Toxic Breasts

BENIGN MAMMARY TUMORS AND INTESTINAL TOXEMIA*
By William Seaman Bainbridge


•Read at the Thirty-third Annual Meeting of the American Association of Obstetricians, Gynecologists, and Abdominal Surgeons, held at Atlantic City, N. J., September 20-22, 1920.


Wow, just wow. It seemed to be well-known, back in the day, that digestion was key. This physician cured lumpy breasts with adjustments in diet, laxatives, colonic irrigation and enemas. He also cured the condition with various surgeries, occasionally removing cysts but in the majority of cases the surgery was abdominal, removing adhesions and generally rearranging the organs and such. I have chosen to include only those cases that were cured by hygienic methods, if you wish you can follow this link and read all about the cases which required surgery:


American Journal of Obstetrics and gynecology, Volume 1



 It is worth noting that Dr. Bainbridge was able to save women's breasts via these abdominal surgeries, in fact saving breasts that had been deemed cancerous by other physicians.







The present paper purposes to record a series of twenty-five eases of abnormal mammary changes apparently caused by autointoxication. When these cases are seen in their early stages the breast condition is often overlooked; when they have developed into a more easily recognized state, frequently a diagnosis of malignant disease is made.


Each of the cases reported herein suffered from a coexistant chronic intestinal toxemia, and the amount of poisoning was reflected, in many instances, in the degree of change in the mammary tissue. When the autointoxication was relieved the breasts either markedly improved or returned entirely to the normal.


These cases classify themselves, more or less, into three groups. 1. Those with a condensation or lobular induration of the upper, outer quadrants of the breasts, usually along the edge of the large pectoral muscle, and where the dependent breast drags on the upper axillary margin. This occurs in both mammae, but more frequently in the left. Such terms as "toxic breasts," "lumpy breasts" or "stasis lumps" are descriptive of this condition. 2. Those cases that have, in addition to the above, and in the same region, localized degeneration with adenomata or cystomata. 3. Those that have an abnormal discharge from the nipple in conjunction with one or the other of the above conditions.


The diminishing of the gastrointestinal fermentation by diet, digestives, intestinal antiseptics, high alkaline colonic irrigations, and certain physiotherapeutic measures, is of distinct value. The use of these agents, together with a support to the breasts and a proper uplifting abdominal corset, often result in a complete disappearance of the breast lumps or tumors. However, some of the cases require surgical intervention of the underlying abdominal condition before the toxic poisoning is sufficiently relieved as to noticeably benefit the breasts.


In those cases where there is a cyst or adenoma in addition to a general lobular condition of the breasts, the removal of the growth and the correction of the intestinal stasis, by medical or surgical means, often result in the mammae becoming completely normal. A preliminary lessening of the general toxic condition, in some cases, materially helped in locating the real existing benign neoplasm, and hence it was made possible to save a considerable amount of curable breast tissue. By this means the patients were saved the mental and physical shock of an unnecessary amputation.


Case 1.—I. I.; age thirty-five; female; single. First seen May 12, 1919. Constipation with usual symptoms of intestinal stasis; backache. On examination, found floating right kidney; general enteroptosis; mass of feces in lower colon; considerable gas in ascending and transverse colon; marked lumpy condition in upper, outer quadrant left breast. Prescribed tonic, laxatives, uplifting corset belt; special abdominal exercises, and general hygienic regime. June, 1920: Patient in excellent health; constipation relieved; no longer any lumps in breast. September 1920, passed examination to enter training school for nurses of large metropolitan hospital.


Case 2.—E. S.; age thirty-three; female; single. First seen September, 1898. Marked constipation; frequent attacks of intestinal gas; distinct lumps in upper, outer quadrant of left breast; nipple normal. Very much worried about cancer. Prescribed diet, cathartics, and support to breasts, with very careful and frequent examination. Six months after treatment was begun lumps in breasts disappeared. For some years, patient noticed that if she became constipated and had "indigestion," there was a return of the lumpy condition. This was relieved by thorough catharsis. August, 1920: Breasts perfectly normal.



