Miasms and seeing in homeopathy Dr. Gheorghe Jurj Motto: “you only see what you already know” “Becoming a homoeopath is a process of personal potentisation. We begin as mother tinctures and slowly raise our consciousness by succussion and dilution”. Jeremy Sherr How Hahnemann got the ideea of miasms “Ever since the years 1816 and 1817 I have been employed day and night to discover the reason why the homoeopathic remedies which were then known, did not effect a cure of the above named chronic diseases. I tried to obtain a more correct, and if possible, a completely correct idea of the true nature of these thousands of chronic ailments which remained uncured in spite of the incontrovertible truth of the homoeopathic doctrines” “.. after unceasing meditations and research, careful observations and most accurate experiments I observed that non-venereal chronic diseases, after having been repeatedly and successfully removed by the then known homoeopathic remedies, constantly reappeared in a more or less modified form and with a yearly increase of disagreeable symptoms” . “This proved to me that the phenomena which appeared to constitute the ostensible disease ought not to be regarded as the whole boundaries of the disease; otherwise the disease would have been completely and permanently cured by the homoeopathic drugs, which was not the case” …but that this ostensible disease was a mere fragment of a much more deep-seated, primitive evil, the great extent of which might be inferred from the new symptoms which continued to appear from time to time. This showed me that the homoeopathic practitioner ought not to treat diseases of this kind as separated and completely developed maladies, not that he ought to expect such a permanent cure of these diseases as would prevent them from appearing again in the system, either in their original or a modified form." "I became convinced", said Hahnemann, "that to discover one or more remedies which would cover all the symptoms characterizing the whole of the disturbance was to discover all the ailments and symptoms inherent in the unknown primitive malady. The medicines so found would be able to conquer or extinguish the whole disease, with its successive groups of symptoms and its endless change of phenomena". ….”This primitive disease evidently owed its existence to some chronic miasm“ Hahnemann in Paragraph 5 of C. D., “Useful to the physician in assisting him to cure are... the most significant points in the whole history of the chronic disease, to enable him to discover its fundamental cause, which is generally due to a chronic miasm”. Different perspectives in chronic and acute diseases The acute diseases are viewed in a horisontal (synchronic) perspective All the extent of the disease in space The cronic diseases have to be seen in a vertical ( diachronic) perspective All the extent of the disease in time The horizontal perspective Search for the totality of actual symptoms The present The pathology The actual mental state The result is the ACTUAL REMEDY The vertical perspective Search for the totality of the symptoms in the live time The pathologic history of the patient The history of the family The main influences that changed the live The result is THE MIASMATIC REMEDIES ALLEN J.H. “But when we come to understand the miasm well enough we can select the basic miasmatic symptoms in each given case and, basing our prescription on them, we reach prima causa, and not only are the secondary or tertiary manifestations of the miasm removed, but the effects of the miasm as a whole, or the sum total of all that is known as disease.” ALLEN J. H. : The chronic miasm “ When we undertake to treat pathological miasmatic formations we get no permanent results …unless we do base our prescription upon the true miasmatic symptoms in the case. And, naturally, we may see that this might be true, for the growth, formation or whatever it may be depends upon the miasmatic principle in the life force...” What means “miasm” "Miasma" ( plural “miasmata”)is a Greek word. It means stain, pollution, defilement. In general, "Miasma" means : a heavy vaporous exhalation or effluvium formerly believed to cause disease, obnoxious influence or atmosphere, an unwholesome exhalation, polluted material, putrid vegetable matter, contagion effluvia