[Link].
com
Article
Miasm and its Clinical Perspective
Dr. A. Ravindra Babu
[Link]
Introduction
[Link], a renowned
clinician and academician, research scholar
Abstract
writes and shares his views in this article
Even though exact similimum is prescribed in a chronic case,
about Miasm and its Clinical Perspective. He
after pain taking case analysis and Repertorisation, we face failures
had authored books and articles published in sometimes. Hahnemann postulated the miasmatic theory when he was
scientific journal. He also presented many concerned about the failures particularly in chronic disease. Clinical
papers in the scientific conferences, lectured interpretation of miasm has been a difficult task to everybody; a simple
in many Homoeopathic Medical Colleges. He understanding of the miasm in relation with cellular pathology not only
served in many positions in the state and guides but also benefits the patient a lot. We understand from his writings
that Miasmatic prescribing is a constitutional prescription based on the
central Government.
totality of symptoms including the miasmatic state that inherited or
acquired. Even though the concept of miasm is raging the community
without any conclusive insight, a homoeopath can interpret the miasm
with the knowledge of physiopathology. Psora can be explained in
terms of Sensitization of a cell, Sycotic Miasm can be explained in
terms of Proliferation and Syphilitic miasm as Degeneration. The cases
with irreversible pathology always seek miasmatic diagnosis for better
prognosis and treatment. We hold different types of prescriptions, our
prescription unknowingly cover the miasmatic layer and renders great
result. An intentional correct anti-miasmatic prescription will remove the
complex nature of the disease, layer by layer and remove the blocks.
When the miasmatic dyscrasia is corrected, the immunity of the individual
improves and also strengthens the constitution.
A u t h o r
[Link] M.D (hom)
# 6, Lloyds IInd Lane,
Royapettah,
Chennai
Tamil Nadu-600 014
Phone : 91-44-28113300
[Link] Email : homoeotimes@[Link]
January 2017 Homoeo Times 5
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Keywords New World, imported into Europe by Christopher Columbus’s sailors
after their famous voyage of 1492. The sexual nature of syphilis
Miasm, Psora, Sycosis, Syphilis, Cellular pathology, Clinical
transmission and its contagiousness was noticed in the ancient
Research on Miasms
medical history and the causative micro organism Treponema
Introduction
pallidum was confirmed by Wassermann blood test in 1906 by
Many of us face failures in chronic disease, even though exact Schaudinn and Hoffmann.
similimum is prescribed to the case after pain taking case analysis
Varo and Columella (Ist Century B.C) suggested that disease was
and Repertorisation. Hahnemann experienced the same difficulty in
caused by invisible organisms. (Animalia minuta)Fracastorius (1546)
treating the chronic disease and he emphasized to treat the chronic
proposed contagium vivum (living germs) as cause of disease. Antony
diseases by understanding the miasms. The concept of miasms in
Van Leeuwenhoek (1683) could give description of various types of
Homoeopathy is still raging the Homoeopathic community without
bacteria using simple microscope. Robert Hook (1678) developed
any conclusive insight. Many opinions that miasms are nothing but
compound microscope confirmed Leeuwenhoek observation.
the microorganisms and few states that it is a Spiritual Sickness, a
When the Asiatic cholera was pandemic in 1831, Hahnemann
dyscrasia or predisposition. Clinical interpretation of miasm has been
was in tune with the thinking of his times by attributing cholera to
a difficult task to everybody; a simple understanding of the miasm in
infection. He also supported the contagion-miasma theory, the direct
relation with cellular pathology not only guides but also benefits the
transfer of infection by contact of person to person. He writes in his
patient a lot.
essay, “Appeal to the thinking philanthropists respecting the mode of
Miasms and its evolution
propagation of the asiatic cholera” (1831) that
During Hahnemann’s time the concept of disease and its
“The most striking examples of infection and rapid spread of
causative factors were on developmental stage. The development of
cholera takes place in this way: on the board ships in those confined
microbiology and pathology replaced the theory of evil spirits, humour
spaces, filled with mouldy,watery vapours,the cholera miasm finds a
theory and miasmatic theory. The practice of bloodletting was based
favourite element for its multiplication and grows into an enormously
on the four body humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.
increased brood of those excessively minute invisible living creatures
Health was thought to be restored by purging, starving, vomiting or
so inimical to human life…. Probably millions of those miasmatic
bloodletting. The humoural theory attributed for understanding the
animated beings …this pestiferous infectious matter…”
constitution of a person, which reflects the temperament, personality
The contagion- miasma theory was supplemented by the Germ
and diathesis.
