The Malarial Nosode
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1994 Sep / Oct Vol III No 5.
Sumeet Chaterjee.
Materia Medica.
` Malar.

On a voyage lasting 9 days on the swampy isthmus of the Panama, George Herring observed that several of the sailors on their return, were prostrated with Panama fever. But Herring, who had previously suffered with tuberculosis of the lungs, had somehow remained unaffected. This experience seemed to confirm the observation made by Dr. Casanova that malaria antidotes phthisis. Therefore residing in malarial districts is said to cure pthisis.

Malarial affections has been attributed to marshy exhalations in summer and autumn when the water has been evaporated by heat. G W Bowen of Indiana, while living in a malarial region conceived the idea of finding a remedy from such exhalations to tackle the prevalent malarial complaints which he was called upon to treat. By allowing vegetable matter to decompose in glass jars containing water upto variable number of weeks (one, two and three) and conducting provings at each stage, he came out with the picture of the nosode in 1862 called - Malaria-officinalis. In practice however Bowen had used the medicine prepared from water of two weeks old decomposed vegetable matter.

Malaria-officinalis is indicated in marshy places. Malarial fever (and the affection of its concerned organs) apart, this drug also has its indications in rheumatism, GIT, mind etc. The basic pathogenesis revolves around a few keynotes.

1. There is a general sense of WEARINESS from a very short walk which is felt especially in the pelvis, sacral region and upper thighs with a strong desire to lie down. The head feels dizzy on rising from reclining position with a dull frontal headache. The eyes feel heavy and the patient appears stupid and sleepy and might be forgetful. But on falling asleep a sense of waving dizziness passes all over preventing sleep which leaves the patient gaping and yawning with a desire to stretch. Great restlessness all night, worse towards the morning.
   
   The weariness or tired feeling also extends through the abdomen and chest. In the abdomen the weariness is in the form of a sensation as if he would have a very loose stool (it might pass off ineffectually or there is a diarrhoea especially in the morning - stool is thin, yellow and foul smelling. Aching in the region of the liver, spleen and kidneys. In the chest the languor causes shallow breathing. Occasionally there is a desire to breathe deeply. The back and limbs also ache and feel lame.
2. A kind of simmering is felt all over the body. The face feels warm as if flushed and it spreads over the whole body. Must have doors and windows open; a close room aggravates head and stomach complaints (but then fresh cold air chills the patient). On the tongue there is a sensation as if a few specks of pepper were kept on it. Increased salivation with constant swallowing. Sense of heat in the abdomen.
3. Conversely there is also ascending coldness - starting from the legs and spreading over the whole body. When in open air, the patient seems cold and shakes inside till the whole body fairly cramps.
4. In the fevers there is a similar condition - ascending coldness, flushed face and feverishness over the whole body; but neither the chill nor fever is very marked. Chills lasting for one hour followed by fever for six hours. Skin is dry all over; no sweat at all. Intermittents, quotidian, tertian. Weak and drowsy between the attacks (dumb chills) Malaria-o has power to cause the disappearance of the Plasmodium-vivax.
5. Appetite is wanting though he eats well and with relish when he sits down for dinner. The tongue is generally thickly coated. Wants cold drinks, lemonade.
6. Sometimes a well indicated remedy may fail to arouse the organism to reaction. If such cases can be traced back to malarial origin, this drug comes to the rescue as an intercurrent to clear the block.
7. Antidotes - Bry, Ras, Rhus-t, Nux-v.
8. Some peculiar sensations:
   1. A concentrative feeling at or just above the root of the nose as though would have a severe cold.
   2. Itching on the right cheek over the malar bone and various parts ameliorated by slight rubbing or scratching.
   3. When leaning the face on the left hand, elbow on the table, perceptible feeling of heart beats through upper body and neck.

References:

1. New, Old and Forgotten Remedies - E.P. Anshutz
2. Clarkes Dictionary of Materia Medica
3. Allens Materia Medica of Nosodes.
4. Boerickes Materia Medica
5. Homoeopathic Materia Medica of Graphic Pictures and Clinical

Comments - Pulford.
DR. SUMEET CHATERJEE
BHMS
Bharat Sevashram Sangha
PO Gandhinagar
Hyderabad 500 380.

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