CONTINUING HOMOEOPATHY MEDICAL
EDUCATION SERVICES
QUARTERLY HOMOEPATHIC DIGEST
VOL.VIII No. 3 SEPT.’91
PART I CURRENT LITERATURE LISTING
A list of current homoeopathic literature, subject-wise, is given below. Except for the CCRH Quarterly Bulletin all the others are from the British, American, German etc. journals, not readily accessible to every homoeopath. Some of the articles may appear in Part II in later numbers of the Quarterly Homoeopathic DIGEST, as abstract/ summary/ condensation/ full, etc.
I. PHILOSOPHY
1. How are homoeopaths concerned with AIDS?
GRUDZINSKI,Th.v. (AHZ,235, 4/1990)
2. The Alchemist and the Goddess
NORLAND, Misha (The Homoeopath, 9, 1/1989)
3. How to study Materia Medica
CANDEGABE, Eugenio (The Homoeopth, 9, 1/1989)
4. Homoeopathy and Placebo
REILLY, David Taylor (JAIH, 83, 3/1990)
5. The variety of Placebo response
CHAPMAN, Edward (JAIH, 83, 3/1990)
6. Therapeutic Intent, Suggestion and Placebo
SHORE, Jonathan (JAIH, 83, 3/1990)
7. Some elements Homoeopathy
HABIL, D.R.; POPP, Fritz- Albert (BHJ, 79, 3/1990)
8. Psora and history
LEARY, Bernard (BHJ, 79, 3/1990)
9. Vaccinations
ARNOS, Kathy; KRUG, Ellen (Resonance, 12, 4, 90)
10. Critical thoughts on theory of miasms WOUTERS, Maarten (NTKH, 2. 1/1990)
11. What is to be cured in a case?
CLAUSER, Piereluigi (NTKH, 2. 1/1990)
12. Hints on case taking
SANKARAN, Rajan (NTKH, 2. 1/1990)
13. Complementary; Homoeopathy and Anthroposophically
Extended Medicine.
II. MATERIA MEDICA
1. The blue wonder: Sepia
EBERT, J (AHZ, 235, 4/1990)
2. Vegetative Dysregulation-Sinusitis Chronica
GEBHARDT, K-H. (AHZ, 235, 4/1990)
3. Cystolithisasis- Kalium nitricum
WALDECKER, A (ZKH, 34, 4/1990)
4. Cardispermum halicacabum- a proving with the potencies D6 and C30.
Part II- Symptoms list of Cardiospermum Halicacabum
RESPONDER, U. (ZKH, 34, 4/1990)
5. Verifications and clinical symptoms
(ZKH, 34, 4/ 1990)
6. Boraz veneta
CASTRO, Miranda (The Homoeopath, 9, 1/198)
7. Gentiana lutea: another bee sting remedy,
WOOD, Mathew (The Homoeopath, 9,1/1989)
8. Allergic asthma- aetiological aspects in two cases treated with Sepia
GNAIGER, Jutta (BHJ, 79, 3/1990)
9. The Molluscs: Murex and Sepia
LEESER, Otto (BHJ, 79, 3/1990)
10. Hepatoprotective action of potentized Lycopodium clavatum
SUR, R.K., SAMAJADAR, Kayal; MITRA, Susmita; GOLE, M.K; CHAKRABARTY, B.N. (BHJ,79, 3/1990)
11. The case of the held-back heart eith cold hands
FELDMAN, Murray (Resonance, 12, 4/1990)
12. Nux vomica
ELMORE, Durr (Resonance, 12, 4/ 90)
13. Small remedies seminar-a report
JOHNSTON, Linda (Resonance, 12, 4/90)
14. The IFH Professional Course- the last of a five part series on the 1989-90 school year.
15. Rhus toxicodendron in Paralysis,
GELDERBLOM, Wim (NTKH, 2, 1/90)
16. Graphites in Adenoids, Enlarged Tonsils, Blepharitis
BROOKS,E.D. (The Hahnemannian, October, 1990)
III. THERAPEUTICS
1. Some common and uncommon conditions
DEACON, Max ( Homoeopathy, 40, 6/90)
2. Help for the pharmacist via homoeopathy
HOLLOWAY, Desiree, Mrs, (Homoeopathy, 40, 6/90)
3. A comparison in mumps-two children, remedies, same disease
TOWLE, Daniel P. (Resonance, 12, 4/90)
4. The case of the held-back heart with cold hands
FELDMAN, Murry (Resonance, 12, 4/90)
5. Treating endometriosis with homoeopathy
REICHENBERG- ULLMAN, Judyth (Resonance, 12, 4/90)
6. Methods of case analysis
MORRISON, Roger (JAIH, 83, 3/ 90)
7. Two children remedies
MOSKOWITZ, Richard (JAIH, 83, 3/1990)
8. Allergic asthma-aetiological aspects in two cases treated with Sepia.
GNAIGER, Jutta (BHJ, 79, 3/90)
9. Homoeopathic treatment of patients with adenomas of the prostate
VOZIANOV, A.F., SIMEONOVA, N.K. (BHJ, 79, 3/1990)
10. Homoeopathic treatment of filariasis – experience in an Indian rural setting
SUBRAMANYAM, VR; MISHRA, N.; RAI, Y,: RAKSHIT, G.; PATINAIK, NM. (BHJ, 79, 3/90)
11. Liverpool annual clinical meeting in homoeopathic medicine 1989 (BHJ, 79, 3/90)
12. Family dynamics and homoeopathy
MORRISON, Roger; HERRICK Nancy (NTKH, 2, 1/90)
13. Hyperparathyroidism
SHAPIRO, Michael (The Hahnemannian, October 1990)
IV. REPERTORY
1. Computer and the homoeopathic single symptom
KELLER, G.v. (ZKH, 34, 4/1990)
2. Analysis of rubrics of KENT’s Repertory- Part 4, Kleptomania
SCHINDLER, M. (ZKH, 34, 4/1990)
3. Remedy alterations in Repertory of KENT-Part 14: Gnaphalium and Graphites
EPPENICH, H. (ZKH, 34, 4/ 90)
V. RESEARCH
1. Is it possible to prove the working of homoeopathic high potencies-a controlled crossever double blind study in skin disease
SCHWAB, G. (AHZ, 235, 4/90)
2. Scientific case documentation in Homoeopathy-the concept of the Niedersächsischen Akademie für Homoeopathic und Naturheilverfahren, Celle
FLORANGE, U. (AHZ, 235, 4/1990)
3. Current perspectives in homoeopathic research-results of earlier researches (Part I & II)
WALACH, H (AHZ, 235, 4 & 5/1990)
4. The mustard gas experiences of the British Homoeopathic Society: 1941-42.
MORRIS OWEN, Ralph; IVES, Galen
(Homoeopathy, 40, 6/90)
5. A study model with initial findings using Sepia 200c given prophylactically to prevent anaestrus problems in the dairy cow.
MACKIE, W. L; WILLIAMSOM, A. V.; CRAWFORD, W.J. and RENNIE, B. (BHJ, 79, 3/90)
6. Homoeopathy for plants-Research survey
ASSELDONK, Tedje van (NTKH, 2, 1/90)
VI. VETERINARY
1. Veterinary homoeopathy
LOCKYER, R. (Homoeopathy, 40, 6/90)
2. Veterinary Questions & answers
MACLEOD, G (Homoeopathy, 40, 6/90)
3. Hip dysplasia in a 61/2 years old German Shepherd
GEERS, Brigitte (Resonance, 12, 4/90)
VII. HISTORY
1. History of the Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica
Internationalis
ILLING, K.-H. (ZKH, 34, 4/90)
2. On the interpretation of HAHNEMANN’s China proving
GRUDZINSKI, Th. von (ZKH, 34, 4/90)
VIII. GENERAL
1. Liverpool annual clinical Meeting in homoeopathic medicine 1989 (BHJ, 79, 3/90)
2. Surrealism in Barcelona- Conference Report, 45th Congress of the International Homoeopathic Medical League, Barcelona, Spain, 10-13 May 1990 (BHJ, 79, 3/ 90)
3. Hazy reflections from Essen-Conference report
(BHJ, 79, 3/90)
4. International Press abstracts and reviews
(BHJ, 79, 3/90)
5. Homoeopathy and acupuncturists in California
NEUSTAEDTER, Randall (Resonance, 12, 4/90)
*************************************
1. JAIH: Journal of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, 1500, Massachusetts Aveune, N.W. Suite 42, Washington D.C. 20005.
