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Miasms are disease-producing dynamic factors. They manifest
in many ways from the subtle to the profound dependent upon
individual genome (genetic) expression.
Diagnosing and treating the acute disease is much easier than
properly assessing chronic disease and selecting the appropriate
approach. Often a true approach in chronic disease is missed
and suppressive or palliative (serving to relieve without cure)
treatment is rendered.
Present symptoms in a acute episode dictate the course of treatment,
whereas in chronic disease these signs and symptoms may be subtle
or even absent. Attempting to discern the factors that have
significantly influenced the organism to arrive at this chronic
stage requires an appreciation of the individual's predisposition,
susceptibility, and personal/familial history. Therefore, an
understanding of the person as the whole with specific impact
by the causative organism and the disease process is required.
Currently, we look at chronic disease with the same set of filters
we have developed that assist us in dealing with acute disease.
We must set aside these and develop a new set of perceptual
filters to fully appreciate the chronic condition. Hahnemann
was ahead of his time in his understanding the effect the 'cause
of disease' has in
the process of chronic disease. He also placed a large value
on the individual symptoms presented; therefore he had an appreciation
for genetic expression decades before the gene was discovered.
Hahnemann described the idea of needing to address the various
layers when treating disease. Understanding this he then had
a model to
appreciate the impact of inherited weaknesses or susceptibilities.
He would take accurate histories of symptoms whereupon he could
account for those patients who state, "I have not been well
since…" or "Just like my grandmother had…" Hahnemann become
frustrated by choosing an appropriate remedy only to have the
patient return later showing the need for the same remedy while
their degenerative condition and life force continued to decline.
By appreciating the layers of a disease as he did, he understood
that in treating, one must pay attention to what which is acting
as a blockage to cure.
Understanding this led Hahnemann to appreciate that in order
to elicit a cure, one must address the cause not the symptom.
He also theorized that illness is a destabilization of the life
force from forces acting upon the weaknesses of the individual.
Finally, the earlier the trauma or deeper the trauma, the more
impact it has on the individual and his/her ability to return
to health. Thus, time is considered to play a significant role.
We have all learned to take thorough histories, but we ultimately,
only treat the patient in the here-and-now with little emphasis
on treating the cause; i.e., the 'strep throat' which may have
caused the cascade of poor health and lowered the vitality of
the individual, thus becoming more susceptible to subsequent
traumas that he/she would otherwise have been able to deal with.
Hahnemann is often thought of as a vitalist but he was more
accurately a dynamist as demonstrated by the methodology. Paying
attention to the vital force and the various factors that impacted
the afflicted person, he formed the concept of inherited or
acquired miasms. There are three main causes of disease, which
must be addressed to elicit a cure:
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Acquired 'susceptibility'
(requires use of nutrition to support the system) |
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Imbalance of one's 'constitution'
(requires miasm or singular formulations) |
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Effects of 'specific' or
'abnormal' stressors (requires use of xenobiotics, nosodes
or isodes) |
Types
of Miasms
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'Miasms"
are of two types:
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First,
the active or acute miasm is one that commences with
an initial disease phase. It progresses through its
disease process whereupon the individual either improves
or dies.
There are two
varieties of acute miasms:
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The recurring
acute miasm where there is a repetitive attack over
time, e.g., asthma, diarrhea, fever, headache.
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The non-recurring
acute miasm where disorders only occur in a lifetime
such as chickenpox, measles, mumps. All of these conditions
have sequelae (conditions resulting from the disease)
and may be activated (latent miasm) by stressors. An
example of this would be Chickenpox and Herpes Zoster.
This could also be the "Strep throat" mentioned earlier
or a "dental cavitation".
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This concept
in homeopathic thinking is mostly associated with the
'Biological Terrain'. In homeopathic thought, it is
one's constitution that is of primary importance and
secondarily the disease-causing organism.