from human body, infective material, the maggots- the larvae from a fly. Types of miasmatic diseases Single disease by Psora , Sycotic, or Syphilis Compound disease by Psoric- Sycotic, or Psoric-Syphilitic, or Syco-Syphilitic or PsoricSyphilitic-Sycotic. These are also of three different types, i.e. , (i) Continued, (ii) Intermittent and (iii) Alternating. Latent and manifest miasm Manifest miasm - acute – in infectious & epidemic diseases - chronic – in chronic disease Latent miasm : - only few signs ( “one sided disease”), - alternating small symptoms “but never well” - “ so am I “ syndrome, - strong causality “ never well since” Layers of miasmatic diseases The primary layer – is inherited or aquired by a transmission The secondary leyer - is due to the natural development of the disease or because of some new disturbances The tertiary layer – is due to complication of the first two Hahnemann about compound multilayer miasms we often find developed psora complicated with sycosis, when the psora, as if often the case, was latent before in the patient. At times, when a badly treated case of venereal chancre disease had preceded, both these miasmata are conjoined in a threefold complication with syphilis. Compound miasmatic disease The primary layer – the inherited miasmatic tendencies The secondary layer – the psychic, physiologic or pathologic events of life. Trauma of every kind can change the way of reaction. Tertiary layer – the “subliminal causes” , especially iatrogenic or coming from the modern style of life. Hahnemann , in Chronic diseases : “Even syphilis, which on account of its easy curability yields to the smallest dose of the best preparation of mercury, and sycosis, which on account of the slight difficulty in its cure through a few doses of thuja and nitric acid in alternation, only pass into a tedious malady difficult to cure when they are complicated with psora.” The primary layer of miasms The inhered constitution is a terrain for the development of a certain miasm These are “inborn settings” reactional CALC; SULPH –PSORA PHOSP – TUBERCULAR MERC – SYPHILIS THUYA - SYCOSIS The miasmatic tendencies of the parents are ROOTS for the child miasmatic evolution The primary layer of miasms We are (every one of us) the carrier of our humankind . We are a “condensed history” The diseases of the parents or relatives The character (mind) of our parents or ancestors. Of huge importance in treating children. E.g. : dermatitis atopica in a child with parents who have chronic allergic respiratory disease. The generations goes on, the miasm is still present. But never make a DIRECT cause when the causality is not obvious . The “ways of God are unknown” and here is a mystery we must respect. Just consider the symptoms not the speculations. Miasmatic events The miasmatic tendencies are a set of reactional patterns ( metabolic, imunologic, hormonal, replications of cells, etc) Every disease or event of life that change these settings for a longer time is a “ miasmatic event” The secondary layer of miasms Trauma or diseases of every kind – if perceived internally as a strong event can change the set of reactions and can add to the primary miasm a second layer. If a child suffer a trauma in the very few hours of life or afterwards , the primary miasm will be modulated by this event, if it is deep enough ( E.g : the constriction with the circular cord ) Tertiary layer of miasm The consequences of the brutal modifications of our nature by the so called modern style of life and/or so called “modern “ medicine Miasmatic causes of tertiary layer Iatrogenic causes - Over vaccination( “too early, too much, too often”) - Over treatment – antibiotics , strong chemical substances, hormones, all kind of suppression drugs. - Insufficient care according to the natures laws Environmental causes : - To much pollution, to much EU in what we eat, to much stress in life, to much PC, to much of everything... - Lack of food, of vitamins, of minerals of rest, of tranquility, of contact with the nature of all rebalancing factors The three stages of miasm All miasm have 3 stages : The primary stage – due to an “infections” and /or all the reactions reactions to it The secondary stage – if the primary stage is suppressed . The sensitized terrain. The tertiary stage. All the affection that appear at long term after Hahnemann , in Chronic diseases: ...