Dr. Gott: Pepper may be OK to stop bleeding

Dear Dr. Gott: I have a question that at first may sound like a question for a veterinarian, but in actuality it is for all species (human and animal).

I have a dog that had surgery on one of her ears. Three weeks after her procedure, she had a small scab at the surgical site.

She must have disturbed the scab somehow, and she was bleeding profusely. I tried to stop the bleeding with pressure but was not very successful.

A friend said that he was listening to a radio station when they were interviewing a holistic doctor and he happened to discuss how to stop bleeding without stinging with the application of black pepper.

We decided to experiment with black pepper to the site, and we packed it in lightly. I kept her still for a short while, and the bleeding stopped.

Please tell me what is in black pepper that causes this coagulation.

Dear Reader: I do not know the answer to your question except to say that pepper may contain an ingredient that aids coagulation. I conclude that black pepper probably would be appropriate therapy for a small, superficial, bleeding wound in a human.

Dear Dr. Gott: I am 85. In 2001, I had a back operation, and a few days later they found a blood clot in my left thigh.

Several years later, my left calf and my left foot swelled up, and my calf was rock hard. My regular doctor was concerned and sent me to a specialist.

He was very unconcerned and made an appointment for a month away. They put four blood-pressure cuffs on my legs and said there were no clots and dismissed me.

Several weeks later, my left calf is still very swollen, and so is my left foot. There is no pain.

Should I just ignore this?

Dear Reader: Do not ignore this symptom. The risk of a blood clot in a leg vein is very real. I am surprised that your doctor has thus far failed to order an ultrasound exam to check you for such a clot.

This test is far more accurate than a blood-pressure-cuff diagnosis. Show your physician my answer to your question and request an ultrasound exam, which is safe and painless.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Blood: Donations and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.