The value of an absolutely vegetarian diet in psoriasis / L. Duncan Bulkley.

  • Bulkley, Lucius Duncan, 1845-1928.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The value of an absolutely vegetarian diet in psoriasis / L. Duncan Bulkley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    the body are carried on by oxidation, and it is quite understandable how, by a lowering of the oxygenating powers of the system, imperfect oxidation of the pro- teid molecules occurs. While this process of oxidation is going on all the time in every part of the organism, it is, of course, the blood which is the active agent, both in furnishing the requisite oxygen, in various combina- tions, and in carrying away in turn the more or less im- perfectly oxydized products of catabolism. It must be remembered, too, that it is from the arterial blood cur- rent that the kidneys seize such waste products as they may be able to handle. It is recognized also that this blood current represents the results of the final efforts of many vital organs, each contributing its quota of result in the interchange of external elements with vital tissues; and also the removal of effete or waste primary elements, in various combinations, after they have ac- complished their purpose in the organism. OTHER TREATMENT NECESSARY. While I am strongly advocating an absolutely vege- tarian diet in psoriasis, therefore, I wish emphatically to declare that this is only one element in the treatment of the disease—although perhaps the most important one. In order to obtain the best results there is constant need of careful medical supervision in order to secure the proper working of the economy in all directions, and in- ternal and external medication are called for as necessity arises. I know that with all that has been said in regard to the absolute avoidance of meat, many are ready to reply that some years ago exactly the opposite plan of treatment was advocated, namely, an exclusive or almost exclusive meat diet in psoriasis; this fact has been so frequently alluded to in text-books and current literature that it is necessary to devote a few words to it. EXCLUSIVE MEAT DIET IN PSORIASIS. In 1867 Gustav Passavant of Frankfort, Germany, in