“With respect to the origin of these three chronic maladies, three different important moments are to be more attentively considered than has hitherto been done : First, the time of infection; secondly, the period of time during which the whole organism is being penetrated by the disease infused, until it has developed within; and thirdly, the breaking out the external ailment, whereby nature externally demonstrates the completion of the internal development of the miasmatic malady throughout the whole organism.” The first stage of miasms Hahnemann: “The infection with miasmas, as well of the acute as of the above-mentioned chronic diseases, takes place, without doubt, in one single moment, and that moment, the one most favorable for infection. Cause of secondary stage Allen J.H.: When a suppression took place in an organism where two or more miasms were present, all the conditions above mentioned were magnified and intensified Restoration of secondary stage Allen J.H.: “This fact should constantly be kept in mind, that a catarrhal discharge is a salutary and an eliminative process, and that it is very difficult thing to cure permanently any secondary or tertiary process that may arise from a suppression unless the discharge is reestablished”. High potencies in de-suppression Allen J.H.: “Only the higher potencies have proved satisfactory in these cases of suppression; the lower potencies seldom accomplishing the work, or have the desired effect A suppressed disease seems to have such a complete bond with the life force, that only the higher potencies reach down deep enough to sever that bond”. Evolution and involution of miasms All these factor are causes for the compound miasmatic diseases, with multiple layers The natural evolution of miasmata is to spread, to go deeper and to dis-organise succesivelly all the reactional systems As long as the “vital force “ is strong enough it counter ballance the distructive force of the miasmata A correct way of life : correct exercises, correct stress management, correct feeding, natural medicines can stop or reverse the development of miasma The homeopathy in the miasmatic diseases In the course of homepatic treatment these layers are removed one by one Therefore a carefull assesment of the evolution is very important The “law of Hering” is one of the means to judge to correct evolution of treatment and involution of the disease Principles of treateing compound miasmatic diseases ( in Ch.D) Then it is necessary first to come to the assistance of the most afflicted part, the psora, with the specific anti-psoric remedies and then to make use of the remedies for sycosis, before the proper dose of the best preparation of mercury, is given against the syphilis; the same alternating treatment may be continued, until a complete cure is effected. Hahneman about the cure of multimiasmatic diseases “I have, in my practice, found only two cases of the threefold complication of the three chronic miasms, and these cases were cured according to the same method... the psora was treated first, then the one of the other two chronic miasmata, the symptoms of which were at the time the most prominent, and then the last one. The remaining psoric symptoms had then still to be combated with suitable remedies, and then lastly what there yet remained of sycosis or syphilis, by means of the remedies given above”. Multiple layer miasms acc to Hahnemann According to Hahnemann there are only three chronic miasm aside the acute miasm represented by the acute infectios (contagious) diseases syphilis sycosis psora Intricated miasmatic disorders syphilis psora sycosis The most accepted actual chronic miasms cancer Tuberculinism was added by NEBEL Cancer miasm is considered by some as the end point of all miasm Miasms according to Sankaran psora typhoid sycosis syphilis cancer acute tubercular ringworm malaria leprosy Miasms in Sankaran perspective Acute – panic Typhoid – critical Psora – struggle Ringworm – trying Sycosis – fixity Tubercular – change Leprosy – isolation Syphilis – destruction Cancer - perfection Some homeopaths do not give much importance to miasms Dr. Hering, however, in his introductory remarks in the Organon (3rd American edition), thinks it not