV at 0100-0300h (0300 is known as the dead hour of night). The new Qi cycle begins in LU at 0300-0500h.
⁴ Swedish research, published in 1992, has suggested a causal link between EMFs from high voltage transmission lines and leukaemia/brain tumours in people.
⁵ The skin is a more important organ than generally is realised. It is a powerful organ of elimination. It also acts as the terminal for viscerocutaneous and cutaneovisceral reflexes and similar reflexes, which are the basis of AP effects.