Random notes on some remedies

Copied from Radar By Ahmed 24/12/18 Taxila.

As we practise Homoeopathy and are blessed with increasing success, our appreciation of Hahnemann
turns into admiration, respect and reverence for his genius in discovering this method by sheer force of
logic and experiment, in an age of ignorance and superstition, abounding as it was in bigoted quacks.
The results of a few infinitesimal doses of the similimum, as compared with the effects of the large
violent doses of the other systems, are simply delightful to watch and experience. To the convert
especially, Homoeopathy is like an oasis and provides a cool refreshing drink after a hot and tiresome
travel in the desert of palliative and suppressive drugging. Our repeated successes not only confirm the
correctness of the similia principle but also provide verifications of the drug symptoms contained in the
Materia Medica. The words of the Materia Medica begin to assume shape and take on life and form and
the prescriber is able to see in actual practice what he has read in words. He thus becomes gradually
acquainted with the drugs. First, when he meets them, he gathers an introduction, then a nodding
acquaintance; as he meets them more and more in their various moods, he develops an intimate
friendship and gets an insight into their make-up and personality. In course of time he is able to identify
them more easily by their gait, speech, mannerisms, dress, behaviour, etc. Ultimately he can recognise
them even if they are disguised.
Thus, to the experienced homoeopath, the symptomatology of the drugs, which at first reading had
appeared unconnected and even meaningless, slowly takes on some definite form and shape, at first
blurred but gradually more clear-cut and distinct. His own mental images or concepts of remedies are
naturally moulded, shaped or warped by the nature, extent and types of the cases he comes across, and
since the experience of no two physicians can be exactly the same, it is quite understandable that these
concepts of remedies in the minds of various homoeopaths, while being in general form identical, are
likely to vary much in details. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to exchange our own concepts with
those of others, for one's own impressions might prove new and useful to others.
So, here follows a serie of rambling thoughts on some remedies. The reader who wishes to get more
coherent and comprehensive pictures of the drugs should refer to standard books on Materia Medica.
These notes were originally published in the Indian and foreign homoeopathic journals and I am
grateful to the Editors for their kind permission to reprint them.
Alumina
Alumina is not a remedy that is being used very often in homoeopathic practice but when one comes
across the symptomatology of Alumina in a patient, one should carefully enquire if aluminium vessels
are being used in the kitchen. It is well-known that in patients from cities, constipation is a common
feature and very often patients give a history that they are forced to strain very hard at stool even
though the stool is very soft. While this symptom might remind us of the remedy Alumina, it should also
stimulate us to enquire about the use of aluminium vessels. Even if aluminium is not being used in the
kitchen in the house, quite a large number of people in the city take their lunch outside and in
restaurants. The use of aluminium vessels for cooking has become very widespread all over the world
because they are very light, become easily heated and are economical. There is no doubt that the
aluminium from these containers gets gradually dissolved and ingested along with the food. Though a
number of people may remain immune, it is certain that some people suffer severely from its effects,
whether these effects are toxic or allergic.
The role of aluminium in the causation of disease is not properly appreciated but anyone who has
followed the investigations of Dr. Le Hunte Cooper, published in his various articles, will keep his eyes
wide open for this source of trouble. Dr. Cooper, whose persistent and deep study of the problem is
most admirable, in a learned article gives numerous instances of such reactions and sufferings. The
booklet, "Aluminium, a Menace to Health" by Mark Clements also makes a strong case against the use of
aluminium vessels. We are well aware that the cause of diseases should be traced and removed and/or
neutralised and, therefore, one has to make careful enquiry in this respect to eliminate the possibility of
aluminium contaminating the food.
Among the numerous symptoms which suggest the possibility of aluminium contamination in the
kitchen are two noteworthy ones. One is itching of the eyelids and especially the inner canthi, and
another constipation where the patient has to strain hard even though the stool is very soft. The
elimination of aluminium containers itself, where it is being used, often brings about improvement. I
may quote from my experience one such case.
"Mr. A.V. D., aged 18 years, consulted me for circular, bilateral and symmetrical patches of eruptions in
both the feet below the ankles existing for two months. There was some itching with exudation of thin
fluid on scratching and also formation of white scales. The patient was very fond of sweets and milk. He
had constipation and had to strain for stool although it was soft. On enquiry, I found that aluminium
vessels were used in his kitchen.
Thereupon, I merely advised him to discard these and gave him no medicine. In nine days' time, he
reported to me that the itching was much less and that the eruptions had started fading. In a month's
time, without any medicine whatsoever, the patches had practically vanished though not completely.
One dose of Morgan (Bach) 30 * removed the remnants."
Incidentally, I have a feeling that many cases of skin disease, so common in modern times, may be due
to the use of aluminium vessels.
Alumina seems to be a most deep-acting drug and it has considerable resemblance to Causticum and to
Lycopodium (Lycopodium pollen contain aluminium). It produces both paralysis and anaesthesia as well
as paraesthesia. I have seen one or two cases of Alumina who had a craving for and aggravation from
potatoes. One of my patients who needed Alumina, a young man of 28, used to eat raw rice by the
handfuls.
I was once able to cure a case of epilepsy where the patient reported to me that he got more seizures in
summer and if he took potatoes.
A very delightful case treated by me with Alumina is worth narrating. Mr. G.V. P., aged 51, consulted me
on 15th April 1954 with the following history.
In 1942, he had had an attack of Korsakoff's Psychosis. He was a cashier in the Railways, and one day he
brought home all the office cash which was a considerable amount and told his wife that it was the
money a friend had given to him for safe keeping. Next day, he did not go to office since he did not
remember where he was employed but he explained to his wife that it was a holiday. When he did not
turn up for work, and as at the same time, so much cash was missing, the police were informed and they
turned up at his house. When the truth came out and his peculiar behaviour became known, he was
taken to the mental hospital where he became violent but after three weeks' confinement he became
all right.
In 1946, a second and similar attack occurred with defect in locomotion and other symptoms. He also
developed a delusion that his friend had killed his child. This time he was examined by a good physician
and it was diagnosed as a case of subacute combined degeneration of the cord. He was advised to
continue liver extract injections daily for lifetime. Since then he has been regularly taking the injections.
He became mentally sound and physically slightly better but otherwise his condition had remained
stationary.
When I examined him, he had a sense of weakness in the ankles and a sense of heaviness in the legs,
but the soles felt numb and he felt as if he was walking on cotton or on a spring. On standing up, he was
unable to move immediately, nor could he walk fast. He felt as if there was no life or strength in the
nerves and in the chest. He could bear neither heat nor cold. He could not walk or stand with eyes
closed.
Previous history: In his younger days, his father had troubled him much and had driven him out of the
house.
Blood examination on 10.4.54 showed Kahn +++. I gave him a dose of Syphilinum 1M on 15.04.54 and
advised him to discontinue the injections of liver extract. He experienced considerable improvement.
The numbness and heaviness decreased markedly. On 20.07.54, the whole symptom-picture returned
and I then gave him Syphilinum CM. He continued to progress were till 08.09.1954. His Kahn then
showed one +.
I now repertorized his case on Ken't Repertory and Boger's Synoptic Key with the following rubrics:
Vertigo agg. closing eyes (K.p. 88); Agg. speaking (B.S. K.p. 28); Numbness of sole (K.p. 1043); Heaviness
of lower limbs (K.p. 1015). It worked out to Alumina. I gave him Alumina 1M, 1dose and this produced
remarkable improvement till 16.10.54. With this dose, he said he found "tremendous amount of good".
He was able to walk much better, the feeling of walking on cotton became much less. Blood examination
showed Kahn negative.
I had to repeat the medicine on 16.10.54 and again on 24.06.55. Every time after the dose, he felt
completely normal for several months. Unfortunately he went out of my observation and I could not
check up on his further progress. But I am satisfied the Alumina did him "a lot of good". I was also
pleased that he was able to discontinue the daily injections of liver extract and in its place got better
improvement with 5 doses of medicine given during a period of 14 months.
Ammonium carbonicum
I was not using Am-c much and I used to wonder because the famous Dr. Benoyotosh Bhattacharya of
Baroda had stated in a book that Am-c is one of the six gems among the homoeopathic medicines.
Recently, a girl aged 18 years came to me suffering from repeated attacks of asthma agg. at new moon,
agg. before menses, with cough agg. lying on the right side. I studied her case and came to three
remedies, viz. Am-c, Lyc., and Sulph. Because Am-c had the respiratory symptoms, I gave her this
remedy and she became completely well. We were giving her a dose about once in 15 days. Now she
has been completely well for over one year.
I studied Am-c more closely and I was surprised to note that it is given in innumerable rubrics. It seems
to cover many cases of Asthma. Many times I find that when we are using Ars., we ought to be using
Am-c.
Carb-v is a reaction remedy. We give Carb-v in chronic respiratory conditions where the reaction is
poor. But actually, Am-c seems to act better than Carb-v as a remedy to promote reaction. For patients
with coryza, who have obstruction of the nose at night, I used to give Ars. with some relief. When I
looked into Kent's Repertory under the rubric "Nose, Obstructed, night", I found only three remedies in
bold type, viz. Am-c, Lyc. and Nux-v. I gave Am-c and found that it gave much more relief than Ars.
I had another very interesting case. "A boy aged 16 years, was extremely fat. 223 lbs in weight. Obesity
is a symptom of Am-c though it is not given in Kent's Repertory under the rubric "Obesity". This boy had
non-healing ulcers in the feet for many months. He used to spend money lavishly. If his father gave him
some pocket money he would waste it. He would take a taxi and go round two or three times. Or he
would take his friends to a paan shop and buy everybody a one rupee paan. He had excessive thirst for
cold drinks. He would tell lies. He would often stammer. Am-c covered most symptoms. I gave him Am-c
and all the symptoms improved."
Since Am-c has 3 a.m. aggravation and is agg. by dampness, I think it might be more useful than Kali-c
in Bombay.
Am-c is very useful in old age. We give Carb-v to old people but Am-c may be equally good. You will find
in the Repertory under "Obesity in old people", only Kali-c but Am-c also covers obesity and old people.
So, many times when we give Kali-c, we have to consider if Am-c would be better.
I have treated two other interesting cases: "Mrs. J.R. K., aged 49, consulted me on 9th April 1975 for
rheumatic pains in joints, more on the right side of the body, worse in winter, worse by rest, better by
motion. Recently, she gets pains in the right hip and pulsating, cramping and electric shock-like pains in
right leg shooting down, worse at night between 1 and 3 a.m. She has to walk about to get relief or her
husband has to press and massage the part. She is depressed in cloudy weather. Dreams of ghosts. The
pains are in spots, moving or wandering and are associated with heat and redness. She gets angry when
contradicted. Weeps easily and feels better. Used to weep while telling symptoms. She was
disappointed with some relatives as she felt cheated. She had been given Rho. 10M, Sulph. 1M, Puls.
10M, Bry. 10M, Rhus-t 10M and Syph. 10M by some homoeopath without any relief. Her case was
worked out with the following symptoms:
Cloudy weather agg.
Side right
Pains, Wandering
Motion amel.
Rubbing amel.
Pressure amel.
Anger from contradiction.
The only remedy to come through was Am-c. Am-c also covered the background of grief, dreams of
ghosts, etc. She was given Am-c 30, t.i. d. and she felt 25% better within a week. Thereafter, Am-c was
repeated in various potencies ranging from 200 to 50M and she became 95% better. The rest was
removed by Puls."
Arnica montana
If an allopathic physician is to be induced and introduced to study or practise homoeopathic medicine,
the first remedy that I would recommend to him to study or use would be Arnica because this remedy is
very simple to prescribe in case of injuries. When a person is injured, Arnica can be given without going
into the detailed symptomatology and in quite a number of cases it is able to give relief. So the
allopathic physician is able to use it easily and see the results. Later on, he can go into the philosophy of
Homoeopathy and study and practise it the way it should be done.
Whenever a person has been injured, not only the acute effects but even the chronic effects of this
injury can be removed by Arnica, whatever its nature may be. I remember very well a lady who had
developed a lipoma in the gluteal region after a fall. With few doses of Arnica, the size of the lipoma
reduced considerably. Arnica is not only a remedy for the ill-effects of injury but also for the effects of
overexertion. We know in this highly competitive society, every person specialises in the use of some
particular organ, e.g. a typist or pianist has to continuously use his fingers, a singer his vocal cords, a
trumpeter his lungs, an athlete his limbs, a proof reader his eyes and so on. All these persons can have
relief from Arnica when they suffer due to the overexertion of particular limbs or organs. I once had a
cricket player as my patient. This person used to start batting well but would soon become tired and get
out. When he went to Australia with his team I gave him some doses of Arnica to be taken before and
during the play. With these doses he was able to bat so well that I received a cable from his team-mates
in Australia asking me to send the same medicine for all the eleven players!
I once treated a girl suffering from Asthma which she had developed after overexertion. She had
climbed a mountain with a party of her schoolmates. They made a bet as to who would reach the top
quickest. This girl went ahead of everyone but after that she had developed Asthma. I saw her two years
after the event and Arnica completely cured her.
Sometimes Arnica relieves or cures a case in which there is history of an injury, however remote, and
even though there seems no apparent cause-and-result relationship between the injury and the
disorder.
"Mr. A.D. C,. aged 38 years, consulted me for loss of vision in Aug. 1973. One morning on waking he
found that he had lost his vision in the left eye. He consulted an eye specialist. It was diagnosed as due
to vitreous haemorrhage. He took some vitamin injections and became well. The condition, however,
relapsed after sometime and this time vitamins did not help.
Now he had very little vision in the left eye. He could see vaguely the lateral part of the visual field. His
blood sugar curve was normal. He gave a history that his left eye had been hurt by a stone in childhood.
I asked him to consult an eye specialist. The eye specialist's opinion was "Vitreous haemorrhage in the
left eye. The fundus could not be seen. Vision is reduced to perception of projection of light only for the
left eye. Rt. eye is normal."
Because of the old history of injury and the haemorrhage, I put him on Arnica 30, three times a day.
After one month he told me that he was suddenly finding 2 or 3 big spots of clear vision through which
he was able to see. And these spots of vision gradually enlarged. The same medicine was continued and
later, on 15.06.74 he was put on Arnica 200, daily one dose, which was continued upto 17.07.74.
He was then able to read big letters like the headlines in the newspapers. Arnica 200 was continued and
from 11.11.75 he was put on Arnica 1M, weekly one dose.
In Jan. 1976, his office people offered to buy for him a scooter, if his vision was normal. He wanted from
me a certificate that his vision was normal. As I felt that I was incompetent to give such a certificate, I
sent him back to the eye specialist. The eye specialist examined him and certified that his vision was
completely normal. So he was given the scooter by his office and this made him extremely happy."
"I was consulted for Mrs. I.R. , aged 61 years, who had met with an accident days earlier. She had been
knocked down by a scooter and had since then been comatose or semicomatose. She had been
admitted in a hospital and treated but her condition had deteriorated and the attending physician had
then said that the prognosis was bad, but that there was a small chance if she was operated
immediately because he thought that it was due to a clot in the brain. Somehow, the relatives of the
patient were not ready to submit her to an operation. So they decided to try Homoeopathy and I was
called.
When I saw her, she was semicomatose. If she was shaken and asked to protrude her tongue she would
slowly open her eyes, pause and then respond slowly. Then she would lapse into coma. She could not
speak. Since her bladder was not working, a catheter had been kept in. Her pupils were normal but not
reacting to light.
Because of the head injury and because she would respond and then lapse into drowsiness, I gave her
Arnica 200, one hourly. Within 48 hours she was able to respond better, speak, and answer questions.
Her coma was 50% better. Arnica 200 was then continued two hourly and after 4 days she was put on
Arnica 1M, 3 hourly. She improved steadily. On the 12th day she felt an urge for urine and so the
catheter was removed and she was able to pass urine by herself. She started complaining of severe pain
in the bruised parts but later on this pain also came down. She then went home from the hospital.
After going home she developed a rise of temperature. The urine showed 150 pus cells per field and the
infection was attributed to the catheter having been retained in for many days. The symptoms indicated
Lyc. With a few doses of Lyc. 30 the urinary infection also passed away. She is now quite well and is able
to look after herself."
Arsenicum album
Ars. is a remedy which is most useful when indicated in a variety of conditions, from asthma to arthritis,
coryza to cancer, in the acute and chronic, benign or malignant conditions.
Taking up my experience at the Govt. Homoeopathic Hospital I have to record that I have seen
hundreds of cases of asthma and in nearly 50% of them Arsenic was found indicated. Originally it
seemed to me that it could not be indicated in cases of asthma because asthmatic patients are
aggravated by the least movement, whereas Arsenic patients are said to be better by movement. Very
soon I realised that Arsenic is, of course, ameliorated by movement; but at the same time, it is
aggravated by the least exertion, and movement is also a minor degree of exertion. This slight difference
in interpretation gave a different angle and since then I have freely prescribed Ars. in cases of asthma
and wherever it was indicated it gave results. Thus in the treatment of a condition very rarely near death
or dissolution, Arsenic has been found indicated very often and found to act very well, too. Incidentally
it may be noted that only in a minority of cases fear of death was found in the patients.
Ars. has nausea at the smell and thought of food, a symptom often found in jaundice associated with
prostration. Ars. is a well-known remedy for jaundice (as well as for yellow fever).
Another remarkable symptom is blackness. The discharges, the skin (eruptions, ulcers, discolouration,
gangrene), lips, etc., all turn black. Arsenic is an antidote to tobacco and I have noticed that most
smokers have black lips. When the stools are black, the possibility of haemorrhage from the upper part
of the digestive tract should be considered; here again Arsenic may be indicated.
I remember an elderly lady whose nose for some unknown reason had become intensely black. It was
black as a crow. The lady felt like dying of shame. Whenever she went out, she used to cover it with a
kerchief. Getting no other indications, I gave her Ars. which completely cleared it up. She became
immensely happy.
Ars. has not only burning sensation but the skin also looks black as if seared. Therefore, it has been
found very useful in burns.
Again in the treatment of extreme weakness amounting to prostration, especially after acute illnesses
such as Influenza, where no other prominent indications are found beside the asthenia, Arsenic is found
to be fairly effective. Where people complain of exhaustion without any other clear indications and
without any apparent cause, Arsenic in low potencies does help.
This seems to be such a wonderful drug, full of such wide possibilities and of benefit in such a wide
range of diseases that I feel I could fill up three fat volumes only with Arsenic cases. But it not being my
intention to give a full picture of the remedy, I only draw the reader's attention to some salient features.
I also wish to draw attention to the mistake of putting undue emphasis on certain aspects of a remedy
to the exclusion of other aspects. Greatest emphasis must be laid on one fact that seems to be widely
misunderstood. Very often one is confronted with the question raised by brother homoeopaths: "How
can you prescribe a drug when a symptom which is so characteristic of that remedy is absent? For
example, how can you prescribe Arsenic when the patient has no fear of death?" The answer obviously
is that the prescriber may expect all the characteristic symptoms of the patient to be present in the
remedy but he should not expect all the characteristic symptoms of the remedy in any particular case;
he will not overrule the choice of the remedy if it is otherwise well-indicated. Such absence can, at the
most, have negative value only. If all the symptoms (given in the Materia Medica) of a drug, for example
Arsenic be present in one patient, it is probable that he would commit suicide before he thinks of seeing
a physician!
When we notice how frequently this remedy seems to be needed in attacks of gastroenteritis and food
poisoning, we are tempted to consider it almost as a specific for this condition. One of the keynotes is
that whatever is ingested is vomited at once; and vomiting and diarrhoea occur often simultaneously.
The effects of Arsenic seems to be rapid or sudden and intense, the emaciation, the weakness,
prostration, the vomiting, etc., so that it is often needed in serious conditions and emergencies. Arsenic
is one of the lifesavers. Indeed, in so many cases which are serious or desperate, when death seems
round the corner, Arsenic is often indicated and saves lives.
I shall now describe some cases of Arsenic that I have treated.
"A child, aged 31/2 months, was brought to me for diarrhoea. The child at birth had weighed only 4 lbs.
and so was given a Durabolin injection for increasing the weight. He developed diarrhoea. But still, a
second injection was given. Immediately the diarrhoea became worse. The child became so dehydrated
that he had to be admitted in hospital and various medicines were given along with intravenous fluid.
The child improved but the diarrhoea continued. They consulted good pediatricians and gave further
allopathic treatment for nearly a month. But the diarrhoea persisted. Ultimately, they came for
Homoeopathy. When I saw the child, he presented the following main symptoms:
Diarrhoea agg. drinking; stool excoriating.
On these and other symptoms Ars. 200 was prescribed. The child became completely well within four
days."
"The next was the case of a navigator, aged 43 years, working in an international airlines company. He
suddenly developed a sense of sinking with nervousness and fear of death which was very much worse if
he smoked. It was also worse by loss of sleep. He had all sorts of imaginary fears. He was most unhappy
flying because he feared the plane would crash. He developed also trembling, vertigo and various other
symptoms suggestive of neurosis. He had been given tranquilizers with no effect. Ars. 1M was
prescribed. This cleared up everything. He said that within 3 hours of the medicine he felt completely
normal in mind and body. The medicine had to be repeated four or five times for relapses but every
time it helped him."
Even where a case is incurable, homoeopathic treatment relieves the suffering and affords a painless
end. Arsenic is one of the medicines which can do this.
"An elderly lady, aged 58 years, came for consultation in 1953. She had severe burning pain in left
hypochondrium with restlessness of two or three months duration. The burning was better by hot
applications. She could not lie on the left side. She used to take 2 to 3 sips of water every half an hour.
On examination, there was a hard tender mass in the area. She also had history of bleeding P.R. She had
already consulted some doctors who had done Ba. enema and had diagnosed the condition as
carcinoma of the transverse colon near the splenic flexure. The case was beyond surgery and only
symptomatic treatment had been advised. Various sedatives had been given without any effect.
The indications for Ars. were clear and I gave her Ars. 30. The very first dose aggravated her condition
and so I changed to Ars. 6, t.i. d. With three doses of this medicine she felt dramatic relief, she felt
completely all right in a day or so, and so she stopped the medicines. She remained completely well for
six months without taking another dose of medicine. Then, one night at 1 a.m. she woke up, read some
religious book, then had a sudden attack of dyspnoea, and she collapsed and died."
"On 24 October 1960, I saw Miss P.D. , aged 7 years, with the following history and symptoms:
She had puffiness on the face and around the eyes for the last 5 months. Five months earlier she had
gone to see the Ajanta caves and had taken some allopathic medicine but then had developed puffiness
of the face. She then took homoeopathic treatment and felt better but the condition has relapsed. In
the last 10 days, the swelling has increased and she has put up 7 lbs. in weight. The average daily fluid
intake is 600 cc and output is 300 cc. Oedema slight on feet. Ascites. No appetite. Thirstless. Wants cold
air, uncovering, etc. Puffiness on face agg. morning. I gave her Apis 1M, 3 doses.
She felt no better and the next day consulted some other homoeopath. She felt much better on his
treatment for some months but there was again a relapse and I was called again on the case. I saw her
now on 09.03.61 and the condition was as follows:
The urine showed plenty of albumin, casts, and RBCs. It had been diagnosed as Nephritis. An eminent
pediatrician had seen her and had given a very grave prognosis and had advised immediate
hospitalisation. She had puffiness++ around eyes, oedema of feet and general anasarca. The urine
output was 180 cc. No thirst. Fruits especially sour oranges, and curds agg. the swelling. The smallest
piece of orange or apple causes immediate and intense swelling over the body with oliguria.
I took the agg. from sour foods and from fruits as characteristic along with the other symptoms. On
referring to Kent's Repertory, I found Ars. and Fer. coming through.
As I could not decide between Ars. and Fer. I gave her Fer-a, 3 doses 6 hourly. Next day she had urine 3-
4 times and stools 3-4 times. Swelling reduced. Fer-a 30 was continued, daily once for a week. The urine
still showed proteins, ketones, pus cells, R.B. Cs, hyaline and granular casts. But the patient continued to
improve steadily. Now and then there were relapses or short periods of no improvement, but in general
she responded to Fer-a 30 every time and showed good progress. As the condition improved, the doses
of Fer-a were reduced, first to one dose every 24 hours, then one dose every 48 hours, then one dose
every 72 hours and it was stopped ultimately after ten months after the urine showed N.A. D. She
remained well and was able to take all items of food including sour fruits. Later on, she had a severe
attack of measles but recovered from it without any trace of albumin in urine. Repeated urine
examinations done at various intervals showed N.A. D. and two years later she was still well."
The following was a case of multiple sclerosis treated by S.R. Phatak.
"Miss P.B. , aged 24 years, came on 21st Jan. 1971 with the following history:
In 1964 her sandals started coming off her feet while walking. Later, one morning on rising she found
she could not stand up. Also her legs felt heavy and she could not control her urine. She was kept in an
allopathic hospital for 2 months and later on treated for 2 or 3 years with slight improvement. Again she
got a relapse and then she could not keep her balance. In 1967 she was hospitalised again in another
allopathic hospital and it was diagnosed as multiple sclerosis (postero-lateral sclerosis). She felt better
with Vit. B1, B2, folic acid and Prednisolone, but gets agg. if these are stopped. Now she has weakness
esp. in the legs. The body shakes if she stands. She goes back involuntarily while standing. Appetite,
thirst, etc., are normal. Weeps easily, Irritable, Company amel.
Past History: Severe smallpox at the age of 11/2 years.
Fam. History: M. aunt had Parkinsonism. M. uncle had cancer. Sister had Koch's.
On Exam.: Extremities are cold. Squint. Kneejerks ++ Jt. sense absent. Plantar extensor, Abdominal
Reflexes absent. Power in lower extremities diminished esp. left. V.D. R. L - ve.
Carcin. 1M and Tub-bov 1M, were given with no effect. On 13.02.71 she was mildly slapped on the back
by her brother and after that she felt very weak. Arnica 200 and Rhus-t 200 were given but the
condition remained the same. Syph. 1M followed by Rhus-t 1M t.d. s. was given with no effect. She now
said the weakness of lower limbs was agg. from anger.
Zn. 30 and Zn-p 30 were tried with no result. So Dr. Phatak was consulted on 16.03.71. He prescribed
Ars. 1M, b.d. for a week. She felt amel.. She was able to stand and walk better but the jerks were same
as before. Power in lower extremities improved considerably. Ars. 1M for sometime and then 10M was
given. By 26.06.71, she felt completely well. She has stopped the vitamins and other medicines and still
feels well. Power in legs is much better but the plantars still remain extensor and abdominal reflexes are
still absent."
"Dr. M.M. S., aged 50 years, an Asst. Medical Officer in a Railway Hospital, saw me on 5th July 1972 for
the following complaints:
He had chronic gastritis with colicky pain in the lower abdomen in April 1971 and again in June 1971. It
was associated with vomiting, the vomitus containing mostly acid, sometimes food material, sometimes
brown and once fresh blood. Vomiting relieves the pain. He had a mental upset before the attack, as he
became disappointed in his service, not getting promotion in spite of working hard. Gets pain in back
and knees. Loss of sleep causes headache. Fats make him feel sick. Fasting upsets. Cannot tolerate tight
clothing. He craves for sweets and has aversion to fats. He has quick ejaculation. He is suspicious,
impatient, irritable, indecisive and gets offended easily.
Past History: In 1938, he had Malaria; had suspected Koch's (lung) in 1950 and fully recovered. H/o fall
from scooter, had become unconscious. Fam. Hist.: One sister had insanity.
His case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics:
 Grief, ailments from (p. 51), Food, fat, Agg. (p. 1363), Offended easily (p. 69); Desires sweets (p. 486);
Vomiting, Amel. (p. 411); Aversion to fats (p. 480). Ars. alone came through.
Ars. 30 was given b.d. for one week and then once a day for two weeks. He improved and continued to
improve till he became well."
Calcarea carbonica
Although the mineral elements constitute a relatively small amount of the total body tissues, they are
essential to many vital processes.
The balance of ions in the tissues is of great importance. For example, normal ossification demands a
proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus, the normal ratio between potassium and calcium in the
extracellular fluid must be maintained to ensure normal action of the muscle and so on.
Certain mineral elements, principally sodium and potassium are the major factors in osmotic control of
water metabolism. Other minerals are an integral part of important physiologic compounds such as
iodine in thyroxin, iron in haemoglobin, biotin, coenzyme A and lipoic acid.
The animal body requires seven principal mineral elements, viz., calcium, magnesium sodium,
potassium, phosphorus, sulphur and chlorine. These minerals constitute 60 to 80% of all the inorganic
material in the body. At least seven other minerals are utilised in trace quantities, viz., iron, copper,
iodine, manganese, cobalt, zinc and molybdenum. Several other elements are present in the tissues but
their functions if any, are not clearly defined. These include fluorine, aluminium, boron, selenium,
cadmium and chromium.
Clarke says, "Calcarea is one of the greatest monuments to Dr. Hahnemann's genius. The triad of
remedies, viz., Sulphur, Calcarea and Lycopodium can be called Hahnemann's magnificient gifts to
humanity. Indeed, we shall be extremely poor without these excellent remedies - Sulphur, the
predominant antipsoric, Calc-c, the excellent antisycotic and Lyc., the marvellous anti-syphilitic."
Hippocrates lauds the use of lime water in several diseases but it was used in its crude form and it was
Hahneman's genius that created valuable remedies from apparently inert and innocuous substances like
Calcarea, Silica and Lycopodium.
Chalk which is a main source of calcium consists of the deposits of the remains of millions and millions
of the shells of sea animals - of sea life that has come to a standstill. Thus calcification represents
standstill, immobilization and death. In the human body dead tissues become calcified. Even the calcium
in the blood goes out of circulation and is deposited (in the bones).
The bones, as one of the hardest tissues in the body, represent stability and give firmness and stability
to the body; as in case of the brain and spinal cord, the surrounding bony tissue, viz. the hard cranium
and the vertebral column provide protection to the soft, pulpy nervous tissue.
Calc-c is prepared from the snow-white middle layer of the oyster shell. The oyster shell is formed by
the calcareous secretion of the oyster which is the result of its attempt to protect itself from the
external environment. It is well known that all living creatures originated from the sea; the sea
represents perpetual agitation and movement, whereas the earth represents solid stability and inertia.
So the oyster in its attempt to protect itself creates a covering for itself (shell) and thus also provides
itself with a house and thereby unconsciously stabilises itself on terra firma. The stabilisation and lack of
mobility is exhibited in the symptoms of Calcarea by inertia and agg. on movement and exertion.
Just as the solid oyster shell came out of the liquid sea, so also throughout the symptomatology of Calc.
is the tendency to solidify, to precipitate, to coagulate. So this tendency is seen in the formation of
calculi and clots, the clots of course serving to protect the organism from excessive bleeding.
Calcium is present in the body in larger amounts than any other cation. It is the most abundant mineral
in the body and 90% of the Calcium is found in the bones and teeth (in the form of calcium phosphate).
The very small quantity left out of the skeletal structure is in the muscles and body fluids and is in part
ionized. Ionized calcium is of great importance in blood coagulation, in the function of the muscles and
nerve, and in the permeability of membranes.
Calcium is never found in its natural state. It is generally found combined with carbonic acid (H2CO3 or
H2O + CO2 , i.e. water and carbon dioxide) to form calcium carbonate.
The acid element is reflected in its sour discharges, sweat, urine, stool, etc.
Calcium promotes a tendency to hardening of the liquid and a tendency to soften in the solid. The
bones become soft and even flexible as in rickets while the tissue fluids lose their watery element and
may even coagulate, e.g. blood, milk, etc.
In blood, calcium and phosphorus are always found in inverse proportions. If the calcium level is raised,
the phosphorus level falls. The Calcarea and Phos. pictures are often opposed to each other - the
Calcarea which is dull, slow, fat, while the other is sensitive, quick and grows thin and tall.
The parathyroid glands have a direct effect on the calcium metabolism. When their function is
increased the blood calcium rises and this may lead to calcification of the renal tubules, formation of
calculi, etc. When the parathyroid hormone is decreased, the blood calcium level falls and convulsions
are produced (tetany).
The body is constantly trying to protect itself from disturbances whether from outside or inside. The
former is achieved by walling off, and the latter by stabilisation. The walling off can be physical,
mechanical, chemical, biological, etc. The skin, the lymphatic glands, the bones (e.g. the cranium) all
take part in this and Calcarea affects all these tissues.
Once the body puts up a protective layer and walls itself, this walling itself symbolises a completion of
development and an obstruction to further growth and development as is noted in Calc-c.
Once the solids precipitate, the liquids naturally have to be eliminated and so we have a profuse
elimination of fluids as sweat, urine, etc. In fact, the Calc-c patient has a hydrogenoid constitution and is
worse by dampness, getting wet, washing, etc.
Gutman has described the Calcarea patient as the boneless man. As calcium phosphate is the main
ingredient of bones, the patient suffers from bone deficiency conditions like rickets. Even in late
childhood the fontanelles may remain open. Calc-c is a chalky substance and it has whitish, milky
discharges. It is also aggravated by milk. The patient may have a craving for inedible substances like
chalk, rice, etc. This craving for peculiar substances termed Pica, is often associated with anaemia
(causing pallor). The patient may crave for eggs and salt.
The Calc. patient is notoriously aggravated by physical exertion. The physical stamina is extremely
limited and he is worse by any exertion such as ascending, eyestrain, etc. Even mental exertion may
aggravate and produce a sense of heat in the head. The following remarkable case will illustrate certain
characteristics of Calc-c particularly the aggravation from ascending.
"I was once called upon to treat a very fat gentleman from Goa, Mr. M., aged fifty. He had a peculiar
symptom. If he went up the stairs or went up an incline he would develop haematuria. He was seen by
an urologist who did a cystoscopy and diagnosed it as due to a polypus in the bladder. An operation was
advised but the patient did not want to undergo the same. So he consulted me. I selected and gave him
Calc-c. Within 2 or 3 days the haematuria disappeared and never recurred."
We read that Calc-c children are usually fat and flabby. But my experience is that at least 50% of them
are not fat and flabby, at least not in India. When you refer to Kent's Repertory under the rubric
"Appetite increased with emaciation", you find Calc-c given in bold type which means Calc-c also covers
emaciation. Secondly, I have treated many fat Calc. patients with Calc-c on the totality of the symptoms.
On this remedy they feel considerable improvement but I find that they do not reduce in weight as I
expect them to. In fact, I have found reducing a patient's weight a great problem.
From the description in the Materia Medica, you feel that they are very chilly but sometimes they are
not so. I have seen Calc-c patients who are as hot as Sulph. But unlike Sulph., even when they complain
of burning in a part, that part is cold.
Tyler aptly describes that the Calc-c patient has fatness without fitness, tissues of plus quantity and
minus quality.
While the Calc. patient has less physical stamina, the Silica patient seems to have a lack of mental
stamina, or grit. There are many resemblances between the two - both are aggravated during and have
late dentition, have aversion to and agg. from milk, are agg. by exertion, have desire for indigestible
things, etc., but the mental features are much different. The Silicea patient is more intelligent and active
than the Calc. patient. This difference has been brought out very well by Borland in his wonderful book,
"Children's Types". The Sil. child is said to be sharper than Calc., more shy, timid and obstinate. Calc.
craves for salty food, Sil. prefers cold food. Both Calc-c and Sil. have offensive foot sweat. Calc. has
painless glands while Sil. has painful ones. If I get an additional history that the child has had a very bad
vaccination, I choose Silica.
Calc. has a craving for eggs * and salt **, and an aggravation from both. A very large number of children
seem to require Calc-c in my practice. They have gradually a large sweaty head and a large abdomen,
spindly legs, with a h/o difficult and late dentition. Many of them do not put on weight. (I have noted
that Calc. is one of the remedies for emaciation inspite of excessive appetite.) If the head is hot and
extremities cold, they require Calc-c. If the abdomen is sunken, I prefer Calc-p instead of Calc-c.
When a patient has a craving for a substance which aggravates him I consider this a very good
symptom. E.g. Ant-c has craving for and agg. from sour foods, Nit-ac from fatty food, Nat-m from salt,
Arg-n from sweets and so on.
Calc-c has a big head and a big abdomen. The big head may be due to rickets or hydrocephalus or any
other disease. I have treated successfully several cases of hydrocephalus with Calc-c. The big abdomen
may be due to distension, fat, tumour or ascites or any other condition. We are not to worry about
these, but only see whether the totality of symptoms is matching. Calc-c is also a remedy for growths
including warts, polypi, etc.
Some drugs have some peculiar symptoms which often guide us to the remedy. One such extraordinary
symptom of Calc-c is that the patient is ameliorated when constipated. This symptom it shares with Pso.
and Merc. I once treated a lady with many complaints who mentioned that if only she would remain
constipated, all her problems would be solved. This put the remedy in my mind.
Whereas Sulphur has heat in spots, Calc. has coldness and perspiration in spots. I have seen many Calc.
patients perspiring on the head or elsewhere during sleep or while they are eating or drinking. One
patient used to have perspiration on the forearm while chewing (betel leaf).
Calc-c is a hydrogenoid remedy and is agg. by dampness like Rhus-t. It has got the same aggravation
from lifting and pain as if sprained, and is a remedy for old sprains. Calc-c is often the chronic of Rhus-t.
Belladonna is the acute of Calc-c and children who require Bell. for their acute attacks (such as
tonsillitis, fever, etc.) will required Calc-c for a cure. Calc. has a hot head and face and dilated pupils like
Bell. The patient has not only photophobia but he also sees objects beside the visual field or on closing
eyes, or is sleepless.
"Mrs. S.Y. D., aged 25 years, had urticaria of 5 years duration. This had started the last summer after her
last delivery. Attacks of urticaria come on with chilliness. So she covers her body but then she gets
burning. There is also burning in soles. The attacks are agg. by mental upset, becoming angry, if she is
chilled, and by eggs. Last two years, she has frequent urging for urine with burning during micturition
which is agg. in summer. She has an aversion to milk. Thirst, 1 to 2 glasses per day. She is very obese.
Menses are scanty. Her condition has been diagnosed as due to E. coli infection.
Almost all her symptoms were covered by Calc-c.
So she was given on 13.3.1962, Calc-c 200(3), 6 hourly. She started improving. Later, she was given
Calc-c 1M and then 10M. By 21.10.62, she was quite normal."
Whitmont summarizes as follows:
"Calcarea is standstill, passivity, immobility, clinging, restraining, peripherally enclosing, restricting,
ingoing, negative, a holding in, receptive principles."
I have noted the following symptoms in my book under Calc-c : Coldness and sweat in patches,
haemorrhages, cramps and convulsions, tetany; milky secretions, itching; sneezing amel.; vertigo agg.
open air; coryza alternating with colic or diarrhoea; averse to warm cooked foods; hunger with coryza;
frequent urination; hot semen; ammoniacal; cough agg. piano playing; cramps in calf, agg. night,
stretching leg or foot, urticaria amel. open air.
Other peculiar symptoms of Calc. compounds noted are: Calc-a, Royal calls this the kidney member -
very sensitive to pressure in the kidney region; Calc-i has high fever; Calc-f covers leucoderma.
Calc-hypophos has suppurative conditions, marasmus and night sweat. Also it has ravenous hunger agg.
2 hours after a meal amel. when stomach is full. Calc-p is agg. thinking of his disease, has pain in all
bony prominences and hunger at 4 p.m.
Carbo vegetabilis
Carbo vegetabilis belongs to the famous carbon family. We meet carbon in its various forms in all the
three kingdoms - the mineral, vegetable and animal. It is an essential constituent of all organic
substances. It is found as coal, animal carbon, carbo sulph., the diamond (Adamas), graphites,
petroleum, kreosote, lamp black (Fuligo splendens), etc. The various other carbon derivatives, and the
various compounds of carbons like Am-c, Anthorkokali, Bar-c, Lith-c, Mag-c, Nat-c, and Stront-c, all used
in Homoeopathy, have their own broad fields of action and wide indications, covering a large number of
conditions. Staffelstein also mentions Carbocarnis made from calves' flesh and includes among carbons
the roasted sponge and toasted coffee. Carb-s, Carbo oxygenisatum and Carbo hydrogenisatum are also
well-known remedies.
Hahnemann was laughed at by Pareira for filling up thirty five pages with the symptoms produced by
the millionth of a grain of this inert substance, but prominent among the wonders of Homoeopathy is
the miraculous development of the powers of inert vegetable carbon into a most extraordinary, life-
saving remedy.
Considering that it is an essential constituent of all living organisms, carbon can be called the basis of
life. This life-giving property of the element can be seen in its action when it is able to save persons who
face imminent death, or even those who show signs of apparent death. It has therefore been called the
corpse-reviver, a designation it rightly and richly deserves as the following experience of mine will
prove.
"In the very early days of my practice when I had very little courage and even less confidence, I was
called to see a poor patient living in a hut. When I went and saw him, I found him unconscious. The
history as reported by the relatives was that he had been vomiting and purging for the last 48 hours, on
an average about 50 times a day! I found him in a completely dehydrated and collapsed state. The body
was cold. The pulse was extremely feeble and thready. And as I was feeling it, it stopped for a few
seconds and started beating again. This happened 3 or 4 times and I felt sure that he was dying. I was
too nervous to treat such a serious case. Also, I honestly felt that he required hospitalisation so that he
could receive glucose, saline and electrolytes which might improve his slender chance of survival. So I
advised the relatives to shift him to the hospital immediately though I felt a doubt within myself
whether he would reach the hospital alive. As I was preparing to leave, the relatives requested me to at
least give him some medicine. Without any hope whatever, I gave them a dose of Carb-v 30, advised
them to dissolve it in water and give it orally at the rate of one drop per second and then I left. This was
in the morning.
In the evening when the relatives came to report, I enquired whether the patient had been admitted to
the hospital and if he was better. When they told me that the patient was still at home, I was enraged
and I scolded them severely for their stupidity. Then they explained to me that no sooner had I left, they
had called for an ambulance. The ambulance came in half an hour but by that time the patient had
become conscious. He had asked for water, drank it and had retained it. So the ambulance driver told
them to wait. For the next two hours there was no vomiting or stool, so the ambulance man left,
promising to return at once if required. Till evening there was absolutely no vomit or stool. This was the
situation.
Entirely surprised by this news and yet unable to believe in the capacity of the medicines to tackle such
a serious case, I warned them that still the patient may need immediate hospitalisation, and that though
I was giving them a dose of medicine, they should be ready for any emergency. They promised to obey
and left with another dose of Carb-v.
Next morning they turned up again with the report that there was no further stool or vomiting. I was
very pleased and surprised, and decided to go and see the patient. They then told me that I could not
see him because, being poor, he had gone away for work!"
This reminded me of the case of the washerwoman treated by Hahnemann who became quite well with
his dose of Chamomilla but did not report to him because she was too busy working.
The action of Carb-v and such homoeopathic remedies is so strange that we feel puzzled about the
whole thing. How does the body restore its lost fluid and electrolytes without glucose saline and
electrolytes being given? How does the patient get back his energy so quickly without rest,
convalescence and tonics?
Of course, this would be a typical case of Carb-v almost out of the text-books. But Carb-v is indicated in
all kinds and degrees of lack of reaction from the mildest to the most serious. So we should not expect in
every case all the typical symptoms such as coldness of the body, extremities, breath, tongue, etc.,
which are to be found only in the most desperate cases.
 Carb-v is an inert substance. The keynote of the drug seems to be inertia. The inertia or sluggishness
may be expressed in diverse ways, in the sluggish reaction, in the sluggish digestion, in the sluggish
circulation, etc. The deprivation of blood naturally starves the important organs of the necessary
amount of nourishment and leads to deficient functioning, as, e.g. the stomach cannot digest the food,
the heart cannot pump enough blood (causing breathlessness and/or air hunger), the body reacts badly
in diseases so that diseases are not thrown off so easily and leave behind obstinate complications or
sequelae. The poor circulation is also exhibited in the coldness of the extremities and the blueness of
the skin surface, etc.
One of the finest indications for Carb-v is when a patient comes and reports that he has never been well
since an attack of some infectious disease. Carb-v is considered almost a specific for asthma originating
from an attack of measles or whooping cough. One of my teachers used to repeatedly state that the
expression of a patient, "Never well since..." should always put Carb-v in one's mind whether it is after
an attack of pleurisy, or any acute infection of even an injury. He has treated numerous cases
successfully with Carb-v on this indication, even when the existing symptomatology of the patient was
not characterised by symptoms of Carb-v. I have found this a most valuable and practical hint.
Carbon is an inert substance and the remedy Carb-v puts in our mind the idea of inertia or sluggishness;
its symptoms are characterised by sluggishness. The sluggishness is everywhere - in reaction,
recuperation, circulation, digestion, etc. Let us first consider the sluggish reaction or resistance.
In the last Asian Influenza epidemic, I myself suffered from flu. Thereafter, I became extremely weak
and even prostrated, and the prostration persisted from day to day for several days without abating the
least. The prostration was so severe that I had not the strength to lift my little finger. But two doses of
Carb-v restored to me all my original vigor and strength and I was then myself able to treat hundreds of
cases in the epidemic.
During and after the epidemic, we had quite a large number of cases who turned up with similar post-
influenzal asthenia and/or cough. Almost all of them improved quickly with Carb-v after they had been
treated by the allopathic doctors without any result. The only difference was that instead of the two
doses I had needed, many of them required several doses. Most of these patients required Carb-v 1M,
twice a day for a week, some for a fortnight and a few upto one month before they were completely
relieved.
I can also recall two sisters who suffered after influenza.
"Miss N.I. , aged 23, had developed the following symptoms after an attack of "Flu". A feeling of
tightness of the skin of the face agg. in the evening. Itching of the inner canthi of the eyes. Profuse
leucorrhea. M.P. irregular, scanty or profuse, blackish; pain in the throat, ears, back, spine and occiput.
Feels as if she is pulled down to the ground agg. evening. Feels as if her breasts are falling or being
pulled down. Stitching pains in fingers and soles. Feels prostrated. Tired of life. Fears being alone,
disease and death. Feels guilty as if she has done something wrong. Pain in abdomen going into the
genitals. She had indurated and tender swelling in both the breasts.
After all investigations (including X-rays of the skull and spine) had shown N.A. D., it was labelled as
neurosis.
Ignoring completely her symoptomatology I gave her Carb-v 1M, t.d. s. at first. In four days, she felt
about 40% better. The remedy was continued b.d. for 3 weeks and she became completely normal."
"Her sister had also developed after "Flu" tender, indurated swelling of both the breasts, with sudden
attacks of pain in them. I put her also on Carb-v 1M, b.d. for 2 weeks and she became well."
Sluggish reaction is also a feature of old age and Carb-v is one of the remedies for complaints of old
people.
The mucous membranes of the stomach and its glands are sluggish and therefore the production of acid
and pepsin must be poor. This leads to sluggish digestion which creates a feeling of heaviness in the
stomach. Coal is used for producing (coal) gas. It is often used in its crude state by allopathic doctors for
absorbing gases in G.I. tract. (Charcoal is said to absorb 40 times its volume of gas.) It was also used as a
deodorant and is applied to putrefying ulcers. But instead of using crude carbon to absorb the gas that is
produced and to remove the offensiveness, we utilise potentized carbon to prevent the formation of gas
and to prevent putrefaction.
There is such flatulence that the patient feels bloated all the time though this is relieved by belching.
The eructations relieve the patient as a whole. Probably the inactive stomach and sluggish digestion
allow organic fermentation leading to formation of gas.
Sometime back, I had developed for no apparent reason a sudden feeling of distension in the stomach
while eating. I used to feel that with the first morsel of food, the stomach was bloating up like a balloon
and stretching out. With two or three morsels, I would become actually uncomfortable and overfull and
I had to stop eating but if I stayed on at the table for a few minutes, I would belch once or twice and
then feel much better, and could take some more food. This went on for three or four days. Then I took
a dose of Carb-v and within half an hour I could do justice to a real full-style Punjabi dinner.
As compared to the distension in upper abdomen amel. by eructation of Carb-v, Lyc. has distension of
lower abdomen amel. by flatus. And both are complementary remedies. (It is said also that a weekly
dose of Carb-v helps to prolong the action of Lyc.)
Sluggish circulation produces its own complications, such as varicose veins, varicose or non-healing
ulcers, oedema of dependent parts, icy coldness of the various parts such as hands, legs, knees, nose,
tongue, etc., even the breath may become cold, and the physician may feel a cold fear clutching at his
heart when facing a Carb-v such as amel. eructations, amel. fanning, etc.; then this remedy will be
positively useful.
The following case of varicose ulcer was an interesting one:
"Mr. J.B. had thrombosis in the left leg in 1935 and since then has a permanent swelling in the foot. In
1952, he had vasectomy done and then had developed some eruptions which increased in size,
suppurated, burrowed and opened, forming a painless ulcer, which had shown no tendency to heal for
the last 8 years. I found the ulcer bluish in appearance. He was put on Carb-v 1M in August 1960 and in
4 months the ulcer healed completely."
Coal (which is itself the product of combustion) and coal gas are used for burning as fuel. Carb-v has
burning with external coldness, and the burning may be relieved by heat as in Alumina, Arsenic, Caps.
and Lyc. When this coldness is associated with a condition of collapse, then we definitely consider Carb-
v. Carb-v is as good a remedy for collapse as Ars. but the collapse picture of one is very different from
that of the other. The Carb-v condition may come on gradually and can be somewhat anticipated
whereas Ars. is characterised by suddenness. Secondly, the Carb-v patient may go on to collapse and
may pass away quietly while the Ars. patient, even in the extreme stage of collapse, is restless; the Carb-
v has no anxiety, whereas Ars. is full of agony and anxiety and so on.
Carb-v generally contains small quantities of potassium carbonate and this may explain both the
complementary relationship and the similarity between this remedy and Kali-c. Both are chilly, both
antidote the ill-effects of loss of fluids, both are flatulent and weak and both affect the heart, producing
myocardial weakness. But there is a main difference in the modality, viz. Carb-v is amel. by fanning and
Kali-c is agg. by it.
Carb-v is one of our best remedies for the effects of too much drugging. This indication of Carb-v is
particularly useful because many patients come to us after having been drugged a good deal. It is said
that in 1930, the apothecary Thorey swallowed one gram of strychnine (which is ten times the lethal
dose) along with 15 grams of charcoal powder but remained well.
Carb-v is a remedy for death and local death leads to decomposition and offensiveness as in gangrene.
While there is excessive gas in the upper abdomen, there seems to be insufficient aeration or
oxygenation. We know how CO and CO2 have specific effects on the respiratory centre. There seems to
be sluggish oxygenation with consequent desire for air or for fanning - Air hunger. There is desire for
fanning even though the patient may be cold and may feel cold.
Improper oxygenation also leads to another prominent symptom, viz. blueness or cyanosis.
Lutze reports a very peculiar case. A lady had taken a large amount of charcoal tablets during her
pregnancy, as she said in order to have a beautiful baby. The baby was not as beautiful as she had
wished but at each nursing of the baby the mother had a severe cutting pain in the abdomen. Lutze
could not find this symptom in any Materia Medica, but on the history mentioned above, he gave her
Carb-v CM, two powders which cured the trouble.
I am also reminded of a case of Koch's abdomen which responded to Carb-v chosen in peculiar
circumstances.
"This patient, Mrs. L.S. G., aged 35 years, was admitted in our hospital on 29.02.68. She had been
directed by an eminent homoeopath from a mofussil town and had been already diagnosed as a case of
Koch's abdomen. Her history and symptoms in brief were that she had pain in abdomen of four years'
duration agg. by milk, agg. after eating esp. spicy food. She had oedema of feet which had appeared
first in the left and then in the right foot, vertigo, weakness agg. in sun, burning in anus after stool,
thirstlessness, poor sleep , amenorrhoea since 2 months with a h/o profuse menses; mentally irritable.
Physical examination revealed a doughy abdomen and cracks in the angles of the mouth. Routine
investigation showed: Urine n.a. d., Stool: R.W. ova., Blood: n.a. d.
We repertorized her case and came to some remedy. She was given this remedy for three days with no
change. But on 03.03.68 at 5.15 p.m. , for no apparent reason, she suddenly developed symptoms of
collapse. She became comatose with extreme coldness of body, very low B.P. and with a feeble, thready
pulse. We put her immediately on Carb-v 200 and then on 1M. She rallied and slowly came out of the
state of collapse. Finding that she responded well to Carb-v even as regards her abdominal pain and
other original symptoms, we continued to put her on Carb-v, giving it at intervals, first in 1M and then in
10M potencies. She responded so well that by 27.03.68, she was quite normal and we discharged her.
Her weight went up from 27 kg to 32 kg. Then treatment was stopped.
After nine months, she had a relapse of the abdominal pain (not collapse) but with Carb-v 10M she
became completely well. She has remained well for eight years."
Dr. Mistry, a surgeon from Sholapur, has reported several remarkable cases in which Carb-v has proved
consistently far superior to any allopathic drugs in post-operative shock.
 China officinalis
The normal indications for the use of China (such as the ill-effects of the loss of fluids, flatulence not
better by flatus, pain agg. by touch but amel. by pressure, etc., etc.) are known to all homoeopaths but I
have found China useful in two different conditions which I shall describe.
"Mr. J.V. D., aged 62 years, came on 01.01.74 for treatment of gangrene of the toes of the left leg from
which he has been suffering since 1970. He had been advised amputation which he had refused.
History and symptoms: In 1970, one toe was crushed and had suppurated. It was operated twice but did
not heal and gangrene had set in. Later two more toes were affected. Then it was diagnosed as chronic
vascular insufficiency due to atherosclerosis. He had pain in the leg agg. 10 to 11 p.m. , amel. pressure,
agg. letting the leg hang down, agg. walking, amel. cold water application, agg. in sleep, even in
afternoon sleep. He had a suicidal disposition. Head heavy, with vertigo and nausea sometimes. He also
had twitching on rt. side of the face and rt. side of tongue with black patches on tongue. Lips black. Pain
in soles at night, wakes up 4-5 times due to pain. Cannot wait for food. Loquacious.
Prev. Hist.: Malaria in childhood. Used to smoke 50 cigarettes a day for 45 years. High B.P. since 1947.
Now B.P. 200/130. The affected three toes are black and gangrenous with a very offensive discharge.
I took the following rubrics in Kent's and Phatak's Repertory, viz.,Tobacco; Injury; Gangrene; Suicidal;
agg. in sleep; Rt. side; Black. China alone came through.
He was given China 30 and he started improving. With repeated doses of China 200, he became well.
The gangrenous toes healed. We stopped the treatment on 29.03.75. "
On looking into Hering's Guiding Symptoms, I do not see any indication of gangrene under China though
I do find the following symptoms "Pain with swelling of the big toe worse by touch and motion, esp.
evening and night", "Red swelling of the two tips".
I have used China in two cases in which the patient had dark pigmentation of the skin. I have mentioned
that I have found Ars. useful in this condition. But when Ars. fails, I think of China. The following two
cases will illustrate this point.
"Mrs. M.G. , aged 48, has black pigmentation of the whole Rt. upper limb, last 11/2 years. She had had
a hysterectomy done and took pencillin injections. Two months after that, the pigmentation has
worsened.
Appetite, thirst, etc., are all normal. No other symptoms. This has been diagnosed as Toxic melanosis.
I gave Ars., Sul-ac, Vipera, etc., all with no effect. Later on, I put her on China and thereafter she
improved very well. She is now 90% better."
"Miss P.S. K., aged 17, had blackish patches on the anterior aspect of both legs for last many years
which were agg. with new moon (increasing with waning moon).
I put her on various medicines like Phos., Ars., Puls., Merc-s, Calc-c, etc., with no amel.. Because of the
experience quoted above, I gave her China and she is now nearly normal."
