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Ban on pyrrolizidine alkaloids
176
British Homoeopathic Journal
tant medicine to give is the constitutional in many instances; however, the traumas mentioned s e e m to e n g e n d e r certain fairly common patterns in patients and it is these that are considered. Although PTSD is dealt with under 3 separate headings for convenience, it is pointed out that most patients will experience a whole gamut of reactions to their traumas and these boundaries may not be clearly defined in practice. A useful introduction to an exceedingly complex problem. Materia medica of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy 1993; 86:110-18. Pulsatilla--does it act on the pituitary? P. K. SETHI The author reports briefly on a 'random clinical trial' on more than 300 cows using Pulsatilla in 30c and 1M potencies. The medicines were administered to treat conditions associated with anoestrus in heifers and c o w s - - n o t coming into heat and disturbed milk flow. The article is anecdotal, but introduces an interesting idea that Pulsatilla acts on the pituitary gland and therefore affects the production of various hormones, including oxytocic hormone. No scientific evidence is offered for this hypothesis, but then so much of v e t e r i n a r y h o m o e o p a t h y c a n n o t be explained logically. Pulsatilla and the pituitary body. The Homoeopathic Heritage International 1993; 18: 366-67. Veterinary applications V. MENEAR 5 interesting cases serve to illustrate the wide applications of veterinary h o m o e o p a t h y . Plumbum seemed to work well with a protozoan infection in a rabbit and the same medicine helped a 9-year-old terrier with kidney failure, preventing the need for euthanasia. Case 3 involved a sheep with what was later diagnosed as a rattlesnake bite (Crotalus), and case 4 a 2-year-old horse with 'strangles' (Rhus tox.). The final patient mentioned was a parrot with partial paralysis of its left wing and foot. It seemed to be having convulsions but responded to Nux vomica 30c given twice daily for 5 days very slowly. After four months the bird suffered a relapse, but rapidly improved when treated with the same medicine in 4x potency. In this case the lower
potency would probably have been more appropriate in the first treatment. Animals and homoeopathy. Five cases. Simillimum 1993; VI (2): 87-91.
Treating stubborn plantar warts MIRANDA CASTRO M. Castro presents a detailed case involving a male patient of 43 with large painful horny warts on the ball of his right foot. Over 2 years he had tried salicylic acid, formaldehyde, and caustic preparations; he had scraped the warts, applied plasters and even had them cut out and frozen off. Thuja oil rubbed in, and Thuja 30c taken orally were both unsuccessful, too. The patient's history revealed some interesting facts, and the constitutional medicine eventually chosen (Phosphorus 10M) appeared to work well, although it caused initial aggravations according to Hering' s law of cure. A case of intractable plantar warts. Simillimum 1993; V | (3): 97-101. Seeking the 'right' dose K. DAM The dose of a medicine should be clearly distinguished from potency and repetition after the action of a medicine. Although the dose should be as small as possible, the point is made in the Dutch article that it should be related to the sensitivity of the patient. According to Hahnemann the sensitivity of a patient to the dose of the indicated medicine can differ a thousand fold. What about patients who do not react on 1 or 2 doses, return after 6 weeks with no apparent improvement, yet you are certain the medicine is correct? Should a high potency be administered daily until a response is achieved? Eizayaga experimented with frequent dosing of high potencies and claims improved cure rates. At the other end of the scale highly sensitive patients might obtain relief from more subtle techniques: holding the medicine in its container in the hand or sleeping with it under the pillow. De Dosering. Simillima 1993; 2 (1): 25-27. (Dutch with English summary) Ban on pyrrolizidine alkaloids H. LESIGANG In Austria, medicinal preparations containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids will be banned from 1 July 1994. Plants containing the alkaloids are Cynoglossum L., Eupatorium cannabinum L. and plants belonging to the following genera:
Volume 83, Number 3, July 1994
Petasites Mill., Senecio L., Symphytum L. and Tussilago farfara. Dr Mattitsch wrote to the Federal Minister of Health to ask that homoeopathic preparations be excluded from the ban. The reply was that whilst originally an exemption had been planned for preparations in the 8x and above, objections had been raised to this and the ban would be general, including potentized medicines. Rubia tinctoria has been banned from 1 August 1993 in Austria. Hom6opathie in Osterreich 1993; 4: 142-4.
Melilotus in the treatment of mania A. SAINE The drug picture of Melilotus officinalis is discussed following a report on treating a case of mania. The paper concludes with a list of new, reliable Melilotus symptoms. Hom6opathie in Osterreich 1993; 4: 147-59.
Melilotus officinalis and Tubereulinum avis G. WILLINGER
Melilotus and Tuberculinum aviare having proved effective in the case reported by Saine (see above), the author used MacRepertory to search Kent's Repertory and the Complete Repertory for Melilotus in all Mind rubrics and for all rubrics where Melilotus is the only medicament mentioned. A list of the rubrics is given. He also scanned the Complete Repertory for references to Tuberculinum avis. Comparison of Melilotus with the 7 medicines that came closest to it in the Mind rubrics, showed the polychrests Belladonna,
Arsenicum album, Hyoscyamus, Lachesis, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Calcium to share many Melilotus symptoms. The suggestion is that in some cases where the polychrests failed, the minor medicine Melilotus may have been needed instead. Hom6opathie in Osterreich 1993; 4: 159-62.
