INTRODUCTION
The versatility of our immortal Master Hahnemann is delightful and contrast full, as well.
On the one hand, he speaks about Totality of Symptoms and nothing but totality (i.e. do not prescribe on one or two symptoms)!
On the other hand, in some medicines, when all provers have given a specific symptom, he talks about, if this particular symptom is not present in the patient, the remedy is contra-indicated, which is completely contrary to the idea of totality. But his emphasis is, considering all provers have given the symptoms, so that must be present in the remedy.
This is the reflection of his openness, sincerity and ingenuousness to his divine art of healing!
This is a very interesting article respecting the resourcefulness of our immortal Master.
BOERICKE’S MATERIA MEDICA
Chamomilla: A disposition that is mild, calm and gentle; sluggish and constipated bowels contra-indicate Chamo.
Mercurius: Persistent dryness of the skin contra indicates Mercurius. Almost constantly moist.
Jaborandi: Contra-indicated in heart failure, and in post-puerperal uraemia, and in senile cases.
Yohimbinum: An aphrodisiac, used in physiological doses, but contraindicated in all acute and chronic inflammations of abdominal organs.
Nux vomica: Irregular, peristaltic action; hence frequent ineffectual desire, or passing but small quantities at each attempt. Absence of all desire for defecation is a contra-indication.
Tuberculinum: The remedy should not be given without a most careful cardiac examination.
As the surgeon before the anaesthetic, so must the physician know the heart before administering this drug, especially to children, and seniles-and to young seniles.
N.M.CHOUDHURI:
Digitalis purpurea: The one condition in which Dig. is contraindicated is fatty degeneration of the heart.
Eupatorium perf: The name bone-set is very apt inasmuch as it conveys to the mind this supreme characteristic of the drug. So important is this symptom that its absence may be regarded as a contraindication for Eupatorium.
Magnesia Carb: This sourness runs throughout the length and breadth of Mag. carb. The stools, the vomited materials and sweat, have an acid taint in them. In fact I would consider the absence of this symptom a great contra-indication for Mag. carb.
Cinchona: The presence of thirst in the stage of chill and heat is a contra-indication for China.
Jaborandi: Jaborandi is contra-indicated in adynamic patients, also in cases of pronounced cardiac embarrassment and pulmonary congestion or oedema.
Psorinum: The first and the foremost point in this remedy is the great filthy odour of the whole body and the carrion-like smell of all the discharges. All excretions are horribly offensive, and the detestable odour follows the patient everywhere. It is an odour, the very remembrance of which will cause nausea and qualmishness. It will not be wise to prescribe this remedy unless this symptom is prominently marked.Its absence is a contra-indication of the drug.
Thyroidinum: This drug is contra-indicated in tubercular patients for it may most likely bring about further reduction of weight.
Mercurius: Be it toothache, rheumatic pain, mumps, diphtheria, tonsillitis or dysentery this characteristic must always be present; that is why the Mercurius patient dreads his bed and the warmth thereof.
There are other remedies like Apis, Chamomilla, Drosera, Ledum, Pulsatilla, Sabina, Secale and Sulphur that have a similar modality, but then each one of these has its own individual peculiarity to help differentiation.
This modality is so important that its absence may be regarded as a contraindication for Mercurius.
HERING GUIDING SYMPTOMS:
Aconitum napellus: Contraindicated in fevers which bring out eruptions or are otherwise salutary, unless there is agonizing tossing with dry skin.
Physostigma venenosum: A weak pulse is considered a contraindication; hard and rapid, an indication.
Arnica montana: Hyperinosis is rather a contra-indication for Arnica.
HUGHES:
Squilla maritima: The presence of inflammatory action is always held to contraindicate it in ordinary practice; and, as I have often said, their contra corresponds to our pro.
PULFORD:
Mercurius solubilis: Merc. is said to be contraindicated in typhoid fever, except for marked icteroid or scorbutic symptoms.
BORLAND: HOMOEOPATHY IN PRACTICE:
Dioscorea villosa: But in contra-distinction to the other two remedies, instead of the patient’s being doubled up with pain, they are hyper-extended; they will bend back as far as possible.
BURT: PHYSIOLOGICAL MATERIA MEDICA:
Ferrum metallicum : Being a restorative, its use is contra-indicated in a condition of plethora, especially when there exists a tendency to hemorrhage, or when there is reason to suspect an atheromatous state of the cerebral vessels.
