The Six Tissue States The E nergetics of Physiomedica lism

by Matthew Wood, A.H.G.

After the demise of Greek medicine in the late seven- sweat baths, lobelia, bayberry and . teenth century, European professional doctors aban- This opened the pores of the skin (Lobelia in/Iata, doned the humoral model of medicine based on the lobelia, sweat baths), removed mucus and food in the four qualities (hot, cold damp and dry). However, they stomach blocking the fire (lobelia, Merica cerifera - continued to practice along similar lines, using words bayberry) and stoked up the heat in the interior llke inflammation or excitation to express the idea of ( spp. - cayenne) (Thomson S, 1825, 43-5; excess heat. These descriptive terms go back in the lit- Wood M, 2000, 88-93). erature to the classical Greek writers. Thomson's system was widely accepted by frontier In the eighteenth century there was an informal people. It was compatible with the way they thought twofold differentiation in the medical literature about the body and medicine. It is inferred in Galenic between an overexcited condition requiring sedation medicine, where a hot medicine "opens the pores of (for which the usual method was blood-letting or the skin," cuts "tough humours" and cherishes "heat in Matthew Wood opium) and understimulation (requiring stimulants, the internal parts" to "expel the humours, by strength- blistering and food). At the end of the century John ening and helping nature" (Culpeper N, 1990, 378). l\,4atthew Wood has been Brown, a leading allopath, formally taught a doctrine The same method (without the qualities and degrees) pract herbalrst for of two basic patterns of disease and two basic thera- a cing was still being taught in medical school in New peutic methods: sedation and stimulation. over twenty years, and England by one of the most prominent teachers at the The Brownian model continued to influence practical beginning of the nineteenth century, Dr. Nathan Smith. he is a professional therapeutics throughout the nineteenth century. Dr. A student, Dr. Beal P. Downing (Downing BB 1851, member of the AHG. John Scudder (1829-1893) the leader ofthe eclectic 163), writes: school, practiced "according to the classification of He is the author of three I received a part of my htowledge of cure and disease e.xcess, defect and pewersioir." (Scudder JM, 1874, of the great Dr. Smith, who lectured and dissected at books on herbal 242). He also used a wide array of different terms to Dartmouth College, in ltlew Hampshire, forty years Herbq describe different energetic patterns, as did other doc- medicine: Seven ago. He told me that a sweat at the commencement of tors, including : irritation, congestion, hyperemia, exci- (1981), a patient than all the medicine in as Teachets tation, contraction, enfeeblement, depression, atony, afever was better for

Vrtalism, formeily activity, want of activity, etc. (Scudder J1874, 6l-'73).

The Magical Staff Folk healers, left to their own devices, also simplified the Greek humoral model. The two polarities of hot (1993) and lhe Book and cold appear in both Latin and English America. of Herbal Wisdon The medical system originated by Samuel Thomson (1169-1843), the popularizer of herbalism in early (1997). He lives in nineteenth century America, is based upon these polar- lV nnetrista, N,4N. ities.

Thomsonian Energetics o- Thomson taught a simple energetic system suitable to c c American frontiersmen and women. The body was o .g compared to a "fountain" or "stove" from which heat U was generated outwardly to warm the room. If the E (the pores the skin were = periphery was blocked of f closed), heat would build up in the interior. If, on the ! other hand, the fire in the stove started to die down, the c fire could not reach the surface and there would be a cold condition in the room or body. Sometimes the !: fought back against the cold coming E heat in the center o in from the outside, creating symptoms of heat alter- I o nating with chills. (This was a very frequent symptom c o people. was usu- '6 encountered by American frontier It .!1 yellow fever or malar- E ally associated with influenza, o ia.) From these simple observations Thomson deduced d that there were three basic patterns of imbalance in the Top left, Alva Curtis; top right, Wm. H. Cook; organism: hot, cold and alternating hot/cold. His gen- bottom left, T. M. Lyle; bottom right, eral remedy for all imbalances was a combination of Physio-Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.

