CHAPTER 1

DISEASE

Increase in Ailments and 20th Century Diseases

The history of Geopathic Stress is a long one. The unhealthy spirals which dowsers detect above subterranean water have probably always been with us and the energy leys are believed to have existed for thousands of years. By comparison, electro-stress is the merest newcomer, with a history measured in decades. In the context of the length of time that humans have inhabited the earth, that is almost insignificant. There is consequently still much to be learned about electro-stress, but especially about the ways in which geopathic and electro-stress are related. It is already clear that the two have many similar characteristics and can cause similar diseases. Where they combine, as when a sub-station or television 'earths' itself into a spiral in the home as described later, the result can be especially dangerous. This part of the book will concentrate on electro-stress, but the interrelation should not be forgotten.

        It seems very much that the pattern of disease has markedly shifted in this century. The most threatening diseases up to the 1950s were diphtheria, tuberculosis, influenza, polio, heart disease and some forms of cancer. Since then there has been a great increase in the immune deficiency diseases such as allergies, asthma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (M.E.), AIDS, arthritis, and cancers linked to the immune system like leukemia, lymphatic, liver and intestinal.

        No conventional authority has given a satisfactory explanation for this remarkable change, or for the enormous scale and rapidity of immune system vulnerability, but it has to be a large and widespread source. Candidates such as vehicle emissions, chemicals in water supplies and food, acid rain, urban stress — though all of them might be contributory — none stands out as an obvious trigger.

        One has to look for a source that was not threatening 50 years ago, but which has grown very rapidly and universally. Unnatural electromagnetic fields fulfil all the criteria. In 50 years radio has increased ten thousandfold, TV more than a millionfold, and the uses which are part of our contemporary way of life, such as microwave communications, radar, low-frequency fields (VLF &. ELF) and the many devices for transforming and transporting electric currents have spread rapidly everywhere without thought of the consequences. This has immersed us in an ever denser and more complex electromagnetic 'soup' that is quite unnatural. Because electric fields cannot be sensed and are hard to measure, ordinary people are generally unaware of their dangers.

        Our bodies need centuries to start to adapt to critical environmental change. The most immediate reaction in the short term (that is decades}, is to cause widespread sicloiess and extreme psychological stress. We are so caught up in the glamour of new technologies and by the riches that have accompanied them, that we have become blind to the possible effects of this technological assault on our bodies. However, the combined weight of independent research studies and clinical experience is already enough to convince many researchers that electro-stress is a key factor in the creation of the physical and psychological stresses from which so many people suffer — and which in many cases lead on to acute and chronic disease.

It is hard to say just when it was that members of the scientific and medical community first began to suspect that the electrical revolution may not have produced totally unqualified benefits, but there has certainly been a growing number of books and papers on the subject since the 1950s- I shall not attempt a comprehensive history of the subject in this book, but if you want to research it in greater detail, the bibliography lists some sources of further information. The discussion here will be limited to a selection of some of the major landmarks and to the practical implications for everyone alive today.

        As early as 1964 a Russian researcher called Kholodov found that rabbits exposed to relatively strong, but steady electromagnetic fields (100 to 200 gauss), suffered increased stress levels. Autopsies showed that cells had died in some areas of the rabbits' brains. Friedmann duplicated this experiment and found that most of the rabbits had suffered a weakening of their immune system that led to parts of their brain being destroyed by a parasite which had previously been under control1. Further experiments by Friedmann showed that when rabbits and, later, monkeys were exposed to similar fields, they developed elevated levels of cortisone, an adrenal-cortical hormone, which is an accepted indicator of stress.

        Scientists working in Eastern Europe in the 1970s recorded similar signs of stress when rats were exposed even briefly to both microwave and 50Hz fields. An American researcher, Noval, discovered in 1976 that rats exposed to very weak electromagnetic fields (at the background level found in modern offices) also exhibited a typical stress response, judged by levels of a neuro-transmitter called acetylcholine.

