Drs. Passebec-Soulier

Over the centuries, the medical notion of terrain* has been gaining ground and it is now considered as a key factor in the search for the primary causes of illness and the establishment of a treatment that is not only symptomatic or palliative but also truly curative.

The word "terrain" has been judiciously borrowed from agriculture. It is well known that the soil is not the inert support of vegetable matter, but that its mineral composition, microbial life, structure, pH, etc.... dramatically affect the health of crops growing on it. Similarly it is now increasingly recognized that the terrain of an individual may predispose him to a certain physiologic development, making him more susceptible to certain types of diseases.

From an anatomical viewpoint, biologist René Quinton (1866-1925) who authored "Ocean Water, organic matrix" showed that the composition and structure of the organic terrain (the internal environment) presents major similarities with those of selected Ocean Waters, elaborated and packaged in a rigorous manner so as to obtain the so-called Marine Plasma (Ocean Plasma).

In this paper we intend to compare, on the one hand, the human terrain and the effects due to its imbalance and on the other, ocean plasma, its composition and vital potential. This will enable us to establish the links between human plasma and ocean plasma and to study the therapeutic effects of ocean water.

* The word terrain has been used in the French medical vocabulary to define the generic predispositions of an individual, be it from the genetic, physiological or psychic viewpoint, including his/her specific strengths and weaknesses. This concept, which has gained considerable respect in the past decades, places the emphasis on the individual rather than his/her environment in the search for the origin of his/her pathology.

From a strictly mineral viewpoint, the internal environment consists of an aqueous solution of electrolytes dosed at 9‰. These elements are listed according to their concentration:

The four most abundant cations in the body are sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium from which phosphorus cannot be dissociated. Sodium is the monovalent cation characteristic of the extra-cellular fluid (ECF) and, conversely, potassium is that of intra-cellular fluid (ICF). The composition of salts present in the ICF greatly differs from that of ECF but directly depends on the composition of the latter. The relations of the ICF and the ECF are ensured by the ion pumps of the cell membrane.

Among the salts indispensable to life, sodium chloride is quantitatively the most important in the internal environment. Generally, it can be said that the sodium content governs the osmosis of the intercellular fluid. With potassium, sodium plays a major role in depolarizing the nervous and muscular fibre. With magnesium, sodium regulates the activity of acetyl-cholin and therefore influences intestinal peristalsis. The calcium-sodium ratio seems to have a preponderant influence on myocardial contractibility.

Potassium directly influences the heart's actions, muscular activity and all endocrine glands. Any excess potassium or deficit thereof will cause heart disorders, insufficient or inhibited growth, a weakening of the nervous system, muscular fatigue, terrain weakening and a increased susceptibility to diseases such as rhinitis, bronchitis, joint pains, boils, caries etc. When the sodium-potassium balance is broken, intracellular potassium is replaced by sodium and hydrogen from the internal environment, resulting in ICF acidification and ECF alkalization.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, accounting for 2 percent of total body weight (TBW) with 99 percent contained in the skeleton, the remainder being in the internal medium. It is primarily an ECF electrolyte, the ICF equivalent being magnesium. The calcium rate in blood is kept constant (calcemia) by the thyroid and para-thyroid hormones and only varies in diseases of the bone like chronic rheumatism or tetany. In case of deficiencies and excess internal terrain acidity, the bones yield their calcium to the blood to maintain homeostasis and thus indirectly causing osteoporosis. Calcium comes into play during cellular "breathing", the excitability of the nervous fibre and muscular contractions. It is also involved in blood coagulation. Like other bivalent cations, it stabilizes structures.

Phosphorus cannot be dissociated from calcium. Any imbalance impairs proper assimilation and fixation of calcium, resulting in delayed growth in children and osteopathies in adults. Phosphorus is present in the body in a mineral and organic form. As a mineral, phosphorus serves as a phosphate buffer. Passports plays a major role in the acid-alkaline balance, it is one of the major constituents of the body's alkaline reserve. As an organic molecule component, phosphorus is a constituent of the nucleic and ribonucleic acids and energy transmitters (A.D.P. - A.F.P).

Like potassium, magnesium is essentially present in ICF and only slightly present in the external environment. Magnesium plays an important role in ossification and sugar metabolism. It governs muscular contraction and is indispensable to leukocyte activity: more than potassium or calcium, magnesium constitutes an anti-pathogenic agent. It is involved in cell permeability modifications and, in case of permeability disorders, the health of the cell and therefore that of the body are greatly compromised. Magnesium deficit causes certain neuromuscular disorders, as noted in spasmophilia. In middle age (60 years and over), manifestations like loss of strength, chronic fatigue and shivering are symptoms frequently attributed to a magnesium deficit.

