HOME    HYGIENE LIBRARY CATALOG   TABLE OF CONTENTS    GO TO NEXT CHAPTER

   The most prominent alterative next to mercury is iodin. Judging from the records in the iris, it must be one of the most popular drugs used by the regular school of medicine, for we find the iodin spots in the eyes of about one-fourth of all the subjects we examine. No other poisonous drug shows more plainly in the iris, but the signs differ according to the mode of absorption. If taken internally, the poison shows in the iris as bright red, reddish brown, pink or orange colored spots or blotches. (Color plate, b and c, p. 116.)

   These spots are frequently transparent so that the underlying tissues of the iris can be discovered. Sometimes they are surrounded by white borders indicating that the poison is causing irritation and inflammation or that it is in process of elimination in a healing crisis.

   Where the iodin has been applied externally and has been absorbed through the skin, the signs in the iris are of a pinkish hue and appear in the form of streaks, broom-like markings or reddish clouds. It is understood that these signs are visible in the areas of the iris corresponding to those parts of the body in which the poison has accumulated.

   The signs of iodin which has been taken internally are often similar to itch spots, still with a little practice they can be distinguished readily enough.

   The iodin spots are usually of a brighter red and more diffuse than the itch or psora spots. Sometimes the history of the patient also helps to clear up the doubt.

   While other drugs exhibit a well defined affinity for certain portions of the body, we find iodin spots almost everywhere, frequently in the areas of liver, kidneys, stomach and bowels, lungs, pancreas and the brain.

   Iodin (Iodum) is a solid non-metallic element. It is obtained from native iodids and iodads and from the ashes of sea weeds. Its principal preparations are potassium iodid, sodium iodid, the tincture of iodin, iodin liniment and iodin ointment. Its actions and uses are thus described in "Materia Medica and Therapeutics", by J, Mitchel Bruce, used as a text-book in leading allopathic medical colleges in England and America:

   "Externally applied, iodin is a powerful irritant and vesicant, decomposing organic molecules, and entering into loose chemical combination with the albuminous constituents of the parts. At the same time it stains the epidermis a deep brown; causes considerable pain; and is absorbed into the blood, partly by the skin and partly by the air of respiration in the form of vapor. It is also a very powerful antiseptic and disinfectant."

   This description of the action of the iodin again confirms our claim that all antiseptics, antipyretics, germicides and antitoxins are powerful protoplasmic poisons and that their medicinal action depends upon their life destroying qualities.

   "The tincture, strong solution, and ointment of iodin are extensively used as stimulants and disinfectants to foul callous ulcers, much like silver nitrate; as vegetable parasiticides in ringworm; and as counter irritants in subacute or chronic inflammation of joints, periosteum, lymphatic glands, the pleura and the lungs, for which purpose the ointments of lead iodid and of mercuric iodid are also applied. In these instances the chief effect is doubtless stimulation. . . ."

   Iodin acts as a counter irritant and stimulant because it is a protoplasmic poison. All poisons have a stimulating and irritating effect on the tissues of the body, because the organism as a whole, its organs, cells and living molecules, and the vital forces animating them, are aroused to intense activity by the effort to repel the hostile invader. Temporary benefit from irritation or stimulation is counterbalanced by the inevitable reaction and "the decomposition of organic molecules".

   "But a certain amount of the iodin is absorbed, and acts specifically as will be presently described. Iodin in solution is injected into cysts, goiters, hydroceles, etc., with much success. . . ."

   The specific action of iodin referred to, consists in the "drying up" of glandular structures. This may destroy them as effectually as extirpation with the surgeon's knife. I fail to understand how this can be called "a cure". Later, I shall give some instances of the chronic after effects of such "absorbent" treatment.

   "Compounds of iodin with creosote and various soothing volatile, substances, such as chloroform and ether, are used as continuous inhalations in the so called 'antiseptic' treatment of phthisis, bronchitis and other forms of chronic pulmonary disease."

   It is hard to tell whether these antiseptics will more quickly and effectually destroy the lung tissues or the disease germs. (See first quotation.)

   "In the stomach and bowels, although it is gradually converted into sodium iodid, the irritant effects of free iodin are continued, with abdominal pain, sickness and diarrhea as the result. . . . In the blood the element is at first found combined with sodium; but this salt appears to be decomposed and the iodin for a time set free, for some of the red corpuscles are broken down (if the amount of iodin is large), and bloody effusions and bloody urine make their appearance. Such results are to be carefully avoided in practice. . . ."

