Mitteln Anhang 2

[David Little]

A Comparison of the C and LM Potency 5^th and 6^th Organon

Part 1: Development of the LM Potency

A homoeopath should have a deep knowledge of the models of the 4th and 5^th Organon to understand the Homoeopathy of the 1840s, which is found in the 6^th edition. Homoeopathy as commonly practiced today is based on the single dry dose wait and watch method of the 1^st Chronic Diseases (1828) and the 4^th Organon (1829).

In this method a single pellet dose of the centesimal potency is used as long as the patient is improving even in the slightest manner. Many of the great 19^th century homoeopaths like James Kent were masters of this method.

The dry dose may only be repeated when there is a definite relapse of the old symptoms calling for repetition. H. was not completely comfortable with this method in cases that only slowly improved over a longer period of time.

For this reason, in the 5^th Organon (1833) H. introduced olfaction and the oral medicinal solution as a new delivery system for homoeopathic remedies. The change from a dry static pellet dose to a dynamic medicinal solution succussed prior to administration had an immediate impact on his posology and case management strategies.

In the 5^th Organon he suggested any "striking progressive improvement" precludes the repetition of the remedy because the cure is already taking place at the fastest possible rate.

Part 2: Differences between the C and LM Potencies

The high potency Cs are diluted more times then the LM potency although they receive less succussions at each dilution level of potency. The higher potency Cs like 200c and 1M have a smaller amount of substance, and more commutative numbers of succussions and dilutions than the LM potency.

For this reason, some persons think the LMs are low potency remedies. The LM potency, however, has a much larger dilution ratio that greatly transforms the medicinal qualities of the LM remedies. In footnote f to aphorism 270 of the 6^th Organon (O'Reilly edition) H. suggests the following:

"In earlier instructions, I specified that a whole drop of a liquid in a given potency be added to 100 drops of wine spirit for higher potentization.

"But meticulous experiments have convinced me that this proportion of the dilution medium to the medicine being dynamized (100:1) is much too narrowly limited to develop the powers of the medicinal substance properly and to a high degree, by means of a large number of succussions, unless one uses great force."

The Founder realized that continuing to increase the number of dilutions and succussions of the centesimal potency did not fill the desired therapeutic lacuna in his new healing art. He came to see that the 1 to 100 dilution ratio is limited by its smaller dilution factor so he began to experiment with new larger dilution ratios rather than raising the C potency to higher and higher degrees.

He also noticed that when strong succussions were used in such a small dilution medium as the centesimal 1 to 100 ratio it makes aggressive medicines prone to quick aggravation and unproductive secondary curative effects in the long run.

"With a ratio of the dilution medium to the medicine as low as 100:1, very many impacts by means of a powerful machine, as it were, are forced in. As a result, medicines arise that, especially in

the higher degree of dynamization, almost instantaneously but with stormy - indeed dangerous - intensity, impinge on patients (especially the delicate ones) without bringing about an enduring,

gentle counter-action of the life-principle."

Once again we see the importance of the balance of the primary action of the remedy and curative response of the vital force. When too many dilutions and strong succussions have been forced into the higher centesimal potencies it makes medicines that are prone to aggressive primary actions and strong aggravations that do not produce an "enduring gentle counter action of the life principle".

Such furious or prolonged aggravations are to be avoided at all cost as they disrupt the natural symptom pattern, waste vitality, and complicate the cure.

The LM potency, on the other hand, is given in the smallest liquid dose so it produces a mild primary effect and a long enduring gentle counter action of the vital principle.

During the period of the 5^th Organon (1833) Hahnemann used the unmodified liquid dose made up each time from 1 or 2 poppy seed size pellets. In aphorism 29 of the 5^th Organon H. described how the centesimal method works. He wrote that the similar homoeopathic remedy "pushed into the place of the weaker natural disease" against which the instinctive vital force was "compelled to direct an increased amount of energy".

The idea of pushing into place and compelling the vital force to increase its energy against the remedy is based on the phenomena of the homoeopathic aggravation. The methods of the 4^th and 5^th Organon are based on a crisis-like aggravation in contrast to the gentle medicinal solution and the non-invasive LM method.

Aggravation in the 5^th edition (1833)

The centesimal model of cure still involves the idea of crisis where aggravation of symptoms compels the vital force to increase energy in order to remove the remedy disease and begin convalescence.

The idea of crisis as an integral part of the cure is very ancient. This is before H. discovered the non-invasive method of the LM potency, the medicinal solution, and the split-dose.

Vide aphorism 279 of the 5^th edition (1833).

"The pure experience shows UNIVERSALLY...

A DOSE OF THE HOMOEOPATHIC SELECTED REMEDY CAN NEVER BE PREPARED SO SMALL THAT IT SHALL NOT BE STRONGER THAN THE NATURAL DISEASE, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO OVERPOWER, EXTINGUISH, AND CURE IT, AT LEAST IN PART, AS LONG AS IT IS CAPABLE OF CAUSING SOME, THOUGH BUT A LIGHT PREPONDERANCE OF ITS OWN SYMPTOMS, OVER THOSE OF THE DISEASE RESEMBLING IT (slight homoeopathic aggravation, aph. 157-160) IMMEDIATELY AFTER ITS INGESTION." [Capitals by DL.]

The need for aggravation was also stressed as an integral part of cure in aphorism 282.

"The smallest possible dose of homoeopathic medicine capable of producing only the very slightest homoeopathic aggravation, will because it has the power of exciting symptoms bearing the greatest possible resemblance to the original disease (but yet stronger even in the minute dose), attack principally and almost solely the parts in the organism that are already affected, highly irritated and rendered excessively susceptible to such a similar stimulus".

H. goes on to say that this medicinal disease alters the vital force that rules the susceptible parts to a state of very similar artificial disease "so that the living organism now suffers from the artificial medicinal disease alone, which, from its nature and owing to the minuteness of dose, will soon be extinguished by the vital force that is striving to return to the normal state".

The idea of a crisis-like aggravation compelling the vital force to increase its energy was part of the old dry dose and unadjusted liquid dose method of the 1830s.

In the 6^th Organon H. replaces the model that includes the necessity of a aggravation-like crisis with the idea that the dose can never be made so small that it cannot overcome the disease without aggravation.

In the LM model aggravation at the start of treatment is a sign of too large a dose or too high a potency and unnecessary repetition of the remedy.

Vide aphorism 279 of the 6^th Organon (1842).

"This pure experience now shows UNIVERSALLY that:

1. if considerable corruption of an important [vital organ] organ does not obviously lie at the base of the disease (even if the disease is chronic and complicated) and

2. if during treatment, all other foreign medicinal impingements on the patent have been withheld, then THE DOSE of a HOMOEOPATHICALLY CHOSEN, HIGHLY POTENTIZED REMEDY FOR THE BEGINNING OF TREATMENT OF AN IMPORTANT (CHRONIC) DISEASE, AS A RULE CAN NEVER BE PREPARED SO SMALL THAT IT WOULD NOT:

BE STILL STRONGER THAN THE NATURAL DISEASE,

BE ABLE, AT LEAST IN PART, TO OVER-TUNE THE NATURAL DISEASE,

EVEN BE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH A PART OF THE NATURAL DISEASE IN THE FEELING OF THE LIFE PRINCIPLE, THUS PRODUCING A BEGINNING OF THE CURE." [Capitals by DL.]

All of the references to the need for crisis-like aggravation to push the remedy in place of the natural disease and compel an increase of energy of the vital force are removed from the 6^th Organon. There is no need to force, push, compel, or aggravate in the non-invasive LM method of the 1840s.

This represents a shift in the homoeopathic paradigm from compelling through aggravation to a completely non-invasive method of posology. In Hahnemann's advanced methods there is no need

of aggravations, crises, over medication, antidotes, long periods of waiting, or any excess counter reactions.

All these side effects have been removed from the homoeopathic system of the 1840s.

The old dry dose method is like a roller coaster ride as first comes the homoeopathic remedy, then comes waiting out the crisis-like aggravation, then comes waiting out any improvement, and then comes waiting for the relapse. Then the dry dose is given again and the whole "up and down start and stop process" begins all over again.

The idea that aggravation is necessary is common among 4^th and 5^th Organon homoeopaths, especially those who use too many dry pills as a dose. This is because too many pills of the high potency centesimals can cause aggravations that can run for days, weeks, and months.

H. noted clearly that too large a dose (too many pills) will cause an aggravation even if the potency is correct. Many consider aggravations necessary because the idea of the need for aggravation

is over stressed in the Homoeopathy of the 1820's and 1830s.

To overcome these side-effects Hahnemann used the medicinal solution of the LM potency made from 1 poppy seed size pill in a minimum of 7 tablespoons. From this solution 1, 2, or 3 teaspoons was stirred into a glass with 8 to 10 tablespoons of water and 1, 2, or 3 teaspoons was given to the patient.

In this method the size of the dose is greatly reduced as the potency is gradually increased so that the vital force never receives the same exact dose twice in succession. In this way, the vital force

can receive the single dose or a series of doses in medicinal solution without the aggravations witnessed in the dry or unmodified liquid dose. In this way, we can speed the cure to one half, one fourth, or less than the time of the old method.

Part 3: Primary and Secondary Effects

There are many powers in nature, but the potentized remedy is a unique creation of the intellect of H. In aphorism 64 of the 6^th Organon the Founder recorded that there were two types of secondary actions.

The first is the opposing counter action where the organism automatically presents an opposite state proportionate to its energy. The second is the curative counter action to a homoeopathic remedy where the vital force directs its whole energy to remove the mistuning from without while reestablishing homeostasis.

Vide part two of aphorism 64 of the 6^th Organon.

"If there is no state in nature exactly opposite to the initial action, THE LIFE FORCE APPEARS TO STRIVE TO ASSERT ITS SUPERIORITY by extinguishing the alteration produced in itself from without (by the medicine), in place of which it reinstates its norm (after-action, curative-action)." [Capitals by DL.]

This action by the life force to assert its superiority is the power of the curative secondary action. To accomplish this goal the vital force heals the pathology in stages from within to without in response to the remedy as seeks control over homeostasis thus completely removing the dynamic mistuning.

This establishes another aspect of H.'s Direction of Cure, as compiled in Hering's Laws.

If the balance between the primary action and the secondary action is maintained there will be no aggravations or excessive counter actions during the process of cure. The instinctive vital force does not react in an opposing manner to a potentized remedy, but rather, seeks to manifest its superior vitality over the remedial disease from without while reestablishing homeostatic balance within.

The life force may produce opposing reaction against the wrong remedy and too large a dose. If the remedy has been given in the medicinal solution in a proper small amount the vital force will have little problem removing the remedial influence and no antidotes will be needed. If the dose is too large or in too high a potency it may mistune the vital force with a long term medicinal disease (aphorism 276).

For this reason, the dose, potency and repetition must be carefully controlled.

Opposing Secondary Actions

In aphorism 65 H. gives several examples of the primary and opposing secondary actions that take place under the influence of various medicinal powers (counter-action - after action, aph. 64, point 1).

"Where there is such a one, the life force brings forth the exact opposite condition-state (counter-action, after-action) to the impinging action (initial action) that has been absorbed into itself.

The counter-action is produced in as great a degree as was the impinging action (initial action) of the artificial morbific or medicinal potence on it, proportionate to the life force's own energy."

Here the vital force is compelled to produce an antagonistic secondary action in which it presents the opposite state in proportionate energy. The following 3 examples represent the principles very well. Vide Organon aphorism 65:

"A hand bathed in hot water is at first much warmer than the other unbathed hand (initial action), but once it is removed and thoroughly dried, it becomes cold after some time, and then much colder than the other hand (after-action)."

"An arm immersed in the coldest water for a long time is at first far paler and colder than the other one (initial action), but once it is removed from the cold water and dried off it becomes not only warmer than the other but hot, red and inflamed (after-action of the life force). "

"The heavy, stuporous sleep caused by opium (initial action) is followed the next night by greater insomnia (counter action)."

"And thus, after each initial action of a potence that in large dosage strongly modifies the condition of the healthy body, our life force always and everywhere brings to pass, in the after action,

the exact opposite state (when, as stated, there really is such)."

Strong medicines in large doses tend to cause opposing counter actions from the life force. Sooner or later the vital force will oppose any medicine in a large dose (including homoeopathic) with antagonistic counter actions.

In Homoeopathy the vital force is exposed to a very small dose of a highly potentized substance that elicits a pure curative effects from the Lebenskraft without any over reactions.

Phase 4: Curative Action

Homoeopathic cures take place because of the unusually small dose of a high potency of a similar remedy (aphorism 68 with reference to 64, point 2). To this subtle medicinal disease the life force needs to use no more secondary effect than necessary to remove the new similar artificial disease and return the organism to complete recovery. There is no state in nature that is exactly the opposite of a simillimum in the correct potency and a minimum dose.

Due to the extraordinary high potency and small amount of the remedy the primary action gently overtunes the natural disease without any aggravation (primary action- 63).

After this the life principle seeks to assert its superiority by removing the remedy mistuning from without by returning to full health and vitality within (counter action - curative action - 64B).

"If there is no state in nature exactly opposite to the initial action, the life force appears to strive to assert its superiority by extinguishing the alteration produced in itself from without (by the medicine), in place of which it reinstates its norm (after-action, curative-action)."

This healing process ideally takes place with no aggravations, no crisis, and no overly noticeable reactions other than the rapid restoration of health and vitality (148). That is the goal of the Similia Minimus of the 6^th Organon.

High potency centesimals made on machines with many dilutions with strong succussions produce aggravations at the start of treatment that limit the curative secondary effect of the vital force.

In the LM method the gentle primary effect of the remedy replaces the natural disease without aggravation at the start of treatment and produces a long enduring gentle curative effect in the life force that removes the remedy disease from without and returns to full and health vitality within.

With the LM potency there is no need for a crisis-like aggravation to cure natural diseases. The proper LM simillimum in the minimal dose produces rapid transformations to the state of health and the restoration of vitality without any noticeable excessive reactions.

The 6^th Organon demonstrate the foolishness of those who say the vital force removes no mistuning and plays no active role in healing. Like the mechanists of the old school they think of cure only in terms of a medicinal power rather then a combination of the remedy action and the curative effect of the Lebenskraft, the Vigor Vita.

H. spoke of the essential role of life force, in the Preface to the Introduction of the 6^th Organon in 1842.

"Homoeopathy is aware that a cure can only succeed through the COUNTER-ACTION of the LIFE FORCE against the CORRECTLY CHOSEN MEDICINE. The stronger the life force that still prevails in the patient, the more certain and faster the cure that takes place".

H. confirmed Paris, 184-." [capitals DL]

The correct dose of the LM potency in medicinal solution produces a non-aggressive primary action, no aggravations, and a long enduring gentle curative effect by the life principle.

Even during the curative response the remedy may still be repeated at suitable intervals when it is necessary to speed the cure. The curative reaction of the vital force is not disrupted by the repetition of the minimal size dose of the medicinal solution of the remedy as is witnessed by the repetition of the dry dose.

The cycle of healing with the LM remedy is - small liquid dose - no aggravation - enduring gentle secondary effect - removal of the remedial disease - cessation of remedy duration - the complete return of health and full vitality.

This demonstrates the important role that H. gave to the Lebenskraft in the 6^th Organon. The goal of the LM strategy is a smooth, continuous, graduated ascent to health and vitality through

30 microtonal potencies without aggravations.

Actions of the Centesimal Remedies

H. wrote in the 5^th Organon (1833) that the C potency tends to produces aggravations within one to two weeks after the administration of a C potency in chronic diseases.

In 1833 H. still thought that he had to compel the vital force to increase its energy through crisis-like aggravation to produce a enduring curative effect over time. This phenomenon is so common with the dry C pellets that many homoeopaths still think they must aggravate to compel the vital force to cure.

H. changed his opinion about the need for aggravation when he discovered the LM potency and the split-dose of the medicinal solution in the 1840s.

The remedial powers of the centesimal scale reaches its peak very quickly, promotes crisis, and then brings on a longer duration of secondary action. The Kentian high potency system has become the modern potency standard with great jumps of potency levels between 30c - 200c - 1M - 10M - 50M - CM, etc.

This trend was established by H. as he quite commonly used the 30c, 200c and experimented with the 1M. These large jumps in potency cause a quick vertical arc of the potency scale in the upward direction.

Even in medicinal solution the 200c and 1M tend to aggravate toward the beginning of the treatment rather than the end. This is due to the 100 to 1 dilution ratio and strong succussions.

The nature of the centesimal potencies is quick in their onset as they reach aggravation at the beginning of the treatment when the pathology is at its maximum and the vitality the weakest.

This tendency is still witnessed (although in a modified form) in the Cs in medicinal solutions. The power of the C potency is most similar to rapid onset, quick crisis, and the aggressive power of

the Cs is similar to accidents, trauma, crisis, strong acute diseases, virulent acute miasms, crisis or acerbations of the chronic states and miasms, the functional states of the chronic diseases, and chronic states that start with strong crisis and then progress over a longer duration.

The large increases in potency degrees of the centesimal potencies enhance the aggressive nature of the 1/100 dilution ratio and the centesimal potency system. The medicinal solution moderates

the aggressive tendencies of the Cs but they still tend to aggravate more quickly, more forcefully, and for longer duration than the correctly given LM potencies.

Actions of the LM Potencies

Chronic diseases often have an insidious onset, slowly increasing pathology, and reach crisis after a longer period of years. The LM potency is subtle in its onset, uses a series of slowly increasing potencies, and they reach aggravation at the end of the treatment.

The LM potency scale is homoeopathic to many chronic diseases and miasms. In the 6^th Organon (1843) H. wrote that the LM scale produces aggravations at the end of the treatment when the

patient is completely well if the dose is controlled.

By the publication of the 6^th Organon H. no longer believed it was necessary to compel the vital force to cure through aggravations. There are no aggravations with the LM potency if the remedy

is slowed down as the patient improves and stopped at the correct time.

This effect is enhanced with the C's in medicinal solution but their nature still tends toward a quicker aggravation due to their 1 to 100 dilution ratio.

Partial simillimums tend to change the natural symptom patterns too quickly calling for a new more perfect remedy. For this reason, the first prescription is a very important moment in every case.

If the remedy is a true simillimum the patient can be exposed to longer series of LM potencies 0/1, 0/2, 0/3 to 0/30 until cure is completed over a longer period of time. The LM potencies are a gradually increasing microtonal scale of 30 potency degrees that are very similar to the slowly increasing symptoms of degenerative disease and miasms. This is why they are so well suited to chronic degenerative diseases and miasms.

The LMs tend to aggravate at the end of treatment when the pathology is healed and vitality restored. This is a sign that the remedy is no longer needed. If the remedy is slowed down as the patient improves, there will be no aggravation at the end of treatment.

The C potencies have a rapid onset and reach aggravation at the beginning of treatment when the patient is the most ill and the weakest. This is not the best situation. This is another reason why the LMs are suitable for many inherited and acquired chronic diseases and miasms.

The properly adjusted LM also works well on serious trauma, virulent acute disorders, and crisis. Here the higher opening potencies (0/3-0/6) are sometimes of use although most cases resolve on

LM 0/1 -3.

We have discussed some of the difference between the remedial powers of the C and LM potency that makes them complementary opposites. Once the homoeopaths understand the inner nature

of the Cs and LMs they will understand how to use them at the correct times.

