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General practice management of gastrointestinal problems assisted by Vegatest techniques
British Homteopathic Journal April 1993, Vol. 82, pp. 87-91
General practice management of gastrointestinal problems assisted by Vegatest techniques A N T H O N Y D. FOX Abstract
90 patients first seen by me in 1989 in whom the primary problem was in the gastrointestinal system were sent a questionnaire to assess a) their immediate progress in 1989 and b) how they have progressed since then. All were assessed for possible food intolerance and the relevant biological medicine using the Vegatest system. Of the 70 patients who replied, 30 (42%) did well initially, 59 (84%) are much improved compared to before treatment. Many had symptoms affecting other organs. A wide range of non-tolerated foods were encountered. KEYWOr~OS: Gastrointestinal disease; Survey; Food sensitivity; Diet; Homeeopathy; Vegatest
activity in animals and humans. 6'7 He found that the electrical energy was especially high at points otherwise recognized as acupuncture points. It is possible to measure changes due to disease states before and after cell damage. A development of this method is very useful to determine substances which are biologically incompatible with the organism. This includes not only toxins but also substances to which the organism is hypersensitive. Schimmell's Vegatest, like Voll's Dermatron, is basically a Wheatstone bridge, a standard circuit for comparing resistances. (See Fig. 1) The technique is relatively simple in principle but requires a lot of learning and skill in application. The patient and the operator are both seated close to the machine. The patient must be stressed before testing with a piezo electronic stimulator. The patient holds the electrode in his/her dominant hand. The operator then applies a stylus to a suitable acupuncture point. This can be done at many different points, including Allergy 1 or Triple Warmer 1, on either the hand or the foot of the other side. Initially, a normal reading is established on the indicator scale. Light pressure is applied by the stylus to obtain a scale reading of 100. This procedure is facilitated by calibration of
Introduction
Gastrointestinal symptomatology is a frequent cause of consultation with physicians in the UK. Extensive X-ray, endoscopic and pathological laboratory investigations are available to most of the population through the National Health Service. 1 The waiting time for such investigations can be more than 3 months. However, in Hampshire and Wiltshire, where I work, a high percentage of the patients who have consulted me have been fully investigated by conventional methods. Despite this service, a considerable portion of patients still have chronic symptomatology, malaise and continuing treatment. Some of these patients consult physicians such as myself. At least 90% of patients who consulted me had prior investigation within the National Health Service. For 13 years I have been interested in investigating allergic and food intolerance problems. 2'~'4 Approximately 8 years ago, I came across the Vega testing system which I have found extremely useful from a clinical point of view. The method is based on extensive bioelectronic researches by Dr R. Voll and other German doctors including Dr H. Schimmell) Voll developed a bio-energetic regulatory technique for measuring biological electrical 87
88
British Homoeopathic Journal
VEGATESTI II III
/
/
f
machine honeycomb
o
] 81
rheostat
8S JO0 00081
o
000
Measurement e Allergy 1, right or left \ Connective tissue degeneration 1 right or left Triple*warmer 1 right or left
placed in the machine honeycomb, an indicator drop will be observed. Then when a sample of a suitable biological medicine is placed in the honeycomb, the indicator returns to normal. Medicine can be checked for tolerability by the patient by placing a sample of Manganum D30 (= 30x) on the honeycomb. If non-tolerated the needle will not go up to 100. Likewise, the sample medicine can be checked for efficacy by placing a sample of Ferrum met. D12 (= 12x); if not effective, the indicator will not go up to 100. Schimmell has stressed the importance of normal functioning population of microorganisms in the bowel. Abnormal function has a disturbing effect not only on bowel function but on the whole functioning of the b o d y . l~
Method
measuring
s
Applied to hand/foot of patient by operator
g'~: hand Held by dominant hand of patient
Figure 1. The Vegatest system.