Interactions and balance of mineral salts
Magnesium can only be used by the body if a balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio exists. Magnesium acts as a regulator of calcium fixation and serves as a phosphorus carrier. It is therefore an integral part of the calcium-phosphorus complex. Any calcium-phosphorus imbalance reduces the resistance to illness and therefore enhances susceptibility to diseases, increases fatigue, weakens intellectual faculties and leads to premature ageing. In addition, an abnormal potassium rate produces a magnesium and sodium imbalance. No salt is independent of the others as they all interact directly or indirectly with the other electrolytes.

Much more than an isolated salt, Magnesium is the general equilibrium of the saline matrix of the internal environment which will ensure proper functioning of the organism. For example, the influence of the different salts on cardiac activity evidences their separate involvement: sodium through volemia (functions of the blood) and its relation to calcium, potassium regulating cardiac automation, calcium and magnesium governing muscular contraction, etc.

Trace elements are metals or metalloids that account for a minute percentage of the organic components. However, they fulfill a number of major functions: they are enzyme co-factors, vitamin constituents like cobalt in vitamin B12, electron carriers such as iron that also forms the nucleus of the hemoglobin molecule. They regulate hormonal mechanisms (iodine and thyroid), and play a key role in immunity mechanisms (copper, manganese, etc).

The in vivo study of trace elements is delicate: reactions involving trace elements are often reversible and require specific conditions that depend upon the environment's acidity, the oxidization of the elements present, temperature, the presence or absence of other trace elements, the chaining of previous reactions (action synergy), substrate concentration, and the form of the elements present (coefficient of dissociation of salts, level of activation of ions, etc). A full scientific comprehension of trace elemental interaction will take centuries of study. No element should be surveyed outside of its own its sphere of influence. Yet, a certain number of rules governing the use of trace elements can nonetheless be stated...

Trace elements account for approximately 3 percent of the electrolytes present in the internal environment where they form an extremely complex synergy. Any synergy disturbance causes a healthy terrain to become susceptible to a particular type of pathology, as shown in Menetrier's work.

The internal medium's pH homeostasis (acid/alkaline balance) is one of the key factors in the organic balance. pH variation margins are narrow: from 7.35 to 7.45. Outside this ideal range, the body's activity is no longer optimal and downgrades to 6.8 (hyperacidity) and 8.0 in acute alkalosis. Beyond these limits, metabolism is greatly impaired and the death of the organism may even occur. The body's pH is kept constant by buffers present in the internal environment, that is, primarily by carbonate-carbonic acid buffers, bi- and monobasic phosphate buffers and proteic buffers.

Ocean water is an extraordinarily rich and complex matrix that still possesses numerous unexplained features. Therefore, let us remember that the structure of Ocean Water remains incompletely understood. Indeed, to this day, no model encompasses all of its physico-chemical properties. In addition, the elements that compose the marine saline matrix also exhibit specific properties: for example, the coefficient of dissociation of sea salts present in the ocean water is higher than that observed in salts dissolved in distilled water, in spite of the simultaneous presence of other salts in ocean water. A 33‰ solution of sea salts, re-dissolved in distilled water, does not exhibit all the properties of natural Ocean Water of the same salinity.

Coefficient of dissociation of salts in ocean water and in distilled water (according to Ivanoff)

In addition, most of the constituents dissolved in ocean water (except for CaCO3) are far from saturated, irrespective of the importance of the external inputs or the availability of these elements in submerged rocks.

Whatever the total saline concentration, the relative concentrations of the different ions present in ocean water with respect to that of chlorine can be regarded as constant. The complex mechanisms governing these concentrations have yet to be fully explained by science. Also, the issue of artificial ocean water reconstitution remains highly complex: chemists have to introduce certain dosage modifications associated with the stability of the elements present in original Ocean Water at a very low concentration.

Phosphorus undergoes a cycle in the ocean appears alternately as an organic or mineral form: the mineralization of organic phosphorus is due to bacterial action. Conversely, inorganic phosphorus is included in the organic matter following metabolization by plants and animals, in other words, Phosphorus is present in the Ocean Waters in the form of various organic compounds in suspension or, in solution, as inorganic phosphates either insoluble or adsorbed by particulates in suspension, and first and foremost as soluble inorganic phosphate ions constituting phosphate buffers: the phosphorus concentration in the ocean depends on the balance of this cycle.

The wealth and diversity of mineral salts and trace elements present in Ocean Water is exceptional. Gregory and Overberger have shown that the marine saline matrix contains the 92 trace elements of Mendeleev's periodic table. It includes all vital nutrient salts and trace elements at concentrations ranging from 1mg/L and 10-10 (to the minus 10) mg/L. It exhibits an important buffering capability, with a pH of between 7.9 and 8.3 and a mean saline concentration of 33‰.

Note in particular that all the minerals contained in ocean water are at a concentration close to that which are usually found in man's internal environment.

Concentration of elements in ocean water and their environments
(per Ivanoff (7))

Element

Mass

Present in 600g of rocks in mg

Concentration

In Ocean Water in mg/kg

Percentage
% dissolved and in Suspension

Al
Fe
Ca

165 000

53 000

31 000

22 000

17 000

15 000

13 000

3 800

560

470

300

290

250

230

190

160

120

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.06

0.003

6.10 to the -7

0.01

400

10 500

380

1 300

0.001

0.002

0.07

900

19 000

0.03

0.12

1.3

0.000 05

0.003

0.002

0.000 1

0.17

0.000 005

0.01

0.000 8

0.000 1

0.000 3

0.000 01

0.000 93

0.01

0.000 5

0.003

0.000 04

0.003

0.000 4

0.000 1

0.000 03

0.08

0.000 04

0.000 02

10 to the -10

0.002

0.000 02

0.000 03

1.8

2.6

0.000 03

0.000 4

0.015

300

6 550

5.2

0.015

0.06

0.08

0.000 04

0.005

0.003

0.000 25

0.4

0.000 02

0.04

0.003

0.000 4

0.001 5

0.000 1

0.000 3

0.1

0.01

2 170

0.1

0.001

250

0.15

0.1

0.03

0.01

0.06

0.7

0.015

A Comparison of the same composition of ocean water and organic liquids (value of organic composition from Ganong)

The comparative study of ocean water and the internal environment highlights the similarity between the mineral composition of human plasma and ocean water.

In addition, the results of treatments using correctly formulated ocean water preparations demonstrate the amazing therapeutic efficacy of such ocean water. How can this be explained? What are the links between ocean water and the vital internal environment? As a final analysis, what is the influence of ocean water on the ionic and mineral balance of the organism?

In this study, we discuss the research and therapeutic applications of Ocean Plasma as published by René Quinton. His findings can be briefly summarized as follows:

1. The precursors of the first human cells were undoubtedly unicellular organisms and thus they were the ancestors of human beings.

2. These unicellular cells lived in ocean water. Their needs in terms of trace elements and mineral salts were met by solely by the Ocean Water. Also, the buffering capability of the ocean environment provided the acid-base (acid-alkaline) balance.

3. Following a great many zoological observations that will not be discussed here, Quinton maintained that, in order to ensure complete cellular development, the human organism preserved as its internal environment a medium similar to that of the oceans at the time when cellular life began.

4. Quinton demonstrated that isotonic ocean water, that is the marine liquid medium reduced to the concentration of an organism's internal environment, has remained the preferred internal environment of human and animal cells.

5. He postulated that from the mineral point of view, human and Ocean Plasma are environments of the same nature. In other words, "there is physical and physiological identity between ocean water and the internal environment of the organism“. Not only do they exhibit very similar mineral compositions but the particular form, organization and synergy of trace elements and mineral salts that make up the saline matrix of ocean water closely resemble those of the body's internal environment constituents.

6. The different assumptions made by Rene Quinton involved a whole series of facts borne out by zoological observations and experiments. Then Quinton surveyed the possible medical applications of his findings.

7. Together with a medical team, for more than 25 years, Quinton developed the famous "marine method" based on "Quinton's Plasma" or "Ocean Plasma", as an injectible isotonic solution of ocean water.

The works of physicians Jarricot, Robert Simon, Lachèze, Macé and Quinton, all rely on the principle of regenerating the depleted internal environment by means of purified ocean water. This results in a balanced and complete composition, so as to allow the patient to systematically reconstruct the internal terrain, the cells, and thus establish homeostasis.

The work of Quinton and his collaborators dealt with various types of cutaneous disorders, neuro-vegetative asthenias, anorexia, acute cachexia, infant diarrhea, deep dehydrations, gastro-enteritis, pulmonary tuberculosis, cholera, and typhus.

The exceptional results which were obtained from the discoveries and work of these pioneers should now be supplemented by new research. Their writings and the listed clinical cases demonstrate the great therapeutic attractiveness of Quinton's research findings and the efficacy of his method.