The Paris casebooks show that Hahnemann often used his centesimal potencies for crisis and acute diseases and switched to the LM potencies for constitutional treatment and miasms. This is not an absolute rule but a tendency one sees throughout the cases of his last three years (1840-1843).

Part 5: Administering the LM Potencies

The 3c is called the mother of all potencies because it is the root of the centesimal scale and LM potency scale. The LM base potency is made from the 3c potency. H.'s low potencies were the

6c, 12, 24, 30, and his high potencies reached 50c to 200c and the LM 0/1 to 0/30.

In some ways, the LM potencies possess many of the positive qualities of both low and high potencies in balance.

The lower degrees of the LM potency are deeper acting then the 6c to 30c but they are also more gentle than 200c or 1M on the constitution. They reach a depth of cure without producing the overly strong primary actions and rapid aggravations like the high Cs. They have the stability and consistency of the low potency C's but the power to cure deep chronic diseases and miasms like the high potencies.

One can tell from H.'s Paris journals that the Founder considered the LM 0/1 a higher potency than 30c as he sometimes started people with a 30c for the acute and then switched to the LM potency for the chronic conditions.

Also if the lower potencies up to 30c were insufficient, he would then switch to the LM scale and work upward. In some cases, he began with an anti-psoric in 30c and then moved over to the LMs.

He also stated in the Organon that the 50,000 to 1 dilution ratio is more powerful than the 100/1 ratio even at the lowest degrees. One reason is that many succussions can be used without "forcing" any excess energy into the pharmaceutical solution.

The LMs are not a "low potency" remedy that can be given daily or every other day for weeks in some mechanical fashion. They aggravate just like all other homoeopathic remedies if misused.

I know this personally because I aggravated a number of cases in the beginning of my LM career. I quickly found out that the LM 0/1 would aggravate certain sensitive patients and those with organic pathology.

In general, aggravations caused by LMs are of a shorter duration than the high centesimal potencies. This is another reason they are safer then the ultra high potency centesimals in many conditions.

The LM potency has the best qualities of the high and low potency without the aggressive primary actions of the Cs.

If the patient will over react to the action of potencies higher then 30c it is best to use the lower potency Cs like 6c, 12c, 24c, 30c. I tend to use the lower centesimal potencies in medicinal solution and the split-dose where I fear aggravations, pathology, and crisis. Then I work my way up to the 30c and change to the LM 0/1 and go through the LM scale.

These people do not do very well on 200c, 1M, etc. In fact, many of them are incurable by the centesimal potency system alone. Hahnemann used this method also, although I did not confirm this fact until I studied his casebooks many years later.

It is a false claim to say that the LMs cannot aggravate so they can be given daily or every other day for weeks, months and years. Some suggest giving potencies like LM 0/6, LM18, or some other odd potency daily rather than using the complete graduated potency scale 0/1 to 0/30 in an artistic manner.

The Paris casebooks show that Hahnemann never gave his remedies in such a mechanistic manner!

The healing artist takes into account the constitutional sensitivity or the nature of the disease so they individualize their dose and potency properly. Mechanical methods are prone to over medication.

Some use the LM potency but they do not understand how to apply the appropriate case management strategies contained in the 6^th Organon and Paris casebooks in the clinic.

Only When Necessary

In the footnote to aphorism 247 Hahnemann discusses what he said in the 5th Organon updated with the new LM posology methods of the 6th edition. When he introduces the concept of the daily dose he says that the LM potency may be taken daily "when necessary".

He also suggested starting the case with the "lowest degrees", which his Paris casebooks show to be 0/1 to 0/3, and more rarely, 0/4, 0/5, 0/6, 0/7. This is the first octave of LM potencies with the

LM 0/8 starting the next range.

When the daily dose is "not necessary" it will rapidly produce an over medicated state in which there will be aggravations or accessory symptoms that change the natural symptom pattern.

H. rarely used the daily dose for very long and always interspersed his doses with a period of placebo and a period of waiting and watching. The idea that H. gave the daily dose of the LMs for months or years is a complete myth as proven by his writings and Paris case journals.

The LM potency will cause aggravations and accessory symptoms just like every other homoeopathic remedy.

The Paris casebooks show that Hahnemann constantly alternated placebos with the remedy to control the power of the LM remedies. In his journals he never gave the alternate day dose for very long without a period of giving placebos and waiting and watching.

The 6^th Organon offers a guidebook on how to use the LM potency scale safely and effectively through opening in the lowest degrees (0/1., 0/2., 0/3, etc.) and then ascending through the potency range (0/30).

H.'s opening potencies were 0/1 to 0/7. In most cases he started with LM 0/1., 0/2., 0/3 in his last years. LMs must be treated with the same respect as all high potencies like 60c, 90c, 100c and 200c. The mechanical repetition of the LM potency will lead to over medication just like any other homoeopathic medicine.

There is quite a bit of misunderstanding on this point. Over medication always causes side effects, changes the natural symptom pattern, and slows down the cure.

There are many times when a low potency like 30c can only palliate yet the 200c causes unproductive aggravations that weaken the vitality. This is because the pathology is too deep for the low potency (6c-30c), and the high potencies (200c-1M) only cause aggravations without amelioration and loss of vitality.

In such cases, the LM potency will cure when the centesimal potency will only palliate or cause harm. This is an area where the LMs act more gently and safely than high potency Cs if carefully adjusted. The LM potency is also useful in the elderly where the high potency C's may be counter productive but cure is still possible.

Part 6: Confessions of an Aspiring Homeopath

I studied in the school of "hard knocks" but I have tried to learn by my mistakes. I started as a 4^th Organon Kentian homoeopath and I still study Kent as he is one of my favorite teachers.

It took me ten years before I seriously tested H.'s Similia Minimus found in the Organon. The first time I read the Organon I began to doubt the Kentian teachings that the "size of the dose has no effect on remedial actions".

For this reason, I stopped giving a random number of pills under the illusion that the size of the dose makes no differences. Now I was using only a few carefully chosen little pills as a dose.

To my surprise I did see less aggravations, especially when using high potencies like the 200c, 1M and 10M.

At this time, many homoeopaths were just throwing a random number of pills in the mouth of the patient as a dose. Then the pharmacies started to make "single dose packs" which contain a large number of pills.

When I read how small H.'s doses were in the 5^th Organon I thought that the dose must be "too small". One pill looks so small in that great big bottle so I used more. The true power of the Minimus had not yet dawned in my mind because I was still trying to give the largest dose instead of the minimal.

At last, I decided to test the methods of the 5^th edition (1833), the 1837 Paris edition of the Chronic Diseases, and the 6th edition (1842) in that order in a long clinical trial in India.

Yes, I finally tried 1 tiny little poppy seed size pill to make a 7 tablespoon medicinal solution. Then I thought, "If I am not going to give a single dose and wait and watch for a relapse, then what am

I going to do?" It is a very common fault to read the 6^th Organon without paying much attention to the fine print in the footnotes.

In the main text H. says the LMs can be given daily or on alternate days but the fine print in the footnotes says "when necessary." So first I gave the daily and alternate day dose when it was "not necessary" in a mechanical fashion causing unneeded aggravations in a certain percentage of cases.

I could tell in the first months that the LM potency was a very deep acting potency which possesses a unique quality when given in its proper small dose. I also knew it was easy to over medicate the patient if the LMs are given in a mechanical fashion every day or every other day.

Then I read the first sentence of aphorism 246 of the 6^th Organon more closely.

"During treatment, every noticeably progressing and conspicuously increasing improvement is a state which, as long as it persists, generally excludes any repetition of the medicine being used because all the good being produced by the medicine is still hastening towards completion."

This aphorism is very similar to aphorism 245 of the 5^th Organon (1833) Dudgeon edition.

"Every perceptibly progressive and striking increasing amelioration in a transient (acute) or persistent (chronic) disease, is a condition, which as long as it lasts, completely precludes every repetition of the administration of any medicine whatsoever, because all the good the medicine taken continues to effect is now HASTENING toward completion"

Part 7: Aphorism 246 of the 6^th Organon

Aphorism 245 and 246 of the 5^th edition are combined and rewritten in the final 6th edition making one very long paragraph.

H. first says that any noticeably progressing and strikingly increasing improvement during treatment excludes the repetition of the remedy because the cure is already hastening to take place.

This means that any time a single dose, or a series of doses, causes a strikingly progressive improvement any repetition is counter indicated for the time being. This is because the vital force is moving toward the cure at a maximum rate and any more doses will only slow down the cure.

Then the Founder takes up the subject when a single dose only causes a "slow, continuous improvement" that may take over 50, 60, or 100 days to complete the cure. In these cases the split-dose of the medicinal solution may speed the cure to 1/2, 1/4, or less the time it takes the single static dry dose.

This goal may be accomplished under five conditions.

The remedy must be a true homoeopathic simillimum.

The remedy should be administered in medicinal solution.

It must be administered in the smallest of doses.

The medicinal solution should be repeated at suitable intervals.

Each dose should be succussed prior to administering the dose.

This is the basis of H.'s advanced posology that teaches when to wait and watch as well as when to act according to circumstances. This is what H. called the middle path approach to posology.

Homoeopathy is a system of flexible response in which the methods of adjusting the dose are central to case management.

In the 1840s Hahnemann administered 30c to 6c in their descending order starting from the 30^th as he suggested in the Chronic Diseases (1828). At the same time, he was raising his high potency centesimals like the 198c, 199c and 200c and the LM potencies (0/1- 0/30) starting at the lowest degrees (0/1-0/7).

H. wrote that the ratio of individual sensitivity varies on a scale of 1 to 1000 (aph. 281). Doses that will not affect a number 1 sensitivity will cause prolonged aggravations in the number 1000 sensitivity. For this reason, the Founder used the medicinal solution and the methods of adjusting the potency and size of the dose.

I quickly found that the LM 0/1 was actually too high a potency for oversensitive patients, even if diluted in 2 or 3 dilution glasses. Such remedies could not be repeated in many sensitive constitutions.

In some cases I switched to the 6c -30c range and the patients did much better. When I worked them up to the 30c, I would then switch them to LM 0/1 rather than give them a 200c. I learned that such constitutions do not tolerate the large jump in potency offered by 30c, 200c,.1M, 10M, 50M, etc..

In those cases that were too sensitive to tolerate the LM 0/1, I began with low potency C's and then worked them up to the 30c and finally the LM 0/1.

This works well with heavy organic pathology, hypersensitivity, allergies, old chronic diseases, one-sided states, and weakened vitality. I have done this in many cases and it works very well.

When I began to study the microfiches of the Paris casebooks I noticed immediately that Hahnemann used his lower potencies (30c-6c) on certain case. He did not give everyone high potency Cs and LMs. I also noticed that he lowered the potency scale from 30c to 24c, etc., in the 1840s just like he did in 1828. At the same time, he raised his high potency Cs (198c, 199c, 200c) and LM potencies (0/1-0/30).

The LMs act smoothly for their remedial powers considering their high potency actions. For this reason, the LMs are far more suitable than the 200c and 1M for a good number of patients.

The large gaps between the 30c, 200c, 1M and 10M Centesimal are too large for many constitutions and chronic conditions. This Kentian system only offers 7 potencies while there are 30 different micro tonal LM potencies.

These individuals usually do very well on the LMs when they are given properly. If they take 200c or 1M (esp. the dry dose) it causes unproductive aggravations and accessory symptoms.

These are some of the differences. The LMs are safe and effective when the potency, succussions, and dose are individualized and the patient is not over-medicated.

This microtonal series of 30 graduated LM potencies is much more similar to the development of degenerative chronic diseases and miasms then the radical jumps of the centesimals. For this reason it is naturally suited to slow developing, long lasting chronic diseases and miasms.

It has only been in the last few years that I have the advantage of reading the microfiches of H.'s Paris Casebooks. This allowed me to personally review the records of his cases from the LM period (1840-1843).

By carefully reading the 6^th Organon and the Paris casebooks much more information has come to light. I only wish I had access to all this lost information when I was young.

This situation is finally starting to change as homoeopaths experienced in the 4^th Organon method take up experiments with the revisions introduced in 5^th (1833) and 6^th editions (1842).

Today's students are better educated and have more literature then we did back in 1970. Those who are well trained in the classical methods of the 4^th Organon and the single dose wait and watch method are in a good position to test the Paris methods of the 1840s. Why?

The method of the Organon is an artistic method that must be individualized to the patient. There are no preconceived schedules that can guide one. The daily dose or alternate day dose may be correct for one person while one dose a week, month or year is sufficient in another.

Any time one gives too many doses one sees the side-effects of over medication. What a homoeopath learns is when to wait and watch as well as when to act to speed the cure. Much of modern posology is still 167 years behind the times but "the times they are a changing".

Part 8: Review of the C and LM Pharmacy

The following is a review of the C and LM pharmacy by potency actions, rather than comparison of the amount of original substance left in the dilution.

The Low Potencies 30c, 24c, 18c., 12c, 6c., 3c. The 30c is the median potency between the low and high potency systems and has some of the qualities of both.

The High Potencies.

A. The high potency Centesimals 200c and 1M (opening potencies), and the higher centesimal potencies 10M, 50M, CM, etc. (rarely used for opening a case).

B. The 50 Millesimals, the opening potencies, LM 0/1, 0/2, 0/3, 0/4,0/5, 0/6, 0/7. The middle range (rarely used for opening a case) LM 0/8, 0/9, 0/10 and the higher LM potencies, 0/11 to 0/30.

One of the first times H. tested the LM potency in 1840 he gave the 0/10! This caused a strong aggravation in the gentleman. He then gave the patient a placebo and waited and watched. After the aggravation had subsided, H. lowered the potency degree to avoid further aggravations.

In his last years H. tended to begin cases with LM 0/1, 0/2, 0/3 but occasionally opened a case with 0/4., 0/5., 0/6, 0/7. The medicinal solution is suitable for both the split-dose, and when needed, the split-dose given at suitable intervals to speed the cure.

[David Little]

For this reason the mineral constituents inherent in a plant or animal remedy deeply affect the nature of the provings and clinical confirmations. Farrington confirms this in his description of the animal remedies.

"Medicines derived from the animal kingdom act energetically and rapidly. They vary in intensity from the fatal snakebite to coral, sponges, etc. which are more or less modified by their mineral constituents".* Comparative Materia Medica, in Lachesis and other Allied Remedies, starting page 317.

The animal remedies in general are energetic and rapid in their actions. The most violent are the animal poison remedies taken from the Opidians. On the opposite end of the spectrum there is the animal remedy, Calc. usually listed with the mineral remedies. This remedy is known for its deep slow action and its cold, torpid, slow functions and stagnations rather than energy or violence which is represented by its acute complementary, Belladonna, a member of Solanaceae family. A snake moves quickly across the land while an oyster stays in the same place on the bottom of the sea. The high calcium content in the oyster shell is the responsible for the mineral symptoms observed in this mollusk. Nevertheless, one can not completely understand the nature of Calc. unless one studies the animal's marine habitat and life cycles.

The first homoeopathic materia medica was Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura, which appeared in six parts from 1811 to 1821. This grand work was based on the provings of the First Provers Union that formed around Hahnemann in Leipsic. The 'Pura' contains 63 remedies which can be subdivided into 15 minerals, 46 plants, and 2 animal remedies. Even during these early years the Founder was studying the nature of what he called 'miasmic animalcule' and their relationships to acute and chronic diseases.

Hahnemann experienced great success in the treatment of acute diseases, but as early as 1816 he noticed the general constitutional health of his patients was slowly declining regardless of his treatment.

Of these chronic cases he lamented "their beginning was promising, the continuation less favorable, the outcome hopeless." As the Founder pondered the nature of this continual deterioration, he began to search for the underlying cause of these chronic maladies. For 12 years Hahnemann quietly investigated the nature of the chronic diseases that were resisting his homoeopathic treatment.

The Chronic Diseases

The outcome of Hahnemann's research was published in 1828 in the first edition of “The Chronic Diseases”, their Peculiar Nature and their Homeopathic Cure. This work made public for the first time Hahnemann's doctrine of the Psora and the chronic miasms as well as the anti miasmic remedies. The miasm theory was then integrated into the 4th edition of Organon in 1829 which is the philosophical counterpart of the 1st Chronic Diseases. These publications led to the first major schism in the homeopathic school. With the introduction of the Psora theory and the 30c potency, Hahnemann went too far for some of his more conservative followers. They were more secure with the homoeopathy that Hahnemann taught in his early years and could not adapt to the new territory into which it was expanding.

As Hahnemann investigated these degenerative disorders he found that certain remedies covered the complete syndrome underlying chronic disease whereas others were only suitable for various injuries, traumas, crises, acute diseases and miasms, and the acute-acerbations of a chronic miasms. This led to the classification of homeopathic remedies into the two grand categories, psoric or anti miasmic remedies, and the apsoric or non miasmic medicines. In the “Chronic Diseases” Hahnemann introduced his new miasmic remedies because they had potential to remove the fundamental causes of chronic diseases rather then treating one or another of its symptom complexes.

A deep understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the miasms is necessary to apply Hahnemann's advanced methods. Many modern homoeopaths do not understand how to use the miasm theory

in a practical manner. Without this knowledge the homoeopath is practicing in the same manner as Hahnemann did in the early period (1805-1816). It was through the miasm theory that the principles of constitution, heredity, susceptibility, infection, suppression, primary, latent and secondary states, layers and obstacles to the cure were developed. Knowledge in these areas is essential to being a full homoeopathician.

The Antipsoric Medicines

Hahnemann wished to include a repertory of the anti-miasmic remedies in the “Chronic Diseases”. Unfortunately, he was unable to accomplish this goal. Baron von Boenninghausen came to the aid of the Hofrath by publishing a “Repertory of Anti-Psorics” (1832), The second edition was published in 1833 with a preface by Samuel Hahnemann. In this work the Baron introduced the gradation of remedies in numerical values and set the standard for all future repertories. This miasmic repertory specialized in only those chronic remedies which were fully antipsoric, antisycotic and antisyphilitic.

This work was soon followed by Boenninghausen's, “Repertory of Medicines Which Are Not Antipsoric” in 1835. The non miasmic repertory was composed of remedies which were for traumas, acute diseases and disorders as well as acute intercurrents while the miasmic repertory was for chronic degenerative diseases. Since Hahnemann's time no one has followed up on his plan to produce a specialized repertory for the chronic miasms. Boenninghausen then complemented these twin repertories with “The Therapeutic Pocketbook” in 1845. This completed the trinity of the Baron's repertories.

Of the 48 anti miasmic remedies in the “Chronic Diseases” (1828), 33 are minerals, 13 plants, and 3 animal remedies. The “Materia Medica Pura” contained 63 remedies of which only 15 are minerals,

46 plants, and 2 animal remedies. So we can see that the mineral remedies are at the core of the treatment of chronic miasms and their inherited diathetic constitutions. The relationship of the minerals remedies to the miasms and the other remedies in the three kingdoms was stressed by Hahnemann. Vide the Chronic Diseases, the Theoretical Part, page 244.

"As a rule it was developed from their pure symptoms, that most of the earths, alkalies and acids, as well as the neutral salts composed of them, together with several of the metals, cannot be dispensed with in curing the almost innumerable symptoms of Psora. The similarity in nature of the leading antipsoric, Sulphur to Phosphorus and other combustible substances from the vegetable and mineral kingdoms led to the use of the latter, and some animal substances naturally followed them by analogy, in agreement with experience."

