HOMEOPATHY TODAY
Jan-Mar 2002

Monthly journal of the National Center for Homoeopathy, 801, N Fairfax Street, Suite 306, Alexandria VA 22314, USA

The January issue of this journal contains interesting discussions on the role of homoeopathy in combating bio-terrorism. In a presentation before the US House of Representatives Committee on Governmental Reform Dr Joyce Frye pointed out "Homoeopathic medicine has a two hundred year history of success in the treatment and prophylaxis of thousands of cases of epidemic diseases. Additionally it uses in the treatment of anxiety and the effects of trauma and shock. Yet public health officials in our current crisis are overlooking it- Certainly modern methods of treatment, such as antibiotics for anthrax should not be abandoned in favour of homoeopathy. However there is definitely an adjunct role for homoeopathy that should be investigated. In epidemic disease homoeopathy works equally well both for viral and for bacterial agents and may be life saving when antibiotics are ineffective and supportive measures insufficient." For anthrax poisoning Anthracinum, Arsenicum-alb and Crotalus-horridus are useful she said.

An article discusses the efficacy of homoeo medicines in emergencies such as blunt trauma, eye injuries, musculoskeletal injury fractures etc A detailed write up on a seminar conducted by Alfons Guekons , a famous Homoeopath, is also included in this issue.. He bases his practice on the 6^th edition of Organon. In his view everyone is born with a constitutional state and expresses disease when he confronts a situation to which his constitution is susceptible. To determine whether a constitutional or a situational medicine is to be practiced, he asks the patient the question "what has happened in your life?" He cited a case of a woman having a lump sensation and impaired hearing in her left ear; she was earlier cured of a tumor in her abdomen by her constitutional remedy Sepia. He gave her the same remedy in 10M potency, which caused aggravation. Her hearing complaint temporarily receded but returned. Thinking that a situational medicine was called for, he inquired about what had happened before these symptoms appeared. The patient said that she was involved in an auto accident at Italy and recounted the mortification she suffered at the hands of Italian police. Ignatia prescribed on these symptoms cured her.

2. March 2002 issue highlights the importance and efficacy of homoeopathic medicines in dealing with torn tendons and fractures and contains two interesting personal accounts of a torn ligament and hip fracture where apart from Arnica, Strontium. Ruta and Ledum and Symphytum etc. were used and the patients recovered to the astonishment of the surgeons who earlier advised surgery.

3.There is a report on the presentation by Allison Maslon on eating disorders. According to the statistics presented 7 million women and 1 million men suffer from eating disorders. These are persons who are so obsessed with their body image and food, that they do not lead normal life. 10-20% of anorexics will die of complications; female models are 23% below normal weight; 70-80% of fourth standard students in USA were found to be dieting as they said that they would rather die than be fat. This arises from negative self- image and those in their childhood did not receive love, nurturing touch etc do not develop healthy views of themselves. She had listed 50 homoeopathic remedies and Chicory and Crab Apple of Bach flower remedies as suitable and to be prescribed on the totality of the case; more often the conflict of to be or not to be in this world (Hydrogen)and motherchild relationships (muriaticums) hold the key in these cases.

HOMEOPATHY TODAY
Aug 2002

1. This issue is devoted to homoeopathy in summer complaints with therapeutic hints on useful remedies. Dr Rosemary Hyde discusses in detail a case of her friend who suffered from heat exhaustion and she arrived at Gelsemium based on generals and modalities from the patient’s symptoms of lassitude, Dullness, drowsiness, face hot and heavy, head constriction in occiput extending to nape of neck, burning throat pain, extending to stomach etc.

2. Dr Ann Croce discusses in general the topic of suppression even by Homoeopathic medicines. To avoid suppression it is necessary to make intelligent choices about when not to treat and give medicines only when needed. If the case is acute give acute remedies after careful evaluation of the symptoms and keep an eye on whether it is an acute exacerbation of chronic illness.
3. The remedy of the month is Bufo-rana made from the poison of a toad. The verse portion of this article is interesting and is reproduced

"Poor Bufo that lacks control.
Not endowed with mental grace
Tongue protrudes, a crack in fold.
A stupid look upon his face
Sudden sexual thoughts arise.
This sloppy toad cannot abate;
He goes off with his desire for solitude to masturbate
Imagine him a little fat; Angers at the drop of a hat;
And also laughs so indiscreet
like a child but not so sweet;
Impulsively must satisfy.
Every impulse gratify;
Has no shame on any sphere
Low of mind, speaks unclear;
Fears of animals and strangers too
Chilly and could sneeze for you;
Lacks refinement, is that clear ?
The toad is made of such, I fear"
-Sylvia Seroussi Chatroux

HOMEOPATHY TODAY
Vol 22, No 11 Dec 2002

This journal, published in USA, has several articles on various topics. Dr Timothy Dooley has given cases of antibiotic overuse, who have responded well to Bell & Pulsatilla --- so that recourse to antibiotics by patients is avoided. Miranda Castro has given remedies for this. She mentions Influenzinum, Aconite, Fer-phos, Ars-alb, Baptisia, Bryonia, Eup-perf, Gels, Merc-sol, Nux-vom, Pyrogen and Rhus-tox.

A case of unexplained weakness diagnosed as post viral weakness was given gesemium by Nancy Gahles. Miranda Castro gives us details of Gelsemium in the "Remedy of the month" section. There are a few book reviews. A case by Linda Klarkentin of a paralysed dog, who respondedto Conium, completes th issue.