- Email: [email protected]
Child abuse and post traumatic stress disorder
Volume 83, Number 3, July 1994
for appropriate changes to be made to nurses' basic training programmes, as with other professions. This paper looks at the need for research programmes to evaluate complementary therapies and describes a programme of integration at the Oncology Department of H a m m e r s m i t h H o s p i t a l , London. This programme was begun in 1988 with clear aims including 'treating patients and their families in terms of their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs' and offering patients a wide range of treatment options'. One of the major difficulties in adopting a more holistic approach to care is that it does not fit in well with the hierarchical structure found in most large hospital settings. Homoeopathy is not specifically mentioned but there is no doubt that it has an important part to play in the important concepts discussed in this article. Cancer nursing: complementary/conventional approaches combine. Complementary therapies in medicine 1993; 1: 158-63.
Keeping pace with the competition R. F. KELLY Chiropractic came in for some pretty hard stick from the King's Report last year, with calls for its regulation. It is said to be the fastest growing healing profession in the world, and holds number two spot in the US and in its class the same in the UK, just behind a c u p u n c t u r e . Both c h i r o p r a c t i c and homoeopathy believe that health and disease are governed by laws and follow a holistic approach to therapy. This interesting article traces the complementary opportunities for the two disciplines and although there is a strong American theme to the comments British readers will find the ideas stimulating, too.
Homoeopathy and chiropractic. Resonance 1993; 15 (5): 7-13.
A dental problem D. STEPHENSON A dental case involving pain and infection stretching over a period of some 8 or 9 years is presented. The author does not mention a medicine for extreme patience, but it might well have been appropriate--I do not think 1 would have put up with transient discomfort over such a long time! Eventually, after several years, the patient finally agreed to try
175
homoeopathy and Kali carb., Lycopodium and Hypericum were all administered following reference to Clarke and Kent. The tooth pain has been relieved and one is left with the impression that if earlier homoeopathic intervention had been allowed, the painful surgical procedures might have been prevented. You've got a lot of nerve. Resonance 1993; 15 (4): 11.
Mental symptoms are important in animals too J. LEVY My veterinary colleagues tell me that there is a tendency to emphasize physical symptoms when prescribing for animals because of the difficulties of assessing mentals and matching, reliable rubrics in the repertory. In the case of canine hypothyroidism presented here Jeffrey Levy suggests that although there are quite a few physical symptoms, without an understanding of the mental and emotional manifestations of the condition it would have been extremely difficult to come up with the right medicine. The 'patient' was a 30-monthold male Giant Schnauzer, diagnosed as hypothyroid and presently being treated with thyroxine. There were a number of behavioural problems with sudden changes of mood alternating between aggressive growling and affectionate licking. Platina was indicated and given in a 1M potency. Two months later the thyroxine was discontinued and the behavioural problems cured. So much for being unable to treat d e f i c i e n c i e s with homoeopathy! Keeping pace with the competition A case of canine hypothyroidism'. Resonance 1993; 15 (5): 16, 32. Child abuse and post traumatic stress disorder R. MORRISON The author provides a thorough discussion of some of the medicines that have been effective in the t r e a t m e n t of fear and p h o b i a s (Stramonium, Mercurius, Arsen. alb., Kali brom. and Platina), anger (Stramonium, Ignatia, Staphysagria, Causticum, Anacardium and Nux vomica) and dissociation (Cannabis indica, Natrum tour., Mercurius and Medorrhinum) associated with child abuse. Brief pictures and examples of use are given for each medicine. Dr Morrison stresses that the most impor-
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:
for appropriate changes to be made to nurses' basic training programmes, as with other professions. This paper looks at the need for research programmes to evaluate complementary therapies and describes a programme of integration at the Oncology Department of H a m m e r s m i t h H o s p i t a l , London. This programme was begun in 1988 with clear aims including 'treating patients and their families in terms of their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs' and offering patients a wide range of treatment options'. One of the major difficulties in adopting a more holistic approach to care is that it does not fit in well with the hierarchical structure found in most large hospital settings. Homoeopathy is not specifically mentioned but there is no doubt that it has an important part to play in the important concepts discussed in this article. Cancer nursing: complementary/conventional approaches combine. Complementary therapies in medicine 1993; 1: 158-63.
Keeping pace with the competition R. F. KELLY Chiropractic came in for some pretty hard stick from the King's Report last year, with calls for its regulation. It is said to be the fastest growing healing profession in the world, and holds number two spot in the US and in its class the same in the UK, just behind a c u p u n c t u r e . Both c h i r o p r a c t i c and homoeopathy believe that health and disease are governed by laws and follow a holistic approach to therapy. This interesting article traces the complementary opportunities for the two disciplines and although there is a strong American theme to the comments British readers will find the ideas stimulating, too.
Homoeopathy and chiropractic. Resonance 1993; 15 (5): 7-13.
A dental problem D. STEPHENSON A dental case involving pain and infection stretching over a period of some 8 or 9 years is presented. The author does not mention a medicine for extreme patience, but it might well have been appropriate--I do not think 1 would have put up with transient discomfort over such a long time! Eventually, after several years, the patient finally agreed to try
175
homoeopathy and Kali carb., Lycopodium and Hypericum were all administered following reference to Clarke and Kent. The tooth pain has been relieved and one is left with the impression that if earlier homoeopathic intervention had been allowed, the painful surgical procedures might have been prevented. You've got a lot of nerve. Resonance 1993; 15 (4): 11.
Mental symptoms are important in animals too J. LEVY My veterinary colleagues tell me that there is a tendency to emphasize physical symptoms when prescribing for animals because of the difficulties of assessing mentals and matching, reliable rubrics in the repertory. In the case of canine hypothyroidism presented here Jeffrey Levy suggests that although there are quite a few physical symptoms, without an understanding of the mental and emotional manifestations of the condition it would have been extremely difficult to come up with the right medicine. The 'patient' was a 30-monthold male Giant Schnauzer, diagnosed as hypothyroid and presently being treated with thyroxine. There were a number of behavioural problems with sudden changes of mood alternating between aggressive growling and affectionate licking. Platina was indicated and given in a 1M potency. Two months later the thyroxine was discontinued and the behavioural problems cured. So much for being unable to treat d e f i c i e n c i e s with homoeopathy! Keeping pace with the competition A case of canine hypothyroidism'. Resonance 1993; 15 (5): 16, 32. Child abuse and post traumatic stress disorder R. MORRISON The author provides a thorough discussion of some of the medicines that have been effective in the t r e a t m e n t of fear and p h o b i a s (Stramonium, Mercurius, Arsen. alb., Kali brom. and Platina), anger (Stramonium, Ignatia, Staphysagria, Causticum, Anacardium and Nux vomica) and dissociation (Cannabis indica, Natrum tour., Mercurius and Medorrhinum) associated with child abuse. Brief pictures and examples of use are given for each medicine. Dr Morrison stresses that the most impor-
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: