Spirit Of Homeopathic Medicines_ Essential Insights To 300 Remedies.pdf

The Spirit of Homropathic Medicines GRANDGEORGE Didier Translator’s note Doctor Didier Grandgeorge pays attention to language. In the translation of this work, an effort has been made to stay as close to his original language as possible. However, exceptions have been made at times where he uses the device of word play, juxtaposing phonetically similar words and phrases to provoke reflection about their deeper, hidden meaning. In these cases, I have sought out words with similar multiple meanings in the English language. Where possible, I have then given the literal translation in a footnote, in hopes of giving the reader a deeper glimpse into the spirit of the original text. My thanks and appreciation to everyone who helped bring this project to completion, with special thanks to: Dominique Bayard-for explaining French words and concepts as they are understood from a European perspective; Dr. Christiane Lavoie-for assistance with medical terminology; Autumn Louise Drouin, N.D. -for proofreading and assistance with homeopathic terms; Sheri and Kim Barnard-for research on Biblical quotations and general encouragement; Ivan Drouin-for his detailed and enlightening explanations of Freudian psychology and many hours of proofreading and puzzlesolving, as well as his continuous interest and loving support; And to the staff, teachers, and students of the Centre de Techniques HomŽopathiques for their constant encouragement and for the delight they took in following the progress of the translation. This being said, I take full credit for any errors that may yet appear in these pages. Juliana Barnard Introduction The meaning of illness Do our ills come about by chance, their only purpose to make our

life on earth a painful ordeal? Or do they contain a hidden message? If so, can a deeper understanding of the meaning of illness help us advance along the path of knowledge? As homeopaths, we choose the second hypothesis. We consider this earthly life to be a journey of initiation, over the course of which we have a number of problems to resolve, like steps on a staircase. We can go up those steps … or we can go down. Each time we reach a new step, we waver, off balance, as we face this new question that demands a response. If we are able to find the answer, all will go well; if not, we lose our balance and the stage is set for illness to begin. External factors, such as the many microbes and viruses that surround us constantly, do no more than take advantage of this imbalance, rushing into the breach like water into the broken hull of a sinking ship. We must, then, do our own internal housekeeping. When we reestablish the balance in the marvelous cellular world which makes up our body, we regain our state of health. Both current events and history demonstrate the great human thirst for freedom. But where is the freedom of the individual who is bound by the whims of his or her subconscious mind? Without realizing it, we are affected in our adult lives by problems not resolved during childhood, as demonstrated by psychoanalysts in the century since Sigmund Freud. How can we bring the subconscious to light and so avoid being its slave? As Victor Hugo tells us, “We are all les misŽrables.” How can we cut the ball and chain we have been dragging at our feet since childhood? The subconscious expresses itself through dreams, and sometimes through delirium or delusions. But above all, it is actually at the root of our physical ills. Illness is the language of the body, its way of expressing the subconscious mind. Our “dis-ease” becomes our disease. What we fail to affirm makes us infirm, with effects that sometimes last for generations.* From the disease to the dis-ease, homeopathy, a therapeutic method created by Samuel Hahnemann at the end of the eighteenth century, can help us discover the key to this language of the body. Homeopathy listens to and observes the sufferings of the ill person, then looks for a “similar” homeopathic remedy, in other words, a

remedy that brings about the same symptoms in a healthy person. Since the time of Hahnemann, many healthy volunteers have tested homeopathic remedies, usually taking repeated doses over several days and noting down all the symptoms brought on by these remedies. This test is known as a proving of the remedy. It is from these provings that the homeopathic materia medica is constructed. Each remedy is a wealth of thousands of symptoms, and there are thousands of remedies which, taken together, represent the entire gamut of human suffering. Hahnemann had the genius to test natural substances in this way, substances taken from the plant, mineral, and animal worlds that make up our environment. Humanity is the summit of creation, and all that makes up our body is found also in the world around us. Thus, researchers studying the most minute operations of our brain find neurotransmitters, chemical substances similar to those found in the plant world, such as opiates or strychnine (Nux vomica), for example. To make our brain work, to create thoughts, we use substances similar to those present in certain flowers, and we use them in homeopathic doses: neurotransmitters are secreted into intercellular space in quantities of 10-10 moles/liter, the equivalent of the fifth centesimal Hahnemannian potency (5 CH). In the “classical” medical world, we presently find a total hiatus between, on one hand, “organic” medicine, which looks after our dysfunctional “material” organs and treats them with medications, and, on the other hand, psychology and psychoanalysis, which are interested only in the mind and how it thinks, and which take care of problems through discourse, speech, words. Homeopathy is a bridge which permits us to link these two worlds. Homeopathic medicines, commonly referred to as “remedies,” are created initially from material substances (mother tinctures of plants, for example, are measurable doses of the plant substance). These substances are then diluted and potentized until they have become immeasurable. The “material” substance progressively disappears, leaving in its place the message, the spirit of that substance. This is no doubt due to what certain courageous researchers such as Luu, Poitevin and Benveniste have called “water’s capacity for memory.” Effectively, water, and above all water mixed with 60û alcohol (l’eau de vie, or “water of life,” as strong liquor is known in French), seems able

to seek out, copy and transmit the information contained in the dissolved substance, much as an iron filing retains the imprint of a magnetic field even after the magnet is taken away. The true brilliance of it is this: water encounters no barrier in our body, but is diffused everywhere, and very quickly. While “classical” medicines cannot cross certain barriers, such as the intestinal barrier and the blood-brain barrier, unless given in large doses with unwelcome side effects, homeopathic remedies cross these barriers immediately, and in very small, nontoxic doses. Here, then, is one solution to the problem of internal pollution caused by the classical allopathic pharmaceuticals, of which we consume far too much. In many cases, homeopathic care is a healthier and more economical response to illness. (The homeopathic dilution of remedies, for example, brings about daily the miracle of the loaves and fishes: one single gram of mother tincture of Arnica provides enough Arnica 15 CH to treat the entire human race.) The spirit of homeopathic medicines For some years now, a few homeopaths around the world have been exploring the “spirit of homeopathic medicines,” or the underlying psychological issues encountered in each remedy. Through analytical study of a wide variety of symptoms revealed in remedy provings, we try to produce a synthesis which allows us to explain in just a few words all symptoms brought about by that remedy. The work of E. Candegabe and A. Masi of Argentina, S. Ortega of Mexico, G. Vithoulkas of Greece, and Sankaran of India, is an example. These researchers, all with a solid background in psychology, perceived that the highest human functions take place in the mind, and as the spirit goes, so the body follows. For each homeopathic remedy, therefore, we have tried to extract the dominant idea representing the problem which the individual is confronting at the unconscious level. By studying in this way the whole range of physical and mental symptoms of an ill person, we discover the homeopathic remedy that covers the totality of symptoms. Knowing the “spirit” of homeopathic medicines gives us the key to the unconscious conflict inside the ill person. Then we are able to heal both body and spirit, using both the homeopathic remedy and the word that brings these unconscious conflicts to light. For example, when we

discover that a young girl suffering from repeated sore throats on the left side needs the remedy Lachesis, a key remedy in cases of jealousy, we can then speak about this problem with the family, examining the circumstances and possible ways of addressing the issue; at the same time, we can also help the child reestablish her internal equilibrium with a few doses of the potentized remedy. The objective of this book is thus to present, in alphabetical order, the principal homeopathic remedies, with emphasis on the central psychological core of each remedy. Consequently, the goal is not to enumerate all the symptoms, which has been done in a number of books on materia medica already available in most homeopathic libraries (for example, Kent, Boericke, Tyler, Gibson, Murphy, etc.), but to extract the profound essence of the remedy. For each remedy, I have attempted to describe a few typical observations gleaned from my daily practice. My aim in doing so is not to flatter myself-even though we always present the successful cases and never the failuresbut to relate the circumstances and the atmosphere in which the spirit of the remedy became apparent. Taking the remedy Can we give several remedies at one time to the same person? This question has long been a point of debate in the homeopathic world, which is thus divided among “classical” homeopathy (known as “unicist” in France), in which, according to the recommendations of Hahnemann himself, only one remedy is given at a time; “pluralist” homeopathy, in which several complementary remedies are given at once; and “formula” homeopathy, which uses prepared formulas containing a number of remedies. We must understand that the homeopathic message is on the order of energy, just like the message transmitted by our own voice. If one single person is speaking to us, we understand easily what we are being told; if a few people are speaking simultaneously, it becomes more confusing, and if it is a whole crowd, we hear only an unintelligible racket. This also explains the fact that we cannot cure all our ills by taking all the remedies in our homeopathic pharmacy at once. Each case must be individualized. However, even if classical homeopathy appears to us to be the best solution, it is true that the remedy covering the totality of symptoms is sometimes difficult to find,

especially for beginners. It is also true that certain remedies get along well together. Mozart said that, if several people were speaking at once, one only needed to get them to sing and all would become harmonious. Without a doubt, there are certain harmonious combinations of remedies that at times give good results. Finally, in spite of the thousands of remedies that have been studied and described, the one that covers the totality of your symptoms may yet be undiscovered. This makes it necessary to use fragmentary remedies, each one covering a portion of your problems. Which potencies to use? In France, we generally classify the potencies as follows: low potencies (5 - 7 CH), medium potencies (9 - 12 CH), and high potencies (15 - 30 CH).* For illnesses dominated by the mental sphere, the higher potencies are preferable (for example, Opium 15 CH, one dose, after a fright; Ignatia 15 CH, one dose, after a bereavement). The medium and low potencies are used more often in illnesses where physical afflictions predominate (for example, a sore throat: Mercurius 7 CH, three globules 3 times per day for two days). Of course, exceptions do occur, which is why the art of homeopathy lies in the prescription of the remedy and the potency. Here, the prescriber’s level of experience plays a key role. It has been found, for example, that higher potencies work better for diarrhea, while medium potencies work better for coughs. Thus the advice of an experienced homeopathic practitioner becomes necessary in many cases, even though at times self-treatment may be successful. In either case, it is important to know that a remedy should not be repeated as long as symptoms continue to improve, but may be repeated when a relapse occurs. Contrary to accepted thought, homeopathic remedies act fairly quickly. In acute cases, after taking a homeopathic remedy, we should see an improvement within the following minutes or hours. If not, the remedy is not well indicated and must be changed … or we may move on to conventional allopathic methods, depending on the case and the practitioner’s level of experience. In chronic cases, one must wait two weeks, perhaps one month, sometimes longer, before repeating or perhaps changing the remedy. How many doses ?

In general, in acute cases we prescribe globules to be taken a number of times daily. In chronic cases we give one dose of the remedy at a time, with longer intervals in between. How does illness evolve ? Homeopathy teaches us that everything occurring in a single organism is part of a whole and that the different illnesses which affect us through time and in different parts of our body, sometimes quite distant from one another, are in fact bound together by a logical thread. Homeopathic medicines represent this common thread in its material form. Hering taught us a century ago that illnesses are aggravated from the outside inward, from lower to higher, and that they improve in reverse order of their appearance. For example, a six-month-old baby develops eczema, which is treated with an ointment. At 12 months, recurrent otitis (inflammation of the ear) is treated with antibiotics, and later the adenoids are removed. At 20 months, asthmatic bronchitis appears, at two years, febrile convulsions. In an effective homeopathic treatment, we would expect to see the convulsions and asthmatic bronchitis disappear first, followed by the reappearance of a few bouts of otitis which we would treat homeopathically; then the eczema would run its course, starting at the head and making its final appearance on the feet, after which it would vanish entirely. At this point, we could expect to see a child who would no longer have any health problems. A few words on childhood psychomotor development and hahnemann’s miasms Samuel Hahnemann described three types of predispositions to illness which he called “miasms,” the roots of all chronic diseases: psora, sycosis and syphilis. Sigmund Freud described three stages of childhood psychomotor development: the oral, anal and oedipal stages. It is possible to bring these two concepts together. Both are based on sexuality in its broadest sense, which is the primitive vital force, the drive to live even in the face of death, the force that builds the incredible house of cards that makes up a human being. At conception, the fusion of two gametes creates the first cell, the primordial egg, complete with all the genetic heritage transmitted by

the mother and the father. Circumstantial influences have already intervened in the selection of the particular egg, of the particular sperm: influences on the order of the cosmos, which may be described through astrology; influences from the emotional circumstances of the initial sexual act (experienced in a serene atmosphere or one of passion, for example). Next, the baby develops in its mother’s womb, where she or he has no lack of oxygen, warmth, or food (continuously supplied by the umbilical cord), and is well protected by the aquatic environment. However, even the womb is no bed of roses. We know that the infant already perceives many things, though unable to control anything or to intellectualize: the mother’s strong emotions, a sudden noise, carbon monoxide from a cigarette, and so on… . Then comes birth, along with everything that has been described about this necessary traumatic event, this first moving day. Suddenly, the baby experiences a lack of oxygen, along with cold and hunger. The fear of dying from lack of these basic needs is the fundamental psoric anxiety. We are in the oral stage. There is a state of fusion with the mother, a love that is infinite but selfish, turned in on the self. Pleasure is found in caresses received (the baby with eczema demands more through the need for care of the skin), through breathing (the asthmatic child holds in the air, in fear of expelling it, and thus develops spasms), through nursing (the obese infant guzzles until stuffed). At about six months, the appearance of the first teeth marks the beginning of the second part of the oral stage, the sadistic (or active) oral stage. We can bite, but we can also be bitten; we can hurt, but also be hurt (producing anxiety about our fragility and eventual death).* Around 18 months, the level of psychomotor development permits full-fledged walking and control of the sphincters, along with a new level of hygiene: toilet training. This is the psychoanalysts’ anal stage, corresponding to the sycosis delineated by Hahnemann. In this stage, the child fights the psoric anxiety about lack of basic needs by controlling what goes in and out of the body. Thus we see problems of excessive retention, and possibly overeating with constipation. This stage is also the stage of the law. We can be clean or dirty, we can give or receive, obey or disobey. The law’s inflexibility becomes an

