Cayce Health Database

OVERVIEW OF LEUKEMIA

    The purpose of the research which formed the basis for this report was to study all known cases of leukemia in the Edgar Cayce readings in order to summarize the program of treatment suggested as well as to set forth any etiological factors mentioned.  These data can then be used as the basis for further research in the form of controlled experiments by qualified physicians to determine the worth of the suggestions.  The summary of treatment is not to be taken as an endorsement by the writer.  The validity of the data must be decided by careful subsequent research.  The etiological mechanisms described are meant to be considered as theories to be proved and not facts already established.

    In the indexing of the Edgar Cayce readings, 23 readings given for 11 people have been classified as leukemia.  However, after careful study of the material with subsequent follow-up research, only seven cases (16 readings) show a reasonable certainty of having been leukemia by confirmation with certified photostats of death certificates or hospital record summaries or in the file correspondence with doctors or patients.  The following discussion is based on these seven cases:

• [13]: Acute monocytic leukemia (death certificate), two readings.
• [534]: "Leukemia" (newspaper report), one reading.
• [1174]: Lymphatic leukemia, aplastic stage (hospital record summary), one reading.
• [2456]: Acute lymphatic leukemia (doctor's letter), six readings.
• [2488]: Acute lymphatic leukemia (hospital record summary), two readings.
• [3000]: Leukemia (patient's letter with history and doctor's diagnosis), two readings.
• [3616]: Lymphatic leukemia (patient's letter with doctor's diagnosis), two readings.

• [177]: (Death certificate), two readings.
• [26211: (Death certificate showing results of postmortem), three readings.
• [30071: (Doctor's letter), one reading.
• [5360]: (Patient's letter giving doctor's diagnosis), one reading.

    Etiology of leukemia in human beings, based on present evidence, appears to involve viruses, environmental factors, cell mutations produced by irradiation, chemical agents, genetic influences, and abnormalities of host resistance.  None of these factors has been conclusively shown to be causative, thus the real cause of leukemia remains shrouded in mystery.

I.  Physiological Considerations

    The readings approach the cause of leukemia in a manner that implies more than it says.  Life as we know it is a manifestation of spirit insistent on its being active in a manner determined by the nature of the mind and physical structure of the cells themselves - meaning that life is already present and active.  Implied, then, is that the disturbances which arise are disturbances of the ways in which this life force is manifesting in single structures and in systems throughout the body.  Thus, the readings' approach to etiology of diseases is a physiological one but it assumes initially that the inner forces within the body are spirit in action.

    Thus some of the comments in these readings on leukemia seem to imply that deficiencies of certain elements assimilating into the body basic causative factors.  In other places attitudes of the mind are said to be essential in directing either the recovery in a complete manner or as being causative of the loss of life.  In case [2456], for instance, the individual is told, ". . for, without the desire for the recovery for a purposefulness, little may be fully accomplished." The mind then helps, as Cayce sees it, in directing the final outcome of a given case, as it directs even the function of an individual cell.

    Not a large enough number of cases were available to be able to discern any outstandingly significant pattern in the types of treatments recommended.  In the seven cases some type of liver was suggested in four (2456, 2488, 3000, 3616); UV light with a green glass in three (2456, 2488, 3000); infrared light in two (1174, 3616); beef juice in three (534, 3000, 3616); orange juice in three (2456, 2488, 3616); and Atomidine in three (534, 2456, 3616).  All that can be concluded is that these are the types of treatment most frequently suggested in the small number of cases present in the readings.

    The cause of leukemia was not given in a detailed way, but some general suggestions were advanced.  A disturbance in body catabolism was noted in [3000] and loss of the energies of anabolism (assimilative forces).  "Infection" through the spleen was linked with an excess of destructive forces in the lymph in case [2456].  The nature of this "infection" was not spelled out-whether bacteriological, viral, or some other type of destructive force.  Infection as a medical term would imply some type of disease process able to be transmitted from one individual to another, but the readings did not elaborate.  It is a medical fact that the red cell count decreases and the white blood cell count mounts in leukemia.  In the readings, this destructive process chiefly of red blood cells was linked to an overactivity and "infection" of the spleen.  This "infection" could mean mainly an overabundance of white blood cells, although in [1 174] a "strep in the blood supply" was mentioned.

    The whole process of the disease was said to be caused by a glandular disturbance from unbalanced chemical reactions in the body (2456, cf. 2621 - Hodgkin's).  This could point toward a biochemical cause of the disease.  The reading specifically mentions iodine deficiency.  This could be the rationale for advising iodine trichloride (Atomidine) as a gland stimulant.  In 1174-1 the thyroid gland was mentioned in particular.  A lack of proper activity of the structural portions of the body (3000-3) could refer to the red blood cell-producing capacity of the marrow, especially the ribs (which are mentioned specifically).  These portions of the body could in turn be affected by the glands.  Mention was also made of the activity having become static in the cerebrospinal system centers which control the marrow production from the ribs (2456-2).  Apparently an attempt was made in the treatment to stimulate these centers through ultraviolet and infrared light as well as manual massage.