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Microorganisms
are opportunistic and will cause disease if the host's
constitution is weak. Antibiotics may be used to kill
microorganisms, but the intrinsic disease factor may
establish and linger. Some believe this may occur via
gene alteration. In addition, the use of the antibiotic
may also cause an additional component that may effect
the individual's constitution.
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Second,
the inherited or chronic miasm has a significant impact
upon the susceptibility of the individual. These have
been passed through the generations, perhaps via affecting
the genome (genetic) of the original individual afflicted.
A chronic miasm will establish its disease profile and
continue without the dormancy of the active type of
miasm. Obviously, it is this type of miasm that is more
prone to create degenerative disease processes.
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There are
three varieties of chronic miasms: |
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Psora
(miasm of deficiency). Probably 80% of the population
has a component of Psora affecting them. It chiefly
affects the bowel and skin. It has been called the oldest
of the miasms and therefore the deepest acting. Psora
is an internal disorder that externalizes; e.g., asthmatics
that suffer with eczema. There is a separation of ego
and self and therefore many hysterias and manias have
their origin here. They are often hypochondriacal and
will present with different symptoms each time seen.
Hypoactivity characterizes this individual in that they
are anergic (sluggish) and the vital energy tends to
under-function and it fails to deal with invading pathogens.
Psora types are timid, reserved, indifferent, intelligent,
apprehensive, over-sensitive, restless, cold, easily
fatigued or depressed, better by lying down or scratching,
constantly hungry with a desire for hot foods, have
an unkept appearance, dry itchy skin with burning sensations
in the hands and feet. Symptoms will manifest more in
the winter months. They will complain of digestive
troubles, being cold, fears, defective bone development,
poor self images, liver, lung, circulatory and heart
problems, hyperactivity, allergies and often not finish
what they start.
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Sycosis
(miasm of excess) Conditions of excess such as drug
abuse, alcoholism, greed, diabetes, and autoimmune responses
all have ties to this miasm. The underlying cause has
its roots from the gonorrheal organism. Growths capture
how this miasm manifests itself, be it warts, condylomas
(wart like growth usually seen near genitalia or anus),
cysts, tumors or sclerosing of organs. This miasm
covers all the "-osis" and "-itis" conditions. This
type of patient will usually be well muscled in build
and can suddenly die without any obvious signs or symptoms
due to the suppressive nature of this miasm. Mentally,
there is jealousy, selfishness, desiring of pleasure
without thinking of consequence, exploitive, irritability,
mistrustfulness, suspiciousness. There is desire of
hot or cold foods, they have aversions to meats, tend
to develop gray hair early and recover slowly. They
tend to suffer from reproductive problems, peptic ulcers,
colitis, warts, blood, kidney, liver, lung and heart
valve problems. Complaints decrease when there is movement
of fluids in the form of discharges that may be odorous.
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Syphilinum/Luetic
(miasms of destruction) This miasm stems from a contagious
and destructive organism which causes necrosis (death
of areas of tissue or bone surrounded by health tissues),
ulceration and breakdown of the immune system and tissue
integrity. These patients will have difficulty following
directions for cure due to their destructive behavior.
Affliction of the brain, nervous system and bone are
targeted by this miasm. Mentally, they are cold,
ruthless and unfeeling, bear little conscience or regard
for life, are spiteful, hateful, revengeful, cruel,
jealous, destructive and sabotaging to relationships.
Their skin can be sweaty and greasy often with an offensive
smell. Alopecia (hair loss) is a common presentation
of this miasm. Symptoms are often increased in
the summer and winter and worse at night. They desire
cold foods and are averse to meats.