the machine with a Disorder Control (usually a cadmium battery) placed on the machine plate. With the battery in place, the reading on the machine should be between 60 and 80. The patient is then ready for testing. Samples of the substance to be tested are in turn placed in the machine's honeycomb. A positive response is a reading reduced from 100; the stronger the response, the lower the reading. Intolerance can be checked by placing an ampoule of Zincum D200 (= 200x) in the machine with the suspect substance. If there is intolerance, the reading will be restored to 100. If there is no intolerance, the indicator will remain between 60 and 80. Test results can be confirmed by taking a careful history. The patient can then directly confirm or exclude the possible hypersensitivities. The method is quick and painless to the patient; there are no needles. 30 or more items can be tested in 10 minutes. The method can also be used to determine the neutralizing point for an allergen. I have described this technique in another p a p e r y Efficacy of medication can also be assessed. Briefly, if an appropriate organ sample is
I use a combination of appropriate diet as selected by consultation and Vegatest and biological/homceopathic medication. Vegatest is also used to assist prescription. I generally use a single hom~eopathic medicine. Patients then either return to see me after a month or telephone or write to me. If they are considerably improved, it is likely they will not need further medication apart from perhaps food neutralizing medicine for the appropriate food. Calibration Individual value setting with minimal pressure ( 150 g) of 100 Schimmel Units (SU)
50
0
~
00
Measurement Reduced reading on putting organ ampoule into circuit: (a) 50 SU or less = severe organ stress/incompatibility (b) 95 50 SU = slight organ stress/incompatibility
5O
0~00 Figure 2. Vegatest calibration and mesurement.
89
Volume 82, Number 2, April 1993
Box 1. Questionnaire Dear You kindly consulted me for your bowel/abdominal/gastrointestinal problem approximately two years ago. I am doing a check-up survey to see how patients like yourself are getting on. I should be most grateful for your reply. Please can you complete the answers to the following questions: (1)
Did you receive help with your ailment within four weeks after consulting me for the first appointment? ? Yes ? Moderate ? No
(2)
Did the improvement persist subsequently? ? Yes ? Moderately ? No
(3)
How are you now? ? Well ? Some symptoms now and again ? Unwell most of the time
(4)
Do you still need to keep to the diet, if recommended, to keep well? ? All the time ? Most of the time ? Not at all
(5)
Do you need regular (NHS) drug treatment to help with your ailment? ? All the time ? Now and again ? Not at all
(6)
Do you need to take homoeopathic medicine to help you? ? Regularly ? Occasionally ? Not at all
Thank you for your assistance. I shall be pleased to study your reply. Yours sincerely
Anthony D. Fox
90
British Hom~eopathic Journal
TABLE 1. Age and sex distribution
TABLE 3. Other symptoms
Age
n
%
0-10 11-20 21-30 31-50 51-60 61 +
6 3 10 20 11 20
9 4 14 29 16 29
Male 18 (20%)
Female 52 (80%)
I decided early in 1991 to re-assess the efficacy of my method in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) problems who had first been seen by me in 1989. A total of 90 patients were sent a questionnaire. (Box 1) I received a total of 70 replies. 18 did not reply. 2 were returned by the Post Office (address unknown). I made a considerable effort to obtain replies and sent a second letter to people not replying the first time. Age and sex distribution is shown in Table 1. A wide variety of G! symptomatology was encountered suggesting involvement of all levels of the G I tract from oesophagus to rectum (Table 2). This included previously diagnosed peptic ulcers, Crohn's Disease (2 patients), ulcerative colitis (2 patients). The majority of patients were in the dysfunctional category. Many associated symptoms were also reported (Table 3). Food allergies detected on Vegatesting are summarized in Table 4. Response to treatment is summarized in Table 5, continuing treatment in Table 6. The 22 who are currently well (Table 5) are all the same patients who are still keeping to their diets all the time (Table 6). All the 11 patients who are unwell most of the time now (Table 5) need regular conventional drug treatment all the time now (Table 6). They represent my true failures. TABLE 2. Primary diagnosis
Irritable bowel syndrome Colitis (loose definition) Diverticulitis Pancreatic disease Crohn's disease Coeliac disease Oesophageal reflux/hiatus hernia Ulcerative colitis Gallstones/colic
n
%
33 17 6 4 2 2 2 2 1
47 24 9 6 3 3 3 3 1
Skin disease URTI, sinusitis Arthritis Headaches, migraine Asthma Back problems General malaise Hayfever Angina, heart disease Hernia Anaemia Anxiety Behavioural Bladder Depression Kidney Menopausal Tinnitus Cramp Hypertension Hyperactivity Iritis Thyroid Vertigo
n
%
11 9 7 7 6 5 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
14 13 10 10 9 7 7 7 6 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1
Discussion
A possible criticism of my survey is that my sphere of interest has been too wide. I have not focused down on a particular pathology. But I am a general physician and this survey is how conditions present. It is a representative sample of one aspect of my work. TABLE 4. Food allergies detected by Vegatest and consultation
Milk/dairy Red meat Food additives Wheat/oat/barley/rye Chocolate/tea/coffee/cocoa Yeast Sugar Egg Alcohol Chemicals Citrus/fruit Onion Chicken Fish/shellfish Tomatoes/potatoes Almond Brassica
n
%
38 35 25 24 16 12 11 9 7 5 5 5 3 3 2 1 1
54 50 36 34 23 17 14 13 10 7 7 7 4 4 3 1 1
91
Volume 82, Number 2, April 1993 TABLE 5. Response to treatment in 70 patients who completed the questionnaire Improvement within 4 weeks of initial consultation
subsequently
30 (34%) 20 (29%) 20 (29%)
35 (50%) 18 (26%) 17 (24%)
Yes Moderate No
Current status Well S y m p t o m s now and again Unwell most of the time
22 (31%) 37 (53%) 11 (16%)
TABLE 6. Current treatment
All of the time Most of the time Not at all
Diet
Conventional treatment
Hom~eopathy
22 (31%) 31 (44%) 17 (24%)
13 (19%) 19 (27%) 38 (54%)
13 (19%) 28 (40%) 29 (41%)
Assuming that patients who did not reply did not respond to treatment, 50 out of 90 (55%) maintained their improyement. Perhaps if they had kept more strictly to the diet more patients would be symptom-free. The 22 who are well now keep strictly to the diet all the time. I therefore conclude that the methods I use are of benefit to the patients I have seen. Clearly, however, there is room for improvement. References 1 Multiple authors. Motility Disorders--Cinderella of the Gut. Mimms Magazine 1991; 18: 24-33. 2 Dickey D. Clinical Ecology Office Manual Procedures. 5th Edition 1950. 3 Dickey D. Clinical Ecology. Springfield II1.: C.C. Thomas 1980.
Address for correspondence Dr A. D. Fox 54, Barton Court Avenue Barton on Sea New Milton Hants. BH25 7HG
4 Brostoff J, Challacombe S. Food Allergy and Intolerance. Fort Collins Col.: Dickey Enterprises. 5 Schimmell H W et al. Short Manual of the Vegatest Method. Schiltach, Germany: Vega Grieshaval GmbH. 6 Tsuei J J, Lechman CW, Lamb FMK, Zhudh. A Food Allergy Study Using the EAV Acupuncture Technique. A m J Acupuncture 1984; 12: 105-16. 7 Krop J, Swiicezek & Wood. A Comparison of Ecology Resting with the Vega Test Method in Identifying Sensitivities to Chemicals, Foods and Inhalants. A m J Acupuncture 1985; 13: 256-60. 8 Fox AD. Determination of the neutralizing point for allergic hypersensitivity. Br Hom J 1987; 76: 230-34. 9 Fox AD. Milk Intolerance and Vegatest Diagnosis. Biol Ther 1991; 9: 127-30. 10 Schimmell HW. Dysbiosis--An Overview. Private publication. 11 Schimmell HW. Causal Chains and their Importance in Bio-Energetic Medicine. Private publication. 12 Neustaedter RC. Critique of the Bowel Nosodes. Br Hom J 1988; 77: 108-41.