        In fact, the U.S. Navy unintentionally proved the stress connection in the 1970s with what was known as Project Sanguine. As a small-scale trial for a new type of long-range military communications system, 28 miles (45km) of cable, powered with 76Hz current, were buried in a loop near Clam Lake, Wisconsin. Many people living in the area suffered unexpected shocks from taps, wire fences and many other metal objects. More importantly, it was discovered that workers on the project showed higher than normal levels of serum triglycerides, another indicator of stress. That this was a result of exposure to the AC fields was confirmed by separate laboratory trials with human volunteers. Fortunately for everyone, the project was eventually shelved, as was a much larger design that would have involved 6000 miles of buried cable, with the Earth itself being used as part of the circuit!

        Probably the most important indication of the potential hazards to human health in the everyday world, as opposed to the laboratory, came in 1975. A researcher called Nancy Wertheimer, looking for possible causes of childhood leukaemia in Denver, accidentally discovered that children living in houses nearest to 13kV (kilo-volt) power lines had a two or three times greater chance of contracting the disease2. It eventually emerged that the key was to be found not in the voltage but rather in the current and the resultant magnetic fields. Although her experimental methods were criticised, later and better designed studies by Wertheimer herself and by other workers have come to similar conclusions.

        For instance, in the 1980s, Tomenius surveyed 2000 houses in Sweden near ZOOkV power lines, and found childhood cancer rates double the norm. He measured magnetic fields of at least 3mG (milli-gauss) in affected houses. (It is worth noting, as you will read later, that field strengths of the order of 3mG are quite common, even in the normal domestic environment.)

        In 1986 Savitz found that 20% of childhood cancers in North Caro--Hfia-xould be linked to exposure to 3mG fields. In the same year a study in Texas found thirteen times the normal level of brain cancer amongst power line workers—who would be exposed to rather higher field levels during their working hours.

        In 1979 Milham published an analysis of the causes of death of 300,000 workers. He claimed that those in occupations involving exposure to high electrical or magnetic fields had double the 'normal' rate of death from leukaemia. Workers in aluminium smelters (where a very high level of electrical power is used) were particularly susceptible. Other higher risk occupations included power and telephone Linesmen,  power station workers and motion picture projectionists (see Table 1). Although there was again criticism of Milham's research, other studies have come to broadly similar conclussions.
 

Author/Date	Occupation	Relative Field/Intensity/Frequency	Reported Effects
Milham 1979	Aluminium workers	Over 100 gauss	Lung Cancer, Lymphatic Cancer,
			Blood Cancer, Benign Brain Tumours
			Emphysemia
US Marines	Service Personnel	weak	Increase in serum triglycerides
1983	Electronic Assembly Workers	-75 Hz	Increase in serum triglycerides
Milham 1982	Various Electrical  Workers	Weak to strong 60 Hz (and Others)	Leukaemia
Wright et al, 1982	Various Electrical Workers	Weak 60 Hz. (and others)	Leukaemia
McDowall, 1983	Electrical Workers	Weak 50 Hz (and others)	Leukaemia
Coleman 1983	Electrical Workers	Weak 50 Hz (and others)	Leukaemia
Nordstom et al, 1983	Control-room operators	Various	Abnormal Pregnancies, Congenital Deformities
	Electronic Assembly Workers	50 Hz (and others)	Congenital Deformities

 
    Dr Delgado et al found that chick embryos in eggs exposed to electromagnetic fields often failed to develop or else exhibited various deformities. More recently, Dr.Jocelyn Leal has carried out trials with incubating eggs and has shown that effects can occur at low exposure levels. One of her most interesting discoveries showed that very specific active 'windows' of frequency and field strength exist, above and below which the chick embryos are apparently not affected. Such findings raise the possibility of congenital defects being caused in human babies if pregnant women are exposed to hazardous fields.
        You will gather from all of this that much of the research into the possible ill-effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiations has concentrated on cancers, often leukaemia, and other fatal outcomes. This is understandable enough as epidemiological studies based on death certificates are a well-recognised research method when investigating environmental factors. However, an unfortunate result has been to limit most of the debate to the potentially life-threatening effects of chronic exposure to  high power fields.