Hahnemann was the first to study the similarity of the minerals to miasmic states as well as their complementary relationships to the remedies of the three kingdoms. This is witnessed in the three cardinal antipsorics, Sulphur (mineral), Calcarea (Mollusk) and Lycopodium (Fern Ally) which are complementaries. In the “Principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy” Herbert Roberts M.D. notes the following when discussing the carbon family remedies.

"In Boenninghausen's list [of antipsorics published in 1832] we find Am-c. Bar-c. Calc. Carb-a. Carb-v. Graph. Kali-c. Mag-c. Nat-c. Sep. all these have the characteristic carbon influence, even though associated with another element. It may seem strange to the casual student of materia medica to include Sepia in this list, but to the homoeopathician Sepia is the animal carbon."

The Founder mentioned the importance of 'analogy' and 'experience' in studying the relationships of remedies of the three kingdoms. The relationship of the carbons to Sepia is one such observation.

If homoeopaths work by analogy and experience the relationships within homogenous families and the greater materia medica can be uncovered. This is how the range of the provings is expanded and

new potential symptoms and clinical applications may be discovered.

Roberts points out that of the 33 minerals on the antipsoric list 30 are within the atomic weights of the elements contained in the human organism. The nutritional remedies act predominantly on the psoric and pseudo-psora TB miasm. The only remedies in the anti psoric list that have an atomic weight heavier then the body's constituents are Baryta, Platinum and Aurum. These remedies have proven themselves to be more commonly used for the effects of the venereal miasms with or without psora.

Hahnemann set the standard for the anti-venereal powers of the heavy elements by declaring Mercury as the cardinal remedy for the syphilitic miasm. Remedies toxic to the human body like Arg-met.

Aur-met. Cadm-met. Osm-met. Irid-met. Mercury, Nit-ac. Plat-met. Plb-met. and Radium are known for deep destructive processes that mimic venereal diseases as well as many chronic degenerative disorders. Nevertheless, these trends only represent tendencies as many of the nutritional minerals have multi-miasmic actions as do the heavier elements.

The list of psoric symptoms in the “Chronic Diseases” (1828) is the miasm theory in a seed state. In the introduction to Hempel’s translation of the “Organon”, Hering confirms that Hahnemann introduced a new miasm called pseudo-psora. The Founder divided the venereal diseases into sycosis and syphilis early in his career. Later he also separated the symptoms of psora from those of pseudopsora. In the first symptoms list in the “Chronic Diseases” (1828) Hahnemann unknowingly mixed the symptoms of Psora with the TB miasma, Pseudopsora. The Hofrath also included a few sycotic symptoms in the psora list.

As H. gained experience he noticed that he was observing two distinct non venereal miasms and began to reclassify their symptoms. He shared this information with Hering who was in America at the time. The Founder also told Boenninghausen that he was doing a detailed study of sycosis and would share his new symptoms list when finished. Unfortunately, Hahnemann was unable to finish this work before he left for his Heavenly Abode in 1843. We have yet to uncover his original miasmic notes although they may still exist.

The following therapeutic hints are offered as a commentary on the materia medica. The mineral family symptoms included are those observed by the author in the clinic and confirmed in materia medica studies. The brackets ( ) contain examples of mineral families or remedies known for the symptoms mentioned. I have not proposed any radical new concepts nor tried to develop the themes beyond my practical experience. There are, however, many interesting analogies and correspondences to be drawn between the mineral characteristics and the symptoms of the materia medica. Such insights often add greater understanding but they should not replace provings and clinical confirmations. Perhaps as our knowledge of the mineral world expands we can comment on this subject.

Therapeutic Hints

The minerals have a deep action on the metabolism and organic structures of the human organism. The elemental remedies have the potential to produce every disease known to the orthodox pathologist but each in their own characteristic way. For this reason the homoeopath studies each elemental family and their known relationships. In this quest we are assisted by the periodic table

of the elements and knowledge of chemistry.

Minerals and Constitutions

Many mineral remedies are similar to well known constitutional types. James Kent once remarked on how a homoeopath begins to recognize certain constitutional remedies by observation of their mind/body make up. This collection of essential constitutional signs is then confirmed by the characteristic symptoms.

"A great deal is presented that can be seen by looking at the patient, so we say this looks like a Nat Mur. patient. Experienced physicians learn to classify patients by the appearance."

The physical constitution and mental temperament of many polychrest minerals (Nat-m. Calc. Ferr-met. Phos. Ars.) have well recorded constitutional portraits. With experience the homoeopath

recognizes many such objective signs on first sight. Each mineral type is predisposed toward certain diathetic constitutions and psychological traits. The mineral remedies also have a close relationship

to the Hippocratic natural temperaments and the Mappa Mundi. Nit-ac. suited to the yellowish, brown, thin, dry, irritable, choleric temperaments that are angered easily and hold grudges. Calc. suited

to the white, cold, sweaty, slow, flabby, leucophlegmatic temperament. Ferrum is suited to the reddish, pseudo plethoric sanguine temperament that appears vital but underneath is pale, restless, and weak. Ars. suited to the blue-black, nervous, fastidious, nervous melancholic temperament. There are many more remedies, symptoms and temperaments but this should offer the reader the basic idea.

Minerals and Miasms

The minerals have a deep action on the rational spirit, intellect, intelligence, and memory (Geist). They are known for gradual onsets, long progressive actions, and deep pathologies. The minerals known for their multi-miasmic and the ability to treat several layers without changes of remedies. The nutritional mineral remedies have slow onsets, the heavy elements are insidious and more progressive, and the poisons violent and destructive. The heavier the atomic weight the more rapidly destructive the element is on the intellect and intelligence. The nutritional minerals tend to treat psora and the pseudo psora while the heavier metals are useful in removing the venereal miasms. These categories, however, are not exclusive titles as the minerals have multi miasmic powers.

The mineral remedies affect the organic structures of the human organism corroding the neuro-endocrine system, organs, tissues and fluids. The mineral complexion is discolored with various hues

(yellow, white, red, blue, brown, gray, etc.) showing deep seated dyscrasias leading to cachexia (a mixture of sickly colors showing multi miasmic pathology). The plants cause similar colors but are acute and brighter in hue while the animal remedies reflect violent colors related to animal poisons, toxins and venoms. The minerals corrupt the spirit, emotional disposition, brain, nerves, organs, glands, blood, nutrition, digestion, tissues, fluids and bones in a chronically progressive manner. The pains of the minerals are miasmic, deep, progressive and increase over time until they become unbearable. The psoric and pseudo-psoric remedies tend to be < in the day while the venereal remedies are < at night.

Slow Decline in Spirit, Intellect and Intelligence

The minerals have a great power on the rational spirit, intellect and intelligence (Geist). Their concentration progressively becomes more difficult, their memory declines, and they feel dullness with prostration of mind (Argentums, Ammoniums, Aurums, Barytas, Calcareas, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Phosphates, Platina, Silicas, Zinc, etc.). The minerals often begin with much activity but they end in exhaustion (Acids, Alumina, Arsenicum, Aurum, Ferrum, Murates, Nitrates, Phosphates, and the Sulphates). When the minerals become aware of their slow decline they try to hide it from others by trying harder to prove themselves. This usually ends in total exhaustion and failure, and in some cases, a decline into imbecility (Acids, Argentums, Arsenicum, Bartyas, Calcareas, Carbons, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Phosphates, Silicas, and Sulphates).

Need for Organization and Structure - Conflict between Stability and Freedom

The mineral temperament tends to need stability, solid bonds, good partnerships and desires organization and structure (S Block-Natrums, Kalis, Magnesiums, Calcareas) or they destroy organizations

and structures to prove their independence (P Block-Fluorides, Murates, Nitrates, Iodums, Phosphates, Sulphates). The combination of the S and P block elements makes up a good number of polychrest remedies with well known constitutions and temperamental portraits (Calc-c, Calc-f. Calc-m, Calc-i. Calc-p. Hep, Kali-b. Kali-p. Kali-i , Kali-s. Nat-c. Nat-m. Nat-p, Nat-s, Mag-c. Mag-m. Mag-p. Mag-s. etc..) Some of these remedies reflect being caught between the need for solid bonds and independence. In the beginning they desire fulfilling relationships and good partners, but as the disappointments mount, they become more resentful and need to prove that they can be independent. Some wish to have it both ways so they stay in dysfunctional relationships, although they wish for independence, and do not make changes rapidly.

Restlessness, Driven, Exhausted

The mineral remedies deeply affect the emotional disposition (Gemuet) with irritability and anxiety mixed with fear and tendency toward sleeplessness with anxious dreams. The mineral

temperament is restless, experiences deep anxieties, and gradually grows exhausted (Argentums, Arsenicums, Calcareas, Cuprums, Ferrums, Iodum, Kalis, Mercuries, Plumbum, Silicates, Sulphates, etc.). Their anxiety < in the evening sometimes driving them from the bed at night (Argentums, Arsenicums, Bismuth, Carbons, Causticum, Ferrum, Magnesium, Natrums). This restlessness may be due to emotional as well as physical pains. In the functional state their inner drive gives them strength but as they become more neurotic it transforms into a restless, driven, obsessive compulsive personality. This constant psychological strain leads toward exhaustion and eventual collapse.

Repressed Emotions and Fixed Personalities

Although the mineral temperament is quite intellectual they are affected deeply by emotions which are repressed by the rational mind only to reappear as compensation like hardness (Ammoniums, Arsenicums, Cuprums, Kalis, Natrums, Nitrates) or mildness (Alumina, Arsenicums, Aurum, Borax, Calcareas, Kalis, Natrums, Nitrates, Phosphates, Platina, Plumbum, Silica, Stannum, Sulphur, Zinc). The minerals are restless and driven and find it difficult to adapt psychologically to new circumstances or make personal changes. The presence of their shadowy emotions is apparent to others but they think they are still in control of the situation. If this control is lost they may become destructive and violent (Ammoniums, Aurums, Calcareas, Carbons, Iodum, Kalis, Natrums, Nitrates, Platina, Sulphates, Zinc, etc.).

Need for Recognition, Respect and Appreciation

The minerals like to be seen as prominent members of their peer group or family (Argentums, Arsenicums, Ferrum, Kalis, Paladium, Platina, Sulphates) although they have a difficult time in the office (Graphites, Mercuries, Natrums, Nitrates, Sulphates) and the home (Arsenicums, Calcareas, Kalis, Nitrates). If they do not acquire their goals in life they suffer as they wish to be looked up to by others (precious metals-Argentums, Aurum, Palladium, Platina) and can be very ego centered (Aurums, Causticum, Ferrum, Palladium, Platina, Silicates, Sulphates). A mineral temperament is confident when healthy, offended when criticized, resentful when hurt, and destructive when unforgiving.

Trouble Resolving Conflicts and Feeling Safe

The mineral temperament has a long memory for those with whom they find fault and have trouble forgiving and forgetting past offenses (Acids, Ammoniums, Aurums, Calcareas, Manganese, Natrums, Nitrates,). If they do not get what they think is right they feel betrayed and have a hard time resolving conflicts. They worry and fear misfortune especially when they think their security is threatened and become paranoid (D Block-transition elements, Manganese, Ferrum, Cobalt, Nickel, Cuprum, Zinc, Paladium, Platina, Argentum, Aurum, Mercury, etc..). The mineral temperament has delusions that criminals, suspect individuals, and bad people are about (Alumina, Ammoniums, Carbons, Causticum, Ferrums, Mercuries, Natrums, Nitrates, Silicates, Strontium, and Sulphates). They may project their fear and aversions on to certain persons, the opposite or same sex, or different ethnic groups and religions.

Discontented and Dissatisfied with Self and Others

The minerals become deeply discontented, displeased and dissatisfied if they perceive themselves as failures, disrespected, or miss attaining their goals. (Ammoniums, Antimonies, Calcareas, Cuprum, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Palladium, Platina, Silica, Stannum, Sulphates). They tend to dominate domestic affairs which is carried out by either control (Arsenicum, Ferrums, Kalis, and Natrums) or being over liberal with themselves (Fluorides, Phosphorus, Nitrates, and Sulphates). They are prone to holding others to their own standards and tend to be critical in their opinions (Alumina, Ammoniums, Arsenicum, Aurum, Bartyas, Bromium, Calcareas, Graphites, Kalis, Mercuries, Phosphates, Platina, and Sulphates). If they can't control their environment they become irritable, morose, cross, fretful, ill humor, peevish and quarrelsome causing them to scold and lecture.

Withdrawal and Abandonment

If the minerals do not get their way they have a tendency not to talk about the situation and would rather be alone (Acids, Bartyas, Carbons, Ferrums, Magnesiums, Natrums, Palladium, Phosphates, Selenium, Stannum, Sulphates). If they do not get what they desire they have delusions of being deserted, betrayed, abandoned, and forsaken (Argentums, Aurum, Carbons, Barytas, Kalis, Magnesiums, Natrums, Platina). The mineral temperament has a tendency to withdrawal into their own 'element'. They will fill their time with work or distractions to stay away from those they consider a problem especially their family (Ammoniums, Aurums, Calcareas, Fluoric Acid, Iodums, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Phosphates, Platina, Plumbum). They have aversions to certain persons they have never seen or those who have offended them in the past. (Ammoniums, Aurum, Calcarea, Causticum, Natrums, Nitrates, Selenium, Stannum). The constant decline of the spirit and emotional disposition coincides with withdrawal from reality and the abandonment of all healthy relationships. Their ultimate withdrawal is suicide and the abandonment of life itself.

The Stages of Life

1^st The minerals have a great effect on babies, youths and adolescents (times of great growth) as well as the middle age when the miasms begin to become more pathological. They must be used carefully during old age due to their deep actions and potential for unproductive aggravations. When the individual is in a functional state, the mineral temperaments provide support to others, and are stable personalities in the community and home. They have brilliant intellects and strong emotions and are often leaders among their peers. They work hard yet know how to enjoy themselves and are often successful. They have pride in their accomplishments and wish to be appreciated by people.

2^nd When the mineral temperament is placed under continual strain they become more controlled, resistive to changes, and have trouble adapting to stress. The second stage is full of struggle, strife, and contradictions as they fight to regain their former identity. The more they attempt to control their circumstances, the more they become anxious, frustrated and angry. As they become less successful in enforcing control their outbursts become more violent.

3^rd when the mineral temperament realizes that their intellect is degenerating causing loss of emotional control. This makes them feel less confident and more fearful, paranoid and depressed. This leads toward dark forebodings, feelings of failure, loss, gloom and melancholia (Alumina, Arsenicums, Ammoniums, Bromium, Calcareas, Carbons, Ferrums, Iridium, Kalis, Manganese, Mercuries, Murates, Natrums, Nitrates, Platina, Plumbum, Selenium, Stannums, Sulphates, and Zincs).

4^th the exhaustion, melancholia and delusions make them feel doomed (Arsenicum, Aurum, Kalis, Natrums, Platina, Sulphates). As their intellect continues to decline they feel they are losing their hold

on life which makes them think of suicide (Alumina, Antimonies, Aurums, Calcareas, Mercuries, Natrums, Sulphates, Zinc). When they lose control of their repressed subconscious material they may become truly insane (Antimonies, Arsenicums, Aurums, Bartyas, Calcareas, Cuprums, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Phosphates, Platina, Sulphates, etc.).

The decline of the intellect (Geist) and the emotional disposition (Gemuet) are progressive and slowly increasing undermining the very organic structure of the brain and psyche. Hahnemann noted the difference between a miasmic mental illness and a psychological disorder in the Organon. A miasmic mental illness becomes < psychological treatment while the emotional disorders > emotional treatment. Severe crisis must be treated with acute intercurrents until ameliorated and then followed by remedies for the fundamental causes associated with the chronic miasms.

The above represent some of the main symptoms I have noticed running through a great number of cases for which the mineral remedies were suited. Due to their essential role in building organic tissue, the mineral remedies are closely related to inherited constitutions, temperaments, miasms, and predispositions. They are useful in deeply complex miasmic diseases confounded by suppression and drug toxicity. The relationship of the minerals to complementary remedies within the plant, mineral and animal kingdoms is an essential study. The homoeopath often finds that a family of homogeneous remedies suits most of the circumstance and symptoms which arise during the course of treating a long lasting chronic disease. This includes the acute intercurrents, the anti-miasmic genus remedies, the chronic intercurrents, and the constitutional remedies found among the three kingdoms. The homoeopathician must learn when and how to apply all these remedies.

Part 2

[David Little] 1996-2007, all rights reserved.

The Remedies of the Mineral World

Since the earliest days of homoeopathy the relationships of remedies has been investigated very closely. These relationships include homogenous remedies of the same family as well as complementary relationships to other minerals, plants and animals. In order to carry out this research the homoeopath begins by studying the nature of the three kingdoms and their remedies. The minerals are the foundation of the structure of the earth and all organic living things on Gaia. For this reason the mineral constituents inherent in a plant or animal remedy deeply affect the nature of the provings and clinical confirmations. Farrington confirms this in his description of the animal remedies.

"Medicines derived from the animal kingdom act energetically and rapidly. They vary in intensity from the fatal snakebite to coral, sponges, etc. which are more or less modified by their mineral constituents".*

*Comparative Materia Medica, in Lachesis and other Allied Remedies, starting page 317.

The animal remedies in general are energetic and rapid in their actions. The most violent are the animal poison remedies taken from the Opidians. On the opposite end of the spectrum there is the animal remedy, Calc. which is usually listed with the mineral remedies. This remedy is known for its deep slow action and its cold, torpid, slow functions and stagnations rather than energy or violence which is represented by its acute complementary, Bell. a member of Solanaceae family. A snake moves quickly across the land while an oyster stays in the same place on the bottom of the sea. The high calcium content in the oyster shell is the responsible for the mineral symptoms observed in this mollusk. Nevertheless, one can not completely understand the nature of Calc. unless one studies the animal's marine habitat and life cycles.

The first homoeopathic materia medica was Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura, which appeared in six parts from 1811 to 1821. This grand work was based on the provings of the First Provers Union that formed around Hahnemann in Leipsic. The 'Pura' contains 63 remedies which can be subdivided into 15 minerals, 46 plants, and 2 animal remedies. Even during these early years the Founder was studying the nature of what he called 'miasmic animalcule' and their relationships to acute and chronic diseases.

Hahnemann experienced great success in the treatment of acute diseases, but as early as 1816 he noticed the general constitutional health of his patients was slowly declining regardless of his treatment. Of these chronic cases he lamented "their beginning was promising, the continuation less favorable, the outcome hopeless." As the Founder pondered the nature of this continual deterioration, he began to search for the underlying cause of these chronic maladies. For 12 years Hahnemann quietly investigated the nature of the chronic diseases that were resisting his homoeopathic treatment.

The Chronic Diseases

The outcome of Hahnemann's research was published in 1828 in the first edition of The Chronic Diseases, their Peculiar Nature and their Homeopathic Cure. This work made public for the first time Hahnemann's doctrine of the Psora and the chronic miasms as well as the anti miasmic remedies. The miasm theory was then integrated into the 4th edition of Organon in 1829 which is the philosophical counterpart of the 1st Chronic Diseases. These publications led to the first major schism in the homeopathic school. With the introduction of the Psora theory and the 30c potency, Hahnemann went too far for some of his more conservative followers. They were more secure with the homoeopathy that Hahnemann taught in his early years and could not adapt to the new territory into which it was expanding.