Symptom a key concept in homoeopathy W. KLUNKER As part of the phenomenological basis of homoeopathy, the author differentiates the homoeopathic from the traditional 'symptom' concept. Traditionally a symptom is seen as a pathological phenomenon, an indicator of disease. In homoeopathy it is seen as the disease itself, i.e. a privative existential phe-
177
nomenon.
Zschr Klass HomOop 1994; 38: 3-13. Meaning of 'similar' M. FURLENMEIER Disputes concerning the 'correct' spelling of Hahnemann's Law of Similars (Similia similibus curentur or curantur) continue to flare up, but the meaning of 'similar' has never yet been clearly established. The author attempts to show that an exact definition is not possible, but that the Law is nevertheless essential to the practice of homoeopathy. Zschr Klass Hom6op 1994; 38: 14-17.
Increase in head lice with Psorinum? K. S. SRINIVASAN In three cases of head lice, the number of lice showed an initial increase following exhibition of Psorinum and then decreased as there was general improvement. Did Psorinum cause the initial increase? Zschr Klass Hom6op 1994; 38: 48-52.
'Hydrohomoeopathy' (part 1)_ J. WILLFAHRT A search of the French and German homoeopathic literature of the mid-19th century showed that even then, notable homoeopaths sought to combine cold water cures with homoeopathy. The intention was to cure syndromes that were difficult to deal with using homoeopathy on its own. They were doomed to failure, however, for it proved impossible to combine the two approaches in a convincing way. Both methods are designed to support 'self-healing' powers but there is no interdependence. Classical homoeopathy is not compatible with the humoral pathology concepts u n d e r l y i n g h y d r o t h e r a p y . Nevertheless, homoeopathic physicians and lay practitioners influenced by the nature cure movement continued to use hydrotherapy prior or parallel to homoeopathic treatment well into the 20th century. Zschr Klass Hom6op 1994; 38: 158-71. Can homoeopathic treatment replace vaccinations? H. G. WOLFF In view of the serious side effects of vaccinations, the author asks if there is a homoeopathic alternative. Voegeli recommended Lathyrus sativus for p r e v e n t i o n of poliomyelitis. Others spoke highly of using the nosodes. Pierre S c h m i d t a d v i s e d
British Homoeopathic Journal
tant medicine to give is the constitutional in many instances; however, the traumas mentioned s e e m to e n g e n d e r certain fairly common patterns in patients and it is these that are considered. Although PTSD is dealt with under 3 separate headings for convenience, it is pointed out that most patients will experience a whole gamut of reactions to their traumas and these boundaries may not be clearly defined in practice. A useful introduction to an exceedingly complex problem. Materia medica of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy 1993; 86:110-18. Pulsatilla--does it act on the pituitary? P. K. SETHI The author reports briefly on a 'random clinical trial' on more than 300 cows using Pulsatilla in 30c and 1M potencies. The medicines were administered to treat conditions associated with anoestrus in heifers and c o w s - - n o t coming into heat and disturbed milk flow. The article is anecdotal, but introduces an interesting idea that Pulsatilla acts on the pituitary gland and therefore affects the production of various hormones, including oxytocic hormone. No scientific evidence is offered for this hypothesis, but then so much of v e t e r i n a r y h o m o e o p a t h y c a n n o t be explained logically. Pulsatilla and the pituitary body. The Homoeopathic Heritage International 1993; 18: 366-67. Veterinary applications V. MENEAR 5 interesting cases serve to illustrate the wide applications of veterinary h o m o e o p a t h y . Plumbum seemed to work well with a protozoan infection in a rabbit and the same medicine helped a 9-year-old terrier with kidney failure, preventing the need for euthanasia. Case 3 involved a sheep with what was later diagnosed as a rattlesnake bite (Crotalus), and case 4 a 2-year-old horse with 'strangles' (Rhus tox.). The final patient mentioned was a parrot with partial paralysis of its left wing and foot. It seemed to be having convulsions but responded to Nux vomica 30c given twice daily for 5 days very slowly. After four months the bird suffered a relapse, but rapidly improved when treated with the same medicine in 4x potency. In this case the lower
potency would probably have been more appropriate in the first treatment. Animals and homoeopathy. Five cases. Simillimum 1993; VI (2): 87-91.