1. Thalassotherapy: recommends the use of ocean water in its natural state outdoors at a temperature of more or less 36°C; also based on the benefits of sea climate;

2. By injection: Ocean Plasma used to be formulated as an injectible isotonic solution;

3. By mouth: Ocean Plasma can be ingested as a hypertonic solution. Its salt concentration is that of pure ocean water, namely 33‰, and it is therefore hypertonic relative to man's internal environment, the saline concentration of which is 9‰. This particular form will be discussed in this paper in greater detail.

Ocean Plasma is added in the final phase of colonic hydrotherapy where the mucosa of the large intestine absorbs the isotonic Ocean Water within 5 to 15 minutes. According to the writings of Dr. Jean-Claude Rodet, this method is very effective to restore the internal terrain. Dr. Rodet's monograph entitled "Possibilities, advantages and benefits of ocean water in HydroTherapy" is a fine document to refer to.

5. Vaginal douche:
In cases of vaginal infections, hypertonic ocean water (10 ml) has historically been used as a vaginal douche, using suitable traditional douche equipment, from 1 to 3 times daily, according to the severity of the condition. The liquid can be retained for about 15 minutes while lying down.

The results obtained depend on the quality of the preparations. Ocean Plasma is a product solely obtained from ocean waters with balance, vitality and richness in trace elements and is prepared according to processes respecting the vital properties of ocean water. The form, composition and synergy of mineral salts and trace elements has to be maintained unaltered until they are assimilated by the organism.

It is worth pointing out that living matter differs from mineral matter in its organization and not in the nature of the atoms that compose it. A living cell is basically much more than the sum of its elements. The mere dosage of its chemical components does not suffice in itself to account for the therapeutic effect of Ocean Plasma.

A good illustration of this can be found in therapeutic mineral waters; except for the elements that are abundant in it, these waters exhibit their curative properties essentially only at the time when they are drawn from the mineral water spring. These waters seem to lose their vitality quickly although all the constituent chemical elements remain unchanged.

How can we explain the specific therapeutic gain that results from the use of the trace elements present in Ocean Plasma? The assumption of "physiologic" identity between human plasma and Ocean Plasma pre-supposes a form of availability of all the elements needed by the body. This has been proven in practice.

The study of the internal environment highlights the interactions between the constituent salts. Their overall balance is a consideration of primary importance: each salt can only be correctly assimilated and metabolized if the internal environment is balanced. If, separately assimilated, it should be at the dose corresponding to the person's individual needs.

This shows the limitations, not to say the dangers, of a massive or excessive intake of each element. For example, according to Dr. F. Mircé, the prolonged assimilation of magnesium salts would progressively lead to liver and pancreas disturbances. Ocean Plasma does not contain excessive quantities of unbalanced mineral salts and so is perfectly balanced and assimilable, which allows the body to regulate itself.

"Unintentionally, after drinking huge quantities of water from the Dead Sea, hospitalized patients demonstrated the efficacy of natural mineral salts. As we read the notes of Oren and Rapoport, we are struck by the rapid increase in the magnesium rate, the same thing being also noticed with all the salts present in the Ocean Water, Ca, Na, K. The patients assimilated Ocean Water passively but so great was its efficacy that the main problems encountered after these accidents were extreme hypermagnesia and hypercalcemia."

These considerations highlight the particular value of Ocean Plasma in trace mineral (oligo) therapy: it is a perfectly assimilable natural synergistic substance, containing all the trace elements utilized by the body at doses corresponding to the balance of the internal environment.

Resulting from its exquisite mineral balance, Ocean Plasma should be able to restore pH balance. The German physician Röpffer thoroughly investigated the evolution of the body's pH balance in patients to whom he had prescribed hydro-marine treatments. He concluded the following:

"For normal and alkaline organisms, an increase in acid values has been established unequivocally. Similarly for hyperacid organisms, a dramatic decrease in acid values has been recorded. No case has been remained the same. It can therefore be stated that in case of a systemic inconstant acidity, a cure of drinkable ocean water causes the normal acidity to be recovered. In particular for gastritis due to dietary errors or alcohol and nicotine abuse, remarkable results have been obtained."

Today, health care problems are legion: stress, jet lag, city life, pollution due to various causes and in found in many forms, ubiquitous refined foods deficient in most minerals, etc.

Twenty five years ago, the US Public Health Service listed an amazing number of medical services provided each year in the U.S: 50 million people were treated for allergies, 110 million patients had digestive disorders, 70 million Americans suffered from obesity, 10 million patients were seen for cutaneous diseases, 5 million patients suffered poisoning due to pharmaceutical prescriptions, 32 million individuals were complete edentates (having few or no teeth) etc. In conclusion, the report estimated that only 2 percent of the population enjoyed fairly good health. These statistics are now far greater and more serious. Most of the diseases of this 'civilized world' can be separated into two classes, according to the condition of the internal environment...