As Hahnemann investigated these degenerative disorders he found that certain remedies covered the complete syndrome underlying chronic disease whereas others were only suitable for various injuries, traumas, crises, acute diseases and miasms, and the acute-acerbations of a chronic miasms. This led to the classification of homeopathic remedies into the two grand categories, psoric or anti miasmic remedies, and the apsoric or non miasmic medicines. In the Chronic Disease Hahnemann introduced his new miasmic remedies because they had potential to remove the fundamental causes of chronic diseases rather then treating one or another of its symptom complexes.

A deep understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the miasms is necessary to apply Hahnemann's advanced methods. Many modern homoeopaths do not understand how to use the miasm theory in a practical manner. Without this knowledge the homoeopath is practicing in the same manner as Hahnemann did in the early period (1805-1816). It was through the miasm theory that the principles of constitution, heredity, susceptibility, infection, suppression, primary, latent and secondary states, layers and obstacles to the cure were developed. Knowledge in these areas is essential to being a full homoeopathician.

The Antipsoric Medicines

Hahnemann wished to include a repertory of the anti-miasmic remedies in the Chronic Diseases. Unfortunately, he was unable to accomplish this goal. Baron von Boenninghausen came to the aid of H. by publishing a “Repertory of Anti-Psorics” (1832), The second edition was published in 1833 with a preface by Samuel Hahnemann. In this work the Baron introduced the gradation of remedies in numerical values and set the standard for all future repertories. This miasmic repertory specialized in only those chronic remedies which were fully antipsoric, antisycotic and antisyphilitic.

This work was soon followed by Boenninghausen's, “Repertory of Medicines Which Are Not Antipsoric” in 1835. The non miasmic repertory was composed of remedies which were for traumas, acute diseases and disorders as well as acute intercurrents while the miasmic repertory was for chronic degenerative diseases. Since Hahnemann's time no one has followed up on his plan to produce a specialized repertory for the chronic miasms. Boenninghausen then complemented these twin repertories with “The Therapeutic Pocketbook” in 1845. This completed the trinity of the Baron's repertories.

Of the 48 anti miasmic remedies in the Chronic Diseases (1828), 33 are minerals, 13 plants, and 3 animal remedies. The Materia Medica Pura contained 63 remedies of which only 15 are minerals, 46 plants, and 2 animal remedies. So we can see that the mineral remedies are at the core of the treatment of chronic miasms and their inherited diathetic constitutions. The relationship of the minerals remedies to the miasms and the other remedies in the three kingdoms was stressed by Hahnemann. Vide the Chronic Diseases, the Theoretical Part, page 244.

"As a rule it was developed from their pure symptoms, that most of the earths, alkalies and acids, as well as the neutral salts composed of them, together with several of the metals, cannot be dispensed with in curing the almost innumerable symptoms of Psora. The similarity in nature of the leading antipsoric, Sulphur to Phosphorus and other combustible substances from the vegetable and mineral kingdoms led to the use of the latter, and some animal substances naturally followed them by analogy, in agreement with experience."

Hahnemann was the first to study the similarity of the minerals to miasmic states as well as their complementary relationships to the remedies of the three kingdoms. This is witnessed in the three cardinal antipsorics, Sulphur (mineral), Calcarea (Mollusk) and Lycopodium (Fern Ally) which are complementaries. In the Principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy Herbert Roberts M.D. notes the following when discussing the carbon family remedies.

"In Boenninghausen's list [of antipsorics published in 1832] we find Am-c. Bar-c. Calc. Carb-a. Carb-v. Graph. Kali-c. Mag-c. Nat-c. Sep.; all these have the characteristic carbon influence, even though associated with another element. It may seem strange to the casual student of materia medica to include Sepia in this list, but to the homoeopathician Sepia is the animal carbon."

H. mentioned the importance of 'analogy' and 'experience' in studying the relationships of remedies of the three kingdoms. The relationship of the carbons to Sepia is one such observation. If homoeopaths work by analogy and experience the relationships within homogenous families and the greater materia medica can be uncovered. This is how the range of the provings is expanded and new potential symptoms and clinical applications may be discovered.

Roberts points out that of the 33 minerals on the antipsoric list 30 are within the atomic weights of the elements contained in the human organism. The nutritional remedies act predominantly on the psoric and pseudo-psora TB miasm. The only remedies in the anti psoric list that have an atomic weight heavier then the body's constituents are Baryta, Platinum and Aurum. These remedies have proven themselves to be more commonly used for the effects of the venereal miasms with or without psora.

Hahnemann set the standard for the anti-venereal powers of the heavy elements by declaring Mercury as the cardinal remedy for the syphilitic miasm. Remedies toxic to the human body like Argentum, Aurum, Cadmium, Osmium, Iridium, Mercury, Nitric Acid, Platina,, Plumbum, and Radium are known for deep destructive processes that mimic venereal diseases as well as many chronic degenerative disorders. Nevertheless, these trends only represent tendencies as many of the nutritional minerals have multi-miasmic actions as do the heavier elements.

The list of psoric symptoms in the Chronic Diseases (1828) is the miasm theory in a seed state. In the introduction to Hempel’s translation of the Organon, Hering confirms that Hahnemann introduced a new miasm called pseudo-psora. The Founder divided the venereal diseases into sycosis and syphilis early in his career. Later he also separated the symptoms of psora from those of pseudopsora. In the first symptoms list in the Chronic Diseases (1828) Hahnemann unknowingly mixed the symptoms of Psora with the TB miasma, Pseudopsora. The Hofrath also included a few sycotic symptoms in the psora list.

As H. gained experience he noticed that he was observing two distinct non venereal miasms and began to reclassify their symptoms. He shared this information with Hering who was in America

at the time. The Founder also told Boenninghausen that he was doing a detailed study of sycosis and would share his new symptoms list when finished. Unfortunately, Hahnemann was unable

to finish this work before he left for his Heavenly Abode in 1843. We have yet to uncover his original miasmic notes although they may still exist.

The following therapeutic hints are offered as a commentary on the materia medica. The mineral family symptoms included are those observed by the author in the clinic and confirmed in materia medica studies. The brackets ( ) contain examples of mineral families or remedies known for the symptoms mentioned. I have not proposed any radical new concepts nor tried to develop the themes beyond my practical experience. There are, however, many interesting analogies and correspondences to be drawn between the mineral characteristics and the symptoms of the materia medica.

Such insights often add greater understanding but they should not replace provings and clinical confirmations. Perhaps as our knowledge of the mineral world expands we can comment on this subject.

Therapeutic Hints

The minerals have a deep action on the metabolism and organic structures of the human organism. The elemental remedies have the potential to produce every disease known to the orthodox pathologist but each in their own characteristic way. For this reason the homoeopath studies each elemental family and their known relationships. In this quest we are assisted by the periodic table of the elements and knowledge of chemistry.

Minerals and Constitutions

Many mineral remedies are similar to well known constitutional types. James Kent once remarked on how a homoeopath begins to recognize certain constitutional remedies by observation of their mind/body make up. This collection of essential constitutional signs is then confirmed by the characteristic symptoms.

"A great deal is presented that can be seen by looking at the patient, so we say this looks like a Nat Mur. patient. Experienced physicians learn to classify patients by the appearance."

The physical constitution and mental temperament of many polychrest minerals (Nat-m. Calc. Ferr-met. Phos. Ars. etc.) have well recorded constitutional portraits. With experience the homoeopath recognizes many such objective signs on first sight. Each mineral type is predisposed toward certain diathetic constitutions and psychological traits. The mineral remedies also have a close relationship to the Hippocratic natural temperaments and the Mappa Mundi. Nit-ac. suited to the yellowish, brown, thin, dry, irritable, choleric temperaments that are angered easily and hold grudges. Calc. suited to the white, cold, sweaty, slow, flabby, leucophlegmatic temperament. Ferr-met. suited to the reddish, pseudo plethoric sanguine temperament that appears vital but underneath is pale, restless, and weak. Ars. suited to the blue-black, nervous, fastidious, nervous melancholic temperament. There are many more remedies, symptoms and temperaments but this should offer the reader the basic idea.

Minerals and Miasms

The minerals have a deep action on the rational spirit, intellect, intelligence, and memory (Geist). They are known for gradual onsets, long progressive actions, and deep pathologies. The minerals are

known for their multi-miasmic and the ability to treat several layers without changes of remedies. The nutritional mineral remedies have slow onsets, the heavy elements are insidious and more progressive, and the poisons are violent and destructive. The heavier the atomic weight the more rapidly destructive the element is on the intellect and intelligence. The nutritional minerals tend to treat psora and the pseudo psora while the heavier metals are useful in removing the venereal miasms. These categories, however, are not exclusive titles as the minerals have multi miasmic powers.

The mineral remedies affect the organic structures of the human organism corroding the neuro-endocrine system, organs, tissues and fluids. The mineral complexion is discolored with various hues

(yellow, white, red, blue, brown, gray, etc.) showing deep seated dyscrasias leading to cachexia (a mixture of sickly colors showing multi miasmic pathology). The plants cause similar colors but are acute and brighter in hue while the animal remedies reflect violent colors related to animal poisons, toxins and venoms. The minerals corrupt the spirit, emotional disposition, brain, nerves, organs, glands, blood, nutrition, digestion, tissues, fluids and bones in a chronically progressive manner. The pains of the minerals are miasmic, deep, progressive and increase over time until they become unbearable. The psoric and pseudo-psoric remedies tend to be worse < in the day while the venereal remedies are worse < at night.

Slow Decline in Spirit, Intellect and Intelligence

The minerals have a great power on the rational spirit, intellect and intelligence (Geist). Their concentration progressively becomes more difficult, their memory declines, and they feel dullness with prostration of mind (Argentums, Ammoniums, Aurums, Bartyas, Calcareas, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Phosphates, Platina, Silicas, Zinc, etc.). The minerals often begin with much activity but they end in exhaustion (Acids, Alum. Ars. Aur-met. Ferr-met. Murates, Nitrates, Phosphates, and the Sulphates). When the minerals become aware of their slow decline they try to hide it from others by trying harder to prove themselves. This usually ends in total exhaustion and failure, and in some cases, a decline into imbecility (Acids, Argentums, Arsenicum, Bartyas, Calcareas, Carbons, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Phosphates, Silicas, and Sulphates).

Need for Organization and Structure - Conflict between Stability and Freedom

The mineral temperament tends to need stability, solid bonds, good partnerships and desires organization and structure (S Block-Natrums, Kalis, Magnesiums, Calcareas) or they destroy organizations and structures to prove their independence (P Block- Fluorides, Murates, Nitrates, Iodums, Phosphates, Sulphates). The combination of the S and P block elements makes up a good number of polychrest remedies with well known constitutions and temperamental portraits (Calc. Calc-f. Calc-m. Calc-i. Calc-p. Hep. Kali-b. Kali-p. Kali-i. Kali-s. Nat-c. Nat-m. Nat-p. Nat-s. Mag-c. Mag-m. Mag-p. Mag-s.) Some of these remedies reflect being caught between the need for solid bonds and independence. In the beginning they desire fulfilling relationships and good partners, but as the disappointments mount, they become more resentful and need to prove that they can be independent. Some wish to have it both ways so they stay in dysfunctional relationships, although they wish for independence, and do not make changes rapidly.

Restlessness, Driven, Exhausted

The mineral remedies deeply affect the emotional disposition (Gemuet) with irritability and anxiety mixed with fear and tendency toward sleeplessness with anxious dreams. The mineral temperament is restless, experiences deep anxieties, and gradually grows exhausted (Argentums, Arsenicums, Calcareas, Cuprums, Ferrums, Iodum, Kalis, Mercuries, Plumbum, Silicates, Sulphates, etc.).

Their anxiety is < in the evening sometimes driving them from the bed at night (Argentums, Arsenicums, Bismuth, Carbons, Causticum, Ferrum, Magnesium, Natrums). This restlessness may be

due to emotional as well as physical pains. In the functional state their inner drive gives them strength but as they become more neurotic it transforms into a restless, driven, obsessive compulsive personality. This constant psychological strain leads toward exhaustion and eventual collapse.

Repressed Emotions and Fixed Personalities

Although the mineral temperament is quite intellectual they are affected deeply by emotions which are repressed by the rational mind only to reappear as compensation like hardness (Ammoniums, Arsenicums, Cuprums, Kalis, Natrums, Nitrates) or mildness (Alumina, Arsenicums, Aurum, Borax, Calcareas, Kalis, Natrums, Nitrates, Phosphates, Platina, Plumbum, Silica, Stannum, Sulphur, Zinc). The minerals are restless and driven and find it difficult to adapt psychologically to new circumstances or make personal changes. The presence of their shadowy emotions is apparent to others but they think they are still in control of the situation. If this control is lost they may become destructive and violent (Ammoniums, Aurums, Calcareas, Carbons, Iodum, Kalis, Natrums, Nitrates, Platina, Sulphates, Zinc, etc.).

Need for Recognition, Respect and Appreciation

The minerals like to be seen as prominent members of their peer group or family (Argentums, Arsenicums, Ferrum, Kalis, Paladium, Platina, Sulphates) although they have a difficult time in the office (Graphites, Mercuries, Natrums, Nitrates, Sulphates) and the home (Arsenicums, Calcareas, Kalis, Nitrates). If they do not acquire their goals in life they suffer as they wish to be looked up to by others (precious metals-Argentums, Aurum, Palladium, Platina) and can be very ego centered (Aurums, Causticum, Ferrum, Palladium, Platina, Silicates, Sulphates). A mineral temperament is confident when healthy, offended when criticized, resentful when hurt, and destructive when unforgiving.

Trouble Resolving Conflicts and Feeling Safe

The mineral temperament has a long memory for those with whom they find fault and have trouble forgiving and forgetting past offenses (Acids, Ammoniums, Aurums, Calcareas, Manganese, Natrums, Nitrates,). If they do not get what they think is right they feel betrayed and have a hard time resolving conflicts. They worry and fear misfortune especially when they think their security is threatened and become paranoid (D Block-transition elements, Manganese, Ferrum, Cobalt, Nickel, Cuprum, Zinc, Paladium, Platina, Argentum, Aurum, Mercury, etc..). The mineral temperament has delusions that criminals, suspect individuals, and bad people are about (Alumina, Ammoniums, Carbons, Causticum, Ferrums, Mercuries, Natrums, Nitrates, Silicates, Strontium, and Sulphates). They may project their fear and aversions on to certain persons, the opposite or same sex, or different ethnic groups and religions.

Discontented and Dissatisfied with Self and Others

The minerals become deeply discontented, displeased and dissatisfied if they perceive themselves as failures, disrespected, or miss attaining their goals. (Ammoniums, Antimonies, Calcareas, Cuprum, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Palladium, Platina, Silica, Stannum, Sulphates). They tend to dominate domestic affairs which is carried out by either control (Arsenicum, Ferrums, Kalis, and Natrums) or being over liberal with themselves (Fluorides, Phosphorus, Nitrates, and Sulphates). They are prone to holding others to their own standards and tend to be critical in their opinions (Alumina, Ammoniums, Arsenicum, Aurum, Bartyas, Bromium, Calcareas, Graphites, Kalis, Mercuries, Phosphates, Platina, and Sulphates). If they can't control their environment they become irritable, morose, cross, fretful, ill humor, peevish and quarrelsome causing them to scold and lecture.

Withdrawal and Abandonment

If the minerals do not get their way they have a tendency not to talk about the situation and would rather be alone (Acids, Bartyas, Carbons, Ferrums, Magnesiums, Natrums, Palladium, Phosphates, Selenium, Stannum, Sulphates). If they do not get what they desire they have delusions of being deserted, betrayed, abandoned, and forsaken (Argentums, Aurum, Carbons, Bartiums, Kaliums, Magnesiums, Natriums, Platina). The mineral temperament has a tendency to withdrawal into their own 'element'. They will fill their time with work or distractions to stay away from those they consider a problem especially their family (Ammoniums, Aurums, Calciums, Fluoric acid, Iodums, Kaliums, Mercuries, Natriums, Phosphates, Platina, Plumbum). They have aversions to certain persons they have never seen or those who have offended them in the past. (Ammoniums, Aurum, Calcarea, Causticum, Natrums, Nitrates, Selenium, Stannum). The constant decline of the spirit and emotional disposition coincides with withdrawal from reality and the abandonment of all healthy relationships. Their ultimate withdrawal is suicide and the abandonment of life itself.

The Stages of Life

The minerals have a great effect on babies, youths and adolescents (times of great growth) as well as the middle age when the miasms begin to become more pathological. They must be used carefully during old age due to their deep actions and potential for unproductive aggravations. When the individual is in a functional state, the mineral temperaments provide support to others, and are stable personalities in the community and home. They have brilliant intellects and strong emotions and are often leaders among their peers. They work hard yet know how to enjoy themselves and are often successful. They have pride in their accomplishments and wish to be appreciated by people.

1^st When the mineral temperament is placed under continual strain they become more controlled, resistive to changes, and have trouble adapting to stress.

2^nd full of struggle, strife, and contradictions as they fight to regain their former identity. The more they attempt to control their circumstances, the more they become anxious, frustrated and angry.

As they become less successful in enforcing control their outbursts become more violent..

3^rd begins when the mineral temperament realizes that their intellect is degenerating causing loss of emotional control. This makes them feel less confident and more fearful, paranoid and depressed.

This leads toward dark forebodings, feelings of failure, loss, gloom and melancholia (Alumina, Arsenicums, Ammoniums, Bromium, Calcareas, Carbons, Ferrums, Iridium, Kalis, Manganese, Mercuries, Murates, Natrums, Nitrates, Platina, Plumbum, Selenium, Stannums, Sulphates, and Zincs).

4^th proceeds the exhaustion, melancholia and delusions make them feel doomed (Arsenicum, Aurum, Kalis, Natrums, Platina, Sulphates). As their intellect continues to decline they feel they are losing their hold on life which makes them think of suicide (Alumina, Antimonies, Aurums, Calcareas, Mercuries, Natrums, Sulphates, Zinc). When they lose control of their repressed subconscious material they may become truly insane (Antimonies, Arsenicums, Aurums, Bartyas, Calcareas, Cuprums, Kalis, Mercuries, Natrums, Phosphates, Platina, Sulphates, etc.).

The decline of the intellect (Geist) and the emotional disposition (Gemuet) are progressive and slowly increasing undermining the very organic structure of the brain and psyche. Hahnemann noted the difference between a miasmic mental illness and a psychological disorder in the Organon. A miasmic mental illness becomes worse < by psychological treatment while the emotional disorders are ameliorated (¤ 224). Severe crisis must be treated with acute intercurrents until ameliorated and then followed by remedies for the fundamental causes associated with the chronic miasms.

The above represent some of the main symptoms I have noticed running through a great number of cases for which the mineral remedies were suited. Due to their essential role in building organic tissue, the mineral remedies are closely related to inherited constitutions, temperaments, miasms, and predispositions. They are useful in deeply complex miasmic diseases confounded by suppression and drug toxicity. The relationship of the minerals to complementary remedies within the plant, mineral and animal kingdoms is an essential study. The homoeopath often finds that a family of homogeneous remedies suits most of the circumstance and symptoms which arise during the course of treating a long lasting chronic disease. This includes the acute intercurrents, the anti-miasmic genus remedies, the chronic intercurrents, and the constitutional remedies found among the three kingdoms. The homoeopathician must learn when and how to apply all these remedies.

