Could multiple sclerosis (MS) be caused by a toxic agent?

Because of the unique geographical distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS), scientists were naturally drawn to the idea that a toxic agent might cause the disease. Over the decades they have studied soil and water to see if the disease might be related to an excessive content of such minerals as aluminum, copper, manganese, and others. But the enormous variety of toxic elements across latitudes spanning four continents led scientists to rule out a geological factor.

Toxins in the diet, even the air, were also evaluated. For instance, high gluten foods such as wheat were once thought to be the possible culprit. But completely removing gluten from the diet did nothing to alter MS statistics.

To date, all toxic elements that have been studied, including cosmic rays in the atmosphere, have been ruled out as the cause of MS. Probably the best argument against a toxic theory comes from studies of an MS "epidemic" in the Faeroe Islands. The Faeroes are a group of fifteen volcanic islands between Iceland and Scotland.

Before 1943 not a single case of multiple sclerosis had been discovered among the native Faeroese. Then, between 1944 and 1949, the average annual incidence rate rose to 7.1 cases per 100,000. There is little question among scientists that this development was directly related to the between 1,500 and 7,000 British troops who were stationed in the Faeroes for five years beginning on April 13, 1941.

Investigators believe that British troops, who were carriers of an infectious agent but without symptoms, brought MS to the islands. If the British troops had introduced multiple sclerosis to the islands by introducing a toxin, MS would still be around. But this is not the case.

Instead, the disease almost disappeared with the evacuation of the British forces. Two later "epidemics" were attributed to the Faeroese, who were now carriers themselves, but manifested no symptoms. Although the studies of the Faeroes ruled out a toxic theory, other important conclusions were drawn.

These included the following key points:MS is a unique, widespread, specific infectious disease that only rarely causes symptoms. Acquisition will take place at the first sufficient exposure between ages eleven and forty-five. The disease remains systemic, or in the body, but causing no damage.

Subsequently it either invades the nervous system or disappears.It may be transmissible from person to person but only during part or all of the systemic phase.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.