Case 3.—J. L.; age thirty; female; single. First seen January, 1919. Subacute attack of rheumatic fever; feet extremely swollen; painful; intestinal indigestion; headaches; nausea; marked constipation. On examination found intestinal stasis; large lumps in both breasts; enlarged glands of neck; swelling of feet and ankles. Prescribed diet; high alkaline colonic irrigations; salicylates, for a short time, cathartics, with physiotherapy as able to take it. September 1920: Under treatment, swelling and pain in joints of feet and elsewhere gradually disappared. Lumps in breasts entirely gone after two months. Twice she allowed herself to become constipated and to be indiscreet with diet and at both times noticed a soreness and distinct lumpy condition of breasts, which disappeared upon resorting to careful treatment.

Case 4.—W. R.; age twenty-eight; female; married. First seen November 27, 1906. Rectal abscess and cyst of perineum removed. In 1919 complained of intestinal gas; loss of weight; constipation; soreness of breasts, worried about cancer. On examination, found gastroptosis; ascending colon and hepatic flexure clogged with fecal matter; considerable gas; distinct lumpy condition throughout breasts, more marked in upper, outer quadrant. Prescribed abdominal and breast supports; laxatives; high alkaline colonic irrigations several times a week; diet; tonic; special exercise. June, 1920: Patient stated she was no longer a "nervous wreck"; when careful of diet and bowels there is no soreness in breasts. Considers herself well. August, 1920: Excellent condition; breasts normal.

Case 5.—A. G.; age forty-eight years; female; married. First seen December 9, 1918. Complained of pain and discomfort in left breast. On examination, found breasts very large, dependent, and the inner quadrant of left one slightly lobulated; no real tumor formation. Prescribed breast support; laxatives, with usual hygienic regime and careful watching. June, 1920: Lumpy condition of breasts entirely relieved—still a little soreness; constipation improved.

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SUMMARY

1. There are definite abnormal changes in the breast tissue, as in the thyroid gland, from intestinal toxemia.

2. Treatment by medical and mechanical means, or surgical intervention for the cure of the intestinal stasis, often means complete return to the normal of the lumpy or toxic breasts.

3. At times it is necessary to remove a definite, localized tumor from the breast, in addition to the above, before the mammary tissue regains its normal texture.

4. Care must be taken that these abnormal changes are not overlooked in their early stages; and not diagnosticated as cancer when well developed.

5. In this connection, an important question must be noted: Would an early recognition of a toxic breast and timely and efficient treatment of the underlying intestinal causes, tend to lessen the danger of malignant degeneration? If this is so, then we have here an important contributory factor in the etiology of cancer of the breast.

Mythbusting 1853~ disappearing testicles and breasts due to iodine

I have found wasting/disappearance of breasts and testicles referred to in old literature although it is always referenced, no first-hand knowledge, such as this:

source: The Elements of Materia Medica, By Jonathan Pereira, 1839


Two most remarkable effects which have been produced by iodine are, absorption of the mammae and wasting of the testicles. Of the first of these (absorption of the mamma;) three cases are reported in Hufelarufs Journal (quoted by Bayle, op. cit. p. 162), one of which may be here mentioned. A healthy girl, twenty years of age, took the tincture of iodine during a period of six months, for a bronchocele, of which she became cured; but the breasts were observed to diminish in size, and notwithstanding she ceased to take the remedy, the wasting continued, so that at the end of two years not a vestige of the mamma; remained. Sometimes the breasts waste, though the bronchocele is undiminished: Reichenau {Christison, p. 180) relates the case of a female, aged twenty-six, whose breasts began to sink after she had employed iodine for four months, and within four weeks they almost wholly disappeared; yet her goitre remained unaffected. With regard to the other effect (wasting of the testicle) I suspect it to be very rare. I have seen iodine administered in some hundreds of cases, and never met with one in which atrophy either of the breast or testicle occurred- Magendie also says he never saw these effects, though they are said to be frequent in Switzerland.

MYTH, busted...

source: Ohio medical and surgical journal, Volume 5, 1853

 By James Henry Pooley



Art. IX.—Remarks on the effects of Iodine on the Glandular System and on the Properties of Kousso,

By Thomas H. Sylvester, M. D., Clapham.