I have found Chi-a indicated by the symptom, "Diarrhoea agg. from eggs and fish". The patient may be
suffering from any disease but if this symptom is present, we must consider Chi-a.
The following cases will illustrate this point:
"A boy, P.N. , aged 3 years, was admitted to the hospital on 11 June 1957, with a history of oedema of
the lower limbs, puffiness of the face and oliguria of five years' duration with intermittent remissions
and exacerbations. His case was taken thoroughly and all investigations done, and a diagnosis of
hypoproteinemia was arrived at. The oedema was aggravated by taking fish or eggs.
 The symptoms indicated the probable similimum as Chi-a. Therefore, the patient was put on Chi-a 200,
t.d. s. whereupon his urine output, which originally averaged 6 to 8 oz. per day, gradually and steadily
rose to 78 oz. per day within a fortnight. The puffiness and oedema considerably lessened and then
disappeared. The patient was kept under observation for six months and he continued to remain well."
"I remember another case of a middle-aged person. He was admitted in the Govt. Homoeopathic
Hospital with general anasarca and his case was also diagnosed as hypoproteinaemia. In his case also, he
gave a symptom that his oedema was worsened by taking fish or eggs. On admission, his urine output
was only about 6 or 7 oz. a day. But after Chi-a, the output increased steadily and went upto 170 oz. or
so daily which continued for several days, so much so that he nearly became dehydrated. The medicine
was discontinued and he became well."
Chi-a has oscillating temperature in fevers like Pyrogen. I had the opportunity to treat such a case.
"I was called to see Mr. S.S. K., aged 21 years, son of a well-known allopathic doctor who was also
running a nursing home. The boy was studying for M.B. B.S. I saw him on 3rd Sept. 1972.
He was getting fever from the 2nd week of July and had been treated with Chloromycetin and Betnesol.
The fever had come down and he was well for 11/2 weeks. But he had fever again on 30th July. His W.B.
C. count was 12 100 (poly. 62.5%) and he responded to Ledermycin and was all right for three weeks. He
started attending his college. But again he got fever on 21st Aug. with shivering. This time it did not
respond to any of the allopathic medicines. So I was called in by the parent who, being a doctor, had
become anxious, especially because several consultants had prescribed for him with no result.
The present situation was that he was having daily remittent temperature. The temperature would rise
upto a maximum of 105 or 106 ºF at any time with chill. The fever used to go up and down very quickly.
For instance, if the temperature was 98 ºF at 9 a.m. , it might be 104 ºF at 10 a.m. He gets burning of
palms with the rise of temperature. Gets pain in left shoulder and hip and cramps in calf muscles
occasionally. Gets offensive stools three to four times a day. His maternal aunt had suffered from T.B.
His case was repertorized in Phatak's Repertory with the following rubrics:
Fever high, hyperpyrexia (p. 105); Fever, Oscillating (p. 104): Fever, hectic (p. 104);
Only Chi-a came through. Chi-a 200, 8 doses to be taken every 3 hrs. was given. Within 2 days he felt
better. The maximum temperature was only 102.8 ºF.
Now Chi-a 1M, 6 doses t.d. s. were given. Next day, the temperature was normal upto 4 p.m. but rose
thereafter.
Chi-a 1M was continued t.d. s. and by 09.09.72 the temperature came down and remained normal and
thereafter, it did not rise.
The boy started attending college from the 11th. The father who had planned for a long convalescence
was surprised both because I permitted the boy to attend his college from the 11th and also because the
boy himself felt no weakness and was able to attend classes. There has been no recurrence of the fever
for over 3 years."
Where I have failed with Ars. and China in dark pigmentation of the skin without any other symptoms, I
have succeeded with Chi-a.
Cimicifuga racemosa
On looking around for the collateral remedies of Ignatia, one comes across Cimicifuga. Boger calls it a
hystero-utero-rheumatic remedy and, considering the wide incidence of hysterical, rheumatic and pelvic
disorders in women, one feels that Cimic should have a wide application in practice but is not as well-
utilised as it should be. Cimic is as bewildering in its symptomatology as Ign. It has a variety of pains:
aching, shooting, soreness, shocks, etc., representing myalagias, neuralgias, etc. The symptoms change
in location and nature so rapidly that the patient of today seems to be a different person from the
patient of last week, and so one suspects a strong neurotic element in the case. Often one is unable to
make head or tail out of the case, both as regards the remedy as well as the diagnosis, for the symptoms
seem to be everywhere and of every sort. The patient is absolutely nervous and apprehensive as well as
gloomy, so gloomy in fact that she feels "as if she is enveloped by a black cloud". Like Sep., this patient is
also aggravated during puberty, climaxis, menstruation, suppressed menses and pregnancy.
"One remembers the case of a nice old lady who came for treatment full of tears due to years of
suffering. She was aged 60 and complained of pain in the left knee of twenty years' duration. She could
not stand or walk and the pains were mostly aching with stitching pains being superadded sometimes.
The pains were all over in various places and often shifted from place to place. She also used to get
cramps in various muscles.
She had vertigo on first beginning to walk with a feeling that she would fall to the left. Cold baths
aggravated her. She also had an oedema of feet for the last 5 or 6 years. She mentioned the fact that
she had menopause at the age of 40 after which all her troubles had started. The case was repertorized
(with Boger's Synoptic Key) with the peculiar symptoms of Climaxis aggravation, wandering pains and
aching.
The only remedy that came through was Cimic. The very first dose of Cimic 200th gave her enormous
relief. She received in all three more doses at intervals of 2 to 3 months, which wiped out the whole
trouble. She is well now for over ten years."
One has been led to the remedy by a peculiar symptom in the patient, viz. an aching, stiff or rheumatic
pain in the nape of the neck which is relieved by throwing the head back and moving the neck to and
fro.
The impression has probably been created that this is a remedy for females only. This, of course, is
false, for any remedy in the homoeopathic Materia Medica may be indicated in any person for any
disorder, provided the symptomatology of the drug and the disorder correspond. The case of a male
patient who required Cimic may serve as an example.
"Mr. G.R. S., aged 36, a stenographer by profession consulted me for the following disorders:
He had been suffering from pains in all the joints and muscles of the body for the last two years. The
pain was constant and aching in nature, especially worse during the cold wet weather and on rising in
the morning. He had pain in the heels while standing, pain in the gluteal region while sitting, pain in the
back while lying on his back, pain in the fingers and palms while writing, in the areas on which the pen
exerted pressure.
On analysis of the symptoms, they were reduced to the following rubrics in Boger's Synoptic Key:
1. Pressure, agg.
2. Dampness, agg.
3. Aching
4. Joints
5. Muscles.
Only the remedy Bryonia came through but that did not seem to fit the case. But when the first rubric,
pressure aggravates was bypassed in the repertory, one came to Bry., Cimic, Phyt. and Rhus-t.
 1000th potency of this drug cleared up the case completely within two months."
It is a pity that the drug is not mentioned under "Pressure agg." in our repertories. One might have
completely failed in this case without a knowledge of/or reference to the Materia Medica.
Basing one's conclusion on this case as well as on many other such cases, one is led to the impression
that the symptomatology of Cimic is not wholly and well represented in our repertories.
Conium maculatum
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) has been made famous in history because the great philosopher
Socrates died by drinking it. When Socrates was charged with corrupting the morals of young men and
was condemned to death, it is said that he spent his last hours discussing philosophy calmly with his
friends. As calmly, he took the poison and drank it himself. Then he died, after describing minutely the
effects of the poison. His disciple Plato has written down a graphic description and this is one of the best
descriptions of drug action, equalling the drug provings of Hahnemann.
Conium has ascending sensations: the numbness and paralysis ascending from the feet, the coryza
ascending from throat, etc. It has vertigo agg. by the least movement such as of the head or eyes. This,
combined with its trembling, uncertain gait, progressive weakness etc., makes it ideally suitable for
conditions of old age.
Conium is a remedy for complaints associated with suppression of sexual desire due to (religious)
celibacy or other causes. My friend Dr. Sarabhai thinks that it ought to be a good remedy for Christian
priests, Jain Sadhus and others.
It seems to have a specific effect on glands, particularly on the mammary glands esp.; effective in
injuries to these glands and is a very well-known remedy for injury to the breasts. I have used Conium in
the numerous such cases with great satisfaction.
"Mrs. M.K. , aged 28, came with the following disorder on 10th May 1959.
She gets a cold swelling of the rt. forearm before every M.P. during the last two years. The swelling is
painful and she describes the pains as "cold pains". Formerly, for 5 years she used to have painful
nodular swelling of both breasts before every menstrual period. This is now replaced by the present
disorder. If she gets swelling in the forearm, she does not get the swelling of the breasts. She now
desires more salt. Fears being alone, yet dislikes company. Must drink water in order to swallow solid
food. Vertigo on rising from sitting. Is afraid of robbers. Past Hist.: She gives a history of mild injury to
the breasts some years back, just prior to the onset of the disorder. She has been married for 10 years
but has no children.
Phys. Exam.: No tenderness or redness in the swelling. Wt. 120 lbs. B.P. 130/80. Otherwise N.A. D.
The characteristic symptoms of this patient were found under the remedy Conium. So, she was given,
on 10.05.50, Con. 1M, 3 doses in one day.
Next month she reported that she had no swelling of the breast before the menses. The third month it
recurred again but one repetition of Conium 1M set things right and she has been quite well now for
several years, neither the swelling of the forearm nor that of the breast having recurred."
"Mrs. D.D. , aged 44 years, came on 12.01.60 with the following history:
Two months back she had a lump in the lt. breast. Immediately mastectomy was done as it showed
signs of malignancy.
Now she feels stiffness in operated area. Has a node in rt. breast and constipation.
H/o fall in childhood? Had dislocation but it was not diagnosed for 15 years.
 Because of the node in the breast and the h/o operation (injury) to the breast, I selected Conium.
I gave her Conium 1M, 3 doses in one day, on 12.01.60.
By 03.02.60 the node in the breast became smaller and the stiffness better.
Conium 1M (3) was repeated twice again and by 29.04.60 the node disappeared and her condition
became quite normal."
"Mrs. M., aged 32, an English lady, consulted me on 23.10.73 with the following complaints:
In sun, gets rt. supra-orbital headaches, the right eye feels bruised. Headaches are worse by smoking
and lying with head low. She is afraid of thunderstorms. She gets constant pain in the breasts worse
before the menses, the breasts become very sore and tender and the pain is worse stepping, jarring and
turning over in bed. Past Hist.: She had fibroadenoma in the breasts which had been removed, first in
the rt. then in the lt.
I took the following symptoms for study., viz. Tobacco agg., Sun agg. and Pain in breasts before the
menses. I got Calc. and Con. Of the two, I preferred Con. because of the modalities of the breast pain,
viz. worse on stepping and turning in bed. With Con. there was marked improvement and she became
completely well. She said that what all the medicines in U.K. had failed to do, the homoeopathic
medicine had done, and for the first time, she was able to walk without consciousness of her breasts."
Ignatia amara
In modern times the incidence of neurotic disorders seems to be rapidly rising and in this sphere Ignatia
is particularly useful, of course, only when it covers the symptom-totality of the particular case. Modern
civilised life, especially in the cities, seems directly to give rise to repressions and conflicts, and to
expose the individual to many types of anxieties. The increasing demands of modern life present many
problems, and as a result there is a constant sense of insecurity. Ignatia seems to cover very well the
results of such tensions and emotional imbalance. The following interesting example may serve to
illustrate how Ignatia helps to antidote the ill-effects of worry, however remote and persistent.
"Mrs. B.V. , aged 33 years, consulted me for the following disorders:
She had recurrent headaches, attacks of vertigo, periodical oppression in chest and wandering pains in
the limbs. Her menses were irregular and the flow was generally very profuse lasting for six or seven
days. She has been suffering for the last six years. The whole disorder had originated after a period of
intense worry, just after the birth of her last child. She had consulted numerous physicians and
gynaecologists and had taken much treatment without any benefit.
She had come to me for consultation late at night and so I had taken down these few symptoms just to
satisfy her. I called her back the next week in order to complete her case, but in the meantime as she
insisted on getting some medicine I gave her one dose of Ignatia 30, more as a stop-gap, instead of
placebo.
She returned after a week and gave me the surprising news that the second day after the dose of
medicine, she had passed through her vagina, a large black lump (clot of blood?) the size of an orange
and since then, she is completely relieved of all her pains and troubles! She had her menstrual period
also immediately following and, this time, it was quite normal.
She thanked me profusely "for diagnosing the existence of the lump which no gynaecologist had been
able to do and for expelling it with the medicine!"
In the field of neurosis, where psycho-analysis and suggestions are used, often with unsatisfactory
results, the appropriate homoeopathic remedies work most speedily and satisfactorily. Among such
remedies Ignatia has its own wide sphere of application. It covers all the immediate and remote effects
of worry, grief and disappointment. And is there any limit to the possibility of worry, grief and
disappointment in people's lives? The wonder of Homoeopathy is that the appropriate remedies are
able to antidote the end-results of all these emotional disturbances even while the causative factor
might be still operating. They seem to restore to the mind a sense of proper perspective, equanimity
and a new philosophical attitude. This attitude represents a completely re-adjusted state of mind and,
therefore, is far superior to the artificial euphoria induced by modern tranquillisers, wherein the patient
feels well but continues to be ill!
The typical patient requiring Ignatia, afflicted by grief, becomes morose, shuns company and weeps, her
weeping is worsened by company and consolation.
The following case typifies some aspects of the Ignatia symptomatology.
"Mrs. C., aged 30, consulted me for recurrent attacks of convulsions (hysterical). She is married to an
old widower. There being a great disparity in their ages, she is apparently dissatisfied, sexually and
otherwise.
Just as I was preparing to note down her case she got an attack and I was enabled to observe the
symptoms of the actual seizure.
During the seizure, though she appeared to be unconscious, she was weeping bitterly. Her teeth were
clenched but at times there was involuntary to-and-fro movement of the lower jaw. She had a sighing
respiration. I was told that these attacks lasted usually one or two hours, and that after the cessation of
these attacks, she had a profuse flow of urine.
I found all these symptoms under Ignatia. So a phial of Ignatia 1M was procured and as her mouth was
clenched and shut, the phial was held below her nose so that she inhaled from the phial three or four
times. Thereupon, she opened her eyes, sat up, went and passed urine and then was normal within
about five minutes.
Later on, Aur-m completed the cure."
The sighing of the Ignatia patient, usually a symptom of grief or anxiety neurosis, may be described by
the patient in different words and found under the appropriate rubrics in repertories, e.g. sighing,
taking deep breath, inclination to take a deep breath, breathing deeply ameliorates, etc.
When a person has been seriously disturbed by grief and continues to suffer from anguish, we think of
other deep-acting remedies, which are complementary to Ignatia.
Here is a friend who has suffered, perhaps, a serious financial loss, perhaps the loss of someone very
near and dear. We console him and then leave him alone expecting that time will heal his wound. But
when we meet him again sometime later, we find him still in the same state of depression, asking us,
"What is the use of life when my so-and-so is dead ?" The next time he may ask us, "Is it necessary to
live ?" or, "Why should I live?" When we meet him yet again, he might be more dejected and may ask,
"Is it not better to die?" This may slowly change to a desire for death and ultimately end in an attempt at
suicide. Many have committed suicide in this frame of mind. These are the various stages in any of
which Aur. will help to restore the patient to normalcy.
Then again, we have met the typical disappointed lover (so often depicted in our Indian films) who
wanders from place to place in shabby clothes, with a shaggy beard, supremely indifferent to the
environment and immune to the comments and criticisms of the people. Or he might sit in a place and
go on staring blankly into space, completely disinterested in everything, even in food and drink. Nothing
seems to touch him or affect him . He is like a piece of wood. His mind is blank. He remembers nothing
except perhaps his disappointment. Sometimes he has polyuria, a symptom we found under Ignatia too.
He only needs Phosphoric acid.
The next patient, it is reported, has become sullen and irritable. He dislikes consolation, hates fuss and
avoids company. No sooner we go and sympathise with him, he jumps at our throat. In addition he is
much aggravated by heat especially of the sun and often has a craving for salt. Of course, he requires
Natrum muriaticum in potency.
This other victim of grief is a woman. Ever since she had a shock - possibly she has lost a dear child - she
has become very irritable and moody. She detests fuss, hates sympathy and help. She hates her friends
who fuss and despises her husband who comes to her help; she is annoyed with her children who make
so much noise and who make so many demands on her when she is so tired. She abhors her very house
where she has to work so hard wearing her fingers out, from morning till night. She loathes her
miserable existence which is nothing but a life of drudgery. In addition, she is chilly but the heat of the
room is intolerable. Sometimes all food and drink tastes salty to her. She feels empty in her stomach but
she cannot eat because she has nausea. She also has disgust for sex. Does she need anything more to
make her disgusted and desperate? But life can once again become interesting and full of joy for her, if
she has a dose of Sepia.
Finally, we meet a girl who suffers from the after effects of grief. She weeps so easily and sobs pitifully
and gains all our sympathy. Our sympathy helps her, for after the sobbing, having been patted and
petted she feels bright once more. Of course she needs Pulsatilla. Unlike the Sepia patient who is often a
mature adult with many children, and who as a result of much experience in life, pleasant and
otherwise, ups and downs, has developed a lot of grit so that, however miserable she is, she does not
break down or give vent to her sorrow soon, our Pulsatilla patient is usually a tender, inexperienced girl
who is soft and easily upset. Physically she is agg. by heat and is thirstless.
The effects of grief and their remedies can be tabulated as it may appeal to some minds:
Grief
Acute effects + Chronic effect= Ignatia
Sadness + Depression = Aur.
Sadness + Apathy (Suicidal) = Phos-ac
Sadness + Irritability = Nat-m
Sadness + Disgust = Sepia
Sadness + Tearfulness = Pulsatilla
Sadness + Quarrelsome = Staphysagria
Sadness + Hysterical = Cimicifuga
One can now see how the same causative factor affecting different persons is able to evoke different
types of reactions, and how we have remedies which have provided in the provings varying types of
effects, so that each individual kind of reaction can be matched perfectly, and the patient cured.
The homoeopath is particularly looking for symptoms which are peculiar, strange or rare. When this
strangeness of a symptom exceeds all limits and becomes paradoxical and contradictory and goes
against all accepted ideas of physiology, pathology and commonsense, one should think of Ignatia.
Wherever there are contradictory symptoms, even if such symptoms are not mentioned in the Materia
Medica under Ignatia, one should consider Ignatia.
 Some examples are: Sense of lump in throat amel. swallowing solids; Difficulty in swallowing liquids but
not solids; Vomiting amel. indigestible foods; Hunger with nausea; Emptiness in stomach not amel. by
eating; Stool soft but difficult; Cough agg. by coughing; No thirst during fever.
It should not be misunderstood that Ignatia is merely a hysterical remedy. It has been known to give
relief to cases of dysentery, gastritis, diarrhoea and plague! The criterion is only whether the symptoms
of the patient are covered by Ignatia.
We should remember that Ignatia contains strychnine, which is also found in Nux-v. The difference
seems to be that the strychnine in Nux-v produces spasmodic or incoordinate effects, whereas in Ignatia
it causes erratic or contradictory effects which, by the way, is an extreme degree of incoordination.
There is a further major difference, viz. whereas the Ignatia patient is moody, capricious, lachrymose
and morose, the Nux-v patient is extremely impatient, irascible and violent. The trigger for the Ignatia
patient is grief while that for the Nux-v patient is anger. The Nux-v patient resembles Staphysagria.
To sum up the mental state of the Ignatia patient, the symptoms of this patient are caused or
aggravated by grief, anxiety, worry and chagrin and the patient is always sad, sighing and silently
sorrowing. The patient likes neither consolation nor contradiction, and the symptoms are always worse
when others are present. The patient is not only sad but also enjoys being sad!
Kalium carbonicum
"The Kali-c patient is a hard patient to study, and the remedy itself is a hard one to study."
This sentence in Kent's Materia Medica had always intrigued me. I had always wondered why one
particular remedy should be more difficult to study.
However, I did notice that for many years the number of cases for whom I was prescribing Kali-c was
very low as compared with the cases for whom I was prescribing remedies like Sulph., Calc., Sep., etc. So
I came to the conclusion that I must not have understood Kali-c so well. However, I came to understand
Kali-c better recently as I shall describe.
My mother, for some reason, started emaciating and became steadily and progressively weaker. She
went on losing in health to such an extent that I became very anxious. This had started after she got
frightened when my brother had high fever and had to be hospitalised, apparently in a serious
condition. She had right-sided complaints (like headache), fullness after eating even a little, irritability,
weakness and pain in the lumbar region, etc. She was 65 years old. I gave her Lyc. She felt some relief
but I myself could see that she got only partial relief but I studied her symptoms more carefully and got
the following picture:
1. At the end of a meal she would feel a sense of blocking in the chest as if the food remained there,
with nausea and retching. This was relieved by eructations.
2. Palpitation immediately after every meal forcing her to lie down.
3. Eating little causes fullness.
4. Eating a little more aggravates.
5. Difficulty in swallowing solids esp. if they are cold.
6. Chilly.
7. Anaemia.
8. Unable to sit, talk or walk because of weakness.
9. Weakness in lumbar region esp. while walking.
10. Throbbing in the suprasternal notch and epigastrium.
 On studying the case I felt that the remedy was clearly Kali-c though in Kent's Repertory it is not found
under the rubric "Ailments from fright". I gave her Kali-c and thereafter, she improved remarkably,
became well and remains well now for several years though she requires doses of Kali-c on and off.
My nephew once got an attack of whooping cough. Night after night he would get cough for 2 or 3
hours. I could not decide his remedy. So I, for 2 or 3 days, watched him and then noticed that the
paroxyms of cough would start at 3 a.m. and would last upto 6 a.m. or so. I decided to give him Kali-c
the next morning but I forgot to do so. The next night, he again started coughing at 3 a.m. After the first
paroxysm of cough, I gave him a dose of Kali-c 30 though, advisedly, a remedy should not be given
during a paroxysm. After that one dose there was no further paroxysm of cough that night or the next
night or any other night. And I remember not to have heard him cough at all for the next several years.
It so happened that I myself once required Kali-c. I had a number of symptoms like weakness in the
lumbar back and pain in the lumbar region as if it was bruised or broken. I became very chilly and got
headaches if exposed to the cold air. Also, in cold air there would be stitching pains in the ears. All these
complaints were worse after coition or after seminal emission. Because my mother had improved on
Kali-c, and I had so many symptoms of the remedy, I also took Kali-c and found that it had very good
effect. For the next two years or so I noted very good improvement. A few weeks after each dose, when
the effect disappeared, the pains, etc. would recur which would disappear again the next day when
another dose was taken.
Once Dr. Koppikar of Madras quoted Allen about Kali-c, that it covers complaints of old and fat people.
At that time, I had a Sindhi lady patient who was old and fat and was having pain in the knees worse by
beginning motion. It was diagnosed as osteoarthritis. Since fatness in old age itself is a peculiar
symptom, though the case seemed to work out to Calc-c on all her symptoms, I decided to try Kali-c and
was surprised to find good results. Since then, whenever I see any old, fat patient, I consider first
whether they have Kali-c symptoms. This is because Kali-c does not come out very well when cases are
repertorized. And because I depend much on the repertory, possibly I have been missing this remedy.
And now when I am looking for Kali-c, I do find many cases requiring the remedy and improving. So now
I understand Kent's remarks.
Boger says under Kali-c, "Everything affects the small of the back." Though T.F. Allen says that Kali-c is
not indicated in fever, I have cured a febrile case of pericarditis with effusion with Kali-c.
"A female patient H.S. , aged 27, was admitted to the hospital with a history of pain in the left chest and
pyrexia of four days' duration. The pain was stitching, stabbing and cutting in nature and was agg. from
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from coughing, and was accompanied by profuse perspiration. It was relieved by
warm applications. She could not lie on her left side. There was dullness of the left base with diminution
of breath sounds. A provisional diagnosis of pleurisy with effusion was made.
The report of the X-ray taken later read as follows: "Huge dilatation of the heart, pericarditis with
effusion - also pleural effusion left base and thickened pleura".
The remedy Kali-c was found to cover the following symptoms in Boger's Synoptic Key.
Morning and evening, agg. (p. 17)
Stitches (p. 45)
Cough, painful (p. 63)
Dropsy (p. 89)
Cutting (p. 68)
 Sweat in general, easy tendency to (p. 104).
Reference to the Materia Medica portion (p. 224) showed that the remedy also covered the symptoms
"worse lying on, painful" or "left side" and "better warmth". So she was given Kali-c 200, six hourly.
There was an immediate all-round improvement which continued steadily; in four days she felt
considerably better.
The second X-ray, taken on 15.05.59, showed Heart size markedly diminished. Slight pleural effusion
still present. The patient was discharged a week later and has remained well.
Aggravation time of the pains in this case was 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as against the usual 1 to 4 a.m. of Kali-
c. Such twelve-hourly reversibility (day instead of night and vice versa) of time modalities is met with in
the homoeopathic Materia Medica. An Ars. patient may be worse at 1 a.m. or 1 p.m. ; Chel. and Lyc. at
4 a.m. or 4 p.m. ; China at 5 a.m. or 5 p.m. ; Nux-v at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. ; Sepia at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. ; Thuja
at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m. and so on.
"Mrs. R.P. , aged 42 years, suffering from cervical spondylosis came for homoeopathic treatment
because the collar she was given did not give her relief. Her history was as follows:
On 27.06.62, she had sudden excruciating pain in the rt. scapular region and shoulder at 2 a.m. She
woke up from sleep due to pain. Since then the pain has been there constantly. The pain is agg. at 3 a.m.
She invariably gets up with pain at that time. It is agg. before menses, sitting and lying on the right side,
agg. using the hand, as in writing. Pain in shoulder joint is agg. letting the hand hang down, amel. heat,
rubbing, pressure on nape and shoulder. Has bad throat and sinusitis last 6 years. This is agg. by cold and
sour foods. Irritable, worrying type; faints with pain.
Past Hist.: Had a serious shock two years back (due to suspected infidelity of husband), Amoebic colitis
eight years back. Pleurisy 25 years ago.
Her case was studied in Kent's and Phatak's Repertory and Kali-c was found to cover the following
symptoms:
agg. at 3 a.m. (K.p. 1343)
agg. before menses (K.p. 1373)
agg. lying on right side (K.p. 1373)
Fingers, working with agg. (Ph.p. 107)
On 3rd Aug. 1962, she was given; 30, 12 doses to be taken twice a day till relief was obtained.
On 17th Aug., she reported pain less in intensity, can hang her hand down without pain. From then on,
she was put on Sac-l and advised to take Kali-c 200, 3 doses and by Nov. 1962 she was completely well
and so the treatment was stopped. Now she has been well for several years."
In one case of repeated attacks of abdominal colic, Colo. relieved the pain but did not cure. I read up
Kent and gave Kali-c, which is the chronic of Colo. and the patient became well.
If you show sympathy and if the patient weeps, it may be Kali-c, Lyc., Sep. or Sil.
Lachesis mutus
The study of various remedies in the homoeopathic Materia Medica is a most fascinating one. And
among these remedies, the study of Lachesis can be particularly interesting. The story of how the
terrible Surukuku snake - Lachesis mutus of South America was caught and how its venom was proved
by the indomitable Constantine Hering is well-known to all Homoeopathic students. This snake poison is
one of the most well-proved remedies in our Materia Medica. Not only are we provided with an almost
complete picture of the drug action, thanks to Hering, but also the symptoms are so clear cut and
characteristic that it is difficult to miss or mistake them in practice.
Allen's Encyclopedia gives more than 3 600 symptoms of this drug and its symptoms occupy more than
a hundred pages in Hering's Guiding Symptoms. Hundreds of homoeopathic practitioners have used this
remedy, relieving and curing thousands of cases in different conditions, wherever its fundamental
characteristic symptoms were met with.