        While this is clearly important if proven, we may still be talking only of an increase in deaths from one in 10,000 to 2 or 3 in 10,000. Tragic though this is, and although we should certainly not reduce our efforts to discover the truth of the matter and what may be done to combat the dangers, we may be in danger of overlooking the lesser health problems caused to much greater numbers of people. For every person who may die of leukaemia as a result of living near a power line or working on an aluminium smelter, thousands may suffer from stress and related problems, rheumatism or allergies, because of the electrical conditions inside their homes and factories.

In addition to the better documented research regarding the effects of electromagnetic fields of various types, some of which has been referred to above, a whole spectrum of different health-related factors have at some time been laid at the door of electro-stress. You will find in Table 2 a summary of some of the suggested links which have been made. This is presented not as an authoritative statement of proven effects, but rather to give the reader some idea of just how much about this topic still remains to be researched.

            One question that the idea of electro-stress may help to answer is why there are today so many people who are permanently stressed and tense, who are apparently unable to relax, who do not sleep well or who wake up tired or aching (or both) morning after morning. Or why so many feel eternally run down or that they 'cannot cope1, although their diets and genera! life-style show no obvious reason why this should be so. Eventually such people may become depressed, even suicidal.

        The link with suicide was demonstrated in England in the early 1980s by Dr.Perry, a physician whose practice was in the Midlands of England. He found a significant correlation between suicides and attempted suicides in his locality and the proximity of patients' homes not only to overhead, but also to the underground high-tension power distribution lines of whose existence they must have been as unaware as he originally was — so a psychosomatic effect seems unlikely). A later study gave similar results.

        In 1988 he published a study showing a correlation between illnesses of people living in a tower block and whether they lived near to the high-voltage supply cables which rise up the side of such buildings. Those in apartments near to the supply lines accounted for 62% of the hospital admissions from the block for heart attacks and ischaemic heart disease and 71% of those admitted with depressive illness.4 Drs. Dowson &. Lewith have also showed that headaches and depression could be linked to power lines.5
 
 
 
 

GENERAL SYMPTOMS Headaches Weakness Fatigue Dizziness or Faintness Bloated feeling	Swimming vision Disturbed or light superficial sleep Nausea Loss of potency
EFFECTS ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Functional disturbance of the central nervous system    Functional disturbance of the sympathetic nervous system    Neuro-dynamic events in the cerebral cortex   Loss of concentration                                                                  EEG changes  Reduction of sensitivity and function in the neuromuscular system of the hand	Symptoms of neurasthenia  Tendency to perspire  Slight tremor of the fingers  Weak pulse  Low blood pressure
HEART / CIRCULATION DISTURBANCES Cardiovascular disturbances Hypotonia Hyperotonia	Tachycardia ECG changes
CHANGES IN THE BLOOD Qualitative and quantitative changes in peripheral blood system Various changes in composition of blood components
REACTION TIME Changes in reaction time Stimulation affect Disturbances in temperature regulation

        It is just possible that the upsurge in skin problems might be explained by the increasing use of new and aggressive chemicals in cosmetics and toilet products, cleaning materials and just about everything else. (As just one example, consider how carbon paper has been largely superseded by carbonless duplicate sets, replacing a simple substance [lamp-black] with complex encapsulated chemicals.)

        However, this explanation fails to convince when we consider the growth of allergies causing respiratory problems, which abound even in infants. Various sources suggest that between one in ten and one third of school age children suffer to some extent. It is surely highly unlikely that there are more pollen granules or house dust mites in the air than there were previously, and thanks to clean air laws, levels of most industrial pollutants in the air have actually diminished. It's likely that the significant increase in air pollution from vehicle exhaust emissions is at least partly to blame, but increasing numbers of asthmatic children are found in rural areas as well as in traffic-clogged cities.

        Dietary allergy is also alarmingly common and although there is no doubt that improved public awareness may have led to a higher level of diagnosis, the increase cannot be explained away by this factor alone. Children in particular are not likely to develop asthma or hives after eating particular foods, just because there has been press publicity!