28 Spring/Summer 2OO2 HEstory end Fhnilosophy

the shops; for, says he, sweat opens the pores. Then name of the school from Thomsonianism to give physic [purgatives] and strengthening bitters. It is Physiomedicalism to avoid problems with the posses- all that is wanted in the early stages of a fever. sive and litigious founder. He modified Thomson's tri- partite differentiation of disease (hot, cold and The same basic method was used by the American hot/cold) by reference to modern science. He noted Indian people with whom Downing studied after leav- that biology (then and now) teaches that there are three ing Dartmouth: basic ways in which living tissue or cells react to stim- ulation: excitation, contraction and relaxation. As a I was among the Indians in the West [i.e., Midwest] consequence, there are three basic disease states: over- four years, and did not Jind but one down with a fever; stimulation, over-contraction but sow mony sweatingthemselves over ahot stone, by and over-relaxation, There three "whatev- turning water on it, and covered with a blanket. Fever are also basic kinds ofremedies: er invariably, promptly, powerfully and perma- is the same in all countries, and with all classes of the will nently relax, conhact and human species, at the commencement; and the same stimulate, will remove all obstructions to vital action, and cure all forms of dis- thing will cure all, if taken in season. Some ere ease." attacked more violently than others, and then they are alarmed and sendfor the doctor, but he cannot cure it Four imbalances are actually inferred in the Curtis pores unless he can open the ofthe skin, andwarm the model: over-stimulation, under-stimulation, contrac- stomach. Bleeding and giving cold minerals runs the tion and relaxation, This fourfold model is utilized by patient down. contemporary physiomedicalists A. W. and L. R. Priest text Herbal Medication. The second method "opening the pores" and "warm- in their They also recognize the atrophic condition, introduced ing the stomach," is slightly different from the first. It by Thurston as one of the tissue states. (Priest AW, Priest is the method taught by Samuel Thomson, though pos- LR, 1982, 30). sibly it was earlier an Indian method. Thomson himself The Six Tissue States learned his basic ideas from the "widow Benton," a In 1900 Dr. Joseph M. Thurston published an neighbor woman (Thomson S, 1825, 15). ambitious tome called The Philosophy of There was an old lady by the name of Benton lived Physiomedicalism. He realized that the literature of near us, who used to attend our family when there was medicine at that time, both conventional and alterna- any siclmess. At that time there was no such thing as a tive, made frequent references to a number ofgeneral Doctor ktown among us; there not being any within physiological conditions. He counted six such primary ten miles. The whole of her practice was with and conditions or "tissue states," as he called them. , applied to the patient, or given in hot drinks, to Unfortunately, he saddled them with highly obscure y produce sweating; which always answered the pur- nameu. es o ex aggerati o n, v as o c o n s tri c ti on, v ct s o tro - pose. Wen one thing did not produce the desired phesy, vasodilation, vasoatony and vasodepression. lt ffict, she would try something else, till they were would be more accurate historically, and more inform- relined. By her attention to the family, and the bene- ative, to use the terms in general use in the medical lit Jits they receivedfrom her skill, we became very much erature from which Thurston drew: irritation, constric- attached to her; andwhen she used to go out to collect tion, atrophy, relaxation, torpor and depression.Ihave roots and herbs, she would take me with her, and learn further substituted the term stagnation for torpor, me their names, with what they were good for; and I because I believe it will be more easily understood by used to bevery curious in my inquiries, and in tasting a modern audience. every thing Ifound. The information I thus obtained at The six tissue states represent simple excesses or defi- this early age, wcts afterwards of great use to me. ciencies in three basic physiological factors. Irritation Years later, when Thomson was developing his med- and depression correspond to wrongs inthe rate oftis- ical doctrines, he explains how the basic concept he sue function - too fast, too slow Constriction and learned from Mrs. Benton inspired the development of relaxation represent incorrect tension of the tissues - his system of medicine (Thomson S, 1825, 43). too tight, too loose. Atrophy and torpor represent change in Ihe density of tissue - too hard, too soft. Ifound that all disorders which the humanfamily were ffiicted with, however various the symptoms, and dif- These tissue states are widely described in the litera- ferent the names by which they are called, arise direct- ture, and in order to describe them I have drawn from ly from obstructed perspiration, which is always the literature of the great nineteenth century botanical caused by cold, or want ofheat; for ifthere is a natu- doctors ofall schools. I have quoted from them liber- ii. ral heat ffrom the interiorl, it is impossible but that ally to illustrate some concepts At other times I have there must be a natural perspiration. brought them up to date by referring to more contem- porary ideas. I have filled out the descriptions and The followers of Samuel Thomson refined his ideas characteristic indications based upon my own experi- but did not change them. Dr. Alva Curlis altered the ence with this model.

