The Apis Anxiety - A study through cartoons and case
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1999 Jan / Feb VOL VIII NO 1.
Dr Nina H Doshi
'Apis

Let us see how undue, over proportional anxiety about getting things done instantly, is depicted in a comic strip -

Apis people behave as though there is no tomorrow, and the work has to be completed today only! This behaviour takes its toll; causes high blood pressure, migraines and heart attacks.

A cartoonist is blessed with an intuitive grasp of human nature and has an ability to condense the most sophisticated psychological concepts into a few cartoon frames.

Translation of a patient's behaviour or symptom into repertorial rubric is difficult. Here we will take a comic strip and convert the language and behaviour of the character into rubrics. Then combine the rubrics to understand that facet of the remedy emerging through it.
Then will follow an actual case presentation and its Materia Medica picture as given by Dr Phatak.

1. discontented with everything
2. [b,c] tranquility
3. [d] excitement - after bad news

Case
Baby K 9 years old.
Hairfall in bunches -1 year.
AF chickenpox.
Also tendency for lice.
Increased hair growth all over the body.
Irritation and itching at the nape of the neck.
Perspiration - increased, non-offensive.
Recurrent colds with marked sniffles.
Chronic hoarseness and loss of voice - due to shrieking and cold drinks.
Constantly feels very hot and wants a fast fan - removes her clothes and lies like a crocodile. [Sulph, Hep, Sanicula]
Recurrent styes - alternating in both the eyes
Increased frequency of urination before leaving the house. [An anxiety trait]
P/H - repeated ear infection with defective hearing.
- Allergic to artificial jewelry.
Aversion - sweets
Desire - spicy, ice-creams and cold drinks.

Mentals : Irritable, stubborn, disobedient and cries easily. Though the oldest child in a joint family, jealous of other kids, fights and snatches things away form the young ones. Argumentative. Careful. Likes keeping things in order. Cleans her hands frequently. Brilliant in studies. Sympathetic. H/o sudden fear on being accosted by burglar. Fear of being strangled.

H/o urine incontinence with fright. CURIOUS. CHILDISH. Anxiety, mistake after with fear of being punished. Conscientious. Saves things and money.
Cannot discard things easily. Apis 1M in frequent doses improved her nervous anxiety and hair fall.

Phatak - describes Apis for ill effects of fright, jealousy, mental shock, and suppressed eruption. FUSSY and fidgety, childishness, absentminded, irritable, excitable, great fearfulness, nothing seems to satisfy, all wrong and out of place. Urine - profuse, more than the water she drinks.

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