obsession (Nitricum acidum); the absence of laws is anarchy, and at the cellular level, anarchy is cancer. This illness is typical of the anal stage (we could give here the example of French singer Georges Brassens who wrote “Death to laws, long live anarchy,” and who died of cancer, his cells having followed his advice). The anal stage also represents, for the psychoanalysts, the stage which brings up the issue of money and its influence on human relations. Finally, there is also a “sadistic anal” stage, in which sadomasochism appears. Between four and seven years of age, the Oedipus complex comes into play. The child must acknowledge that there is another person whose presence breaks up the relationship of fusional love that she or he has with the mother. This person is the father, who is thus the “ambassador of society” and orients the child’s love toward third parties, indeed in the end toward “cosmic” love, the love attained by the great spiritual masters (through the father, we reach the unfathomable).* This is what homeopaths define as the syphilitic miasm. We want to destroy everything, and what we rebuild is shaky, unstable. At puberty, we go through the three stages again. The preadolescent will often exhibit oral types of behavior (bulimia or the other extreme, anorexia), followed by anal behavior (obsession, anarchy), then an oedipal phase. In adulthood, since not all past issues have been resolved, the various stages are once again revisited. Our children prompt us to relive our own childhood, and reveal to us our own subconscious laid bare (the children that adults bring into the world are at the same energy level as their parents; by studying the children we can understand the mother and father). Old age is the age of serenity for men and women who have succeeded in moving through the previous stages and who do not allow themselves to be caught in the trap of materialism. In effect, if the body is losing its material content bit by bit in a process of physical deterioration that no one escapes, we must understand this as an invitation to distance ourselves from materialism. Homeopathy has shown us the way: the less matter, the more energy there is in the small doses of a remedy, if it has been properly potentized. Unfortunately, most of our contemporaries take the dead-end path of the material world. As they lose their flesh, they surround themselves

with their dearest possessions and turn them into a shell which only suffocates them in the end… . Six centuries before Christ, Confucius wrote: “In the third stage of life, beware of accumulating material goods.” Right side, left side It is important to realize that duality reigns on earth. It is etched deep within all matter, which has been shown by atomic physicists to behave as both waves and particles. Human beings are no exception to the rule. Thus we have a left brain, which corresponds to the right side of the body and represents concrete mathematical thought, strength, the paternal side (the geometrical mind, according to Pascal), and a right brain, linked to the left side of the body, which represents artistic, emotional, maternal thought (the subtle mind, according to Pascal). We find this same duality in medicine: the right side corresponds to allopathic medicine, the left to “alternative” medicines, among them homeopathy. The doctor should be able to use one or the other, depending on the case to be treated. When someone asks me if I ever give antibiotics, I show them my two hands: the right hand, closed in a fist, ready to strike, and the left, palm open, ready to caress. If we can heal with a caress, so much the better, but sometimes we must be able to strike. The work at hand for men who have been brought up since childhood with an overdeveloped right side (the macho side) is to refine themselves by developing their left, more feminine side. For women, the challenge is the reverse. Human society Socio-political models can easily be compared to physiopsychological models. After all, human society is no more than the reproduction of the cellular society that forms our body. It also has a right side and a left side (how could we ever do without one or the other?). Many people in the world are still in the oral stage (what are we going to eat today?), and are afflicted by oral-stage illnesses (skin diseases: scabies, leprosy; respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis). Our western societies are currently in the anal stage, with its multiple forms of control (information technology), the importance of money … and the corresponding diseases (overweight, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer). We see a glimpse of the oedipal

stage with its particular anomalies (excessive sexual liberation … and a plethora of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS) and the accompanying desire for infinite cosmic love (consumption of drugs being an unhealthy deviation of this urge). Toward the higher purpose of our existence All this leads us to say a word about spirituality. Some homeopaths draw a close parallel between the oedipal trinity (father, mother and child), the miasmatic trinity (psora, sycosis, syphilis) and the divine trinity. In the field of medicine, we regularly come across cases that cannot be resolved unless we take this spiritual dimension into account and study the relationship between the human being and the creator. Hahnemann tells us that “the reason-gifted mind that inhabits the human body must be able to freely employ this living, healthy instrument for the higher purposes of our existence.” Here is an objective that can justify all the internal strife suffered by each of us, a goal toward which we can strive with all our will. Yet we must discover that purpose! This often happens in the course of a profound spiritual search which takes us beyond the centripetal forces of self-centered existence, into the centrifugal radiance of altruistic love. Maturity We come to the end of this introduction with a vision full of hope: our world is moving toward a stage of maturity. International organizations are being created, often altruistic in nature (Amnesty International and Homeopaths Without Borders, among others). Modern communications technologies are bringing all human beings into close contact with one another. Let us wager that soon we will be adults and will learn how to live in harmony on earth… . May this work make its modest contribution to our journey as we climb ever higher along the path toward knowledge. The remedies Rare Remedies and Polychrests Some remedies, well known by homeopaths, come up frequently in prescribing: these are the polychrests. They correspond to profound

human difficulties which are experienced by many people, such as jealousy for Lachesis, and fear for Calcarea carbonica. Other remedies are less well known, the rare remedies. They respond to more specific problems experienced by fewer people. It is difficult to understand them in depth, but when we prescribe them correctly, they can perform miracles and help people out of the most difficult situations. At the present time, much research is being done on these rare remedies, which are in fact major remedies for those who need them. In the following pages, we will look at a great number of both types of remedies, and delve into the “spirit” of each, as we currently understand it. Abrotanum The vampire A remedy known for its action in cases where a child is wasting away (marasmus). The child may also have nosebleeds and, for boys, hydrocele (accumulation of fluid in the scrotum). It is also a useful remedy when we find pyloric stenosis: thickening of the muscle at the opening from the stomach into the intestine, completely blocking the passage. This condition is seen particularly in boys at the age of one to two months. We also use Abrotanum in cases of umbilical bleeding in infants. In adults, we find alternating attacks of gout (excess uric acid) and hemorrhoids. In the mental sphere, these are individuals who become something of a vampire to those around them, taking energy from others and leaving them literally “sucked dry.” It almost seems as if, contrary to most people, these individuals do not absorb their energy from the digestive tract, but somehow tap into the energy emanating from the people around them. Observation On a day of infant checkups at the clinic, the nurses warn me on my arrival: “Doctor, it may seem incredible, but one baby is exhausting everyone with his shrill cries.” The shrieking newborn calms down immediately when I begin to examine him. At the same time, I suddenly begin to feel somewhat tired. In addition, I notice fluid exuding from his navel. With one dose of Abrotanum 15 CH, both the infant and those around him recover their calm and serenity.

Aconitum napellus The sphinx Aconitum is certainly one of the acute remedies most often prescribed in homeopathy. This remedy will be needed when any kind of violent stress, be it physical (exposure to dry cold, wind) or psychological (sudden fear), comes upon the child and creates a massive flight of energy, leading to all sorts of illnesses (acute laryngitis, bronchitis, diarrhea). This will characteristically be accompanied by restlessness, great anxiety, and will come on before midnight (11 p.m. to midnight) or, less often, before midday. The child is often subject to high fever without perspiration. This remedy calls to mind the hero before the sphinx: he must find the answer to the question quickly, or face certain death. Observations Pauline is five months old when her parents take her on vacation to BalŽares, not wanting to leave her for a week at that age. In a context of concern-taking a plane with a baby so young-the child is subjected to a significant climatic change (humid heat at the airport in Nice; dry, cool air in the airplane). Upon arrival, she has developed a slight, hoarse cough. At quarter to midnight: sudden waking, restlessness, difficult breathing, a barking cough. It is acute laryngitis. The child calms down in a few minutes after drinking a few ounces of water mixed with three globules of Aconitum 5 CH. Julian is a three-year-old who is playing peacefully in the sandbox at the park when he feels a sudden presence behind him. He turns and finds himself nose to muzzle with a large wolfhound on the loose. Since then he has been stuttering. One dose of Aconitum 15 CH puts everything back in order. Since Hahnemann’s time, however, we know that Aconitum can also be an effective chronic remedy. It corresponds to people who have been stricken with great and sudden fear, as in the incident recounted above. In these cases, death has been at their door. It could come again. These subjects will then try to organize themselves to be able to face it: they must plan everything in advance, know everything there is to know. Anxiety and fear of death-possible at any moment-will drive our Aconitum to study, pursuit of knowledge, even clairvoyance. This will all be done in a great hurry, because it is an emergency. This

individual might become, for example, a doctor or a firefighter, prepared for any contingency. The most difficult periods for Aconitum will be those which remind them of their inexorable march toward old age and death: birthdays and anniversaries, which mark the passage of time. A well-known journalist pours out his story in a homeopathic interview. He tells how, at a young age, he lost both his parents during a bombing attack. Afterward, during the war, he himself escaped death a number of times: “I was a little kid in the midst of a universe of death.” He quickly understood that he could count only on himself, since “I was incredibly lucky to be alive.” But the idea of death still pursues him… . “There has not been one day in the past twenty years that I have not thought of death, and I can tell you that it usually happens in the morning, around 11 or 11:30. ” In addition, he is often reproached for being too hurried, for being an insufferable know-it-all… . Aesculus hippocastanum Hemorrhoids This is a well-known remedy for hemorrhoids. It may be used internally (7 CH globules) or externally (Aesculus ointment containing 4% mother tincture). Purple varicose veins may be visible anywhere on the body, even in the eyes, indicating a general venous stasis. These subjects are irritable and depressed, tend to have lower back pain, and often present with a head cold and sneezing. As for the rectal pain, we can get a fairly precise idea of how it feels by imagining a chestnut in its prickly casing placed precisely in that tender spot! Aethusa cynapium Mother-infant misunderstanding This remedy is helpful for babies who never stop crying and are nursed constantly by the mother. At the breast once every hour or two, the infant is stuffed, and is subject to digestive troubles: colic, regurgitation of curdled milk. The key to the remedy is found in the difficulty of establishing communication between mother and child. The baby cries; the mother does not know what she needs, becomes

anxious, and decides to feed her, whether it is at the breast or with a bottle. Subsequently, the child may show an intolerance to milk, perhaps even milk allergies. Episodes of diarrhea will also occur, especially in summer, with lack of thirst (which is very paradoxical: normally the dehydration from diarrhea brings on a sensation of thirst). The remedy is also useful for students who are stuffed with all sorts of knowledge and who abruptly reject anything to do with their studies. Observation Melanie, three weeks old, is brought to see me for symptoms that suggest infant colic. The child wants to nurse constantly, then tenses her body, cries, spits up. Her first days of life are infernal for everyone. Several homeopathic remedies have already been tried, with no success. Prompted by the high frequency of nursing (eight to ten times a day), I think of Aethusa cynapium and ask the mother if, in general, it is easy for the two of them to understand one another. She answers: “I don’t know what she wants, so I try nursing her.” Aethusa cynapium 15 CH is given to the mother (the remedy is absorbed into her milk and passes to the child, treating mother and daughter simultaneously). The next day, all is well; the infant does not clamor to be fed more than six times a day, and her digestive troubles disappear. Agaricus muscarius Clumsy The key to this remedy is in its clumsiness. It is as if some kind of mismatch has occurred between the body and the vital force that gives it life: either the vital force is in good order and the body is disabled, not allowing the full expression of the energy within, or the body is in good order but the internal energy is too intense. This remedy is therefore very helpful for disabled children (resulting from neonatal troubles, for example) who are slow to develop acquired skills such as walking and language; it can sometimes benefit children who are not disabled but are subject to mental or physical overexertion. These individuals throw themselves wholeheartedly into action, but the body cannot keep up with what they want to do. This is, for example, a remedy for tennis elbow (hitting too hard), or for pulled

muscles occurring in sports. Observations Joel, 38 years old, is a very busy professional. He works out his tensions by playing tennis, a sport in which he has attained considerable skill. However, for the last two years, he has been afflicted with tennis elbow (tendonitis of the elbow) and is unable to practice his favorite sport. Various treatments have been tried to no avail. He is depressed. I recommend that he take one dose of Agaricus 15 CH. One week later, he calls me, very happy, to tell me that he has taken up tennis again … and that he has realized, as he confided to his wife, that up to now, in all his activities, he has always set his goals so high he could not attain them. Mohamed is an Indian homeopath who is overworked at his clinic, where he sees forty to fifty patients a day. One evening, he is afflicted with a violent headache, and when he tries to go home, his hand trembles so much that he cannot insert his key in the lock of his car door: immediate relief with Agaricus. It should also be noted that the patients benefitting from this remedy sometimes talk of “out-of-body” experiences, such as those described in the book Life After Life, by Dr. Raymond A. Moody. These individuals often show a certain “greatness of the soul,” which may be expressed through poetry. Agraphis nutans Adenoids A faithful standby that often works for children who blow their noses and cough constantly because “they have adenoids.” We find enlarged tonsils, diminished hearing (Iodum), and slow speech development. Give the remedy in 5 CH, three globules each morning for several days. One small symptom pointing to this remedy: the child breathes with his mouth open and drools constantly (Syphilinum, Mercurius). Ailanthus glandulosa Severe sore throats A remedy for severe sore throats brought on by streptococcal bacteria, to be given while waiting for throat culture results. The clinical picture is often the following: throat very inflamed, dark red; tongue