Treating stubborn plantar warts MIRANDA CASTRO M. Castro presents a detailed case involving a male patient of 43 with large painful horny warts on the ball of his right foot. Over 2 years he had tried salicylic acid, formaldehyde, and caustic preparations; he had scraped the warts, applied plasters and even had them cut out and frozen off. Thuja oil rubbed in, and Thuja 30c taken orally were both unsuccessful, too. The patient's history revealed some interesting facts, and the constitutional medicine eventually chosen (Phosphorus 10M) appeared to work well, although it caused initial aggravations according to Hering' s law of cure. A case of intractable plantar warts. Simillimum 1993; V | (3): 97-101. Seeking the 'right' dose K. DAM The dose of a medicine should be clearly distinguished from potency and repetition after the action of a medicine. Although the dose should be as small as possible, the point is made in the Dutch article that it should be related to the sensitivity of the patient. According to Hahnemann the sensitivity of a patient to the dose of the indicated medicine can differ a thousand fold. What about patients who do not react on 1 or 2 doses, return after 6 weeks with no apparent improvement, yet you are certain the medicine is correct? Should a high potency be administered daily until a response is achieved? Eizayaga experimented with frequent dosing of high potencies and claims improved cure rates. At the other end of the scale highly sensitive patients might obtain relief from more subtle techniques: holding the medicine in its container in the hand or sleeping with it under the pillow. De Dosering. Simillima 1993; 2 (1): 25-27. (Dutch with English summary) Ban on pyrrolizidine alkaloids H. LESIGANG In Austria, medicinal preparations containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids will be banned from 1 July 1994. Plants containing the alkaloids are Cynoglossum L., Eupatorium cannabinum L. and plants belonging to the following genera:
Volume 83, Number 3, July 1994
Petasites Mill., Senecio L., Symphytum L. and Tussilago farfara. Dr Mattitsch wrote to the Federal Minister of Health to ask that homoeopathic preparations be excluded from the ban. The reply was that whilst originally an exemption had been planned for preparations in the 8x and above, objections had been raised to this and the ban would be general, including potentized medicines. Rubia tinctoria has been banned from 1 August 1993 in Austria. Hom6opathie in Osterreich 1993; 4: 142-4.
Melilotus in the treatment of mania A. SAINE The drug picture of Melilotus officinalis is discussed following a report on treating a case of mania. The paper concludes with a list of new, reliable Melilotus symptoms. Hom6opathie in Osterreich 1993; 4: 147-59.
Melilotus officinalis and Tubereulinum avis G. WILLINGER
Melilotus and Tuberculinum aviare having proved effective in the case reported by Saine (see above), the author used MacRepertory to search Kent's Repertory and the Complete Repertory for Melilotus in all Mind rubrics and for all rubrics where Melilotus is the only medicament mentioned. A list of the rubrics is given. He also scanned the Complete Repertory for references to Tuberculinum avis. Comparison of Melilotus with the 7 medicines that came closest to it in the Mind rubrics, showed the polychrests Belladonna,
Arsenicum album, Hyoscyamus, Lachesis, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Calcium to share many Melilotus symptoms. The suggestion is that in some cases where the polychrests failed, the minor medicine Melilotus may have been needed instead. Hom6opathie in Osterreich 1993; 4: 159-62.
Symptom a key concept in homoeopathy W. KLUNKER As part of the phenomenological basis of homoeopathy, the author differentiates the homoeopathic from the traditional 'symptom' concept. Traditionally a symptom is seen as a pathological phenomenon, an indicator of disease. In homoeopathy it is seen as the disease itself, i.e. a privative existential phe-
177
nomenon.
Zschr Klass HomOop 1994; 38: 3-13. Meaning of 'similar' M. FURLENMEIER Disputes concerning the 'correct' spelling of Hahnemann's Law of Similars (Similia similibus curentur or curantur) continue to flare up, but the meaning of 'similar' has never yet been clearly established. The author attempts to show that an exact definition is not possible, but that the Law is nevertheless essential to the practice of homoeopathy. Zschr Klass Hom6op 1994; 38: 14-17.
Increase in head lice with Psorinum? K. S. SRINIVASAN In three cases of head lice, the number of lice showed an initial increase following exhibition of Psorinum and then decreased as there was general improvement. Did Psorinum cause the initial increase? Zschr Klass Hom6op 1994; 38: 48-52.
'Hydrohomoeopathy' (part 1)_ J. WILLFAHRT A search of the French and German homoeopathic literature of the mid-19th century showed that even then, notable homoeopaths sought to combine cold water cures with homoeopathy. The intention was to cure syndromes that were difficult to deal with using homoeopathy on its own. They were doomed to failure, however, for it proved impossible to combine the two approaches in a convincing way. Both methods are designed to support 'self-healing' powers but there is no interdependence. Classical homoeopathy is not compatible with the humoral pathology concepts u n d e r l y i n g h y d r o t h e r a p y . Nevertheless, homoeopathic physicians and lay practitioners influenced by the nature cure movement continued to use hydrotherapy prior or parallel to homoeopathic treatment well into the 20th century. Zschr Klass Hom6op 1994; 38: 158-71. Can homoeopathic treatment replace vaccinations? H. G. WOLFF In view of the serious side effects of vaccinations, the author asks if there is a homoeopathic alternative. Voegeli recommended Lathyrus sativus for p r e v e n t i o n of poliomyelitis. Others spoke highly of using the nosodes. Pierre S c h m i d t a d v i s e d