2. Resonance: International Foundation for Homoeopathy, 2366, Eastlake Avenue, E., Suite 301, Seattle, Washington 98102, U.S.A.
3. CCRII Quarterly Bulletin: Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, B-1/16, Community Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110 058.
4. The Homoeopath: The Journal of the Society of Homoeopaths, 2, Artizan Road,
Northampton NN1 4HU, U.K.
5. Homoeopathy Today: National Centre for Homoeopathy, 1500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 42, Washington, D.C. 20005.
6. Homoeopathy: The Journal of the British Homoeopathic Association, 27A Deconshire Street, London, WIN 1RJ., U.K.
7. The Hahnemannian: Journal of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, C/o Guy Hoagland, M.D., 11 Flowers Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennysylvania, 17055, U.S.A.
8. BHJ: The British Homoeopathic Journal, Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3 HR, U.K.
9. Z K H: Zeitschrift für Klassische Homöopathic Karl F. Haug Verlag 6900 Heidelberg 1, Germany.
10. A H Z: Allgemeine Homöopathische Zeitung, Karl F. Haug Verlag, 6900 Heidelberg 1, Germany.
11. NTKH: Netherlands Tijdschrift voor Klassieke Homoeopathic, Uitgeverij la Riviere & Voorhoeve Postbus 130, 8260 AC Kampen, Netherlands
Vol.VIII No.3 SEPT.1991
PART II ARTICLES
This psychological picture and essence is based on lectures by George VITHOULKAS1 and Roger MORRISON, M.D.2 We are all indebted to VITHOULKAS for his insight and to Roger MORRISON and Bill GRAY for their transmission and commentary. My apologies for any errors or misinterpretations I may have mad.
Psychological Essence:
Staphysagria (also spelled Staphisagria) is a remedy needed by many people who suffer due to suppression of their emotions. They have a strong emotional nature but are easily suppressed – they cannot express the emotions they feel so strongly. Their emotions are very alive, but they’re weak in their assertion of them. Anger is especially difficult for them to process and express. They are very sensitive to rudeness, reprimand, contradiction, and conflict – they cannot bear to experience it. Their reaction is to hold it inside, not to express their anger, They may be insulated and say nothing, but inside they feel devastated, humiliated and extremely upset. This inability to express such strong emotions creates the Staphysagria pathology.
Some may lack the ability to recognize their anger. Others may have suppressed their anger so long they are afraid of what might happen if it ever came out. They can’t assert their ego boundaries and take care of themselves. The material medica emphasizes the anger of Staphysagria, but this occurs only in the later stage of the pathology.
You will find Staphysagria patients to be nice people, with a sweetness about them. You can easily mistake them for Pulsatilla, or perhaps can’t decide between Pulsatilla and Phosphorous. They’re likeable, with no hard edges. GIBSON describes “one of the cultivate gentlemen of the earth; controlling his feelings at any price, but silently brooding over his wrongs, real or imaginary”.3
Initially in the interview they may say very little. As you encourage them they’ll open up. It’s not unusual for them to weep during the interview (Puls., Sep., Phos., Staph).They are very sensitive people – sensitive to rudeness and griefs. Repeated griefs are an etiology for Causticum and Staphysagria, and these two remedies are complementary. There is an innocence, a helplessness, about them. They have no resistence; they don’t resist your probing. Staphysagria patients may have humility going toward timidity. It is a good remedy to consider in very timid people.
They often become prey to others with a stronger will. Others around them may bully them, push them, force them to obey. They will suppress their ideas and act like others want them to act. They may become like a ‘whipping boy’ to those around them. Typically the Staphysagria patient will lack the force to resist these external attacks. They also may have a strong need to be accepted by others, which contributes to their lack of resistance.
