|
|
|
The Organon of the Healing Art is the text on which Homoeopathy is based. It teaches homoeopathic methodology and case management in a grand fashion. One of the subjects is a detailed study of the positive and negative signs which may be elicited by homoeopathic remedies. Much of the material on remedy reactions seems very complex, but when it is broken down into its basic components, it becomes easier to understand.
The first dose of a homoeopathic remedy is a test dose. No one can judge the constitutional sensitivity of each individual perfectly. For this reason the safest thing to do is give one single test dose and carefully watch for signs of action of the remedy. There are always three questions to consider right at the start of any treatment i.e., is the remedy the true simillimum, is it a wrong remedy, or is it a partial simillimum? Of course, the best sign is a striking improvement in all the symptoms and the state of vitality. What does it mean when there is an increase of the symptoms present or the production of new ones? What does the return of old symptoms mean? The answers to these questions revolve around the following four queries
A similar aggravation is an increase of the symptoms the individual already suffers. For example, a remedy is given for a chronic backache and the pains become worse after the dose. This is caused by too large a dose (too many pills or teaspoons), too high a potency (C or LM), or the repetition of the remedy when not needed. No further doses are needed as the primary action of the remedy is too strong for the vital force to begin its secondary reaction. If the aggravation is not severe it is best to wait and watch the symptoms closely as there soon will be a healing secondary action which will not only bring relief but start the road toward a greater state of health. If the aggravation is causing great pain and distress the remedy may have to be canceled.
A dis-similar aggravation is when a remedy produces "new and troublesome symptoms" not appertaining to the disease being treated. For example, one is treating the chronic backache and the person gets a stomach ache after taking the remedy and feels bad all over. If the headache is no better and these new symptoms persist it is a sign of the wrong remedy. The key here is "the new and troublesome" aspect. A new case should be built around the combination of the natural and new remedial symptoms and a corrective remedy given. If a dis-similar aggravation is severe it should be antidoted.
Sometimes a remedy will bring out side-actions which are called accessory symptoms. These are symptoms of the remedy that are unhomoeopathic to the person who is taking the remedy. If they are mild and transient they will not interfere with the cure. If they increase it is a sign that the remedy is only a partial simillimum and has done all the work it can do. The case should be retaken.
This often leads to the question; what is the difference between accessory symptoms and the symptoms of a dis-similar aggravation? Both involve an increase of new signs rather than an increase of the symptoms present or the appearance of old ones from the past. The differential analysis used to assess these two states are as follows.
A. A dis-similar aggravation produces "new and troublesome symptoms" not directly related to the case while the mental state, general vitality and health of the person seems to be getting worse. The person's chief complaints are not improving while new symptoms of a troubling nature increase. It is time to retake the case and find an alternative that suits the situation.
B. Accessory symptoms are seen when the person is improving in health and vitality but new symptoms begin to appear. These symptoms are side-actions of the chosen remedy that are unhomoeopathic to the individual's complaint. When these symptoms are trifling and pass off rapidly they will not interfere with the cure. If the symptoms increase or become persistent this means the remedy is a partial simillimum that is beginning to obstruct the cure. This is a sign it is time to retake the case and give a more perfect remedy. It is only when such symptoms become severe that an antidote is needed.
Thus in a dis-similar aggravation new symptoms increase and the vitality is lowered. A partial simillimum produces new symptoms while the person's health is improving and vitality increasing. If the partial simillimum is close enough to the center of the derangement it will move the constitution closer to a greater state of health. If the partial simillimum is too distant from the central core of the vital disruption it will continue to produce its own signs until they dominate the symptomatology. Such a situation can be aborted if the homoeopath readily understands the nature of the presenting signs and acts accordingly. All of these essential aspects of case management are carefully explained in the aphorisms of The Organon.
Lastly, the homoeopath must know the difference between the 3 types of homoeopathic reactions and a natural healing crisis.
A. A homoeopathic aggravation is controlled by the primary action of a homoeopathic remedy while a natural healing crisis is controlled by the secondary action of the vital force. Therefore, natural healing cycles are under the curative power of the vital principle within the constitution. Such a natural crisis is not overly prolonged nor dangerous to the health of the individual.
B. A homoeopathic aggravation is the increase of those things present (similar aggravation) or the production of unrelated new symptoms (dis-similar aggravation). A true natural healing crisis produces the return of old symptoms and suppressed disease signs as well as surrogate eliminations. A natural healing crisis is always quickly followed by a greater sense of health and an increase in vitality. This is the basis of Hering's Laws. If the return of old symptoms is prolonged, or more painful than the original complaint, it is a sign of a similar homoeopathic aggravation. In this situation the primary action of the similar remedy forces a severe crisis as the old symptoms return. This is a sign that the size of the dose is too large, the potency too high, or the remedy was repeated when it was not needed.
Similibus Curentur
Sincerely, David Little