brown and dry; pain extending into the ears when swallowing; scarlatiniform rash on the skin. A suitable antibiotic therapy could be necessary, depending on the results of the throat culture, if rapid improvement does not occur. In streptococcal infections, we can turn to antibiotics when the ill person’s condition has not evolved quickly toward definite healing; we may also use them to provide some protection to others when the person returns to community life (school, for example). Allium cepa The onion When peeling an onion, we quickly become aware of the type of symptoms that can be cured by this bulb, in homeopathic doses. It is a good remedy for people who come to us with the nose and upper lip red and irritated from a cold. The eyes are watery, but the discharge here is not irritating (the opposite of Euphrasia). It is a useful remedy for the epidemic colds of autumn, and for springtime hay fevers (better in cool air). At times we will see a cough originating in the larynx when this remedy is indicated. Alumina All dried up This is a constitutional remedy for delicate children who are adversely affected by excessively artificial living conditions and diet: canned food, artificial light, and so on. Aluminum is a water-resistant metal. A person needing this remedy becomes dry, physically and mentally constipated, often unsmiling (we could say “a-luminous,” a person without light, dry and lifeless). Among the notable symptoms, we find a desire to eat indigestible things (dirt, chalk). The individual has a low tolerance for potatoes. In addition, we observe constipation with hard, dry, knotty stools, and general inactivity in the rectum (even soft stools pass with difficulty). The respiratory system is affected by a dry cough with post-nasal discharge and hoarseness. Symptoms are aggravated in the morning. Sore throats are frequent. The following symptoms should also be noted: frequent electric sensation on touching objects, along with a phobic fear of knives and other sharp objects which could be used to inflict injury on oneself or

others. Ambra grisea They’re eating me alive A remedy for “lack of reaction”: a chronic cold in the nose (rhinitis) with grayish discharge; also asthma, even severe cases, where remedies that seem well indicated do not work. Asthmatic attacks follow periods of intense excitation. Children, at 18 months, refuse to sit on the toilet and, instead, relieve themselves in hidden corners of the house. Overwork in individuals exposed to the public (as in certain professions). The key to this remedy is in the anguish accompanying the passage from the oral stage to the anal stage as described by Sigmund Freud. From birth to 18 months, the child remains in a state of fusion with the mother, in which sucking is the principal form of pleasure. In the second part of the oral stage, when the teeth begin to emerge, the child can bite, but also realizes that he himself can be devoured. From this realization emerges what is known as “sadistic oral” (or “active oral”) anxiety, which translates into fear of wolves, of ogres, of anything or anyone with big, sharp teeth.* Next, the child enters the “anal” stage, where the focus of pleasure becomes control, particularly control of the sphincters. Ambra grisea is a child who reaches this stage with great anxiety of being devoured, and refuses to use the toilet because she is afraid that part of her could be taken along with the stool. In addition, Ambra grisea individuals refuse to give, out of fear of impoverishment. They can no longer tolerate company, friends and family, conversation, laughter, music, light. “They’re eating me alive,” they complain. Things start looking up when they learn to impose their own limits (for example, the doctor who organizes her practice so she is interrupted less often by the telephone), and when they realize the meaning of the biblical phrase: “Give, and you shall receive!” Observations Carol had her first asthmatic attack on her third birthday. Her mother had organized a surprise birthday party for her. Since then, she has suffered from severe asthma with attacks lasting three days; no remedy seems to have any real effect. Her favorite game: playing wolf

with her little sister (“I’m going to eat you up!”). Cured at age seven by Ambra grisea, one day she offers me a box of candy she bought with money from her own savings. Natalie, 18 months, refuses to go to the toilet and instead seeks out the hidden corners of the house when nature calls, or else goes in her diaper at night. Her mother’s favorite game when changing her is to nibble on her toes and say, “I’m going to eat you up!” Toilet training is successful after one dose of Ambra grisea for both mother and daughter. Roger, 37 years old, is an overworked architect. He can no longer tolerate his clients, and is subject to violent attacks of anxiety concerning his financial situation, with an exaggerated fear of not making ends meet, which pushes him to work even harder. He never takes a vacation, no longer practices any sports… . “These people are eating me alive,” he confides to me one day. After a dose of Ambra grisea, he becomes more organized, reserves time for leisure and family, and gets an unlisted home phone number, which does the whole family good. At work, his secretary avoids frequent interruptions, and forwards messages and phone calls only at opportune moments. In brief, he recovers his lost efficiency. Anthony is brought to me at 18 months for frequent colds (nasopharyngitis). In the interview, I note that he does not want to sit on the toilet, but I do not take it into account in my prescription. Based on other symptoms, I give him Calcarea carbonica and Tuberculinum, with no success. The parents do not bring him back, and I do not see him again until he is seven years old. The colds and otitis have disappeared since his adenoids were removed, but for two years now, the child has had intense facial tics. On rereading the first interview, I prescribe Ambra grisea, resulting in rapid disappearance of this symptom, which had been the subject of numerous unsuccessful treatments, including psychotherapy. Anacardium orientale The choice Life is a series of choices. Children, for example, must decide whether to stay little or grow up. Anacardium cannot make decisions, and thus is slow, constantly hesitating. This person has a difficult character. Is it better to be an angel or a

devil? Anacardium parents, victims of their indecision, constantly change doctors, babysitters; even their address changes frequently. They are always on the lookout for something better, but are never satisfied, always sorry they did not take the other option. When they go to see the homeopath, they ask for antibiotics, and when they see the allopathic doctor, they complain of too many antibiotics and say they would like to have more holistic alternatives. In the physical sphere, we note the improvement of symptoms while eating, warts on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and eczema. Finally, it is a remedy for fits of nerves in students who do not know what subject to choose, nor what answers to give (the worst of all: multiple choice tests!). It should be noted that this is a remedy with an affinity for the tendons (a word whose root in Latin, tendere, also gives us “tend” and “tendency,” implying movement in a particular direction,* while our Anacardium, indecisive, remains torn among several possibilities). Observations Since the age of two-and-a-half months, Clementine has been covered with eczema. Her parents bring her to see me at the age of nine months. Looking at her records, I see that five different doctors have already been consulted for this condition. I ask the mother if making choices is a problem. Her husband bursts out laughing and says that they just came from a clothing store where his wife tried on numerous dresses without ever being able to decide which one to take. I prescribe one dose of Anacardium 15 CH. One month later, the baby’s condition has improved by 80 percent (I am the first doctor they have seen a second time). Three years later, the child is definitively cured of her eczema and is in good health. Jerome is a ten-year-old who is brought to see me because he does nothing in class; he is slow and nothing seems to interest him. A psychological report shows a problem of significant ambivalence at the emotional level. The psychologist’s hypothesis is that the boy had a twin who died in utero. On the basis of this idea, I give him a dose of Anacardium 15 CH, which transforms his behavior at school. A pair of three-month-old twins is brought to me for colic and dyspeptic troubles. Suddenly, during the interview, both girls begin to cry simultaneously. I observe the mother, who hesitates: “Which one

should I pick up first?” She confesses that she sometimes stands for ten minutes before their cradles without being able to decide, and, all of a sudden, will start crying in concert with the twins. One dose of Anacardium 15 CH (mother and daughters) brings all the troubles to an end. Anacardium is a very useful remedy when twins run in the family. Anantherum muricatum Extreme jealousy accompanied by unrestrained sexuality in subjects who dress in a grotesque or bizarre manner. In affections of the skin and nails, we find deformed, sickly-looking nails; offensive perspiration of the feet (Silicea); and the presence of abscesses and herpes. Angustura vera The bridge This is a remedy for rheumatism with cracking joints in hypersensitive individuals who are characterized by their great desire for coffee (Nux vomica). As studied by E. Valero, the Angustura vera subjects are people afflicted with vertigo when passing over water, with fear of sinking. The bridge symbolizes the passage from one shore to another, the transition between two states or two desires in conflict (“make it or break it”). They must pass over the river of daily selfish desire to reach the other side, which is paradise. They need their coffee for stimulation so they can go out and meet this challenge. For Masi, Angustura vera doubts the power of mind over the voluntary muscles. These individuals would like to attain bliss through their natural powers, which fail them (blocked by osteoarthritis, for example). They thus turn to stimulants (coffee), which they abuse. These are people who are always disappointed as soon as they reach their goals and obtain what they wanted. They must learn that bliss is not reached through achievements in the material world, nor in aggrandizement of the ego, but in fulfilling the true potential of the heart. Anthracinum

This is a remedy to give in higher potencies in cases of recurrent anthrax. One symptom particular to this remedy: these individuals are afraid of cars and react as if every car were about to run over them. Antimonium crudum The hungry smurf These children are always worried about “what we are going to eat” and are capable of devouring great quantities of anything they like. They may become obese and suffer from digestive troubles related to these excesses. Irritable, they cannot stand to be touched (a very ticklish child, impossible to examine at the doctor’s office), nor to be looked at. Sentimental (especially at the full moon), poetic, they are also brooding and lazy-especially after meals. In the physical sphere, many troubles appear after a cold bath, though physical exercise in the heat of the sun is not easily tolerated either. On the skin, we observe warts (frequently plantar warts), thickening of the nails, and a tendency to impetigo and urticaria (hives). In the depths of their souls, Antimonium crudum subjects are lovesick. There has been a rift somewhere at the level of the primordial, fusional love between mother and child. It is the mother who gives structure to the infant’s personality through her touch and her gaze. Antimonium crudum individuals thus can no longer tolerate any touch or gaze directed toward them. They compensate for this frustration with unrestrained “oral” behavior: the binging described above. Observation Steven undergoes surgery at 16 months of age for phimosis (excessive tightness of the foreskin). At 18 months, he is again hospitalized for kidney disease, cured at the price of undergoing cortisone treatments. The syndrome returns every 18 months, as regular as clockwork. I see him at age ten: he has a wart on his hand, is terribly ticklish during the examination, and repeatedly expresses concern about what will be for lunch. Treatment with Antimonium crudum 15 CH to 30 CH is initiated. Since that time, seven years ago now, his kidney troubles have not reappeared. Leah, seven years old, consults for repeated bouts of bronchitis so

intense and so frequent that she has accumulated a very thick file at the neighboring hospital. Laying the pile of useless test results on a corner of my desk, I look straight at the mother and ask: “What do you think is making her sick?” “Doctor, I will tell you something I don’t even bother telling the other doctors anymore, since they do not take me seriously. When my daughter was born, the midwife immediately placed her in a bath. Right away, I felt the water was too cold, and Leah began to scream. She got a cold that same day, and has been sick ever since.” “You are right,” I tell the mother. “I also believe it is that cold bath that set everything off!” The effectiveness of Antimonium crudum confirmed our hypothesis, and today Leah is in perfect health. Antimonium tartaricum Difficult breathing An important remedy for asthmatic bronchitis in congested infants: perspiration of the head, refusal to drink or to be touched (difficult medical examination). We observe flaring of the nostrils, and the tongue is often coated or furred. Antimonium tartaricum will then do wonders in 7 CH, three globules every 15 minutes, decreasing the frequency of the doses as the condition improves. In the 15 CH potency, this remedy can erase the marks left by chickenpox. Apis mellifica The honeybee Apis is an important remedy for people with allergies whose reactions include edematous (watery) swelling with stinging and burning sensations; allergic reactions are alleviated by cold. Often these children are jealous, rigid, hard to please, and unable to concentrate enough to read or study. Because of their allergies, they cannot bear the outdoors, where they are fidgety and disagreeable, as if they have been stung by something (a bee, perhaps?). They are individualists, and find it difficult to integrate into community life. This is a good remedy for high fever without thirst, as in the fevers of nine- to twelve-month-old infants during a bout of roseola (high fever for three days, followed by a brief eruption of rose-colored spots). The

same fever may occur in older children during mumps meningoencephalitis (in which the meninges, the membranes enveloping the brain, are affected). In addition, it is a useful remedy in cases of hay fever with edematous swelling of the conjunctiva in the eye (chemosis), in cases of urticaria (hives) or eczema relieved by cold, and in cases of insect stings provoking strong local or generalized reactions (swelling of the glottal area of the throat, for example). Children needing this remedy may present with boils, styes, and predominantly right-sided sore throats, red or white in color. Symbolically, Apis takes us to the ox or the bull (the Egyptian god Apis). In the Christian religion, the ox is one of four figures who surround the newborn infant in the manger. To become an adult, to be able to say one day, “I am,” the child must rest on these four pillars. However, later on, she or he must leave the mother, the father, the ass (moving toward acquisition of knowledge), and the ox (removing the blinders). In bullfighting, the bull represents blind force which refuses to look to either side. The matador, the man in luminescent clothing, is able to kill the bull in the arena because it refused to deviate from its path. Symbolically, this is the victory of the illumined mind over blind matter. Observation Bertrand, ten years old, wakes one morning with the lids of both eyes stuck together with pus. He suffers from intense pains which radiate throughout his head. Only local applications of cold water provide relief. An ophthalmologist consulted immediately diagnoses viral keratoconjunctivitis (the cornea is affected), and recommends antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops. However, the pains in the head disappear quickly with three globules of Apis 7 CH. This remedy, repeated hourly, cures this acute affection that same day. Argentum nitricum Mind incarnate in matter This remedy is helpful for thin, nervous infants who present with serious conjunctivitis during the neonatal period, along with difficult burping and green, diarrheic stools. These children are anxious and subject to fits of nervous fright, with phobic fears of crowded rooms or the passage of time (fear of being late). Later on in life, they are attracted to heights, which they also fear.

