The chemic problem in nutrition (magnesium infiltration) : a sketch of the causative factors in disorders of nutrition as related to diseases of the nervous sustem / by John Aulde ... illustrated with four plates.

  • Aulde, John.
Date:
1912
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: The chemic problem in nutrition (magnesium infiltration) : a sketch of the causative factors in disorders of nutrition as related to diseases of the nervous sustem / by John Aulde ... illustrated with four plates. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    neurotic symptoms, running down the line from simple “ nervousness” to neurasthenia, to hysteria, to hypochondria, to melancholia, and including finally all the various types of insanity. (2) To the student conversant with modern physiologic chemistry there is no mystery concerning the origin of the symptoms, or the exact nature of the causative factors— although some will reluctantly admit they knew it all the time, but had forgotten. Briefly, the pathology is technically covered by the observation of Prof. Loew, formerly of the University of Munich, relating to magnesium sulphate, as follows: “ The calcium nucleo-proteids of the organized structures are transformed by the presence of soluble magnesium salts into magnesium compounds, while the calcium of the former enters into combination with the acid of the magnesium salt. By the transformation of organized nucleo-proteids into magnesium nucleo-proteids the capacity for imbibition will change, which must lead to a disturbance in the structure that will prove fatal. Only the simultaneous presence of dissolved lime salts can prevent this effect, according to the law of mass.” Apparently, the calcium is held in loose combination with organized tissue, or its depletion is more easily effected by acids than other inorganic proximate principles, so that the normal cellular activities are suspended, being hindered by magnesium in excess. Actually, lime being a stronger base than magnesia, unites with the acid, while the latter “replaces” the lime in the tissues—as above described. Bearing in mind that this condition will change the capacity for imbibition (absorption), lead to a disturbance in the structure, and further, that it will interfere with the uninterrupted transmission of nerve impulses, the mag¬ nesium infiltration (deposits), acting as a resistance coil to the electric current—which supplies the energy for such transmission—the phenomena attending bowel troubles in children will be readily understood.