        Another intriguing puzzle is the typical response to treatment. There are effective techniques in both allopathic and homeopathic medicine by which the sufferer's sensitivity to an allergen can be reduced or even removed. Another approach is to design strict exclusion diets so that all traces of irritant foods are avoided. The problem is that in many cases no matter how many allergens are identified and cleared, the general level of sensitivity is apparently not diminished. The sufferer's body simply seems to move from one irritant to another, in the worst cases eventually ending up reacting to almost every substance in the environment. In other words, it is as if some other factor has made the sufferer hypersensitive and that almost everything has become a potential allergen for these unfortunate individuals. Could this sensitising factor be exposure to a variety of electromagnetic fields?

        Dr. Jean Monro, together with Dr.Cyril Smith, did much work at the Breakspear Hospital in Kings Langley, England, during the 1980s to investigate the connection between allergy and electrical sensitivity. They showed that severely allergic patients can react violently to minute electrical fields. Most strikingly, they could produce reactions just like those produced by allergens by generating weak but specific radio-frequency signals near to the patient. Work like this suggests that electro-stress may well be at least a part of the story.

        There are some who argue that the widespread use of vaccination is another sensitising factor. Vaccines are intended to increase the efficiency of the immune system by using a supposedly harmless form of a disease to stimulate the production of appropriate protective antibodies in the blood. Statistics seem to support the effectiveness of vaccination, but it is also true that a significant number of those treated suffer definite if apparently short-lived adverse responses to the vaccine. The suggestion is that the vaccines may also produce an unwanted long-term response, causing the body to make antibodies for anything that it does not immediately recognise. These may be not just bacteria or viruses, but also new foods, unfamiliar air-borne substances and so on. If this is so, the scope for adverse reactions has certainly increased as genetic engineering produces new forms of staple foods and the food industry processes ingredients in many new ways. It would certainly be interesting to see research into the relative levels of allergy in those who have and have not been vaccinated — or whether allergic responses are seen to increase in Third World countries where vaccination is introduced for the first time.

        In parallel with allergy, many apparently unrelated illnesses have also been more prevalent, some of them seeming to appear 'out of the blue'. Tinnitus, myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.), multiple sclerosis (M.S.) and glandular fever are just a few of this mixed bag. Could electro-stress, with or without geopathic stress, provide a clue to some or all of these? It certainly appears highly likely that many such sufferers have in fact become sensitive to exposure to geopathic, electrical or magnetic fields.

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (otherwise known as M.E.) is a good example. Many attempts have been made to track down the causative agent which was originally widely suspected to be of a viral nature (it was often called Post-viral Syndrome in the early days of investigation). This research has ruled out mononucleosis or Epstein-Barr virus and in fact potent anti-viral drugs generally do not work with people diagnosed as having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Many doctors dealing with M.E. or C.F.S. patients suspect sensitivities to electromagnetic fields and of course this ties in with one of the original large outbreaks of the disease in the computerised dealing rooms of the financial markets in the City of London. Some support for this thesis is found in the fact that many Chronic Fatigue patients feel much better if they take holidays in the country or even move there permanently away from the cities, offices or factories where they have lived and worked.

        Conventional ideas on the mechanism leading to AIDS have also been questioned. Some researchers have expressed doubts as to whether the HIV virus in itself inevitably leads on to full-blown AIDS. It certainly seems likely that there must be other immune system factors that are playing a part. It is interesting that in experiments in California, Dr.Daniel B.Lyall6 showed that if human T-celfs (lymphocytes which are important in the human immune system) were exposed while in culture to a low strength electromagnetic field for 48 hours their ability to deal with invading cells was significantly reduced. If there is a similar mechanism taking place in human beings exposed to electrical fields then of course their immune systems would be much less able to cope with a serious infection such as HIV.

        Roger Coghill, who has conducted a great deal of research into the effects of electromagnetic fields on people in this country has shown that 11 of 12 American cities with the highest incidence of AIDS also have the highest general level of electromagnetic 'traffic' of all kinds. He believes firmly that the huge growth in electromagnetic pollution (especially radio, TV and microwave communications traffic) is a major, if not the, root cause of the AIDS epidemic7.

