Medical Symptoms Confirm Poisoning

CADMIUM POISONING RESEMBLES COMMON DISEASES

Those who master-minded Srila Prabhupada’s cadmium poisoning likely knew that the resulting symptoms would closely resemble those of diabetes, kidney disease, or a host of other ailments. No one would be able to ascertain the real cause of illness. Otherwise, why use heavy metals? The poisoners learned somewhere that heavy metals were an excellent choice of a poison for Srila Prabhupada because it would appear like diabetes, kidney failure, old age, etc. 

Thorough investigation of the scene and circumstances, consideration of medical history, and comprehensive toxicology testing is necessary to detect most poisons. Each poison must be specifically tested for, otherwise it will be missed. Progressive application of toxicology tests to rule out each possible agent, considering the symptoms, are the key to detection of a poisoning.

In his last 18 months Srila Prabhupada experienced several severe “attacks” of stomach pain, fever and distress, and after each successive episode he was physically weaker. This is not seen in the natural evolution of diabetes or kidney disease. From May 1976 onwards, Srila Prabhupada displayed physical and medical symptoms that are highly correlated to chronic cadmium poisoning, especially during the presence of Tamal, who was the personal secretary.

Srila Prabhupada’s very elevated cadmium throughout 1977 correlates with the time of his acute health deterioration, whereas earlier years from 1968 to mid-1976 showed strong health and a physical vigor unmatched by his young disciples. His occasional edema (swelling) did not slow him down. The cadmium caused Srila Prabhupada’s catastrophic health decline. It was convenient that cadmium poisoning looks like, causes, exacerbates diabetes and kidney failure.

The ISKCON GBC’s position that Srila Prabhupada died from diabetes and kidney disease (and not poisoning) is not supported by any doctor diagnosis or a coroner’s report. And, medical symptom analysis finds a set of symptoms unique to cadmium poisoning, but which are not found in diabetes nor kidney disease. So, even if Srila Prabhupada did have advanced diabetes or kidney disease (and there is no proof of this), he also displayed clear symptoms of heavy metal poisoning!

THE MYSTERY SYMPTOMS

Srila Prabhupada’s physical health symptoms includes many which are not reconcilable with Diabetes Type II or kidney disease. These symptoms can be called “mystery” symptoms- those which are unique to cadmium poisoning. They are a clear validation and further confirmation of the hair sample forensic findings which show highly elevated cadmium levels. Medical symptom analysis is common and standard evidence in all deaths under suspicious circumstances, and it is a very appropriate research exercise in understanding Srila Prabhupada’s health condition.

The sequelae (complications) of diabetes and renal (kidney) disease could conceivably stretch to include some atypical ailments, but not an entire group of them at once. Although diabetes leads to many consequent illnesses, Srila Prabhupada very prominently exhibited many unusual symptoms not associated with or attributable to diabetes or kidney disease (but which are unique symptoms of cadmium poisoning). These “mystery” symptoms include:

EYES:
(1). EXTREME PHOTOPHOBIA/ Light sensitive eyes

(2). CHRONIC CONJUNCTIVITIS & TEARING EYES

LUNGS:
(3). CHRONIC BHRONCHITIS w/ mucus in lungs

(4). COUGH AND UPPER RESPIRATORY IRRITATION

(5). LUNG IRREGULARITIES (short breath, pleurisy)

MUCUS:
(6). CHRONIC RHINITIS: runny-sneezy-stuffy nose

(7). LIVER CHANGES: weakness, enlarged, disease

VOICE:
(8). SCRATCHY, HOARSE, HUSKY VOICE

DROOLING:
(9). EXCESSIVE SALIVATION, DROOLING

URINARY TRACT:
(10). PHIMOSIS, URINARY TRACT INFLAMMATION

FACE:
(11) EXPRESSIONLESS, COLORLESS FACE

MIND:
(12) TEARFUL, SENSITIVE, MELANCHOLIC, VERY EMOTIONAL

The above “mystery” symptoms are typical of chronic cadmium poisoning. Further, ALL the other medical symptoms Srila Prabhupada exhibited are also attributable to cadmium, so he had no symptoms which would contradict a heavy metal poisoning. And although he had some symptoms compatible with diabetes and kidney disease, other symptoms were not.