Journal of the American Herbalists Guild 29 (Thurston J, 1900, 267). This condition may result from psychological or physiological tension. When the body is chilled the hypothalamus signals the sympa- thetic to start the shivering mechanism in the extremi- ties to warm up the body. It also stands the hairs on end. If these mechanisms get stuck (which is often the case after influ enza or malaia), the body will get stuck 6 on the syntpathetic side or alternate back and forth =c F between tension and relaxation. Alternating chills and o fever are a characteristic symptom of the constrictive tissue state. These were called "intermittent chills" in A chi ll e a mi ll efo lium (yarrow) the old literature.

Irritation. This tissue state results from "exaggera- Characteristic symptoms are neuromuscular tension, tion of the normal function-rate" of the tissues spasm, rigidity or conwlsion, symptom changes which (Thurston JM, 1900, 263). There is an increase in the are sudden, intermittent, irregular or alternating, chills amount ofblood to the area. This results in increased alternating with fever, diarrhea with constipation, pain availability of blood sugar and oxygen, which acceler- with freedom from pain and a pulse wiry, tense, resist- ates the cellular metabolism. Scudder writes of this ant, hard, blocked or obstructed. There usually is condition, which he calls "excess:" "the condition of aggravation from getting chilled, drinking cold water the part is one of excitation. The symptoms are very or a draft of air. Constriction especially affects the clear - there is swelling, heat, increased sensitiveness, autonomic nervous system, thus the digestion, gall and redness." (Scudder JM 1874, 320) These are the bladder and liver. classic symptoms of inflammation. In modern terms, Plants with an acrid flavor are used in Chinese herbal- irritation would be described as a condition of excess ism to treat wind and chill, conditions equivalent to activity in the cells. Cellular functions metabolic, - constriction. Almost all of the great antispasmodics neurological and endocrinological are elevated. - traditionally used in the Western pharmacopoeia are Characteristic symptoms include temperature rise, acrid: Lobelia inflata (lobelia), Symplocarpus foetidus nervous excitement, restlessness, wakefulness, exces- (skunk cabbage)), Piper methysticum (kava kava), sive movement, irritability, bright eyes, increased Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip poplar), Matricaria () allergic response, heightened sensitivity to pain, ten- recutita (camomile), piperita derness, fever, redness, swelling of the tissues, and Nepeta cataria (catnip). pink-red or carmine tongue and engorgement ofblood Atrophy. Thurston adopted this word from allopathy, pink-red tissue color, an elongated, flame-shaped, indicating a lack of "trophism" or function (Thurston fragili- tongue, excited vascular movements, capillary JM, 1900). In common usage it also describes an pulse. ty, bleeding and a superficial, bounding or rapid underfed withered, weak condition. Both usages are correct, since undernourished tissues lose functional The principal group ofplants which reduce heat or irri- strength. Atrophy should also be associated with dry- tation are usually sour plants containing fiuit acids and ness because water and oil are both necessary for cel- bioflavonoids. This includes many members of the lular nutrition and hormonal influence, both of which Rosaceae family: Rosa canina (rosehip), Fragaria contribute to organ trophism. (strawberry), Amy gdalus p ers ic a (peach), Amy gdalus amare (bitter almond), Crataegus oxyacantha Characteristic symptoms are a tongue that is dry. In (hawthorn), Prunus serotina (wild cherry). Other sour advanced cases it may in addition be narrow, thin, plants are also sedative: Rhus typhina (sumach berry), withered or cracked, but it will always be dry. It can Melissa (), Sambucus spp. (dried elder also be red from heat caused by a lack offluids, or pale flower or berry), Rheum palmatum (rhubarb ), from lack of nufrition. The pulse is usually thin, or Rumex crispus (yellow dock root), Rumex acetosella weak, enfeebled, low, uneven (scrapes along) and (sheep ), Oxalis spp. (wood sorrel) and Hibiscus sometimes weakly tense on one side. Skin is dry and sabdarffi (hibiscu$. An anomalous remedy for irrita- rough, lacking oil or water or both. Skin conditions tion is Achillea millefolium (yarrow). It is aclually a (acne, eczema, psoriasis) are very common. There may stimulant that reduces capillary congestion and heat by be oozing or secreting from the skin as it cracks and enhancing venous return. As a group, stimulants treat opens up, but the general condition is one ofdrJness. the opposite tissue state, depression. The sensation given by dry atrophic skin is like run- ning one's finger across the end of a book. Due to Constriction. When nerves are stimulated they con- weakness of the kidneys there can be edema, but the tract tissues. Ifthese then remain too long in this con- overall condition is one ofdryness. dition there is constriction or tension in the organism. This tissue state is the result of"abnormal contraction Thurston defined remedies for the atrophic condition (clonic spasm) of the neuromuscular system." as "tropho-restoratives." He applied this term to many

