A thorough dissection and incorporation of miasm in each case will help a homoeopathic prescriber in the following ways:
(i) A deep acting anti-miasmatic medicine by virtue of its centrifugal action will open up such cases (brings to the surface the suppressed symptoms) where the totality of symptoms cannot be framed due to a scarcity of symptoms (i.e. one-sided cases), and those cases with conjoint or contaminated pictures due to various physical, emotional or iatrogenic suppressions.
(ii) Also of importance is the value of selecting an anti-miasmatic medicine, which covers the psychic essence, nature and character of the individual in absence of any recognisable totality. For example, a patient presents with insomnia with no distinguishing modalities or other characters to complete the symptom. By ascertaining that person’s psychic essence or character (for instance, suspicious, jealous and exploiting in nature, representing sycosis) we can prescribe an anti-miasmatic medicine to cover the insomnia and open up the case. Thus, the anti-miasmatic medicine covering the essence of the person is capable of surfacing the suppressed symptoms and the totality can then easily be framed.
(iii) To be more confident in prescribing by including the surface miasm of the case in the consideration of the totality; as miasm, the dyscrasia of the person, constitutes a major part of that totality. Miasm and the symptoms are nothing but the two sides of the coin, and one cannot be considered whilst ignoring the other. In fact, the totality of symptoms cannot be said to be total until and unless the selected remedy covers the miasm.
(iv) To evaluate the necessity of a change in the plan of treatment or a change of remedy; when few symptoms have disappeared after the first remedy has been administered, yet the miasmatic totality shows the preponderance of the same miasm on the surface as that which was originally covered by the initial remedy. It indicates that the prescriber can stay with that initial remedy, as can be seen from the following example: a patient came with the presenting symptom of facial wart, for which Causticum was prescribed. As this medicine covers the miasm (here in this case, sycosis) as well as the symptom, the wart has fallen off; and the next suppressed layer, perhaps a profuse yellowish leucorrhoea (which was previously suppressed by cauterisation) comes to the surface. This symptom too is a sycotic manifestation, and is also covered by Causticum, then that remedy will totally eradicate the problem. So knowledge of miasm guides us to stay with the remedy and to allow its full and complete action.
(v) To evaluate the homoeopathic prognosis of the case, as removal of layers of suppression are manifested as clarity of symptoms and also reflected by a quantum jump in the sense of well being. Deep acting anti-miasmatic medicines by virtue of their centrifugal action will remove the layers of suppression which can be evidenced as follows:
a) A quantum jump in the sense of well being.
b) Improved energy.
c) Increased appetite.
d) Better quality of sleep.
e) Harmony and tranquillity of temperament.
f) Stability (in obese people) or weight gain in under weight subjects.
g) Clarity of the existing or presenting symptoms or even lighter symptoms.
h) Suppressed symptoms (even of years ago) reappear on the surface and are permanently eradicated. This reappearance can be in a very transient form, which may not even be visible to the naked eye.
(vi) To fulfil Hahnemann’s three injunctions of cure: rapid, gentle and permanent.
Anti-miasmatic medicines help to clear up the suppressions ( in relation to the past); clear up the presenting symptoms from their root or origin ( in relation to the present ); and clear up the susceptibility to get infection and thereby strengthening the constitution ( in relation to the prophylactic aspect or future ).
Part I: Philosophy and Utility of Miasm: (Click to view) MIASM : DR. BANERJEA’S TEN PRINCIPLES . Here I have taken the opportunity to discuss the philosophical background of Miasm, and to share my views regarding suppression and the need for miasmatic prescriptions in the modern world. Key words are presented to reflect the miasmatic tendencies.
Part II: Miasmatic Diagnostic Classifications (Click to view) : Starting with the mental symptoms, this is a head to foot schematic classification of the four miasms, including my tips for rapid miasmatic diagnosis.
Part III: Miasmatic Diagnosis of Clinical Classifications (Click to view): In this section I have shared all the possible clinical nosological names under their respective miasmatic headings with a view to enabling fast diagnosis of the corresponding miasm.
Part IV: Miasmatic Ancestral Tips (Click to view): All the tips of my four generations of Miasmatic Prescribers.
Part V: Miasmatic Repertory (Click to view) : This is a totally new concept, and once again aimed for your quick miasmatic diagnosis.
Part VI: Miasmatic Weightage of Medicines (Click to view): A comprehensive guide to the weight, value or gradation of the medicines and listings of the leading anti-miasmatics.
Part VII: Practical Classical approach: In this chapter I have illustrated how to handle the cases that come to us in the current climate of suppression in a practical, useful way without deviating from the classical approach of prescribing. As I have stated throughout the book, time tested scientific miasmatic and classical approach to prescribing is a structured formula for solid reliable prescribing.
Part VIII: Case Illustrations: I have included a few cases to demonstrate how incorporation of miasm helped to reach the similimum when there were apparent close remedy possibilities. This method has proved to colleagues, my students and me over the years that this enhances the depth of the prescription and the certainty of good improvement in the case.
Part XI: Look and Diagnose and Personality assessment through Miasm: This is a chapter, which I have found interesting. The development of these ideas has revealed to me another aspect of miasmatic diagnosis and subsequent prescription. I was always encouraged by my teachers and my Uncle to observe the attitude, posture, and behaviour of people and to refine those observational skills into the practice. I have applied those same principles of observing for remedy selection into observation of the dominant miasm and found it to be hugely beneficial.