The mystery symptoms examined in detail:

EXTREME PHOTOPHOBIA/ LIGHT SENSITIVE EYES

SENSITIVITY OF EYES TO LIGHT: Photophobia is when light hurts the eyes and is avoided. For those “in the dark,” some references from “the scientific-medical world” are:

PHOTOPHOBIA FROM ARSENIC, MERCURY, AND CADMIUM:

1. Praxair Technology (www.praxair.com) issues a material safety sheet on arsenic trioxide where photophobia, tearing is listed among the “effects of repeated (chronic) overexposure.
2. Rocky Mountain Arsenal Medical Monitoring Program found at (www.cdphe.state.w.us) lists the symptoms of arsenic poisoning, and photophobia is included.
3. PubMed (www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Nat’l Library of Medicine, cites from Mar. 1989 (Ann Emerg Med) by DiNapoli, Hall, & Rumack from Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Parview Episcopal Medical Center, Pueblo, CO that documents photophobia as a result of arsenic poisoning.
4. PubMed also cited another article (Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax, 1997) by French physicians in Lausanne, Switzerland who documented photophobia as a result of mercury poisoning. 
5. An online search showed no doubt of photophobia being a prominent symptom of cadmium poisoning, as well as several other types of poisoning like mercury, etc. Two random sites are: http://npic.orst.edu/RMPP/rmpp_inss.pdf 

www.espimetals.com/msds’s/cadmiumsulfide.pdf

There is plentiful scientific evidence to confirm that photophobia is a cadmium and arsenic poisoning symptom. Further, photophobia is not typical to diabetes or kidney disease. There are numerous references to allergic reactions to drugs, including mustard gas and mercury, resulting in photophobia. Glaucoma sometimes causes photophobia, but Srila Prabhupada did not have its other symptoms. Diabetic retinopathy may result in photophobia in the earlier stages of diabetes, but it is unusual, and Srila Prabhupada had no signs of either retinopathy or glaucoma.

REFERENCES FOR PHOTOPHOBIA IN SRILA PRABHUPADA’S HEALTH HISTORY 

Many photos show him with sunglasses indoors. Some references to extreme photophobia: 

• “…put on sunglasses so your eyes won’t be hurt by the sun.” 
• No translation work and darkened quarters. Going to the temple in the mornings, he wore his “dark sunglasses.” (Sat:6.361-2) 
• Later, Swarup Damodar asked, “Light?” […] Srila Prabhupada responded, “Oh. Just make it dark. (sound of curtains closing)” Tamal said, “We’ll put your sunglasses on so you won’t be disturbed by the light.” (Conv, Oct. 29, 1977)
• Srila Prabhupada was brought onto the balcony verandah and put on His sunglasses. Tamal feared Srila Prabhupada may be developing eye problems since “…he again put on sunglasses, though we were sitting inside a dark room.” (TkgD p. 137)
• “He was reclining on a pillow and wearing sunglasses, which he always does now because his eyes are giving him some trouble.” (Bhaktivedanta Archive file letters)
• August 11, 1977: Guru Kripa Maharaj gave Srila Prabhupada a new pair of Polaroid sunglasses, which Srila Prabhupada used increasingly, even inside when there is a light on and also when going to the temple for deity darshan. (TkgD. 50-1)
• August 11, 1977: Coming into the darkened room, Srila Prabhupada had the light turned on. (Conversations Books, Vol. 35, pg.50-52.)
• Satsvarupa noted that in the evening Srila Prabhupada was wearing his sunglasses while lying on his back on a cot on the roof. (Iskcon70, 306-7)
• August 28, 1977: Srila Prabhupada came gliding down the stairs to the temple room, borne by carriers in his palanquin, again wearing his “dark sunglasses…” (TkgD.171; Sat:6.374)
• At night, in a darkened room, Tamal was told by Srila Prabhupada… “…even though he put on his sunglasses, he kept his eyes shut because the light hurt his eyes.” (TkgD.190)
• “eyes would hurt in bright light…he would always wear sunglasses.” (Abhiram, Sept. 2, 1977)
• “Srila Prabhupada’s room was very dark except for a nightlight…” (Sat:6.390-401)
• The room was very dark due to the windows being covered by curtains to accommodate Srila Prabhupada’s sensitive eyes. (Conversations, Oct. 10, 1977)
• October 2, 1977: Srila Prabhupada’s first order of business was that his servants “closed the curtains and dimmed the lights.” (Sat:6.389)
• “…Tamal brought out a flashlight for Pradyumna.” (SHPM, Oct. 14, 1977)
• Bhakticharu wanted to check the clearness and color of the urine in the darkened room, saying, “Can I see it in the light, please?” 
• Srila Prabhupada could not tell that the sun had risen an hour earlier, because the room was so darkened to accommodate His photophobia. (Conversations)
• Tamal said, ‘Is there a flashlight?’ (Conv, Oct. 28, 1977)
• Nov. 4, 1977: Srila Prabhupada requested, “Get one small light.” (Con:36.280-2)
• Srila Prabhupada left Vrindaban in Aug. 1977 with dark sunglasses on at midnight.
• Once again, when it was time for a bath, Srila Prabhupada asked for the light to be turned on. Darkness was all that Srila Prabhupada’s eyes could tolerate. (Con:36.67-68)
• A review of the 1977 file photos of Srila Prabhupada at the Bhaktivedanta Archives showed: “…it was shocking. Most of the scenes showed only a silhouette of Srila Prabhupada in His darkened rooms. … Srila Prabhupada was averse to light, becoming photophobic.”
• Srila Prabhupada was wearing “dark” sunglasses regularly, even late in the day or in a darkened room. He appeared to have troubles with His eyes, seeing properly, and with sensitivity to light.” (Sat:6.358-360) 

