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  • Domestic pet. Diabetic dog
  • Domestic pet. Diabetic dog
  • Domestic pet. Diabetic dog
  • Domestic pet. Diabetic dog
  • Retinal scarring from diabetic retinopathy
  • Diabetic dog - Urine sample
  • Testing diabetic dog urine sample
  • Testing diabetic dog urine sample.
  • Injecting diabetic dog with insuline
  • Injecting diabetic dog with insulin.
  • Testing diabetic dog glucose level in blood
  • Testing diabetic dog glucose level in blood.
  • Galega officinalis L. Fabaceae. Goat's Rue. Distribution: Central and Southern Europe, Asia Minor. Culpeper (1650) writes that it ‘... resists poison, kills worms, resists the falling sickness [epilepsy], resisteth the pestilence.’ Galega officinalis contains guanidine which reduces blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance and inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis.. Metformin and Phenformin are drugs for type II diabetes that rely on this group of chemicals, known as biguanidines. Its name gala, meaning milk plus ega meaning 'to bring on', refers to its alleged property of increasing milk yield, and has been used in France to increase milk yield in cows. officinalis refers to its use in the offices of the monks, and is a common specific name for medicinal plants before 1600 and adopted by Linnaeus (1753). The fresh plant tastes of pea pods. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • E. Joslin, A Diabetic Manual for the Mutual
  • L.McKittrick & H.Root, Diabetic Surgery
  • A diabetic man after treatment with insulin. Photograph, ca. 1925.
  • A diabetic man, emaciated, before treatment with insulin. Photograph, ca. 1925.
  • The first thread of contact ... / Diabetic information systems Clinitest + Clinistix.
  • The first thread of contact ... / Diabetic information systems Clinitest + Clinistix.
  • Catharanthus roseus (L.)G.Don Apocynaceae. Madagascar Periwinkle Distribution: Madagascar. It is the source of vincristine and vinblastine, which impair cell multiplication by interfering with microtubule assembly, causing metaphase arrest and are effective medications for leukaemias, lymphomas and some solid tumours. The mortality from childhood leukaemia fell from 100% to 30% once it was introduced - not a drug that could ethically be tested by double-blind trials. These chemicals were initially discovered by investigators in 1958 who were looking for cures for diabetes so tested this plant which was being used in the West Indies to reduce blood sugar levels. There are 70 different alkaloids present in this plant, and some - catharanthine, leurosine sulphate, lochnerine, tetrahydroalstonine, vindoline and vindolinine - lower blood sugar levels. However, the toxicity of this plant is such that this is not a plant to try at home for diabetic management. The vincristine content of the plant is 0.0003%, so two kilograms of leaf are required to produce sufficient vincristine for a single course of treatment for a child (6gm). Fortunately it is a vigorous weed and easy to grow in the tropics. Artificial synthesis has now been achieved. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis Rubiaceae. Cape jasmine - as erroneously believed to have come from South Africa. Distribution: China. Named for Dr Alexander Garden FRS (1730-1791) Scottish-born physician and naturalist who lived in Charles Town, South Carolina, and corresponded with Linnaeus and many of the botanists of his era. The fruits are used in China both as a source of a yellow dye, and for various unsubstantiated medicinal uses. Other species of Gardenia are found in tropical Africa and the roots and leaves have all manner of putative uses. Gardenia tenuifolia is used as an aphrodisiac, for rickets, diarrhoea, leprosy, gall bladder problems, toothache, liver complaints, diabetes, hypertension, malaria and abdominal complaints. It causes violent vomiting and diarrhoea. It, and other species, are used to poison arrows and to poison fish. Some native, muthi medicine, healers regard Gardenia as a ‘last chance’ medicine, given to patients when all else fails – the patient either dies or recovers (Neuwinger, 1996). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Food guide pyramid for diabetics in Kenya. Colour lithograph by Ministry of Health, ca. 2000.
  • Food guide pyramid for diabetics in Kenya. Colour lithograph by Ministry of Health, ca. 2000.
  • H. D. Hardie & Co. Ltd. : Glasgow, London, Belfast also of Liverpool, Newcastle & Edinburgh : Milk powders, diabetic flours, essences, concentrated whole eggs, albumen, cream powders.
  • Iris unguicularis Poir. Iridaceae. Algerian iris. Rhizomatous perennial. Distribution: NW Africa, E. Mediterranean It has scientifically-based potential. The rhizomes contain the chemical kaempferol which inhibits the enzyme alpha-glucosidase in the gut, reducing the rate of glucose absorption. This could be used to prevent the dangerous peaks of blood sugar that occur in diabetics and reduce eye and kidney complications. The unprocessed rhizome contains iridin, a toxic glycoside, which causes 'nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and skin irritation'. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Arctium lappa L. Asteraceae. Greater Burdock. Distribution: Europe to India and Japan. Dioscorides (Beck, 2003) writes: '... helps those who spit blood and who suffer from abscesses ... plastered on it stems the pains around the joints that stem from twistings. The Leaves are applied beneficially on old ulcers.' Culpeper (1650) writes: ‘Burdanae, etc. Of Bur, Clot-Bur or Burdock, ... helps such as spit blood and matter, bruised and mixed salt and applied to the place, helpeth the bitings of mad dogs. It expels wind, easeth pains of the teeth, strengthens the back, helps the running of the reins, and the whites in women, being taken inwardly.’ The roots contain inulin, which is made into a non-digestible sweetener for diabetics. It has a multitude of uses in herbal medicine, in particular it is a component of a compound called ‘essiac’ that has been widely used as a treatment of cancers in the USA, but which is of no proven benefit. The young roots can be eaten raw or cooked. The seeds are hairy and care should be taken when harvesting them as inhaled they are reported as ‘toxic’. The root is licensed for use in Traditional Herbal Medicines in the UK (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Symptoms of hypoglycaemia in Kenya. Colour lithograph by Ministry of Health, ca. 2000.
  • A man eating a meal, taking medication, avoiding alcohol and monitoring blood sugar: avoiding Hypoglycaemia in Kenya. Colour lithograph by Ministry of Health, ca. 2000.
  • A man eating a meal, taking medication, avoiding alcohol and monitoring blood sugar: avoiding Hypoglycaemia in Kenya. Colour lithograph by Ministry of Health, ca. 2000.
  • Symptoms of hypoglycaemia in Kenya. Colour lithograph by Ministry of Health, ca. 2000.