Clarke says that the physical characteristics of substances correspond with their dynamic effects and in
the study of the symptomatology and clinical application of Lachesis also we find in the symptoms such
a reflection of the basic characteristics of the snake from which the poison has originated.
When the snake bites a person, the first thing we do is to try and stop the circulation of blood by
applying ice or proximal to the bite a very tight tourniquent. By the application of ice or such tight
pressure, we may save the life of the patient. Now this relief by cold and hard pressure are also found in
the Lachesis patient in many of his symptoms.
Beside the application of hard pressure, we also make an incision at the spot where the snake has
bitten and let out the blood and along with it, the venom which is deposited there. This also helps the
victim of the snake bite to survive. This general relief from bleeding is also found in the symptoms of the
drug. One particular form of bleeding which is physiological is the menstrual flow and this gives great
relief to the female patient. Among the drugs which have great relief from menses are Lachesis and Zinc.
Not only bleeding, but almost any discharge gives relief to the patient, this being one of the most
characteristic symptoms of the Lachesis patient.
Once I was consulted by a person who was getting recurrent attacks of epididymo-orchitis. His wife was
in U.P. When he went to U.P. and stayed with her, he would get no attacks, but when he returned to
Bombay after 2 or 3 months the attacks would occur. And thereafter, the attacks would recur at quicker
intervals. During the attack the allopathic doctors would treat him with antibiotics but they could not
prevent the attacks. Of course, they considered the fact of the attacks occurring when he was away
from his wife as irrelevant. We know that allopathy does not consider suppression of sexual desire as a
significant factor in the causation of disease. I prescribed for him Conium with no effect. Then he went
and consulted one Dr. Dagli. This doctor found that his testis was extremely sensitive to touch and
combining this with the amel. from discharge prescribed Lach. and cured him.
While bleeding or any type of discharge gives relief, the suppression or non-appearance of a discharge
or eruption aggravates the patient. In women they may have aggravation before and after the menses,
or if it is suppressed, or if it ceases as in menopause.
When the snake bites its victim not only is there localised blueness but if the poison is allowed to
spread all over the body, there is a blue discoloration of the whole body due to cyanosis. Here again is a
keynote of Lachesis. I have cured successfully with Lachesis a chronic non-healing varicose ulcer of many
years * standing which was very much blue along the edges and was extremely sensitive to and bled
easily from touch. The discharge, ulcers, skin, etc. may be bluish or blackish. (The Lachesis snake has
blackish brown spots.)
The snake is extremely sensitive to heat. It is said that the pit vipers have an exceptional sensitivity to
cold and heat. The pits on their heads enable them to detect a mouse at a distance of one metre, even
in complete darkness, by the heat radiated from it. Besides, since the sense organs are in pairs, they can
detect the direction in which the mouse is moving. A frog, in dry air, is detected by the cool effect of the
evaporation of water from its moist skin. A mere thousandth of a degree Fahrenheit is enough
difference in temperature to alert the snake. It lives in deep pits or burrows where it is considerably
cooler than on the surface. (The cobra, it is said, prefers to live beneath sandalwood trees.) It prefers the
cool surroundings and that is why it ventures out more at night when it is cooler. The Lachesis patient
also shows a tendency to be worse by warmth, by hot drinks, in the sun and in summer.
The snake is very sensitive to touch and vibration (sound), and so is the Lachesis patient.
The aggravation by touch and amelioration by pressure are also noticed in the throat symptoms. The
patient is worse by swallowing liquids (touch) and is better by swallowing solids (pressure). We must
remember that the snake, especially the Python, can swallow relatively very large creatures (solids)
easily. This it is able to do because of the peculiar structure of the jaws which consist of four separate
segments which are merely joined by ligaments in such a way that the jaws can open very widely and
allow the snake to swallow animals far bigger than itself.
The tongue of the snake is constantly darting in and out of its mouth. The Lachesis patient may exhibit
the same constant to and fro movement of the tongue or he may exhibit it in the form of trembling of
the tongue. In fact, there is a trembling of the whole body in the patient. (The sight of a snake induces
fear and causes trembling.) Or there may be difficulty in putting out the tongue. The remarkable
mobility of the tongue can also be exhibited in a constant flow of speech. The tongue of the snake is
bifid, looking double and this is reflected in the patient's speech who uses double the number of words
and also repeats his words. In fact, the first thing we may note about the patient is his or her loquacity.
She may go on and on telling her symptoms and branching off in various directions, even repeating the
same points.
Loquacity is notoriously met with in women but it is also seen in men as the following case will show.
Mr. U.A. M., a fairly well to do Muslim business man aged 53 years, consulted me on 12th Dec. 1962
with the following history:
Some 5 years back, while in Surat he had a sudden attack of severe precordial pain with palpitations. His
brother, a doctor, examined him and came to the conclusion that it might be a coronary attack. He was
advised bed rest, then examined again after some days. This time the diagnosis of coronary thrombosis
was revised and it was re-diagnosed as a case of cardiac neurosis or neurasthenia but he was still
advised to retire from business permanently, which he did unwillingly. He, however, continued to
develop various complaints from time to time and was given various medicines for appetite, for sleep,
for pain, etc., in all amounting to 24 doses per day.
His present symptoms were: Pain in the precordium, worse on ascending steps, worse by talking for a
long time. Swelling around eyes on speaking for some time. Pain along a line from frontal to the occipital
region. Difficulty in breathing; has to take a deep breath, often with a groaning noise. Oedema of the
feet, worse on exertion, worse in the evening. Stiffness of the left arm and left leg on beginning to walk.
Abdominal distension after food. Pain in the left renal area, on and off, worse by cold application, worse
by sitting long. If he discussed business for a long time and then passes urine, he feels very weak. Pain in
the chest after stool in the morning, better after tea. Sleeplessness upto 2 a.m. Jerking and pulling of
left leg, esp. of the left big toe during sleep at night so that it wakes him 4-5 times at night. This is worse
if he gets sexual thoughts or if he sleeps near his wife.
Appetite poor, but feels much better in general after food or drink. Head hot, eyes burn esp. in the
morning and in general feels worse after sleep in the morning. Feels worse in summer. But if he is
chilled, he gets pain in the joints.
 Extremely loquacious; repeats the same thing several times, talks for 5 to 6 hours non-stop; gives long
lectures to his sons every day though it causes much chest pain. Will not allow others to talk or finish
what they have to say.
On examination: B.P. 150/90, Wt. 170 lbs. He was obese and had a prominent abdomen. There was
oedema of both the legs, pitting on pressure.
The indications for the remedy seemed clear. But I repertorized his case on Boger's Synoptic Key with
the following rubrics:
Sleep, during, agg.;
Sleep, after, agg.;
Spasmodic effects - Jerks, etc.;
Side left;
Loquacity.
Lach. alone came through. It also covered the following symptoms (in Kent's Repertory).
Convulsions from sexual excitement (p. 1355);
Summer (p. 1404);
Desire for deep breath (p. 766);
Head, heat (p. 121); Eating, after amel. (p. 137);
Motion, beginning agg. (p. 1374).
I put him on Lach. VI (6th potency of 50 millesimal scale) in water to be taken daily once, diluted and
succussed and asked him to discontinue forthwith all his daily 24 doses of allopathic medicine. From that
day there was very steady progress and he never looked back. He is now completely normal for several
years without any medicine and is taking active interest in his work.
(Incidentally under the symptom "Jerking of the leg in sleep" in Kent's Repertory, Lach. is not
mentioned.)
The skin of the snake is reddish brown in colour. We see the redness in the symptoms - red (bloody)
discharge, dark reddish eruptions, red nose, etc.
The snake is more ferocious and poisonous when hungry; so also the Lach. patient is agg. by fasting and
amel. after eating.
The neck of the snake is always the thinner portion of the body and this constriction of the neck is
reflected in the sensation of constriction of the neck in the patient also. The neck, of course, is the most
vulnerable portion for one who wishes to catch the snake always catches it by the neck. And we do find
the neck prominently affected. The python and mamba snakes, incidentally, kill their victims by
enveloping, constricting and crushing them.
When the snake is held hanging by its tail, it invariably starts raising the head up and tries to come up.
This upward direction is met with in several sensations such as the rush of blood to the head, the
headache going up from the nape, etc.
They say that when the mind is poisoned there is jealousy and this is again a very characteristic
symptom in Lachesis. Suspicion and jealousy are met with in many of the cases. The following is a typical
case.
I was once consulted by a lady, Mrs. B., who had developed severe itching in her neck. She had been
suffering thus for seven years. She had been scratching her neck day in and day out, till it bled profusely
and had the appearance of raw beef. She had gone to a skin specialist who having done his best and
failed, had given up. She had then gone to a psychiatrist but without any effect. I made a close enquiry
about the origin of the ailment, and was rewarded by a very interesting account. It seemed that one day
her husband Mr. B. had gone to his native town. It so happened that Mr. B.'s boss's wife, Mrs. J., had
also gone to the same city at the same time and so when Mr. B. was about to return, his boss Mr. J.
wrote to him and requested him to escort Mrs. J. When Mr. B. and Mrs. J. returned together and
disembarked from the steamer, Mrs. B. was present at the pier to receive them. Just then a friend of
Mrs. B. also present there whispered into her ears that surely Mr. B. and Mrs. J. must have travelled in
the same cabin, perhaps in intimate company. Thereupon, Mrs. B. got intensely suspicious and jealous.
The subsequent behaviour of Mr. B. seemed to confirm her worst fears. It was during this period that
she had developed the skin disorder. Later on, her husband had convinced her by various acts that he
was completely loyal to her and had nothing to do with Mrs. J. Mrs. B. appeared to be thoroughly
convinced of his fidelity but it had made no difference to her ailment. The itching continued and she
continued to suffer. She had consulted both a skin specialist and psychiatrist but neither had been able
to help her.
It only required of me to put one or two questions to her to ascertain that her remedy was indeed
Lachesis. Two or three doses of this medicine sufficed to restore her completely to normal health so that
Homoeopathy earned her eternal gratitude.
In some parts of India, when a person is bitten by a snake large quantities of cold water are poured on
his head and he is made to walk up and down constantly and is not allowed to sleep at all because it is
considered that if he falls asleep he will die. This probably has some scientific basis. And it is also noticed
that the Lachesis patients are almost invariably worse during and after sleep. In fact, they may be worse
even by closing the eyes. Incidentally, a snake has no eyelids.
The symptoms of snake poisoning and alcohol are similar to a certain extent. There is dizziness,
volubility, trembling, drowsiness, slurred speech, etc. The Lachesis patient is worse by alcohol.
The snake coils itself from left to right and the symptoms of Lachesis proceed from left to right.
Following is a typical case.
"Mrs. L.C. , aged 62 years, consulted me on 12.03.58 complaining of the following:
Six years back she started having pain and stiffness in the lumbo-sacral region which later descended
into the left leg. Now, there is pain and swelling in left ankle which sometimes disappears from the left
and appears in the right ankle, sometimes exists in both legs together, often painful, sometimes
painless. Pain and heaviness in leg, agg. by motion and amel. by rest and agg. when legs hang down.
Occasional pain epigastrium piercing to back. Sweats on palms and soles even in winter; sweat
offensive. Feels hot in legs and body, wants to place the legs on cold floor and also sleep on cold floor;
likes cold in general. Dislikes noise made by children. Recently has developed fear of thunder. Nowadays
nervous, fears every little thing, fears something may happen, and trembles. Nervousness has started
after the death of her husband who died of heart failure. Constipation, no urge for stool.
Past history: Menses were generally very profuse. During menopause had much bleeding and other
troubles. Also had high B.P. with headaches and vertigo. Vertigo was agg. looking up.
On examination: Has varicosities in both legs; also oedema, more in left leg. Wt. 115 lbs, B.P. 150/100.
The symptoms were evaluated and repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory.
Fear of thunder being a mental symptom and the latest to appear was taken first. This was combined
with another mental symptom, the fear that something may happen. Fear, misfortune of (p. 46). Next
came another mental - Sensitive to noise. Then came a general symptom, the intolerance to heat. Warm
agg. (p. 1412). Now came the peculiar symptom that though there were varicosites in both the legs, the
oedema appeared more on the left and travelled from left to right. Side, left, then right.
Lach. alone covered these rubrics. It also covered the haemorrhagic tendency discovered in the
previous history, "Perspiration offensive" (p. 1298) and the "Varices, lower limbs" (p . 1233).
So she was given Lach. 30 on 13.03.58. There was an immediate and quick amelioration. The
improvement continued and she became well in 3 months. There were one or two relapses but every
time the same remedy in the 200th potency put her all right. All her symptoms have disappeared and
the varicose veins give her no trouble. She is now well for many years."
I have seen two cases of atherosclerosis going on to gangrene, in which the patients were agg. in sleep
and woke up with pain at 3 a.m. Lach. helped them. One is the wife of a famous eye-specialist. By the
way, in her case, I got good results with Lach. but better results when I gave her Lach. high and Sec-c
low.
"Mrs. M.R. B., aged 22 years, came for consultation on 4th Jan. 1969. She is getting attacks of Epilepsy
since the age of 9 years. The minimum interval between two attacks is 15 days and the maximum 3
years. It started after some neighbour hit her on the head out of malice. She gets frightened too. She is
impatient, suspicious, depressed, irritable, proud and jealous. She has a suicidal disposition and has tried
twice to commit suicide. Once while in school she swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills because she was
not prepared for an exam. She was then unconscious for one week. She is excitable and talkative. Her
appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Her wounds bleed much, suppurate easily and heal slowly.
Past History: H/o smallpox, mumps, pneumonia and nervous breakdown.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory with the following symptoms:
Suicidal, disposition (p. 85); Jealousy (p. 60); Suspicious (p. 85): Haughty (p. 51); Wounds bleed freely (p.
1422). Only Lachesis came through. She was given Lach. 200. She got a few more attacks, generally
mild, all in sleep, but slowly she got out of them. She was given : 1M and then 10M and then she was
relieved. She has remained well for over six years."
" A girl R., aged 5 years, 6 m., was seen by me on 3rd June 1963 for the following complaints:
She gets frequent epistaxis for last one year. Formerly used to get epistaxis every 2 months or so, but
now gets it as often as once a week. The bleeding is very profuse and if she is made to lie down there is
bleeding from the mouth. The blood is blackish and clotted. Bleeding occurs from the left nostril only. It
is agg. in summer. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Generally, she is irritable after sleep. Many
specialists were consulted. They said it was due to anaemia and that only blood transfusion would help
her. O/E. there is a presystolic murmur in mitral area.
At first, thrombocytopenia was suspected but investigations showed that the platelets are normal in
quantity but they do not break down easily, so that there is bleeding. It is diagnosed as qualitative
platelet change. (Thromboasthenia) Plasma Prothrombin: 13; Serum Prothrombin: 24 sec.; Bleeding
time 8'; Coagulation time 7'30". Clot retraction present. Platelet count 234 000.
I prescribed Lach. 1M, 7 doses, once a day and then placebo considering the following points: Left side;
agg. in summer; haemorrhagic tendency; black discharge; agg. after sleep, etc.
She started improving. There was no epistaxis for 25 days. Her blood exam. on 23.06.63 showed R.B. C.
2.7 mil. Hb. 27% W.B. C. 6 800.
Lach. 1M, 6 doses, t.i. d. for 2 days, then placebo. On 28.06.63 she had epistaxis once again. Lach. 10M,
3 doses were given in one day followed by placebo.
Her chest was screened on 22nd May. Report showed Heart size +, Marked hilar congestion. Two child
specialists were consulted but they refused to hospitalise her.
Lach. 10M was repeated on 18.07.63, 30.08.63 and 13.09.63.
On 19.09.63, reported no further epistaxis. General condition much better.
On 01.11.65, I heard that the child was quite well with no further attacks of epistaxis."
" Mrs. D.D. , aged 46 years, came for consultation on the 4th Jan. 1972. She had a history of pain in
abdomen 11/2 years back and it had been diagnosed as Colitis. It has now recurred for the last 21/2
months. The pain is agg. after eating,agg. lifting any weight, agg. after stool and urine. She gets attacks
of convulsions during which she bites her tongue, her eyes turn upward and she gets salivation. Usually
she gets such attacks while lying down. She gets these attacks since the age of 17 years. It is suspected
as Epilepsy though the E.E. G. is normal. She gets coryza agg. changes of weather. Gets cramps in left leg
in sleep. Gets ecchymosis if hurt but only in left leg. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Feels
depressed after sleep esp. agg. after afternoon nap. Gets scanty menses. She is sensitive. Likes to
remain alone and does not like sympathy. No h/o Head injury. Is becoming obese since the last six
months. On exam.: Tenderness all over abdomen especially in hypogastric region. Jerks and reflexes
normal, except plantar left foot which is extensor. She is taking 3 phenobarbitone tablets daily. Was
taking Gardinal for 6 years, then felt agg..
The remedy seemed clear but her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory
with the following symptoms:
Sleep afternoon agg. (K.p. 1402)
Menses scanty (K.p. 728)
Lifting agg. (K.p. 1371)
Discharge agg. (Ph.p. 69)
Haemorrhage (Ph.p. 120)
Obesity (K.p. 1375)
Side left (K.p. 1401)
Only Lach. came through.
Lach. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. and placebo given 15.01.72. No attacks. Slight pain in abdomen. Medicine
repeated 01.02.72: No attacks: Lach. 10M, 3 doses t.d. s. and placebo given. The patient continued to
improve steadily and became well."
Lycopodium clavatum
Lycopodium is one of our deep-acting polycrests. When indicated and administered the patient benefits
from it for a very long time.
The aluminium content of Lyc. probably explains many of its features. This is probably responsible for
the flashes it produces when used in fire crackers. The alternating constipation and diarrhoea, the
paralytic effects, soft stool passed with difficulty, the dryness (the lycopodium powder was used by pill
makers as a dusting powder to keep their hands dry while making pills), burning pains amel. heat, the
falling hair, the adaptibility to persons who appear prematurely old are all common to Lyc. and Alumina.
I mentioned that Lyc., when put into fire, produces flashes. The Lyc. symptoms also may come in a flash,
they can be sudden and intense, as for example the hunger and the sexual excitement but the
satisfaction or satiety is also very quick or sudden.
 Lycopodium produces signs of senility so that the patient appears to become prematurely old. The hair
falls causing baldness or it becomes grey; there is wrinkling of the forehead creating an old look; the
power of retention in mind (as well as in sex) is poor, resulting in a weak memory so that the patient
makes mistakes in speaking - he can't recollect names and slowly develops a sense of incompetence and
lack of confidence. So this patient is a young old man. Whenever I see a patient who looks older than
this age, I always consider Lycopodium.
I can recollect a case of Pneumonia in a child which responded dramatically to Lyc. which was selected
because there was wrinkling of the forehead. Kent gives only Lyc. and that too in bold type under the
rubric "Face, wrinkled, forehead with chest symptoms".
Out of the numerous cases of Lyc. I have seen so far, I have come across many of the characteristic
symptoms mentioned in the books, in one patient or the other. The remedy has a very deep range of
action producing lasting changes in the nervous, digestive, respiratory, circulatory and urogenital
systems. The plant Lycopodium clavatum is said to be one of the oldest plants which has survived
thousands of years of change.
Theoretically, I see no objection to give Lyc. straight away in a case if it is indicated clearly. But in
practice, I must admit that whenever I saw Lyc. indicated and gave it straightaway as the first remedy,
usually, it did not act well.
Often Lyc. works out for cases of calculi. Cases of both renal and biliary calculi so often exhibit
constipation and flatulence and are agg. by peas, potatoes, etc. The renal cases are relieved by
micturition. After Lyc. is given either the calculi are passed painlessly or subsequent X-rays show their
disappearance.
The movement of the alae nasi is a symptom of respiratory embarrassment. Boger says that to be of
value, the movement of the alae nasi should be independent of respiration.
I shall now present a few cases cured by Lyc.
Mr. S., aged 39 years, consulted me on 17th Nov. 1961 with the following complaint:
Has recurrent coryza for the last 7 years. He got the first attack in Calcutta in 1956. A complete blood
count revealed Eosinophilia. In Bombay, in 1957, he got the second attack. He consulted an E.N. T.
surgeon. The nasal mucosa was cauterised and he felt better. In 1960, he got another attack, after the
death of his mother. Again in 1961, he suffered a fourth attack. This time, he took autovaccine. The nose
was also punctured but he felt no relief.
Now, the attacks are provoked by dust and by taking fish or prawn and in the rainy season. During the
attacks, his nose gets blocked or he gets a watery discharge. The attack is aggravated from midnight till
morning and by lying down. The patient is constipated, so he takes laxative daily. He had flatulence
amel. by passing flatus. Appetite, thirst, urine, stool, etc., normal.
He weeps easily, he can't see or bear suffering. He is very sensitive, gets upset easily. Sometimes he
becomes irritable and shouts. He is losing confidence since he entered a new department in his office,
although he is very competent and can easily manage his work. He also gave a history of repeated
vaccination and of tuberculosis in an ancestor.
The following symptoms were taken for study and the case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory:
Confidence, want of (p. 13); Sympathetic (p. 86); Wet weather agg. (p. 1421); Food, shell fish agg. (p.
1363).
Only Lyc. came through.
 Lyc. was given in 1M potency, 3 doses to be taken in one day to be followed by placebo.
On these doses, he felt much better for a month. There was a relapse on 29th Dec. 1961 and so Lyc. 1M
was repeated.
On 10th Feb. 1962, he got back a skin lesion from which he had suffered originally and had been
"cured" homoeopathically, but which he had forgotten to tell me about. I waited for some time and as
the lesion persisted, Lyc. 10M, 3 doses were prescribed.
He also received an intercurrent dose each of Thuja and Tuberculinum because of the previous and
family history. On 1st Aug. 1962, he reported that he felt completely alright, except for the small patch
of eczema. Lyc. 50M completely wiped off the remnants and he remains well till now (10 Dec. 1968).
Comment: This was a good case of Lycopodium but readers will note with curiosity the fact that this
patient was worse after midnight though Lyc. is well-known to have its amelioration after midnight.
Mrs. J.T. , aged 23 years, consulted me on 15th Dec. 1961 for the following complaint:
She suffered from pain in the middle of forehead for the last six months. Originally she had suffered
from coryza which had been treated with some injections. The coryza had stopped but then the
headache had started. She had consulted an E.N. T. specialist and he had diagnosed it as a case of
Sinusitis. As the treatment of sinusitis was not satisfactory she had been directed to me.
She had pain at the root of the nose but more especially in the middle of the forehead and over the
eyes especially on the right side. Close questioning elicited no more significant symptoms except that
she was constipated and that the headaches were worse if she worried or got upset about anything. Her
personal, previous and family history revealed nothing unusual.
So I repertorized the case using Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics:
Head pain, coryza suppressed from having (p. 138); Head, pain, forehead, above right eye (p. 159);
Head, pain, forehead, middle (p. 161); Head, pain excitement of the emotions, after (p. 139).
Only Lyc. covered the above rubrics.
I, therefore, selected Lyc. which I gave in the 200th potency. On 12.01.62, she reported that the
headaches continued upto 27th and then ceased. As there was relapse I repeated Lyc. 1M on 03.02.62.
She reported on 26.05.62 that she had no more headaches. She has remained well now for many years.
Comment: I had to select the remedy purely on the local symptoms because of the absence of any
other mental, general, concomitant or characteristic symptoms. Although this is not a procedure to be
recommended, yet the homoeopathic remedy that worked out helped the patient.
Mr. K.C. , aged 40 years, consulted me on 18th July 1962 with the following history:
He is a high placed executive in a very important bank in India. His duties require that he should address
important conferences and talk to V.I. P.s. He has found that, of late, he has a feeling of excitement
(sexual) especially marked when his wife is away. But he has poor erections and quick ejaculations.
Gradually he has also developed a sense of inadequacy in his work, a lack of confidence and a sense of
insecurity. He becomes nervous before his boss. His memory is poor and he is not able to speak so
fluently and easily. He says he had a period of severe strain from 1956 to 1959 when he had a tussle
with his boss. He generally feels very hungry but is easily satisfied. No other symptoms of any
importance were elicited.
To me the whole picture seemed to be a picture of Lycopodium. Probably the severe stress in his work
reflected on the sexual sphere, and the sexual incompetence reflected on his work again. I gave him Lyc.
1M on 18th July 1962 with some improvement. On 30th not being satisfied with the improvement, I
gave him Lyc. VI in the LM scale of potency. This brought about 50% improvement both in his work and
in his sexual functions. Then I gave him a dose of Lyc. XXX in the LM scale which brought about 80% and
then 90% improvement. The improvement progressed and by 08.04.63 he was completely normal . Still,
I had to repeat this dose occasionally as he had relapses, but by 07.10.63 he was completely normal and
so treatment was stopped. He dropped in to see me in June 1965 just to inform me that he was getting
on extremely well in all spheres, thanks to Homoeopathy!
Comment: For such cases modern medicine has little to offer except some reassurance or
psychoanalysis or tranquilisers and sexual stimulants but our Homoeopathy can do wonders to
rejuvenate these people.
"Mr.T. R., aged 45 years, consulted me on 14th Dec. 1961 with the following history:
Since age of 19 years, i.e. from 1935, he has eczema in the legs, has itching and on scratching a thin
fluid exudes. The eruptions are black and are worse in summer. Since 1951, he gets attacks of giddiness.
This has started after his son-in-law, aged 35, expired. This was a great shock to him and he was greatly
depressed for one year. The giddiness is agg. after coffee and is amel. by vomiting. It is associated with
throbbing in temples. Heavy foods cause discomfort in abdomen between 1 and 2 a.m. Prefers hot food
and drinks and sweets. Milk causes diarrhoea. Gets tinnitus in ears on and off, started in the right ear,
now in both, amel. fasting. Sometimes gets sprained pain in right scapular area , amel. by eructation.
Feels generally better in the cold season. For the eczema he had taken X-ray exposures with no relief.
On examination I found nothing abnormal except that he had external piles.
This case was repertorized with the following rubrics using Kent's Repertory:
Grief, ailments from (p. 51)
Diarrhoea after milk (p. 614)
Food, heavy, agg. (p. 1363)
Food, coffee, agg. (p. 1362)
Lyc., came through as the only remedy.
The remaining picture also fitted in with Lyc. I prescribed Lyc. 200, 3 doses six hourly to be followed by
Sac-l.
By 25.12.61, he felt better in all symptoms: the eczema the vertigo, the tinnitus, the abdominal
discomfort, etc. The remedy had to be repeated in the 1000th potency, followed by a dose of Carb-v
1M. Till now he remains well without any further medication."
"Mr. G., aged 39, consulted me in 1957 for attacks of flatulent colic amel. flatus, amel. fomentation,
agg. potatoes, onions, fruits, coconut, rice, heavy foods. Sweats with abdominal pain. Milk causes
diarrhoea. Cannot stand hunger. Prefers hot drinks. Lumbar ache agg. rising in morning, agg. pressure. A
Barium Meal X-ray showed an ulcer niche in duodenum with pseudodiverticuli due to adhesions.
On looking through the following rubrics in Kent's Repertory, viz. Fruit agg.; Onions agg.; Milk agg.;
Perspiration with pains, I found that only Lyc. covered them all. Besides, Lyc. also covered the back pain.
So he was given Lyc. 200 and was put on bland diet. His response to this prescription was very
satisfactory. He continued the treatment irregularly taking Lyc. upto 50M but by 1964, he became
completely well."
Osteoarthritis is said to be a degenerative particular disease of old age for which even relief is not
promised. The following case illustrates how even this can be cured in a limited sense, i.e. the patient
made comfortable and symptom-free.
 "Mr. T.A. K., aged 69, came on 26th July 1963 with the following complaints:
Has arthritis in knee joints agg. right knee for the last 10 years. Pain agg. rising from sitting, agg.
beginning motion, agg. descending steps. It is diagnosed as Osteoarthritis. Has frequent urination at
night. Weight is increasing. Has bilateral cataract.