CONCLUSION: Photophobia is a symptom of cadmium and arsenic poisoning, but it is not typical to diabetes or kidney disease.

CHRONIC MUCUS, CONJUNCTIVITIS, BRONCHITIS, RHINITIS, TEARING

An extensive search-review of scientific studies on Medline/PubMed found no relationship between diabetes mellitus type II or kidney disease with chronic bronchitis or conjunctivitis. From Srila Prabhupada’s health history it is seen that in 1977 he had a chronic, heavy bronchitis-cold, heavy cough, chest mucus, conjunctivitis (irritated eyes with mucus), runny nose, tearing of the eyes, and a constant irritation of the upper respiratory system and mucous membranes.

Sources that attribute these symptoms to chronic cadmium/arsenic poisoning are:

1. “Chronic arsenic poisoning means… symptoms of… chronic bronchitis” (Endemic chronic arsenic poisoning: a human toxicology study, Zaldivar R, Ghai GL; Zentralb Bakteriol 1980)
2. “…arsenic toxicity. The common symptoms are conjunctivitis…” (Arsenic in ground water of West Bengal; Das D, Chatterjee A, et al; Jadavpur University, Calcutta, 1995)
3. Emedicine.com: heavy metals poisoning with mercury or cadmium is associated with conjunctivitis and photophobia.
4. http://www.magneticclay.com/productlist.shtml Symptoms/Diseases related to cadmium: Bronchitis … anemia, hypertension, and kidney diseases….
5. http://www.triangularwave.com/f6.htm Cadmium in drinking water causes Bronchitis…
6. Armstrong BG, Kazantzis G (1985): Prostatic cancer and chronic respiratory and renal disease in British cadmium workers: a case control study. Br J Ind Med 42:540-545
7. http://www.canoshweb.org/odp/html/cadmium.htm Studies identified shortness of breath, obstructed lung function, bronchitis and emphysema in cadmium exposed workers.
8. http://www.environmentallamp.com/effects_of_cadmium.htm Cadmium’s adverse health effects include bronchitis.
9. www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/cadmium.htm Cadmium poisoning symptoms include rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, cough, dypsnea (shallow breath). 
10. There are endless online references that chronic bronchitis, upper respiratory tract irritation, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, cough, mucus, photophobia to be symptoms of cadmium poisoning, especially in sub-acute levels, which is how Srila Prabhupada was poisoned.

SRILA PRABHUPADA’S HEALTH HISTORY REFERENCES: BRONCHITIS-CONJUNCTIVITIS-RHINITIS

Below are a few of the health history references for coughing, chest mucus, and eyes mucus. Chronic bronchitis-conjunctivitis are classic symptoms of cadmium and arsenic poisoning. He had constant cough, cold, and mucus through 1977. Few health records are available for Aug. – Dec. 1976. Srila Prabhupada’s cough on 1977 audio recordings is heart-rending. Now we know that his chronic bronchitis and conjunctivitis were synonymous with his cadmium/arsenic poisoning.

02.26.77: He could not sleep because he would be coughing so much.

03.20.77: Srila Prabhupada (heavy coughing)

03.27.77: Srila Prabhupada had a cough…

06.30.77: Srila Prabhupada needed a new bottle of eye wash (conjunctivitis)

06.30.76: He is still weak and congested with mucus.

07.04.76: His respiratory system is quite blocked with mucus.

07.05.77: (SP) had a cough… “Until you’re over your cold…”

07.13.77: In the night the cough syrup prevented any translation work.

07.21.76: Racked by a heavy cold, he coughed up large amounts of mucus every few minutes.

07.27.76: Srila Prabhupada was still coughing and full of mucus.

07.28.77: SP’s eyes were being washed with rosewater 2 or 3 times daily.