        At the moment the mechanisms causing sensitivity to normal electromagnetic fields are unknown. However it would appear that there is a direct effect upon the nervous system and that the immune system is very probably also involved. It has been shown that electromagnetic radiations can disrupt the flow of calcium through the walls of cells in the body — and this can affect a number of important cellular functions, including cell division. If it is correct that certain electromagnetic radiations can promote the proliferation of cancerous cells, as has been suggested, then this could explain how it happens. Another theory is that the effect on calcium flow changes in some way the cell's ability to fight cancer.

        Recently-published research at Bristol University has put forward the suggestion that the cancer-producing effects of mains electricity may be due to the fact that it seems to bring about a localised increase in the concentration of radon gas, which is known to be carcinogenous. Much scepticism has greeted this suggestion, but it does interestingly echo the theory which Tom Williamson advances regarding radon gas a/d unhealthy energy lines (see chapter 17). It also has some parallels with the observation of the German researcher Dr D AschofF that he detects higher than usual levels of slow-moving neutrons above areas of unhealthy earth energies.

        People can suffer for 'conventional' reasons many of the ailments discused above, such as allergy and M.E.. Perhaps they do not sleep because they are worried or weighed down by work or family problems. They develop rheumatism because of heredity or poor living or working conditions or viruses, or one of the many other accepted causes. They may also be reacting to poor diet or polluted air and water. But the case can be made that many of these factors have become less severe in the recent past. In this country, living and working conditions have improved in some ways, reducing some physical and mental stresses. Many epidemic diseases have been virtually eliminated and yet so many immune-related health problems are increasing rather than fading away.
 

The most convincing conclusion I have come to in the face of the evidence is that no matter how much many individual sources of stress may have diminished, the total stress load has steadily increased.

        To the body, the precise source of stress is not so important and you have already read how researchers have shown that exposure to quite moderate electromagnetic fields can cause typical stress responses. Any stress has a similar effect on the body. Most crucially it causes the adrenals to respond by pumping adrenaline (more correctly called epinephrine) and other hormones into the bloodstream.
 

Adrenaline is sometimes referred to as the 'fight or flight' hormone and its production is in fact a very primitive response. Man, like any other animal when faced with danger from a predator has two choices: turn and fight, or run. In either case the need is for a sudden burst of energy, and so the adrenal glands spring into action.

        We have two adrenals, one sitting on top of each kidney. Like all glands, their role is to supply hormones to the body for particular purposes. The adrenals have two parts, an outer portion called the cortex and an inner core called the medulla. It is from the medulla that adrenaline comes, one of a total of around thirty two different hormones produced by the adrenals.

        So. faced with danger, the adrenals start to pump adrenaline and other hormones into the body. The heart rate increases, sending more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, respiratory rate goes up, blood pressure rises, and all this provides the energy needed for whichever course of action is chosen. There is one problem. The adrenal response is intended to cope with occasional crises. Once primitive man had fought and won, or had fled to safety, he could normally count on a rest period before the next crisis arrived, giving his body time to recover. Specifically, his adrenals had time to recharge themselves with the necessary hormones.

        Unfortunately, the types of modern stress described above, including electro-stress and geopathic stress, are not occasional crises. They all tend to be more or less continuous and in the end the adrenals simply cannot cope. Gradually they become more and more depleted. Energy levels fall, the body responds ever less effectively to stressful situations and, perhaps most importantly of all, the body's immune response system ceases to be effective.
 

A useful way of visualising how electro-stress, geopathic stress and other environmental stresses combine to provide a challenge to health is to think of a water-butt into which water flows through a number of pipes coming from different gutters. The water can be safely drained from the bottom by a tap. If the rate at which water fills the butt from all sources is less than the rate at which it discharges through the tap (or at least is no more) then the butt will not overflow. The situation remains under control. If, however, water starts to flow from one or more of the pipes at a higher and higher rate, the time will eventually come when the total inflow is greater than the total outflow. At this stage the water level in the butt will begin to rise. Even then we may not be aware of the situation, particularly if we do not often lift the butt lid to look inside. For weeks, months, or even years, the water level could be rising without us knowing. But one day the butt will finally overflow and flood the surrounding area.

Now, substitute the body for the butt. Stresses are represented by the water flowing in and the body's various ways of coping with stress are the water flowing out. This shows how life's problems can have a steadily increasing effect over a long period without us being aware of it.