General practice management of gastrointestinal problems assisted by Vegatest techniques A N T H O N Y D. FOX Abstract
90 patients first seen by me in 1989 in whom the primary problem was in the gastrointestinal system were sent a questionnaire to assess a) their immediate progress in 1989 and b) how they have progressed since then. All were assessed for possible food intolerance and the relevant biological medicine using the Vegatest system. Of the 70 patients who replied, 30 (42%) did well initially, 59 (84%) are much improved compared to before treatment. Many had symptoms affecting other organs. A wide range of non-tolerated foods were encountered. KEYWOr~OS: Gastrointestinal disease; Survey; Food sensitivity; Diet; Homeeopathy; Vegatest
activity in animals and humans. 6'7 He found that the electrical energy was especially high at points otherwise recognized as acupuncture points. It is possible to measure changes due to disease states before and after cell damage. A development of this method is very useful to determine substances which are biologically incompatible with the organism. This includes not only toxins but also substances to which the organism is hypersensitive. Schimmell's Vegatest, like Voll's Dermatron, is basically a Wheatstone bridge, a standard circuit for comparing resistances. (See Fig. 1) The technique is relatively simple in principle but requires a lot of learning and skill in application. The patient and the operator are both seated close to the machine. The patient must be stressed before testing with a piezo electronic stimulator. The patient holds the electrode in his/her dominant hand. The operator then applies a stylus to a suitable acupuncture point. This can be done at many different points, including Allergy 1 or Triple Warmer 1, on either the hand or the foot of the other side. Initially, a normal reading is established on the indicator scale. Light pressure is applied by the stylus to obtain a scale reading of 100. This procedure is facilitated by calibration of
Introduction
Gastrointestinal symptomatology is a frequent cause of consultation with physicians in the UK. Extensive X-ray, endoscopic and pathological laboratory investigations are available to most of the population through the National Health Service. 1 The waiting time for such investigations can be more than 3 months. However, in Hampshire and Wiltshire, where I work, a high percentage of the patients who have consulted me have been fully investigated by conventional methods. Despite this service, a considerable portion of patients still have chronic symptomatology, malaise and continuing treatment. Some of these patients consult physicians such as myself. At least 90% of patients who consulted me had prior investigation within the National Health Service. For 13 years I have been interested in investigating allergic and food intolerance problems. 2'~'4 Approximately 8 years ago, I came across the Vega testing system which I have found extremely useful from a clinical point of view. The method is based on extensive bioelectronic researches by Dr R. Voll and other German doctors including Dr H. Schimmell) Voll developed a bio-energetic regulatory technique for measuring biological electrical 87
88
British Homoeopathic Journal
VEGATESTI II III
/
/
f
machine honeycomb
o
] 81
rheostat
8S JO0 00081
o
000
Measurement e Allergy 1, right or left \ Connective tissue degeneration 1 right or left Triple*warmer 1 right or left
placed in the machine honeycomb, an indicator drop will be observed. Then when a sample of a suitable biological medicine is placed in the honeycomb, the indicator returns to normal. Medicine can be checked for tolerability by the patient by placing a sample of Manganum D30 (= 30x) on the honeycomb. If non-tolerated the needle will not go up to 100. Likewise, the sample medicine can be checked for efficacy by placing a sample of Ferrum met. D12 (= 12x); if not effective, the indicator will not go up to 100. Schimmell has stressed the importance of normal functioning population of microorganisms in the bowel. Abnormal function has a disturbing effect not only on bowel function but on the whole functioning of the b o d y . l~
Method
measuring
s
Applied to hand/foot of patient by operator
g'~: hand Held by dominant hand of patient
Figure 1. The Vegatest system.
