Pneumonia, a Series of Six Indicated Medicines

The pathological definition of pneumonia is the acute Inflammation of the lung parenchyma distal to the terminal bronchioles which consist of the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs and alveoli. The focus of the article is the therapeutics of pneumonia. Not all the indicated remedies are mentioned. Rather six of the most prominent remedies are presented here, as how they follow each other as the disease progress. Please be forewarned that not all the cases require all of these remedies. It could also happen that a remedy out of this series may be required. Selection of a remedy for a case should always be in the true homoeopathic way, in pneumonia or in any disease for that matter. This article also aims to understand how the remedies be correlated with the pathology of a disease condition, how they could follow each other with respect to the pathology.

Belladonna in Inflammation

For most of us belladonna is synonymous with inflammation. The symptoms of belladonna correspond in similarity to a number of inflammatory states met with in under ordinary circumstances, it being a polychrest. But practising homoeopathy on pathology alone is dangerous. Any drug could be made dangerous in nature when prescribed in unsuitable cases of diseases and in large doses. Though, Hahnemann has given us precise guidelines on the manner of homoeopathic prescription, these are not followed always. We see different methods of prescribing and practising homoeopathy sectioned under new and varied principles. Some of them deviate absurdly from Hahnemann’s philosophy. It's true that progress is in requirement for medical field. But we must never forget that Hahnemann was a researcher and a keen observer who had the brilliance to propose theories ahead of the medical system of his time. His research and studies were not made on the sick alone, he made his provings on healthy men. He was also constantly improvising in his methodology. Diagnostic criteria may change with research into pathology and with latest laboratory investigations, but these provings hold true then and now. It's thus incumbent on all of us to dwelve into the source books and then come to conclusions. This blog is a humble effort on my part to forray into the books of Hahnemann and his closest and able disciples, to learn homoeopathy in the way Hahnemann proposed.

Belladonna is an extremely useful drug and it works even in the smallest doses. It has saved many a life. Hahnemann’s experience with scarlet fever where Belladonna was used as a curative and preventive remedy is a proof of it. He had a special method of preparation for its use. Belladonna has all the classical signs of inflammations like the redness, heat, swelling etc. So does other drugs, which has anti inflammatory action, with more or less of these signs and symptoms. What helps us distinguish Belladonna is its onset, the nature of its pains, the characteristic symptoms and the modalities. Belladonna has a sudden onset.

How to Differentiate Rhus tox and Bryonia in Fever, Part 2

There is no replacement for the disciplinary learning of medicines. But are we really in close connection with our drugs? Is it not the truth that the technology has deviated us from following the Hahnemannian methodology of prescribing? I am not against progress and development, but the system suffers from this neglect. Eventually it's the patient who becomes the scapegoat. I am on a quest to relearn the materia medica, to get to know the drugs intimately and to discern the points of similarities and differentiation between them. There are no shortcuts in learning. Dr. Hering has rightly said

“THEY WHO UNDERTAKE THE PRACTISE OF MEDICINE CHIEFLY BY THE AID OF EXTRACTS AND REPERTORIES, WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE MERE NOVICES, WILL NEVER ACCOMPLISH WHAT BELONGS TO SKILL, FOUNDED ON SCIENCE AND CARRIED OUT PRACTICALLY, WITH DILIGENCE AND CARE.”

When new into practice, it takes time to gain the trust of the people around us, to gain their confidence, to begin their history with us. I say history because, for a homoeopath, it is important to cultivate a good relation with our patients. It is a bond, that often lasts the test of time, the test of diseases, sometimes even the test of criticisms. We learn the little things and the big things about them and they understand the depth of homoeopathy and willingly give it time when needed. The treatment process have to begin somewhere. Very many patients like to make small beginnings, take baby steps, feel the waters before taking the plunge. Often, these beginnings are with a stuffy nose here, a cough there, a fast relief for a toothache or a handy remedy for a fever. The most familiar remedies are the most useful during this period. It maybe almost correct to say that the medicinal chest is surely incomplete without these two saviours, Bryonia and Rhus tox.

In a previous post on a comparison of fevers between the two drugs (read here)) , I have outlined the general similarities and differences. It doesn't give an actual picture of their indications in the specific circumstances.

No Fleeing away from Psora

There is no fleeing away from psora, once infected. The great observer that Dr. Hahnemann was, would not be contended with his treatment methodology after he started observing the diseases recurring, inspite of following his principles discovered till then. It was always the complete restoration of the sick to health, his aim, as told in the Organon; he practised what he preached.Further observations and experimentations eventually lead to the discovery of miasms. It is worthwhile to remember that it was an eventful painstaking research for 12 years before he made it known to the world of this turning point in the homoeopathic treatment methodology. The reasons behind the discovery of miasms, the nature and the cure are all treated in detail in The Chronic Diseases and Organon of Medicine. Then why are miasms misinterpreted to suit the needs of some theories?

Miasms are a mighty force to reckon with. Just a reminder that, I am talking about the three chronic miasms, namely psora, sycosis and syphilis, which are the cause of all chronic diseases. In Organon of Medicine, in aphorism 5, Hahnemann says, “.....as also the significant points in the whole history of the chronic disease, to enable him to discover its fundamental cause, which is generally due to a chronic miasm......” Sycosis and syphilis are the venereal miasms. It is the psora, the non venereal miasm, the cause of “all the thousands of incredibly various (acute and) chronic (non-venereal) diseases” as said in The Chronic Diseases.