DUNHAM:
Pulsatilla pratensis: Remember this, because absence of thirst is said to be a characteristic of Pulsatilla, and presence of thirst, therefore, to contra-indicate.
E.HALE:
Galium aparine: Is said to be contra-indicated in atonic or torpid urinary disorders.
H.C.ALLEN:
Ferrum met: Should never be given in syphilis, it always aggravates the condition.
Chininum sulphuricum: Contra-indicated where there is much thirst during cold and hot stages.
Mercurius solubilis: Is rarely indicated if the tongue is dry.
Natrium muriaticum: It should never be given during fever paroxysm (J.H. Allen).
BOERICKE-TWELVE TISSUE REMEDIES:
Mag Phos: A contra-indication for the use of the remedy is amelioration by cold.
Warm applications relieve, and especially dry warmth.
FARRINGTON:
Gelsemium: Colds of mild winter in contra-distinction to cold of violent winter of Aconite or Belladonna, which follows quickly and develops rapidly and violently after the exposure.
GUERNSEY:
Aconitum napellus: Jerking and twitching of parts, also unconsciousness, contra-indicate Acon.
ESSENTIAL FEATURES BY T.P. PASCHERO:
Here are some very synthetic directives that point to the essential characteristics of some remedies. Do not prescribe —
Ambra grisea: without establishing a premature senility, an intellectual and physical decline, with emotional apathy that must be diagnosed not through symptoms but through the global impression of the patient’s attitude;
Ammonium carbonicum: without hysteria and a tendency to faint, hysterical features with sudden changes of the state of mind;
Argentum nitricum: without stage-fright, fear and anticipatory anxiety before any ability test;
Arsenicum: to an untidy individual without a demanding neatness and tidiness;
Aurum: without a destructive aggressiveness having a feeling of guilt that carries the patient to a state of suicidal melancholy;
Calcarea: to someone who has no apprehension or fear of anything;
Kali carbonicum: to an individual who is not afraid of loneliness;
Lachesis: to an antisocial non-communicative woman, someone who does not converse very much, is not loquacious or jealous;
Lycopodium: to a patient having absolute self-confidence who is not a coward;
Medorrhinum: to someone who is not in a hurry all the time and has a good memory;
Mercurius: to someone who does not show a certain degree of mental retard, intellectual obtuseness, and ideas of killing or committing suicide (the child is wicked, perverse, malignant, gossipy, entangling, crooked, destructive);
Natrum muriaticum: to someone who does not feel mortified, humiliated, unfairly treated, or who seeks the friendliness, consolation, cuddling of Phosphorus (and unlike Phosphorus who is extroverted, Natrum muriaticum is introverted);
Nitric acidum: to a patient who is not ill-tempered, choleric, violent, irascible to a very great extent;
Phosphorous: to a modest and calm individual;
Platina: without a peculiar and disdaining superiority that turns him haughty and proud;
Psorinum: without a feeling of abandonment, incomprehension, isolation, in-communication, hopelessness, without anxiety of conscience, and pessimism, both about his health and salvation;
Pulsatilla: to someone in whom we have not observed acquiescence, easy compliance, and fundamental pusillanimity, with easy crying.
Sepia: to a woman satisfied and happy with her home and her family, or to a man satisfied with his work.
Silicea: to a patient, having a strong and firm character.
Thuja: without obsessive ideas, hallucinations, and without a sense of guilt, due to an extremely well-developed anxiety of conscience.
Tuberculinum: to a child who is not stubborn, obstinate, and besides, extremely sensitive and irritable.
DANGER ZONES IN HOMOEOPATHY: K.D.KANODIA:
It is extremely dangerous to use Secale cor in uterine haemorrhage when there is albuminuria, for it is likely to bring on convulsions, and if used too freely during labour, it is extremely apt to cause puerperal metritis.(Allen).
Apis should be given cautiously during first three months of pregnancy in low potencies, liable to produce miscarriage. (Dr.Cowperwaithe).
It is dangerous to give Phosphorus in high potencies to patients with advanced phthisis as it may start a haemorrhage. (M.L.Tyler).
I want you not to select Pulsatilla for a loose cough unless you are sure that all the symptoms call for it. It often tightens such a cough without curing it. (E.A.Farrington).
FEW ADDITIONS:
- Bellis Per– not to be given at bedtime as it can cause sleeplessness (Pulford).
- Belladonna and Atropinum are contraindicated in Acute duodenal ulceration as they may cause increased gastric secretion (Bonnerot).
- Miliary rash contraindicates Bell (Guersney)
