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Biomedical subjects

W W Yellowlees

Publications and source records attributed to W W Yellowlees.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Tribute to Cleave--forgotten prophet.

The late Surgeon Captain T.L. Cleave (1906-1983) completed his life-long RN professional service by promotion to the post of Director of Medical Research to the Royal Navy. His voyaging as a medical officer gave him unique understanding of patterns of disease throughout the world. He concluded that many of the degenerative illnesses which during this century have become so common in advanced countries have a simple basic dietary cause--the consumption of ever increasing quantities of refined carbohydrates; human beings were not, in Cleave's opinion, adapted to the use of these artificially concentrated foods. He suggested the term "Saccharine Disease" to denote many diverse manifestations, including dental decay, obesity, diabetes and coronary thrombosis, of one master disease having one simple cause. The neglect of this concept by most authorities today repeats the attitudes of the 'medical establishment' towards one of Cleave's distinguished eighteenth century naval predecessors, James Lind, whose advocacy of citrus fruit juice for the prevention of scurvy was greeted with derision.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1983

Modern diseases, seen from a Highland practice. An ecological approach.

There is no agreement among scientists on which particular aspects of civilisation are most to blame for the emergence and undoubted increase in Western nations during this century of common degenerative diseases. Duodenal ulcer, coronary thrombosis, hypertension and other degenerations appear to be as common in quiet rural communities as in the cities. The frequency of these conditions in the Scottish Highlands where the tempo of life remains slow would seem to rule out stress or psychological factors as important. Changes in diet are now thought by many scientists to be the most likely cause for the increase in diseases of civilisation. The work of McCarrison, Cleave and Burkitt suggests that of all dietary developments in advanced nations during the last two centuries the refining of carbohydrates is the most damaging. A high intake of sugar tends to displace protective vitamin-rich foods and adds to the fibre depletion of refined white flour, with the inevitable consequences--widespread constipation and the serious complications of that distressing condition. Cleave has published strong evidence incriminating 'over-consumption' from dependence on refined carbohydrates, rather than traditional animal fats, as the main cause of coronary thrombosis. The high mortality and morbidity of degenerative diseases with all the attendant human suffering can truly be termed an ecological disaster. The cause is the failure of the food and drink industry to give overall priority to the needs of human health. Increasing demand from consumers for unprocessed fresh whole food would reverse modern trends and would have far-reaching effects on agriculture and industry.

Adult↗
PubMed1969

The primary physician: generalist or specialist?

Dr W W Yellowlees makes out a strong case against the creation of general practitioner 'specialoids'. He emphasizes the limitations of the specialists' organ-orientation, without the generalized knowledge of the patient as a person and of the influence of his environment on his illness.Dr Paul Sadler takes another point of view and describes the successful division of his housing-estate practice into four specialist departments: pxediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics and general medicine. He further details the organization and advantages of his own department, pediatrics.

Adult↗