They can’t handle confrontations, which can cause emotional and physical spasms, and they will try to avoid them. They can’t tolerate criticism. If during an argument they feel they must say something, because they’ve been backed down so much, they’ll get a big aggravation after the confrontation. For hours or days they may feel terrible, both emotionally and physically.
When they should feel angry, they may feel guilty instead. They may be in a relationship where they are repeatedly abused, physically and emotionally. often Staphysagria is a remedy to consider fro battered women, or women physically, emotionally, or sexually abused in past or present relationships. They lack the strength to stand up to their aggressor, or to leave the relationship. This is a state of co-dependency-they are the victims.
After taking the remedy, a Staphysagria a patient may leave such a destructive relationship. She finds the strength to assert herself, to break out of past patterns that she may have been stuck in for years. She may be a battered wife, abused again and again, but always lacked the strength to leave the relationship. Give Staphysagria, and she may well leave within one month.
If involved in an argument or confrontation, they can’t respond-they can become speechless. They may tremble when angry. Another big keynote is, worse from suppression of anger. They can get physical pathology and aggravation of all symptoms from anger. Their aggressive element is suppressed and they get sick. It takes very little to suppress their anger. They cannot rebel-it’s a type of helplessness. They feel powerless, yet they can’t or won’t help themselves.
They’re afraid of their anger, so they must deny it. They fear if they let out the anger they’d hurt or kill someone. They may drink alcohol, and act out their anger-an “angry drunk”.
Only in the final stages is the anger externalized. This is the Staphysagria you read about in the old material medicas. Finally they last out – they may scream and rage as the suppressed anger erupts. In this late stage they may display a constant unending stream of anger, especially toward the person with whom they had suppressed their anger. They may be very irritable, touchy, indignant. If angry, they have a tendency to throw things, or they may tremble when angry. Suppressed emotions may come out during sleep as angry dreams or erotic dreams. They may dream of getting angry and throwing things.
Staphysagria patients can be artistic, philosophical and intellectual. They are very refined people, not coarse. A good confirmatory symptom of Staphysagria is writing poetry.
Another characteristic is talking to themselves while alone. They can have long conversations with themselves about their situations. The more the suppression of anger, they tend to get depressed. Usually their depression doesn’t go toward suicide, but to a resigned sadness. They can lose interest in life – or can’t face life. If you have a totally sweet patient, with depression, consider Staphysagria.
Staphysagria is a remedy with ailments from grief, disappointed love, and broken relationships. Then they become resigned, with a sweetness instead of bitterness. There may be a history of many romantic griefs. (Ignatia, Natrum muriaticum).
Staphysagria patients usually have a high sex drive. They are sensitive, with vital, deep feelings. Their strong emotions are held inside, and sex is a release of that emotional energy. Sexuality and aggression can be linked. The aggressive element in their personality becomes suppressed – and gets channeled into the sexual sphere. The strong sexual energy of Staphysagria may manifest in an abnormal way. They are so reserved or timid they can’t easily make contact or initiate a relationship.
Therefore, Staphysagria is a remedy of intense sexual fantasies, especially masturbation. They may see someone they’re attracted to, but won’t approach the person and make contact. Instead they’ll have romantic fantasies. At night in bed they may fantasize about sex with that person and masturbated. Often you will find a history of frequent masturbation – they may masturbate every night in bed to fall asleep. The strong sexuality is often important in Staphysagria cases. The strong tendency to fantasize, masturbate, or indulge in lascivious thoughts has been mentioned. There may be a tendency toward sexual excesses, nymphomania, or perversions. The genitalia are very sensitive, and although easily aroused, may have premature ejaculation in the male, or anorgasmia during coition in the female. Some patients needing Staphysagria may not masturbate because of religious teachings.
In a relationship they may be more interested in sexual fantasies than sex (Platina). Masturbation in 8-9 year old children may suggest Staphysagria. (Origanum is a remedy for masturbation, but not so much with the fantasies).
