Dr Ashni V Suvarna
Abstract
The management of chronic diseases in Homoeopathy requires a thorough understanding of the miasmatic background of the patient. The prerequisite for the treatment of chronic diseases is conducting preliminary investigation on the miasmatic influence. §206–§209 of the sixth edition of Organon of Medicine emphasises on the importance of conducting a preliminary investigation before commencing treatment. It involves tracing history of past venereal infections, previous treatment history, evaluating the accessory circumstances along with studying the disposition and state of mind of the patient. The aphorisms bring to the fore the importance of repeated conversations with the patient to trace to complete picture of the disease. This article presents directions to trace the miasmatic background as described in the aphorisms 206-209.
Keywords
Miasm, case taking, venereal infection, accessory circumstances, Organon of Medicine
Introduction
Miasms are the diathesis or constitutional states that determine the mode of existence and predisposition of an individual towards various chronic diseases. After practicing Homoeopathy for about 30 years, Samuel Hahnemann observed an important fact. When non-venereal chronic diseases were treated with homoeopathic medicines, the disease often returned later. It returned with new symptoms, or the same complaints appeared again every year and gradually became worse. During Hahnemann’s time, the disease-causing agents which were causes for disease were designated by a general term “MIASMA” or “MIASM” which literally meant “any noxious emanation or effluvia or a polluting factor”. Hahnemann rejected the purely material idea of disease. He believed that disease is dynamic and affects the vital force, which is the immaterial life principle of the body. The fundamental cause of chronic disease is the chronic miasm. There are 3 Miasms – Psora, Sycosis and Syphilis.
The physician must find out whether the disease originated from venereal infection and must also assess factors that may influence or hinder the treatment. This process allows the physician to recognize the true nature of the disease and select the most appropriate remedy.
- 206 – Does the patient have a history of venereal infection?
Before starting the treatment for chronic diseases, as a first step always determine if the patient had a venereal infection in the past – syphilis or gonorrhoea.
If yes, then the treatment will be directed towards the manifestation of either the syphilis or gonorrhoea.
However, in present times, purely syphilitic or purely sycotic diseases are rarely encountered. In most cases, these conditions are combined with another fundamental miasm – Psora.
Even if the venereal infection occurred in the past, the physician has to consider it during the treatment. When a physician thinks a patient has an old venereal disease, it is usually syphilis combined with Psora, rather than Syphilis alone. That means the physician would get to treat Psora along with Syphilis. Sometimes both Psora and Syphilis may also be complicated with Sycosis, especially in long-standing chronic diseases or Psora alone may be the basic underlying cause irrespective of the names the diseases bear. As always stated, psora is the fundamental cause of all chronic maladies.
Footnote to §206
Do not get diverted by the assumptions of patient’s friends, relatives or the patient himself regarding the cause of disease. They may state that the disease has been caused due to cold (getting wet, drinking cold water after being heated), fright, sprain or vexation. These are too insignificant to cause chronic diseases. They can only arouse the chronic latent psora into activity.
- 207 – Has the patient taken any kind of allopathic treatment?
Next step is to find out the previous treatment history. Hence, ascertain the following:
- What kind of allopathic treatment the patient has been taking till date?
- Which medicine has been employed chiefly and most frequently?
- What mineral baths have been used and what effects have they produced?
Now, why is it important to find all this? That is to understand the alteration in the original picture of the disease and also to correct the harmful effects from those medicines and to avoid employing the medicines which have been already used improperly.
- 207 – Do accessory circumstances have any influence?
- The following must be taken into consideration.
- Age of the patient
- Mode of living
- Diet
- Occupation
- Domestic position
- Social relation
What is the necessity to ascertain the role of accessory circumstances?
- To know if any of these are responsible for increasing the disease
- To know if they hamper or favour the treatment
- Determine the state of disposition and mind
Reason – to know if they present any obstacles to the treatment so that it can be either directed, encouraged or modified.
- 207 – How to trace the complete picture of the disease?
The physician should have repeated conversations with the patient. Why?
- To trace the complete picture of the disease
- To elicit most striking and peculiar symptoms
He then can select the antipsoric remedy or other remedy having the greatest symptomatic resemblance. The physician can then begin the treatment.
Conclusion
The preliminary investigation described in the aphorisms 206 – 209 highlights the important aspect of homoeopathic case-taking. The physician is required to examine not only the present symptoms but also the entire history of the patient, including past diseases, treatments, lifestyle, and the mental state. This helps the physician to understand the true nature of the chronic disease and select the most appropriate homoeopathic remedy.
References
- Hahnemann S. Organon of medicine. 6th ed. Boericke W, translator. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 2002.
- Sarkar BK. Organon of Medicine: with an introduction and commentary on the text by Samuel Hahnemann. 16th ed. Calcutta: Birla Publications; 2017; pg.no: 217.
Dr Ashni V Suvarna
PG Scholar, Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College.
Under the guidance of Dr Jacintha Monteiro, Professor and HOD
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