Exploring human affinities and social relations through the doctrine of miasms: theoretical insights from Ortega

Dr Shobha B Malipatil

ABSTRACT
This article explores the role of misams on the human relationship beyond the diseases. Among many authors who propounded on miasmatic theory, P.S. Ortega is the one who offers a distinctive perspective on the miasmatic influence in shaping human affinities, emotional compatibility and social relationships.

KEYWORDS
Doctrine of Miasms, P.S Ortega, Human affinities, Social Relations, Homoeopathy, Miasmatic Numbers, Color Symbolism.

INTRODUCTION
Miasms, also known as the pollutants, are the dynamic disease producing agents responsible for the chronic diseases. In Homoeopathy there are 3 main miasms mainly Psora, Sycosis and Syphilis among these Psora is the mother of chronic disease constituting of 7/8^th of the chronic diseases.

Misams were chiefly known to cause diseases in human beings based on their dominance in the body like if the person has dominant Psoric miasm then he’s prone to exhibit deficiencies in the body, skin eruptions etc. and person with Sycotic tendency presents with overgrowths like tumors, warts with degeneration and person with Syphilitic tendency presents with destructive diseases like cancers, ulcerations which are incurable, but Ortega states that beyond the diseases, the misams also play role in the human behaviors and their relations which helps in individualization of the patient leading to seamless and effortless prescription.

• The present chapter, discusses the theory of miasmatic relationships in Homoeopathy.
• Harmony between people is said to depend on miasmatic continuity, discontinuity, coincidences and complementarity.
• To simplify, the author classifies miasms numerically:

1 = Psora, 2 = Sycosis, 3 = Syphilis.

• Colouring patterns include:

1. PSORA
2. SYCOSIS
3. SYPHILIS

• Relationships are explained through miasmatic correspondences and succession.

MEANING OF TRUE HOMOEPATHY
The author begins the chapter by explaining the essence of homoeopathy.

• The author emphasizes that Homoeopathy is not merely giving small doses.
• Searching for a similar medicine alone does not constitute complete Homoeopathy.
• True Homoeopathy requires application of all principles together and application of true logos ( true reasoning ).
• The phrase/ silly statement that “the dose is homoeopathic” is criticized as oversimplified.
• Every principle of Homoeopathy must be implemented medically, philosophically and universally.
• Homoeopathy is said to apply not only to disease but also to human relationships.
• People pursue what is analogous to themselves – TROPISM (Growth).
• Miasmatic correspondence influences attraction and continuity between individuals. (miasmatic realm)
• Human interaction is interpreted as a function of miasmatic characteristics.

COMPLEMENTARY MIASMATIC PATTERNS

• A 1-2-3 individual is theoretically complemented by a 3-2-1 individual.
• The last element of one sequence merges with the first of the other.
• This creates continuity and a circular movement of complementarity.
• The author compares this to a harmonious fusion between personalities.
• Other complementary patterns include :

1. 2-1-3 with 3-2-1
2. 3-1-2 with 2-3-1
3. 3-1-2 with 2-1-3

Other combinations are :

1. 1-2-3 with 1-3-2
2. 1-2-3 with 2-3-1
3. 2-1-3 with 1-2-3

EXAMPLES

Clinical Case History

• A married woman was treated for typhoid fever at age 15.
• Heavy allopathic medication distorted the symptom picture.
• The disease evolved into a malaria-like condition.
• The case became severe enough that specialists avoided responsibility.
• The patient developed alternating symptom pictures between morning and evening.

Symptoms of The Patient

• Morning symptoms included great coldness of the body (35.5°C).
• She experienced exhaustion and very low vitality.
• By evening the temperature rose to 41.5°C.
• There were intense shaking chills with delirium.
• She had pain in the neck and joints.
• Physical and mental irritability were prominent.

Medicines Prescribed

• Nux Vomica and Lachesis were prescribed.
• The remedies reportedly brought her out of the critical state.
• Lycopodium 200C was later prescribed.
• The treatment normalized erythrocyte count.
• A previously detected heart murmur disappeared after treatment.

Miasmatic Background of The Patient

• The patient was the only child, described as educated, attractive, and well-mannered.
• The woman was classified as a 3-1-2 patient.
• Her parents were both classified as 1-2-3.
• According to the author, her parents could barely tolerate each other.
• Her illness displayed destructive syphilitic characteristics.

MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS

• The woman (3-1-2) married a man with a 2-1-3 pattern.
• The author states this combination explains their attraction.
• The couple continuously clashed because of social and educational differences.
• Despite repeated separations which were brief, they reunited quickly.
• They had nine children in rapid succession.

BIOLOGICAL INTERCONNECTIONS

• Complementary sequences create obligatory succession.
• In 3-1-2 and 2-1-3, the ending 2 of one connects with the beginning 2 of the other.
• This creates reciprocity and persistence within relationships.
• The theory is described as a biological and miasmatic inevitability.

DOMINANCE AND ADAPTATION

• When the husband dominated, the wife adapted to his desires.
• When the wife dominated, the husband adapted to her pattern.
• Each partner enabled expression of the other’s dominant miasmatic traits.
• The author uses this to explain repeated reconciliation after conflict.

DIFFICULTY IN SEPARATION

• Permanent separation reportedly required extreme measures.
• The woman had to be taken far away by relatives.
• The husband would supposedly seek another woman with a similar miasmatic pattern.
• The author concludes their reunion remained biologically inevitable.

CHANING THE MIASMATIC PATTERN? VIA HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT

• Miasmatic loads may be reduced but not completely removed meaning the miasmatic mixture remains the same.
• Constitutional tendencies remain even after treatment.
• The author gives an example ratio: 40%, 35%, and 25% of different miasms. – resist the best treatment, Miasms may rotate in dominance or attenuated but always remain in equivalent proportion.
• Similarly, when miasmatic proportions are close (e.g., 42%, 38%, and 20%), treatment or even basic life stimuli can cause a shift in dominance.
• Transformation of the Patient: the patient’s whole aspect changes.
• Perception of Change: This shift is often so profound that the patient and those around them may remark that they have “become a different person”.

CASE 2

Case Study: The Sycotic Couple

• The image describes a married couple with a specific miasmatic profile of a women: Sycotic (predominant), followed by Psoric, and Syphilitic (least degree).
• Husband with same numerical pattern but the intensity or the grade is different – both are greenish in colour but her’s is more of bluish and his has almost a dominant yellow.
• Interaction and Evolution
• Initial Antipathy: Their first meeting resulted in mutual antipathy due to “highly accentuated” sycotic competitiveness.
• Both came from families that stimulated superficial and frivolous behavior.
• Shift to Admiration: Repeated contact in a shared school environment eventually transformed their antipathy into apparent admiration.
• Marriage and Prognosis: While the shared sycosis drove them towards marriage, but the prognosis was incompatibility because they cannot maintain a biological ideal for one another.
• Because between these 2 overlaps is possible but not the continuity

THE CONCEPT OF “INVERSION” IN RELATIONSHIPS

• Interlocking through Inversion: Harmony in these cases is achieved only when one partner “inverts” or defers their behavior to the other.
• Sacrifice of Primordial Satisfactions: The more obliging partner must sacrifice their fundamental desires to maintain the union.
• The Reality of Dispute: Instead of this deferential behavior, a “constant willingness to dispute” is what is more commonly encountered.

END RESULTS

• Dynamics of Domination and Suppression
• The Struggle for Power: Years pass in a “constant selfish struggle for domination”.
• The Prevailing Partner: The “yellower” partner—identified as more sycotic with higher self-esteem—typically prevails.
• The Inhibited Partner: The other spouse is forced into an inhibited, unnatural mode of life.
• Coping Mechanisms: The suppressed partner often disguises discontent through “whimsicalities” and a persistent desire to escape.

Psychological and Relational Outcomes

• Estrangement: A lack of complementarity leads to practical estrangement, eventually compelling separation.

Gendered Compensations

• The Man: Becomes increasingly vain, unbearable, and “lost in egoism”.
• The Woman: Compensates through “emotional frivolity,” essentially acting out her sycosis at a different level.
• Lack of Analogy: The text notes that their shared “2-1-3” miasmatic numerical order allows for overlap, but never the “relationship of analogy” necessary for a successful marriage.
• Conditions for Coexistence
• Heterogeneous Blending: Living together is only possible if each partner views the other as a true extension of self.
• Comradeship vs. Marriage: They must live more as “comrades” than as husband and wife to remain harmonious.
• Universal Applicability: These miasmatic principles of union and friction apply to all human relations—including friends and family—not just marriage.

Dr Ashmitha Alicia Coth
MD Part II
Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy
Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College, Bangalore.
Email: alfyashu15@gmail.com
Guide: Dr Shobha B Malipatil BHMS, MD (Hom)
Professor and HOD,Dept. of Organon of Medicine,