You also may find a history of a passive promiscuity. They have no resistence – can’t say no, will do it even if they don’t want to. They may be in a sado-masochistic relationship; they’re the masochists. Or they may be voyeuristic – a type of passive sexual activity. All this sexual perversion indicates Staphysagria is a remedy of the sycoticmiasm. The main sycotic remedies are Pulsatilla, Staphysagria Medorhinum, Thuja, and Natrum sulphuricum.
Finally, the memory may be affected, especially after masturbation or sexual excesses. He may forget what he’s read – and have no inclination for mental work. There also may be an aggravation from mental work.
Prescribing Hints
You will usually prescribe Staphysagria on the essence, or glimpse a part of the essence. It’s not a remedy with an abundance of strong general symptoms.
There is an affinity for the genitourinary system, nervous system, glands, skin, teeth and musculoskeletalsystem. Although not listed, it is one of the best cholera remedies, especially indicated if cholera is aggravated by suppressed emotions. Ticks, convulsions, epilepsy – any neurological condition brought on by suppressed anger or grief suggest Staphysagria.
A child who become autistic or retarded from slight suppression would suggest Staphysagria. VITHOULKAS had a case where a left-handed child was forced to us his right hand in first grade. For three years afterward he was intellectually retarded. When Staphysagria was given, he quickly regained his intellectual abilities, and so on caught up and became an excellent student.
Sexuality is often important in Staphysagria cases. The strong tendency to fantasize, masturbate, or indulge in lascivious thoughts has been mentioned. There may be a tendency toward sexual excesses, nymphomania, or perversions. The genitalia are very sensitive, and although easily aroused, may have premature ejaculation in the male, or anorgasmia during coition in the female.
Staphysagria should be remembered for complaints following first coitus. “Some women suffer very acutely (in mind as well as body) during and for some time after the first coitus. I have seen Staphysagria 30 give unspeakable relief in such cases”4. Staphysagria is the first remedy to consider for “Honeymoon Cystitis”. Coition may be painful for women because of the sensitivity of the genitalia. Ailments from: Suppressed anger, anger, romantic grief, mortification, surgical incisions, first inter-course, coition, sexual excesses, masturbation.
Staphysagria is a remedy to remember for bad effects after surgery. It’s a first aid remedy following cuts with a knife or scalpel, “wounds made by clean-cutting objects”. It is used as an acute post-surgical remedy. It has been successfully used for treating pain after episiotomy, and phantom limb pains, or surgical incisions that are very painful. Colic since abdominal surgery suggests Staphysagria.
Staphysagria may also have complaints following stretching of sphincters. Causes might include sigmoidoscope exams, vaginal dilation, first inter-course, etc.
General Symptoms
Staphysagria temperature is not useful-they may be chilly, average or warm, although CLARKE says they are chilly.
Weakness of the whole body, while walking, especially the knees. Bone pains Itching.
Sensations: Growths of skin are sensitive, as if full of nerves, but may also be painless. Numbness, pains shooting, stitching, burning. General bruised sensations.
Growths: Polyps, warts, condylomata, arthritic nodes.
Neurological: Twitches and chorea.
Worse: from mental affections, anger, romantic grief, mortification, tobacco, coition, masturbation, sexual excesses, afternoon nap, light touch. Worse from letting the mind dwell on sexual objects.
Better; after breakfast, from hard pressure, warmth.
Regional Symptoms
Head: Headache from suppresses anger. Headaches after a grief (Ign., Nat. mur., Staph). Head feels like a block of wood, like a ball inside, solid, numb- especially forehead or occiput. Headache after coition or masturbation. Dullness of the head, and loss of memory, especially after sexual excuesses. Alopecia after grief (Phosphoric acid, Ign., Staph.)
Eyes: Styes on eyelids, long lasting. Styes are a good confirmatory symptom. Indurations may remain for months after styes. Warts or tumors on the eyelids. Blepharitis. Eyes may burn and feel dry, although watering. Staphysagria may be indicated after eye surgery. (For a blow to the eye: Amica. Aconite may be given for the intitial shock of an eye injury. For the eyeball itself injured-Symphytum. For inuries in the periorbital area: Ledum or Amica.