HomoeoProphylaxis Part 2

When the world is making great strides in promoting hygiene, Hahnemann clearly evaluated the principles of hygiene and isolation of the sick during an epidemic. The isolation of the sick from the rest of the population limits the spread of disease. Is it not amazing to note that Hahnemann has given detailed instructions on how to set up an isolation (ward) for the infected people? Sterile masks and gowns were unknown then, Hahnemann has proposed the use of  an oil cloth cloak covering till foot while visiting the sick and change of the same while going out. Disinfecting, airing of the rooms, sterilizing the rooms where the sick had lived; importance of fresh air; clean and nourishing food; even the minutest detail had been thought of by the master. We have had a previous post on Homoeoprophylaxis which can be read here and a discussion on facebook which can be read here.

Continuing from the previous post on Homoeoprophylaxis, where I have described the method Hahnemann adopted in scarlet fever with the use of Belladonna as a prophylactic against scarlet fever. There is a specific way of preparing prophylactic medicines.

HomoeoProphylaxis

Aren't we all approached by patients for prophylactic medicines against common epidemics? A prophylaxis is a treatment given or action taken to prevent diseases. While speaking of prophylaxis, it is the practice of vaccination that is immediately recalled. Prophylaxis was practiced by medical men from long time. It was after Edward Jenner started inoculation with cow pox for protection against small pox, that the procedure started being called vaccination. Edward Jenner observed this effect in nature, that a person infected with milder cowpox was afforded protection against the more virulent small pox.  But then we cannot depend on nature alone for prophylaxis; for nature has its own happy go lucky operations.

The aim of prophylaxis is to offer protection against infectious diseases. Today, more and more people are turning to homoeopathy for prophylactic medications. They are disillusioned with the modern vaccination regime. Are we doing homoeoprophylaxis in the right way? Hahnemann has left no gaps in applying the principles of homoeopathy to every possible ailments of mankind. The organon of Medicine, sixth edition has given a complete set of guidelines to treating and preventing epidemic diseases. Examples of application of his methodology can be found in his Lesser Writings. In chronic diseases too, he makes a mention of how anti psoric treatment be altered when the patient is affected with epidemics. His ardent followers too made use of his wise philosophy.

The 50Millesimal Scale of Potentization as Described in Sixth Edition of Organon of Medicine

This post is an attempt to give a brief introduction of 50 millesimal scale of dynamization as portrayed in the sixth edition of Organon of Medicine, written by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. This scale introduced in the sixth edition is called as the perfected method of dynamization by Hahnemann. The name 50 millesimal potencies for this latest and perfected method of potentization of Hahnemann was given by Dr.Pierre Schmidt.

The Organon of Medicine is the reference book for LM potency. Till the sixth edition, the centesimal scale was used often. There were some difficulties while using the medicines in centesimal scale. I know most of us face similar problems. What would they be? It is every sincere physician's wish to provide the gentlest and the swiftest cure to the patient.

Nash's Trios of Flatulence: Learn A Drug Challenge

Books Referred : Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics, Nash
                              Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica, Farrington
                              A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Clarke
                              Allen's Keynotes


 Nash's trios of flatulence are Carbo Veg, Lycopodium and Cinchona, well known to every student of homoeopathy. Nash is definitely a master when it comes to grouping of medicines, making our life easier. Carbo Veg has flatulence in the upper abdomen, Lycopodium in the lower abdomen and Cinchona in the entire abdomen. There is a lot more in the symptomatology of these drugs which would help us in selecting the similimum wisely.

Nutrition Nightmares- Part 2

A child was brought into my clinic by a loving father and a doting grand father. The 2 year old kid has a cold and a cough, seasonal, I would say. The dad says the daughter has a cold and a loss of appetite. How do you prescribe for a running nose, an everyday dilemma of a homeopath. I need more details. Anything else, "No, just the cold and she is not eating anything." We have been warned by our teachers not to ask leading questions to our patients. I am at a loss. We engage in a Q&A session, still yielding only an affirmative for cough and a no for fever. The father doesn't know other details or has failed to notice the changes in her routine, that would have been really helpful to me. He is back to the loss of appetite now. Here is what I have to say. You have a cold, the body identifies that something is out of sorts with your body. Who would want to stuff on an elaborate meal? At least this little girl is active and playing about. A cranky child would be a lot in the parents hands. No matter how serious or how superfluous the disease is, there is this obsession about "Not eating anything". The body has its turn offs and its absolutely normal to not want to eat much, when you are sick. The care should be on providing the required nutrients for the body to recover in the shortest possible time, without much damage.

A Comprehensive Guide to Select a Remedy for Suppuration : Learn A Drug Challenge

Books Referred:  Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica, Farrington
                            Kent's Materia Medica
                            Nash's Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics

For any given diagnosis or for any given set of symptoms, there are several drugs in our materia medica to choose from. Suppurations are one difficult case for me to treat. A wrong move could easily spoil the case, further it could lead them to a surgeon's knife. Farrington, in his Clinical Materia Medica gives a list of drugs for inflammations that has gone into suppurations, whether the disease be a boil, a tonsillitis or any other form of inflammation. They are Belladonna, Hepar, Mercurius, Lachesis, Silicea and Sulphur.

Belladonna is at the head of the list. Belladonna is the preferred remedy in the beginning of inflammation as in tonsillitis. A point of importance in Bell is the sudden and violent onset.There is intense heat and burning in the parts involved. The person cannot tolerate any jar, he will not even let the bed to be moved. The throat is bright red and swollen, difficulty in swallowing fluids and sharp pains. The pains come suddenly, they remain longer or shorter and goes suddenly. The fever too is never continuous. There is often a thirst in Bell fever, sometimes in large quantities other times constantly to wet the dry mouth. In fever the Bell has hot head with cold extremities. We may think of Bell in an abscess, when pus develops with lightning like rapidity.