Part 3

Part 4 will highlight the character and symptoms of the zoological remedies.

[David Little] 1996-2007, all rights reserved.

Remedies of the Plant World

Of Hahnemann's 112 remedies 48 are clearly antimiasmic remedies while the other 64 are apsoric (= non-miasmic in nature). Of the 28 new remedies introduced by Hahnemann from 1828-1839 there

are 23 minerals and 5 plants. Hahnemann's mineral remedies in the “hronic Diseases”(1828): Alum. Am-c. Am-m. Ant-c. Ars. Aur-met. Aur-m. Bar-c. Borx. Calc. Caust. Cupr-met. Graph. Hep.

Calc-i. Kali-c. Mag-c. Mag-m. Mang-met. Mur-ac. Nat-c. Nat-m. Nit-ac. Nitricums Phos. Ph-ac. Plat-met. Sil. Stann-met. Sulph. Sul-ac. Zinc-met.

The antipsoric plants in the “Chronic Diseases”: Agar. Anac. Carb-v. Clem. Coloc. Con. Dig. Dulc. Euphorb. Guaj. Lyc. Mez. and Sars. Thuja is listed as sycotic.

Animal remedies: Sep. Carb-a. and Calc.

In the beginning (1828) most of the chronic symptoms were listed as psoric, but by 1843, the miasms were separated into four groups, psora, pseudopsora, sycosis and syphilis. Unfortunately, Hahnemann's final notes on the miasms have not been recovered but we know of their existence through Hering and Boenninghausen. Since that time generations of homoeopaths have corrected mistakes and contributed to new knowledge of homoeopathic philosophy and pathology.

Chronic Diseases

The mineral remedies are at the forefront of anti-miasmic and constitutional treatment yet the plant group also contains many deep antipsoric and constitutional remedies grouped around the multi-miasmic, Lycopodium. Vide Clarke's Dictionary, Volume 2, on page 329.

"Lycopodium is one of the pivotal remedies of the materia medica, and an intimate acquaintance with its properties and relations is essential to a proper understanding of the materia medica as a whole. The spores from which the attenuation are made have been called "vegetable sulphur' (probably on account of their use for producing stage-lighting at theaters)*, and Lyc. ranks with Sulph. and Calc. in the central trio around which all the rest of the materia medica can be grouped. Lyc. stands between the mosses and the ferns, and in past eras occupied a most important place in the world's vegetation as fossil show".

The trio of cardinal antipsorics, Sulph. Calc. and Lyc. represent the mineral, animal and plants worlds. All of these remedies are very primitive in nature and have deep multi-miasmic powers. The early land plants of the Devonian period c.395 million years ago include the Lichens (Sticta), Fern Allies (Lyc. and Equis.), Ferns (Filix mas) and the Gymnosperms (Coniferales -Thuja, Sabina, Pinis). Lycopodium is the pivotal remedy of the Lichens, Fern Allies and Ferns while Thuja is the central remedy of the gymnosperms. The most proven remedies of this primitive group have strong antisycotic powers although Sticta is useful in TB miasma combined with arthritic diathesis. Lycopodium is made from 'spores' while gymnosperms mean "naked seeds". Is it any wonder that Lycopodium, Thuja and Sabina have antisycotic powers? The quadra- miasmic powers of Lycopodium are demonstrated in the psora, sycosis, pseudopsora and syphilitic miasms. We will study these great divisions of plants in detail later.

The categories of acute and chronic remedies are relative in nature. For example, Ars. is a deep chronic poisonous mineral but it can be used as an acute intercurrent such as in a case of food poisoning. When Ars. is administered by the fundamental causes and the 7 constitutional factors (aph. 5), as well as the totality of the symptoms (aph. 6), it acts as a constitutional remedy. When Ars. is administered in an acute disorder by the exciting cause, and active crisis symptoms, it acts like an acute intercurrent (“Chronic Diseases”, Theoretical Part, page 224). This is part of the case management strategies associated with Hahnemann's gestalt therapy. Ars. covers both acute and chronic states depending on how it is used. The same is true of many constitutional plants.

Some of the apsoric remedies do not have this grand sphere of influence and are more suitable for acute conditions and crises.

The Apsoric Remedies

The title of apsoric has a special meaning in Hahnemannian Homoeopathy. Which remedies was Hahnemann speaking of when he referred to the non-miasmic apsoric remedies? Here is the list of apsorics in the order of the introduction to Hahnemann's practice; Acon, Arn. Bell. Camph. Caps. Cham. Chin. Coc-i. Dros. Hell. Hyos. Ign. Ip. Led. Nux-v. Op. Puls. Rheum, Stram. Valer. Verat. Cann-s. Cina, Dulc. Mosch. Bry. Rhus-t. Asar. Olnd. Squil. Chel. Ruta, Samb. Spig. Staph. Tarax. Ang. Cic-v. Coloc. Spong. Verb. Auript, Ambra, Petros. Euphorb. Of the 45 remedies listed there are no minerals, 43 plants and 2 animal remedies.

These remedies are called apsorics because they are not similar to all three phases of the chronic miasms (primary, latent and secondary stages). They only reflect one aspect or another of the chronic syndromes. Some of these remedies have proven themselves to be anti-miasmic over the years. For example, Ambra. Staph. Puls. and Nux-v. have proven to be constitutional remedies with antimiasmic powers. A careful review of the apsoric list closely shows many remedies known for acute disorders, exposures, physical and mental traumas, crisis, acute miasms, as well as an acute-like acceleration of chronic miasms and pathological crises. These remedies are acute crises remedies and acute intercurrent remedies.

What is the fundamental difference between the two basic categories of remedies in the materia medica? The answer can be found in the nature of acute and chronic diseases and the theory of time and progression. The anti-miasmic plants reflect the same cycles observed in the chronic mineral and animal remedies. The apsoric acute, trauma and crisis remedies demonstrate cycles similar to trauma, acute disorders, acute miasms and the flare up of chronic miasms. The anti-miasmic plants (Lycopodium) have a close relationship with minerals (Sulphur) and animal remedies that are affected strongly by their mineral constituents (Calcarea). Another simple example of a three-kingdom remedy family is the apsoric Ignatia (plant-Loganiaceae) which is an acute reflex of chronic Natrum Muriaticum (sodium-mineral) which is complemented by Sepia (Marine animal-Mollusca). This trio has been witnessed in countless cases.

Major Plant Families and Species

The lower orders of plants like the Fungi, Fern allies and Gymnosperms contain many deep acting anti-miasmic plants. This includes Fungi (Agar. Bov. Sec. Ust. the Lichen Sticta, the Fern Ally Lycopodium. and Gymnosperms like Thuja and Sabina). The families of Monocotyledons of the Angiosperm division includes the Iridaceae (Croc. Iris). Liliaceae (Helon. Lit-t. Verat-a.). Palmaceae (Sabal.). Araceae (Arum-t. Calad.). Gramineae (Arund. Aven-s.). the Dioscoreaceae (Dioscorea). Zingiberaceae (Zing.). Aloaceae (Aloe). Colchicaceae (Colch.).

The greatest numbers of remedies are found within the more recent evolutionary families of the Dicocotyledons. Some of the most important plant families are the Compositae (60 - Arn. Bell-p. Calen. Cham. Card-m. Tarax. Cina. Wye). Papilionoideae (47 – Bapt. Chrysar. Indg. Lath. Meli. Phys. Trif-p). Ranunculaceae (45 - Aco. Cimic. Clem. Hell. Hydr. Puls. Ran-b. Staph.). Umbelliferae (34 - Aeth. Asaf. Cic. Con. Ery-a. Hydro. Peteros. Sumb.. Ziz.). Solanaceae (29 - Bell. Caps. Dat. Dulc.. Hyos. Lycops. Stram. Tab.). Euphrobiaceae (28 - Euph. Hura. Jatr. Manc. Still.). Rubiaceae (16 - Chin. Coff. Ip.). Rutaceae (16 - Ang. Jab. Piloc. Ptel. Ruta.). the Anacardiaceae (14 - Anac. Rhus-a. Rhus-t. Rhus-v.). Loganiaceae (13 -Gel. Ign. Nux-v. Spig. Stry.). Lauraceae (7 - Camph. Cinnm. Sass.). Cactaceae

(6 - Anh. Cact. Cere-s. Opun-v.). Phytolaccaceae (3 -Phyt.). Myristicaceae (3 - Myris. Nux-m.). Urticaceae (4 - Urt-u.). Many of the major plant families revolve around the well known polychrests like satellites. If you recognize the polychrests by families it is easier to learn the rest of the remedies in the group. A complete list of the botanical orders and families with remedies will be supplied throughout our course as we study the genus families.

Therapeutic Hints

The study of the symptoms of the Plant Kingdom is a deep subject. The apsoric plants are suitable for acute crisis and intercurrent remedies during the disruption of the chronic treatment by strong exciting causes and crises. The antipsoric (miasmic) plants demonstrate chronic symptoms similar to their mineral complements, e.g. Lyc. and Sul.. Many of the plant remedies are well known for their role in cases where the organic pathology becomes the active layer and appears as a regional affection. The biochemical qualities of plants differ from the inorganic minerals in that the botanical world represents carbon-based organisms. This structure is founded on protoplasm (CHON) which reflects the cellular organization as witnessed in the human organism. This is why the plant remedies have special affinities with specific systems, regions, organs, and tissue. Many so-called constitutional homoeopaths have overlooked this essential aspect of the materia medica.

Certain plant remedies are well known for their specific actions on the mind (intellect, emotions), physiological systems (nervous, circulation, glandular, lymphatic), regions (head, throat, abdomen, rectum, left, right), vital organs (heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys), humours (bilious, phlegm, blood, atrabile), tissues (skin, mucus membranes, bones), and stages of life (children, adolescence, menopause, old age). This become more apparent as one studies the individual plant families. For example, the Compositae family (60 remedies) includes the traumatic group (Arn. Bell-p. Calen. Mill.), the bilious group (Cham. Card-m. Tarax.), the spasmodic and anthelmintica group (Absin. Cina. Art-v.), and the allergenic respiratory group (Ambo. Solid. Wye.) Such remedy relationships are an integral aspect of complete case management strategies.

Over the years I have noticed a number of conditions, signs and symptoms which are somewhat characteristic of the plant family. The following therapeutic hints are somewhat indicative of the plant remedies although each genus is modified by its own unique traits. The plant kingdom has a powerful effect on the emotional disposition causing never ending alternations of moods, feelings, sensations, disorders, and mistunements. The plants initially mistune the emotional disposition (Gemuet) in the same way that the minerals target the intellect (Geist), and the animal remedies the instinctual level (vital force). Through the disruption of the emotional disposition the individual loses control over the rational spirit leading to hysterical-like states.

Plants and Constitutions

The plant remedies of the materia medica reflect many clear constitutional pictures. Hahnemann stressed the importance of the emotional disposition and mind in case taking in the Organon (aph 5).

We know from his casebooks that he occasionally noted the Hippocratic diathetic constitution and temperament of his clients as well. The first complete temperamental portrait may be found in Hahnemann's lecture on Pulsatilla in the Materia Medica Pura, page 345.

"The homeopathic employment of this, as of all other medicines, is most suitable when not only the corporeal affections of the medicine correspond in similarity to the corporeal symptoms of the diseases, but also when the MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ALTERATIONS peculiar to the drug encounter similar states in the disease to be cured, or at least in the TEMPERAMENT OF THE SUBJECT UNDER TREATMENT".

"Hence the medicinal employment of Pulsatilla will be all the more efficacious when, in affections for which this plant is suitable in respect to the corporeal symptoms, there is at the same time IN THE PATIENT A TIMID LACHRYMOSE DISPOSITION, with a TENDENCY TO INWARD GRIEF AND SILENT PEEVISHNESS, or at all events a MILD AND YIELDING DISPOSITION, especially when THE PATIENT IN HIS NORMAL STATE OF HEALTH WAS GOOD TEMPERED AND MILD (OR EVEN FRIVOLOUS AND GOOD HUMOUREDLY WAGGISH) It is therefore ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SLOW PHLEGMATIC TEMPERAMENTS; ON THE OTHER HAND IT IS BUT LITTLE SUITABLE FOR PERSONS WHO FORM THEIR RESOLUTIONS WITH RAPIDITY, AND ARE QUICK IN THEIR MOVEMENTS, even though they may appear to be good tempered."

Hahnemann's constitutional portrait includes the character of the individual in the time of health as well as disease. His temperamental picture includes the attributes of the natural constitution (timid lachrymose dispositions), the Hippocratic temperament (slow phlegmatic temperament), positive natural traits (good-tempered, mild, good humouredly waggish when healthy), and negative emotions (inward grief and peevishness). This remedy portrait includes congenital, positive and negative natural qualities of the person in the state of health and disease. This information is included within the totality of the signs and symptoms. The vegetable kingdom reflects many recognizable constitutional portraits like Bry. Cann-i. Cham. Chin. Cimic. Coff. Croc-s. Carb-v. Cycl. Lil-t. Lyc. Hyos. Ign.

Nux-m. Nux-v. Op. Puls. Sabin. Staph. Stram. Thuj. Verat. etc.

When a plant remedy suits the innate temperament, spiritual and emotional disposition, and the general symptoms, it will act very deeply on the whole constitution. A pure simile between a plant remedy and a human being results in very deep therapeutic actions. In some cases a medicine not known for its antimiasmic powers will cure a complex disease and chronic miasms. In other cases the plant remedy will need the assistance of chronic intercurrents and complementary remedies from the other kingdoms. There is no absolute line drawn between remedies that are psoric and those that are apsoric. The full therapeutic range of a constitutional remedy can only be found by observing its action on the individual to whom it is administered.

Plants and Miasms

Remedies such a Lycopodium and Thuja are well documented for their deep actions against inherited and acquired miasms. Other plant remedies are better known for their curative powers against virulent acute miasms and the primary state of the chronic miasms. Some of the plants do not act as deeply as the minerals and nosodes in chronic diseases but their use in overall case management is essential. For example, It is not always wise to begin treatment of a dangerous miasmic pathology with deep acting antipsoric plants, minerals, animal poisons, and nosodes.

The apsoric plant remedies come into action during mental or physical crisis. They are well known for acting on different conditions, constitutions, regions, organs and tissues thus suiting the symptoms of pathological crises. For example, when treating active TB miasm where the tubercles have already formed, deep-acting psoric plants, minerals, animal remedies and nosodes are counter indicated. The administration of deep acting remedies like Lycopodium, Iodum, Sulphur, and Tuberculinum can be dangerous at this time. It is best to begin with the apsoric plant remedies like Acal, All-s, Bals-p, Bry, Bapt, Dros, Mill, Puls, Sang, Still, etc, to ameliorate the hectic fever, reduce tubercles, and the danger of complications.

Once the organic pathology is slowly reduced, and the patient gains vitality, the deeper acting mineral remedies and nosodes can be used to complete the cure. Giving constitutional remedies at the wrong time may end the suffering of the patient by dispatching them to another world. Other types of pathological crises are similar. Cases with advanced degenerative pathology must be treated in layers. It is here that the specific regional targets of the plant remedies become highlighted. In general, the nutritional plants and herbs are the most gentle, the toxic herbs are more heroic, and the poisonous plants are violent. The ant miasmic plants may have very acute stages but they also reflect the more insidious long-term actions shared by the mineral remedies and nosodes.

The Plant Temperament

The plant temperament represents the struggle between rapidly changing emotions and mental control. The strong emotions of the plant remedies tend to overcome the intellect leading to confusion. Many plants express quick changes, deep feelings, sensations, and alternating moods. The plants are closely related the cycle of the day and night as well as the changing of the four seasons. Emotional fulfillment is very important to the plant temperament as they reflect the beauty of nature's grasses, flowers and trees. Under continual stress the plants tend to progress toward the mineral and animal complements which express similar symptoms. The plants are prone to crises brought on by physical and emotional traumas that cause acute-like acerbations of the chronic miasms and pathology. The apsoric plant families reflect sudden onsets, rapidly changing stages, crises and complications while the psoric plants possess insidious onsets, steady movements toward pathology and chronic degenerative states and miasms.

Ailments from Mental and Physical Trauma

The plant temperament is very susceptible to ailments from emotions. Ailments from anger is found in the Ranunculaceae (Acon, Puls, Ran-b. Staph.), Papaveraceae (Chel, Op, Sang.), Menispermaceae (Cocc.), Solanaceae (Bell. Caps. Hyos. Stram.), Loganiaceae (Gels. Ign. Nux-v. Spig.) and the bilious Compositae (Cham. Card-m. Tarax.), The over joyous states are clearly reflected in the Ranunculaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Liliaceae, and Iridaceae (Croc.). Ailments that include fear, fright and shock suit Ranunculaceae, Papaveraceae, Solanaceae, Loganiaceae, Liliaceae, Euphorbiaceae (Manc.). Plants that often suffer complications of physical trauma and shock are reflected in the traumatic Compositae (Arn. Bell-p. Calen. Eur-p. Mill. Echi. etc.).

Nervous Excitement

The plant temperament is disposed to nervous excitement and is < the slightest noise and disruption. The plants are dependent on their environment and oversensitive to the emotions of others. This nervous excitement exacts a great toll on their emotional disposition and moves them toward nervous breakdown. This tendency is seen throughout many of the plant families including the Umbelliferae (Asaf, Con. Cic-v. Sumb.), Rubiaceae, (Chin. Coff. Ip.), Loganiaceae (Gels. Ign. Nux-v. Spig. Stry.), Ranunculaceae (Acon. Cimic. Clem. Hell. Hydr. Puls. Ran-b. Staph.), Solanaceae (Bell. Caps. Dulc. Hyos. Stram. Tab.) and in the Compositae (Cham. Cina) and Anacardiaceae (Anac. Rhus-t. Rhus-v.). The Gentianflorae Order is quite characteristic of nervous excitement as it contains both the Loganiaceae and Solanaceae families. The plant remedies tend to make gestures that reflect their emotional excitement, which take the form of chorea in serious cases.

Rapid Alternations and Mood Swings

The plant temperament is oversensitive to environmental changes and prone to rapid crisis. The alternating symptoms and rapid changes in plant temperament are seen in the Ranunculaceae, Umbelliferae, Liliaceae, Iridaceae, Loganiaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae, Valerianaceaea and Myristicaceae (Nux-m). The plant temperament quickly alternates between cheerfulness and sadness and jesting with anger and quick repentance. They are playful, singing and dancing at one moment and the next melancholic or hysterical. In the rubric for hysteria with "fainting" there are 18 plants, 2 minerals and 2 animal sources. The plants are very "faint' remedies when compared with the minerals. They are easily made faint by emotions and excitement so their thoughts can vanish in a moment. The alternation of mental and physical symptoms is also characteristic of the many plant families.

