<b>Three Cases of Trigger Finger which were Successfully Treated with U</b><b>nkeito</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Trigger finger develops because of stenosis around the A1 annular ligament, which causes inhibition of smooth expansion and contraction of the finger. It is effectively treated by an anti-inflammatory analgesic and/or steroid infusion, and by Western style medical surgery. Here, we report 3 cases of trigger finger effectively treated with unkeito. The first case was a 71-year-old female who had been treated with Kampo medicine for an enlarged feeling in the abdomen. She complained of trigger finger, in the knuckle of her right third finger, dry lips, and hot flashes in her hands and feet. The second case was a 56-year-old female who had been treated with Kampo medicine for polyarticular pain in her fingers. She complained of trigger finger of the left fourth finger and hot flashes in her hands. The third case was a 71-year-old female who had been treated for chronic renal failure. She complained of trigger finger in the left first finger and dry skin but had neither hot flashes in the hands nor dry lips. One of the target symptoms of unkeito is hot flashes in the hands and dry lips. Unkeito is composed of herbs which improve <i>ketsu </i>deficiency, <i>oketsu</i>, inflammation, and dry skin. It is possible that these actions of unkeito are effective in trigger finger as well.

Pesticides and its hazardous effects on the Benguet vegetable farmers

Two thousand vegetable farmers of Benguet Province were interviewed on their use of pesticides and the effects they have experienced while handling the same Benguet produces 70 percent of the total vegetable needs of the country. The growing demand for high quality vegetables by the consumers have made the farmers become too dependent on the use of pesticides. They however, over use and abuse the use of the chemicals by cocktailing various brands or using banned chemicals like the "miracle powder" or cyanide. Thus, they are continuously exposed to the deleterous effects of the chemicals including their families, domestic animals and wild life. The environment is also polluted creating an ecological imbalance. The consumers have likewise suspected the safety of the vegetables they produce and if unchecked will lead to the death of the lucrative vegetable industry Itchy skin, dry lips, watery and itchy red eyes that lasts for days, abdominal pain, chest pain, muscle cramps, body malaise, inappetens, dizzines, epistaxis, irregular and discolored nails were some of the adverse effects the vegetables farmers have experienced while handling pesticides The vegetable farmers are largely non-compliant to the product specifications of the chemicals, dilution and disposal of used chemical containers Their indiscriminate use and handling of pesticides are to a great extent borne out of misinformation, sheer negligence and even low literacy An intensive educational campaign is needed to assist the vegetable farmers of Benguet.