   This, too, indicates the destructive effect of the drug.

   "The lymphatic glands are reduced in size by iodin, which is extensively used for scrofulous and other chronic enlargements of the glands, whether applied locally as iodin, or administered internally as the iodids."

   Explained above.

   "The excretion of iodin by the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is of most interest to the therapeutist. In certain subjects and probably when potassium iodid contains free iodin as an impurity, its exhibition produces a series of unpleasant symptoms known as 'iodism', consisting of coryza, the watery discharge from the nose being sometimes profuse; sneezing; severe pain of a bursting character over the frontal sinuses, commonly called 'headache'; swelling and redness of the gums, hard and soft palates and fauces; foulness of the tongue, and increase of the mucus of the mouth; cough and frothy expectoration and a sense of heat and rawness in the trachea and chest. . . .

   "In escaping by the skin the liberated iodin produces in certain individuals peculiar eruptions; papular, acneform, vascular or pustular, rarely purpuric. . . . Potassium iodid is said to be an antigalactagogue (milk suppressant).

   The symptoms just described frequently manifest during the elimination of the drug in healing crises. The worst effects, because deep seated and obscure, are not mentioned. Here I may briefly state that in many cases we have found iodin to give rise to Bright's disease, diabetes, paresis, ulcers of the stomach and bowels, chronic diseases of pancreas, spleen and lungs. Some specific cases I shall describe later on.

   "Certain poisons which have intimately associated themselves with the albuminous structures, are disengaged from those combinations by iodin. Lead and mercury may be swept out of the tissues with the assistance of potassium iodid, administered for plumbism and hydrargyrism respectively.

   "The principal application, however, of iodin is in the treatment of syphilis. Either the virus of this disease is thus eliminated from the system, or iodin hastens the life and disappearance of the small-celled growth by which syphilis is characterized. It is especially valuable in the tertiary forms of syphilis, when mercury cannot always be given with advantage; and nodes and other superficial enlargements, gummata in the viscera, and certain forms of skin disease may be very successfully treated with the potassium salt. The same precautions must be observed with respect to the general health, and especially the preservation of digestion, in the case of iodin, as are laid down under the head of mercury (page 106)."

   Various preparations of iodin are administered to counteract the effects of mercury, which are usually labeled tertiary syphilis. Old school materia medica assumes that iodin neutralizes and eliminates the mercury. "When the latter has been taken to the point of saturation and exudes from the body through ulcers, abscesses, hemorrhoids, etc., iodin arrests the acute activity aroused by the mercury and paralyzes Nature's effort to throw it off. Both poisons recede into the organism and continue their work of destruction. That this is true is proved by the signs of the poisons in the iris and the accompanying symptoms in the organs affected.

   It is again Beelzebub against the devil.

   The so called tertiary syphilitic usually suffers as much from iodin poisoning as from mercury. It counteracts the mercurial sores and ulcerations because it is a protoplasmic poison. It "dries up" and "absorbs" healthy tissues as well as diseased ones.

   Dr. A. Farrington says, in his "Clinical Materia Medica", page 477, of the destructive chronic after effects of iodin:

   "Iodin is an absorbent; it has the property of causing absorption, particularly of glandular structures. Its absorbent properties extend to other tissues, involving, finally, even nervous structures. We find, for instance, in persons who are poisoned with iodin, great emaciation. With the female, the mammary glands become atrophied and the ovaries, too, no doubt. With the male, the testicles suffer inevitable progressive loss of sexual power. The skin bo-comes dark yellow and tawny, dry from deficient action, the sclerotica (of the eyes) become yellow, yellow spots appear on the face and also on the body. There is excessive appetite; he is anxious and faint if he docs not get his food. He is relieved while eating and yet he emaciates despite the amount of food he eats. Sooner or later the nervous system becomes involved and he is afflicted with tremor. He becomes nervous and excitable; every little annoyance which would be unnoticed in his normal condition causes trembling. He has a longing for the open air, as if the cold, fresh air gave him more breath. This gives a fair idea of the condition to which the patient is reduced by the overuse of iodin".

   In the following I shall describe several cases of iodism explained by the diagnosis from the iris.

   A lady was sent to us by a physician for diagnosis. After looking into her eyes, I at once laid my hand on her right temple and said, "There is serious trouble here; you must suffer from chronic headaches."

   This she at once admitted, saying, "It is that which brought me here. No one has been able to detect the cause of the trouble. Since you have discovered the locality, can you also tell me the cause?"