    The order of cause and effect was indicated most clearly in [2456], in which a lack of iodine in the system was said to cause an imbalance in the glandular forces which in turn caused an "Infection" (or overabundance of white blood cells) in the spleen.  This "infection" in turn caused a disruption of the anabolic-catabolic balance of the body and what the readings described as a "dryness or hardness" of the lymph along the ribs and spine.  Disturbance of the anabolic-catabolic balance then presumably was what affected the marrow and the control of the production of red blood cells via the cerebrospinal centers.  The liver was supposed to provide factors which aided the manufacture of red blood cells.  The mechanism of these cause-and-effect relations was not described.

    It is interesting to note that in one of the four cases of Hodgkin's disease in the readings ([26211, which was called Hodgkin's in the reading itself and confirmed by autopsy) the etiology and treatment is very similar to that discussed above - e.g., etiology: biochemical imbalance; treatment; ultraviolet light with green glass, Atomidine, liver, beef juice.  Reading 1779-5 (monocytic anemia with white blood cells mounting toward leukemia), which was rejected from the above analysis because of insufficient supporting evidence for a definite diagnosis of leukemia, emphasized the spleen and suggested Atomidine as part of the treatment.  These similarities hint at the possibility that perhaps there are some similar underlying biochemical mechanisms having to do with the endocrine glands and the spleen in various diseases of the blood.

II. Rationale of Therapy

    Throughout the cases included here is developed the concept that the cells of the body, even the red blood cells, are brought into structure or are built through several influences.  These influences are those of assimilation, those derived from glandular tissue throughout the body, and probably those taken in through the lungs as what he called once "ozone and carbon forces." The assimilative faculty is primarily those patches of lymphatic tissue which are known as Peyer's patches and associative structure and function.  In other words, the lymphocytes formed in the patches, as they absorb factors from digested food, take as part of their various structure globulins (and other as yet unknown factors) as substances to rebuild the body - as "structural activity." These materials are acted upon by hormones released by glandular tissue, which have been in turn activated by vitamin substances.  These two forces combine with the energies that I would assume were those from the lung, to bring about rebuilding of cells throughout the body.

    Iodine is one of the basic substances which the readings saw as essential to the body and its function.  Thus in [2208] we see the "lack of the cells becoming activated upon by the iodine - that is a part of the structural activity through the system." And in [3003] this particular leukemia arose "from the lack of proper activity of the structural portions of the body, especially through ribs and the spleen and pancreas to react with the digestive activities of the body."

    Again in line with the view of the body as the sum total of physiological processes either coordinated or uncoordinated, the readings saw excessively high white count as an attempt on the part of that portion of the body - the white blood cell forces - to meet the needs in rebuilding the structure as rapidly as it was being destroyed.  Obviously, without the necessary element no adequate solution can be arrived at no matter how many cells are thrown into the bloodstream in such an effort.

    Such an etiology is just a hypothesis, and adequate explanation of a comprehensive nature in one place in the readings is lacking.  However, bringing these various bits of information together helps us understand in what manner and for what purposes therapy was directed.

III.  Therapeutic Regimen (New Area for Research)

    On the basis of the hypothesis just suggested, a method of treatment which was proposed in reading 2208-1 becomes of interest.  One cc of tincture of iodine mixed with some blood taken from the patient and this added to the next transfusion would bring about a cure, if it were to be repeated in the proper sequence.  Animal experimentation is suggested in order to establish proper dosages and proper balance for therapy, but the reading indicates that these methods would be effective in treating any individual case of such nature (myelogenous leukemia).  If such a therapy were to be developed "it will be found that there will be the ability to reduce the percentages of such cases more than 50%."

    With the validity of the readings already established in so many different directions, this last statement is quite exciting and should stimulate interest in testing such a therapy.

A.  Electromagnetic Vibrations

1. Ultraviolet light.  UV light (mercury quartz) was to be used 40 inches from the body with a green-stained glass plate (at least 10 x 12 inches) suspended between the source of UV light and the body (2456, 2488, 3000, cf. 2621 - Hodgkin’s).  The treatments were to be administered over the dorsal aspect of the body for not more than a total of five minutes and not more than one to one-and-a-half minutes in any one spot with special emphasis to the spleen and rib area.  This treatment was to be given one to two times per day.
2. Infrared light.  In [24561 it was indicated to apply this for 35 to 40 minutes every other day to the cerebrospinal area as a stimulation for the deep therapy produced to the structural portions (bones) along the rib area.  Also in 3616-2 infrared was recommended for the back and the area over or opposite the spleen.

