OVERVIEW OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)

I.  Physiological Considerations

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is defined as a degenerative disease of the pyramidal tract and lower motor neurons, characterized by motor weakness and the spastic condition of the limbs associated with muscular atrophy, fibrillary twitching, and final involvement of nuclei in the medulla.  It is one of a group of diseases of the motor system of the body, the etiology of which is and continues to be a mystery from the medical standpoint.

    The single case included in this file, a 33-year-old man, had symptoms consistent with this definition.  His walk was slow and unsteady and he needed crutches.  His muscles were twitching and one arm was beginning to atrophy.

    In the readings, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is treated much in the same manner as multiple sclerosis, and the readings give a similar cause in both conditions.

    Physiologically, it appears that some factor influences the body's ability to assimilate certain properties through the intestinal tract.  In this reading these primary causes are not clarified.  Apparently they have something to do with what Cayce in this instance calls karma.  In any event, he pictures the lack of assimilation as creating a deficient of those substances in the bloodstream which will, when they are carried throughout the system, help to replenish and rebuild the nerve muscle forces which are affected.  He sees a necessity for constant rebuilding or regenerating of the cells throughout the body.  The nerve cells controlling muscular activity are no exception and he indicates that the lack is so small that it takes a long period of time for disease to manifest.

    In the cases multiple sclerosis, the lack was gold.  It seems reasonable to assume that here we are also dealing with a lack of gold assimilated in the normal manner through the intestinal tract through those areas that he often pointed out as being primary in these instances - the lacteals.
The primary deficiency apparently causes, then, a gradual deterioration of anterior horn cells, which then results in deficiency in nerve energies that creates the muscular atrophy.  Perhaps this lack contributes to the already present inability of the assimilatory system, by hastening the progress of the disease.  The readings described it in one place as a lack of stamina in the nerve and muscle forces of the extremities.
 

II.  Rationale of Therapy

    In discussing therapy from this single case, the rationale should be explored to some extent.  Much information can be derived from the multiple sclerosis file since Cayce saw so much relationship between the two diseases.

    Cayce suggested that, because the disease is of karmic origin, attitudes must be definitely decided upon by the individual - not merely assumed - as to the activities toward divine influences in the body.  Where karmic influences are present, Cayce always suggested that attitudes must be definitely changed or no therapeutic results would be seen.  He said, "The attitude to be taken should be not merely to be good but to be good for something.  The expression of life is of the Divine.  The Divine is that influence or force called God.  Use same, do not abuse same." (5019-1)

    Thus we would see the necessity of mental activity bringing about a change before the physical application of therapy is begun, and this particular portion must be emphasized in each case.  One directing the therapy can often not properly assess any changes, but the individual who is ill will know within himself and must face the truth of the statement as seen here in the readings.
Primarily because of the deficiency of gold, the wet cell appliance is used to bring cleansing and healing forces to the body "by the radial activity of the low electrical forces." (5019-1) The gold, then, is given by mouth.  It seems reasonable to assume, although not definitely stated in this reading, that gold should be introduced by means of the wet cell appliance in most cases (or perhaps it would have been suggested in a later reading for this particular case had he received a second reading).  This would require the clinical appraisal of the condition by the attending physician, and after a two-month period, if there is not progressive improvement, the gold should replace the Atomidine and camphor through the appliance and the Atomidine might then be given by mouth.

    In order to introduce at this point a better understanding of the disease process, a complete copy of reading 907-1 follows this commentary.  This is on multiple sclerosis specifically but, as already mentioned, probably has a strong bearing on the etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  

III.  Suggested Therapeutic Regimen

    Therapy could be divided into five parts, as follows:

1. First things first - mental attitudes
2. Wet cell appliance
3. Massage
4. Gold taken orally
5. Diet

    In caring for one's attitudes, not enough can be said.  Read Deuteronomy 30 and Exodus 19:5.  Then apply these to your life and thinking.  Cayce suggested these particularly in all those cases where the trouble was deep-set, and was often seen in association with karma and its physical consequences.

    The wet cell with the regular charge was recommended.  Two solution jars are to be used: one with Atomidine, one ounce; and distilled water, two ounces.  The second contains three ounces of spirits of camphor.  These should be alternated, the camphor being used with the attachment at the brachial axis or at the second-third dorsal area of the spine one day; and the Atomidine solution at the fourth lumbar area or the lumbar axis, as Cayce described it, the next day.
Massage should be done gently but thoroughly after the wet cell treatment for a period of 30 to 45 minutes.  It should concentrate on the spinal areas but should start at the toes and proceed upward, including all extremities.  The sciatic center, the lumbar axis, and the brachial center should be attended to especially, using a mixture of olive oil (two ounces), peanut oil (two ounces), and lanolin (1/4 ounce, melted).

    Every third day, one drop of each of the following solutions should be added to 1/2 glass of water and taken immediately: gold chloride solution, one grain per ounce of distilled water; and bromide of soda solution, two grains per ounce of distilled water.

    The diet should be low in carbohydrates, and there should be nothing in it containing alcohol.  An alkaline-forming diet should be followed rather consistently.

    As mentioned earlier, it would be wise to incorporate into the treatment some of the information found in the more extensive Circulating Files on multiple sclerosis.  Most often gold chloride was given via the wet cell appliance.  In some instances it was also taken orally.  Thus, after two months, if regular improvement is not noted, the gold chloride should be started in the solution jar by means of the wet cell appliance.  In this instance the attachment of the copper plate should be at the ninth and tenth dorsals in the spine one day, and at the fourth lumbar the next day.  When this is begun, Atomidine should be given by mouth in a series that would be best suited to the individual.  This would be up to the clinical judgment of the physician.  Atomidine has been used in doses of one drop per day for five days, then left off for a period of time, then taken again.  It has been given one drop a day for five days, then four drops a day for five days, and then five drops a day for five days.  Then it would be left off for a period of one to three weeks, then resumed in the same manner.  It has been given beginning with two drops the first day, three drops the second, and so forth on up to ten drops on the ninth day.  Then it is decreased one drop per day until the original dose of two drops is reached.  Then a rest of several days and the procedure is repeated.

    As all of these factors are brought together into a course of therapy, it must be understood that they need to be followed for a long period of time in order to achieve proper results.  In nerve lesions and rebuilding of nerve tissue, it is only reasonable to assume that a period of time somewhere between one and three to five years would probably be involved in such a case.

    With the rather distressing prognosis to be found in this particular disease, there would be no reason to cease using a program that is constructive in its approach.

"Do these, as we have indicated... Not as rote, but knowing that within self must be found that which may be awakened to the building of that necessary for the body, mentally and physically and spiritually, to carry its part in this experience.  For the application of any influence must have that which is of awakening of the activative forces in every atom, every cell of the divine awakening of the activative forces in every atom, every cell of a living body."  (726-1)

[Note: The preceding overview was written by William A. McGarey, M.D. and is excerpted from the Physician's Reference Notebook, Copyright © 1968 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation, Virginia Beach, VA.]