On looking up the rubrics "Descending agg.", "Obesity" and "Old people" in Kent's Repertory, I came to
Bar-c, Con., Lyc., Sulph.
Of these I preferred Lyc. as it was right sided, had frequent micturition at night, etc. So, I gave him Lyc.
200. He felt relief, but the medicine had to be repeated about once a month, in 1M and then in 10M
potencies. Later I gave him doses of Lyc. in the 6th potency of the LM scale to be taken in water
succussed daily once.
On 17th Feb. 1965, he reported that he was completely well, there was no pain in the knees. The
medicine was discontinued. He has remained well for many years now."
Our books generally picturize the Lyc. patient as a thin, withered patient but sometimes it is not so. I
have treated several obese patients with Lyc.
"Mrs. M., aged 68, wife of an allopathic doctor saw me on 7th June 1972 with the following complaints:
She is suffering from lumbago for the last 20 years. Now she cannot get up from bed due to the
stiffness. Pain is agg. rising from sitting, agg. sitting long, agg. lying on back, agg. cold drinks, agg.
stooping; cannot squat. It is amel. pressure and amel. by massage. Gets pain and heaviness in the thighs.
She has become very obese. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. She is amel. by company. Very
irritable.
Past Hist: She had thyrotoxicosis which was amel. with Neomercazol. Fam. Hist.: Her sister had
tuberculosis.
The case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory:
Back, pain, lying back on (p. 896)
Back, pain, lumbar region, lying back on (p. 906)
Back, pain, rising from sitting (p. 897)
Back, pain, lumbar region, rising from a seat (p. 907)
Obesity (p. 743)
Cold drinks agg. (p. 1363)
Lyc. and Puls. came through.
I preferred Lyc. as she was very irritable. Lyc. 200, 3 doses were given in one day. By 17.06.72, she felt
25% amel. but still had pain. Lyc. 200 was continued, once a day. She continued to improve but with
relapses, but by 30.08.72 she felt normal."
"Mr. C.S. , aged 38, came with following symptoms:
Burning in epigastrium agg. 4 to 10 p.m. Appetite poor. Distension with eructations. Alcohol and heavy
food agg., causes acute pain in epigastrum. Stool irregular. Memory poor, lack of concentration.
Weakness in legs agg. if he worries. No energy to work. Sour foods agg.. Summer agg.. H/o grief due to
father's death. Suspected as ulcer, gastritis or colitis. On examination: Tenderness all over abdomen.
On these symptom indications, he was given Lyc. 200 on which he felt amel.. He went on improving
though he required doses of Lyc. on and off upto the CM potency. He felt and became so well that even
after attending his office for the entire day, daily, he was able to work the whole night and drove a lorry
for 3 full nights.
 Nowadays he comes to me once in 3 or 4 months and takes one dose of the "tonic medicine" - Lyc.
CM."
"Mr. P.P. T., aged 32 years, came to me on 7th Jan. 1953 for consultation with the following history:
Nine years back, he had pain in chest as if an abscess was forming which was amel. by fomentation and
hot drinks. Pain used to occur once in 10-15 days, at any time of the day and would last for ten minutes.
After six months he developed a feeling of food sticking in oesophagus and had retrosternal pain only
while swallowing food or drink. And if he lay down after food, 3 to 4 hours later, the food and drink used
to ooze out of the nose, first the liquid element followed by the solid part, sometimes 3 to 4 cupfuls
through the nostril of the side on which he lay. This started occurring once in 2 or 3 months; he would
also then vomit everything for 3-4 days.
At present, he has retrosternal pain on eating or drinking hurriedly. Appetite poor, likes sweets, but
sweets cause nausea afterwards. He likes warm food and drinks. The sense of obstruction is much less
with warm food and drink. Has rattling in chest during sleep, especially after 3 a.m. Dreams of business.
A Ba. swallow X-ray showed Achalasia Gastrica with oesophageal pouch.
Lyc. in different potencies including 50 milesimal scale potencies was given during a two year period.
The patient showed considerable improvement and is now completely free from this trouble though he
needs to take a dose occasionally.
About one year later, an eminent surgeon was consulted for an opinion. He expressed the opinion that
there was no doubt about the diagnosis and no doubt also that it was a clearly surgical condition but
since the patient had shown such remarkable improvement and was practically free from the difficulty,
surgery was inadvisable and homoeopathic medicine should only be given when necessary."
And now, I shall give some diverse symptoms of Lyc. in verse:
Look at Lyco., lean and hungry,
Not one to like for he awakes angry,
As a little food overfills
So, smaller grow his dinner bills,
Very forgetful, so he makes
Speaking and writing, many mistakes
Worse in the evening four to eight,
But troubles cease after midnight,
Full of gas, abdomen tight,
Complaints go to left from right,
Thin, withered, full of gas,
Alas! Cannot satisfy any lass!
Mercurius solubilis
Mercury is a very interesting remedy to study. To confess the truth I did not realise its full potentialities
in the beginning. It was only later that I was able to understand its virtues, thanks to my good friend, Dr.
Sarabhai.
In acute colds and coughs due to constant change of weather from hot to cold, it is an excellent remedy
esp. in Bombay.
I must also tell you about my personal experience with Merc-s. For some years I used to get repeated
attacks of colds and coughs (tonsillitis) esp. coming on if I took iced drinks. Therefore, though I was very
fond of cold drinks, I could not take them. The symptoms of the attacks were: severe pain in the throat
agg. empty swallowing, agg. cold drink, agg. at night with fever and chills. I would feel chilly but if I put
off the fan I would feel hot and perspire. After perspiring I would feel worse. I also had complete
thirstlessness. Normally I would take 6 to 8 glasses of water a day but during the attacks I would not like
water at all. I used to work out my case in the repertory and it would come to Puls., but Puls. would not
like water at all. I did not consider Mercury because of the thirstlessness. But once I happened to take
Merc-s by chance (or Merc-i-r) and I felt immense and immediate relief. So the absence of thirst had
fooled me until this time I felt it was a contraindication for Merc-s. Since then, I am able to take a lot of
cold drinks with impunity and even if there is slight throat trouble a dose of Merc-s or Merc-i-r puts me
all right at once. Every time I enjoy an iced drink I thank Merc-s and think gratefully of Hahnemann who
gave it to us.
I would like to report a recent case treated by me.
"A boy, aged 10 years, had nocturnal enuresis. He would pass urine in bed but continue to sleep over it.
The urine was generally offensive. Sometimes he would pass urine involuntarily even in daytime and
sometimes he was not even aware that he had passed urine. I repertorized his case, taking the
symptoms "Urination, involuntary in bed", "Urination, unconscious" and "Urine, offensive" and found
Merc-s alone coming through. Merc-s put him all right."
A peculiar characteristic of the Merc-s cough is that it occurs in bouts of two coughs.
Merc-s is prominently agg. by lying on the rt. side.
I remember the case of a girl who developed bilateral pneumonia and was under my treatment. She did
not improve. So she went under allopathic treatment. Somehow, under the allopathic treatment she
became worse and so came back to me. I then noted two prominent symptoms: (1) She could not lie
down on the rt. side at all because of severe agg. in chest pain and cough, (2) Salivation ++. With Merc-s
she was completely cured.
I have a problem with Merc-i-f. It is said that in Merc-i-f the throat pain is better by cold drinks. But I
have rarely seen throat troubles better by cold drinks.
"Dr. H.G. B., aged 37 years, came in 7th Oct. 71 with the following complaints:
He gets recurrent nasal congestion for last 5 years, coming on if he drinks iced water. First, the throat
gets affected, then the nose gets blocked. It is amel. if he is engaged. He had also lachrymation from left
eye esp. while eating. He had got ringworm infection in the groin which is agg. heat. His appetite, thirst,
etc., are normal. Sweets cause bloating of abdomen. Wounds take long time to heal. Past Hist.: He had
typhoid in childhood. He uses nasal drops.
His case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Cold drinks, agg. (K.p. 1362)
Sweets, agg. (K.p. 1364)
Coryza, ascending (Ph.p. 53)
Only Merc-s came through.
Merc-s 200 was given for a fortnight. He found no change. So I gave him Bacill. 1M, 3 doses followed by
Merc-s 1M, daily once for a fortnight.
He felt better and was able to get on without using nasal drops. With Merc-s 1M, then 10M and the VI
(i.e. 6th potency of 50 Millesimal scale) succussed and given in water daily repeated at increasing
intervals of time with intercurrent doses of Bacill. 1M, he became completely well."
 "Dr. M.B. R., aged 76 years, came on 21st June 1972 with the following complaints:
At he age of 4, he had had a stone in the bladder. He was operated but burning in urine continued for
one year. At the age of 8 months , he had had abscess and cellutitis above rt. iliac bone. This led to a
sinus which lasted for 2 years. Amputation of the leg was advised by a surgeon but some lay woman
cured it. At the age of 30, he got gout. At 35, had pneumonia. Since then he gets pain in joints agg. at
night and agg. rainy season. Gets pain in knees which is agg. night agg. descending and agg. by motion.
Gets heartburn at night. His memory is poor for names. Has enlarged prostate and fungus infection in
nails. Prev. Hist.: He had bilateral inguinal hernia. Had prolapse of anus during stool.
His case was repertorized with Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Extremities pain, joints, night (K.p. 1047)
Wet weather (K.p. 1421)
Nails (Ph.p. 186)
Calculi (Ph.p. 33)
Only Merc-s covered all the symptoms.
Because of the agg. at night, I gave him first Syph. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. and then followed it with Merc-s
30 b.d.
By 18.07.72, he felt much better. So medicine was discontinued. But he improved still further and
became well."
"Mr.V. , aged 39 years, came for help on 17th Sept. 1964 for the following complaints:
For the last three months, he has had to strain a little for urine, sometimes the urine comes in a double
stream, sometimes in a thin stream. The condition had been diagnosed as stricture of the urethra.
He had an attack of typhoid treated with Chloromycetin three years back. Since then, he has had much
bleeding from the gums; even now sometimes he gets sudden bleeding from the gums while washing
the face.
Past Hist.: He had had an attack of measles and chicken pox.
Fam. Hist.: Married in 1952; has two children aged 11 years and 6 years. Father, mother and three
sisters living and healthy.
I first gave him Chloromycetin 30, b.d. for a week to eliminate any possible ill-effects of the original
drug given for typhoid.
This prescription relieved the straining a little and urine came in a single stream. So, on 24th Sept., I
gave him 14 doses of Chloromycetin 30, to be taken daily once. But on 8th Oct., he reported no further
progress.
I then noted the following additional symptoms:
Urging for urine on rising from sitting; sweat stains yellow; skin has turned dark.
I now repertorized the case as follows on Kent's Repertory:
Urination, forked (double) stream (p. 657)
Urination, feeble stream (p. 661)
Bleeding from gums
Bathing (or washing) agg. (p. 1345)
Perspiration stains yellow (p. 1301)
Black, Dark, etc. (Phatak's Rep. p. 25)
Only Merc-s came through and Merc-s was obviously the correct remedy. I gave six doses of Merc-s 1M
to be taken t.i. d. for two days.
The patient started improving. I had to repeat Merc-s 1M and then Merc-s 10M. On 19th Dec. 1964, he
reported that he was completely well."
"I was consulted for Miss J.C. , aged 16 years. The girl was the daughter of a rich land-owner and she
had developed behavioural defects. At birth she had had no hair on the body. She had been treated with
Thyroid and Durabolin and hair had grown. She was now stunted in stature being only 4'2" tall. Her
weight was 26.5 kg only. This had created a serious complex in her mind. Her father was tall, so she
believed that her short stature was due to her mother. Hence she hated her mother. She had been
mentally deranged for some time. For the last few months, she had been depressed and had talked of
death and had expressed a desire for death. She had changeable moods. Milk used to cause diarrhoea.
Her older brother aged 21 was quite normal. Recently, she had created a problem because she suddenly
told her parents that she wished to marry the son of their cook. She also announced this to all her
schoolmates and thus had become the laughing stock. She had been seen by a neurologist who had said
that pituitary dysfunction was the cause of her stunted growth. X-ray had shown fusion of the epiphysis
and so there was no possibility of increasing her height.
She was behaving like a child and would eat with both the hands. She would eat in a hurry. She was
shameless and foolish. She was very fond of sweets. She was very dirty by habit. She would often talk of
marriage. She was very sensitive to music. She was averse to consolation. She had been treated by a
homoeopath previously with Puls., Tub., Pso., etc., and had shown some improvement on these
medicines.
I repertorized her case with the following symptoms, viz. Dirty, Lascivious, Moods changeable, Sensitive
to music, Hurry, Consolation agg., and Dwarfish. I got Merc-s. I put her on Merc-s, starting from 1M
going upto the CM with intercurrent doses of Syph. In the course of 2 years her behaviour has become
completely normal.
Now, she has married some person of her own status to the satisfaction of her parents."
Natrium muriaticum
Nat-m, like Carb-v and Silicea illustrates the effects of potentizing and the power residing within
apparently inert substances.
Of course, Nat-m like any other remedy is able to relieve cases wherever it is indicated by the
symptoms but cases of throtoxicosis, psychoneurosis esp. of the depressive types, hypertension,
sinusitis, etc., often seem to require Nat-m.
Nat-m is often described as a drug agg. by heat but it is better to remember that (like Sil., Lach., etc.) it
may be agg. both by cold and heat.
Dr. S.R. Phatak had recently described a case of a lady who became mentally unbalanced. On the
history that when she had lost her child a while ago she had not wept, she was given Nat-m which cured
her.
Another such case was a boy who had continuous attacks of asthma since childhood. On the history
that the boy had not cried well after birth, Dr. Phatak again prescribed Nat-m and this gave relief to the
boy for several months. To me this appeared to be a strange interpretation of a common rubric "Sad but
cannot weep" (Kent's Repertory p. 78).
In another case, the symptoms were practically contradictory and hopelessly mixed up. Boger gives an
indication under Nat-m, "Thin, thirsty and hopeless". By interpreting the word "hopeless" in a much
broader sense, Dr. Phatak prescribed Nat-m which gave relief to the patient.
The more we study and practise Homoeopathy the more we realise in how many thousands of ways a
remedy could be manipulated. Proceeding on this line of thought a little further, I may say that one
might never be able to master all the possibilities of a single remedy in one's lifetime. This is a very
sweeping (and perhaps a depressing) thought but I think that it is true.
"Mr. H.J. S., aged 24 years, had recurrent pain in the left supraorbital region, of 4 years' duration
occurring almost daily. The pain would increase and decrease gradually. It was agg. by fan, agg. in an
air-conditioned room, agg. in the sun. With the pain there was swelling below the eyes, and
lachrymation. The pain was agg. after sleep. Rising from the sitting position used to cause syncope. He
had desire for salt and aversion for milk. Thirst: 5-6 glasses of water per day. His memory was poor, he
was irritable and preferred to be alone now; he disliked consolation.
It was a typical case of Nat-m. With Nat-m 200, 3 doses, 2 hourly in one day, followed by Sac-l, he felt
better in one week. He became quite well in a month with one more dose of Nat-m 1M, and reported
well after 4 years.
It is a complementary to Bry. and has the same dryness in the mouth and throat causing thirst, in the
rectum causing dry hard stools, in the vagina causing painful coition, and in the skin.
Considering the fact that three-fourths of the earth's surface is covered by sea water and that the major
solid constituent of this water is ordinary salt and considering also that almost all human beings require
and consume salt in their food, I think Nat-m should be a very important remedy for many disease-
conditions and perhaps should be used more extensively.
While going through Hering's Guiding Symptoms, I noted that Nat-m has got a crack on both the upper
and lower lips, whereas all the Materia Medica writers only emphasize the crack in the middle of the
lower lip. I wonder how they pick out and give some particular symptoms out of the large group of
symptoms found in the provings. What must be their criteria of selection? For example, under Nat-m in
the provings there are 34 symptoms given under "Face" in Hering's Guiding Symptoms. Out of these 34,
Boericke gives 3 symptoms. How did he decide that these three are the important symptoms out of the
34? Does it depend on each writer's own experience?
Incidentally, the biochemic practitioners, I think, use Nat-m extensively. They say that Nat-m is the
remedy for disturbances of fluids, either excessive fluidity or dryness, e.g. lachrymation, diarrhoea,
constipation, etc. There is lachrymation or weeping with laughter or laughter ending in weeping.
They say Nat-m is chilly but it is also agg. by heat.
Dr. Dhawale (Sr.) always used to emphasize agg. consolation as a very important symptom.
By the way, Dr. Gutman told me once that Nat-m has no dreams of robbers though it is given in Allen's
Encyclopaedia. It is Nat-c which has this symptom.
It is said that Nat-m should not be given during fever. Dr. Phatak told me that in the beginning of his
practice he used to give Nat-m during fever and found very bad aggravation. But in my experience, I
have given it without aggravation.
Some people say Nat-m is a good remedy for high B.P. You know these patients are agg. by salt.
Incidentally we have seen many patients with various diseases improving only by cutting off salt. This is
usually the prohibition imposed by many ayurvedic physicians.
I had one case. He could not forget an evil committed against him. He used to go on thinking about
revenge. The patients brood over old grief and grievances. It seems they enjoy this pastime just as the
Ign. patient enjoys being sad.
Kent says that Nat-m is indicated when a girl falls in love with a married man or a person unequal to her
in status. This is indeed a very remarkable indication for a remedy. I have verified this in my practice.
"An uneducated Muslim girl, aged 20, was brought to me by a doctor for various types of symptoms
including mental depression, indifference to life, etc. At the first interview in the presence of the doctor
I could not get to know the proper background, but when she came again with her mother, I came to
know that she was desperately in love with a person who was highly educated and of a comparatively
much higher status. On enquiry, I was told that the object of her love was the doctor himself who had
brought her to me, though he himself was not aware of her feelings for him. The girl knew that her love
could never succeed. I gave her Nat-m and she became normal."
Nux vomica
Though the alkaloid of Ign. and Nux-v is one and the same, Strychnine, the two drugs provoke very
different reactions. But both seem to be suited to the effects that seem to have resulted from the
civilization of the human race, each in its own way. Nux-v seems to be the remedy ideally made for the
modern city dweller. When one glances down the list of things or influences that would go to create the
Nux vomica symptoms, one comes across:
Anger Light
Anxiety Liquor
Coffee Mental exertion and fatigue
Condiments Mortification
Debauchery Noise
Disappointment Odours
Disturbed sleep (or late nights) Over-eating
Drugs Purgatives
Grief Rich food
High living Sedentary habits
Hurry Vexation
One can easily recognise without reflecting that these are indeed the components and spice of city life
and that almost every citizen is exposed to many of these influences. Besides, one has to put up almost
every day with many annoyances, minor and major. Of how many irregularities in diet and habits, how
much abuse of nature's laws, one is guilty! Therefore, it is no surprise that when one falls ill, these
influences, singly or in combination, are often to blame and then one finds Nux-v coming up to antidote
the results of these transgressions. This is why this remedy is so often found useful in every-day practice.
The Nux-v type is the impatient, intolerant, irritable type, the top-class efficient executive who tolerates
no mistakes, no delays, who won't stand any nonsense, who becomes easily cross, and whose path
every one is afraid to cross. Of course, he gets things done but he often leaves a bad impression behind
because of his fastidiousness; he annoys and gets annoyed. The following case is a good example.
"Once a very well-to-do, intelligent businessman came to consult me. By nature he was very meticulous
and thorough, but impatient and intolerant of the least contradiction. The least contradiction would
make him violent. The nature of his work confined him to his chair the whole day.
Now, he had suddenly developed a shooting pain in the chest. Someone had diagnosed it as pleurisy
and this had upset him considerably. But the pain was independent of respiration. As he preferred
homoeopathic treatment he came to me, accompanied by a friend. When I questioned him about his
symptoms, he merely pointed to his friend who had to explain everything on his behalf. When I asked
more and more questions, he became impatient, flared up and shouted at me, "What do you mean by
asking silly questions? Aren't you going to give me some relief ?"
I gave him two doses of Nux-v 30, one to be taken at once and one after one hour if necessary. Within
five minutes of the first dose, by the time he got into his car and left, the pain had disappeared."
Irritability is the keynote - irritable mind, nose, throat, stomach, rectum, muscles, etc. For instance, the
patient with the dry cough goes hack, hack, hack all the time; and when he sneezes, they amount to a
dozen at least.
Though Nux-v is usually effective in many acute conditions, it is equally efficacious in chronic conditions
too, if the symptoms tally. The following instance will illustrate this fact.
"An engineer by profession, Mr. K.A. L., aged 35, came to me with the following complaint:
In Jan. 1954, while in the U.S. A., he had started vomiting at night. He was hospitalised and investigated.
Ba. meal X-rays did not reveal any abnormality. Gastric analysis revealed hyperchlorhydria. He was
treated for this in the U.S. A. (in the famous Mayo Clinic) and in England, but with little relief.
At the moment he had heaviness of stomach with a dull pain starting half an hour after food and lasting
an hour. With the pain, he had a headache, and he became very irritable and impatient. The pain was
aggravated by heavy and starchy food, spices, tea and exertion and much relieved even by a very short
nap. If the pain was very severe, he induced vomiting which ameliorated. The vomit was extremely sour.
The pain was also ameliorated by sweating and micturating. He preferred eggs, hot foods and drinks.
Otherwise, there was nothing worth reporting.
The case was repertorized using Boger Synoptic Key and the following rubrics were chosen from.
Sleep, amel. (p. 28)
Discharges, amel. (p. 21)
Impatience, etc. (p. 51)
Anger, irritability, etc. (p. 49)
Sourness (p. 45).
The only remedy that came through was Nux-v. The whole case fitted in with Nux-v and so one dose of
the remedy was prescribed in the 1M potency.
There was an immediate and very gratifying response to the remedy and the patient felt completely
well in a week's time. However, there were all relapses, and the remedy had to be repeated twice, but
with the last dose the whole condition cleared up completely."
"Mr. K.S. M., aged 39 years, came on 5th July 1973 with the following history:
In June 1946, he had an attack of haemoptysis. It was suspected as food poisoning and treated as such.
Later he had abdominal pain which was diagnosed as duodenal ulcer with superadded amoebic
infection. Allopathic treatment gave no relief. Now he gets abdominal distension 2 to 3 hours after food
with burning, very offensive eructations or vomiting, both of which relieve. The vomitus is extremely
sour. He has frequent, scanty stools. He has to strain even for a soft stool. He feels agg. lying on back
and right side. Thirst: takes only one cup of water a day. Nowadays he does not perspire but feels amel.
if he perspires. If he sleeps in the afternoon, he vomits on getting up. He feels suffocated in a closed
room. He prefers to be alone. He is very nervous and irritable but suppresses anger and broods, is
oversensitive and very punctual in his work.
 Past Hist.: In Oct. 1945, he was not allowed to appear in a departmental examination, and was very
disappointed as a result. He suffered grief when he lost his son aged 2 years in 1951. Wt. originally 128
lbs is now 101 lbs.
All the following rubrics in Kent's Repertory were found covered by Nux-v, viz., agg. Lying on back; agg.
Lying on right side; Constipation difficult stool; Grief, ailments from; Brooding; Eructations, foul.
Nux-v also covered most other symptoms and seemed to match the totality. So he was given on
19.07.63, Nux-v 200. He started improving on infrequent doses on Nux-v, given upto 10M and was
completely relieved by 30.09.63.
Three years later, I heard that the patient remains well. Unfortunately, a follow-up X-ray could not be
taken."
We have seen many reports of cases of strangulated hernia being relieved by Nux-v. It is also useful in
ordinary hernia.
"Master Nirmal, aged 6 years, had developed left-sided incomplete inguinal hernia since three months.
It originated when one day his elder brother sat down with force on his abdomen. The boy had no other
symptoms of significance.
Because of the history of injury, Arnica was prescribed in different potencies but with no result.
The case was then repertorized as follows using Kent's Repertory:
Hernia, Inguinal, children, left side (p. 552)
Injury (p. 1368) = Nux-v
Nux-v 6, twice a day for seven days was given with no effect. Then Nux-v 200, 3 doses in one day
followed by placebo were given on 7th March 1962.
On 10th April 1962, condition was better; the impulse felt on coughing was less. The boy was kept
under observation and Nux-v in higher potency was repeated according to necessity.
By 11th Aug. 1962, Nirmal was completely normal and medication was discontinued. He was still
normal on 1st Nov. 1965. "
Opium
The study of Opium is an absorbing one.
Opium is the air-dried juice obtained by incision of the capsules of the white poppy, Papaver
Somniferum. The white poppy belongs to N.O. Papaveracaea and is grown in India, Persia, Asia Minor,
Turkey, China and Egypt and is also cultivated in England and other cold countries like Russia and
Yugoslavia.
It is a highly complex substance, containing about twenty-five alkaloids combined with meconic, lactic
and sulphuric acids. Of these, the most important is morphine which occurs in combination with
meconic acid. Next in importance are codeine, narcotine, papaverine and thebaine.
The various alkaloids have each a slightly different action but the total combined effect of these makes
an excellent composite picture. This drug used by many narcotic addicts stimulates at first, and then
depresses. The effects of the drug can be studied in three broad stages.
1. Stage of Excitement: During this stage, the symptoms are an increased sense of well-being and
increased mental activity, freedom from anxiety, loquacity, restlessness or even hallucinations, flushing
of the face and increased action of the heart. This stage is of short duration and may be absent if a large
dose is taken. In children convulsions or a maniacal condition may be seen in this stage. The person
may experience a feeling of euphoria (a sense of well-being) and he may develop very delightful visions
or phantasies; he may also feel excited and sleepless. There may be exalted perception. It is for this
stimulant effect that the drug is taken by addicts.
2. Stage of Sopor: The nerve centres are depressed during this stage, which sometimes comes in quite
suddenly. The symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting, giddiness, lethargic condition, drowsiness and
an uncontrollable desire to sleep from which the patient may be roused by external stimuli. The pupils
are contracted, the face and lips are cyanosed and an itching sensation is felt all over the skin. The pulse
and respiration are still normal.
3. Stage of Narcosis: The patient now passes into deep coma from which he cannot be roused. During
this stage the muscles are relaxed and the reflexes are lost. All the secretions are almost completely
suspended except that of the skin, which feels cold and clammy. The face is pale, the lips are livid and
the lower jaw droops. The conjunctivae are injected. Blood pressure begins to fall and the pulse is low,
small and compressible. The respirations are slow, laboured and stertorous and the rate may be as low
as 2 to 4 per minute.
Even at this stage, recovery may take place by prompt and proper treatment. Otherwise lividity of the
surface increases. The pulse becomes slower, irregular and imperceptible. The respirations are slower,
more feeble, and assume the character of Cheyne-stokes, death occurring from asphyxia. Convulsive
twitchings in groups of muscles are observed, and the pupils are widely dilated towards the end.
Vomiting may occur in some cases. Convulsions of a tetanic character are occasionally present, more
frequent in children than in adults.
Diagnosis: Opium poisoning has to be diagnosed from apoplexy, uraemic, diabetic, epileptic and
hysterical coma, acute alcoholic, carbolic acid and barbiturate poisoning and compression of brain.
In the stage of depression, there may be insensibility and loss of reaction and sensation. The sensory
and motor nerves may both become sluggish and so the various organs like bladder, rectum, etc., may
not send impulses to or react to impulses from the brain. There may, therefore, result constipation with
no urge, retention of urine, etc. The glands may lose their function, and so fail to produce secretion and
therefore dryness occurs everywhere, except on the skin. In the extreme stage of depression the patient
may go into deep sleep resembling a coma-like stage. In this profound comatose stage there are pin-
point pupils (P.P. P.) with a moist skin. There can be cyanosis also.
In this connection I may relate the case of a child.
"I was once called to see an infant aged 14 days who was in a cold, cyanosed and collapsed state. The
child soon after birth had developed rattling respiration and cyanosis.
A child specialist and later an eminent cardiologist had diagnosed it as a case of Fallot's Tetralogy which
is a congenital malformation in the heart. And they had said that nothing could be done. So the child
was sent home from the nursing home. When I saw the child she was practically in a moribund state.
