Spectrum of Hepatobiliary Diseases
A Homoeopathic Perspective (A Hospital Study)
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1999 Jan / Feb VOL VIII NO 1.
Dr Alok Pareek
Dr RS Pareek

Peeping into the History
The study of disorders of liver and biliary tract is as old as the earliest history of medicine. The earliest mention of liver as `YAKRATA' is found in ancient Indian Atharva Veda around 1500 BC. Several centuries before Christ, Sushruta had given a remarkably complete description of liver diseases. The stony hard liver associated with dropsy is said to have been recognized by Erisistractus of Alexandaria in 300 BC.

In the Modern Era: 1685 - The first authentic follow up study of a case of cirrhosis of liver was done by John Brown
1965 - The discovery of Australia Antigen by Blumberg in 1965 revolutionized the study and clinical classification of viral Hepatitis.

Embarking on the study of the liver is like entering into a tropical forest. The humidity characteristic of the rain forest is also characteristic of the liver. It is the body's heat centre-with a temp. Above 400 C.

An appreciation of anatomic aspect of the liver and biliary tree, from gross level to individual hepatocytes, is important to understand the spectrum of clinical manifestations of liver disease. The dual blood supply unique to the liver and the portal venous system makes the liver an intermediate filter for most of the venous drainage of the abdominal viscera. This often leads to secondary hepatic involvement in many extra-hepatic diseases and makes the liver a relatively common site for solid tumor metastasis.

The Homoeopathic Perception
While strolling through the thick tropical forest of liver comprising hepatocytes, their complex blood supply and biliary fluids, we should not confine ourselves to the glandular structure of liver but come out of it and study its relation to the man as a whole. Here comes the Homoeopathic perception where liver as an organ has its entity only in association with the individualized personality of the patient as a whole. Inseparable connection between this organ and life has been felt since the earliest man and hence the word `Liver' is derived from the verb `to Live'. In German, 'die Leber' comes from `Leben' meaning literally 'that which makes live'.

So Homoeopathy subscribes to a study of somatic symptoms & study of the `Psychic' symptomatology of the liver.

Liver and the Physical Sphere
Unconquerable tiredness and dullness.
Humidity and heat are two elements which serve as a guide in the physiology as well as pathology of the liver. If the liver no longer regulates and controls the metabolism of water, then there is a tendency for the water to set itself free, resulting in oedema and serous effusions. Disturbances of biliary functions are related to the element of heat. That explains the greater frequency of Hepatitis in summers and in hot countries.

A paper entitled "At four o'clock in the morning'' prepared by Karl Konig in 1958 tells about the connections between the 12 hour cycles of liver functions and somatic symptoms like cough, sweating, diarrhoea coming on at this time of the day. Remedies related to these symptoms are those with a definite organotropic relation to the liver. Karl emphasised the somatic symptoms traceable to disturbances in the cyclical changes from the assimilative to the secretary phase of liver functions.

A Study on Hepato-Biliary Diseases Conducted at Pareek Hospital & Research Centre June 95- January 97
Total number of documented cases: 186.

The cases studied included:

• Acute hepatic failure,
• Infective Hepatitis,
• Chronic persistent hepatitis. Cirrhosis of liver with portal hypertension including Indian childhood cirrhosis and persistent Hepatitis B. Antigenaemia.

1. China-off, Hydrastis, Lycopodium, Mercurius-sol, Magnesium-mur, Nat-sulph, Nux-vomica, Phosphorus and Sulphur were the most indicated general constitutionals with +ve response.
   Potencies used 200 C-10M
   
   
2. Carduus-m, Chelidonium-maj, Myrica and Andographis-paniculata were the most useful clinical remedies.
   These organ remedies in physiological doses play a great role in enhancing body's natural forces in healing. They were used in mother tinctures and in drop doses.
   
   
3. Andographis and Calcarea-ars helped in the younger age group of patients- especially in Indian childhood cirrhosis.
   
   
4. Hepatitis B nosode proved very helpful in cases of chronic persistent Hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C. It was used in a single dose as an intercurrent remedy where:
   1. History of blood transfusion or surgical procedures in the past.
   2. Exposed medical and nursing personnel were greatly benefited.
   3. Depression was noticed in all cases benefited by Hepatitis B nosode.
   Potency used 200 C (single dose)

She was now treated for Infective Hepatitis. The Jaundice further deepened, her condition seriously deteriorated. 3 days later she went into Coma. Shifted to the Intensive Care Unit for maintenance of vital functions. The allopath by this time had given up any hope. At this stage patient's father consulted me asking if Homoeopathy could help.

1st Day in I C U----------Deeply icteric unconscious patient, High grade fever, not responding to external stimuli.

2nd Day in I C U-----------Morning (9 am) I visited the patient for the first time. The deep comatose state and stertorous breathing made me give a single drop of Opium 1 M between her lips.
Evening (7 pm) -no response noticed. I gave a single drop of Opium 10 M as a last hope.

3rd Day in I C U---------- In the morning I received an encouraging message from her father- she has started blinking her eyes.A
Gradually she started responding to I C U management- recovered consciousness and fever receeded.
Discharged from I C U on the 11th day as a follow up case of Fulminant Hepatic failure with Serum Bilirubin 14.6 mg/dL
SGPT 812 u/LA
Alk Phosphatase 74 u/L
Now prescribed Chelidonium-maj 30 C BD.

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