Argentum nitricum parents are always in a hurry. For example, they fill out their check at the beginning of the consultation, “to save time.” In addition, one key symptom of this remedy, always present, is the desire for sugar. Argentum nitricum’s anxiety about time and space can lead us to the issue of the soul’s incarnation in the body, or the incarnation of mind in matter. Emerging from temporal and spatial infinity, the mind resists the constraints of our finite world. In this sense, it is interesting to note that, to prevent conjunctivitis in newborn children, eye drops of silver nitrate used to be given systematically at birth. In terms of chemistry, this remedy is obtained in the course of a reaction involving silver (matter) and nitric acid (spirits of salt). Observation A six-month-old child is hospitalized for profuse vomiting. Clinical examinations show no organic anomalies present. During the pregnancy, the mother craved sugar so strongly that one night her husband literally had to run to the drugstore to get her some sugar candy. With one dose of Argentum nitricum 15 CH, everything is back in order within a few days. We see here the interest in strange symptoms presented by the mother during pregnancy. These unusual “cravings” give indications about the constitution of the child in utero, expressed through the mother’s symptoms. One mother, for example, told me that the craving for salt she had experienced during her pregnancy disappeared six hours after she gave birth. In her case, both father and child are strongly attracted to salty food. Arnica montana The school of hard knocks* Arnica is the principal homeopathic remedy for hematomas and bruises, for blows to the body or the soul. When a bruise or bump appears, three globules of Arnica 7 CH will make the bump begin to shrink quickly. In cases of shock, higher potencies must be given: 15 CH and above for a head injury, for example. This remedy can abort an attack of appendicitis (when confronting this particular illness, the advice of a doctor or surgeon is indispensable). We can also give this remedy to athletes and sports enthusiasts before a major sporting event or effort. It is also useful the day before surgery or major dental

work, to limit hemorrhaging (one dose of 15 CH). Arnica is also indicated for small boils on the skin, indurated (hardened) acne, and eczema with a bluish cast. Finally, we can use Arnica in cases of flu when the fever is high, the whole body feels bruised, the head is hot and red while the rest of the body is cold, and, in spite of these symptoms, the sick person insists she is well and does not need to see a doctor. Arnica corresponds to people who “push themselves too hard” and work themselves to death. They want to be indispensable, and they throw themselves into great, heroic activity, where they are certain to receive the maximum number of blows, the greatest amount of distress. If the first marathoner had taken Arnica, perhaps he would not have died at the end of his run. Why did he want to run so fast without stopping? Why did he not pass the baton to another? Arnica must learn that no one is alone on this earth, that we must delegate to others, not sustain them by our effort alone. Observations A ten-year-old boy is hospitalized after a serious head injury. He has been in a coma for more than ten days when he receives a dose of Arnica 15 CH. The next day, he comes out of the coma. A girl of ten is on vacation when she falls off a pony and breaks her arm. The operation must be postponed for several days, since she immediately comes down with a high fever considered to be of an influenzal nature. One year later, she consults for symptoms indicating appendicitis, which is confirmed by blood tests (very high white blood cell levels). She receives a few globules of Arnica 9 CH and is hospitalized in preparation for surgery. At the hospital, the abdominal pains cease completely. The surgeon decides not to operate that evening. During the night, she wakes and tells her parents she is cured. The next morning, the white blood cells have returned to normal levels, and all examinations show normal results. The child is allowed to go home. Some time later, the father tells me that since this episode, the girl’s behavior at school has changed dramatically. During the year after she broke her arm, she never dared to venture out on the playground, too afraid she might be pushed and fall. Whenever she did fall by accident, she remained lying on the ground, motionless, as if

she were broken to pieces. Since taking Arnica, this behavior has disappeared. A 50-year-old woman, a language teacher, falls victim to an accident in England, where she is accompanying a group of students. A complicated fracture of the femur (the thighbone) requires a number of operations and forces her to stop working for a prolonged period. This brings on a depression. Here is an active, hard working woman, always dependable, suddenly reduced to inactivity and dependent on others. The depression disappears within a few weeks after taking Arnica in doses of 15, 18, 24 and 30 CH. Arsenicum album The death of the body The key to this remedy resides in anxiety about death. This state of mind is displayed as marked agitation (the excessively restless child is said to be “lively”), with the exception of chronic cases. Here, on the contrary, the ill person is immobilized by intense obsessions, becoming extremely meticulous about trivial matters, drowning in the details of ordinary life. In general, these individuals dress in black and their symptoms are worse at midnight (the midpoint of the night, the darkest of the dark) or at midday, the midpoint of the day, when the sun’s light begins to decrease. We find many acute cases needing Arsenicum album at the seaside (this climate aggravates Arsenicum symptoms), in November (after All Saints’ Day, a day for visiting the cemetery), in January (the depths of winter), and in July when the days start becoming shorter. The color black symbolizes the lack of hope in the face of death (it is not a color, but the absence of color, neither reflecting nor transmitting light), and the ill person improves greatly once he understands that the death of the body means only that “the soul must go on!”* In clinical use, Arsenicum album is an important remedy for otitis (inflammation of the ear), nocturnal bouts of asthma, and gastroenteritis with vomiting and then diarrhea. This remedy may also be indicated in problems appearing after vaccination. Observations One day, a mother calls me at home around 1 p.m. to consult for her seven-year-old daughter. The girl’s ear hurts and she is restless,

but seems to be calmed by local application of heat. The remedy seems to be Arsenicum album, which I recommend in 15 CH globules. The child calms down quickly. I ask the mother if the child recently suffered a bereavement, but she cannot think of anything that would apply. The following day is a school day. As she is picking up the children in the car pool, she realizes she is no longer stopping at the house of one family where the daughter died two weeks ago of acute leukemia. No one has talked about it with the children, but it seems the subject hurts the ears nonetheless. William, ten years old, is brought to see me by his parents for slow development in both height and weight. Tests done at the hospital show minimal hormonal anomalies, for which no treatment is proposed. According to the height and weight charts in his health record, a break in his growth pattern is evident at nine months. At that time, he received a smallpox vaccine. His older brother had already had a bad reaction to this vaccine, breaking out in a rash over his entire body. Taking into account the effects of the vaccine, the child’s rigid, meticulous, and finicky behavior, and the fact that he cannot stand to eat butter, I think of Arsenicum album and ask this question: “When the child was nine months old, was there a bereavement in the family?” The mother’s eyes light up: “Yes, Doctor, from six to nine months, while I was still nursing, I went every day to see my mother who was suffering from generalized cancer.” With doses of Arsenicum album from 15 to 30 CH, given at intervals, the child attains a normal weight and size. One day, on a routine visit, I ask him why he did not want to grow up, and he responds: “When you grow up, you get old, and when you get old, you die!” A six-year-old girl is admitted to intensive care with serious burns over two thirds of her body. The surgeon diagnoses second-degree burns. The child’s unceasing cries are terrible: she has been screaming in pain for the last twenty-four hours, in spite of the arsenal of painkillers she has received, including various forms of morphine. In this small pediatric intensive care unit, stress and consternation reign. A beginner in homeopathy at the time, I have on hand Dr.

Jouanny’s book, in which he affirms that second-degree burns require Cantharis. I give the girl globules of Cantharis 7 CH every hour for half a day, with no results. Then the surgeon comes by again and tells us that some parts of her body have sustained third-degree burns. Again following the recommendations in Jouanny’s manual, I give Arsenicum album 9 CH, and a miracle occurs. The girl calms down, falls asleep, and sleeps straight through the next two days. Her burns heal as if by magic, leaving hardly a scar afterward, to our great amazement! A three-year-old girl is brought to me for repeated asthmatic attacks affecting the bronchial tubes and lungs. While the mother, completely dressed in black, tells me of their trials, the child wanders all over my office, touching everything, followed by the father who is barely able to prevent the worst disasters. In the midst of this agitation, I interrupt the mother to ask about her profession. “I am a nurse.” “In which department do you work?” “In the leukemia ward. When I was pregnant, I had to stop working at six months due to contractions.” With Arsenicum album 15 CH, the asthmatic attacks stop and the child’s restlessness rapidly disappears. Arsenicum iodatum This is a warm-blooded Arsenicum album. It is a good remedy for hay fever and asthma aggravated by wind from the sea. For the skin, it is often the supreme remedy for pityriasis versicolor (an eruption of branny patches on the skin). Arsenicum iodatum subjects like to wear bright colors, the opposite of Arsenicum album who enjoys wearing black. Arum triphyllum Hoarseness Voice hoarse, uncertain, uncontrollable, made worse by talking and singing. Head cold with a constant desire to pick the nose until it bleeds, fissures at the corners of the mouth, lips dry and burning, nose completely stopped up.

Asa foetida Reverse peristaltic motion In the human organism, the muscle fibers in the walls of the digestive tract set up a wavelike motion that propels the food we eat through our body from mouth to anus. This is known as peristalsis. In individuals who need this remedy, this motion is reversed, as if the organism were rejecting what comes in from outside. To understand this remedy, we must remember that, during the intrauterine period of life, the infant is fed through the umbilical cord. After birth, the child must accept the cutting of the cord and take its food through the mouth and the digestive canal. This is the hurdle that has not been cleared in this case. This reverse flow of ingested food can have drastic consequences for the child, sometimes even producing sudden death in some cases, where the infant drowns in a massive reflux from the stomach which proceeds through the esophagus and fills the bronchial tubes. At times, this situation leads to asthmatic symptoms or frequent bouts of asthmatic bronchitis. The occurrence of a reflux can be confirmed by an X-ray of the passage of food and liquids between the esophagus, the stomach, and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Complementary examinations, such as endoscopy or pH monitoring, may be necessary. This remedy may also be used in cases of vesicoureteral reflux in infants: the urine ascends from the bladder toward the kidneys, producing a dilation of the excretory passages. This diagnosis is sometimes made with ultrasound during the fetal stage, and with Xrays of the bladder after birth when the infant is subject to recurrent urinary infections. In older children, we often find an allergy to feathers. Finally, in the parents, we observe the presence of hiatal hernias (in which the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity). One or two doses of Asa foetida 15 or 30 CH may be sufficient to bring about the complete disappearance of all the troubles described above, as the following clinical case histories attest. Observations Phillip, eight years old, consults for asthma which has so far defied all other therapies. The attacks he suffers are sudden, intense, and

slow to subside under the different treatments attempted. On two occasions, he has even had lung problems serious enough to appear on X-rays. The mother tells me that while he is sleeping, she sometimes hears gurgling noises coming from his stomach. An X-ray of the passage from the esophagus through the stomach to the small intestine shows a massive reflux reaching the upper third of the esophagus. Allopathic treatment (Gaviscon¨) stops the asthma for six months-which is already enormous progress-but the attacks recur as soon as Philippe stops taking the syrup. After one dose of Asa foetida 15 CH, no new asthmatic attacks occur, and five years later, this child is doing very well. The remedy has only been repeated once, in 30 CH, when the mother again heard the gurgling sound while her son was sleeping. Geraldine, two months old, is hospitalized after a close call with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Her parents found her one evening in her crib, inert, pale, not breathing. After being shaken a bit, the child came back to life. At the hospital, examinations confirm a gastroesophageal reflux. This has not recurred since the child took one dose of Asa foetida. Finally, a small symptom of note which can help us discover Asa foetida babies at birth: they often have an inflamed mammary gland with secretion of milk, as do Cyclamen and Tuberculinum infants. Asterias rubens The starfish This remedy is reputed for its action on breast cancer. The women concerned tend to get involved in altruistic battles (Arnica), but they would like to have reached their lofty goals without any problems. They do not tolerate annoyances easily, and the least obstacle in their path brings them to tears. In teenagers, we see a significant predisposition to acne, as well as sexual excitement and nervous agitation. Another indication of this remedy is constipation with stools like olives. Observation A 42-year-old social worker is in a state of great fatigue following an operation for adenoma (a benign tumor) of the right breast. In her teens, she broke off relations entirely with her mother, who wanted to

keep her from going out. After a dose of Asterias rubens 30 CH, she is soon back in good shape, and goes through an entire year without the slightest cold. One year later, back in my office for a checkup, she asks if she could take another dose of that remedy that did her so much good! Aurum metallicum Transgressing the law of the father This remedy corresponds to reckless children who are inclined to transgress the father’s laws. The physical father, the progenitor who intervenes in the initial, fusional mother-child relationship, also brings restrictions, barriers that both limit and protect the child. These children are also dictatorial, quick to anger, yet generous: they like having money, but most of all they like to share their wealth with family and friends. Often thin, prone to being devoured by insects, they may present with an umbilical or inguinal hernia on the right side, or perhaps with cardiac troubles (congenital heart disease, or heart disease linked to rheumatoid arthritis, since these children are extremely sensitive to hemolytic streptococcal infections). We may also observe otitis (inflammation of the ear) and asthma during damp weather. In some baby boys, the testicles do not descend. Mother Aurum loves parachuting, hang gliding or excursions deep into wild and unknown places. During pregnancy, she can be easily afflicted with jaundice or extensive itching. Her labor is difficult, with violent pains. Aurum adults are go-getters, full of driving ambition, who will defy even divine law. Could this be the reason behind the melancholy that seizes them one day and tempts them with thoughts of suicide? Be that as it may, the first “homeopathic” dilution of Aurum appears in the Bible, when Moses comes down from Mount Sinai with the stone tablets on which the Law of God is inscribed. He finds the Hebrews absorbed in worship of the golden calf. In anger, he breaks the golden calf into pieces, reduces it to a powder, and scatters it on the water, which he then gives the Hebrews to drink. Observation Regis, five years old, is brought to my office for recurrent otitis (inflammation of the ear). Constantly climbing on everything, jumping into the pool without knowing how to swim … he is a true daredevil.