   "Certainly," I replied. "It is iodin, applied externally and absorbed through the skin. The left frontal brain area in the iris displays a large reddish streak. Do you remember when and for what the iodin was applied?"

   After some effort she remembered that when she was about six years of age, her neck had been repeatedly painted with iodin for "swollen glands". On further inquiry she admitted that soon afterwards the headaches had made their appearance and had never left her, as far as she knew, for a single waking hour. In order to "cure" the headache, she took quantities of bromids, coal tar preparations and other brain and nerve paralyzers which, of course, aggravated and complicated her chronic ailments.

   Iodin was the cause of my undertaking the study and practice of Natural Therapeutics. About twenty years ago I was in very poor health. After giving up all hope of being cured by drugs. I went to Europe seeking relief in Nature Cure sanitariums. I was greatly surprised when one of the physicians in charge, after looking at my eyes, immediately told me the cause of all my troubles. He said, "Your right kidney and liver are ruined by iodin."

   I remembered that our family physician had swabbed my throat internally with iodin and painted it externally when I was a lad, twelve years old. But I never suspected that those long forgotten applications of this drug could have anything to do with the tendency to diabetes. In my case the elimination of these and other poisons took the form of furuncles. There were at one time over twenty on my body. I allowed them to run their course without being lanced or treated with antiseptics. This proved to be the great healing crisis in my case for, after that vigorous housecleaning, I felt like one new-born. I seemed to be in perfect health and since that time have not been sick in bed for one day. Most of the spots disappeared, but some are still faintly visible, as shown in Fig. 16, p. 123.

   A patient asked me if I could explain why she had an abundance of milk for her first baby, while she was unable to nurse any one of the three following. I examined the iris and found in the region of the right chest and breast a broad yellowish-red streak of iodin. There were also closed lesions in the pleura and the lower lobe of the lung. I said to her, "After the birth of your first child and before the next was born, you had a severe attack of pneumonia and pleurisy and your breast was painted with iodin". This she confirmed. When her first child was sixteen months old she contracted pneumonia and pleurisy and the entire right side was painted heavily with iodin.

   Undoubtedly, the drug had been absorbed and had dried up the mammary glands. This accounted for her inability to nurse the other children.

   In several cases I have traced sexual impotence to the action of iodin on the sex organs.

Allopathic Uses:*
(*The world annually produces 11,000 tons of iodin for medicinal purposes.
Is it any wonder that we find it so frequently in the iris?)

   1. Antiseptic dressing for wounds.

   2. Stimulant and disinfectant on foul ulcers.

   3. Injected into cysts, goiters, hydroceles, etc., "with much success".

   4. Counter irritant in chronic inflammations of joints, periosteum, pleura, lungs and tubercular lymph nodes.

   5. Metabolic stimulant for disintegrating and eliminating drugs such as mercury, lead, etc., which have intimately combined with the albuminous constituents of the body.

   6. Stimulating expectorant in bronchial catarrh and pneumonia if consolidation threatens to persist.

   7. Antispasmodic in asthma and emphysema.

   8. Antigalactagogue. Dries up mammary glands.

   9. For aneurisms as K. I. (Potassium lowers blood pressure while iodin stimulates metabolism and coagulates the tissues.)

   10. Used chiefly against tertiary syphilis--either causes the elimination of the spirocheta or hastens the life and disappearance of the small-celled growth characterizing the disease.

Accidental Poisoning:

   Workmen handling iodin.

   Patent "goiter cures".

Toxicology:

   Iodin is freely absorbed into the circulation where it resolves the red corpuscles.

   It rapidly passes to all tissues especially the excretory organs and lymph nodes.

Symptoms of Iodism:

   1. Inflamed gums, palates and fauces.

   2. Coryza with bursting pain over frontal sinuses.

   3. Cough and frothy expectoration.

   4. Acneform eruptions.

   5. Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea.

   6. Glandular atrophy, especially testes, ovaries and mammae.

   7. Anemia, emaciation and general debility.

Elimination of Drug in Healing Crises:

   Catarrhal discharges from nose, sneezing, severe pain over the frontal sinuses; intense headaches; swelling and redness of the gums, hard and soft palates; foulness of the tongue; increase of mucus in the mouth; cough and frothy expectorations; papular, acneform, vascular or pustular eruptions; open sores, hemorrhoidal discharges and other symptoms according to location of the poison in the system.

Signs in Iris:

   Have been described in introductory paragraph of this chapter.

HOME    HYGIENE LIBRARY CATALOG   TABLE OF CONTENTS    GO TO NEXT CHAPTER