the machine with a Disorder Control (usually a cadmium battery) placed on the machine plate. With the battery in place, the reading on the machine should be between 60 and 80. The patient is then ready for testing. Samples of the substance to be tested are in turn placed in the machine's honeycomb. A positive response is a reading reduced from 100; the stronger the response, the lower the reading. Intolerance can be checked by placing an ampoule of Zincum D200 (= 200x) in the machine with the suspect substance. If there is intolerance, the reading will be restored to 100. If there is no intolerance, the indicator will remain between 60 and 80. Test results can be confirmed by taking a careful history. The patient can then directly confirm or exclude the possible hypersensitivities. The method is quick and painless to the patient; there are no needles. 30 or more items can be tested in 10 minutes. The method can also be used to determine the neutralizing point for an allergen. I have described this technique in another p a p e r y Efficacy of medication can also be assessed. Briefly, if an appropriate organ sample is
I use a combination of appropriate diet as selected by consultation and Vegatest and biological/homceopathic medication. Vegatest is also used to assist prescription. I generally use a single hom~eopathic medicine. Patients then either return to see me after a month or telephone or write to me. If they are considerably improved, it is likely they will not need further medication apart from perhaps food neutralizing medicine for the appropriate food. Calibration Individual value setting with minimal pressure ( 150 g) of 100 Schimmel Units (SU)
50
0
~
00
Measurement Reduced reading on putting organ ampoule into circuit: (a) 50 SU or less = severe organ stress/incompatibility (b) 95 50 SU = slight organ stress/incompatibility
5O
0~00 Figure 2. Vegatest calibration and mesurement.
89
Volume 82, Number 2, April 1993
Box 1. Questionnaire Dear You kindly consulted me for your bowel/abdominal/gastrointestinal problem approximately two years ago. I am doing a check-up survey to see how patients like yourself are getting on. I should be most grateful for your reply. Please can you complete the answers to the following questions: (1)
Did you receive help with your ailment within four weeks after consulting me for the first appointment? ? Yes ? Moderate ? No
(2)
Did the improvement persist subsequently? ? Yes ? Moderately ? No
(3)
How are you now? ? Well ? Some symptoms now and again ? Unwell most of the time
(4)
Do you still need to keep to the diet, if recommended, to keep well? ? All the time ? Most of the time ? Not at all
(5)
Do you need regular (NHS) drug treatment to help with your ailment? ? All the time ? Now and again ? Not at all
(6)
Do you need to take homoeopathic medicine to help you? ? Regularly ? Occasionally ? Not at all
Thank you for your assistance. I shall be pleased to study your reply. Yours sincerely
Anthony D. Fox
90
British Hom~eopathic Journal
TABLE 1. Age and sex distribution
TABLE 3. Other symptoms
Age
n
%
0-10 11-20 21-30 31-50 51-60 61 +
6 3 10 20 11 20
9 4 14 29 16 29
Male 18 (20%)
Female 52 (80%)
I decided early in 1991 to re-assess the efficacy of my method in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) problems who had first been seen by me in 1989. A total of 90 patients were sent a questionnaire. (Box 1) I received a total of 70 replies. 18 did not reply. 2 were returned by the Post Office (address unknown). I made a considerable effort to obtain replies and sent a second letter to people not replying the first time. Age and sex distribution is shown in Table 1. A wide variety of G! symptomatology was encountered suggesting involvement of all levels of the G I tract from oesophagus to rectum (Table 2). This included previously diagnosed peptic ulcers, Crohn's Disease (2 patients), ulcerative colitis (2 patients). The majority of patients were in the dysfunctional category. Many associated symptoms were also reported (Table 3). Food allergies detected on Vegatesting are summarized in Table 4. Response to treatment is summarized in Table 5, continuing treatment in Table 6. The 22 who are currently well (Table 5) are all the same patients who are still keeping to their diets all the time (Table 6). All the 11 patients who are unwell most of the time now (Table 5) need regular conventional drug treatment all the time now (Table 6). They represent my true failures. TABLE 2. Primary diagnosis