The medical examination shows scars from stitches on the forehead and a protruding navel. The child tends to be dictatorial. In addition, he craves bread and meat. The mother is wearing a small gold nugget on a chain around her neck. “My husband brought me this after his latest expedition to the jungles of Guyana,” she tells me. He is a parachutist! With a few doses of Aurum 15 to 30 CH, the otitis disappears completely. Other Forms of Aurum Aurum Muriaticum Natronatum. A word about this salt of gold, a mixture of Natrum muriaticum and Aurum: this is a secretive Aurum, with symptoms generally aggravated at the seaside. One trait that helps to recognize this remedy is the black band at the root of the teeth, as in Staphysagria. Aurum Sulphur. Interesting in cases of plantar warts (Anacardium, Antimonium crudum, Aurum sulphur, Causticum, Natrum muriaticum, Sepia, Silicea, Sulphur, Thuja). *Original version: … la peur du loup, de l’ogre (des “dents de la mer”) … ( … fear of wolves, of ogres (“teeth from the sea”)). This is a play on the words la mer, the sea, phonetically similar to la m`ere, the mother. The phrase could thus be understood as “the mother’s teeth,” Dents de la mer was also the French-language title for the movie Jaws. *Original version: … vers quoi tendons-nous (where are we heading), a play on the word “tendons.” *Original version: Qu’est-ce qui vaut le coup?, a common expression which means roughly, “What is worth all the trouble?” In this case, the play is on the word coup, which is literally a blow or knock. *Original version: … lorsqu’il comprend que la mort du corps, c’est l’‰me hors du corps! (Literally, “when he understands that the death of the body is the soul out of the body,” a play on the phonetically similar phrases la mort du corps, the death of the body, and l’‰me hors du corps, the soul out of the body.) Baryta carbonica

I don’t understand anything at all This remedy is sometimes helpful for children with developmental difficulties, even those disabled to a severe degree. We find enlarged adenoids and tonsils, and a tendency to take cold easily. The intellect is often slow, with difficulty in understanding and retaining information. These children lack self-confidence and are very shy with people they do not know (at school, for example). They believe everyone is making fun of them, and hide behind the furniture when strangers visit the house. In another context, we might find a teenager who does no work in class. She has not understood that, if she does not put in a minimal amount of effort, she will not succeed at anything in life. One dose of Baryta carbonica 15 CH often will check the beginnings of a sore throat: something seems stuck in the throat, but we do not understand what it is. Baryta carbonica subjects are often constipated, with hard, knotty stools, fetid perspiration of the feet, and enlarged glands in the neck. Think of this remedy also after radiologic examinations involving the ingestion of barite (in barium enemas, for example). Observations Roman, nine years old, consults for a sore throat with greatly enlarged tonsils. He can barely swallow. His parents are in the process of getting divorced. The child seems stupefied, slow, and doesn’t understand anything at school; his teachers say he is lazy. He doesn’t understand anything anymore, especially why his parents-who are so perfectly suited to one another that their love gave birth to him-now live in two different houses and insult each other whenever they meet. At present, the throat pains are so severe that he can neither drink nor swallow; he even spits out his own saliva. Baryta carbonica 7 CH, then 15 CH, brings on a regression of symptoms within twenty-four hours. The throat culture does not show any dangerous germs (in particular, no streptococcus A). An elderly man who, up to this moment, has enjoyed full use of his intellect, suddenly suffers a serious regression. A few weeks before, he had a radiologic examination due to intestinal problems (colitis), for which he ingested barite (barium sulfate). With one dose of Baryta carbonica, he recovers his mental powers and is soon as alert as ever.

Belladonna In the delirium of fever This is one of the most widely used remedies, after Aconitum, in acute pathological situations. The fever begins generally around 8 p.m. with the face flushed and red, pupils dilated, and headaches aggravated by the least jolt. It may be a case of sore throat, otitis (inflammation of the ear), sunburn, or any other type of inflammation with the above symptoms. Frequently, the child becomes delirious, sees monstrous faces, grinds the teeth and bites. We observe perspiration of the head, while the feet are as cold as ice. Often, the child will have become chilled the day before from going outside with wet hair. This remedy is often needed by children whose constitutional remedy is Calcarea carbonica. Sometimes, the child will have a tendency to bite (Mercurius, Stramonium). Bismuthum-sn. (+ -o.) (old abbr.) No one clings tighter This remedy corresponds to children who are even clingier than Pulsatilla children. Which is no small matter. They cannot tolerate solitude, always want company; however, while the Pulsatilla child wants only mother, Bismuthum will make do with other familiar faces from the family circle. For example, a Pulsatilla child will want to sleep only in the mother’s bed, while Bismuthum will agree to sleep with an older sister. These children often have digestive troubles, such as diarrhea with great thirst, especially when teething. They can sometimes vomit food that was ingested several days before. Observations Max, three years old, comes to see me for chronic gastroenteritis. During the consultation, he does not once let go of his mother’s hand, even on the examining table. The two seem to be stuck together, which makes the examination particularly difficult. I think of Bismuthum. The mother tells me that, in the past, she had an allergic reaction to bismuth, which had been prescribed for stomachaches. After a few doses of Bismuthum, the digestive troubles disappear and the child’s behavior is radically transformed, with a greater degree

of autonomy. A veterinary case Prosper is a six-year-old wolfhound who is particularly clingy, following his master constantly when the latter is at home. He comes down with a moist, infected eczema every time his master leaves him for a few days, even though he is left in good care. At the age of five months, he was left with friends for two weeks during summer vacation. While numerous other treatments have failed, Bismuthum 15 CH brings about the complete disappearance of the eczema. Borax veneta Fear of falling Fear of downward motion: this is the major symptom of Borax. It is a remedy known for its effectiveness in children with canker sores (aphthae) or thrush. These children scream and cry when we put them on the scale or lay them in their crib; when older, they refuse to go sledding. These children are also very sensitive to sudden noises, even if they are very slight. They do not sleep well at night, especially if it is hot; they have trouble “falling” into a deep sleep. A small symptom of note during nursing: the mother feels pain in one breast while the child is nursing at the other. What is the origin of this anxiety about falling? Perhaps it is linked to the circumstances of a difficult birth. Bromium The happy mariner Bromium subjects are fine on a boat at sea. Their condition deteriorates once they set foot on land, since all their problems are waiting for them in the difficult world ashore. In truth, they want to escape everyday life. Bromium is a remedy for hoarseness, laryngitis, and asthma (especially in individuals who are exposed to a sea wind while they themselves remain on land). We find aggravation from heat and enlarged glands (especially the thyroid and the parotid salivary glands). This remedy resembles Iodum, but Iodum is better suited to individuals with brown hair and dark eyes, while Bromium corresponds

to individuals with blond hair and light-colored eyes. Bryonia alba I want to stay home In this remedy, fever is accompanied by a dry mouth and intense thirst. The child drinks great quantities of water, but at long intervals. He lies motionless in his bed. We observe great constipation. The troubles often begin at 9 o’clock in the evening. At times, a painful cough may be present. This type of picture may correspond to lung problems with fluid in the pleural cavity around the lungs, or it could be the beginning of an illness involving a rash or other eruption, before the eruption has broken out. One key to this remedy is in the following mental symptom: the person wants to stay home. In addition, these individuals talk a lot about their work, and are very irritable. They fly off the handle for the slightest of reasons. Observations Daphne, 10 years old, has had mumps for three days. One evening, her fever mounts; headaches, stiffness of the neck, and vomiting come on, indicating that the meninges (the membranes enveloping the brain) are affected. At her bedside a few moments later, I find her immobile, only stirring to drink a big glass of water. Her bed is not in its usual place. Her mother tells me, “For some time now, she has been rearranging her room constantly.” One half-hour after taking Bryonia 7 CH, three globules, the girl sits up in bed, speaks, and looks more relaxed. The next day, the illness is completely cured. Alice, nine years old, refuses to go with her class on a winter school trip. “It doesn’t matter,” says the mother, “I’ll keep her at home to work with me.” I urge her to encourage the child to go and not miss this opportunity. One evening, the girl comes down with the following symptoms: high temperature, painful cough, great thirst. She is prostrated, immobile. In addition, she has not had a bowel movement recently. X-rays of the chest show an affection of the right lower lung, with a reaction in the pleura (the envelope surrounding the lung tissue). I prescribe Bryonia 7 CH. During the night, the fever mounts even higher, surpassing 104û Fahrenheit; the child is delirious, the

subject of her delirium being the school trip (what should she take; does she have the gloves, the sunglasses, the socks she will need?). The next day, her temperature is down to 98.6û. The X-rays show all back to normal, and the mother asks me to fill out a medical form for Alice, since she has decided to go on her school trip. On this occasion, the mother confides to me: “My husband has to travel frequently, but I have never once left my own city.” Bufo rana Solitary pleasure This is a remedy known to correspond to people who always want to be alone, possessed by a compulsive desire to masturbate. Bufo rana subjects may have a brilliant mind, but are unable to create, exhausting all their energies in this constant quest for solitary sexual pleasure. These individuals have trouble expressing themselves (thus sex is of prime importance to them); they have difficulty in making themselves understood, which infuriates them. This is the remedy for children who become angry when their parents do not understand their jargon. It should be added that they are gifted flute players. Cactus grandiflorus The night-blooming flower An effective remedy in cases of severe asthma with constriction in the chest, as if it were encircled by tight bands. This is also a good remedy for children who will not venture to do anything as long as someone is looking at them; they seem incapable of doing anything, but get up at night and are perfectly able to act as long as they are shielded from the gaze of others. Caladium seguinum Up in smoke This is an interesting remedy for people who are unable to give up tobacco. Dazed and melancholic, they live in a permanent cloud of smoke that masks the thorny reality outside. They would like the world to exist without a single shadow entering the picture, but there is always some small detail that disappoints them (Cyclamen). They often dress in white from head to toe, indicating their great desire for light.

Smoking parents, coughing children! I always try to dissuade parents from continuing to smoke. Observation Before me is a young woman completely dressed in white. Her yellowed fingers give away the fact that she is a heavy smoker. “How do you feel about your life?” “You know, Doctor, I never feel really good. Everywhere I look, I always find immediately the one little defect that ruins everything.” Calcarea carbonica Fear of leaving the shell This is one of the most important constitutional remedies for children. The main mental symptom is fear. If a child has more than three fears (for example, fear of the dark, of dogs, of illness), Calcarea carbonica should be considered. In general, these children are on the chubby side, tend to be flabby, and often have a distended abdomen, umbilical hernia, and profuse perspiration of the head. Infants frequently develop cradle cap. Teething is late and difficult (with bronchitis, diarrhea … ). The bones have a tendency to become deformed and to break easily. At times, contrary to the above, we encounter children who are thin and subject to chronic diarrhea. Calcarea carbonica children are often slow in learning to walk and to talk. In terms of food, we note a strong craving for sugar, eggs, and milk products, but a general aversion to meat. Calcium represents our skeleton, and thus the hard part of who we are. The reality of coming into the world with a skeleton that is too soft and with open fontanelles (the spaces in the uncompleted bone structure of a newborn’s head), which is part of the early state of Calcarea carbonica, must be at the root of the fears present in this remedy. Before birth, the infant was safe and sound inside the maternal “egg.” Throughout their lives, our Calcarea carbonica subjects will try to rebuild a protective shell, from the cradle cap and umbilical hernia of the infant to the search for stable employment (often as civil servants) in adulthood. Observations Martin is a big nine-month-old baby (21 pounds) who has the

following symptoms: cradle cap, umbilical hernia, stricture of the right tear duct which has brought about chronic purulent conjunctivitis. In addition, he cannot yet hold himself in a sitting position. One dose of Calcarea carbonica brings spectacular improvement. Genevieve is a ten-year-old girl who suffers from chronic nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) with hematuria (blood in the urine). This condition came on after a series of recurrent sore throats, treated each time with antibiotics. Thin with an extended abdomen, she is chilly and comes down with a cold at every change of weather. The development of her teeth has been slow. Calcarea carbonica brings about a cure within a few months. Edward, 12 days old, with a head measurement of 15.5 inches, presents with a fracture of the collarbone from birth, bloody exudation at the navel, and conjunctivitis provoked by stricture of the left tear duct (in fact, the duct is blocked by calcium deposits). He heals well with Calcarea carbonica given to the mother (she is nursing, and homeopathic remedies pass to the child through the mother’s milk). Calcarea fluorica Avarice A cleft uvula, cleft palate (harelip), calcification of the eardrum, angioma (tumors of blood or lymph vessels), cephalhematoma (a large, blood-filled bump on the head, usually after birth), deficient tooth enamel, skeletal disharmony (a funnel-shaped chest, for example): these symptoms will direct the health practitioner toward Calcarea fluorica. The key symptom of this remedy is fear of poverty. From very early on, the child is interested in money, follows the stock market and the value of the dollar, is curious about accounting, and often becomes an expert in this field. Observation A mother brings me her three-year-old child for frequent bouts of bronchitis and suppurative otitis (ear infections), which he has had since the age of two. It turns out that, at about that age, his doctor began prescribing fluoride tablets for him to take on a regular basis. While we are talking of this and that at the beginning of the consultation, the subject of money comes up repeatedly, attracting my attention. Everything is too expensive in this part of the country, including the rates of certain doctors … could I give her a prescription