theory of Disease after Hahnemann’s time by Louis Pasteur, Joseph
The concepts of infectious disease were hypothesized as
Lister and Robert Koch. The causative organism for Tuberculosis by
contagion theory and later as miasmatic theory. When Hahnemann
Robert Koch only in 1882 and he also discovered the bacteria Vibrio
was practicing at Germany the word miasm was already in use. It
Cholera, the causative organism for cholera in 1883. Hahnemann
was the most popular theory in the ninetieth century of Europe.
was clear before the miasmatic theory that disease also caused by
The Black Death was one of the deadliest pandemics in human microbes before the discovery of Vibrio Cholera and they dynamically
history, peaking in Europe between 1347 and 1351. It is widely thought derange the health of an individual.
to have been an outbreak of bubonic plague caused by astrological
Hahnemann postulated the miasmatic theory when he was
issues; the notion was replaced with the finding of the bacterium
concerned about the failures even after prescribing the most similar
Yersinia pestis.
remedy to his patients, particularly in chronic disease. We understand
Syphilis is generally believed to have come originally from the from his writings that he has begun to consider this problem in depth
January 2017 Homoeo Times 6
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from 1816 or 1817 and after many years of thought and effort he but also the external and internal influences and also genetic
came to the discovery of miasm. The theory of miasms originates influence. The misinterpretation of bacteriophages in sycosis and
in Hahnemann's book, The Chronic Diseases which was published syphilis, would have implemented the thought that miasms are
in 1828, after the result of 12 years of the most painstaking work on purely microbiological which lead them to introduce the Aids miasm,
difficult cases of a chronic character combined with his own historical leprosy miasm, tubercular miasm and so on.
research.
Hahnemann visualized the miasms as a cloud or fog, which
Hahnemann's miasmatic theory was formulated to one is polluted with the dynamic nature of the chronic disease and
non-venereal and two venereal miasms. He found ‘psora’ as a obstructing the cure. He opinioned that 100% of chronic disease
fundamental cause for the disease and it pollutes the organism with is miasmatic, 85% is due to Psora and the remaining 15% of all
a non venereal base, the itch disease. He also found that the other disease is either syphilitic or sycotic.
two venereal miasms sycosis, the fig wart diseases, and Syphilis the
Miasm and Cellular pathology
chancre disease. He found that these three miasms are responsible
After the birth of Germ theory and cellular theory, we understood
for all diseases of a chronic nature and to form the foundation or
the Hahnemannian Pathology “Altered Manifestations of the Disease”
basis for all disease in general. He also inspired the possibility of
is nothing but the functional disturbance, an excess and deviation of
co-existence of two or even three at a time in the same patient
the cell, which is the structural and functional unit of the body.
overlapping each other. The tubercular miasm, which is perceived by
[Link], is nothing but the combination of Psoric and Syphilitic Hanhemann interpreted “Psora” is the fundamental cause
miasm. The Cancer miasm postulated by Dr. H.A. Roberts is based of the disease and categorized it as “Itch Disease”. His findings
on mixed miasmatic state. surprisingly coincide with the functional disturbance of a cell, which
reflects as a hypersensitivity reaction, deficiency, sensitization and
The word Miasm is known as “The dynamic disease producing
genetic influence. A cell is altered initially by both external and
power which pollutes the human organism and become the producer
internal factors. The sensitization occurs when the factors such as
of every possible diseased condition” Miasm is an invisible disease
chemicals, radiation, viruses, hormones and inherited mutations
producing power, noxious agent. It is also explained as stigmata and
involves.
pollutant.
When the body loss control over a cell’s reproduction capacity,
He emphasize the importance of understanding the miasmatic
the cell continues to divide and multiply abnormally, proliferate until
state in Aphorism 78
a detectable lump or tumor develops. These cellular findings on
"the true natural chronic diseases are those that arise from a
proliferation corroborate with the findings of Hahnemann as Sycosis
chronic miasm , when left to themselves, improper treatment, go on
Hahnemann’s finding on the cellular deviation is syphilis, in which
to increase, growing worse and torment the patient to the end of his
the cell undergoes degeneration, desquamation and break off and
life…" - 78th aphorism (Organon).
travel through the blood lymph system to other parts of the body,
And also the Aphorisms 5 and 206 resulting in a secondary tumor, or metastasis.
