The primary physiological consideration in the condition known as diabetes mellitus seems to be a malfunction in the pancreas gland with ramifications that extend through its coordination with the liver.  At times there seems to be a stimulation in the functioning of the gland as a whole, at other times a sluggishness.  There is a tendency in the pancreas, in both of these conditions, to create too much sugar and to handle the carbohydrates in such a way that they also form an excess of sugar.

    In the causation of diabetes is a disturbance of certain cerebrospinal centers which are associated with the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth dorsal sympathetic ganglia.  These "pressures in specific centers" of the nervous system give an impulse to the liver and pancreas primarily and apparently also to the spleen.  This impulse may be one of stimulation because of the pressure or it may be one of creating a sluggishness.  The type of injury or muscular spasm or degree of incoordination of the nervous system itself probably mediates what type of impulse will be sent out from the centers.

    In nearly every case the disturbance in the autonomic ganglia brings about the greater imbalance through the pancreas and the circulation and the coordination between the liver and the pancreas.  This, in essence, causes the condition of glycosuria and what we commonly know as diabetes.  Then these conditions of excess sugar in the blood bring about other strains and incoordinations in the system, creating other difficulties within the body.

    We find also that the assimilations of the body can become disturbed and create an incoordination between the assimilations and the eliminations.  In one particular case, such an incoordination created a lower bowel stasis with improper eliminations, which in turn created a strain to the liver and caused the circulation, especially in the left lobe of the liver, to be sluggish. (953-1) The liver the . n became principally excretory in its function rather than secretary as it should be.  This malfunction of the liver caused the Peyer's patches and other local lymphatic vessels and centers to cease production of substances which recreated blood elements, in this case probably the lymphocytes.  Thus the circulation lacked new blood, which taxed the cerebrospinal centers in the autonomic nervous system.  This created unusual nerve impulses to the pancreas and the liver, and gradually the condition of sugar in the bloodstream.

    This impulse of an aberrant nature coming from the sixth, seventh, eighth, or ninth dorsal ganglia might be considered as reacting on the hepatic circulation or causing a tendency for imbalance or sluggish or "cold" circulation in the liver and pancreatic area.  It would sometimes undoubtedly aggravate the pancreas.  It can be seen that these would create varying types of manifestations associated with the diabetic.  This is nearly always the physiology.

    A dysfunction of the pancreatic-liver circulation might create an excess in the kidney function with a subsequent strain on the heart because of the accumulation of body metabolites.  Likewise, improper assimilation might be brought into being with reflexes to the nerve supply, to the prostate, or to the heart and lungs and sometimes to the locomotor nerve centers of the system, causing difficulties in all or parts of these areas.

    The excessive pancreatic activity in some instances would produce obesity.  The starch and sugars prevent the normal functioning of the liver and sometimes create an excessive kidney function with a subsequent heaviness in the bloodstream and an increase in the red blood cells with a decrease in the white.  Some consequences of this condition might be anticipated as a result of the system trying to adjust itself.  This would make for a type of normalcy but it would be apart from the true normal functioning of the body and would probably create a depression of nervous and mental function and unusual emotional responses to some degree.
 

II.  Rationale of Therapy

    In approaching therapy, we should remember that the body has a capability of normal function:

    Thus, we would administer those activities which would bring a normal reaction through these portions, stimulating them to an activity from the body itself, rather than the body becoming dependent upon supplies that are robbing portions of the system to produce activity in other portions, or the system receiving elements or chemical reactions being supplied without arousing the activity of the system itself for a more normal condition.   (1968-3)

    The therapy for diabetes mellitus should be directed at correcting the basic physiological malfunctions.  Again, it is important to remember that this should be done gradually, not changing other therapies abruptly, especially where insulin has been used.  Attention should be paid to correcting the sugar-forming condition within the pancreas and this should be done in conjunction with correcting the causation.  A diet should be adhered to which would help restore the normalcy of the pancreas and the liver.  Any attendant conditions such as gastrointestinal imbalance and an incoordination between the cerebrospinal and the autonomic nervous systems should likewise be cared for.

    In this manner, the original cause would be corrected and should remain corrected.  The pancreas itself would be gradually restored to normal and the other conditions which pre-exist the change in the pancreas and those which come as a result of the pancreatic malfunction would gradually normalize.
 