        If we do not lift the lid of our personal water-butt (review our dietary and other habits, have health checks, etc.), we will never be sure whether our system is in balance or perilously near to disaster. This is why so many people delude themselves by protesting that they are never ill, that they are unaffected by a lifestyle that militates against long-term health. However, the day will arrive when the cumulative effect all becomes too much. The tragedy is that when the personal water-butt overflows it can be too late ever to return to ideal conditions.

        There are only two basic ways to tackle the problem: either you can cut down the rate at which the water flows in, or you can increase the rate at which it discharges. In bodily terms, you can either try to reduce the stress overload or you can increase the body's capacity to cope with it and discharge it.

You will note that it i the total amount of stress which (inflow of water) which is critical. Which source provides most water does not really matter On the other hand, if one pipe regularly produced more than the others, then logically that would be the one to concentrate on. Substantially reducing that one flow could probably eliminate the likelihood of an overflow occurring. Since it is now believed that for many people in the modern world, geopathic and electro-stress account for probably more than half of all stresses, the importance of dealing with these two sources is obvious.
 

This is not to suggest that other factors should be overlooked. You should try to identify and tackle anything that causes stress. Work pressures, travel, living conditions, relationships, diet, smoking and drinking and general lifestyle, these are all areas where changes could help to reduce the inflow. You should also think seriously about learning relaxation techniques, meditation, gentle exercises, massage, aromatherapy, etc., ail of which can help reduce the stress level.

        Nutritional supplements that help to boost the adrenals are valuable. Vitamins C and B are particularly helpful and including a good adrenal extract will give even better results. All of these subjects are covered in other widely available books and you will probably find local classes in meditation, yoga and similar practices which have been shown to have beneficial effects on bodily health.

        For now, the objective is to help you to identify and cope with the unnecessary stress load that typically comes from the influence of electromagnetic fields on you, which is what we will discuss from now on.

NOTES
 1 . Becker. R.O. &. Selden, G., The Body Electric. Wm. Morrow, (1985) p. 277.
 2. Wertheimer, N., "Electrical Wiring Configurations and Childhood Cancer": Amer. Jour. Epidemiology, (March 1979).
3. Delgado, J.M.R., et al, "Biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields": Jour. Anat 1 34(3), {1982) pp.533-551 .
4. Perry, S. &, Pearly, L., "Power frequency magnetic fields and illness in multistorey blocks": Public Health, (1988); p. 102, 1 1-8.
5. Dowson, D, et al, "Overhead high voltage cables and recurrent headaches and depression": Practitioner, (April 1988), pp. 435-6.
6. Lyafl, D. B. et al, Bioelectromagnetics, 9, (1988): p. 303.
7.Coghill, R., "All Fall Down — The Cause of AIDS": Coghill Research Labs, Pontypool (1992).
8. Aschoff D 8, Aschoff J, Neue Grundlegende Erkeninisse, Verlag Mehr Wissen, Diisseldorf, 1986.

Click on Following Chapters to Read or Download:-

Electrostress-
Chapter 02 Vibrations
Chapter 03 Facts and Figures
Chapter 04 Bedtime Story
Chapter 05 Around the House
Chapter 06 Power Lines
Chapter 07 Computers
Chapter 08 Microwaves
Chapter 09 Some Solutions
Chapter 10 The Positive Side?

Geopathic (Earth Energies) Stress
11  Earth Stress, Earthquakes, Earth Sensitives
12 History of Ley Lines, Ionization Under Cancer Beds, Scientific Measurements
13 How to Use Divining Rods, Protect Yourself, Allergies
14 Unhealthy Earth Energies, The Hartmann Net and Curry Grid
 15 Black Spirals, Crop Circles, Demons, Oscilloscope Measurement
16 Crossing Leys, Ion Effect, Allergic to Microwave Ovens, Graveyards, Quarries
17 Natural and Man-made Sources of Unhealthy Energies
18 Imprinting Your Own Energy
19 Eliminating Unhealthy Earth Energy
20 Cup-marked Stones or Petroglyphs
21 Human disease and Mother Earth

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