Read at the Anniversary Meeting of the South Eastern Branch.

In our journal the question has been asked whether atrophy or absorption ever takes place in the glandular system from the use of iodine? In answer to this question I would beg the favor of the present members of the Society to allow me to make a few remarks, the result of many years attention to this point. From 1834 to 1844, a great many patients, suffering under secondary and tertiary syphilis, were admitted into St. Thomas' Hospital, more especially under the care of the late Dr. Williams, who had gained a high reputation in the treatment of these morbid symptoms. Most of these patients came under my notice and particular observation, and many of the remarkable cases were entered in my note book, but one instance of atrophy or absorption of the large glands, occurred in our experience. It was thought advisable, on the recommendation of Lugol, to test the efficacy of iodide of potassium in scrofulous enlargement of the glands, and in order to give M. Lugol's method of treatment fair play, a most characteristic specimen of these affections was selected. A young woman, fat, florid, and fair, aged 18, was admitted with suppurating glands at the angle of the jaw, and others approaching suppuration, or hard and inflamed, extending to the chin, were conspicuously prominent. Eight grains of iodide of potassium, in camphor mixture, were prescribed, and steadily administered for six months, without the slightest perceptible effect on the scrofulous mass of glands, and she was presented in much the same state as at her admission. Now it happened that in this girl the breasts were largely developed, but no change was produced in their size by the treatment adopted for scrofulous ailment, notwithstanding the full dose, and the prolonged administration of the iodide.

There were at this period, before the treatment had become generally known, innumerable cases of syphilitic periostitis, in which the iodide of potassium was very successful, and yet we never witnessed atrophy or absorption of either breast or testicle during the use of this remedy. A case of simple hypertrophy of the breast was then made the subject of experiment; eight grains of the drug were taken, steadily and continuously, for three months, but no diminution of the mammae took place.

A boy, aged 12, presented himself with immensely enlarged tonsils, and took the iodide nearly six months, without any impression having been made upon these organs. It would weary you to bring forward further illustration on this subject, and this negative kind of argument, is, I am aware, perfectly satisfactory, and may be destroyed by a single example of the positive power of the remedy in causing absorption of either the breast or testicle; but ten years' observation in a large hospital failed to furnish me with a single proof in favor of the opinion that atrophy or absorption of the glandular system, in its normal condition, arises from the use of iodine in any form. Experience as to the topical application of this powerful agent, involves an inquiry into the effects of friction, stimulation, protection and warmth, and excludes all interference as to its specific property. It must be confessed that enlarged testicles not unfrequently yield to its influence, but it will be found on inquiry, that in these cases the system has been contaminated by the syphilitic poison. The same remark is applicable to chronic induration of the inguinal glands. It is a very remarkable fact that the swelling of the thyroid body in common bronchocele, vanishes under the internal use of iodine, especially the iodide of potassium. The rapidity and certainty of its removal are equalled only by that of the venereal node; and I have sometimes thought that there might be a vital elective attraction between the iodine and the lime, which forms the basis of the nodal tumor, and is, probably the chief element in the thyroid enlargement.

It remains to be explained, how it happens that tumors, enlargements and thickenings of a nature other than have been noticed, disappear under the use, topical or internal, of the remedy in question; the explanation is undoubtedly difficult, but I may be allowed to remark, that there is an absence of permanency in the glands generally, the thyroid disappears spontaneously, the tonsils naturally at puberty, the breasts in advanced age, and sometimes the testicles and ovaries; and there are few practitioners who have not met with cases of absorption of the breast and testicles from some unknown cause, and in morbid instances, when no medicine has been taken. I have over and over again known and seen large swellings to vanish under the long and continued application of a poultice, or wet lint and oil silk; and an equal number of failures where iodine, internally, or externally, was had recourse to, have occurred to me.

I recommend this subject to my medical brethren, and I do not hesitate to say that they will confer a great boon upon scientific medicine by determining, with certainty, the value of iodine in the cure of disease.