30 Spring/Summer 2002 soME coMMoNLY USED MEDICINAL HERBS, THEIR QUALITIES AND ACTIONS 1Qualitf+Degree&fslence.''.f.Otgans,Ta.fgeled r l'OperationsolActionsI , Operations ot Actions ': '. ' ]':'rllteqgtfllnia H.rb Hot & Dry 'lst, Thin, Liver, Spleen, Cleanses, Opens Obstructions Gently Astringent KidneYs, Joints -Agrirony Burdock Cold & Dry Womb Cleanses, Diuretic & Antilithic RooUleaf/Seed 1st Thin WiiO C.r-t S..O lf ot :rd, Ory fhin i Liu"t I] D-r*ti.,Diuretic,Oiuretic, emmenogogueSnti-Lithic,Emmenogogue, Anti-Lithic, lqryi"{"dlrCarminativeFor Fertility & Lgbou]Lgbou1 Herb/Seed Hot 2nd Dry 3rd, Thin Stomach,, Liver, Spleen Thins, Emmenogogue Opens ObstructionsObstru' Carminative, Diuretic

Chamomile Flowers Hot & Dry 1st Thin Brain, Liver,rer, Joints, Thins And DisPersesDisperses Kidneys, Bowels jtl"!:999!",tlutuntEmmenogogue, Relaxant Hot & Dry 2nd Thin Head, Xeartjungs,:art, Lungs, Cleanses,Cleanses. Thins, Softens, Diuretic, Stomach,, wombWomb ET.aogoslle,IrEmmenogogue, For EytrshtEyesight AlqLaqgurAnd LabourLa Elecampane Root Hot & Dry 3rd Lungs, Stomachtomach Diuretic, Emmenogogue, AnthelminticAnthelmin Resists Poison Hot 3rd, Dry 1st Brain, Liver,ver, Carminative, Diuretic, EmmenogogueEmmenogogu Self!9af GalactogogueGalactoqoguealactogogue Feverfew Herb Hot 3rd, Dry 2nd Thin, Bitter Head, Wombromb Cleanses, Purges Yellow Bile & PhlegmPhleg Emmenogoguemmenogogue - rrritory-6.r6 f c"l; & Dry 2.a Bitter, Mod. l H.uo, L*iver, |I op.ntOp.ntopens Obstructionsobstructions Diuretic, nst11991t shlp I Bowels &t Spleen _1 PlrgesPurges alaclBileBlaclBileBlack Bile c.nii.n n*t I not a ory I st-omacir,r, Hearti;.rt -] Cuts, Thins & Cleanses, opensOpens obstrrObstructions, Very Bitter Relaxant,Diuretic, Emmenogogue, ResistsR PoisonPoisot Horehound Herb Hot 2nd, Dry 3rd Bitter Lungs, Liver,iver, Spleen Cuts & Thins, Disperses