of vital importance : “What important influence can it exert whether a homoeopath adopt the theoretical opinions of Hahnemann or not, so long as he holds the principal tools of the master and the materia medica of our schools?” ( apud Allen H.C) Massimo Mangialavori ( Am.Hom.1999) “...Endless discussions about miasms, a theory Hahnemann developed but which nobody has ever really understood in its practical value. I don't like the approach about miasms because it is mere theory and does not have much to do with today's reality... ...It's nothing but a possible explanation, an historical model of understanding.” G. Vithoulkas ( interview, Am.Hom,1999): “I have not accepted theories without having direct knowledge of a concept. I never accepted the concept of miasms, for instance, as Hahnemann or Kent did.” “The idea that there are several levels that have to be treated by several remedies-it is true. The idea that you have to find the miasm in order to be able to prescribe correctly-that is false” What are miasms today The configuraton of diseases changed radically from Hahnemann’ s time. The miasmata are not so much identifiable diseases ( as gonnorhea, syphilis, scabies) but merely CONCEPTS for recogniseing the reactional patterns These concepts have a much larger meaning Most of chronic cases are multimiasmatic The modification of miasms configuration today – Psora 1. Psora is less important because of brutal and immediate suppression ( see the common urticaria treated with anti-hystamine, the common cold treated with antibiotica a.s.o.. , the extensive treatment with corticoids) 2. The modification of primary psora from itch to allergic diseases. 3. The huge increase of sycotic miasm OVER the natural psora due to medicinal ( esp. vaccinosis, hormones etc) or environmental cause ( pollution of all kinds) The modification in miasms configuration today – Sycosis 4. Sycosis today comes earlier in childhood and is potentised by the modern drugs (vaccination, antibiotica, corticoterapy) 5. Sycosis is now the most extensive miasm at all ages , especially in women (long term hormones pills, suppressive operations, many sycotic fashions) 6. The mental aspect of sycosis is stronger : frustrations, obsessions, fixed ideas, “competition way of thinking” Changes in miasms today ( Allen J.H.-) “Why should the pathology of today differ from the pathology of ten years ago? It differs because of the increased of sycotic diseases which we know to be greatly on the increased, by the constant suppression of these disease processes, by the present modern powerful suppressive agents in use today, by the imperfect life, diet, hygiene, etc” The modification in miasms configuration today – Syphilis 7. Increase of uncontrolled treatments before birth 8. Increase of potential damaging genetic factors from environment 9. Increase of destructive medicine ( Rx, Chemiotherapy, Immune suppressants) 10. Violence in all forms The modification in miasms configuration today - Cancer Pollutions in all form Destructive therapies that can affect the genom Drugs Abuse Social Violence and Meaningless Cancer = meaningless In the cancer miasm we can put together Cancer Leukemias MS LA Aids all very destructive diseases. The main physical symptoms of miasm Hahnemann gave a short definition of the main features of each miasm Psora = “Itch” ( prurigo) Sycosis = gonoreea and “fig warts” Syphilis = ulcer “shanker” Allen J.H “The pathological symptoms are not first causes in any case. There is something behind pathology, something a little deeper down in each case. Pathology may be a death process, but it was first a perverted life process, first a perverted physiology, a perverted function, and functional change preceded, and does precede, all pathology. Pathology is the finished work of the perverted life action-the ripened fruit” The skin and the miasms Every miasm manifest itself on some characteristic organs The most peculiar field where one can recognise the miasma are the MIND, SKIN, and EVOLUTION Every miasm has its very characteristic skin sign Why the skin ? The skin does’nt lie ... It is easy to see The skin signs of every miasm are very peculiar One can see and discover the different stages and layers of miasms The history of the patient as a map Signs of psora All kind of itching