<I really didn't intend to get involved in this discussion, but can't
help it. ;-)>

Thanks, Joy, for letting yourself and your expertise
get involved! And thank you, Michelle, for that basic  reference on
osmosis.

<The end result, in relation the epsom salts, is that I don't believe
it can work directly through the skin as suggested. I am not saying
that it doesn't work to reduce the oedema, I just still don't know
how, if it does. But it is not that simple!>

Which is what I wondered aloud in my first post when I said <if that, in
fact is physiologically possible>

Maureen Minchin (I might have known you were that astute editor who
suggested the matter needed research!) brings up some examples that match
my recollections of pre-antibiotic days, and again points out that this
matter would make a good research project, if only to disprove it for
sure.

I want to re-emphasize one thing that should stand out clearly in this
exchange.

Edema is not a condition that exists **within cells themselves*** (only
way I know to emphasize without shouting).

Edema exists when the interstitial fluid (the gel-like fluid between
cells that is the vehicle for normal passage of nutrients and wastes
between the capillaries and the cell walls) has at least 30% more liquid
in it than normal for that tissue.

(For example, the normal for fluid content of interstitial fluid in the
liver is different than for other organs, which probably also have
entirely different normals. For that matter, I don't know that anyone has
ever proven what is "normal" (or just commonly seen) for the interstitial
fluid within the breast during the initiation of lactation. And possibly
different yet from that for well established lactation.)

Fertile material for the grad students seeking research ideas!

Jean
************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html