Cleanses, OpensOp obtructions,Obtructions, Emry!9gosY9Emmenogogue, For Lab911_LabourLal orv 3rd iver Cuts & rhinsSeansesThins, Cleanses Hyssop Herb lg!11 Thin _ ry.S1 LIgt _ l{t' not frd, Dry 1st, Thin, Heart, Stomach,tomach, Kidneys,, Cuts & Thins, Diuretic, Eases Pain, Emmenogogue,EmmenogogE Pungent: Mod. Astringentt Bladder, Womb, Brain Carminative -hlott Li..i.. n""l & Moist lst Mod. Lungs Soothes Respiratory And Urinary PassagesPar , llfinsgntlllh !..ry:' _ f Cleanses, rmollientEmollient yarl'arro1l9o;119ynrry1*"14llln;4*'one4gBladdelI.,.-l-':'.'ollients Bladdel ] !!3ns9s, Leaf Hot & Dry 3rd, Thin Pungent stomachr & Wombwomb styptic,Styptic, DisPersesDisperses Mod. Astringent - Hot & Dry 2nd, Thin, Pungent, Stomach,r, Liver, SpteenSpleen Cuts, Diuretic, Carminative, - RooUleaf/Seed i Mod. Bitter r Emmenogogue OPensOpens Obstructions Plantain Cold & Dry 2nd Head, Lungs,rnqs, Bowels, Cleanses, Repels, Styptic Herb/Root Thick, Astringent Kidneys & Bladder, Wombrb iurslane Herb , Cold & Moist 2nd Stomach,r, Liver, Kidneys, rI Repels Bilious & Hot Fluxes, Styptic Mod. Astringent Bladder, Womb southernwood l-not & Dry 3rd, Thin, T ff.urt Cuts & Thins, Disperses, Cleanses ArAnthelmintic I U.rn Bitter Mod.Astringent Alexipharmic Emmenogogue | ,,.ro^n, wort Herb Hot & Dry 3rd, Thin Joints Diuretic, Emmenogogue I Valerian Root Hot 1st, Dry 2nd, Pungent, Heart, Bowelsiowels Carminative,Carminative. Diuretic,Diuretic. EmmenogogueEmmenooooueEmmenogogr I nstringent, Mod. Bitter I Vervain tterb Hot and Dry 2nd Heats headead kidneys Opening, cleansing I and wombmb I I Wormwood Herb Hot 1st, Dry 3rd Pungent, Stomach,r, Liver, Spleen Cleanses, Purges Yellow Bile, aitter Astringent Opensq" t otstruObstructions cti o ns EmmenogogueE m R9lttllt'ol I !] I T. ry!99!9 I Yarrow Herb Cold & Dry 1st, Astringent Kidneys, Bladder Styptic