Fantasy and Disappointment

The plant temperament is prone to imaginations and fancy of an exalted nature. This is found in Anacardiaceae, Solanaceae, Cannabinaceae, Rubiaceae, Umbelliferae, Papaveraceae, Myristicaceae, Compositae, Loganiaceae, Ranunculaceae, etc. This symptom runs through most of the plant families alternating with opposite states. Many of the plant temperaments feel that this world is a bad dream and try to remove themselves from this reality by living in a world of fantasy. They often feel most at peace in nature surrounded by the good earth, plants and animals. The plant family is quite amorous, sexual, and fertile (Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Loganiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Lycopodiacae, etc.). They seek to have ideal relationships that most often clash with reality. Ailments from unrequited love and grief are found among the leading remedies of the Solanaceae, Ranunculaceae, Loganiaceae, Cucurbitacae (Bry. Coloc.), Liliaceae (Verat. Verat-v.), etc.. Such remedies are very useful in the acute and crisis state and may need complementary mineral or animal remedies to complete the cure. Some plants react by having many sexual relationships while others withdraw sexually or escape into fantasy and masturbation. If the plant temperament can not find emotional happiness they withdraw into a world of fantasy.

Dream-like and Dreams

The plant temperaments often feel as if they are in a dream because they can not relate to what others consider reality. This is found in the Anacardiaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Loganiaceae, Umbelliferae, Papaveraceae, Myristicaceae, Iridaceae, Ranunculaceae, Valerianaceaea, and Cannabinaceae (Cann-i. Cann-s.). The plant remedies are prone to states where fantasy and reality are mixed in a creative and destructive ways. When emotional stress increases to the breaking point, the plant temperament enters delirium , hysteria, hypochondriasis and melancholia. The rubric, dreams from emotional causes, is led by plants such as Acon. Stram. Gels. Ign. Nux-v. Op. Cann-i. etc.. This rubric is based on 21 plants, 8 minerals and 3 animals. This is a sign of how deeply the emotional disposition and subconscious mind are affected in the plant remedies.

Duality and Separation

A deep sense of duality runs through the plant temperament as seen in Anacardiaceae, Loganiaceae, Iridaceae, Cannabinaceae, Myristicaceae, Papaveraceae, and Leguminosae (Bapt, Lath, Phys), This duality is shared with the animal poison remedies. The only mineral known for a strong sense of duality is Phosphorus. The plant remedies are prone to so many emotional changes that they no longer feel like one person. The sensation of feeling "scattered" is most famous in Baptisia, where it reaches fullest expression. The duality of the plant temperament runs in line with feeling as if in a dream and the withdrawal into fantasy. This duality affects their emotional disposition so they are never emotionally fulfilled nor feel complete. They are always looking for a soul mate or partner to make them whole. They are often dependent on others for fulfillment which makes them prone to emotional disappointments. The duality of the plant remedies leads to full breaks with reality in the form of hysteria which demonstrates that the subconscious emotions are gaining control over the rational mind.

Rage and Frustrated Love

It may come as a surprise that the rubric for rage includes 60 plants, 24 minerals, and 3 animals. These plants include the leading remedies of the Anacardiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Umbelliferae, Solanaceae, Loganiaceae, Papaveraceae, Liliaceae, Lycopodiacae, etc. The rage of the plant kingdom is often quick to rise and is often followed by repentance. It is an emotional explosion rather then the calculated revenge of the minerals or the competitive battle of the animals. This rage often alternates quickly with other emotions such as happiness and sadness. Their rage is a last emotional cry for help before they completely lose all mental control. They need their emotional feelings to be heard or they will compensate with mood swings, fantasy, hysteria, fainting, acting, hypochondriasis, melancholia and nervous breakdowns. The source of the problem is often frustrated love, disappointment, and confused sexual instincts. These compensations are a desperate cry for love and attention. A well-nourished plant is usually healthy.

Destructiveness and Emotional Sabotage

The destructiveness of the plants is usually an emotional cry for help. The plant temperament will make an emotional scene at the most difficult of times causing everyone present to stop what they are doing and take notice. This is a form of emotional sabotage that seems mindless but has a definite subconscious purpose. Destructiveness of the plants is clearly seen in the rubric for children, which has 9 plants (Anac. Bell. Cham. Cina. Hyos. Nux-v. Staph. Stram. Verat.), 1 mineral (Hep), 4 animal remedies (Canth. Lach. Sep. Tarent.) and 3 nosodes (Carc. Med. Tub). The hysterical fits of plants are destructive of clothes, objects, and they may throw things. When a plant remedy loses mental control they can strike, bit, kick, scratch, or kill in a fit of passion. Sudden attacks suits remedies like Bell. Hyos. Stram. (Solanaceae) while more chronic states suit anti-miasmics like Lyc. Nux-v. and Staph.

The Stages of Life

The plant remedies flourish in an atmosphere of love and kindness. They are sensitive to the emotional and physical environment and suffer when overexposed physically and mentally. They are affected

by the long-term effects of emotional and physical trauma and have a tendency toward crises. The emotional life of the plant remedies is very important, as they are dependent on their lover, home, mother, father and siblings for attention. If this domestic environment is dysfunctional they begin compensating for the lack of love by making emotional scenes and having hysterical-like emotional attacks.

The cause of their problems is unrequited love by a fantasy or real lover.

When in the functional stage the plant temperament is cheerful, amorous, and sensitive but under acute stress they react with acute disorders, emotional crisis, and alternating mental and physical symptoms. The plant remedies feel things very deeply and they suffer when their emotions are ignored or repressed. The first stage of stress leads toward acute like hysteria, delirium, faintness, anxiety, fright, confusion and panic attacks. They are full of tears then suddenly react with laughter and other mood swings and have trouble maintaining mental control. Their delicate plant nervous system can not stand much strain without emotional and physical symptoms. The males tend to become more unruly and repress their emotional pain and sensitivity with angry outbursts that produce bilious, nervous and other concomitants.

In the 2^nd phase the plant temperament is one of resistance in which their repressed material is transformed into compensations. In the stage of adaptation they use all the mental control they can muster to overcome their mood swings and emotions, especially in front of people. They try to control themselves but they can not suppress their repressed emotions. As time goes on they become more and more sensitive to their physical and emotional environments. As their frustration increases it transforms into irritability, contrariness, and attacks of rage that are a final cry for attention. If this desperate call for love is ignored they turn destructive.

In the 3^rd stage what little mental control the patient has is lost to a sea of rapidly changing emotions and sensations. Their frustrated love of life is now transformed into rage and destructiveness. Now the hysterical fits, emotional rages, and emotional sabotage demands immediate attention to their provocative actions. They will do dangerous things or act as if they are going to injure themselves or others. In the phase of exhaustion stage they may fall into the opposite state of withdrawal and melancholia where they are dreamy, withdrawn, comatose, or lost in state of fantasy where they don't wish to recognize anyone or wish to know anything. Here the plant temperament falls to nervous breakdowns, insanity and suicide.

The above symptoms are therapeutic hints of the plant remedies rather than definitive rubrics. Only a complete analysis of the signs, befallments and symptoms of each individual case will demonstrate the correct mineral, plant or animal remedy. This is rather straightforward where there is a full display of constitutional symptoms. There are, however, certain conditions, signs and symptoms that cause the homoeopath to study the lesser known intercurrent and regional plant remedies. These smaller remedies do not normally show through the polychrests on repertorization. This therapeutic lacuna includes a great number of plants that play a pivotal role in complete case management.

An excellent way to learn the plant remedies is to study botanical families and species in groups. On this basis one then learns the relationships of remedies to other related plant, mineral, and animal remedies. In this way the homoeopath can work from the polychrests to the smaller remedies and from the smaller remedies to the polychrests. One leads naturally to the other and vice versa.

Part ?:

[David Little] 1996-2007

The Remedies of the Animal World

Samuel Hahnemann introduced the animal kingdom to the homoeopathic materia medica in 1817 with the introduction of the Molluscae, Sepia, the cuttlefish. Sepia is included in the antipsoric remedies published in the Chronic Diseases in 1828 and has become one of our constitutional polychrests. The Founder's three animal remedies were Sepia (ink of the cuttlefish), Ambra grisea

(the bilious, fatty excretion of a sperm whale), and Calc. (oyster shell). The animal remedies form the smallest number of homoeopathic remedies and possibly the most homogeneous of the three kingdoms. To get a larger understanding of the animal remedies our focus shifts to study the nature of their sources and their habitats. Farrington offers us a clue to the animal character in his “Comparative Materia Medica”, in Lachesis and other Allied Remedies, starting page 317.

"Medicines derived from the animal kingdom act energetically and rapidly. They vary in intensity from the fatal snakebite to coral, sponges, etc. which are more or less modified by their mineral constituents"

The animal remedies are the most rapidly acting and destructive family. The spectrum begins with the poisons of the Ophidians (Elaps. Crot-h. Lach. Naja), Arachnida (Lat-m. Mygal. Tarent.), Insecta (Apis. Canth. Vesp.), Medusae (Medus. Physal-p.) and runs to the slower acting remedies that are influenced by their mineral constituents. For example, some mineral influenced remedies are Cor-r. (Calcium and Iron), Spong. (Iodine), and Calc. (Calcium). As in the plant remedies we find that poisons act most quickly and violently while those with strong mineral affinities tend to be slower acting. This shows the suitability of certain animal remedies for crisis and others for more chronic miasms and degenerative diseases. In general, all foreign animal substances that are not nutritional act toxically on the human organism and invoke strong, instinctive, defensive reactions. E.A, Farrington offers a few more clues about the animal remedies in his work, “A Clinical Materia Medica”, a study of Homoeopathy from the view of the three worlds. Vide Lecture II, Animal Kingdom, page 25.

"Many of the animal poisons are distinguished by the violence and intensity of their action, and by the decided alterations which they produce in both structure and function. The blood is deranged in its circulation, composition and quality. The nervous system suffers and even the lower tissues are affected. The whole tendency of these remedies is to produce diseases, WHICH are NEVER of ASTHENIC CHARACTER and ALWAYS of a DESTRUCTIVE FORM, tending thus to local as well as to general death of the body. We therefore, look upon these poisons as medicines which suit deep-seated diseases, such for example, as are accompanied by changes in the quality of the blood; such as profoundly affects the nervous centres."

Since the ancient Greeks, healers have categorized reactions of the vital force into the functional polarities, sthenic (hyper-functioning/= strong, vigorous, or active), and asthenic (hypo-functioning/= weak/slow). These categories are symbolized by the polarities of the primordial homoeomeries, fire and water, as well as earth and air. In general, the more poisonous an animal substance, the more sthenic the initial symptoms it produces in the provings. As the mineral constituents become more dominant the nature of the symptoms align with the mineral family. For example, Spongia reflects the sthenic tendency of Iodine and the Halogen group (17-VII), while Calc. is more similar to the more asthenic symptoms of the Earth Alkali group (2-IIA).

The Development of the Non Chordate Phylums

Azoic and Archeozoic Eras

Zoology records the evolutionary history of the animal world. The Azoic Era (5000 million years) begins with the origin of the Earth and the appearance of inorganic elements and organic molecules. In the Archeozoic Era (5000-3500) viruses formed a bridge between the inorganic minerals and the organic molecules and the first living cells appeared. The Animal Kingdom is divided into two major categories, the Non Chordates (no neural tube), and Chordates [neural tube-notocord (= neural tube that evolves into the spine and brain)].

In the Five-Kingdom classification, bacteria and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are in the Monera Kingdom and the protozoans are in the Protist Kingdom. Most of the nosodes come from viruses and bacteria although Psorinum is an animal mite (Insecta). The nosodes form their own family portrait and will be dealt with in the following instalment. The Fungi Kingdom is separated from the Plant Kingdom, and the animals are divided into invertebrates and vertebrates. The three lower kingdoms represent the most primitive forms of life.

Proterozoic & Paleozoic Era

By the Proterozoic Era (2000-600) viruses, bacteria, and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) flourished in the Precambrian seas. This period introduced the Porifera, (sponges), Coelenterata, (corals, medusae, sea anemone, hydromedusae), Platyhelminthes (flat worms, flukes, tape worms), Ascheliminthes (round worms) and Annelida (jointed worms). The Paleozoic Era (600-225) was one of great expansion among the animal phylums and plant species in the seas and their first adaptation to the land environment. The Paleozoic Era includes 6 periods.

1. First is the Cambrian Period (600-500) where viruses, bacteria, blue-green algae and red algae flourished and the 25 non-chordate invertebrate phyla became established. This period saw the appearance of Mullusca (oysters, squids) Echinodermata (starfish and sea urchins) as well as early Arthropoda classes, the Crustacea [crabs), Insecta (cockroach), Arachnida (scorpions, spiders), Chilopoda (centipedes) and Diplopoda (millipedes).

2. The Ordovician Period (500-435) brought the origin of the first chordates, the lower Chordata (rudimentary notochord), or Acraniata (no cranium), and the higher Chordata or Craniata (notocord, vertebrae, and cranium). The lower chordates are divided into two classes, the Urochordata (notochord present only in larval tail i.e. sea squirt) and the Cephalochordata (notochord along entire body i.e. lancelet). In the lower chordatas the neural tube is in its rudimentary spinal development. The higher Chordata or Craniata (notochord, vertebrae and cranium) are divided into the Agnatha (without jaws, the jawless and armored fishes) and the Gnathostomata (jaws and paired appendages), which includes all other vertebrates. In the higher chordates the neural tube is connect to a brain that is contained in the bony skull.

3. The Silurian Period (435-395) saw the origin of the jawed fish and Arthropods, wingless Insecta, and scorpion-like Arachnida and the first Lichens moved to land. This interesting plant is a symbiotic combination of algae and fungi. The Insecta, Arachnida and Lichens adapted to the new environment and evolved.

4. The Devonian Period (395-345) is called the Age of Fishes as Pisces ruled the oceans. This period spawned the origin of the Amphibia that left the seas seeking new territory on land. The fern allies and ferns developed along with the early gymnosperms like the Cycads and Cordaitales.

5. The Carboniferous Period (345-275) is called the Age of Amphibians. The great swamps and trees supported the amphibian transition from sea to land and eventually became coal beds. The close of this period witnessed the origin of the first winged insects and reptiles.

6. The Permian Period (275-225) witnessed the mass extinction of many of the marine invertebrates. At the same time, modern Insecta and Reptiles flourished on the land. This period saw the evolution of the first deciduous plants.

The Mesozoic (Middle) Era (230-65) began with heavy glaciation and the extinction of many previous species. It encompasses the rise and fall of the dinosaurs, the origin of mammals, and the rise of modern birds and placental mammals. The Mesozoic Era is divided into three periods, the Triassic Period, the Jurassic Period, and the Cretaceous Period.

1. The Triassic period (230-180) experienced heavy glaciation that caused the primitive gymnosperms to give way to the higher gymnosperms. In this epoch the primitive amphibians became extinct and

the great reptiles like the dinosaurs appeared.

2. The Jurassic period (180-135) is called the Age of the Reptiles. It gave birth to the first toothed birds and mammals and gave rise to the flowering plants (angiosperms).

3. The Cretaceous period (135-65) covers the extinction of the giant reptiles and toothed birds and the origin to the ancestors of modern birds and placental mammals.

Cenozoic Era (65-0) from sixty-five million years ago to the present day. This period introduced the modern monocotyledon and dicotyledon plants as well as birds and higher mammals. This era is divided into the Tertiary and Quaternary Periods.

The Tertiary Period

1. The Paleocene epoch (65-54) introduced the archaic mammals and first primates.

2. Eocene epoch (54-38) diversified placental mammals, and brought the birth of the ancestors of modern horses, cattle, elephant, crocodiles, turtles, etc.

3. Oligocene epoch (38-23) saw the appearance of monkeys and apes and the ancestors of cats, dogs, bears, etc.

4. Miocene epoch (23-6) found mammals flourishing and the early human-like apes (hominids) appeared.

5. Pliocene epoch (6-2) gave rise to land mammals. Marine life was fully established as it is today.

The Quaternary Period

1. The Pleistocene epoch (2 million-10, 000 years) witnessed the extinction of the great mammals and the rise of early human beings.

2. The Holocene epoch (10,000-to present) is called the Age of Man, which is the home to modern humans, mammals, birds, fishes and insects. Farming and animal husbandry developed. The year 2000 is at the turning point for humanity, as the species shall either find solutions to the worldwide ecological and social problems or face extinction.

Classification of Human Beings

All racial groups, Mongoloid, Negroid, Caucasoid and Australoid, are stocks of the species Homo sapiens, which is classified as follows:

1. The Kingdom Animalia as humans require complex organic food and pass out faeces and nitrogenous waste materials.

2. Subkingdom Exmetazoa as humans have digestive tract, tissues and organic systems.

3. Phylum Chordata as humans have notocord and visceral pouches in the embryonic stage and dorsal hollow brain and nerve chord throughout life.

4. Subphylum Vertebrate or Craniata as humans have a cranium around the brain and a segmented vertebral column around the spinal cord.

5. Division Gnathostomata as humans have jaws to support the mouth.

6. Superclass Tetrapoda as they have four limbs.

7. Class Mammalia as humans have hair, pinnae, and mammary glands.

8. Subclass Theria as human beings are viviparous (live birth).

9. Infraclass Eutheria as humans have true placenta and prolonged intrauterine development.

10. Order Primates as humans have nails over the digits.

11. Suborder Anthropoidea as humans have rounded head and facial muscles that provide emotional expression.

12. Family Hominidae because humans have erect posture, bipedal locomotion and forelimbs (arms) that are shorter then hind limbs (legs).

The Non Chordate Phylums divided into 25 phylums of which 8 are in the Homoeopathic Materia Medica. The phylums are listed from the lowest to highest order.

1. Porifera, sponges (Bad. Spong.).

2. Coelenterata, corals, medusae, sea anemone, hydromedusae (Corr-r. Medus. Physala).

3. Platyhelminthes, flat worms, flukes, tape worms (isopathy).

4. Aschelminthes, round worms (isopathy).

5. Annelida, jointed worms (Sanuisuga-leech).

The Porifera and Coelenterata are sometimes combined and called the Radiata based on their radial symmetries. The Porifera, and the Coelenterata corals, are very strongly affected by their mineral constituents and reflect their mineral analogs. Medusa and Physala are remedies that show the rapid onset and symptoms associated with the animal poisons. The worm remedies are old isopathic remedies in many cultures and were experimented with by the homoeopathic-isopaths of the 19th century. We have no provings of the helminthes although they cause serious diseases in their human host. Perhaps this is a lacuna in our animal materia medica?

The next important groups are the Mollusca and Echinodermata. They share many homoeopathic symptoms and are suitable for some similar conditions. The Murex and Cuttlefish share many symptoms. The remedies made from oyster and conch shell show the characteristic symptoms of their related mineral remedies (the Calcium group). The starfish shares their seabed environment with the oysters.

These deep acting antimiasmic remedies have an action on the phlegmatic temperament, the hydrogenoid constitution, and the sycotic miasm. Such remedies particularly reflect mistunements of the watery element, the genitourinary system, and venereal diseases.

6. Mollusca Class:

1. Cephalopoda (Sep.).

2. Pelecypoda (Calc. Pecten.).

3. Gastropoda (Conch, Murx. Helix.).

7. Echinodermata (Aster.)

The Arthropoda is the next important phylum. The Homoeopathic Materia Medica includes remedies from four of the five classes of Arthropoda. This phylum develops a homogeneous set of signs and symptoms, which is similar throughout its classes. At the same time each class of Arthropoda has its own unique family characteristics.