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Other
Miasms
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There are
two varieties other varieties of chronic miasms: |
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Tuberculinum
This miasm was known as the "antipsora" until named
and has characteristics of Psora and Syphilinum. They
are frail individuals sensitive to the heat; however,
they may often feel chilled. They will tire with excessive
activity but feel better when moving about. They are
sensitive to air pollution and barometric or atmospheric
changes. There is mental restlessness and dissatisfaction
in these individuals. They sense a need for change and
alter their present status. They can quickly change
from a good-tempered mindset to being disagreeable and
angry. They desire seeing new things and are adverse
to mental work. Fatigue is one of the hallmarks of these
individuals. There is a dislike of changes of weather
and thunderstorms. Physically, look to the muscular
system, bone and other areas requiring oxygen to function
properly.
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Carcinosin
This tends to be a combination of the Sycosis and the
Syphilinum miasms. Since this entity may attack multiple
organs, it has a wide presentation. Typically, there
is growth (Sycosis component) and then destruction (Syphilinum
component). They have difficulty thinking and make decisions.
This miasm remedy may assist those with tendencies toward
illnesses of pneumonia, pernicious anemia or whooping
cough. Typically those with pale skin color, blue sclera
of the eyes, spider nevi (veins), and numerous illnesses
over a short period of time or in childhood may benefit
from dosing. These indications suggest one whose constitution
has been severely weakened. There is a tendency to suicide
among these individuals. They can be apathetic (in different,
no interest), may have sensitive gums and teeth, and
have headaches before a storm and bizarre tics. Spilling
of albumin would suggest need for dosing. In order to
give this remedy it is important to take a familial
history look for cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, or
pernicious anemia. They are ameliorated (improved) or
aggravated by the seaside. Those children with learning
disorders or mongolism (down syndrome) can also benefit
from Carcinosin.
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Causes
of Disease
Fully
appreciating the various causes of disease assists us in matching
the appropriate level of cure. During the years when the plague
and other disease such as leprosy, tuberculosis, cholera (bilious
diarrhea) and syphilis were pandemic, homeopaths were quite
successful in treating these diseases having lower incidence
of death compared to that of the allopathic (medical) institutions
of that time. Hahnemann became well acquainted with these and
he treated patients not only by homeopathy but also with diet,
lifestyle changes, and other modalities. His method was termed
"Heilkunst" (the art of health). From this approach he outlined
the various levels of disease.
Factors
In Disease
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Factors
in disease can be: |
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Nutrigenic:
Poor diet and lifestyle. These factors lower or raise
the level of vital force already existent. Exercise,
nutrition and sanitation are principle stimulating agents.
Diet and how one feels is important here. (TX – use
nutritionals, glandulars, botanicals)
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Homeogenic:
Physical or emotional shocks or traumas. These factors
lower or raise the level of vital force already existent.
This category is caused by irritant action on the individual.
(TX – massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, aromatherapy,
flower essences, general homeopathy, botanicals, and
counseling are all agents to use to assist normalization.)
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Iatrogenic:
Side effects or results of actions taken. Look at behaviors.
These factors lower or raise the level of vital force
already existent. Immediate effects of vaccination,
allopathic or other drug effects can be causes. Isopathy
(resonance of the drug) is an effective way to reverse
this component. Treated conditions are important here.
(TX – use first aid support along with drainage combinations
and isode therapy.)
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Pathogenic:
Microorganisms, natural toxins or poisons, inherited
or acquired miasms. These factors influence the individual's
ability to generate more vital force. Therapy useful
in treating this level is to use isopathy and nosodes
(resonance of the pathogen) remedies. Many miasms exist
as this level. This is ascertained by the signs that
a pathogen produces: i.e., measles. (TX – use nutritional
support with botanicals, drainage and nosode therapy.)
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Ideogenic:
False thoughts, ill conceived ideas, fabricated realities.
This affects the core of the being. These factors influence
the individual's ability to generate more vital force.
Hahnemann believed this level was the deepest and most
difficult to treat. He believed this predated disease
and that all disease has it origin here. (TX – use of
vibrational energies (resonance of thought/energies)
are of benefit here with remedies such as high potencies,
xenobiotics, seed remedies, meditation.)
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