26 Spring/Summer 2002 tongue moist, usually pale, round, and sometimes coat- increase secretion in the digestive tract and liver, pro- ed white, less often yellow, pulse non-resistant, in moting tissue activity and nutrition. Excretion from the some cases weakly tense from insecurity, excess colon is also improved. Most of the good laxatives and demands placed upon limited energy resources or sen- cathartics are also bitter alteratives. sory overload. Characteristic symptoms include swollen, flabby, Relaxation is treated primarily by astringents. These boggy, apathetic and weak tissues. There are often strong acids coat the membranes and prevent the loss chronic skin eruptions and other signs ofdifficulty in of fluids. The most prominent are Rubus spp. (raspber- elimination. The tissues show a "want of expression," ry, blackberry), Rhus coriara (), Hamamelis as Scudder remarks. This extends to the face. "The virginiana (witch hazel), Geranium maculatum (wlld patient is dull and apathetic, the eye dull, the face geranium, herb robert), Quercus spp. (oak), Salvia expressionless, the tongue somewhat full, and the fficinalis (sage), Tsuga canadensis (Canadian hem- pulse lacks sharpness in the wave-oppressed" lock) and bayberry bark. The last three are stimuiating (Scudder JH, 1874, 303, 314). The leading physical astringents. symptom ts a tendency to hang-over conditions and because the liver and llrnphatics cannot han- Torpor (Stagnation). The Greeks recognized two feelings, dle healy or toxic foods and excesses ofvarious kinds, types of dampness, one where the fluids were actively including exercise. There are often swollen lymphatics running out of the body and one where they were col- with low immunity or resistance to disease. The liver is lecting. These are equivalent to relaxation and torpor particularly affected when there is a build up of unme- or stagnation. The old English herbalists referred to the tabolized waste producls. Heavy, thick, adhesive latter condition as a "thickening of the humors." Fluids mucus forms and clings to surfaces. The tongue is usu- thicken to produce "humors," "eaIarrh" or "canker." ally apathetic or atonic with a coating that is Membranes associated with such catarrhs are flabby, flabby, thick, turbid and adhesive. The pains oftorpor are usu- stagnant and often inflamed. ally achy and dull, like those ofinfluenza, arthritis or Nineteenth centuy authors added an additional con- over-exertion (a kind of hang-over). Impure "toxins" cept. Due to poor secretion and excretion, there is poor and "humors" can block heat, resulting in conditions tissue feeding and elimination. This results in flabby, where there is heat, chills or lension. weak, undernourished tissues and accumulation of The main alteratives are bitters, burdock root, dande- waste products or "toxins" (some of which are simply lion root, Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), barberry, unused foods). Accumulation of toxin was called "bad and Oregon grape root. The bitter laxatives may also blood," "impure blood" "toxic blood" or "toxemia." be included: Aloe vera (aloe), Rhamnus pershiana The word "bad blood" comes from American Indian (buckthorn), Cassia spp. (senna) and Plrytolacca practice while "impure blood" translates a German decandra (poke root). A number of bitters are better term. "Toxemia" was introduced by Dr. J. Tilden. The known for relieving congestive chills: Eupatorium per- standard remedies for this condition are the "blood (boneset) and Cinchona spp. (quinine). purifiers" or "alteratives." foliatum There are also some non-bitter alteratives such as The old authors were in agreement with the cause of ornata (sarsaparilla), red clover and nettle. this problem. Scudder associated "bad blood" with Most of these plants increase digestion and metabo- lack ofsecretion and excretion (Scudder 1874, 313). I lism because they are sweet nourishers. Yellow dock Thurston concluded that torpor, or "atonicity" as he root is another alterative; it is a sour astringent with a called it, was due to lack of secretion and excretion. little bit of bitter anthroquinone improve peristalsis. This was therefore the tissue state that called for the Both stagnation and atrophy respond to bitters and use of "blood punfiers" or "alteratives" (Thurston JM, nutritives. 1900, 270). Most of these agents are bitters. They Depression. When tissues are understimulated or incapable of responding to stimulation, they are in a depressed state. There is a lack ofoxidation in the cells (the opposite of irritation). Where cellular life is diminished there will be low function, tissue deteriora- tion, collection of waste materials and unused food products. This represents a golden opportunity for bac- teria to feed off superfluous material. These organisms secret toxins which create an environment where there 6 is additional tissue death and the production of pus. =tc Discharges in depression are thus dirty, yellow, green, brown or black. Circulation is usually depressed so that blood, blood sugar and oxygen have a hard time Eup atorium p erfo li atum (bonset)

