This article aims to outline the process of restoration from abnormal to normal using homeopathic remedies. Before going further with this, it is vital to understand the difference between normal and abnormal. Normal by definition means ‘functioning in a natural way – confirming to the standard, usual or typical; lacking observable abnormalities or deficiencies; free from illness of any sort.’ Abnormal on the other hand refers to anything this ‘deviates from normality’.
The abnormal functions in a patient can be recognised by listening to their complaints about the condition and/or history taking. Both of these give a subjective account of the symptoms whereas clinical observations made by the clinician provide an objective outline of the symptoms. In addition to this, physical examination and clinical examination and the correct interpretation of the patient`s language is extremely important.
There are four major types of abnormalities which we come across in our clinical practice.
- Congenital
- Acquired
- Genetic (Hereditary)
- Immunological.
This article shall focus on the process of restoration. Irrespective of the type of abnormality, its restoration would be incomplete without focusing on the following ‘essentials of Homeopathy’, which we do consider in case taking within our limitations.
- Constitution (The physical and mental temperament that is expressive of the natural traits and predisposition of the individual),
- Diathesis (A mental or physical [inherited or acquired] chronic predisposition or disease state), Thermal Reaction
- Miasm (A diathesis based on an infection, its sequellae, or inherited effects)
- Totality (The aggregate of the characteristic symptoms in a case. The totality of a single symptom refers to a complete symptom)
- PQRS (Peculiar Queer Rare Strange symptoms)
- Sensation (the experience of a symptom, what it feels like. One of the parts of a complete symptom)
- Classical Approach
- Seven Layers of Suppressions
- Single Dose or Poly pharmacy
- Doctrine of Signature
In addition to these fundamentals of case taking, it is essential to value the importance of abnormal pathology, which perhaps might be the ‘real obstacle’ to treating a particular condition, as outlined in the cases that follow –
Case #1: A Case of Exostosis
Exostosis refers to the formation of new bone on the surface of a bone, and can lead to chronic pain ranging from mild, to severe and debilitating, depending on the size and location of the same.
A patient ‘B’ was brought into my clinic with the chief complaint of severe and chronic pain in the right arm. The patient can be described as a lean and thin but healthy young lady. She hardly fell ill during her childhood. The patient appeared to be shy, yet very cooperative and enthusiastic girl. She had a fair complexion and long hair.
An otherwise active and enthusiastic young girl was unable to lift, move or rotate her arm, which showed mid clavicular swelling. The patient complained that the pain radiated from the right side of the neck, chest and arm and later traversed throughout the right arm up to the finger tips. The swelling had started appearing and the intensity of the pain gradually became more severe and unbearable. It could possibly be that the Exostosis in the mid clavicular region could be exerting pressure on the Scalenus group of muscles which must be causing the pain.
The possibility of the patient having a cervical rib was also considered. In the same light, the presence of Scalenus Anticus Syndrome or Thoracic Outlet Syndrome was also considered.
The pain made the patient get angry and moody with a high degree of irritability. The clavicular swelling was first noticed after 3 months of birth, and had continued to grow in shape and size since then (so in this case it is a congenital abnormality). The patient experienced no pain while pressing the swelling, but was unable to lift, hold or handle anything heavy with her right arm. If done, she would feel the pain in the right pectoral region. The patient also complained of getting tired and exhausted very easily and experiencing pain in the right, loin after running during Physical Education lessons at school.
The Miasm of the patient can be described as ‘Psora turned to Sycotic’ and her Diathesis can be outlined as Tubercular and Sycotic. The possibility of a birth trauma cannot be overlooked. In a similar vein, there could have been a history of foetal distress which could possibility be presenting itself on the arm of the patient (leading to? green stick # resulted in mal-union). The patient however pointed out that she feels better when the swelling is covered, i.e. warmth over that area makes her feel better. The patient’s appetite, thirst, stool, urine and sleep were reported to be normal. She did not report experiencing any dreams; neither did she feel a craving or an aversion to anything in specific.
The patient’s X-ray report of right clavicle stated that, “There was un-united fracture of the mid 3rd of the Right Clavicle associated with inverted “ V “ shaped angulation of the fragment accounting for the lump. The fractured ends were well defined and corticated and it was assumed that this fracture may be long standing. It was assumed also that there has been a history of trauma to account for fracture but please correlate clinically.”
Post the consideration of the abnormal pathology and its correlation with the clinical picture of the drug with Repertorization, and references from Materia Medica, it was decided to use Calcarea Flour 3x as the remedy for this condition. The improvement in the condition post treatment can be noticed in Image 1a-1b.