Homoeopathic Queries & Solutions
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 2004 Jan / Feb VOL VI NO 1.
Prof Dr Kasim Chimthanawala
1 Sir, what is the meaning of the
rubric "Cryptorchism" given in Chapter - Male, genitalia, Pg. 973: 2nd
edition, Homoeopathic Medical Repertory; Robin Murphy?
Dr Mrs Shilpa Gulhane, Nagpur
Cryptorchism" as it is commonly spelt, means "A developmental defect characterized by failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum. (Dorland, 27th ed)". The testicle may be palpable or non-palpable, retractile or ectopic. Normally in a term male infant, the incidence of undescended testicle (UDT) is just under 4%. By the age of 1 year, the incidence drops to 1%; therefore, 75% of testicles undescended at birth will descend spontaneously without surgical or hormonal treatment. If premature, the newborn incidence of undescended testicle can rise to 25-35%. The likelihood of descent of the testicle after age 1 is less than 15%.
2 Sir, I have a patient aged 54years with H/o Bell’s
Palsy (5 yrs). Whenever, he starts having his meals, tears roll down from both
eyes. Ophthalmic examination: Normal. This complaint developed after about 4
months of the palsy. What can be the probable diagnosis?
Dr Ganesh Awchar
Hingoli
Well, this is a common complication of people suffering from Bell’s Palsy - a non suppurating inflammation of Facial nerve. They are called as "crocodile tears." When the patient is recouping the damaged autonomic nerve fibers start regenerating. They reach the lachrymal glands instead of salivary glands which they originally innervated, causing crocodile tears while eating. The rubric: Eyes, lachrymation, eating while; can be used in which Zincum and Oleander are two remedies mentioned [Pg 548, Hom Med Repertory by Murphy Robin].
3 After the indicated remedy and potency act well and
the given symptomatology decreases, then why not administer a lower potency than
the first?
Dr Zahid Panchi, Mumbai
When the first prescription of the indicated remedy and the potency does not complete the entire curative process, then it has to be assisted by a higher potency, because the process is at dynamic level. If, in such a situation, a lower potency of the indicated remedy is administered then the sensitivity of the patient with the drug shall not be appropriately matching, because it will act on a relatively material plane. Instead of enhancing the curative process, it will inhibit its action. It has been observed, in clinical practice, that aggravations due to a higher potency subside if the same drug is administered in low potency. Eg Silicea, Hepar-sulph, Mezerium in suppurative states.
4 How was the theory of "Relationship of
Remedies" propounded? How many cases were considered and for how long were
this theory worked upon?
Dr Zahid Panchi, Mumbai
As we are well aware, the idea of Concordances (drug relationship) began from Hahnemann’s time, but it crystallized as a concept by Dr Boenninghausen. The basis is purely from clinical experience by the stalwarts and verified by host of practitioners world wide thereafter. As far as my knowledge goes there is no authentic literature which describes the origin of this doctrine.
5 What should we advice obese patients to achieve a
normal weight?
-Dr Praveen Malhotra, Jabalpur
A very relevant question. Obesity is one of the common problems encountered in practice. It is proving to be a costly nutritional problem in bigger cities. About 60% people, who loose weight, regain it again within a year and 95% do so in 5 years. As a physician, the priority should be to break the tendency to obesity. We should be able to decrease the morbidity rather than to meet the cosmetic standard of thinners. Obese persons should be encouraged to set reasonable short term goals for weight control. Apart from one’s constitutional remedy administered in correct doses with proper repetition, an integrated weight management schedule should be started which includes dietary restriction, physical activity and life style modification. Weight measuring should be done on the same scale/ machine. Surgical intervention is advised for persons with severe morbid obesity.