III.  Suggested Therapeutic Regimen

    Undoubtedly, diabetes exists without the definite subluxations of the vertebrae which have been named.  In these cases, however, abnormal autonomic impulses still appear to be coming to the pancreas.  Thus it would be advisable in all cases of diabetes, since we cannot always appraise the need for this type of therapy, to institute a course of osteopathic manipulations and adjustments.  Specific adjustments of these particular vertebrae should be made as well as general adjustments.  They should be given in series, six to eight at a time, perhaps with a rest, and then another six to eight.  They should coordinate the fourth lumbar with the third cervical in conjunction with the dorsal vertebrae that are being treated.  It is important to remember that a pressure might be alleviated, but correct flow of nerve impulses cannot come about consistently unless the balance is maintained over a period of time.  This is why more than one treatment is necessary.

    Diet is highly important.  From 3086-1, we see that the diet has more to do with the reactions obtained than almost any other application.  Jerusalem artichokes are suggested in every case of diabetes.  These provide a type of insulin material for the body which helps restore normal function of the pancreas.  These should be taken in varying amounts of perhaps three a week or, if the case is more severe, one a day for five to six days a week.  They should be cooked - one artichoke about the size of a hen's egg - in Patapar paper, prepared with the juices and eaten in that manner.  If they are taken five or six days a week they should be used raw one day and cooked the next.  From reading 1878-1, "for taking the artichoke - especially this Jerusalem variety-is using insulin but in a manner that is not habit-forming, and is much more preferable - if it is governed properly - with the rest of the diet."

    The Jerusalem artichoke or Helianthus tuberoses, also called the gerasole, is unique in that it stores its carbohydrates as inulin or inulides (which yield levulose on hydrolysis) rather than as starch (which yields glucose).  The levulose is not as harmful to the body in diabetes as is glucose.  Medical opinion has been divided on its use.  For sake of reference, it is noted that insulin is a protein hormone, inulin is a plant-derived fructose polysaccharide, while glucokinin is a hormone-like substance obtained from plants which will produce hypoglycemia in animals and will act on depancreatized dogs in a manner similar to insulin.  Some plants contain glucokinin, but apparently this has not been demonstrated yet in this type of artichoke.

    Otherwise, in the diet, it should be advised that one eat no red meats, not too much sweets, not too much meats, less starch, no white sugar, no white bread.  Pastries, pies, etc., should be markedly decreased.  Coffee or tea should not be taken more than once daily.  Fish or fowl should be eaten in small amounts; there should be much of leafy vegetables in the diet, but very little of the pod variety; no vegetables grown below ground with the exception of oyster plant, carrots, or beets occasionally (and the beet should be taken with the beet top).  No fried foods should be eaten.

    After osteopathic adjustments have been started, then Atomidine could be begun in small amounts - for instance, one drop twice a day, increasing one drop daily for the next eight days until five drops are being taken twice daily.  Then, decrease one drop per day until the original dosage is reached.  Rest a week or two.  Then repeat this regimen three or four times.  Atomidine cleanses the glands and the glandular forces of the body.

    The balance of the assimilation and elimination should be established through one of several prescriptions.  There are two prescriptions in reading 674-1 whose purpose is "to keep the eliminations, and is as an active force producing with the liver and the hepatic circulation an increasing of the lymph without disturbing the activities of the spleen and pancreas secretions." The following prescription should be used to create a balance in the assimilation and to rejuvenate the excretory function of the emunctories (lacteals, Peyer's patches, and excretory ducts and organs).

    To one gallon rain water or distilled water add eight (8) ounces of clary flower (garden sage).  Reduce by simmering, not boiling, to one quart.  Dissolve four (4) ounces of beet sugar in just enough hot water to dissolve it.  Then add - while warm - to other solution.  Dissolve fifteen (15) gr. ambergris in one (1) oz. of grain alcohol and add to solution.  Then add: grain alcohol, four (4) ounces; oil of juniper, fifty (50) minims, balsam of tolu cut with alcohol, three (3) drams.   (674-1)

    Directions: One dessertspoonful three times a day. (953-1; see also 730-1 and 767-1.)

    Other medications should not be taken with the exception of insulin, which may already be a part of the routine.  This should be slowly decreased in dosage until not used at all.  Caution should be made here that blood and urine determinations guide the gradual discontinuance of the insulin.

    Vitamins should rarely be used.  From case [5345], we see that when there is applied those elements even in the forms of vitamins alone they are against the activities of the liver, the spleen, especially the pancreas as related to conditions."

    Should we not attempt to awaken the inner forces to God's presence?  "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 William A. McGarey, M.D. and is excerpted from the Physician's Reference Notebook, Copyright © 1968 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation, Virginia Beach, VA.]