32 Spring/Summer 2002 Hrstory end Fhf,flosophy

getting to the capillaries and from there to the cells. the traditional and the modern, the practitioner and the The blood is often thick and coagulated with a dark, patient. Most important of all, it is an eminently prac- dusky, bluish or purplish complexion. The extremities tical method for understanding and treating illness. It are usually cold. The great scourges ofhealth - cancer, can be linked with traditional energetic systems with hearl disease, insulin resistance and type II diabetes - the following basic correspondences: are more often found in association with this tissue lrritation Heat Relaxation Damp state. Aberrant tissue growth is more likely when the immune system is depressed. Constriction Wind Torpor Damp Atrophy Dry Depression Cold Characteristic are hands rymptoms cold and feet. The Yin Deficiency Yang Deficiency cold of depression is deep seated. Because depression gives rise to tissue deterioration and bacterial feeding, Thurston understood the great power there is a tendency to a secondary, septic or putrefac- of an energetic system. "If tive heat. This is usually low, not high (as in irritation). He wrote: the student can be made to understand principles Although the skin is inactiye, dry and cool in chronic the of scientific treatment of tis- judgment depression, in acute cases there is usually excessive sue-states. . . his as to prescribing comes to loss offluids through the skin, such as we see in heart him as if by intuition, and can scarcely be wrong" attack or heatstroke. The pulse is deep, weak or slow (Thurston I 1900, 84). This I have found to be unless putrefactive heat sets in, in which case it may absolutely true. The tissue states have helped me to become rapid, low, feeble, weak and non-resistant. Zfte understand what is going on in the body in a far more tongue is usually blue, purple or darkish in some (not concrete fashion than any other method of energetics. usually all) areas, with a heavy yellow or yellow/ This is, I believe, because they are not as abstract and brown coating. The large intestine (subject to toxic metaphysical as the four qualities or the five elements secretion from unhealthy bacteria), the liver (subject to of traditional Chinese medicine. poisoning from toxins), the lymph/immune system (which has to break down pathological cell growths), References blood and nerves are especially damaged by tissue Downing Be 1851 . Reformed Practice and Family Physician. depression. Due to poor peripheral circulation rashes Utica, NY Roberts & Sherman. recede into the interior, inflicting themselves on the Swinburne Clymer R, 1926. The Medicines of Nature, The Thomsonian nerves and viscera rather than coming System. Quakertown, PA: The Humanitarian out through the Society. skin. Retrocession of the rash in small pox was a very Cook WH, 1869. The Physio-Medical Dispensatory. serious problem for the old doctors. Even today it still Originally published, Cincinnatr: by the author, Reprint, occurs in chicken pox and can be fatal. (It also occurs Portiand, OR: Eclectic Medicai Publications, 1985. from vaccination, causing terrible havoc in sensitive Culpeper N, 1654. Culpeper's Complete Herbal & English Physician, Enlarged. First published, Reprint of the 1814 children). The old treatment was to give stimulants London edition. Glenwood, lL: Meyer Books, 1990. (carthamus) to bring out the rash. Fyfe JW, 1909. Specific Diagnosis and Specific Medication. Cincinnatr: Scudder Brothers. Treatment of depression and putrefaction is usually by Kingsbury F, 1925. History of the Town of Surrey, Cheshire warming stimulants: Capsicum spp. (cayenne pepper), County, New Hampshire. Concord: by the author. Curcuma longa (turmeic), Zingibes oficinale (), Priest AW Priest LR, 1982. Herbal Medication, A Clinical and Dispensatory (), Handbook. London: L. N. Fowler & Co., Armoracia rusticana Allium spp. (gar- Ltd lic, onion), Brassica spp. (cabbage, ), Ocimum Scudder )M, 1814. Specific Diagnosis: A Study of Disease. spp. (), sage, Origanum spp. (oreganoi), Thymus Reprint: Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1995. vulgaris (), Xanthoxylum americanum (prickly Thomson S, 1825. New Guide to Health, or, Botanic Family ash), Commiphora mom mol (myrh) and fresh elder Physician. . . to Which is Prefixed a Narrative of the Life and Medical Discoveries of the Author. Second edrtion. Boston: flowers. Fragrant bitters and pine oils also act on by the author. depression by killing parasites and bacteria. Thurston JM, 1900. The Philosophy of Physiomedicalism. Richmond, lN: by the author. There are, of course, interactions between the tissue Wood M, 1992. Vitalism, The History of Herbalism, states. Heat arises from excitation, lack of fluids (atro- Homeopathy, and ilower Essences Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books. phy) or depression producing infection. Constriction can arise from lack of fluids (atrophy), or it can, Notes through sustained limitation of tissue nutrition, induce I do not have any original writings by Curtis. This quo- atrophy. [i] Both atrophy and torpor respond to bitters, tation is from R. Swinburne Clymer (1926,25). A good dis- which are nutritive as well as alterative. cussion of Curtis, system of stimulation, contraction and relaxation is grven by William H. Cook (1869, pp43-5). The six tissue states comprise a model that is compat- ible both with modern science and traditional energetic [ir] An especially good materia medrca, laid out wrth close attention to the tissue states, though never medicine. It is related to the way modern Western peo- defining them, ls John William Fyfe, Specific Diagnosis and Specifrc ple think about their psychological and physical sensa- Medication (1909). This text is avaiiable on Mrchael Moore,s tions and conditions. It thus forms a bridge between website lhttp ://www. rt66.com/h rbmoorel.

Journal of the American Herbalists Guild 33