07.30.76: He is still full of mucus…

08.07.76: …still coughing but not dislodging the heavy mucus…

08.21.76: …(SP is) coughing up a lot of mucus.

09.15.77: There was mucus buildup, much spitting and coughing…

09.20.77: (SP) became very congested with a bad cough.

09.23.77: (SP’s) massage was skipped due to the cough.

09.25.77: SP was constipated and coughing.

09.27.77: (SP was) still coughing, which even the cough syrup did not help. Mucus was filling his whole system; even his eyes had too much mucus.

10.04.77: …coughing and spitting mucus all night.

10.05.77: But today Srila Prabhupada drank milk, and had NO mucus from it.

10.06.77: SP’s cough was back. Although drinking nothing, cough is coming.

10.09.77: SP spat out some heavy mucus.

10.12.77: (SP) coughed more again. (SP coughs heavily)

10.15.77: SP answered, “I cannot” and coughed up mucus.

10.21.77: There’s a medicine for preventing any cough in the lung.

10.22.77: Dr. Gopal suspected SP had tuberculosis due to lung and breathing irregularities, wanting to take chest X-rays. He was confused as to why the cough would not go away.

10.30.77: SP had a cough that gradually increased during the day.

November ‘77: One can hear Srila Prabhupada’s bad cough in the tape recordings.

Accounts of heavy metal poisoning invariably include descriptions of cough, mucus, etc.

MYSTERY OF THE STOP AND START BRONCHITIS

An unusual phenomenon in Srila Prabhupada’s last 18 months was the mysterious coming and going of his cough and mucus. These symptoms receded and returned, on and off, stop and start from week to week or day to day. While milk was often blamed, mucus and cough came even during long periods of abstinence from milk. Often the mucus was blamed on a supplement, treatment, or condition, until it seemed everything caused mucus. It came from eating or fasting, milk or no milk. But it was the heavy metals causing this mucus, not milk, medicine, or water.

After 5 days of treatment with medicines, Dr. K. Gopal became perplexed in Oct. 1977 and suspected other than bronchitis to explain Srila Prabhupada’s persistent cough and mucus. He wanted X-rays. Tamal and Bhavananda demonized and quickly dismissed Dr. K. Gopal. No X-rays were taken, though the machine would be brought to Srila Prabhupada’s room. X-rays would have detected the heavy metal poisoning because cadmium is radiopaque and would show as white spots in the lungs or stomach. No further investigation into these anomalies was made.

The on and off bronchitis and mucus was the effect of an intermittent cause: the periodic heavy metal poisoning. Srila Prabhupada’s continuous mucus congestion began in May 1976.

MYSTERY OF SRILA PRABHUPADA’S PERSISTENT CONJUNCTIVITIS

Conjunctivitis, according to Merck’s Manual, can be viral, bacterial, or allergic. Viral and bacterial usually clear up in days, and allergic will last while the irritant is present. His persistent conjunctivitis was allergic, due to the cadmium and arsenic poisoning over a long time.

DROOLING (EXCESSIVE SALIVATION)

Not typically associated with diabetes or kidney disease, excessive salivation and drooling is a prominent symptom of chronic cadmium and arsenic poisoning. Some references:

1. http://www.indiaagronet.com/indiaagronet/Foods%20Technology/Food%20Adulteration.htm

Cadmium causing excessive salivation.    

2. http://www.homeopathicdoctor.ca/GSDL/Sample_Reports/Nutrition/r_TotEC24.pdf  
3. http://www.  canoshweb.org/odp/html/cadmium.htm#p2b Cadmium causes salivation.

SCRATCHY THROAT, HOARSE, HUSKY VOICE

Not associated with diabetes or kidney disease, a persistent scratchy, hoarse, and husky voice is an earmark of chemical poisoning such as with heavy metals. Some references:

1. npic.orst.edu/RMPP/rmpp_inss.pdf Cadmium causes a scratchy throat. 
2. www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ pesticides/pdfs/pest-cd2app2v2.pdf 
3. www.chestnet.org/education/ online/pccu/vol15/lessons1_2/lesson02.php 

LUNG IRREGULARITIES- BREATH SHORTNESS, PLEURISY

On Oct. 22, 1977, Dr. K. Gopal of Mathura, after a week of giving various allopathic medicines, examined Srila Prabhupada again. He was stumped and perplexed. The appetite had not improved. The left lung was taking in less air, and he suspected asthma, pleurisy, or a lung infection (not tuberculosis as claimed by Tamal). He prescribed an anti-tubercular drug called Isoniazid (Isotoxin in the Conversations) and he wanted to bring an X-ray machine for a lung X-ray. Cadmium is radiopaque and would be seen on the X-ray. Bhavananda and Tamal vigorously criticized Dr. Gopal, nixing any X-rays. There was no follow-up on Srila Prabhupada’s unusual lung irregularities which resembled dypsnea, asthma, or pleurisy. But these symptoms are characteristic of cadmium poisoning, and are not associated with diabetes or kidney ailments.

