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editorial
Near Bioelectrical Fields
French medical acupuncturist demonstrated to me on an amputee patient the presence of near bioelectrical fields. He covered the patient's eyes, took a sharp scalpel, and made several cutting motions into the area where the patient's limb had been. The patient screamed with pain and identified exactly the location of the area where the scalpel passed through. I was completely astonished and thought that surely, there was an element of deception. I took the scalpel and performed short stab-like movements in the area where the patient's thigh would have been. Immediately, the patient again reacted in a similar manner and precisely identified the scalpel's location. Still not convinced of a ruse, the patient's eyes were again completely covered, and he was told to lie in a prone position. I then held the scalpel over the area that once corresponded to the patient's leg and made no movements. The patient did not react. I brought the tip of the scalpel very slowly toward the amputated limb and at a location which would have corresponded to the knee. The patient reported pain. I was without an explanation until the French physician told me that the brain has a "memory" of the bioelectrical field, and that this memory may be part of the function of the thalamus.
Kirlian photography will also demonstrate near biological fields.1(p9) The procedure is simple. The subject places his hand on an opened photographic plate that is subjected to a high electrical field. When using Polaroid film, a photograph is rapidly obtained and a "whitish" field is delineated around the fingers. Although Kirlian theory may not have taken into account the influences of acupuncture meridians that pass through the fingers or toes, we can actually obtain a visual image of the energy that is involved in these anatomic locations. An acupuncturist may balance the meridians, and use the resulting images on the photograph for diagnostic purposes. For example, a cancer patient has a particular pattern disturbance which differentiates itself from the "normal" pattern.1(p22)
Placing acupuncture needles on acupoints or elsewhere on the meridian may cause a disturbance of these near bioelectric fields. We may be able to visualize these disturbances by Kirlian photography.3(p17) Is it possible that the patient's acupuncture needles may serve as antennae that "transmit" or "receive" energy to other needles on different meridians, or even "communicate" with the operator's own bioelectric fields? Should we measure the acupuncturist's meridians after treating the patient, and determine whether energy has been robbed?
All of these experiments are feasible to perform. And when you do so, I trust that you will appropriately report your findings in our journal — whether it is on this subject or another interesting topic — and then, carefully follow the "Instructions for Authors," and "STRICTA" guidelines (stated in pages 9-11, Medical Acupuncture / Volume 13, No. 3). Do not hesitate to ask your colleagues to review your writings for constructive criticism. Our editorial staff catches mistakes. But, we greatly appreciate it when you catch them yourself!
Writing an article for publication is a reflection of your medical and scientific endeavors. Our "Instructions for Authors" will facilitate your reports. Deviations from this format and omissions of pertinent data will reflect poorly on both yourself and the journal, and perhaps delay the publication. We are constantly on guard to adhere to these standards, and are continually striving to improve the quality and credibility of our journal. Indeed, that is our job and rightfully so, but you as authors must share in that responsibility.
I wish to express our continuing appreciation to Roz Royal, Managing Editor, and her assistant, Stacy Christiansen-Krol, Copy Editor, for their scrupulous efforts to maintain and improve our standards. I gratefully acknowledge the Editorial Board for providing their professional review to assist in the evaluation of manuscripts.
— Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
Editor-in-Chief
REFERENCES
1. Lee, RH, PE. Bioelectricity Vitality. San Clemente, Calif. China Healthways Instituten. 1997.
2. Ibid, p. 22.
3. Ibid, p. 17.
EDITOR INFORMATION
Dr Richard C. Niemtzow is a Colonel in the United States Air Force and a Radiation Oncologist. He practices medical acupuncture full-time with oncology and general patients, and is also involved in research. Effective July 31, 2002, Dr Niemtzow was transferred to Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews AFB, Maryland to continue his full-time acupuncture endeavors, and as a Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General. Dr Niemtzow is President of the Medical Acupuncture Research Foundation (MARF).
Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
9800 Cherry Hill Rd
College Park, MD 2074089
Phone: 301-937-7424 • Fax: 301-937-3205
E-mail: n5ev@aol.com
Professional Address:
Colonel (Dr) Richard C. Niemtzow
Medical Group (AMC)
Malcolm Grow Medical Center
Andrews AFB, MD 20762
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