for several homeopathic remedies which she has already purchased … a penny saved is a penny earned! Finally, at the end of the consultation for the child, she asks if I could give her something for her circulation. Uncovering one leg to show me a varicose vein, she exclaims, “Have you ever seen such inflation?”* In some areas, it is wise to be very careful of possibly harmful effects from fluoride added to the diet through salts of fluorine used in cooking or in the form of tablets given to children and pregnant women. If the level of fluorine in the local water supply surpasses 0.5 milligrams per liter, fluoride supplementation of any kind should be avoided. For example, where I live in the FrŽjus-St. Rapha’l area of France, the water contains as much as 0.8 milligrams per liter of fluorine, and we find many Calcarea fluorica children in the area. Calcarea phosphorica Growth Individuals needing Calcarea phosphorica are sensitive to injustice. “It’s not fair!” these children say constantly. In fact, they do not have the energy reserves they need to attain the goals they set for themselves: to leave father and mother (they desire to travel, but become anxious as soon as the family nest is too far away), and to gain access to knowledge by means of analysis. Aware of their own physical limitations, they bypass the problem by developing an intuitive sense which allows them to reach their objectives directly. Later on, they will wear themselves out trying to transmit the good news, the knowledge they have received through intuitive insight. Given this, it is easy to understand certain characteristic symptoms, such as fear of receiving bad news (that they have made a mistake, for example), anger when contradicted, fear of mental labor, and jealousy (others have received more power than they). Calcarea phosphorica children are often thin and irritable. We can distinguish them from Calcarea carbonica children by the presence of numerous swollen glands in the neck and groin. In addition, the child is ticklish. Finally, the interview reveals that, for this child, the best meals are breakfast and the afternoon snack. The child comes home from school famished and exhausted, eats a substantial snack (ham sandwiches are a great favorite), then wants to go take a nap. These children also have growth problems (with slow, difficult dentition) and slow development of psychomotor skills (learning to walk after the age

of 15 months). In their urine, we discover large amounts of calcium phosphate crystals. They have problems with adenoids, diarrhea, and bronchitis. Calcium phosphate is the key element for growth at all levels: bones, muscles, and nerves. With this remedy, we might meditate on the meaning of growth. Phosphorus, the element of the vertical, pushes the human being toward heaven; calcium, the horizontal element, roots the feet firmly to earth. Other forms of calcarea (calcium salts) Calcarea Arsenicosa: Fear of death is markedly present in this remedy, as is a characteristic desire for soup. We sometimes find migraines occurring once a week and albumin during pregnancy. Calcarea Bromata: A useful remedy for insomnia in teething infants (Chamomilla, Coffea). Give three globules of the 15 CH potency in the evening before bedtime, for several days. Calcarea Iodata: Prominent tonsillar crypts (deep recesses) with caseous deposits (resembling cheese), a palpable spleen, and a relatively inconspicuous occurrence of goiter during adolescence: these are the symptoms that will guide us toward this remedy in preference to other Calcareas. Calcarea Silicata: This is a useful remedy when we are hesitating between Calcarea carbonica and Silicea (inclined to lack selfconfidence, with a tendency to suppurative infections). Calendula officinalis The homeopathic antiseptic The marigold that grows in our gardens is the primary homeopathic antiseptic, usually employed in the form of a mother tincture (M.T. ). A few drops in a little boiled water can be used to wash a wound or as a gargle for the throat, for example. It also used locally in the form of soap or ointment (at 4% strength) in cases of acne, for example, and as an eyewash to clean the eyes in cases of conjunctivitis. We can also give globules in the lower potencies (5 to 7 CH) in cases of wounds to the mouth, for example. Thanks to this remedy, homeopaths can easily “weed out” local infections.* Camphora officinalis

The antidote Camphor antidotes most homeopathic remedies. This is a powerful remedy in chronic disease, corresponding to authoritarian personalities, jealous individuals who fear neither God nor humankind (sometimes even driven to murder, if need be). Even though they have chosen to “live by the sword,”* they still fear death. In acute cases, this is an important remedy in situations where death is near: collapse, intense diarrhea (cholera, also Cuprum and Veratrum album). Apart from these exceptional cases, Camphora is more widely used in low-potency globules (7 CH) to nip a cold in the bud, as soon as the first chill is felt and sneezing begins (Oscillococcinum). Cannabis indica Finding an identity With this remedy, we are at the heart of the key issue of adolescence. Confronted with the complete incommunicability of everything they are experiencing, young Cannabis indica individuals cannot find their identity. Therefore, they join a group in which they think they will have a chance to “find themselves.” The temptation of the Cannabis “joint” is unfortunately often irresistible. In homeopathic doses, this remedy would serve them well. In massive doses, it brings intense exaltation with expansion of time and space, but also mental dissociation and a decline toward the lower instincts… . Often, these individuals find themselves on a path toward a degraded, demoralized state, with a hatred for schoolwork and, later on, problems with drugs. In reality, Cannabis indica is in a borderline state, and is faced with a great temptation to cross the line and return to a primitive, fusional love, at the risk of becoming completely lost within it. This is the dilemma that may be behind the characteristic symptom of Cannabis Indica, fear of drowning. This remedy, unfortunately, not available in France or the U.S. , can easily be procured in Switzerland (Schmidt-Nagel Laboratories, Geneva), in Belgium (Homeoden Laboratories, Ghent), or in England (Helios). Capsicum annuum Nostalgia for paradise lost

Paradise lost; that is the key to this remedy. Always looking back at what has been left behind, Capsicum misses out on life and ruins the present. Of course, only the present moment is “immortal.” We live on earth between two obligatory moving days: birth and death. After the stress of birth, the infant soothes its anxiety by nursing. This is the oral stage. Capsicum is a child who has a constant impulse to eat everything in sight, with a particular desire for strong flavors and spicy foods. This produces a tendency toward obesity. These are plump, red-faced children, who do not react to remedies … until we think of Capsicum. Moving to a new home or a new country (for example, individuals who are exiled or repatriated), or a transfer required for employment or professional reasons (and the “new cradle” it involves) will all reactivate this nostalgic anguish. These children tend to be clumsy and flaccid, but are also daredevils, reckless like Pulsatilla and Aurum. Finally, Capsicum children do not sleep whenever they are far from home. Observations Mary Ellen, 13 years old, comes to see me for a problem of obesity, associated with irrepressible cravings which prompt her to eat everything within her reach, at any hour of day or night. An orphan born in South Korea, at the age of seven she was “sent off” to France, to be adopted by a couple in Grenoble. She seems to have adapted well to her new family and her new country. At the same time, she remembers nothing of Korea, including her native language! After three doses of Capsicum 9, 15, and 30 CH at two-week intervals, her cravings disappear and she has lost six-and-a-half pounds. “I can now see food on the table and feel no attraction to it,” she says. Alexander is brought to me at nine months of age for treatment of generalized eczema. My question to the mother: “How was your pregnancy?” “Very troubled, Doctor; we moved three times!” Two weeks later, the child’s condition is much improved after one dose of Capsicum 15 CH. A few persistent traces of eczema lead to an ensuing, successful prescription of Psorinum 30 CH. Carbo vegetabilis

Taking the next step This is charcoal, a form of carbon produced from plant sources, which brings us quickly to the topic of carbon oxides. At the moment of birth, our first struggle at the cellular level involves an oxide of carbon, which we must eliminate through the breath. The child in utero receives its oxygen through the umbilical cord. When we cut this link, the oxygen supply stops. This is the first step that every human being must take: we must begin to breathe. If this does not go smoothly, if we turn blue for a few moments, or if we have already become acquainted with this form of intoxication during the intra-uterine period, when Mother smoked too much or lived in a smoke-filled environment, then we will be sensitive to this element and will display little or no reaction to other remedies. This is also the case for children who have had a serious illness (severe whooping cough or measles, pneumonia, peritonitis), who came close to death and have had chronic troubles of some sort ever since, an affection they cannot seem to shake (such as asthma, for example). A characteristic trait of these children is that they need to be fanned. They love to open the windows in the car or stand in front of a fan. Their capillary circulation is poor. The skin has a marbled appearance, and in acute conditions the lower extremities are cold from the feet all the way to the knees. The abdomen is often distended, with much gas, slow digestion, and an aversion to milk, meat and greasy food. In addition, we see a tendency to nosebleeds, hoarseness (especially in the evenings), hay fever, and asthma. Mention should be made here of addiction to tobacco. Smokers sometimes benefit from Carbo vegetabilis, a remedy they inhale in massive doses with each puff of a cigarette. Anxious in the face of life’s difficulties, these individuals feel a need to relive the sequence, “carbon oxide-inhalation-pleasure,” which takes them back to their first breath of oxygen at the moment when they uttered their primal cry. To stop smoking: progressively diminish the amount of tobacco ingested by taking a greater number of cigarettes out of the pack each day (start at one and increase by one per day) and throwing them away. At the same time, take Carbo Vegetabilis (for example, one dose per week, beginning at 9 to 12 CH, then following with 15 CH and 30 CH). Observations Beatrice, 11 years old, has suffered from recurrent bouts of

bronchitis every winter since the age of four. At that age, she had a severe case of measles, complicated by lung problems. Both parents smoke, each consuming a pack of cigarettes per day. Marked improvement occurs after one dose of Carbo vegetabilis 30 CH. Lionel has had asthmatic bronchitis since the age of six months, when he received a whooping-cough vaccine. He had a bad reaction to the vaccine, with a high fever and coughing in the days that followed. He is now four years old and, besides the problems with bronchitis, we find a distended abdomen, gas, and a desire for toasted bread. Carbo vegetabilis in 15 and 30 CH brings about a complete disappearance of the bronchitis. Carcinosinum Incarcerated It is to Michel Zala, of Orleans, France, that I owe my understanding of the deeper issues underlying this extremely reserved remedy. It corresponds to people who declare: “Sir, there are some things that should remain unsaid.” Thus they are faced with a serious communication problem until, thanks to this remedy, they realize that these things can be said once one learns the art of it and acquires a few pertinent skills. Incarcerated within themselves, these patients turn their aggression inward and suffer from allergies, insomnia, and eventually cancer. Observations Bridget, 14 years old, comes for a routine visit before going back to school in the fall. During the examination, I find several “cafŽ au lait” spots, the color of coffee with cream. I observe a bluish cast to the conjunctive tissue in the eyes; she is quite meticulous and has a passion for music (the piano). These last two symptoms are given to us by Hui Bon Hoa as characteristic of Carcinosin and Nux vomica. I dig a little deeper and find that all four of her grandparents have already died-of cancerous diseases. She also tells me that she suffers from rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose); her nose is stopped up every morning. Her mother describes her as a serious child, advanced for her age, but extremely reserved. The mother herself suffers from insomnia and confides to me that “there are a lot of things in my life I can’t talk about.” I have both of them inhale above a bottle containing a solution

of Carcinosin 10M in alcohol. Bridget’s rhinitis clears up immediately, and does not reappear. As for the mother, she spends the next day talking with her best friend… . A secretary (from the Latin secretum, secret, and -ary: a person engaged in)* comments on the book her boss is writing: “You shouldn’t tell all your secrets in such detail in that book. If you do, people will know everything and won’t need to come see you anymore. Our strength lies in our secrets!” Her family medical history shows numerous cases of breast cancer. Causticum Damocles’ sword These are people who live with the feeling that they have a Damoclean sword hanging above their head. There has been a dramatic incident in their lives. For example, after a very difficult labor and birth, the infant is fearful, whimpering, and cries when others cry (out of compassion, since misfortune has befallen them). Indeed, these children live in constant fear that new worries will materialize. They cannot go to bed alone at night, they fear the dark, and are often afraid of dogs. We often observe weakness of some kind. These children also are late in learning to walk. We may see paralysis following an injury at birth, or after convulsions or exposure to cold (for example, facial paralysis from cold). These children are sensitive to dry cold. A dry wind from the north always makes them hoarse, as does air conditioning: the throat burns with pain, and they prefer to drink ice-cold water. Frequently, warts will be present, often small, widely scattered warts of the molluscum contagiosum type, or larger warts near the edge of the fingernails. These children may stutter or pronounce words poorly, which often earns them some visits to the speech therapist. At times dictatorial, they can play on their weakness in order to maintain those around them under their domination. Finally, we may observe enuresis (involuntary urination). The child is inclined to wet the bed during the first hours of sleep at night, and may also urinate involuntarily at times when coughing or running. Observation Lionel has had a hard time growing up: he suffered early on from

paralysis of the nerves in the shoulder, arm and chest (brachial plexus), followed by a broken collarbone. He has developed rather slowly, is shy at school, afraid of dogs and of the dark, has warts on his toes, and recurrent abscessed teeth. Great improvement follows doses of Causticum in ascending potencies (9 to 30 CH). Cenchris contortrix The primitive scene Cenchris dreams of witnessing a rape. We also find this remedy in Kent’s repertory under “disputes from jealousy” (Lachesis, Nux vomica). This remedy is known among homeopaths for its similarity to Lachesis, with symptoms occurring on the right side instead of the left. Observation A ten-year-old boy consults for personality problems that make life at home and at school difficult for everyone: extreme jealousy and continual fighting. During the first consultation, the mother tells me that, at five years of age, he entered his parents’ bedroom while they were making love. Ever since, he has called them by all sorts of names (savage beasts, prehistoric humans … ). At first, I try many homeopathic remedies with this child, to no avail. Struck by a notable presence of early cavities in his teeth, I prescribe a dose of Kreosotum 15 CH. After taking it, he dreams that his parents are making love, that he is above the bed and does not want to be born. That steers me toward Anacardium (half angel, half devil, who hesitates: to be born or not to be born?), with no results. I see him one year later and note that his nervous state remains unchanged. It is then that a dose of Cenchris 15 CH transforms the picture: he quickly becomes a calm, reasonable child who works hard at school. Chamomilla The storm “This pain is too much. I don’t deserve this!” Whether it is the pain of childbirth, teething, or otitis (inflammation of the ear), Chamomilla is agitated and upset, screaming and crying in a veritable storm of rage. In addition, Chamomilla cannot tolerate meteorological storms, and is afraid of the wind. We often see that one cheek is red, while the other is pale. The fever is highest from 9 p.m.

to midnight, and sour-smelling perspiration covers the head. The little patient is better when carried and rocked, or in a moving car. Thus we see the fathers out in the evenings, driving all over town, trying to calm down a capricious infant who is struggling through a difficult period of teething. Chelidonium majus The great light This is an important liver remedy, well known for its characteristic symptom: constant pain under the lower corner of the right shoulder blade, which may appear during jaundice, whether it is due to infection or gallstones. The pain is worse from 4 to 9 o’clock in the morning. The tongue is yellow and indented by the imprint of the teeth. The ill person feels better while eating or while drinking very hot beverages. Diarrhea and constipation alternate. The second sphere of this medicine’s action is in the lungs, where it intervenes favorably in cases of asthma during a change in the weather. We will then find flaring of the nostrils accompanying the breathing, and the ill person feels better when lying down (unusual in asthma; the individual usually prefers a sitting position). At times, we will run across a case of pneumonia affecting the upper lobe of the right lung (Calcarea carbonica), with a dry cough worse during the afternoon, around 4 o’clock. Finally, a third sphere of action, established by E. Valero, consists of significant visual problems that may appear: lack of pupillary response to light, paralysis of the optic nerve or eye muscles, strabismus (crossed eyes), cataracts, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and neuralgia (extreme pain radiating along a nerve) brought on by a sustained upward gaze. In the mental sphere, we note a tendency toward depression. The person becomes depressed about the present and the future. Since ancient times, as E. Valero tells us, the liver has been symbolically associated with vision. It is the seat of another sort of intelligence, another sort of wisdom about the decisions to be made. Chelidonium refuses to see clearly, refuses to see the truth, the light; refuses, ultimately, to turn its gaze upward. It is interesting to note that the plant bears the nickname of “grande Žclaire” in France, a name roughly equivalent to “great light.”