URINARY TRACT INFLAMMATION, PHIMOSIS, CIRCUMCISION

From the arsenic poisonings of Blanche Taylor Moore’s victims, we find that Raymond Reid’s symptoms closely match those of Srila Prabhupada in 1977. The symptoms of cadmium and arsenic poisoning are highly correlated. “Raymond had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme weakness, swelling, anemia and blood irregularities, heart irregularities, and failing kidneys. Then his kidneys stopped producing urine and he began coughing up large quantities of mucus. His intestinal tract was not working and he had a weak and raspy voice. He required a painful circumcision due to persistent inflammation and infection of the genital. …his urine was blocked by inflammation in the urethra.” 

Srila Prabhupada went to a London hospital in Sept. 1977 to relieve urinary retention with a circumcision. Dr. Andrew McIrvine stated in 2000: “His most obvious problem… was urinary retention… caused by a most unusual degree of phimosis… a long-standing scarring and thickening of the foreskin such that he was… virtually unable to pass urine.” This unusual scarring and phimosis are highly unusual, not typical in diabetes or kidney disease, but is found in chronic heavy metal poisonings. In 18 months of serious poisoning, it is very plausible that this was a reactionary scarring from chronic urinary tract infection. The urinary tract becomes infected and inflamed, thus blocking the urine. Circumcision or urethral tubing is required to relieve the patient. All this was very unusual, quite obviously due to the cadmium.

EXPRESSIONLESS, COLORLESS FACE

Srila Prabhupada, increasingly after the Feb. 26, 1977 severe health attack, exhibited a pale, expressionless, pallor less, blank face that was unmistakable and can be noted even in photographs of the time. This was noted by Ayurvedic physician Dr. Mehta of Houston in 1997.

CONCLUSIONS OF THE SYMPTOMS ANALYSIS

(1). There was a group of symptoms unexplainable by either diabetes (dm2) or kidney disease and were produced by another “mystery” cause. (2). All these unexplained “extra” symptoms are consistent with chronic cadmium poisoning. (3). Chronic cadmium poisoning is not only confirmed by symptoms but is proven by hair tests. (4). All of Srila Prabhupada’s symptoms were fully consistent with cadmium/ arsenic poisoning, not just the “mystery” symptoms. (5). Diabetes and kidney disease only explain some of Srila Prabhupada’s symptoms. (6). Although Srila Prabhupada had an unknown degree of diabetes and kidney problems, his declining health coincided with his cadmium poisoning, established by testing hair samples from 1977. (7). Srila Prabhupada’s diabetes and kidney problems were not causes of health decline; they were results thereof, which is understood by the proof of cadmium poisoning. (8). Srila Prabhupada’s diabetes and kidney disease were aggravated and worsened by his cadmium and arsenic poisoning.

GROUP OF SYMPTOMS UNIQUE TO CADMIUM

A careful study of the biographical accounts of events through 1977 finds that the “mystery” symptoms (non-diabetes/kidney disease) had a strange way of arising and receding in tandem and as a group, in concert with each other. That Srila Prabhupada simultaneously manifested so many of these “mystery” symptoms is highly unusual- this group of respiratory tract and mucous membrane symptoms, on such an extended on and off basis, more, then less, reveals a hidden and correspondingly applied cause. That cause is cadmium poisoning. What are the probabilities of one having such prolonged and pronounced cough, mucus, salivation, conjunctivitis, and rhinitis, for such a long time, due to natural causes? …Answer: very, very little.

TEN ADVANCED DIABETES SYMPTOMS ARE CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT

Also, there are at least ten symptoms or complications very typical to diabetes that were positively not seen in Srila Prabhupada even just prior to death, and this creates great doubt whether he had advanced diabetes. No obesity, excessive hunger or thirst, insulin dependency, diabetic coma, infections, tingling, etc. 

These ten signs are not all guaranteed in advanced diabetes, but when a large number are absent, it is unusual, and this creates grave doubts about an advanced diabetes diagnosis. Every one of Srila Prabhupada’s symptoms match those of chronic cadmium and arsenic poisoning, whereas many advanced diabetes symptoms were conspicuously absent. If advanced diabetes was not the primary cause of Srila Prabhupada’s health deterioration, what was? 

Answer: the medical symptoms clearly validate the proven cadmium poisoning.