Ocean Plasma provides a remarkable input in mineral salts and trace elements. The entire electrolyte balance is contained in Ocean Plasma...

In addition, the effect of Ocean Plasma regarding the normalization of physiological pH has been observed many times over. This regeneration of the internal environment also greatly promotes the elimination of toxins. Given the general state of health and the impressive number of mineral deficiencies, Ocean Plasma turns out to be an essential complement to any terrain treatment. It corresponds to the mineral balance of the terrain in its physiological composition.

Asthenia and revitalization
Also worthy of consideration is the action of Ocean Plasma on all types of physical and psychic fatigue related to mineral imbalance, either general physical fatigue, chronic muscular pain or fatigue due to exertion, particularly that of athletes, and nervous fatigue, concentration and memory disorders, irritability, anxiety, pessimism, sleep disturbances, stress, spasmophilia. Given these many characteristic disorders, Ocean Plasma should be the ideal 'support' for geriatric care giving.

pH disorders and excess blood toxins are generally due to an unbalanced diet and intestinal and digestive disorders: these in turn cause many disturbances like aerophagia, stomach aches, burns, cramps, colitic spasms, constipation, dyskinesia, acid reflux, diarrhea, digestive sleeplessness and hepatic problems. A symptomatic treatment is then often prescribed, using antacid drugs, laxatives, intestinal dressings, anti-migraine and various digestive drugs.

The treatments using ocean water has been effective for these conditions. Kühnau noted the improvement of the digestive system mucosa following Ocean Water therapy. Quinton and Jarricot treated numerous cases of enteritis, assimilation disorders, constipation or acute diarrhea.

It is also remarkable that Ocean Plasma regulates body fluids and therefore has an impact on dehydration problems and on the regulation of the large intestine.

Because of the overall action of Ocean Plasma on the internal environment and on the digestive system, it can be employed as a balancing agent in the blood pH and a blood thinner in bloodstreams congested by toxins. In the case of hypertension requiring a salt-free diet, the balancing effect of Ocean Plasma on all salt minerals should be recommended rather than banned on account of its sodium chloride content. However, patients on a low sodium diet would still require special attention, namely Isotonic Ocean Plasma.

Cutaneous problems
These problems are closely linked to the availability of trace elements and the regulation of blood and cutaneous acidity. Quinton et al., utilized it to successfully treat psoriasis, eczema, pruritus, mycosis, dermoskeletal problems and skin disorders.

In addition to the recognized anti-infectious power of ocean water, it is mainly the importance of organic terrain balance (Béchamps: "...the germ is nothing, terrain is everything "), and the specific action of certain trace elements such as Cu, Mn, etc. on the immune system that must be considered. The medical files of the marine dispensaries clearly highlight enhanced immunity. Likewise, pregnancy and infant feeding are particularly interesting cases. Certain practitioners recommend a daily intake of Ocean Plasma during the first six months of pregnancy and subsequently during the whole feeding period. The results are often astounding!

Also, it is well-known that infants are particularly sensitive to salts and hydrous regulation. The results listed by Quinton's medical team were quite impressive.

The effect of drinking Ocean Plasma has been well established to be safe and effective and without side effects.

Behind the diversity of indications and the areas of research in Ocean Plasma lie not so much the aim to arrive at a thorough understanding of its influence but rather to observe and take advantage of the consistency of its mode of action. Dr. Jarricot wrote:

"Marine Plasma is not a serum against such and such illness
but it is designed for the living cell!“

In other words, it is a product which, by its very nature, primarily contributes to the restoration of health and the suppression of disease and its symptoms. This is the meaning of the diversity and importance of its action relative to the general considerations on the internal environment.

Ocean water is a living medium that offers a remarkable mineral balance relative to the internal environment of the organism: all its elements are naturally dosed in proportions close to those of the internal environment and form a highly active biologic synergy. From a therapeutic point of view, the influence of ocean water on the organism is of fundamental importance in terms of pH balance, mineral salts and trace elements.

Present studies have shown the efficacy of the method and the desirability of more research so as to better understand the interactions of Ocean Plasma and the human body. Further research should also be undertaken in order to better comprehend the organization, form and structure of mineral salts and trace elements and their interactions with the human organism.

The ocean is the birthplace of life and the medium of an infinitely rich and complex biological activity. Ocean water is also the natural mineral substitute for the internal environment and human plasma, thus opening the door to a major area of research which is particularly important in the face of the crises in public health.