She had very loud rattling respiration which could be heard 20 ft. away. She was cyanosed and
unconscious and I was told that she had passed no stool for the last 8 days. When I turned the child over
to the side in order to auscultate the back, I found that the rattling suddenly ceased and when the child
was again turned over to lie on the back the loud rattling started again. I took the rubrics "Rattling" (p.
42), "Lying on back agg." (p. 25) and, "Bluish, Purple" (p. 3), all in Boger's Synoptic Key. The three
remedies that came through were Cup., Op. and Sulph. Out of these, I preferred Opium because of the
prolonged constipation. You can imagine my surprise and happiness when after one dose of Opium 30,
within ten minutes, the blueness entirely disappeared, the face became slowly red, the rattling lessened
and the child became conscious. The child continued to live very happily, every time responding to
Opium whenever she went into a cyanotic state, I advised them time and again to get the child operated
but they repeatedly postponed it. Ultimately, when she was aged 4 years, one day while sitting on the
mother's lap she laughed loudly and died."
Opium seems to be an excellent remedy for the effects of fright.
Foubister describes a girl of 31/2 years who was admitted in the hospital, dangerously ill with a
temperature of 105 ºF, drowsy and delirious with a W.B. C. count of 38 000. She had evidence of
sinusitis with large tender glands. The pupils were pin-point. There was a history that the child had been
frightened by a wasp and with Opium CM she came round very well.
He goes on to describe another case. "A girl of sixteen years of age was slow in recovering from
influenza. Thinking back over the twelve years I had looked after her, this was the usual pattern, there
was sluggishness in recovering from every acute illness for no obvious reason. Going back over the
history, I discovered that the mother had been frightened by a doctor during pregnancy on being told
that she might lose her baby. She said, "I felt the shock go right through me." The girl was given Opium
CM and made a quicker recovery, but not only that, she became physically more robust and her ability
to study increased quite definitely."
Opium eaters are known to suffer from very frightful visions of rats, mice and other fantastic animal
formations jumping at them from which they try to escape by hiding themselves under the bed. Their
looks, gestures and speech express the greatest fear of the animals which they fancied were incessantly
chasing them. This is how the remedy has come to be beneficial for ailments arising from fright,
particularly where the effect of the fright has persisted for a very long time.
"In 1965, when I was returning from the U.S. A., I boarded the plane in New York at 9 p.m. After flying
smoothly for about three hours, suddenly the plane started lurching and rolling and we could see that it
was losing height rapidly. We all felt that something was wrong but we could not know what was wrong
and how serious it was. After half an hour, the Captain announced that owing to some mechanical
trouble, the plane would now return to New York. Now, we, the passengers, were unaware of the
nature of the trouble and, therefore, we imagined that it must be something serious because the plane
was pitching up and down. We felt that the plane might crash and feared we may not survive. This state
of doubt went on to fear bordering on panic. (Next to me was a priest going to Rome and he took out his
Bible and started saying his prayers.) This state of suspense and dread continued till we landed at New
York around 3 a.m. We all then heaved a big sigh of relief and congratulated ourselves on our safe
return. On the next day, I boarded the same plane to London. From London I flew to Paris and then to
Bombay. I felt absolutely fine.
Some time after I resumed my practice in India, I had to fly to Bhavnagar to see a patient. I got into the
plane and when the plane took off, I started feeling nervous. The nervousness increased and became
fear, and the fear became dread. I felt terribly frightened and kept thinking that the plane might crash.
With every little movement or jerk of the plane up or down, every time it slanted, with every little
change in the sound of the engine, I got the feeling that it was going to crash. I felt most miserable and
unhappy during the journey whereas earlier I used to enjoy every flight. I felt relieved when the plane
landed at Bhavnagar.
Now this experience of the flight to Bhavnagar was repeated when I had to fly to Goa and then to other
cities to see other patients.
 The last time when I had to go to Delhi for a seminar, a friend of mine, Dr. S. suggested that I should
take some medicine when I explained to him that I would prefer to go by train because of my fear. Since
the symptom was that the fear of the fright had remained, the remedy I chose was Opium. I took a dose
of Opium 1M, 3 hours before the air travel. After getting into the plane, I looked forward with fear to
the flight. But as the plane took off I was talking with my friends and after a few minutes I noticed that I
was not feeling any fear at all. The plane went into a cloud and bumped up and down, but I did not
experience any fear. I had thus a fear-free journey throughout though I would not call it an enjoyable
one because I was all the time looking forward to a return of the panic. During the return trip again, I
was without fear, and this time I could even relax and enjoy the journey. Since then, my air journeys
have once again become enjoyable."
T.F. Allen mentions that Opium is not far removed botanically from Aconite. This may explain how
both are useful for fright. Stramonium has also the agg. from fright but it has wide staring eyes with
wide dilated pupils.
One of the characteristic objective symptoms which can guide the physician particularly in a case of
coma is the pin-point pupil (PPP). If we remember that Opium comes from Poppy, this is easy to
remember.
"The mother of a renowned E.N. T. surgeon, herself a gynaecologist, aged 72 years, became ill and
gradually went into uraemic coma. She had anuria. Her blood urea was 120 mg. Her B.P. was high. Her
general condition was poor. Several physicians had come and had said that nothing could be done. The
lady suddenly opened her eyes and said, "Call a homoeopath" and then went back into coma (she had
great respect for Homoeopathy). So, I was called. I examined her pupils. They were pin-point. They pin-
pointed the remedy to me. I gave her Opium 1M. Within 10 minutes her pulse and the B.P. improved. In
one or two hours she became conscious, passed urine and soon became completely well.
Two and half years later she died from some other cause."
Two of the most common afflictions found in most of the diseases are pain and sleeplessness and since
Opium is able to suppress or relieve these two conditions in crude doses it has been used and abused
enormously for centuries. And this is how again it had been praised as an agent of highest value by the
great Hufeland and as the most injurious poison, by Stahl, two famous physicians.
Since pain is the prominent symptom of most diseases and Opium has predominently painlessness in
most conditions, it seems Opium is not needed often in homoeopathic practice. This is apparent from
the few references to the remedy that we find in our literature. But the fact is Opium is enormously
beneficial and is indeed a life-saver in certain conditions and diseases where it may be needed.
Pain is a chief diagnostic sign for the physician and its total abolition may seriously handicap the
discovery of the nature of the disease. Therefore, the physician should use morphine as a miser spends
his gold.
If an allopathic physician wants to study homoeopathic Materia Medica, Opium would be one of the
best remedies to start with. The (toxic) effects of opium are fairly well-known to him and these
symptoms are most faithfully reflected in the homoeopathic Materia Medica.
Boger admirably sums up the action of Opium in one phrase, "Negative, torpid states". There is absence
of pain where pain is expected (e.g. painless ulcers), absence of secretions, causing dryness in general
(except on the skin), absence of reaction (to stimuli, to medicines, of the pupil to light, etc.), absence of
suffering, absence of moral sense (tendency to lie and deceive), absence of discharges (suppression,
retention, etc.) and absence of eruptions in eruptive fevers.
The respiration is slow. The pause between the breaths is so long that this, together with the general
non-reactive comatose state of the patient, may give an impression that he is dead. Or the respirations
may be unequal as in Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Or it can be of a rattling type (resembling a death
rattle), sighing, snoring or stertorous nature. Like the respiration, the pulse is slow. There can be
paralysis of the bowels which together with lack of secretion and absence of sensation conveyed to the
brain produces no urge for stool resulting in dry ball-like stools. The scybalous stools further promote
constipation.
Opium covers both a stupid sleepy state or stupor and coma as well as a sleeplessness caused by any
emotion such as fear or even joy.
Morphine produces both sneezing and itching of the nose. Coma, P.P. Pupils and greatly depressed
respiration suggest morphine poisoning.
Leriche M. has reported eight cases of Puerperal fever treated by Opium.
Bayes writes, "There is no single drug in the Materia Medica whose range of action is so fully known as
Opium. From narcotism at one end of the chain to its action as energizer at the other, it leads us from
allopathy and antipathy to Homoeopathy, and shows how these opposite methods may each coordinate
in the preservation of human life and in the relief of human suffering. This drug has its uses and
advantages in each of the several methods of its administration.
"Again, there are some diseases where pain is so prominent a symptom and so terrible in its violence,
as to be in itself a source of great danger to life. There are other diseases which are in certain stages
wholly incurable, and in which there are severe and agonising pains. In such cases, the administration of
opium or its salts is not only admissible, but becomes a clear duty. I may give as familiar examples of the
former, the passage of gall stones or of calculus from the kidney to the bladder. In both these cases as I
have pointed out (under the heading of Calcarea) that I have found Calc-c 30 gives full relief, when
conjoined with the hot bath; still if I found these means disappoint me, I should not hesitate to give a full
dose of Opium or Laudanum. It would be inhuman to permit the long continuance of such acute
suffering when the means of relief were ready at hand.
"Why, then, not give opium at once?", an allopath will say. Because if I can give relief by the simpler
means, I avoid the injurious after-effects of opium and my patient is sooner a sound man.
"Why give opium at all ?" says the high dilutionist. Because if my homoeopathic remedy failed me, I
could not permit my patient to remain longer in an agony which might produce such exhaustion as to
end in a prolonged illness."
I shall now describe the case of a morphia addict.
"In August 1959, I was consulted by Dr. S. He reported that he had taken morphia for 3 or 4 days for
some pain and had then become addicted to it. He now required 1/4 grain of morphia per dose six or
seven times a day. During the period of this addiction in the last 3 or 4 months he had lost 22 lbs. in
weight and had become careless about his profession. He complained that if he did not take the
morphia he would feel some unbearable discomfort in the abdomen and develop a diarrhoea with
sudden and frequent urging for stool. The discomfort and diarrhoea would be eased as soon as he took
the morphia injection. When he consulted me first, I just prescribed Nu-v 200 t.i. d., feeling that it would
antidote the effects of the narcotic drug. This gave him much relief. So I continued the remedy and in
the course of a fortnight, he was able to cut down his injection to 2 or 3 per day but he still could not
give it up. I changed the prescription to Opium CM, t.i. d. * and this gave considerable relief and in the
course of another ten days he was able to give up the morphia."
Those who have read case histories of morphia addicts and have seen them suffer and slowly sink
deeper and deeper into the habit, will realise what is owed to Homoeopathy. Secondly, these cases
seem to illustrate the point that homoeopathic remedies may act in spite of all opposition with crude
drugs. So homoeopaths who insist on a very strict, puritanical diet and regimen may pause, reconsider
and relent and give their patients more amplitude.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus comes in the red or yellow varieties reminding us (signature) of jaundice and haemorrhage
and it is one of the best remedies for liver disorders and for haemorrhagic conditions. "Phosphor"
means light and many symptoms of this remedy can be connected to light. The word light conveys
symbolically the meaning knowledge, and knowledge is perceived through the senses and the nervous
system. Phos. has a marked effect on the senses and the nervous system. The patient's senses are acute,
perception is exalted, and he is worse by noise, touch, odour, etc. He is acutely sensitive, so sensitive
that strong odours may cause headache, as illustrated in the following case.
"Mr. R.S. S., aged 24 years, was seen on 8th June 1964 for the following:
Frontal headache for last 10 years. Usually he gets it twice a month. It is agg. by scented hair oils, agg.
fasting, agg. reading much, agg. closed room, and agg. smoking and cigarette smoke. He is allergic to
oranges, lemons, i.e. sour food; they cause coryza. Whenever he gets coryza he gets pain in right
supraorbital region, sometimes in left also. His appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Feels sensation of heat
in head. Diagnosed as a case of sinusitis.
Prev. Hist.: Tonsillectomy done in 1952. Had mumps in 1963.
Fam. Hist.: His mother and one brother are mentally unsound.
His case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory as follows:
Head pain, fasting, from (p. 140)
Head pain, odours, from strong (p. 144)
Food, sour agg. (p. 1364)
Head pain, air open, amel. (p. 136) = Phos., Sulph.
Phos. covered the other symptoms also. So Phos. 1M was given.
The patient started improving. The medicine had to be repeated in 1M potency on 22.06.64, 10.07.64,
24.07.64, 16.10.64, 09.11.64 and in 10M potency on 18.11.64 and 02.04.65. Thereafter, he had no
headaches."
Not only is the Phos. patient's sensory perception acute but he may also develop extra-sensory
perception (ESP) such as clairvoyance. He may developed delusions also and hear voices. He is sensitive
to slightest environmental changes: physical changes such as change of atmosphere, temperature,
weather, etc., (human barometer) and also mental and emotional changes such as company, moods of
companions, etc. The patient is also sensitive to light and dark. He prefers the light to dark and gets
depressed as the darkness comes on. He is agg. at the borderland of light i.e. twilight and so he is agg. in
the morning and evening.
Light is perceived through the eyes and Phos. has a special effect on the eyes. The eyes of the Phos.
patient may be bright, even brilliant, and many conditions can arise within the eyes (affecting all parts of
the eye), such as cataract, haemorrhage, atrophy of the optic nerve, detachment of retina, etc. The eyes
are also very sensitive. The following case will illustrate its use in an eye condition.
"Master T.S. R., aged 13 years, was brought to me on 14th Oct. 1964 for the following complaint:
He had a penetrating injury in the right eye, when a flask containing hydrogen gas exploded. He was
admitted in the hospital at Mysore and was treated surgically. Later on, two well-known
ophthalmologists of Bombay were consulted. According to them, it was a vitreous haemorrhage and
prognosis was generally good in the long run, but they could not give any opinion as to whether the
condition would clear up at all and if so when. Now he can only distinguish between light and dark but
cannot count fingers. His appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Prev. Hist.: He had polio at the age of 21/2
years but recovered without much damage. Had chicken pox last year. Fam. Hist.: His mother has
bleeding tendency. O/E: The pupil of right eye is dilated.
Arn. 200, 21 doses T.D. S. given.
This produced no change. Arn. 1M was then given for a week. There was slight improvement. He was
able to count fingers in sunlight. So Arn. 1M was continued. But by 30.10.64, there was no further
improvement. Then the boy developed new symptoms, viz. unbearable hunger and headache on fasting.
So Phos. 1M, 14 doses, daily once, was given. The boy reported much improvement and the condition
cleared up on the same remedy so that his vision became completely normal."
There is photophobia and the patient may see better by shading the eyes. These patients are truly
sensitive to form and shape, to light and shade, and to colours and because of quick perception and
finer appreciation of these things, they have a sense of beauty and they make some of the best artists.
The patients themselves are well-shaped in body, and are slender, tall and graceful. They have long,
drooping eyelashes and long tapering fingers (like artists). These patients have an active metabolism,
with the result they grow quickly, and so grow tall and thin. They shoot up, so to say. Becoming tall and
thin suddenly they seem to bend like a creeper which droops and so these patients may become
stooped. The Calc-c patient is generally known to be dull, sluggish and fat but the Calc-p patient
becomes tall, active and sensitive and may get growing pains in the joints. This is due to the Phos.
element. Dr. Boman Behram writes, "There is no homoeopathic explanation as to why Phosphorus
should act on such a constitution, but detailed biochemistry of Phosphorus on human and animal
organism has revealed that it has a profound influence on the metabolism of glucose. By its action, it
depletes the store of glucose in the liver, muscles and other tissues for rapid combustion. Naturally, the
fats are also burnt alongwith glucose, so that there is no chance of the fat being deposited in the body,
therefore, the persons remain lean. Secondly, Phosphorus has a marked stimulating effect on the
growing ends of the bones so that the person grows tall. Hence you have the Phosphorus constitution
which is essentially tall and lean."
The symptoms of Phos. also shoot up or travel in an upward direction. These patients may eat well and
still emaciate due to the active metabolism, as in tuberculosis. Like many other tubercular remedies they
have a craving for salt.
Just as the substance Phosphorus, which has a tendency to ignite and burn spontaneously, is safe only
if immersed in large quantities of cold water, so also this patient has a thirst requiring large quantities of
cold water, which quenches the burning sensation in the body or stomach. The burning in stomach is
also relieved by eating which becomes a general modality. Phos. has helped many cases of peptic ulcers
especially duodenal ulcers where the pain is relieved by eating especially cold foods, and extends from
the abdomen to the back or chest. These patients also get hunger pains at night.
 Phos. acts upon the cavities in the body such as the head, chest and abdomen and acts on the organs
contained in these cavities such as the brain, lungs, heart, stomach, etc. (which organs themselves have
cavities in them). It may produce a sense of fullness or tightness in the same organs or cavities. The
emptiness can also become a feeling of lightness or vertigo (floating or flying, as if Phos-ac has this
symptom in a greater degree, and the patient when lying in bed feels as if the legs are lifted up in the
air). The remedy is also able to produce and therefore, cure cavitation in a semisolid organ like the lung,
and Phos. is one of our good remedies for tuberculosis.
I have mentioned that Phos. is related to light. Absence of light is darkness which is symbolic of
ignorance and often ignorance is the cause of fear. Phos. has fear of all sorts such as fear in the dark, of
being alone, of thunder, in the crowd, of death, of disease, of evil, that something may happen, of
insanity, of ghosts, robbers and so on. I have a printed case form which I give to my patients, in which
there is a question, "Have you become anxious or afraid of anything such as being alone, of a crowd, of
death, disease, evil, that something will happen, of insanity, ghosts, robbers, sudden noises, thunder,
etc.?" If the patient ticks most or all of them or writes yes, meaning thereby that he has all these fears,
then I think his remedy is most probably Phos. and on a careful study I do find that his other symptoms
often tally with those of Phos.
The following case will explain this point.
"Mr. M.S. , aged 20 years, came to me on 5th Nov. 1952. He has been emaciating for last 6 months.
Sometimes he gets shivering and internal burning in the morning for 15 days. Has a poor appetite.
Wants to drink ice cold water. Gets cough on lying down. Prefers cold open air. Has fear of being alone,
dark, robbers and thunderstorms. Prev. Hist.: Severe injury to the head at the age of 8; took 5 to 6 years
to recover completely.
No definite diagnosis could be established.
The case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory, as follows:
Fear, alone of being (p. 43)
Fear, dark (p. 43)
Fear, robbers of (p. 47) = Phos. alone came through and it also covered the following:
Fear, thunderstorm of (p. 47)
Cough, lying agg. (p. 798)
Appetite wanting (p. 479)
Emaciation (p. 1357)
Injury (p. 1368)
Phos. 30, 3 doses T.D. S. and placebo given.
14.11.52: Cough in morning. His general condition and appearance have improved much. He was given
Bacill. 200, 1dose and by 25.03.53 he felt normal, having added 14 lbs to his weight.
There was a relapse in June 1953 but Phos. 30 again made him well."
Phos. seems to have a peculiar propensity for company. The patient cannot be alone. Not only does he
want company and is amel. by company but he would like to be touched, stroked or magnetised. The
child would like to hold the mother's hand. This touch will reassure the child and remove its fears. An
extreme form of this may be a desire for a sex partner. It is said that a dog which was poisoned by
Phosphorus got violent sexual excitement and died during sexual intercourse. Phos. has violent sexual
desire and also is a remedy for homosexuality.
 Mentally, the patient wants to receive and give affection. He is also over-sympathetic and cannot see
others suffer, (like Causticum with which, however, it is inimical).
Phos. has the peculiar symptom of a sense of well-being before an attack. The patient will feel quite
well and then an illness would occur. Since well-being is generally associated with a good appetite, the
patient may also feel hungry before an attack. Increased appetite during fever is also noted as a
peculiarity and this has helped me to cure many fever cases with Phos. Psychologists say that those who
desire to receive love and affection may take food as a substitute. Phos. has a desire for affection, as
well as increased appetite.
Phos. affects the bones esp. the long bones and produces necrosis. It peculiarly affects the mandible.
The phossy jaw of workers in match factories is well-known. In this action it resembles Amphisboena
which is prepared from the jaw bone of the lizard and produces swelling of the jaw.
"Mrs. P., aged 34, years came on 23rd Sept. 1959 for the following:
Backache, lumbosacral, which has started after a delivery 3 years back. The pain is agg. sitting bent and
by exertion, amel. sitting erect and by rest. Her menses are regular but very painful, pain is worse after
the flow starts. She was given a pessary and was better for sometime but is now worse again. Flow is
changeable. She is restless during the menstrual period. Dreams of dead people. Has fears of robbers.
She has become very doubtful. She gets headache worse seeing films and worse in the sun.
Past Hist.: She has had an attack of dysentery. Family Hist.: N.A. D.
Her case was repertorized as follows using Kent's Repertory:
Fear of Robbers (p. 47)
Suspicious (p. 85)
Dreams of the dead (p. 1237)
Back, pain, lumbar agg. sitting bent (p. 907)
Phos. alone came through.
Phos. covered the rest of the symptoms also. So, on 3rd Oct. she was given Phos. 1M, 3 doses in one
day. Her response to this prescription was very satisfactory and she showed all-round improvement.
On 20th Oct., she reported that she had her menses. There was some pain and the flow was scanty. So
she was given Phos. 10M. This had to be repeated on 20.01.59. Thereafter, she has remained well. In
Aug. 1965, she reported that she had been normal and that she has had no more trouble."
"Mrs. M.S. came on 5th Jan. 1970 with the following complaints:
For last 20 years she has been addicted to Dexedrine and Methedrine. Generally takes about 100
Dexedrine tablets per day (as she and her husband told me). Got low B.P. When these drugs were not
available, she became irritable, aggresive, restless and violent and felt like killing somebody. When she
became violent, she would resist with as much strength as four men. Was sleepless for a long time while
she was taking the drug. Now gets palpitation, sinking feeling, restlessness and vomiting of bitter fluid.
Feels that she will die. Palpitation is agg. sitting, agg. walking, agg. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on lying down.
She cannot bear hunger, cries when hungry, likes warm, spicy food, cold drinks and extra salt.
Constipated. Feels drowsy all the time. She was upset as her first husband gave her a lot of trouble and
drove her to the point of insanity. Was given electric shocks when she was nervous. She is afraid of
being alone, of ghosts, thunderstorms, earthquakes, darkness, death and sudden noise. She tried to
commit suicide twice. Weeps easily; contradiction makes her angry. She gets offended easily, is
emotional, jealous. Puts on weight easily. Fam. Hist.: Her mother had tuberculosis.
 Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory, with the following rubrics:
Fear alone, of being (p. 43)
Fear, ghosts, of (p. 45)
Fear, death, of (p. 44)
Fear, thunderstorm, of (p. 47)
Suicidal disposition (p. 85)
Desires, salt things (pp. 48, 63)
Only Phos. came through.
Nux-v 1M, 8 doses were given first, to be taken every 4 hours to remove the effects of the drugging. She
felt slightly better. Then Phos. 1M was given to be taken four times a day. With these doses she felt
amel.. Thereafter, Phos. 1M was given as and when necessary. She went on feeling much better with
Phos. and she was able to completely give up the addiction to Dexedrine."
"Some years ago, I was called out of town to see a patient who was said to be very ill.
The patient, Mrs. S.N. M., aged 64 years, was suffering from pneumonia for the last 13 days. She had
been paralysed and was incapacitated for the last one and a half years and had developed pneumonia. A
homoeopathic physician had prescribed for her but her condition had deteriorated and the homoeopath
himself, becoming rather anxious, had suggested allopathic treatment. An allopathic physician had been
called but he had refused to come because the patient had been under homoeopathic treatment. This
particular family had great faith in Homoeopathy and was still keen to have homoeopathic treatment.
The patient had all the signs of pneumonia. She was conscious but could not speak as she was
paralysed. I noted the following symptoms also: She would laugh often and without reason. Secondly,
she would try to remove her blouse. Even if she did not remove her clothes, if her body was exposed she
would not mind it. She had marked thirst at night. She had rattling respiration with cough agg. lying on
the left side. I learnt that she had become worse after she had taken a cold bath while she was already
having slight fever.
Now, I studied and repertorized her case with the following symptoms in Kent's Repertory and Phatak's
Repertory:
Shameless, exposes the person (K.p. 79)
Laughing (K.p. 61)
Cough agg. lying on left side (K.p. 797)
Chilled when heated (Ph.p. 43)
The only remedy that came through was Phosphorus. I was told that the previous homoeopath had
already given Phos. but he had given only two or three doses and had not persisted. I gave her Phos.
200, first every 4 hours and then thrice a day. She improved steadily and became well in a week."
"Mr. G.M. , aged 37 years, came on 25th Dec. 1965 with the following history:
He is suffering from cough for the last four years, diagnosed as Chronic Bronchitis. It is spasmodic and
very violent. It is agg. cold drinks; agg. dust and agg. lying on back. His appetite, thirst, etc., are normal.
He is bald in front (hereditary). He gets skin trouble in winter sometimes. His mother had carcinoma.
Carcin. 1M, 3 doses T.D. S., followed by Ars. 30, 6 doses T.D. S. given.
By 04.01.66, his cough became worse and constant but every time he coughed he coughed twice. Also
he got pain in chest on coughing. His case was then repertorized using Kent's Repertory, with the
following symptoms:
 Chest pain, cough during (p. 842)
Cough, paroxysmal, consisting of two coughs (p. 200)
Cough, constant (p. 784)
Cough, amel. cold drinks (p. 784)
Cough, agg. lying on back (p. 797)
Only Phos. came through.
Phos. 30, 8 doses Q.D. S. given.
He was considerably relieved but he had some relapses and Phos. had to be given in 1 M potency and
repeated thrice and after an inter-current dose of Bacill. 1M, had to be given thrice again in 10M
potency, and yet once again in 50M on 15.09.66. This completely cured him."
"Mr. M.R. H., aged 40 years, consulted me on 6th Dec. 1966.
Since he went to Madras in 1960, has constant mild abdominal pain, which comes on 3 to 4 hours after
food with nausea. It is amel. after eating. He gets substernal burning and sour belching 1 hour after
food. He cannot wait for food; feels weak when hungry. Takes 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Prefers
cold food and drinks. Is fond of day-dreaming. Past Hist.: In 1948, he had dyspepsia. Treated as amoebic
dysentery and felt amel.. Used to get vertigo on raising his head from the pillow.
Ba-meal X-ray showed "Gastritis".
His case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics, and Phos. came through:
Hunger, from agg. (p. 1367)
Desires, cold food (p. 484)
Stomach, pain, eating, 2 to 3 hours after (p. 513)
Phos. 200, 6 doses T.D. S. and placebo given.
In one month he felt much better. He continued treatment but then gave up when he felt normal, after
a dose of Phos. 10M and then Phos. VI (i.e. 6th potency of the 50 millesimal scale) given on 28.07.67. "
"Mrs. L.M. , aged 29, came on 14th May, 1965 with the following history:
She has pain in hips for the last 6 years. It started suddenly and it is agg. change of position. Chocolates
and chillies cause bad throat and loud noisy cough. She loves cold things and chillies. Her appetite,
thirst, etc., are normal. Does not feel fresh in the A.M. but amel. after an afternoon nap. She gets pain
in one spot, bilaterally symmetrically in her thighs, very sensitive to touch and pressure. She is fond of
company. Likes sympathy. Is nervous.
Past Hist.: She had typhoid at 6 years, was serious, then could not walk for 6 months. H/o fall 14 years
back. She got hurt in abdomen, then got pain on and off for 1 year. Had Pneumonia at 9 years.
Arn. 200, 14 doses B.D. was given first.
She felt much better but had relapses and the medicines was repeated three times.
By 30.10.65 there was a change in the symptoms. She developed a pain in right lumbar region agg.
rising from a seat and pain in throat (Rt.). Her case was repertorized using Phatak's Repertory, as
follows:
Rising from sitting agg. (p. 226)
Spots (p. 248)
Direction, side, right (p. 68)
Injuries, constitutional effects (p. 148) = Con., Phos.
Because of the agg. form chillies and sweets, I selected Phos. Phos. 200, 3 doses T.D. S. and placebo
given.
She started improving steadily but I had to repeat the doses on and off going upto Phos. CM and later to
VI and XXX (of the 50 millesimal scale). She felt normal by 02.01.67 and discontinued treatment."
"Shree K.V. P., aged 42 years, turned up for consultation on 23rd Oct. with the following history:
He had fried food on 01.010.64. Then got abdominal pain on the 3rd or 4th. It has been diagnosed as
hyperacidity. Since then he gets pain with eructations smelling of food. He takes extra salt. He prefers
cold food and drink, he even likes his tea cold. His thirst, stool, sweat, etc., are normal. He cannot stand
heat. Is worried about trifles and is always tense, and nervous. Cannot stand suspense. Likes company.
He has got a weak memory and poor concentration. Weeps easily.
Past Hist.: He had epistaxis in summer till age of 25. Had pneumonia twice. Once he had a fracture of his
leg bone.
Fam. Hist.: His father and sister died of tuberculosis.
Because of the family history of tuberculosis, Tub. 1M, 3 doses were given in one day. This was followed
one week later by Phos. 1M which rendered him all right."
"Mr. P.J. , aged 21, came for consultation on 19th Dec. 1963. He gets backache for last one year. It is
agg. at night. He is unable to turn his head sideways easily. It is agg. cold season and monsoon, agg. lying
on right side. On turning on the back, pain is agg. at first and then is gradually amel., and is agg. turning
in bed. It is amel. taking brandy and tea, agg. pressure and amel. by sitting erect. He has got pain in the
gluteal region, right or left, while walking, for last 5 years. It started when he had travelled in an air-
conditioned ship and had had a cold beer during the journey. It is agg. in Bombay. He cannot exert
himself as it causes pain in chest and a tired feeling. He gets pain in precordium once in 4 or 6 months
which lasts one day and is amel. by stretching the body and neck. He gets pain in right side of the
abdomen on exertion, sometimes in the left side also. Cold drinks cause toothache. Any irregularity in
food or food-timing upsets his health too much. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Cold sweat on palms.
Nose gets blocked in cold season. Bleeds too much from wounds. Is irritable and nervous. Wants to be
alone and quiet. He had a shock 4 years back when one of his dear friends died suddenly. Is worried
about failure in a love affair.
Past Hist.: He had rickets, typhoid, chicken pox, whooping cough and diphtheria. Fam. Hist.: Mother has
tuberculosis. Father died of cancer. O/E. Scoliosis, Bulging of Rt. chest. Feeble diastolic murmur in Mitral
area. Tenderness over 10th and 11th Dorsal and L5 spine and also in rt. sacroiliac joint. SLR +ve on rt.
side, 30 degrees. His gait is stooped. Consulted a specialist who diagnosed it as a case of Koch's right hip
joint and advised X-ray.
His case was repertorized using Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Lying, side, on right, agg. (p. 171)
Haemorrhage (p. 120)
Chilled, from exposure to cold agg. (p. 43)
Gait, stooped bent (p. 144)
Only Phos. came through.
Phos. 30, 9 doses T.D. S. given. His condition was 50 percent better. Placebo was given. When
improvement lapsed Phos. VI (i.e. 6th potency in 50 millesimal scale) was given in water once a day.
Later he had one dose each of Carcinosin 1M and Tuberculinum 1M and then Phos. XXX in water daily.
He felt 90 percent better in 2 months and became quite well in 5 months."
 "Mrs. K., aged 28 years, consulted me on 5th November 1952. She was suffering from frequent attacks
of dyspnoea since the last 2 years. It is agg. lying on the left side and back and agg. by moon phases. Her
appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Woollen clothes agg.. Open air agg.. Ascending steps agg. . Pain in
joints agg. flexing and extending, agg. beginning motion. She has to take a deep breath now and then.
Diagnosed as Eosinophilia. O/E looks anaemic.
The case was repertorized using my Card Repertory and the following cards were chosen:
No. 190 : Lying on back, agg.
No. 194 : Lying on side, left agg.
No. 211 : Moon phases, during agg.
No. 214 : Motion, beginning agg., continued amel.
No. 17 : Ascending agg.
These cards when put together revealed the remedies Phos. and Sep.
Phos. 200, 3 doses T.D. S. and placebo given. By 13.12.52, the patient reported continuous
improvement. Appearance much better. Dyspnoea nil. No medicine. 20.10.53: Condition reported to be
normal."
"Mrs. S.K. , aged 23, came on 29th Jan. 1953. She had headache (rt) for one year. It is irregular and is
agg. exposure to sun, agg. excessive heat or cold, agg. exertion and agg. morning and evening, amel.
binding the head. Pain is generally rt. sided but sometimes goes from rt. to lt. There is also pain and
formication in rt. eye and pain in rt. maxilla and teeth which is agg. least motion, agg. stooping, agg.
lying on painful side. There is thirst for ice cold water esp. at night. Slightly agg. after food. Desires salt
from childhood. Gets pain in lumbar region on exertion. Has profuse menses. Gets vertigo also. Prefers
to be in company. The case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key and Kent's Repertory, with the
following symptoms:
Side right to left (B.S. K.p. 44)
Morning and evening, agg. (B.S. K.p. 17)
Thirst at night (K.p. 528)
Desires cold drinks (K.p. 484)
Desires salty things (K.p. 486)
31.01.53: Headache was considerably amel. but she had thick, yellowish discharge from nose. Placebo.
No further medicine was given but by 23.02.53 condition was normal. She did not get headache in spite
of going in the sun. Vertigo nil. No Medicine."
"Mrs. P.D. , aged 40 years, suffering from Cardiospasm consulted me on 26th Feb. 1965. Her history was
as follows:
Towards the end of 1962, while lying down, she noticed a gurgling sound in throat with regurgitation of
fluid. She then developed a choking sensation while swallowing esp. solids, and she could locate the
obstruction in the lower substernal region. She consulted an eminent E.N. T. surgeon. Ba. swallow did
not reveal anything abnormal but an X-ray showed obstruction in the cardiac end of the stomach. The
surgeon advised an operation but another surgeon advised against it. The patient took homoeopathic
treatment from a colleague of mine and felt some relief. It was at this stage that I was consulted.
At present: She feels that the food is first obstructed in the cardiac end of the stomach, but then it
drops into the stomach. She has choking and regurgitation, agg. lying on the left side or back, if she lies
down immediately after food. Choking is amel. lying on abdomen. She can swallow better while sitting
erect. Sour and spicy food, eggs and beer make her worse. She has vague pains in the joints. There is
also pain in the teeth which feel loose. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Sweat nil. Patient feels chilly even
in warm weather.
Pt. is nervous and shy.
Past Hist.: Bronchitis often. Malaria at 15 years treated with Quinine.
Her case was studied as follows using Phatak's and Kent's Repertories:
Cold agg. (Ph.p. 46)
Lying on left side agg. (Ph.p. 171)
Lying on back (Ph.p. 171)
Food sour (K.p. 1364)
Constriction cardiac orifice on swallowing (K.p. 483)
Quinine abuse, of (K.p. 1397)
Only Phos. came through.
The patient as given Phos. 200, 1M and 10M, and Tub-bov 1M, at long intervals.
She felt much better in her condition but she developed some eruptions below and around the right ear
itching and exuding thick fluid. But the prescription was not changed.
On 09.12.66, she went to New York. I advised her to take the opportunity to consult my respected and
beloved teacher Dr. Elizabeth Hubbard in New York. But as she continued to improve on Phos. 10M, she
did not consult Dr. Hubbard. She returned and reported that she was normal."
Pulsatilla pratensis
I must mention that I came to know Puls. much better after I engaged a lady doctor as my assistant. She
was typically Puls. She would develop different symptoms on different days. Today she would have
headache, tomorrow a backache, next day a throat pain, then a vertigo and so on. But she had some
constant basic symptoms. They were as follows:
1. Agg. from fat food. This would cause diarrhoea.
2. Agg. from sour foods. She would get headache and throat pain. Even if one drop of lemon juice was
put into her food without her knowledge, she would have a violent aggravation.
3. Agg. in summer.
4. Agg. by cold and heat.
5. Generally thirstless.
6. Weeping on the least provocation. Even if a patient insisted on getting an earlier appointment or if
someone did not pay his fees or if some patient was rude, she would weep.
7. Marked amel. by sympathy. If she received sympathy even her headache would disappear.
8. Any emotional upset would cause symptoms like backache, throat pain, fever, etc.
She responded to Puls. everytime and her general level of health improved considerably and she put up
40 lbs in weight. I am grateful to her for she made me understand this remedy better.
I remember my earliest Pulsatilla case.
There was a watch repairer who came and told me that he was suffering from a complete loss of
appetite for four years and was willing to try Homoeopathy, though he had no faith in Homoeopathy or
in me as I was just a beginner, and because he had already tried the best doctors of other systems. I
took his case carefully and found no characteristic symptoms at all. All that I could find was that he had
complete loss of appetite. If he ate even one slice of bread he would feel heavy the whole day. He had
no thirst at all and was spitting all the time due to salivation. I looked up these three symptoms in
Boger's Synoptic Key and I got Puls. I gave him Puls. 30, 1dose without much hope. Two days later, he
came to see me again and I made him wait outside for two minutes. When I called him in I found that
he had gone. Later he came back and explained to me that he had rushed to his house as he had felt
desperately hungry. Finding nothing edible at home he ate up all the curd which was the only thing
available then!
And now I shall describe a recent case of mine.
A young girl, Miss D., aged 17 years, came to me from some town in Gujarat. She had oliguria. Her
peculiar symptom was that even though she would pass urine only once in 24 hours, that amount would
still be very scanty. This was going on for the last one year. If she travelled, urination become even less
so that she would not pass urine even once in 24 hrs. But in spite of this, she had no discomfort or pain
or swelling anywhere in the body. Her other symptom was very scanty, black and offensive menses. She
had been examined by several doctors but no one could make a diagnosis nor could anyone relieve her.
I worked out the case and it came to Kali-c and Puls. I gave her Puls. which did not act at first. But after
some doses of Opium (as it covered the lack of reaction, infrequent urination and absence of
discomfort) when Puls. was repeated, it acted nicely. We had to go upto Puls. 50M and then she was
cured.
Incidentally, the British Homoeopathic Journal has published an excellent paper on Puls. by Dr. William
Gutman. Dr. Gutman is a great thinker and he comes up with excellent papers on various remedies. His
paper on Pulsatilla is a classic.
The Puls. patient is chilly but is agg. by warmth. I must confess here that I do not give great importance
to chilliness and warmth because I have seen Sepia patients who are warm and Lachesis patients who
are chilly. Under the rubric "Cold and heat agg.", you will find remedies like Puls., Sep., Sil., Lach., etc.,
which we think are predominently agg. by cold or by heat. Again our remedies were proved in countries
with different climatic conditions and we do not know how far they will apply here exactly. So, unless
the patient is very markedly aggravated by heat or cold, I do not consider this.
I find some of the Puls. patients very irritable though according to the book, classically Puls. is not
irritable. The only difference is that when the Puls. patient gets angry she weeps, as the following case
will show:
"Mrs. V.P. , aged 40 years, was directed to me by a homoeopath from Ahmedabad. She had been
suffering for 8 years from recurrent coryza, cough and itching of the palate, all usually agg. at night.
Cough is agg. lying down. Since the last 6 months she gets a swelling of limbs and face which appears on
and off. Gets attacks of pain and redness in the eye near the outer canthus, right or left, on and off for
the last 10 years. Dysmenorrhoea since puberty. Pain is agg. after flow starts - more the flow, more the
pain. Has pain and heaviness in breasts before menses, with scanty menses. Cramps in the abdomen 10
days before menses, agg. left side and agg. turning to left side. Walking fast causes substernal pain.
Chilly. Feels cold especially in hands and feet. Seasickness. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Aversion to
milk. Sweats in the morning after rising. Has poor sleep. Is irritable, oversympathetic and emotional.
Weeps when angry. Desires company. Is putting on weight.
Past Hist.: 10 years back had measles; dysentery in 1949, which recurs in attacks every monsoon. Breast
abscess after 2nd delivery. Tonsillectomy 21/2 years back is since then coryza is agg.. H/o shock due to
brother's death in an accident. Since then, very sensitive and not in good health. Vaccinated often. X-ray
(1951) showed lesion in lung and was treated with anti-tubercular drugs. Fam. Hist.: Uncle had Tub. of
bone. On Exam. fingers and toes cold.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory with the following symptoms:
Grief, ailments from (K.p. 51)
Sympathetic (K.p. 86)
Menses, before agg. (K.p. 1373)
Abdomen, pain, menses, during (K.p. 559)
Cough, lying agg. (K.p. 785)
Obesity (K.p. 1376)
Itching, palate (K.p. 406)
Motion slow, gentle, amel. (Ph.p. 192)
Puls. alone covered all the symptoms.
Puls. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. was given for one day and she felt 50 percent better. As she did not respond
further to Puls. 1M, she was given Puls. 10M, 3 doses t.d. s. She then reported continuous improvement
till she became well."
Recently I have been noticing that more and more patients of mine seem to require Puls. Many patients
come and give symptoms which lead up to Puls. Sometimes I get a doubt as to whether I am prejudiced
in favour of this remedy. But as a good number of these patients improve on Puls., I often wonder why
this remedy seems to be more often needed. Is it because Puls. antidotes the ill-effects of drugs and
many patients come to us after drugging?
Changeability is one of the characteristic features of Puls. Hence, Puls. patients can be irritable and/or
thirsty. (Ref. Kent's Repertory - Mind, Irritability p. 58; Stomach, Thirst, Extreme p. 529.) Therefore, the
presence of irritability and/or thirst in a patient does not necessarily contra-indicate Puls.
According to the homoeopathic principle, any symptom that is produced by a remedy is an indication
for that remedy. If Puls. has produced one thousand symptoms, all these one thousand symptoms can
be indications for Puls.
Suppose a remedy has produced one thousand symptoms and out of these one patient exhibits three
symptoms, e.g. symptom No. 77, symptom No. 93, and symptom No. 140, and if this combination of the
three symptoms is found in only one remedy, say Puls., then Puls. is the remedy for this patient,
whether the picture of this patient corresponds or not to the picture of the remedy as described in the
books or the picture that you have in your mind. If these three particular symptoms are covered only by
Puls., whether the picture fits within your conception of Puls. or my conception or Hahnemann's
conception, Puls. is the remedy.
Pyrogenium
The Greek word Pyro means fever, heat or burning. Pyrogens are known to produce fevers. Our
Pyrogen has many indications esp. in septic fevers. I have described a case of Malignant tertian malaria
dramatically cured by Pyrogen. *
The indications for Pyro. that I have often noted in fevers in my practice are:
(1) Hyperpyrexia, (2) Pulse out of proportion to temperature, whether increased or decreased, (3) A
sense of well-being in a patient even with high temperature.
The following cases will illustrate these points.
"Master S.S. , aged 7 years, was seen on 18th July 1953. He had developed temperature about seven
weeks back. The temperature had risen steadily every day and had become continuous, ranging
between 103 oF and 104 oF . When the fever had gone on for a fortnight, an allopathic physician was
called in. He diagnosed it as Enteric fever and prescribed Chloromycetin. The temperature dropped to
normal in three days but after a fortnight went up again. This time Chloromycetin produced no effect.
When the temperature continued for two weeks more, homoeopathic aid was sought. When the boy
was first seen by me, the following symptoms could be elicited.
Temp. 103.6 oF, Pulse: 132 per minute, Resp.: 32 per minute, General condition fair.
The temperature is irregular and remittent, and sometimes rises twice in a day.
He picks at his nose, and sometimes at his bedclothes; his hearing has become dulled after the onset of
the fever; he is constipated. He has polyuria with the rise of temperature. As the fever rises, his memory
becomes sharper and he wants to read his lessons; he then becomes very particular about wearing clean
clothes.
Physical examination and laboratory investigation gave no indications as to the cause; so it was
classified as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin.
The alertness during fever was suggestive of Pyrogen. A look into Allen's Materia Medica of the
Nosodes brought out the symptom, "Frequent call to urinate as fever comes on" under Pyrogen (p. 415).
On these indications, the boy was given one dose of Pyrogen 30, on the 18th itself. After this one dose,
the temperature started falling gradually by one degree every day and eventually came to normal in five
days without any further dose of medicine, leaving the boy healthy and well. No marked pulse-
temperature disproportion was noticed in the case."
"I was once asked to see a girl aged 20 years, who had fever. She had originally been treated as a case
of typhoid with Chloromycetin. The temperature came to normal but again rose. This time the
Chloromycetin had no effect. The temperature rose in the evenings daily. It was now suspected as T.B.
of the caecum. The girl had by birth a deformity with the result one leg was so shrunken that it was only
a foot or so long while the other was normal. This gave her an ugly appearance and also a very bad
complex and an ugly temper.
When I saw her, she had been having a rise of temperature every evening. The parents gave me two
peculiar symptoms, viz., that the girl would be depressed, irritable, fault-finding and quarrelsome in the
mornings when her temperature was normal but would become sweet-tempered, jovial and friendly in
the evenings when the temperature went up. They also told me that although she used to be in bad
temper normally, she had been in better humour after the attack of fever had come on. On these
indications, I gave her Pyro. 200. With two doses, the fever went down and she remained normal."
Sepia officinalis
I think Sepia is a wonderful remedy to study and to use. A very eminent homoeopath has stated that if
he were allowed to keep only one drug, he would choose Sepia. Experience in practice confirms its great
usefulness and wide field of application.
Sepia is complementary to both Ignatia and Nux vomica, and combines all the depression and sadness
of the former with the irritability of the latter.
Considering the fact that it affects the sexual organs in women and considering that many of its
aggravations are connected with the sexual sphere, e.g. with menses, coition, pregnancy, abortion,
menopause, etc., it is an excellent remedy for various complaints in women. If you add the fact that is
also covers the bad effects of anger, fright, grief, disappointment in love, etc., you can imagine its wide
range of action. Women are particularly emotional and sensitive and they live in a small world.
Therefore, small things assume great significance for them. So when you combine this mental state with
the physical condition, you get a good picture of Sepia.
Generally, we have the impression that Sep. has great aversion for sex. But it has also got a symptom,
"sexual-minded". However, though she may be sexual-minded she has great agg. from coition and so is
unable to enjoy it. This is why Boger describes the Sepia patient as "Miserable". I think it is particularly
needed for women who have had many children or many abortions. Incidentally, women seem to suffer
more after an abortion than after a full pregnancy. Abortion seems to produce a kind of serious
disturbance in health. I also think that where women terminate a pregnancy by inducing abortion
because they don't want children, it may produce some kind of guilt complex.
The keynote of the physical symptoms of this remedy is relaxation. All the muscles and ligaments are so
relaxed that there is a displacement, esp. downward, for it is the ligaments that bind and keep the
organs and limbs in their proper positions. We get the various degrees of ptosis, e.g. of the eyelids (cf.
Gels., of which it is a complementary), visceroptosis, prolapse of the uterus or rectum, dislocation of
joints, etc. There is also a concomitant congestion of the pelvic viscera which causes heaviness,
aggravates the ptosis and produces the feeling of dragging down, which can be a very uncomfortable
feeling indeed! The downward displacement of the abdominal organs also gives rise to a feeling of
emptiness in the upper abdomen which the patient may try to fill up with food, believing it to be
emptiness of stomach, but as it is not so, and it only provokes nausea. *
The nausea is agg. by the sight, smell or thought of food. This symptom may be found in pregnancy. So,
even with hunger the patient cannot enjoy food which makes her miserable.
The discomfort in the pelvis is naturally aggravated by any condition which would increase the
congestion of that area. So in women there is great suffering before and during the menses, by coition,
pregnancy, abortion and during menopause. Repeated pregnancies and abortions (which unfortunately
are so common in India) with other concomitant physical and emotional stresses ideally produce the
Sepia picture. These promote further relaxation and congestion in the pelvis. As a result of this
aggravation by coition and pregnancies, the woman has aversion to and is disgusted by sex, and is
terribly upset even if the husband should make normal demands.
The displaced organs impinge upon one another provoking more symptoms, e.g. the uterus if displaced
backwards may press upon the rectum and produce a sensation of a lump or ball in the rectum or a
frequent sensation for stool (cf. Nux-v), so that the patient goes and strains without result and only
succeeds in adding to her discomfort by increasing the congestion. So also it may press upon the bladder
and provoke frequent urging for micturation. The sensation of a lump can be felt elsewhere also, e.g. in
the throat (globus hystericus cf. Ign.) or in the abdomen.
If one remembers that the pelvic viscera are attached by their ligaments to the posterior wall of the
abdomen or the back, and also the fact that all the ligaments supporting the vertebral column become
lax, then one can realise how much discomfort is referred to the back. And if the patient is forced to
stoop and work, the back is further strained.
So, you have the picture of a woman with a history of many abortions or pregnancies, a hard working
house-wife with many children to attend to, working and washing and wearing herself away, who
cannot enjoy her food, for she often has nausea at the sight, smell or even at the thought of food (cf.
Hyperemesis gravidarum) cannot rest, and cannot even satisfy her sex urge, which is so fundamental. Is
there any wonder she becomes disgusted by the home, by the husband, by the children who all make so
many demands on her and by life itself and wants to run away from it all? Is it any surprise that though
she may be full of love she has no apparent affection towards even her near and dear ones?
The Sepia patient has got some kind of venous stasis and she improves very much by exertion, esp. by
violent motion such as dancing. Here, it is the opposite of Puls. which wants gentle motion, and it
resembles Tarn. which also wants violent motion.
Margaret Tyler with her marvellous insight calls it a washerwoman's remedy.
I shall now describe one of the best cases of Sepia I have ever seen.
"Mrs. J.K. H., aged 26 years, came for advice on 23rd April 1953. She was a Polish national and had been
in a Russian concentration camp during the war. She had tried to escape along with her father, brothers
and sisters. But all of them, her dear ones had been shot dead, all in front of her eyes. Ultimately she
had managed to escape alone. She had come over to India, had married and settled down here. She had
a baby born in August 1952 and since then she has not been well. She now has headaches, vertigo,
indigestion and leucorrhoea and feels very weak. Headaches occur almost daily and are worse from
noon till evening, hammering in type agg. pressure, amel. lying down, in the sun. She has also developed
vertigo with suffocation agg. moving about; frequent diarrhoea agg. eating pulses and potatoes; great
aversion to milk; desire for sour and spicy food; nausea after food, nausea while travelling in a bus.
Dreams frequently of the dead. She sweats less; she is amel. in open air. She has become very irritable.
Wt. 96 lbs. B.P. 100/80. Has a brownish butterfly patch on her face.
Past Hist.: Typhoid 1940; Dysentery 1940; Malaria 1945; Vaccinated every year, no reaction.
Family Hist.: Mother died at the age of 49 of typhoid; father, brothers and sisters were shot. Has three
children, all healthy.
The case was repertorized with the following symptoms in Boger's Synoptic Key:
Pregnancy (p. 42)
Swaying, swinging, agg. (car sickness) (p. 29)
Ascending agg. (p. 19)
Aversion to milk (p. 73)
Saddle, brown, across nose (p. 94)
The only remedy to come through was Sepia and I was quite satisfied that this remedy covered the case
well. So I gave her Sepia 200, 1 dose and Sac-l B.D.
She improved steadily without any further medicine and by 9.6.1953, she was completely well. She also
put on some weight. On 10.4.1957, I found that she was still quite well."
Though the displacement of the viscera is downward, the direction of sensations is generally upward. I
have made a mark in my book Sepia as follows:
There is a sudden rush of blood upward to the chest and head (e.g. menopausal flushes), the nausea
with tendency to bring up food, pains shooting upwards in rectum, vagina, etc.
This direction reminds me of another case.
"A certain hysterical lady came to me with numerous symptoms, the prominent one being that she
often had a feeling that a ball entered her foot and travelled up, upto the shoulder and then
disappeared. She was what some would classify as an amazon; she had divorced once and her innate
haughtiness was heightened by her second husband's confession made to her that she had been
conferred on him by God after he had prayed for many years. She gave a history that since she had no
wish to have any children and that she had induced abortion nineteen times.
Since for certain reasons I did not wish to treat her, I sent her on to a colleague. He picked out her
remedy as Sepia correctly, no doubt basing his selection on, (1) the history of repeated abortions, (2) the
sensation as of a ball and (3) the ascending direction, the corresponding rubrics being (ref. Boger's
Synoptic Key):
1. Abortion (p. 84)
2. Ball, lump, knot, etc., as if (p. 31)
3. Direction, ascending (p. 84)
The remedy helped her considerably."
The Sepia patient is said to be chilly but one must remember that the typical Sepia washerwoman of Dr.
Tyler was also agg. by the heat of the room and the heat of the iron. Kent gives this remedy under "cold
and heat, agg." and this is often verified in practice.
The Sepia fish, when it is attacked, throws out a brownish inky secretion (which was used by artists),
and thus forms a cloudy protective screen to hide and to escape. The Sepia patient also develops
emotional antagonism and, behaving as if she is being attacked, throws out a screen of indifference
which clouds and masks her real tender nature and feelings.
Pulsatilla and Sepia often resemble each other, both being very touchy, but the Sepia patient does not
break down or weep so easily. Pulsatilla seems to be needed more by the immature, adolescent,
sensitive girl of puberty, while Sepia seems to be indicated better in the experienced, hardened woman
of climaxis. She has usually seen and put up with many more vicissitudes. She is, unlike Puls., very
indifferent and irritable, disliking sympathy and company. She does not lack in love but in affection,
which is the manifestation or expression of love. Even the love of self is stifled to such an extent that the
patient becomes indifferent to her own affairs. Though the Sepia patient often moans or groans, one
must remember that she is quite tough. She groans because of the intensity and variety of troubles she
has to undergo which however she will not express freely.
It might have been noticed that so many patients of Sepia are women. This sex shows a readiness to
develop subacute and chronic inflammatory conditions in the pelvis and these respond very well to this
remedy.
Another symptom often seen is the brownish butterfly-like patch (Chloasma) * seen on the face with
the wings on both sides of the nose. There is a recent belief in the medical field that certain areas of the
skin correspond to certain internal organs, and that disorders in these organs produce corresponding
changes in the relevant areas of the skin **. Homoeopathy has recognised much earlier such inter-
relationship of various tissues and organs.
Often Sepia resembles Nat-m. The latter is the chemical analogue of the former. After all, the Sepia fish
is a resident of the sea and remains thoroughly soaked in brine.
Here is another patient of Sepia who felt grateful to Homoeopathy for the relief she got.
"Miss B.F. , aged 47, came on 14.09.59 with the following complaints:
She has hypertension since 3 years. She gets vertigo and syncope if she looks upwards or downwards.
Has pain in limbs which is amel. by bandaging. Her menses are scanty and painful, with pain agg. during
menses. She passes urine three to four times at night. She is very irritable. On examination : Butterfly-
like brownish patch on the face. Her B.P. is 200/120.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics:
 Vertigo agg. looking up (p. 100)
Vertigo agg. looking down (p. 100)
Pain uterus, during menses (p. 734)
Puls. and Sepia came through. Because of her hyper-irritability I chose Sepia.
Sepia 1M, 3 doses in one day and placebo were given. She improved steadily, felt better and by
04.01.60, her B.P. came down to 130/80. "
"Mrs. S. aged 33, saw me on 13th May 1964. Her complaints were : Hernia for last 5 months. A pain in
the left lumbar region for last 2 months, which is amel. by bending forward and amel. by warm
application.
Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Fried food and pulses cause flatulence and diarrhoea. Gets cough
on exposure to fan. Likes open air. She is not well since her last delivery 21/2 years back. Feels a
sensation of prolapse during her menstrual periods. She weeps easily at trifles. Gets irritated and beats
children because she does not have a male child. She is worried. Past History: She has had typhoid twice,
measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, flu, dysentery, rheumatism and tonsillitis. She used to get
numbness of the upper extremities including the fingers. O/E Tenderness in umbilical region. She is
obese. Has dark rings around the eyes. Her body smells offensive.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory with the following symptoms:
Food, fat, agg. (K.p. 1363)
Food, beans and peas, agg. (K.p. 1362)
Pregnancy, child bed, affections of/or since agg. (Ph.p. 213)
Obesity (K.p. 1376)
Female genitalia, prolapse, uterus, menses, during (K.p. 743)
Only Puls. and Sep. came through.