Chelidonium individuals are energetic realists, practical and antiintellectual, Vithoulkas tells us. They make an effort to avoid speculation or abstraction, and never try to understand the situations they face, since they see this as a waste of time. In short, they remain in the material world and only with great difficulty can they rise to a more elevated perspective, to an outlook of a spiritual nature. As emphasized by Annick de Souzenelle, for Chelidonium the passage through the porta hepatis, the gateway to the liver, is difficult. This remedy seems to have a problem with passage through other portals as well: we find it among those with great metaphysical anxiety.* In the same vein, we note the presence of baldness in the occipital region, which bears a certain resemblance to the tonsure required by some religious orders. This remedy, then, is found in individuals who “worry themselves sick.”** They feel responsible for other people’s deaths, and the least noise makes them feel they have been caught in the act. There are things they have refused to see, paths they have refused to take, which is the source of their guilty conscience. China officinalis Anemic Here is the leading remedy for states of fatigue and anemia, for malarial fevers. It is through his observation of China that Hahnemann discovered homeopathy. China individuals want to think about everything at once; their mind is teeming with ideas, and they are inclined to collide with others’ beliefs … which eventually exhausts them. This remedy is useful in cases of anemia following blood loss after an operation or childbirth; it is also helpful in severe cases of hemorrhagic flu, and again in prolonged cases of diarrhea with exhaustion and great flatulence. Chininum arsenicosum In this remedy, we find the fatigue and anemia of China combined with the death anxiety of Arsenicum album. It is a good remedy for eczema and asthma in people who are allergic to eggs and fish. It is equally useful in problems arising from a pregnancy marked by severe hemorrhaging.

Cicuta virosa Crazy times, crazy people This remedy corresponds to patients who at some point suffered a head injury, perhaps during a difficult birth, for example. They often present with eczema composed of lemon-yellow crusts that cause little itching. We also find convulsions during fever and neurological illnesses after a “suppressed eruption,” when a rash or other skin problem is treated externally with ointments, as an example. These patients turn inward and withdraw, marginalizing themselves in order to escape a world which they feel is becoming ever crazier. Observation Bridget brings me her baby, covered with a yellow, crusty eczema. She herself has a disfigured nose. “It happened when a horse kicked me; I was twenty years old. The world is too crazy, so I decided to go live in the back country on a farm and become completely self-sufficient. We have our own source of water, our own generator; we produce our own vegetables and our own cheese… .” The infant heals rapidly with one dose of Cicuta virosa 15 CH. Cimicifuga racemosa “in pain you shall bring forth children” This biblical phrase is part of the Judeo-Christian cultural heritage. Moreover, for thousands of years, the act of bringing a living child into the world has pitted women in a game of chance against death. Will the child pass successfully through the birth canal? Will there be a cataclysmic hemorrhage that will take the mother’s life during delivery? When I worked as a physician in the African bush, I came into direct contact with the terrible reality of this aspect of motherhood. Today, thanks to progress in medicine, in obstetrics, ultrasound technology, monitoring, and cesarian births, conditions are better, but the fear and anxiety out of time immemorial are often still present in the eyes of a woman who is about to give birth, especially if it is her first child. It is then that Actaea racemosa 12 or 15 CH, or even 30 CH, will do wonders: the laboring mother will recover her confidence, equilibrium, and serenity, and the delivery will be quick and smooth.

In addition, this is a good remedy for children who are restless and agitated while teething (another sort of parturition, except this time a tooth is born). Observation Florence, 23 years old, is nearing the end of her first pregnancy. One afternoon, she calls her husband to ask him to come take her to the clinic, since she has had some contractions. After examining her, however, the midwife sends her home: “Labor has barely begun; the cervix is not dilated. You’ll be back this evening or tomorrow, my dear.” Back at home, Florence takes one dose of Actaea racemosa 12 CH. After three hours, the contractions are strong, and the baby seems to be quite low. She again calls her husband, who immediately takes her to the clinic. On arrival, she is fully dilated, and the baby is out five minutes later! A bit of advice, therefore: take this remedy after arriving at the clinic, and stay there! Cina maritima The worm was in the fruit In our bodies, we provide a habitat for many different microbes and parasites, living with them in perfect harmony. When this balance is upset and intestinal worms multiply, we often find conditions ripe for the work of Cina. The child needing this remedy is in a bad mood, contrary, restless, refuses to be touched or caressed, and desires many things, which are quickly rejected once offered. To this irritable temperament, add a changeable appetite, grinding of the teeth, and fierce itching of the nose and anus. The face is pale, with dark circles under the eyes. At times there are even convulsions, with or without fever. If a fever occurs, it is high; the tongue remains clean, and the face is cold while the hands are hot. The person feels worse at night and in the summer sun. This is also a remedy helpful for spasmodic, nervous coughs, and for coughs during teething. Coca High altitude This is the remedy for adjusting to high altitudes. The indigenous people of Peru chew on coca leaves when climbing into the heights.

An infant should not go above 3,000 feet before the age of one year, and should stay below 6,000 feet before the age of two. If a stay at a high altitude is unavoidable, give globules of Coca 9 CH for a few days to help the child adapt. In high potencies, this is a constitutional remedy for individuals who are ill at ease in society, and who no longer have any sense of good and evil. Cocculus indicus Controlling the movements of life This is well known as the remedy for nurses who sit up all night watching over the sick, and for people who attend to the dying. It is also a good remedy for motion sickness on winding roads (Petroleum if it is from the odor of gasoline, Tabacum if people in the vehicle are smoking, Nux vomica if the person is restless and vomiting). In truth, Cocculus wants to know the secrets of life and to control its movements, which gives rise to a sort of charitable nosiness, pushing these individuals into professions such as nursing, medicine, and psychoanalysis. Observations A three-year-old comes to see me yet again for febrile bronchitis. This is one of my failures. Since birth, this child has been sick several times per month, and none of the homeopathic remedies prescribed have put a stop to this recurrent illness. I know that the father smokes heavily, and I attribute these poor results to secondhand smoke. On this day, the fever starts in the morning, when the child is annoyed at having to go to school. “Normally, he does not go to school on Saturday mornings; since I do not work, I keep him with me … but today the preschool was having an open house. He had decided not to go, and hates it when we contradict him.” In Kent’s repertory, I compare the rubrics, “fever from anger” and “thirst absent during fever.” I see Cocculus appear among a small number of remedies. I realize then that the father is a psychiatric nurse, and spends his time listening to the secrets that his patients confide to him… . Could it be Cocculus? I open my Boericke to Cocculus and discover there the following symptoms: dyspnea (difficulty in breathing) produced by a constriction of the trachea, as if it

were irritated by smoke! Cocculus takes care of the fever and the bronchitis in less than 24 hours. Several months later, the child has not relapsed. I also recommended Cocculus for the father. In essence, Cocculus wants to know the secret of the movements that make life exist, and hopes to find this out by listening to the last words of the dying. A nurse asks for my help with an attack of sciatica. The few symptoms she has point to a small number of remedies, among them Cocculus. “How do you react when you are faced with death in your work?” Her gaze becomes intense: “Whenever someone is dying on our ward, I have to hold their hand right through to the end. I can’t keep myself from doing it. My co-workers do my work for me during that time… .” Coffea cruda Joy This remedy is useful for babies who are lean, nervous, and insomniac, especially during teething (9 CH, three globules before bedtime). It is also a good remedy for painful teeth, one which can be taken as a preventive measure before going to the dentist, for example. In older children, we can use it in cases of over-excitement or insomnia after strong emotions (leaving on vacation, birthdays, and so on), and in general for effects from intense joy of any kind. Observation Ian is ten months old when his parents take him on vacation to a cabin at a moderate altitude for the first time. That night, after a day that was more exciting than usual, the infant is not sleepy. He wants to play, and his eyes remain bright and alert late into the evening. A few globules of Coffea 9 CH are sufficient to calm him down, and he has a good night’s sleep. Colocynthis Repressed anger This is a remedy helpful for spasmodic, cramping pain which comes on after anger is “swallowed,” the anger being mixed with a

feeling of indignation. However, it is above all a very useful remedy during the change of seasons when the air is still cold and the sun is already quite hot. We then encounter terribly painful stomachaches that force the child to bend double, diarrhea with emission of stool any time the child tries to take solid or liquid food. Heat and pressure relieve the abdominal pains. Observation Thomas, two months old, is brought to see me for a very dramatic case of colic. The child writhes in pain, doubles up, screams constantly. The young mother is exhausted. During her pregnancy, she faced great frustration at work, since the head of her department harassed her and would not admit she was pregnant. With a prescription of Colocynthis 7 CH given to the nursing mother, three globules three times a day for two days, the problems gradually fade away. Conium maculatum The path to knowledge The key to this remedy lies in the circulation of energy between the lower and upper body. In the human being, energy is at first concentrated essentially near the bottom of the spinal column, in the sacral plexus. From there it radiates to the genitals, ensuring horizontal reproduction and the future of the species through the children that follow. “Be fruitful and multiply.” After multiplication, if human beings wish to be fruitful, they must grow, climbing upward as do all growing things. They must therefore make the energy in the sacral plexus rise toward the solar plexus, then higher in the body, along the spine, and into other centers of energy (the Hindu chakras). This is where Conium intervenes. Around the bend in this road lies access to knowledge. What kind of knowledge? In effect, this is an ascent toward spirituality, toward God (conium: con: with, i: God, um: human). Inclined to be superstitious, the Conium individual reads great amounts of esoteric and mystical literature, flits from one thing to another without finding the path to Salvation, and, in the face of failure, can easily slide into unconstrained sexual activity. Conium resembles the cock, an animal that can be the symbolic representation of a belligerent, contentious individual who runs constantly after members

of the opposite sex; it can likewise symbolize the prophet who unerringly foretells the first light of day… . It is interesting to note that the cock is the symbol of France (the French are well known for their propensity to “deliver the word”), and that the name of homeopathy’s founder, Hahnemann, is a union of two words: hahn, or cock, and mann, or man. This remedy is useful for teenagers who abandon their studies to engage in unrestrained sexual activity, or who flit from one subject to another in their studies and never bring anything to completion. They often have significant problems with acne. Conium individuals have a dictatorial and meticulous nature. Their ears tend to plug up with wax repeatedly, and they also develop chronic nasal obstructions, sometimes even asthma. They may present with ascending paralysis beginning in the feet and spreading upward (especially in the elderly). Observations A 60-year-old grandmother with an authoritarian and meticulous temperament is afflicted with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an ascending paralysis of the lower extremities. At this point, she is confined to a wheelchair. One dose of Conium 30 CH is prescribed. A year later, to her neurologist’s great surprise, she is perfectly able to walk. On Sundays, Bible in hand, she even climbs the stairs in the neighboring apartment buildings, since in the meantime she has found her faith, and has joined a group of evangelists. Frederick, 18 years old, fails his first year of university studies. Though he was a brilliant student in high school, he seems incapable of adapting to his life at college and all the new freedoms available to him, which he abuses. He has a chronic obstruction of the nose. Many different subjects appeal to him: he throws himself into deep study of one, then another, but only for a limited time, after which he is unable to persevere. A veterinary case Jeff, a German Shepherd-type dog, becomes paralyzed in the hindquarters at the age of 12 years. Three veterinarians are consulted and can only suggest euthanasia. The paralysis began after a hunting excursion, from which he returned exhausted and, it seems, frustrated. The dog has an authoritarian nature (he must be served his food first,

