Homoeopathy cure for soldiers affected with frost

bite.
Chennai.

Scientists have reported homoeopathic remedy to treat frost bite that affects
soldiers stationed in high altitude areas such as Siachen.

Studies undertaken at the Command hospital in Chandigarh six months ago

on 80 soldiers with frost bite showed that homoeopathic treatment based on
an extract of an herb Aloe vera was effective, Dr William Selvamurthy,
Director of New Delhi based Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied
Sciences (DIPAS), told the 86th Indian Science Congress here.

The alcoholic extract of aloe vera, given orally along with two
complementary sulphur and phosphorus based compounds, improved the
condition of all soldiers affected by frost bite, Selvamurthy told delegates at
the environmental physiology section at the congress this morning.

The studies were prompted by encouraging findings in rats in which frost bite
symptoms were experimentally induced and which benefitted from the
homoeopathic remedy.

The animal studies have shown that the aloe vera extract, when given
immediately after exposure to extreme cold, penetrates the cold injured
tissues and makes them warm. There are no signs of cold shock, the blood
vessels dilated and circulated was re-established.

Even when given six days after an attack of frost bite, there was complete
restoration of health.

Victims of frost bite develop irregular circulation of blood, blueness in

tissues, numbness and swollen veins.

Other symptoms include lowered vitality, stinging and burning pain and icy
coldness of limbs.

Another major finding by DIPAS is that inhalation of nitric oxide gas can treat
serious breathing disorders that develop in soldiers and mountaineers in high
altitudes.

The condition is known as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), is

characterized by high blood pressure and decreased oxygen supply.
Rapid ascent to high altitudes, vigorous physical exertion and history of previous
attacks of HAPE increase the risk for developing this disorder.

Studies on 14 patients at High Altitude Medical Research Centre at Leh showed the
inhalation of pure chemically synthesized nitric oxide oxygen relieves HAPE
symptoms, Selvamurthy reported.

A mixture of 50% nitric oxide and 50% oxygen had a better effect, the DIPAS team
found. The two gases probably act on separate but complementary mechanisms to
restore blood pressure.

Selvamurthy said his team was first to use inhaled nitric oxide in patients with
severe HAPE symptoms.

Times of India; January 05, 1999.