She was first given Carcinosin 1M, because of the h/o several infectious diseases. One week later, she
received Sep. 1M, 3 doses in one day. Sepia was selected because of her irritability. She improved
steadily and became well by 30.05.64. "
"Mr. V.P. , aged 25 years, son of an allopathic doctor, came on 4th June 1971 with the following
complaints:
One year back, suddenly he got pain in both feet which extended upto the knees and thighs. He
consulted some specialist and took treatment with no relief. Now gets pain in the knees alternating
between left and right knee. It is agg. ascending, flexing, agg. beginning motion, agg. morning, and
amel. hot application. His appetite, stool, etc., are normal. Takes ten glasses of water per day. Gets
depressed easily. P/H: He had liver disease in childhood for which he has taken an ayurvedic preparation
of zinc for a long period. H/o trauma to knees. Fam. Hist.: His grandmother had tub. adenitis. Great
grandmother had cancer.
His case was repertorized using Phatak's Repertory and following symptoms were selected:
Alternating effects, sides, metastasis (p. 8)
Motion, beginning, agg. (p. 182)
Direction, ascending (p. 67)
Thirst (p. 269)
Only Phos. and Sep. covered the symptoms.
Because of the family history I gave him first Carcin. 1M followed one week later by Tub-bov 1M.
Because Phos. covered the h/o trauma rather than Sep. I gave him Phos. 30, daily once. As there was no
amel., I gave him as an antidote to the old Zinc medication, Zn 30, t.d. s. for a week followed by Sep. 30,
b.d. for a week. Sep. was given because of his depressive moods.
He started improving and the doses of Sep. were reduced. By 01.12.73 he became normal."
"Mrs. L.D. , wife of an allopathic G.P. also practising Homoeopathy, aged 25 years, came on 22nd Aug.
1969.
She was pregnant. She had intense nausea for the last 11/2 months. It was agg. in a closed room ,
strong odours , agg. 4 p.m. agg. talking, and agg. walking. It was amel. in open air and amel. vomiting.
She had a bad or bitter taste in mouth. She was thirstless. She had an acute sense of smell. She felt
completely relieved with Tab. 30, 200 and 1M.
Unfortunately, she had a premature baby and the baby expired the day after birth. The next year she
conceived again and developed nausea and vomiting. Now she gets nausea and vomiting since last 2
months. Tab., Lyc., Puls., etc., have been given without any relief. All the previous symptoms have
returned. She has become very sensitive to noise, touch and odours. She has a desire for open air. Also
has a strong desire for company. Cannot tolerate tight clothes on her body. Gets pain in abdomen which
is agg. lying on back. She had frequent urination and leucorrhoea. Her case was repertorized using
Kent's Repertory as follows:
Sensitive, noise, to (p. 509)
Clothing, intolerance of (p. 1348)
Air, open, desire for (p. 1344)
Company, desire for (p. 12)
Urination, frequent (p. 657)
Smell, acute (p. 349)
Leucorrhoea, pregnancy (p. 722)
Lying back, on, agg. (p. 1372)
Sep. alone covered all the rubrics.
Sep. 200, 3 doses t.d. s. given. She felt better and by 14.12.70 she became completely well with Sepia,
given as and when necessary."
"Shri E.S. N., aged 39 years, came on 14.12.63 for pain in epigastrium agg. when hungry, amel. after
eating, amel. eructations, agg. by pressure and agg. by bending forward. X-ray report on 23.03.61
showed chronic duodenal ulcer. No other symptoms of value could be elicited. The case was
repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key with the following symptoms:
Eating amel.; Pressure amel.; Bending agg..
Only Sep. covered the symptoms. Sep. 200, 3 doses in one day and placebo given. He got relief. With
Sep. given in various higher potencies, he improved considerably. Later he required Kali-bi, and then
again Sep. to cure him."
I have also found it useful in chronic dysentery-like conditions.
"Shri A.D. D., aged 25 years, came with the following history:
Two months back he had an attack of dysentery. Since then he gets abdominal pain before passing
stool. Pain is stitching and is shoots up. Pain is agg. by taking cabbage, potatoes, cold drinks or
buttermilk, and agg. after stool. He dislikes hot drinks. He is irritable and gets tired by speaking.
The case was repertorized with Kent's Repertory and the following symptoms were selected, viz.:
 Food, cabbage, agg.
Eating, satiety, to
Food, bread, agg.
Food, potatoes, agg.
Food, cold drinks agg.
Only Sep. covered all these symptoms. Sepia starting with 200 and going upto CM cured him."
Silicea terra
Some years back there was an excellent paper on Silicea by William Gutman published in the American
and British homoeopathic journals. Therein he starts by saying that Silicea is derived from the earth's
crust. Having started at this point, he then goes on building up the character and explaining the
characteristic symptoms of Sil. The crust consists of sand or grit and the patient shows lack of grit. The
earth's crust gets easily heated by the sun and easily chilled also. The Sil. patient also is sensitive to cold
and heat and is worse by cold and heat. (Some people think that the Sil. patient is only worse by cold.
This is not true.) The earth's crust was originally soft consisting of lava and then gradually it became
harder and harder. In Sil. also the soft parts become hard, e.g. the glands, the muscles, etc., become
hard and the hard parts become soft, e.g. abscess formation of the bones, caries of the teeth, etc. There
is an irregular distribution of matter. There may be overdevelopment of some parts and
underdevelopment of others. For instance, the Sil. child has a big head and small body.
A very large number of children are found to improve on Sil. if they have a large head, shyness and
obstinacy, tendency to suppuration, a history of late or difficult dentition, etc. Borland describe that
Calc. is dull, almost like Bar-c, while Sil. is extremely sensitive and alert.
The patient may be mentally sharp and physically in poor shape. If you study the mind also you see a
peculiar combination - of timidity and obstinacy. Timidity means lack of courage. So, when you find
children with lack of courage, you think that these children cannot have will power. But they prove to be
obstinate. Also the child may be stubborn or hard outside but soft or yielding inside like a coconut or an
oyster in its shell. The oyster's shell is only the hardened secretion of the oyster and consists of silicea.
Boger uses the word, "Stubborn" in a general sense. The disease may be stubborn, or the patient may
have stubborn-abscesses, non-healing fistulae or stubbornness in mind.
People say that Silica represents the fibre of the plant which keeps it erect and it also affects the back-
bone of the patient, mentally making him cowardly and physically producing curvatures. It has another
good symptom i.e. nervousness. The patient is quite nervous and this may be exhibited in so many ways
e.g. cold perspiration in the palms, soles, etc. The Sil. patient is worse by anticipation.
I had once seen a boy who was the son of a High Court Judge. The boy was appearing for his law
examination. He would start vomiting violently three days before each of his final examinations, so
much so that he could not appear at all for the exams. For three years, year after year, this went on and
the father was very much worried for his sake. Sil. set him completely all right. He appeared and passed
in the examination.
I have used Sil. when head injuries result in convulsions. They may be worse in sleep and during moon
phases. Sometimes there is a history of late teething, walking, etc. There are more remedies for head
injuries than those given in Kent's Repertory. * Of course Sil. can apply to epileptiform convulsions
without a h/o head injury. In one case when I could not clearly distinguish between Calc-c and Sil., I have
given Calc-sil with good results.
 Suppression of any symptom can never help the patient. And Sil. may be needed when there is
suppression of foot-sweat, ear discharge, etc.
Sil. is one of the most sensitive and nervous patients. He cannot bear noise, pain, etc.
If Sil. seems indicated and fails I think of Sil. marina.
The following is a typical case of Sil.
A boy S.P. , aged 18 years, was brought to me for coryza of 3 years' duration. It is agg. in evening, agg. in
rainy season, agg. if exposed to dust, agg. if he has a cold bath. He gets headache over eyebrows and
pain in eyes as if they were popping out. He is nervous. Gets cold perspiration in palms and soles, when
nervous. He is very shy and timid. Wants to cover himself with a blanket even in summer. Teething had
started late He was very constipated in childhood. The remedy was clearly Sil.
His father was so pleased that he took up the study of Homoeopathy and when he retired he himself
started his consulting homoeopathic practice in the building next to mine!
Sulphur
The Sanskrit world for Sulphur is (Sulphari) which means enemy of copper *. From this word the Latin
word Sulphuricum is derived. However, the great Greek poet, refers to Sulphur as Brimstone i.e.
burning stone. Since on burning it produces a strongly smelling gas, it is called (Gandhak) **.
Sulphur is mostly derived from the lava or the molten red-hot fiery liquid that erupts from the inside of
the earth through the volcanoes. The character of the source can be seen reflected in the centrifugal
force of the drug which drives and throws out everything on to the surface, bringing internal peace. The
red-hot openings of the volcanoes have their counterparts in the red-hot orifices, e.g. eyelids, lips,
nostrils, meatus of the ears, anus, etc., through which the red-hot burning discharges comes out.
Sulphur itself catches fire easily and because of this quality, it was used in the manufacture of
gunpowder by the Chinese several centuries ago. The (liquid) outpouring can be seen in the diarrhoea,
(Mag-s is a well-known purgative). Taken in mass, Sulphur is an inert powder and the greater part
escapes unchanged with the stools, but some of it forms sulphides, mostly sodium sulphide, in the
alkaline fluids of the intestines and these cause irritation of the mucous membrane, with consequent
increased peristalsis and mild purgation. In some instances inflammation has been set up, with resultant
pain and mucus and bloody evacuations.
The skin is particularly vulnerable and exhibits various manifestations like eruptions, ulcers, warts, etc.
(The eruptions of the volcanoes are reflected in the eruptions on the skin.) This is no surprise since the
skin contains sulphur and has a particular affinity for sulphur. Ointments containing sulphur are used as
external applications for various skin conditions in Ayurvedic and Allopathic medicine particularly for
scabies, and Sulphur springs are very popular in patients suffering from skin diseases. Hydrogen sulphide
(H2S) is one of the most offensive gases and this can explain the extremely offensive discharges of the
Sulphur patients. Some of the sulphides are absorbed and destroyed in the organism with the liberation
of sulphuretted hydrogen which escapes via the lungs and skin, giving the characteristic odour of rotten
eggs to the breath and perspiration, others form sulphates and are excreted in the urine. The patient
himself is found to be offensive.
Water being the enemy of fire, the Sulphur patients are worse by washing and bathing. Antimonium
crudum which is a sulphur compound (Antimony sulphide) also has aversion to and agg. from bath. The
Sulphur patient also develops dirty habits. He is himself dirty and offensive and/or is indifferent to dirty
and offensive surroundings. The yellow colour of the element is also seen in the yellow staining of the
perspiration.
The depletion by perspiration or diarrhoea may account for excessive thirst and the craving for salt.
Insulin contains Sulphur and this may explain the craving for sweets and agg. from sweets. The
metabolism itself is disturbed and so the patient is always hungry, he gets well but emaciates. He has
also craving for fats. Of the 5 remedies in Kent's Repertory given for desire for fats, viz., Ars., Hep., Nit-
ac, Nux-v, and Sulph. Sulph. is the only one agg. by warmth.
The experiment of Prof. Augustus Bier is very interesting and gives us some idea of the nature of Sulph.
He put a patient on Sulphur 3x and found that the patient started excreting daily 576 mg of Sulphur,
which is sixty times the normal rate. Even after the Sulphur was discontinued he was found to excrete
117 mg on the day after, he then averaged 54 mg for ten days, and after 30 days he was still excreting
about twice the normal. The seborrhoea about which he had complained was markedly improved and
his general well-being decidely better than before the experiment. The patient was located two years
later and agreed for the sake of experiment to make a retrial, although he considered himself cured.
When he now took Sulphur 6x for 10 days, hardly any extra excretion of sulphur was found.
The relationship between Arsenic and Sulphur is interesting. Sulph. is complementary to Ars., but they
are widely different in nature. Ars. is agg. by cold and Sulph. agg. by warmth. Ars. is meticulous, wants
everything in its place. Sulph. is indifferent, careless, slovenly and dirty. The excessive anxiety, hurry and
restlessness of Ars. contrasts with the euphoric, slow, lazy state of Sulphur. Arsenic is an artist (the latin
word for Arts is Ars.) while Sulph. is a scientist and goes on questioning everything.
Sulph. is a good remedy to close the treatment of acute diseases and to begin the treatment of chronic
conditions.
Almost every rubric in our repertories contains Sulph.; so, the neophyte is likely to select Sulph. for
every patient. Only later on he will understand where Sulph. is really indicated, though of course it is
needed in many cases.
I narrate the following case not only to show how Sulph. acts when indicated but also to illustrate how
it can overcome obstacles in the way of cure and help in addiction.
"In Jan. 1965, Dr. S.M. O., in charge of a Govt. hospital, consulted me regarding his mother. She was a
lady aged 60 years suffering from a very painful osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. She could not stand
up or walk, and could only sit up with difficulty. It was an agony for her even to turn in bed. Her son not
being able to bear to see her suffering had one day given her Pethidine which gave her considerable
relief. He repeated the injections for some days as she became restless and uneasy without them. But
soon he realised to his dismay that she had now developed an addiction to the drug; this, in addition to
her original disease. She suffered agony when she was deprived of the drug. She not only required the
drug but even if the quantity of the drug was reduced slightly she would feel the difference. Being very
perturbed by this, the doctor sought the help of Homoeopathy.
I found in her symptoms like burning of the palms and soles, inability to withstand hunger, increased
thirst, redness of the lips, early morning diarrhoea, etc., all indicating Sulphur. But before I prescribed
for her, the doctor laid down the condition that even while under homoeopathic treatment if his mother
craved for the drug and suffered without it, he should prefer to give her the Pethidine as he could not
allow her to suffer.
Finding that it was either a case of allowing the continuation of the drug along with the homoeopathic
medication and taking a chance of providing relief, however slender, or giving up the case altogether, I
agreed to the condition and gave her Sulphur 200, 3 doses in one day, followed by placebo. This gave
some relief to her pains. Later on, I had to give her Zn and other drugs. She improved steadily. She
continued to take Pethidin for a few days but the craving for the drug also decreased and we were able
to discontinue it without any ill-effects.
Tarentula hispanica
Tarentula hispanica, the Spanish Spider remedy, is another fascinating one to study.
Before studying the symptomatology of the remedy, it would be worthwhile to study the nature and
behaviour of the spider itself. Spiders, in general, are known for spinning and weaving artful traps, into
which they lure their victims. This spider is found in the western part of America, and in Italy. Before the
rainy season it migrates in herds, travelling in leaps and bounds. It makes its nest in the ground in small
holes in a burrow lined with web which turns a crooked angle after going down a few inches. There the
spider sits to watch for its prospective prey. When it spies its prey, it does its work suddenly and
violently - one sharp pounce on the neck of the victim and the ganglia are severed, paralysing or killing
the victim. It strikes and disappears, never holding on. Before the victim is able to turn round, the spider
has vanished from sight into its hole, so quickly that the victim may turn around and find nothing and
imagine that probably nothing has bitten him and that it was all his imagination. Also there may be no
immediate manifestations. But as spring comes on, the patient feels a certain terrible restlessness.
For the victims of this spider poison, a peculiar treatment is adopted. As spring comes on, groups of
pipers go from village to village and play particular tunes on their pipes in the village square. At the
sound of the first note of music the victims of the spiders bite, persons who had been hitherto apathetic
or drowsy, become restless and excited, start swaying involuntarily and gradually begin to dance
rhythmically. With this dancing movement they come out before the pipers, so that in a few minutes all
the (bitten) victims in the village have assembled in the square, continuing their dance, the dancing
becomes fast, then faster, then vigorous and then wild and frenzied but is continued and may last for
days at a stretch. The pipers continue to play in relays. At the end of 3 days, all the victims sink to the
ground thoroughly exhausted and soaked in sweat. But then, they find they are rid of the effects of the
spider poisoning.
Julia Loos describes the symptoms very nicely. She writes, "Tarentula Hispanica is a member of the
spider family Lycosa, of tropic or sub-tropic origin, and is commonly known to the world for its fatal
poison and the intense sufferings which this brings to its victims. The poison is a glandular secretion and
this concentrated essence is a vehicle transmitting to the victim the characteristic nature of the creature
which produced it. The provings of this poison and the indicated therapeutic uses following thereon are
derived from a prepared tincture of the living spider, whose influence pervades this product.
"The intelligence of the creature appears as disorderly. Instability is the outstanding feature: Instability
of action, of purpose, in wisdom for carrying through its changing purpose.
"Adroit, conceited of its cleverness; yet stupidly assuming that false methods and false motives will
escape detection, it elaborates manoeuvers to deceive. Appearing in view, even parading its presence;
then seeking cover, it hides from detection, unexpectedly to emerge from ambush to attack its victim
elsewhere unaware.
"All purpose, whatever and however carried out, excludes every consideration of the interest, the
desire or the purpose of another. Only self-interest and desires are observed; and these are whimsical,
changeful without limit, without calculation or foresight. Its habit is restless activity.
 "The guiding light is darkness; avoiding light, Tarentula shuns all investigation of its way or wish and,
withdrawing to whatever convenient lair of the moment, by hidden devious path it makes its way to
another point of vantage, resenting with insult any endeavour to change its course or to dislodge it.
"Clever, adroit, furtive sly ways of carrying through courses of action which, were they announced,
would be opposed by attendants or associates: these ways, and the doing of unusual things trivial in
themselves and fulfilling no purpose engage the individual affected. Here are peerings and, "peekings"
into things and into affairs; hiding from view; hiding things. He is destructive: interfering with plans;
menacing the safety of himself and of others.
"He loves to assume the false as a basis of conduct; and depends on whims for guidance; this mind does
not submit its thought, its desires, to the light of wisdom or of truth. It shuns such gauge or investigation
and darts from idea to idea with the ability and the seeming purposelessness of the spider. Defence
from seeming interference is aggressive, through some sort of vicious thrust, cutting remark or
threatened injury.
"Restlessness, tormenting, intense, demands continued motion. In bed: rolling from side to side; when
able to be out of bed, compels to walk, even though walking aggravates symptoms of the body. Herein is
shown the contrariness within himself.
"Chorea: twitchings and jerkings - continuing into night - of single muscles, groups of muscles, entire
limb or head; and more general, in body contortions or in the dance. Ameliorated through influence of
music.
"Sometimes a sweet cheerfulness and gaiety, while at other times, anger, irritability. Quarrelsome,
excitable; exhilarated or sad: but whatever the emotion - quite unwarranted by circumstances or
environment and unrelated to persons or incidents; merely an outcropping of the entire mood.
"Aversion to company; but wants someone present. Making persistent demand on those present to
minister to complaints. Complaints concurrent and so numerous, they cannot all be met nor ministered
to at once; satisfaction is impossible. Gratitude and content are expelled from consciousness.
Discontented with himself and with all things about him.
"Delirium, mania, shrieking, singing; erotic mania, or stupefaction, or indisposed to talk. Yet the entire
condition may be held in abeyance and positively ameliorated through persistent and habitual bathing...
"In many instances, after attaining a measure of success with Arsenicum album, in acute or recent
disorders or for repeatedly recurrent distresses, the prescriber is led to explore this subtle constitutional
background. Arsenicum "covers the case" to a limited degree. The symptoms and the characteristics
shown before Arsenicum was called out, together with the tendencies, the lowered resistance and the
frailties which feature the patient's experience after Arsenicum has cancelled the acute disturbances,
display a total condition frequently recognizable as Tarentula."
All these features are represented in the symptoms - the quickness, suddenness, violence, destructive
tendency, cunningness, etc. The great sensitivity to music is also found in the patient who on hearing
any musical note becomes charmed and attracted and leaves off whatever he maybe doing. The remedy
has both agg. from music and amel. from music because the music may excite him first but later on
soothe him, or again whether the music has aggravating or ameliorating effect may depend on the type
of music and the type of patient. The restlessness and the quickness are reflected in the amelioraton
from rapid and violent motion, e.g. violent dancing (cf. Sepia). It is said the patients can run better than
walk like the patient of Parkinsonism. The extraordinary cunningness is also noted in the patient who
may behave in an entirely different way in front of outsiders. He may thus exhibit two types of
personalities like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The destructive tendency of the spider is also reflected in the
patient who destroys things without any purpose.
The symptoms of this remedy are described beautifully by the late Dr. Margaret Tyler. She has quoted a
case of Dr. Roberts. The patient was lying quietly on the cot when the nurse left the room for washing
her hands. Suddenly the nurse heard loud crashing noises. When she ran back into the patient's room,
she found the patient lying as quietly as she had left her. But everything on the shelf had been swept
down and smashed within the few brief moments of her absence.
"I had once an occasion to stay with an acquaintance. As soon as I hung up my coat he took charge of
my wallet. When I asked him the reason, he gave me a long story somewhat as follows:
He had an only son aged 14. This boy was brilliant in some ways but appeared mad in some ways. He
would do the most crazy things without any reason. Once just before the whole family was leaving on
vacation he invited all his teachers to his house for dinner. Next day, when all the poor teachers turned
up with pleasant anticipation they found the doors locked. Not all his pranks were harmless. Once, he
gave away his gold necklace to the servant and then reported that it had been stolen. The servant was
put in prison. Once, he had his head shaved, begged at street corners, collected money and spent it.
Once, he went to his father's friend and wept saying his mother was dead and borrowed money for the
funeral. He could tell the wildest lies without a moment's hesitation. He would pick the pockets of
guests. Sometimes he was most cunning. He made the life of his parents most miserable and his father
confided to me that he was so ashamed by his son's behaviour he was actually thinking of committing
suicide. In spite of all these aberrations, there was one thing that captivated the boy and that was music.
He was crazy after music. He had bought some musical instruments and without lessons or books, of his
own accord, had become an expert on these instruments.
Because of the cunning and malicious nature, the tendency to tell lies and steal, and his ardent
attachment to music, I prescribed Tarentula hisp. 10 M. With a few doses and in the course of one or
two years the boy became perfectly normal and a source of joy to his parents. He is now a professor of
Hindi. An individual who was becoming almost a burden is now transformed into a useful member of
society."
"Another interesting case was that of an old lady aged seventy-one who was living with two of her
daughters who were unmarried. For some unknown reason she had started behaving very oddly for the
last 2 years. She was a widow and her three daughters had sacrificed much in order to make her happy.
Two of them had remained single for her sake. But the mother had started abusing the daughters, using
bad and even obscene language. She would demand from them more and more money, fine clothes,
rich food, etc., things they could not afford to give. She would squander and waste their money. They
had engaged a very good servant-maid but the old lady went after her blood. She would tear away the
servant's clothes and then she would complain that she herself had been beaten. Nobody who saw her
frail, wizened, old figure would believe that she was capable of hurting even a fly. After having eaten
well, she would go to her neighbour's house and say she was starving and would eat in their house too.
While taking food in her own house she would pick up some item of food, hide it, take it out and eat it
surreptitiously, sometimes after 2 or 3 days when it had become stale. When her daughters were away
at work, she would sell away all the furniture and household belongings for a song. She would put salt or
water into the various dishes and spoil them so that no one could consume them. She would bang,
damage and destroy things. She would pass urine or stool in the room. She would collect old and useless
things and treasure them. In fact, she became a nuisance to her daughters and neighbours. They had
decided that they could endure this no more and were actually going to put her in an asylum. It was
then that they thought of trying Homoeopathy. One dose of Tarentula made an amazing transformation
in her personality. Within 24 hours she was utterly changed. She started behaving in a completely
normal manner. I was surprised myself, the daughters were delighted, the neighbours were astonished
and everyone was vastly pleased and relieved. She lived for a few years more and was completely well
with infrequent doses of Tarentula.
Thuja occidentalis
Thuja is a favourite remedy with my colleague Dr. Sarosh Wadia. That may be because he is practising
near the naval quarters and the naval people have, I believe, more than their share of vaccination and
gonorrhoea. (They say a sailor has a wife in every port.) Thuja is given for the ill-effects of vaccination.
Now three questions arise in my mind for which I do not yet know the definite answers. Firstly, is Thuja
to be given to a person who when vaccinated gets a violent reaction, or to one who gets no reaction?
Secondly, people say Thuja is indicated by a history of repeated vaccination. How many times or how
often should a person have been vaccinated in order to call it repeated vaccination? Thirdly, is Thuja to
be given to a person with a history of gonorrhoea, irrespective of whether the symptoms of Thuja are
present now or not? Carefully recorded experiences alone can provide the answers to these questions.
Homoeopaths think that vaccination is extremely harmful. Is this really so? Does vaccination help or not
in the prevention of smallpox? I ask this question because of the following experience. Three years back,
Mr. Everitt of Nelson's in London had written to me asking me to supply one drop of pus taken from a
typical smallpox pustule. I had assured him that I would be able to supply this very soon because we
always have in India, if not thousand, at least hundreds of cases of smallpox. At that time I was treating
a doctor who was an R.M. O. in the the Infectious Disease Hospital here. She promised to get me a drop
of pus as soon as the first typical case of smallpox came up. But imagine, she could not get this sample
even after one year because they did not get a single typical case! It seems after compulsory
revaccination has been enforced the cases of smallpox have dropped practically to zero. There was not a
single case of smallpox admitted in the Infectious Disease Hospital! So, I could not get or send the drop
of pus for one whole year. This fact has to be taken into consideration when we talk about vaccination
and its ill-effects. I must also mention that in the last 4 or 5 years, I am seeing less and less cases of
Diphtheria and Whooping cough. I do not know if this is due to routine immunization done with triple
antigen by allopathic doctors.
There are seven or eight remedies given under the rubric "Vaccination agg." in Kent's Repertory. There
are still more remedies given by Allen in his Keynotes. We generally prefer Thuja. But S.R. Phatak
prescribes Ars. for the ill-effects of vaccination. He says that he has found Arsenic effective for this
purpose.
Following is an interesting case of Thuja:
"Smt. M.S. , aged 75 years, came for consultation to me, on 11.07.61, with the following history:
Has a hard nodule or tumour of the size of a lemon in the rt. iliac fossa for last one year. She consulted
Dr. B., a well-known surgeon, who opined that it is a calcified fibroid. Advised operation. Has occasional
pain with no specific features. B.P. 180/100. Wt. 76 lbs.
Calc-f 1M (3) doses for one day and then Sac-l. On 18.07.61; Has more pain, Aur-m-n 3, T.D. S. On
05.08.61; Has still pain and heaviness in abdomen. Calc-f 1M (3) doses for the first day and then Aur-m-n
3, twice a day for one week were given. She gave up the treatment but nearly four years later, she came
with a different set of complaints.
On 22.05.65: Burning in urethra after urination; flow intermittent, pain in Rt. iliac fossa agg. lying on rt.
side, agg. pressure. Cond. was normal for three years. Now she has again pain in right iliac fossa. The
case was repertorized using Phatak's Repertory:
Urination, after (p. 287) +
Urination intermittent (p. 288) +
Tumours (p. 118) = Thuja.
Thuja 1M (3) doses and placebo for a week was given.
I then lost touch with her but she came to me early in 1968 for some minor complaint. I examined her
and found the nodule gone and she told me she had taken no other medicines except those given by
me."
"Dr. S.K. , aged 38, approached me for brownish pigemented patches in the upper eyelids above the
inner canthi. Though this usually indicates an excess of blood cholesterol, in his case the levels were only
158. The only symptoms I could get from him were that he was addicted to alcohol and smoking and he
had a desire for salt. He was obese. When I looked up these symptoms, viz. Alcohol agg., Tobacco agg.,
Desire for salt and Skin discolouration brownish spots, I found the following remedies, viz., Calc., Con.,
Sulph. and Thuja. I gave him Thuja 30 twice a day. There was remarkable reduction in the spots."

Copied from Radar By Ahmed 24/12/18 Taxila.