Irritable bowel syndrome Colitis (loose definition) Diverticulitis Pancreatic disease Crohn's disease Coeliac disease Oesophageal reflux/hiatus hernia Ulcerative colitis Gallstones/colic
n
%
33 17 6 4 2 2 2 2 1
47 24 9 6 3 3 3 3 1
Skin disease URTI, sinusitis Arthritis Headaches, migraine Asthma Back problems General malaise Hayfever Angina, heart disease Hernia Anaemia Anxiety Behavioural Bladder Depression Kidney Menopausal Tinnitus Cramp Hypertension Hyperactivity Iritis Thyroid Vertigo
n
%
11 9 7 7 6 5 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
14 13 10 10 9 7 7 7 6 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1
Discussion
A possible criticism of my survey is that my sphere of interest has been too wide. I have not focused down on a particular pathology. But I am a general physician and this survey is how conditions present. It is a representative sample of one aspect of my work. TABLE 4. Food allergies detected by Vegatest and consultation
Milk/dairy Red meat Food additives Wheat/oat/barley/rye Chocolate/tea/coffee/cocoa Yeast Sugar Egg Alcohol Chemicals Citrus/fruit Onion Chicken Fish/shellfish Tomatoes/potatoes Almond Brassica
n
%
38 35 25 24 16 12 11 9 7 5 5 5 3 3 2 1 1
54 50 36 34 23 17 14 13 10 7 7 7 4 4 3 1 1
91
Volume 82, Number 2, April 1993 TABLE 5. Response to treatment in 70 patients who completed the questionnaire Improvement within 4 weeks of initial consultation
subsequently
30 (34%) 20 (29%) 20 (29%)
35 (50%) 18 (26%) 17 (24%)
Yes Moderate No
Current status Well S y m p t o m s now and again Unwell most of the time
22 (31%) 37 (53%) 11 (16%)
TABLE 6. Current treatment
All of the time Most of the time Not at all
Diet
Conventional treatment
Hom~eopathy
22 (31%) 31 (44%) 17 (24%)
13 (19%) 19 (27%) 38 (54%)
13 (19%) 28 (40%) 29 (41%)
Assuming that patients who did not reply did not respond to treatment, 50 out of 90 (55%) maintained their improyement. Perhaps if they had kept more strictly to the diet more patients would be symptom-free. The 22 who are well now keep strictly to the diet all the time. I therefore conclude that the methods I use are of benefit to the patients I have seen. Clearly, however, there is room for improvement. References 1 Multiple authors. Motility Disorders--Cinderella of the Gut. Mimms Magazine 1991; 18: 24-33. 2 Dickey D. Clinical Ecology Office Manual Procedures. 5th Edition 1950. 3 Dickey D. Clinical Ecology. Springfield II1.: C.C. Thomas 1980.
Address for correspondence Dr A. D. Fox 54, Barton Court Avenue Barton on Sea New Milton Hants. BH25 7HG
4 Brostoff J, Challacombe S. Food Allergy and Intolerance. Fort Collins Col.: Dickey Enterprises. 5 Schimmell H W et al. Short Manual of the Vegatest Method. Schiltach, Germany: Vega Grieshaval GmbH. 6 Tsuei J J, Lechman CW, Lamb FMK, Zhudh. A Food Allergy Study Using the EAV Acupuncture Technique. A m J Acupuncture 1984; 12: 105-16. 7 Krop J, Swiicezek & Wood. A Comparison of Ecology Resting with the Vega Test Method in Identifying Sensitivities to Chemicals, Foods and Inhalants. A m J Acupuncture 1985; 13: 256-60. 8 Fox AD. Determination of the neutralizing point for allergic hypersensitivity. Br Hom J 1987; 76: 230-34. 9 Fox AD. Milk Intolerance and Vegatest Diagnosis. Biol Ther 1991; 9: 127-30. 10 Schimmell HW. Dysbiosis--An Overview. Private publication. 11 Schimmell HW. Causal Chains and their Importance in Bio-Energetic Medicine. Private publication. 12 Neustaedter RC. Critique of the Bowel Nosodes. Br Hom J 1988; 77: 108-41.