B. Physiotherapy

1. The body was to be massaged with a mixture of grain alcohol and peanut oil along the spine, especially D5, D69 D7 after the ultraviolet treatment. (2456, cf. 2621-1-Hodgkitfs)
2. Osteopathic manipulations were to be given to coordinate D9, the brachial plexus, and the upper cervicals with the sacral and lumbar areas. (2488-1)
3. The wet cell appliance was recommended in the manner that the radio-active appliance was ordinarily used. (See 3000-3.)

C.  Drugs

1. Iodine trichloride (Brand name: Atomidine): The dose was to be started with one to two drops in half a glass of water and then increased stepwise until 5 to 15 drops were being given.  The drug was then stopped for 5 to 10 days when the process was to be repeated. (534, 2456, 3616, cf. 2621 - Hodgkin's)
2. Ventriculin (the intrinsic factor made from animal gastric mucosa and ordinarily used in the treatment of pernicious anemia): No specific dose was mentioned; therefore, the usual adult dose was assumed. (534)
3. Atropine in a dose of 1/80 grain was to be given 3 to 10 minutes before any transfusions. (534)

D.  Transfusions (534, 1174, 2456)

E.  Additions to the Diet

1. Beef juice was to be prepared as follows: Cut a pound of lean round beef into small cubes.  Put the cubes (only the lean, remove all fat) in a covered fruit jar.  Put jar inside a pan of water (water coming to about half the depth of the jar).  A cloth may be put in the bottom, around the outside of jar, to insure not breaking or cracking the jar.  Boil until chunks of beef are thoroughly done.  Strain.  Keep juice in a cool place.  The quantity recommended was two to four teaspoons per day to be taken one teaspoon at a time and sipped slowly so that each sip of the juice could be mixed thoroughly with the juices of the mouth before swallowing.
2. Liver was to be prepared in many different ways but as a general rule as rare as possible.  Also it was supposed to be better to take it by mouth rather than by injections (although liver extract was advised in [2488], cf. 2621 - Hodgkin's).
   • Broiled rare. (3616)
   • Ground and steamed in Patapar paper. (2456-4)
   • Liver pudding(2456-1,3000-3, cf. 2621-1 -- Hodgkin's).  To be prepared as follows:
     • One-half pound ground calfs liver
     • One-half cup blood (which you can get butcher to save from grinding the liver)
     • Butter a pan six inches square and two inches deep.
     • Season the liver with salt to taste and a piece of butter the size of a walnut.
     • Melt and mix with the liver, then pour blood over the liver.
     • Run in hot oven about 10 minutes.
   • Cf. 2621-1 -- Hodgkin's, where liver juice was recommended: To be prepared in the same way as beef juice, but using calf's liver and to be taken in as large quantities as the body could tolerate.
3. Orange juice. (2456, 2488, 3616; cf. 177 - Hodgkin's) The juice was to be squeezed and drunk fresh from tree-ripened Florida oranges - all a person could drink in a day (at least 6 to 10 glasses).

IV.  Summary

1. The small number of cases (seven) does not constitute an adequate sample upon which to base definite conclusions about the worth of the various treatments suggested or the validity of the etiological mechanisms described or implied.  In the cases studied there was poor follow-up in regard to what extent the recommended treatment was actually followed.  Also many of these cases were terminal when the readings were obtained.
2. Although the number of cases is too small to show a statistically significant pattern of treatment which may be taken as normative or average for the readings, hints may be suggested for future medical, scientific, and clinical research which may yield more definite results in regard to etiology and treatment.  One of the most interesting ideas is that a basic lack of iodine interferes with the proper functioning of the endocrine glands and, therefore, affects the biochemistry of the body to cause the disturbance of the spleen and bone marrow which in turn affect the numbers of both red blood and white blood cells.  This suggests a basic biochemical cause of the disease.  Controlled clinical experiments could be conducted to test the value of a treatment regimen consisting of combinations of the most frequently suggested types of treatment in the leukemia readings: ultraviolet light with green glass, infrared light, Atomidine for gland stimulation, and additions to the diet (i.e., liver, beef juice, and orange juice).
3. All of the readings dealing with diseases of the blood, such as the various anemias and Hodgkin's disease, should also be studied in detail to provide a basis for comparison with the treatments recommended and the etiologies suggested for leukemia.

    Understanding of any disease process is certainly a multifaceted problem, but the more light shed on any problem, the better one is directed toward the answer.  The ideas from the readings, the suggestions for further research, these remind us that the body really is made up of atoms which are units of force and that we are in reality a structured representation of forces in action.  True healing might then be an activity quite foreign to our present concept.

    For all healing comes from the one source.  And whether there is the application of foods, exercise, medicine, or even the knife, it is to bring the consciousness of the forces within the body that aid in reproducing themselves - the awareness of creative or God forces.   (2696-1)

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