eruptions , (maculae,papulae, vesicles,) with scratching, followed by formation of scars Modalities : warm of bed, water. Etiologic : - parasitic, fungi, germs that make an ALLERGIC reaction - the inherited psora = the atopic constitutions Physiology and Psychology The key word of psora is reaction - overreaction ( e.g. allergy, rush, erythema) - lack of reaction ( immune deficiencies) Mentally : - irritability – deppresion - anxieties – disorder Primary psora The most common today in the first years of life : urticaria Always suspect a parasitic infection !! Superficial layer of skin, local :erythema , maculopapulae, vesicles Main remedies : Apis, Bell, Urtica, Viola tr, Addendum : parasitosis Many primary symptoms of psora in children can be due to parasitic infection : ascaris, oxiuris, giardia, etc… Urticaria –irritability – lack of normal growth Main remedies : Cina , Spigelia, Cupr-o-n, Indigo, Terebh, + the similimum Secondary Psora On skin: vezicles, crust, pustule, boils. Eczemas The suppressed or untreated primary psora The sensitized terrain ,The ALLERGIC terain, the affections appear periodically ( e.g. hay fewer) The tendency to go deeper and deeper ( E.g. coryza –asthma- rheumatism) Tertiary Psora Most of symptoms are general : respiratory, digestive, osteoarticular. Imunne disease of all kinds Psoriasis The inherited Psora The atopic terrain Little signs: crusta lacteea, eczema infantum, The categories of miasmatic remedies 1. Nosodes 2. The “kings” of miasms 3. The great remedies specific for the miasm 4. The remedies with special affinity 5. The local remedies The kings remedies of miasms Sulphur – Psora The “king of psora” : Sulphur Hahnemann : Psora is Sulphur , Sulphur is Psora Signs of Sycosis Hyperproductions : All kind of secretions, discharges : Neoformations : nevi, verucca, warts, chist, Hyperkeratosis, hypertricosis, hyper seborrhea,hyper perspiration The hidden places – affinity for genitourynary systems Ethyology of sycosis Ethyology : - all gram – germs, Chlamydia, Candida, pappiloma viruses - vaccinosis - hormone therapies ( the “pills”) - excessive antibiotica - operations - artificial food Physiology and psychology The physiologic tendencies to growths, neoformation = localisation Metabolic changes ( hyper ..syndrom ) proliferation, plethora, Lowering of imunne response Accumulation of water – meteo sensitiveness Mind : Obsessions – fears – imaginations (as if …) Concreteness Hideing Primary sycosis Discharges : - Torpid coryza, urethral, genital discharges, genital herpes - Transmitted sexual disease Neoformations - condilomata, papilloma, warts Secondary Sycosis -causes Suppression of primary sycosis : eg. – antibiotic treatment of discharges - Arg-n in prevention of gonococic conjunctivitis. - burning of warts Vaccinosis – unnatural immune overstimulation ( to much, to many, to early) Iatrogenic causes - Antibiotica, corticortherapy, hormones Style of life causes : Over syndrome (stress, eating, sex revolution, chemicals, etc Secondary sycosis - skin Local – nevi, warts, lipoma, cysts, fibroadenoma, etc General : - humid eczema with hipersecretions ( Dulc, Oleand, Mez, Graph, Sars. - Hyperkeratosic diseases – psoriasis ( Antc, Petr, Nit-ac) Secondary Sycosis -general The general metabolic discrasia (hyper :colesterol, glycemia, weight = metabolic sycosis) The recurrent genital or urinary infection (=genitourinar sycosis) The atheromatosis ( = vascular sycosis) The benign tumors fibroma,adenoma, cysts (=cellular sycosis) Tertiary sycosis The inherited tendencies –in early life as tendencies to - eczema neonatorum ( Med) - neoformation or metabolic disturbances ( eg.Diabetes Mellitus type I) Sycotic periods of life Adolescence Menopause Stress Over indulgence Syphilis -sygns Suppurative lesions on skin or/and mucosa - purulent tonsilitis, coryza, sinusitis - Ulcers of all kinds, aphte ( on skin or mucosa eg R.H) Destructive lesions on organs ( fibrositis, arthrosis,nephritis, cirrhosis, etc ) Nervous affections : paralysis, neuralgia, Altzheimer NIGHT symptoms Syphilis –physiology and psychology The Destructive miasm on local or general levels. The autoimune mechanisms ( self-destruction) The Dys-morphism in general appearance, in metabolism ( even of cells), in behaviour Psychology - pride – jealousy – lustful - Violence – destructiveness – depressions – suicide Primary syphilis In childhood today : the purulent tonsillitis is the most common manifestation (e.g. streptococcus infection- postreptococcal syndrome ) Sinusitis, aphte, Purulent acnee Syphilis infection Violence: social, familiar, “ the vicious circle of Violence” Secondary Syphilis On skin : Not painful, not itching eruptions Neuralgias of all kind (=nervous Lues) Bone and joints affection(=ostearticular Lues) Blood distructions : thrombocitopenias, hemolytic anemias,leucopenia (blood lues) Ulcers on mucosa: Cronn disease, cornean ulcers, leg ulcer Tertiary Syphilis Nervous destructive afections :MS, ALS, neuropathias Imbecilities or handicaps of inhered or aquired causes (eg.rubella,toxoplasma) Inhered chromosomal diseases ( from Down to haemophilia, phenilketonuria, etc) The miasm of dysmorphic children ( tetraparesis, ECI, bone or teeth) The categories of miasmatic remedies 1. Nosodes 2. The “kings” of miasms 3. The great remedies specific for the miasm 4. The remedies with special affinity 5. The local remedies The kings remedies of miasms Sulphur – Psora The “king of psora” : Sulphur Hahnemann : Psora is Sulphur , Sulphur is Psora The kings remedies of miasms Thuya - Sycosis Hahnemann : “Sycosic gonorrhoea is cured most certainly and radically by the internal use of Thuya, which is homoeopathic to this disease, giving one dose of a few pellets of the 30th potency” Mercurius – Syphilis For the first stage of an uncomplicated gonorrhoea there is no better simile and no more efficient remedy than Mercurius solubilis. This drug has the whole group of symptoms; tickling in the urethra when touching it at urinating, the tickling is of a voluptuous sort, attended with violently excited sexual desire; greenish-yellow purulent secretion from the urethra, with traces of blood; inflammation of the prepuce and glans with balanorrhoea; breaking out of little sores; urging to urinate, with frequent and painful emissions, etc. [Baehr] Main Psoric remedies Nosode :Psorinum Nosodes less used : Lamblia, Oxiuris, 1.The “big ones” :Sulphur, Calcarea, Lyc, Ars. 2.The main antipsorics : - The “fats “Ant-c, Bar-c, Zinc, Graph. - The “slims”: Ars, Ars-I,Carbo-v, Hep-s - The warm : Acon, Bell,Bry, Ars-I, Ant-c, - The cold :Ars, Sil, Petr,Graph,Carbo-v.Alum Some “small” antipsorics These remedies can be use as “drainage” therapy, to clear the terrain they have affinity for some tissues. On skin :Urtica, Berberis, Solidago,Oleander, Viola, Fumaria, Saponaria. Allergies : Sabadilla, Allium, Euphasia Digestive : Chellidonium, Taraxacum, The sycotic remedies Nosode : Medorrhinum, Nosode less used : Gonotoxinum, Cortico, Variolinum, Vaccinotoxinum, Malandrinum, Chlamydia, Candida, Herpes. The “Big ones” : Thuja, Sil, Arg-n, Ant-c, Graph, The hidrogenoids : Nat-s, Dulc, Nit-ac, Caust Some “small” antisycotic Skin sycosis: Sars, Selen,Mez Biliary sycosis : Chelid, Tarax, Genital sycosis : Sabina, Helonias, Thlaspi, Agnus Uter :Clematis, Fraxinus, Aristolochia,Au m-n Breast :Asterias, Conium, Prostata; Sabal, Chimaphila, Vascular sycosis :Aesc,Ham, Collins, Syphilitic remedies Nosode : Syphillinum (Luesinum) Nosode less used :Hydrophobinum, Streptococinum, Staphilococinum, Dyfterinum The Mercurius family : Merc-s, Merc-v,Merc cy, Merc-d, Merc-i-f, Merc i-r, Cinnabaris The Kalium family : kali-bi, kali-s, kali-i, kali-ar, kalic, kali-s, The metals: Au, Arg, Plat, Pall, Cu The Acids: Phos-ac, Sul-ac, Acet-ac, Nit-ac Syphilitic remedies They are all toxic in nature: Snakes: Lachesis, Naja, Bothrops, Elaps,vipera Spider : Tarentula, Plants : Stram, Hyosc, Verat, Phytolacca, Mezereum, Hydrastis, Laurocerasus, Stillingia The tuberculinic remedies Nosode : Tuberculinum Less used nosodes : Bacillinum, BCG, etc The “king” of tuberculinism :Phosphorus The “big ones” : Iodum, Pulsatilla, Nat-m, Rhus-tox, Bry, Lyc. Others : Ipeca, Spongia, Ignatia, Apis, Drosera, All-c, sambucus, sticta, arum, The Dynamics of Miasms ACUTE PSORA TUBERCULAR SYCOSIS SYPHILIS CANCER Psora dynamics Sycosis dynamics Syphilis dynamics REMEDIES THROUGH MIAMS MOST OF THE REMEDIES FOLLOW THE EVOLUTION OF THE MIASMS MOST ARE IN THE FIRST STAGES PSORIC, THEN SYCOTIC ETC. THE WORSE IS THE EVOLUTON OF THE DISEASE THE FASTER IS THE PROGRESSION OF A REMEDY THROUGH MIASMS