Hahnemann inspired the truth that miasms are “Alerted The emergence of cellular pathology, the disturbances can be
Manifestations of the disease” by the microorganism, the true explained in relation with miasms. Psora can be explained in terms
root causative factor for the disease. Hahnemann perceives the of Sensitization of a cell, Sycotic Miasm can be explained in terms of
organisms like viruses, bacteria, and parasites are responsible for Proliferation (Proliferative or New Growths) and Syphilitic miasm as
introducing miasma in a body. We inspire that the miasma is stigma, Degeneration (Irreversible pathology). Table: Clinical Interpretation
or stain, invisible noxious influence caused not only by the microbes, and miasms
January 2017 Homoeo Times 7
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Table: Clinical Interpretation and miasms derangement of the vital force that predates and is more fundamental
than the current illness of the patient. The nerve is affected by the
Psora Sycosis Syphilis
miasma, communicated almost instantly to the whole vital force, in
Functional Proliferative Ulcerative
an invisible dynamic manner. He states in his writings “The Chronic
disturbances and and
Diseases, their peculiar Nature and their Homoeopathic Cure
Deficiency infiltrative destructive
.Volume-1 Page 38,
inflammatory
Metabolic “...As soon as the miasma of itch, e. g., touches the hand, in the
moment when it has taken effect, it no more remains local. Hence
Ectoderm Endoderm Mesoderm
forth all washing and cleansing of the spot avail nothing. Nothing is
Serous secretions Purulent secretions Acrid,Putrid
seen on the skin during the first days; it remains unchanged, and,
Unhealthy dry, Oily skin with Ulcerated With
according to appearance, healthy. There is no eruption or itching
itching burning skin copious perspiration pus and Blood
to be noticed on the body during these days, not even on the spot
Excreations Necrosis and
infected. The nerve which was first affected by the miasma has
Gangrene
Slow Pulse Rapid Pulse Irregular Pulse already communicated it in an invisible dynamic manner to the nerves
of the rest of the body...”
Anxious and Suspicious and Fixed Ideas
Fearful Irritable Jealous Cross Stubborn The functional relationship between the nervous system and
Melancholic the immune system has been discussed as early as the beginning
Slow sluggish Hurried and Gloomy and of this century. Later work on the interactions has been considered
Oversensitive Hyperactive Destructive attempts on Psyche of an individual with influence of Hormone theories. The
Sad Grief Suicidal Thoughts central axis influences the hypothalamus in the brain which revolves
round the thoughts, feelings, ego, will and love of an individual.
Pathogenesis of Miasm
Hahnemann perceived the truth that dynamic nature of the
Hahnemann emphasized the “Theory of Vitalism” when he disease needs the dynamic application of Medicines and genius of
perceived the truth of dynamic nature of the disease, which needs Homoeopathy lies in ‘Potentisation’. Inspiring the truth he states that
the dynamic application of Medicines. Miasm is understood to be a the medicines stimulate the sentiment nerves in Aphorism 16.
Plate - I Plate - II
January 2017 Homoeo Times 8
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Plate - III Plate - IV
Results few state that it is Spiritual Sickness, a dyscrasia or predisposition.
Miasmatic interpretation in relation with cellular pathology gives The understanding of “Altered Manifestations of the Diseases” is an
excellent results in treating the incurable diseases. which can be eye opener to the homoeopaths. The knowledge of pathophysiology
illustrated with evidence based documents. A case of squamous cell helps a homoeopath to sought open house discussions in public
carcinoma of the tongue has responded to Sycotic drug Nitric Acid by health with cases on reversible pathology
understanding the miasmatic expression during consultation. Later Conclusion
received Merc Sol by the expression of syphitic changes. (Refer Efficacy of Homoeopathy can be highlighted to the public forum by
Plate I & II) We could avoid the remissions by understating the treating the incurable disease in which the other systems of medicine
cases by miasmatic expression in each consultation A 25 years old faces great difficulty. Homoeopathy could enter the mainstream of
Psoriatic patient with keratinized lesions in scalp, ear lobes, elbows, medicine in future with a distinct name without doubt in future as
knee and low back. Arsenicum Album 1M was prescribed initially “Homoeopathy for Public Health”
on understanding miasmatic background . While the expression of References
peudo syphilitic changes with rough, cracked, fissured lesions with
1. Hahnemann's Organon of Medicine, By B.K. SARKAR
bleeding was managed petroleoum 200. (Refer Plate III & IV)
2. The Chronic Diseases their peculiar Nature & their Homoeopathic
The patient has improved without any trace of lesion . The patient
cure , by Dr. Hahnemann Samuel
received an antipsoric remedy “Sulphur” to conclude the sayings
3. The Life and Letters of Dr Samuel Hahnemann, By Thomas
of Hahneman as per Aphorism 2. , no remissions consultation. uch
Lindsley Bradford, M.D. Chapter 33
successful stories could break the confrontation developed by the
4. Miasms in Classical Homoeopathy Written by David Little www.
scientific community
[Link]
Discussion 5. The Short Text book of Medical Microbiology by Satise Guptae,
Miasm is the most controversial topic in Homoeopathy because Nineth Edition, published by Japyee Medical Book Publishers.
many opinions that miasms are nothing but the microorganisms and New Delhi
January 2017 Homoeo Times 9