8. Arthropoda Class

1. Crustacea (Astac. Hom. Lim. Onis).

2 Insecta (Apis, Blatta, Canth. Coc-c. Vesp.).

3. Arachnida (Androc. Lat-m. Mygal. Tarent. Ther.).

4. Chilopoda (Scolopendra-centipede).

The symptoms of the Crustacea, Astac. (crayfish), Hom. (lobster) and Limi (king crab) are very similar as they reflect the nettle and bilious rash of the shellfish family. All of these remedies are very allergenic and manifest a similar pattern of symptoms. Onis, the sole land Crustacea, develops symptoms more like the Insecta. The Insecta and Arachnida are easy recognizable by their family symptoms although each remedy has unique differential symptoms. The only Chilopoda remedy at this time is the centipede.

The Chordate Phylums

The Craniata of the Phylum Chordata include the subphylum Vertebrata and the division, Gnathostomata. This includes the Pisces and the Tetrapods, divided into the four classes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia. They all share the complete neural tube but the brain and nervous system demonstrates different states of evolution in the fish, land animals, and human beings.

The Two Superclasses

Pisces and Tetrapods

1. Pisces, Class Osteicthyes (Eryth. Gad. Ol-j. Trach-d, Trach-v.).

2. Tetrapods Class

1. Amphibia (Bufo, Salam. Trito.).

2. Reptilia Order

A. Lacertilia, lizards (Amp. Helo. Lacer.).

B. Ophidians (Elaps. Crot-h, Lach. Naja, Vipera).

3. Aves (Corvus Corax Principalus (corpus) and (sanguinious), Serinus Canaria, Indian Eagle, Ovi Gallinae Pellicula, Calcarea Ovi Testi).

4. Mammalia (Ambr. Carb-an. Cast. Hipp. Meph. Mosch. Ol-an.).

A. Milks (Lac-c. Lac-d. etc. )

The use of a homoeopathic remedy often depends on its source.

For example Ol-j is made from the bile of a Codfish. The bile remedies (Ol-j. Fel-tauri) have a deep effect on the hepatic system, digestion, and choleric temperament.

Trachinus is a poison fish whose sting acts similarly to the other animal venoms.

The poisonous fish, lizards, snakes, and spiders all cause rapid destruction of tissue and chronic sequels.

The Mammalia includes remedies made from preputial sacs like Beaver (Cast.) and Musk Dear (Mosch.), as well as the anal sac of a skunk (Meph.). Of course, Moschus is sexual and hysterical

while the Mephitis is nauseated and revolted. The milks form a remedy group within the mammal family and reflect many animal world characteristics. This can clearly be noted in Lac-c, the most

proven and clinically confirmed of the milks.

Therapeutic Hints

Acute and Chronic Diseases

The animal remedies are suitable for both acute and chronic complaints depending on constitution, disease conditions, and circumstances. The heroic poisons mimic the most dangerous states of acute diseases, virulent miasms, and toxic states. This includes virulent miasms like influenza, scarlet fever, yellow fever, meningitis, diphtheria, typhoid, ebola, and other potentially fatal acute diseases.

The rapid destruction of the blood and vital centers is almost immediate. The rapid movement and destructiveness of the animal world simulates this activity when compared with the more stationary

plants and stable minerals. The animal remedies are suitable for crisis, acute disorders and miasms, and destructively chronic diseases. The animal remedies reach the most destructive phases of pathology, like ulceration and necrosis, very quickly. In general, the plants mimic the rapid development of crisis and acute diseases while the mineral remedies are slower and more insidious like chronic states.

The animal world remedies reflect both acute and chronic states in equal measure. As the animals are the highest order they reflect both the attributes of the minerals and the plants they depend on for life. They are especially indicated in potentially fatal crises or acute disorders as well as chronic diseases that have the character of the rapid destruction of organic tissue. A chronic disease with the tendency toward acute-like crisis and destructive organic pathology suits the animal remedies well. The Crustacea (Astac. Hom. Onis), mistunes the choleric temper and produces bilious constitutions and causes allergenic liver-rash and hives (shellfish reactions). The Insecta (Apis, Canth. Vesp.) are famous for intense burning, heat, redness, and other signs of fiery inflammation. The Arachnida (Lat-m. Tarent.), and Reptiles (Helo.), Ophidians (Crot-h. Lach. Naja) share the rapid onsets and destructive degenerative states of the venomous creatures. If one survives the potentially fatal crisis the poisons move on to chronic sequels and progressive degenerative diseases. Many of these poisons are known for the darker reds and blue-black colors of necrotic degeneration associated with the destruction of the blood and excess of atrabilious humour.

Animals and Constitutions

The animal remedies of the materia medica reflect many clear constitutional types that are well known by their mind/body portraits (Ambr. Apis, Aster. Bufo, Calc. Carb-an. Lac-c. Lach. Sep. Tarent).

The first animal portrait was of the Mollusk, Sepia, the Cuttlefish. Hahnemann wrote how the brownish-black ink of the Sepia produced a dejected, weepy, gloomy melancholic state that is pensive, anxious, apprehensive, and suffers aversion to work and indifference to the family. Melancholia is an excess of "black bile" that is associated with feeling "blue" or suffering "dark moods". Sepia also affects the weepy phlegmatic humour and mistunes the sexual system producing a downward pressure as if everything would protrude from the pelvis. The complexion is yellowish and the face often has a yellow or brown saddle across the nose and cheeks demonstrating the hormone imbalances associated with this remedy. The cuttlefish has a luminescent brownish body with white spots and stripes and a beautiful violet lateral fin that acts as a colorful, scintillating cape. The image of the Cuttlefish squirting its dark brown cloud as a 'smoke screen' to attack prey and hide from an enemy is symbolic of many of the symptoms of Sepia. These images are part of Sepia's signatura rerum.

Animal Remedies and Chronic Miasms

The animal remedies play an important role in the treatment of chronic miasms. The animal substances have a clear action on the non-venereal and venereal miasms. Bufo, Lac-c. Lach. and Sep. have been confirmed in all the four miasms Hahnemanni. The animals reflect some of the most degenerative and corrupted states of the miasmic process. They over stimulate the life force producing sthenic states and plethora that become progressively destructive in nature and may end in exhaustion. The animal remedies produce some of the foulest, vilest and most degenerative states of physical and mental pathology. The clinically confirmed antimiasmic remedies are relatively few in number so they are listed below:

1. Psora (Ambr. Apis, Bufo, Calc-ostr. Canth. Carb-an. Coc-c. Crot-h. Elaps, Lac-c. Lac-d. Lach. Sep.).

2. Pseudopsora (Bufo, Calc-ostr. Carb-an. Lac-c. Lac-d. Lach. Ol-j. Sep. Ther.).

3. Sycosis (Apis, Aran. Aster. Bufo, Calc-ostr. Cast. Canth. Coc-c. Crot-h. Elaps, Dor. Lac-c. Lach. Mosch. Murx. Ol-j. Sac-l. Sep.).

4. Syphilis (Apis, Bad. Bufo, Canth. Cor-r. Crot-h. Eryth. Lac-c. Lach. Sep. Spong.).

Animal Temperament

The mineral remedies have a direct effect on the intellect and intelligence (Geist) while the plants initially mistune the emotional disposition (Gemut). The animal remedies have a profound action on the animal instinct, the vital force, and human sexuality. These remedies deeply affect the subconscious and instinctive levels of the human being ruled directly by the vital force. The animals stir primitive subconscious emotions over which the rational spirit has little control. This struggle is between the higher neocortex ruled by the rational spirit and the old instinctive reptilian and mammalian brain centers. In reality such troubled souls are fighting with the "beasts" within them. This conflict can bring out some of the lowest qualities of a human being. Farrington offer more hints in his “A Clinical Materia Medica”.

"You will find, too, that these animal poisons are apt to affect the mind, especially the emotions. They arouse the lowest qualities in human nature, and produce a condition which is truly shocking. Some of them arouse the filthiest lust, the most intense anger, and passions of a kindred nature. So we may find many of these drugs suitable for persons affected with insanity, whether it be the result of functional or organic, cerebral changes, whether or not it be reflex from irregularities in bodily functions."

The spiritual and emotional symptoms of the animal world are distinct yet complementary to the images of the minerals and plants. The animal poisons are well known for stirring up the instinctual level within human beings and producing "animalistic emotions" with altered states of consciousness.

Instinctive, Subconscious, Animalistic

The instinctive animalistic emotions of the animal remedies are found within all the animal remedies to one degree or another. The virulent poisons like the Insecta, Arachnida, Reptiles and Ophidians produce the most rapidly developing delusions, delirium and dreams. The animal realm is under control of the subconscious mind rather than the rational human spirit. These emotions are seated in the "reptilian brain" which rules over our early evolutionary epochs and are not under the conscious control of the individual ego. The battle to control the "beast" within is an essential theme of the animal world remedies. The old reptilian brain has not changed much since humans lived in caves and is confused by the rapid changes of the last century. The struggle between the animal and human nature within our species is the source of many myths, fables and religious teachings.

Combative, Aggressive, Possessive and Jealous

The animal remedies tend to be dominant, competitive, aggressive (Apis, Androc. Lach. Sep.), envious (Calc. Cench. Lach. Sep..) and jealous (Apis, Bufo, Calc. Cench. Lach.). This jealousy is of a very sexual nature and they are envious toward other dominant types in the "herd". The animal remedies like to be the leader and will do almost anything to get to the top. The animal temperament lives by

the Darwinian law, the survival of the fittest, and tries to control their territory and keep "intruders' out so they collect the best "food" and "breeding stock". In the modern world much of this animal instinct is compensated for by the intellect, but as time passes, the rational spirit loses control to the impulses of the animal realm.

Altered States, Delusions, Heaven or Hell

The animal remedies produce exalted states of fancy (Ambr. Apis, Bufo, Canth. Crot-h. Lac-c. Lach. Sep. Spong. Tarent.) and visions (Calc. Canth. Carb-an. Crot-c. Lach. Sep. Spong. Tarent.). They are also prone to fearful states where they feel threatened. The animal remedies amplify subconscious instincts and undermine the rational spirit producing delusions and delirium (Apis, Canth. Crot-c. Crot-h. Lac-c. Lach. Lat-k. Mosch. Tarent.). The animals have delusions of phantoms (Ambr. Calc. Canth. Carb-an. Lac-c. Lach. Sep. Spong. Tarent.), of persecution (Calc. Crot-h. Lach. Spong.), and that they

are sick (Calc. Mosch. Murx. Sep. Tarent.). The Ophidians hear voices (Cench. Crot-c. Crot-h. Elaps, Lach.).

Fear, Fight or Flight

The animal remedies respond to danger with immediate fight or flight. This response is instinctive in nature and takes place with no contemplation. This state is neither like the emotional panic of the

plants or the loss of reason seen in the minerals. The animal remedies express a state of high tension, fear, and fright in which the instinct for self-survival overpowers the rational mind (Ambra,

Androc. Bufo, Crot-h. Coc-c. Elaps, Lach. Mosch. Murx. Sep. Spong. Ther.).

Violence and Intense Anger

The animal temperament is more apt to fight over sex or territory than over higher principles. When they become angry or afraid they can attack with great ferocity (Bufo, Canth. Coc-c. Crot-h. Form.

Lach. Lat-m. Mosch. Sep. Spong.). The animals can be very hard on their own species and will use force to control other submissive creatures. Some will destroy those who are in competition with

them for mates, territory, and leadership roles. The animal anger is explosive and very dangerous to self and others.

Excessive Vitality and Perverted Sexual Instinct

The animal remedies mimic plethoric states of vital energy that is seeking an outlet. The animal substances pervert the sexual instinct and produce states of nymphomania, lasciviousness and "satyriasis" (Aster. Bufo, Canth. Lach. Mosch.) ). In the healthy state the animal remedies are vital and sexual and seek release through sexual intercourse or masturbation (Ambr. Apis, Bufo, Lach. Meph. Sep. Tarent.). The animal's desire for sex is physical rather than emotional like the plants or mental like the minerals. The animal remedies have the potential to descend into the lowest levels of human sexual activity and can be completely immoral and shameless (Bufo, Canth. Mosch. Murx. Tarent.).

Drinking and Substance Abuse

The animal remedies have a desire for alcohol and are substance abusers (Bufo, Cocc-c. Crot-h. Lac-c. Lach. Meph. Mosch. Sep). Using alcohol to antidote the effects of snakebite is common to many traditional cultures. Lachesis offers a clear picture of the relationship of the Ophidians to drinking. They crave alcohol because it makes them "feel better". In the beginning drinking is part of an outlet for strong instinctive energy and a way of letting go of tension. It does not take long before the delusions and confusions hidden in their subconscious mind begin to surface. When drunk their minds become a kaleidoscope of strong repressed emotions and carnal desires. This combination may stimulate unsolicited sexual advances or rape while under the influence. Drinking also brings out the kind of violence that leads to full-fledged animal attacks and brutality.

Senility, Madness and Insanity

The animal remedies demonstrate a great number of symptoms similar to madness and insanity (Ambr. Apis, Calc. Canth. Carb-an. Crot-c. Crot-h. Lach. Mosch. Murx. Naja, Sep. Tarent.) These remedies are suitable for mental disorders based on functional changes as well as organic pathology and chronic miasms. Under acute stress or crises the animals tend to become hysterical (Ambr. Bufo, Calc-ostr. Canth. Crot-h. Elaps, Lach. Mosch. Mygal. Sep. Tarent. Ther.). As time goes on and the stress builds their mind become more delusional until they enter true madness. The animal remedies have a desire for alcohol and are substance abusers (Bufo, Cocc-c. Crot-h. Lac-c. Lach. Meph. Mosch. Sep). Using alcohol to antidote the effects of snakebite is common to many traditional cultures. Lachesis offers a clear picture of the relationship of the Ophidians to drinking. They crave alcohol because it makes them "feel better". In the beginning drinking is part of an outlet for strong instinctive energy and a way of letting go of tension. It does not take long before the delusions and confusions hidden in their subconscious mind begin to surface. When drunk their minds become a kaleidoscope of strong repressed emotions and carnal desires. This combination may stimulate unsolicited sexual advances or rape while under the influence. Drinking also brings out the kind of violence that leads to full-fledged animal attacks and brutality.

[David Little]

The marine animals (Ambr. Aster. Calc. Murx. and Sep.), and Amphibia (Bufo) end in exhaustion while the Insecta (Apis, Canth.) tend to amorous frenzy or shamelessness. The animal venoms (Ophidians, Arachnida, Lacertilia) tend to produce altered states with raving, raging, and delirium. The animal remedy's battle for survival ends in the most hideous types of senility, dementia and insanity. The animal instinct for self- preservation is very strong but they sometimes end their torment with suicide (Ambra, Calc. Crot-h. Lac-d. Lach. Naja, Sep. Tarent.).

Stages of Life

The animal remedies thrive in a competitive environment. In the functional stage the animals are strong, vital and active individuals who are sexy and full of animal magnetism. When this natural power is channeled in creative directions they are capable of more energy output than the average human being. They are ambitious, strong willed, and are not easily defeated. As children they need lots of room and are difficult to keep indoors for long periods of time. They are prone to sibling rivalries, jealousy, and envy. This makes them it difficult for them to get along with other children. In a dysfunctional home or abusive environment they become wild and unruly and may imitate the most negative of behavior. As they are sexually magnetic they may fall victim to sexual abuse. As they grow older sex becomes a power over which they have little control. The animal temperament may have sex for the sake of sex alone. They demand neither the emotional support that the plants need nor the appreciation that the minerals expect.

When the animal remedies are placed under stress they react with crisis much like the plant remedies. This crisis, however, displays dangerous signs and symptoms immediately. The alarm reaction of the animals is violent and potentially destructive. Only the most poisonous plants and minerals approach the rapid destruction that the animal substances and poisons produce. This is why many of the animal remedies are so useful in virulent acute miasms and poisonings of the most dangerous nature.

In the stage of resistance and adaption the protracted battle with the beast within begins. As time goes on their sense of healthy competition descends into unhealthy rivalries, envy, and combativeness. They may intellectually realize their faults but they can't help themselves when they feel challenged. The animal instincts and the lower emotions that they seek to repress drive them to provocative actions. The more stress they experience the more they react from instinct rather than intelligence. Life becomes a struggle that they intend to win at all costs. Their sexuality also transforms from a healthy state of vitality to a desire to conquer and control which makes them jealous of any other potential mates. This leads to constant conflict in the home with angry outbursts and accusations. They have difficulty with other animal types of the same sex. Life becomes a struggle for them and everyone around them.

In the final stage of exhaustion the rational spirit and higher emotions can no longer compensate for the baser instincts and perverted sexuality of the animal realm. At the same time, their former tendency toward altered states of consciousness is transformed into delusional states. Their jealousy now takes on insane forms of suspicion when there is no reason behind such emotions. They now see those who they perceive as a threat as enemies and begin the final battle for supremacy. They do not realize that the true obstacle is the beast within them. Their instinctive fears are projected onto the outer environment and they may become dangerous. The law of the jungle takes over from more civilized norms and they lose what little humanity they still possess.

The above rubrics for the animal family offer a glimpse of the general nature of the animal remedies. Many of the animal remedies are poorly represented in the repertorium. A study of the characteristic symptoms of the animal world and its remedy families helps put these remedies into perspective.

[David Little] 1996-2007

The Development of Nosodes

The advent of Hahnemann's theory of the miasms caused great interest in the chronic diseases and their anti-miasmatic remedies. One of the direct consequences of the publication of “The Chronic Diseases” was the development of the use of miasmic organisms as potentized homoeopathic remedies. The earliest experiments with nosodes were carried out by C. Hering in Surinam, Guiana, South America between 1827 and 1833. In the five years Hering spent studying plant and animal species, he paid special attention to the virulent snake and spider poisons as well as miasmic substances.

This was the time period when Hering captured the Bush Master snake (= Lach.) that supplied the first venom for the proving of Lachesis. In 1832 Hering said:

"During the experiments on the serpent poison, I have given out the idea that the hydrophobic virus should be a powerful pathological agent. I presented the same hypotheses regarding the virus of variola [small pox]. I expect no less as regards the psoric virus, and I invited my colleagues to make provings."

It seems that shortly after Hahnemann published his chronic disease theory, Hering performed the first proving of Psorinum on himself. Hering originated the method of using a miasmic agent as a basis

for a remedy and he used the term "nosode". The Greek word Noso is a prefix which is added to give the idea of a disease indicating its morbid root. This term is also connected with the Latin word "noxa", the root of the term noxious or damaged. This implies the use of potentially dangerous noxious materials as a basis for a potentized remedy.

Hering is responsible for greatly expanding the materia medica of homeopathy and adding seven (7) new categories of potentized remedies. At the same time, he was one of the true defenders of the four cardinal rules of Homoeopathy: similars cure similars, the single remedy, the minimal dose and the potentized remedy. Hering's 7 uses of idem in Homoeopathy include:

1. The use of poisons taken from insects, snakes, and other venomous creatures (Animal poisons).

2. The use of remedies made from miasmas (Nosodes).

3. The introduction of potentized miasmas and morbid secretions taken directly from the patient's body (Auto-nosodes).

4. The use of homologous organs, tissue and secretions (Sarcodes).

5. The use of potentized miasmic products as nosodes for the prevention of infectious diseases (Nosode prophylaxis).

6. The use of chemical and nutritional elements innate to the human organism (Chemical and elemental relationships).

7. The use of potentized genus groups as curative and preventative remedies for individuals, groups, and habitats. Hering suggests potentized seed of weeds or dangerous plants to eradicate and destroy those plants and potentized insects or animals to remove and prevent infestations of dangerous species (Isodes).

Hering continued to experiment with nosodes of acute and chronic miasms and invited others to conduct provings. He recommended the use of potentized watery excrements of cholera, the black vomit

of yellow fever, the desquamated skin of malignant scarlet fever, to bind bags of milk sugar in contact with the skin of typhus patients, the use of leucorrhoeal matter, etc., as well as psorine (Psorinum) gleet-matter (Medorrhinum), pthisine (Tuberculinum) and syphiline (Syphilinum). Many ancient isopathic remedies were introduced into the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by dedicated homoeopaths of the 19th century. C. Hering, W. Gross, Wilhelm Lux, Father Collet, Swan and Burnett immediately come to mind.

After Hering's introduction of the nosodes, Johann Joseph Wilhelm Lux, a well known homoeopathic veterinarian, began to conduct experiments with the isopathic use of disease materials in potencies.

In December, 1831, Lux was asked if he knew any homoeopathic remedies for the treatment of bovine plague and anthrax. Lux replied that he could not suggest any remedies off hand but he offered

the following suggestion. He told the person to take a drop of blood of an animal infected with anthrax, and a drop of the nasal mucous of a cow with the plague, and prepare a 30c potency of the

material. During the epidemic in 1832 many veterinarians relied on the complementary use of the nosodes and standard remedies to treat the animals under their care.

On December 24, 1835, Jolly of Constantinople reported to Hahnemann that Russian doctors had cured a number of cases of bubonic plague with a 30c nosode prepared from the serous exudation of plague buboes. Hahnemann was interested in the new nosode movement on the basis of these clinical experiences but he was concerned because most of these nosodes were not being proved. So in this way the revolutionary ideas contained within the 1828 edition of The Chronic Diseases changed the way people thought about contagious disease and stimulated the integration of nosodes into the homoeopathic pharmacopoeia.

Aqualia Aqualibus Curentur

All of this was going quite well until Lux decided that the healing law was not "similars cure similars" but "same cures same". With this in mind he declared that "idem" not "similars" was the key to the healing arts and coined the term “Aqualia Aqualibus Curentur” in place of “Similia Similibus Curentur”. This, of course, was exactly what Samuel Hahnemann was afraid would happen so he became quite defensive of Homoeopathy and critical of crude isopathy. Even before Lux’s statements upset the climate of the research into the nosodes, Hahnemann felt that Psorinum should be proven more completely before being included in the materia medica section of The Chronic Diseases. In Hahnemann's mind the idea of using unproved disease substances on patients just because they suffered from the same contagion was far too limited.

Hahnemann felt that the isopathy of Lux was in truth only part of a greater homeopathic principle because all the remedies were potentized to at least the 30c dynamization. If it was potentized energy how could one call it the same thing as the original diseased substance? Hahnemann thought that under these conditions:

"….it would not remain idem (the same) as it could only be useful to him in a potentized state, since crude itch substance which he had already in his body as an idem is without effect on him. But the dynamization or potentizing changes it and modifies it".

In the light of Hahnemann's logic the use of the miasmic material without potentization was crude isopathy, and as Lux himself was using homoeopathic potencies, his treatment was still within the realm of Homoeopathy. Vide The Chronic Diseases, the chapter called "The Medicines".

"Thus potentized and modified also, the itch substance (psorin) when taken is no more an idem (the same) with the crude original itch substance, but only a simillimum (thing most similar). For between IDEM and SIMILLIMUM there is no intermediate for any one that can think; or in other words between idem and simile only simillimum can be intermediate. Isopathic and aequale are equivocal expressions, which if they should signify anything reliable can only signify simillimum because they are not idem."

The major difference between isopathy and Homoeopathy is that a homoeopathic remedy is proven and based on symptoms brought out in patients so it has a much wider application because its symptomatic picture is much more expanded. The simple isopathic prescription can only be used for the same condition it causes. If the miasmic substance is not potentized, or transmuted in some way,

it is often an extremely dangerous method. The modern vaccines have more in common with crude isopathy than Homoeopathy because they are unpotentized. This limits their usage to the treatment and prevention of one single disease condition. On the contrary, a homoeopathic nosode has been proven so it can be used as part of the greater materia medica. This allows it to be prescribed more accurately

as well as to be applied in many different situations.

The first generation of homeopaths who introduced the use of the nosodes were Hahnemann, Hering, Lux, Gross, and Stapf. Hering gathered a tremendous amount of first hand experience in proving

and using nosodes and applying idem remedies to acute and chronic diseases in the field. Hering introduced all these new remedies yet he clearly pointed out their limitations when used by idem.

All these idem preparations cannot be regarded as absolute specifics, but only as chronic intercurrent remedies, which serve to stir up the diseases, and render the reaction to the subsequently administered homoeopathic remedy more permanent.

In 1836 Hering stated that:

HE NEVER SUCCEEDED IN CURING BUT ONLY AMELIORATING DISEASES WITH THEIR OWN MORBID PRODUCTS.

This statement was made after 7 years of rigorous clinical trials. He gave a perfect example of the proper use of idem in a case of suppressed syphilis which would not respond to antisyphilitic remedies like Mercury so he used Syphiline (his syphilinum) as an intercurrent. This brought out the cutaneous eruption and chancre which was then perfectly cured by Mercury followed by Lachesis. He had many similar cases. Without constitutional treatment it is impossible to perform the perfect cure.

The nosodes are only curative by themselves when they are administered by the totality of the symptoms. Then they are the constitutional simillimum.

IF DISEASE PRODUCING PRODUCTS ARE ADMINISTERED BY IDEM THEY ARE ONLY USEFUL AS INTERCURRENT REMEDIES WHICH HELP TO REMOVE OBSTACLES TO CURE AND MOVE THE CASE FORWARD. Their remedial actions must be complemented by constitutional remedies if a complete cure is going to take place. THIS IS THE PROPER USE OF IDEM REMEDIES WITHIN COMPLETE CONSTITUTIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT.

The Homoeopathic Uses of the Nosodes

When a nosode is administered by the totality of the symptoms it is a constitutional simillimum just like the mineral, plant and animal remedies. The nosodes belong to a genus of primitive miasms which

are the first life forms on our planet and symbiotically related to the development of the first plant algae. Viruses, bacteria and fungi are ancient genus groups and some produce disease in human beings. The minerals are the first remedies on the developmental chain followed by the miasms, fungi, lichens, fern allies, ferns, gymnosperms, dicotyledons and monocotyledons, and finally, the animal remedies. The nosode genus group has a very special place in Classical Homoeopathy.

Hahnemann wanted the nosodes to be well proven before they are entered in the materia medica. He was quite concerned that Homoeopathy might become mixed with isopathy which gives remedies solely by causation. Swam, who is given credit for introducing contemporary Medorrhinum and Syphilinum, was asked if it was correct to use unproven nosodes. He replied that 100's of years of suffering these genus diseases, and their complications, provided a "natural proving".

This rather controversial answer does have some merit. It is obvious, however, that the most characteristic indications of the nosodes are those that have come out in provings or on patients under treatment. Nevertheless, there are specific ways that the miasms disease-tune the vital force producing a characteristic group of symptoms. Hering noticed that certain characteristic symptoms are associated with the indications of miasmic intercurrents and nosodes. Just as the homoeopath who works with families of remedies recognizes the symptoms of the plant, mineral and animal remedies, Hering recognized the characteristics of the nosode family picture. These characteristics includes indications of the miasms concomitant to lack of vital reaction to well chosen remedies; constant changing of symptoms after administering remedies; fragmented pictures of several constitutional remedies and one-sided miasmic pathology with few characteristic symptoms.

Such individuals often have a sense of being tainted, guilty, dirty or feel like life is a burden, they never feel comfortable or satisfied in any environment, they have discolored complexions and a look of suffering in the face when relaxed, and they are prone to self-destructive impulses, cravings and habits. A differential analysis of the rest of the mental and general symptoms will immediately uncover which chronic miasm and therapeutic nosode is at the root of the picture.

Making a comparative study of the plant, mineral, animal and nosode group symptoms is very helpful. The symptoms of the nosode group are indications to study the case from the miasmic point of view. From a study of the totality of the available symptoms one can uncover which miasm is active or which nosode the vital force is calling to one’s attention. At such a time an intercurrent may be useful in removing obstructions to the cure or bringing out a clearer picture. All miasmic intercurrents should be complemented by constitutional remedies at the appropriate time to complete the cure.

One’s attention may be called to the use of a nosode when the patient no longer progresses under the influence of a constitutional remedy because well chosen remedies do not act, hold or only change

the symptoms. Another important indication for the nosodes is a 'never well since syndrome' when it can be traced to a chronic miasm such as suppressed gonorrhea or a suppressed skin disorder, etc.

A miasmic block in the case can also produce one-sided states with a lack of symptoms yet the general history or indication of the miasms is in the background.

The nosode group characteristics are a signal to investigate the chronic miasms and map their signs and symptoms as well as looking closely for the symptoms of the major nosodes and anti-miasmic remedies. Normally one will find objective signs and subjective symptoms that will individualize the remedy if it is indicated. Over the years the use of nosodes as chronic intercurrents has proved

of assistance to constitutional treatment if used correctly.

I would advise students of Homoeopathy to study the use of chronic remedies deeply and integrate intercurrent remedies carefully into practice when needed to assist the cure. The isopathic concept seems so easy (using the same against the same) that many star-struck beginners think they have found a short-cut way to do Homoeopathy. They do not have enough experience in the more traditional approach to Homoeopathy to understand those special moments when intercurrents are complementary to constitutional treatment. Others are prone to falling into old allopathic thinking combined with new homeopathic remedies. This leads to the abuse of idem in potency and can cause the disruption of the constitutional state. In the name of treating layers, removing drugs and blockages, some practitioners give too many remedies by idem while ignoring the totality of the symptoms of the patient.

A Synopsis of Nine Ways to Administer the Nosodes

1^st indication for the nosodes is when the mentals, physical generals and particular symptoms are characteristic of the proving of the remedy. This makes the nosode a CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDY.

An example of this would be the use of Syphilinum in a person who fears the night because of the suffering it brings, fears going insane, despairs of recovery, has delusions that they are dirty, tainted,

or impure causing them to compulsively wash their hands, etc. The symptoms confirm both the miasmic diagnosis and the simillimum. In such cases the derangement of the vital force occurs in such a manner that it takes the symptoms of the nosode. In some cases this state may or may not be directly linkable to the corresponding miasma. Others are born with this tendency due to the inherited miasms.

2^nd condition for using a nosode is when WELL CHOSEN REMEDIES DO NOT ACT, HOLD, OR JUST CHANGE THE SYMPTOMS. This is usually caused by the chronic miasms such as psora, sycosis, pseudopsora, and syphilis. This is one of the reasons why it is important to know what miasms are in the background of a constitutional syndrome. Otherwise the prescriber may think they are choosing the wrong remedies and further confuse the situation by picking more and more new ones. An example of this usage of a nosode is Psorinum's keynotes: Lack of reaction; when well-chosen remedies fail to act, especially in those who are extremely sensitive to cold, suffer from profuse sweating, filthy smell, dirty looking skin, and tend to be very pessimistic about their recovery, etc. Another example of this rubric is Tuberculinum's keynote: When symptoms are constantly changing and well-selected remedies do not improve, especially in those who have light complexion, narrow chest, lax fiber, low recuperative powers and constantly catch cold. There may also be fear of cats, dogs, and animals in general, a desire to travel, and a deep discontented state with a tendency to curse, swear, and a desire to break things, etc.

3^rd use of a nosode is when there is a LACK OF SYMPTOMS. There are times when there are very few symptoms by which to prescribe. These are often one-sided cases where a strong inherited or acquired miasm has repressed the ability of the constitution to show symptoms. Other than the signs related to the pathology of one or another of the miasms, the symptoms in these cases are not very characteristic of any chronic remedies. This may be a chronic state caused by a miasmic dyscrasia. Vide the discussion of Tuberculinum in Kent's Lectures: "It seems from looking over the record of many cures that this remedy has been given many times for just that state on a paucity of symptoms, and if the records can be believed, it has many times balanced up to the constitution in that anemic state, where the inheritance has been phthisis. It is not the best indication for Tuberc., but where the symptoms agree in addition to that inheritance, then you may have indication for the remedy.". There are two things that may happen after the ingestion of a nosode for such a condition. First of all, the symptoms may improve and bring the constitution toward the state of health. Second, the symptoms of the patient may become more plentiful as the suspended layers within the constitution become more active. The new state allows the homoeopathic practitioner to prescribe a chronic remedy based on the newly arising syndrome and advance the case forward.

4^th use of a nosode is when a person has not recovered from a miasmic infection, and its suppression. This state is called "THE NEVER WELL SINCE SYNDROME" (NWS). An example of this

condition is the use of Medorrhinum in a person who has a history of sycosis from which they have never recovered. Perhaps a new layer of disease has been added to their constitution by a suppressed gonorrhea that changed both their physical health and personality. They no longer manifest the symptoms of a constitutional remedy because the acquired miasm has become the active layer and suppressed their natural temperament. Once they may have been of sharp intellect, clear memory, and of a calm nature, but all that has changed for the worse. Now they have become very hurried as if time passes too slowly, they can't follow the thread of a conversation because they are losing their memory, and they've become fearful of the dark, superstitious, and suffer from delusions that someone or something is always behind them. This last symptom is very indicative of the paranoid suspicious state of sycosis as it represents a subconscious fear that something is going on "behind their back" and is about to "get them".

The never-well-since syndrome can also be applied to acute miasms. There are times when a person has never fully recovered from an acute illness or miasm. The unresolved acute state still has an effect on the vital force as it has formed a layer within the constitution. If this imbalance is strong it will become the dominant layer and repress the older weaker symptoms. This is often caused by acute miasms like influenza, diphtheria, measles, mononucleosis, and whooping cough from which the patient never really recovered. Of course, a proper chronic remedy may remove the effects of an unresolved acute miasm, but when it does not, a nosode of the offending miasm will often cure. Nosodes for these acute miasms are available from homoeopathic pharmacies under names like Influenzinum, Diphtherinum, Morbillinum, Pertussinum, etc.

5^th use of a nosode is WHEN PARTIAL PICTURES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES MANIFEST YET NO ONE REMEDY COMPLETELY FITS THE CASE. Such cases seem to be fragmented and disorganized, but in actuality, this pattern is characteristic of the miasms and nosode group. An investigation of the miasms behind the fragmented picture may reveal the symptoms of the nosode family. Differential analysis will quickly show which miasm is involved and what nosode may remove the state. Such an intercurrent often improves the state of health and regularizes the natural symptoms pattern. After the nosode has done all it can do the symptoms will point more clearly toward a constitutional or anti-miasmic remedy. In this way a nosode can bring order out of chaos and clarity out of confusion.

6^th use of a nosode is WHEN A MIASMIC LAYER OBSTRUCTS THE PROGRESS OF A CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDY that was improving the patient. This use of a nosode is called a miasmic intercurrent. Suppose one has a patient whose symptoms point to an inherited pseudopsoric miasm and the case works out to fit Pulsatilla perfectly. This is all coherent because Pulsatilla

is a strongly anti-tuberculin medicine as well as the individual's constitutional remedy. After several months of solid improvement the patient begins to relapse with the same symptoms, and to one's great surprise, the Pulsatilla no longer works. Although there is no change of symptoms calling for a new remedy, the old remedy has become completely ineffective. If the underlying symptomatology shows

the tubercular miasm, the homoeopath can try to unlock the blocked case with a tubercular nosode, such as Tuberculinum. In the above example the tubercular nosode sets the stage for the reintroduction

of the Pulsatilla by re-sensitizing the vital force.

Two things may happen after the introduction of the miasmic intercurrent. The nosode may move the case forward by removing the active symptoms. When this happens it is best to stay with the nosode as long as the improvement lasts. If this improvement ceases the remaining symptoms may be treated with the former chronic remedy. If the patient does not show any improvement on the nosode after a sufficient amount of time, the former chronic remedy should be re-introduced. Under these conditions the previous remedy often acts just as dramatically as it did the first time it was given. This effect has been witnessed by many experienced homoeopaths over and over again. Although the miasmic intercurrent may not radically improve the case by itself, it can cause the patient to become re-sensitized to their original constitutional remedy. There are times when this technique is extremely useful.

7^th way for using a nosode is when the remedy is RELATED TO THE DISEASE GENUS. An example of this method is Clark's use of Pertussin (Coqueluchinum) against whooping cough. Clark once wrote, "I have found in this nosode a specific for a large proportion of cases of this disease. It should be given every four hours to begin with, and if it does not cut short the case in a few days, or materially modify its severity, another remedy may be chosen from the following."

Another area where the isode may be of use is in the case of complications caused by vaccines. In this case a nosode of the offending vaccination may be appropriate to remove the side-affects of an immunization. Closely aligned with using idem is the use of remedies to desensitize a person to specific allergies. Most individuals are allergenic to more than one antigen at a time so the chronic remedy, with or without a miasmic intercurrent, is usually much more effective. Nevertheless, in some very stubborn allergies where this is not the case, the isopathic method may prove a useful adjutant. The use of organs and glandular preparations (organotherapy & hormonotherapy) is also based on idem. This includes remedies like Thyroidinum, the dried thyroid of the sheep, and Adrenalin, the internal secretion of the suprarenal glands. This method has also proved useful in some cases of thyroid disease.

8^th use of a nosode is for HOMOEOPATHIC PROPHYLAXIS to prevent specific infectious diseases. An early example of this was Boenninghausen's successful use of Variolinum to prevent smallpox. Nosodes may also be used as a method to protect children from the miasma they have inherited through their parents. James Kent stated in his Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica: "If Tuberculinum Bovinum be given in 10m, 50m, Cm. potencies two doses of each potency at long intervals, all children and young people who have inherited tuberculosis may be immuned from their inheritance and their resiliency will be restored.". This, of course, relates to children who show symptoms of the TB miasm such as nervousness, temper tantrums, emaciation, anemia, swollen glands, frequent colds, etc.

9^th use of a nosode is as a homoeopathic remedy made from the patient's own disease substances. This is called the AUTO-NOSODE. This method has sometimes helped patients when nothing else seems to work. Hahnemann once had a patient suffering from phthisis that was not responding to well chosen remedies. This led him to prepare an auto-nosode made from the saliva of the patient. Auto-nosodes have been made from sputum, blood, urine, pus, leucorrhoea, exudates from skin eruptions, and microbes from cultures of the patient, etc. This is often tried when nothing else works. Nevertheless, with observation homoeopaths should be able to develop the characteristic symptoms of the auto-nosodes.

One can see from many of these indications that a good knowledge of the acute, half-acute and chronic miasms is very important in understanding the use of nosodes. As they are disease products knowledge of disease goes hand and hand with their usage. The study of the acute, half-acute and chronic miasms, and their action on the system of mass defense, is an important part of classical Homoeopathy. Some modern homoeopaths no longer pay any serious attention to the miasms and do not study the nine ways to use nosodes. Some are Neo-Kentian prescribers but they do not seem to understand that Kent studied the miasms and used nosodes in various ways depending on the circumstances. It seems at this time, however, the miasms are making a necessary come back as they are an integral part of homoeopathic pathology. Dare to Know!

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