or he will fight with the other dogs). The examination reveals an enlarged prostate. The paralysis disappears within two weeks after one dose of Conium 9 CH. Croton tiglium Contents under pressure This remedy is known for eczema, especially in the area of the genitals; this can alternate with asthma. It is also known for breast pains in nursing women, pains which radiate into the back; above all it is known for summer episodes of severe, sudden, and explosive diarrhea. The spirit of this remedy is similar to its characteristic diarrhea. Croton tiglium subjects are people who accumulate grievances, then suddenly explode. When children act out, they are agitated and violent. Observation Christopher was “born too quickly,” according to the midwife, who did not even have time to put on her gloves. After birth, he suffers from eczema alternating with asthma, and comes to consult at age seven for explosive diarrhea during the summer… . Cuprum metallicum I don’t measure up Here is one of the remedies associated with cramps, spasms, and convulsions. This remedy is a precious aid in certain cases of severe epilepsy in newborns, like West’s syndrome, in which I have seen one dose of Cuprum 15 CH put a complete stop to this epileptic brain disorder, while conventional medicine was not able to obtain satisfactory results. It is also a good remedy for infants who present with tracheomalacia: the cartilage in the larynx is too soft, and the child constantly breathes as if afflicted with severe laryngitis. For infant colic, Cuprum does wonders if the following symptom exists: a “glug-glug” noise can be heard when the infant swallows while nursing. Cuprum is also an asthma remedy in cases where suffocating attacks occur at three o’clock in the morning, and the cough is calmed by drinking water. It is equally helpful in cases of whooping cough. Finally, it is a remedy for children who are subject to

painful dislocation of the arms after traction is abruptly exerted on the upper extremities (a child held by the hand), as is Plumbum (painful pronation). The spirit of Cuprum corresponds to the fact that the individuals feel they do not measure up; they are placed in a situation that goes beyond their abilities, such as executives who climb the company ladder until finally they reach a position that completely surpasses their capacities. Observation Julia, 11 years old, is starting middle school (sixth grade). During one of the first recreational periods, she is pushed by one of the older children. Since then, she has been afraid to go to school; she does not put any effort into her studies, and is regressing. At the age of two months, she had laryngeal dyspnea: she almost suffocated, and her mother had to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on her several times. Presently, she feels incapable of continuing in the sixth grade, and would like to return to the elementary school where she was the year before. At night, she complains of cramps in her calves. After taking one dose of Cuprum 15 CH, then another in 30 CH, two weeks apart, she is able to adapt to her new school without further difficulty. Curare Refusal of self-responsibility This remedy is helpful for children who do not want to do anything for themselves when they are older. It is still Mother who must lace up their shoes, wipe their behind, and so on. We may find allergies to the curare derivatives from which anesthetics are made. Curare is a poison which paralyzes and prevents any action on the part of its victim. Observation Matthew is asthmatic. During pregnancy, his mother had to have an operation. It did not go well, since she had an allergic reaction to the curare derivatives used in anesthesia. That incident turned me in the direction of this remedy, which cured the child. Cyclamen Europaeum Hidden grief

This is unspoken grief. During the interview, the homeopath can spot Cyclamen individuals, since they do not look her straight in the eye. In fact, the left eye turns inward (toward the nose), resulting in a slight strabismus. That crosswise look … what is our Cyclamen hiding from us? In infants, we also find strabismus and mastitis with secretion of milk. Older children may have depressive tendencies. We also see that the Cyclamen subject does not want to go out of the house for any reason. In addition, these individuals are often allergic to cats, even though they love cats above all else. Feline saliva and hair contain potent allergens that may provoke inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes (rhinitis) and asthma. Finally, Cyclamen adults have a notable taste for black humor, mocking sad incidents in the most cynical manner. In truth, Cyclamen would like to have a perfect, unstained earthly life. Instead, there is always a defect somewhere that ruins everything. Cyclamen then paints an even darker picture, and so adds to the existing imperfections. Observations Bruno, one year old, presents with convergent strabismus. Two days before his birth, his mother’s sister was killed in a car accident. Mae, one month old, comes to see me for her first checkup. She has mastitis with secretion of milk and intermittent strabismus. I notice that the father also has strabismus. I propose that both of them take a dose of Cyclamen. The father then asks me about the conditions to which this remedy corresponds. “In some cases, it corresponds to a grief we do not talk about,” I tell him. I see his gaze shift a bit; then, his eyes moistened with tears, he confides to me that he was abandoned, and was brought up in an orphanage. Gerard, 17 years old, is depressive. He does not want to go out of the house, and refuses to go to school. I notice a slight convergent strabismus of the left eye. The father, who is accompanying him, also has the same type of strabismus. I ask him about the family medical history. How is the paternal grandfather? The father’s eyes fill with tears. His father died 17 years ago of a brain tumor. Cyclamen 15, then 30 CH is prescribed for both father and son. At the next

consultation, both are doing better. To thank me, the father has brought me a book of comic strips … black humor, to be sure! Claudia, ten years old, presents with asthma alternating with eczema of the feet. The eczema first appeared at about the age of 16 months, starting on the thumb she sucked, then spreading to her hands and finally to her feet. It eventually became disabling, with severe episodes of exudation. The only remedy that seems to work then is Sulphur, but the asthmatic attacks invariably follow, coming on around 8 o’clock at night and clearing up with Belladonna. Allergy tests show a high level of reactivity to cat hair, but the child refuses to be separated from her beloved cat. In June 1990, her condition gets worse. She is constantly suffering from asthmatic attacks. I see her again, but after one hour in the interview, I am getting no clear responses to any of my questions. Finally, exasperated by her evasive answers, I turn to the girl and ask: “Do you really want to get well?” To my great surprise, and her parents’ as well, she answers, “No, I don’t want to get well.” That immediately turns my thoughts to Cyclamen, since the same phrase was uttered by a patient of Dr. Fayeton’s who was cured with this remedy. The picture becomes clear: this is a thin little girl, who eats sparingly and is withdrawn (Natrum muriaticum was tried without success). Every time she is sick, she has a tendency to paint an even darker picture of the situation, seeming almost to revel in it, and adopting a guilt-ridden “mea culpa” attitude. The traditional religious education she is receiving also reinforces her tendency to feel guilty. What is her hidden grief? Probably the rupture of the fusional relationship with her mother when she was 16 months old, while her mother was pregnant with her little sister. The cat replaces the motherpoorly, to be sure-in the little girl’s bed, and becomes a “cat”-alyst for illness.* I prescribe Cyclamen 15 CH. During the year that follows, both eczema and asthma disappear. Her appetite and energy return. Winter brings only a few colds, even though, in spite of her allergist’s advice, she still sleeps with her cat… . *Original version: “Vous avez vu la varice? (“Have you seen this varicose vein?”), a play on the words la varice, the varicose vein, and l’avarice, avarice; the pronunciation of the two words in French is

identical. *Original version: Gr‰ce ˆ ce remde, les homŽopathes ont rŽellement pas de “souces” avec les infections locales (Thanks to this remedy, homeopaths really have no worries about local infections), a play on the word souci, which means “worry,” and is also the name of the marigold. *Original version: Bien qu’ayant choisi le “camp fort” (Even though they have chosen the “strong side”). The pronunciation of camp fort and camphore (Old French) is phonetically similar. *Original version: (secret - taire), a play on the secrŽtaire, secretary, as the combination of two words, secret (secret), and taire (to keep quiet). *In French, the words foie, liver, and foi, faith, are phonetically identical. **Original version: “se font de la bile” (literally, “work up some bile”), an expression commonly used to describe people who “get all worked up” about something, or who “worry themselves sick.” *Original version: … et nous comprenons pourquoi on surnomme cet animal “matou” ( … and we can see why this animal is nicknamed “matou”), a play on the phonetically similar words matou, tomcat, and ma toux, my cough. The author also refers to a common expression in French: j’ai un chat dans la gorge, literally, “I have a cat in my throat.” This is the equivalent of the English “frog in the throat.” Digitalis purpurea Failure Digitalis subjects are too vulnerable to failed plans. They are full of anxiety about the future. On the physical level, the heart is affected: a slow pulse, sensation of palpitations “as if the heart would stop.” The heart is dilated and hypertrophic (Laurocerasus). Digitalis is an introvert who does not do things wholeheartedly. As in Sepia, the person experiences nausea from the smell of food. We may also observe a detached retina (Apis, Aurum, Gelsemium, Phosphorus), hypertrophy and pain in the liver, and chronic bronchitis.

Diphtherotoxinum This is a useful remedy for some obstructed cases in which there is a history of recurrent sore throats or laryngitis, diphtheria, or a bad reaction to the diphtheria vaccine (give one or two doses in 15 and 30 CH). For children subject to recurrent laryngitis, it is advisable to replace the DTP vaccine with a TP vaccine (without diphtheria). Drosera rotundifolia The carnivorous plant This is the main remedy for whooping cough, according to Hahnemann. He recommended one dose of 30 CH at the beginning of the illness, and the remedy was not to be given again afterward. Other symptoms that point to this remedy are asthmatic attacks, coughing during teething, and a painful cough, perhaps with hoarseness; the symptoms are aggravated after midnight while the person is lying in a warm bed. This remedy often applies to people who are too sensitive to others’ maliciousness in a world where one must “eat or be eaten.” Observation Cindy had her BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine at birth. Since her father is in the military, her family is soon to leave for Djibouti in Africa. Before leaving, Cindy, now two years old, is given another BCG, since the first one did not take effect. At the age of four, she must be brought home for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. A large tubercular gland is located in the thorax, near the right bronchial tube, and the child is started on triple antibiotics. However, the gland does not recede. After four months, the parents come to see me. I remember then what Boericke said about Drosera: “Drosera can break the resistance of a tubercular gland and make it disappear.” So I prescribe one dose of Drosera 15 CH. The cough disappears, the child’s general state improves, and two weeks later, to our surprise and joy, the chest X-ray shows that the gland, unchanged until now, has shrunk to half its previous size. Drosera 30 CH is given, and the following month the tubercular gland has disappeared completely. Later on, Cindy had a little brother whom I had the occasion to treat. When I wanted to vaccinate him against whooping cough at the age of four months, the parents told me they would prefer to avoid that

vaccine, which had brought on a very bad reaction in their oldest daughter, Cindy. It was then I realized that the whooping cough vaccine had prepared the ground for her subsequent pulmonary tuberculosis! Dulcamara Damp cold Human beings are born to a warm, humid environment at the mother’s breast, but it is often a cold rain that awaits us afterward. Dulcamara (Latin dulcis, sweet, and amarus, bitter) is the remedy for affections from damp cold, such as in autumn, when cool, damp evenings follow warm daytime temperatures. This remedy applies specifically to land-related dampness (rain, fog, marshes) and not the dampness of the sea which calls for Rhus tox or Natrum sulphuricum. This dampness can bring on nasal obstruction, a head cold with hoarse and spasmodic coughing, even asthma. In other parts of the body, it could be diarrhea with abdominal colic in the area of the navel, rheumatic pains, bladder inflammation (cystitis). In cases of otitis (inflammation of the ear), a characteristic symptom is that the pain in the ear is accompanied by nausea. In brief, in any acute affections that begin on a rainy day, it is good to give a few globules of Dulcamara at the start; this often will bring about a cure. Aethylium This is a good remedy for children or adults who are restless, nervous, and tend to lie, when there is a pronounced history of alcoholism in the family. Eupatorium perfoliatum Influenza Our outstanding remedy for the flu when it occurs with strong pains in the bones and muscles, as well as digestive troubles, including: profuse vomiting of bile preceded by intense thirst, a yellow tongue, and pain in the area of the liver. A head cold with sneezing (hoarseness and coughing) is also present. In addition, this is a helpful remedy for children’s growing pains. Euphrasia officinalis

Contrary to Allium cepa, this is the remedy for colds with a nonirritating nasal discharge, but with pronounced conjunctivitis. The ill person feels better in the fresh air and feels worse in the evening. The cheeks are red and hot. The cough is only present during the day. We often find a need for this remedy at the beginning of measles or in cases of hay fever with conjunctivitis. Ferrum metallicum By force of will An iron will, nerves of steel … underlying the mystery of the will, we find an equally puzzling metal. Moreover, to put our will into action, we need iron, the element that enables red blood cells to transport oxygen.* Of course, oxygen is indispensable for the combustion that generates the energy we need to act. We are presented here with large, pale infants who have a slight, continuous fever (99.5û to 100.5û) with iron deficiency anemia. Ferrum metallicum children are authoritarian, strong-willed, redfaced at times, then suddenly pale and exhausted. They tend toward obesity and are predisposed to nosebleeds. Their appetite is changeable, and they refuse to eat big bites or chunks of food; it must always be mashed or pureed (Lycopodium, Mercurius, Staphysagria). In addition, they have an intolerance to eggs. Likewise, we observe prolapses of the rectum, anal itching, bed-wetting (enuresis) with involuntary loss of urine even during the day. Also part of the picture is a spasmodic, dry cough, appearing mostly during the day, along with chronic asthma and bronchitis. Observation Nicholas consults for chronic wintertime bronchitis. He has a tendency toward obesity, and in the interview we find a family history of anemia, along with an aversion to eggs. The child is cured with a few doses of Ferrum metallicum in ascending potencies (9 to 30 CH). Ferrum phosphoricum Viral bronchitis Here is an excellent remedy for the viral bronchitis that children get so easily in winter, when a cold, dry wind is blowing. A dry, slightly whistling cough, a pale face with bouts of congestion, a slight

temperature (99.5û to 100.5û), and nosebleeds: these are the main symptoms. In addition, the child will sometimes vomit undigested food, and may have congestive otitis (inflammation of the ear) that can be very painful but is accompanied only by a slight fever. Observation It is a day of dry, cold winds. Max arrives in the waiting room crying and holding his ear. From time to time, he is shaken by a slightly hoarse cough. His temperature is 99.5û. Ferrum phosphoricum 9 CH calms him down within a few minutes, and he is asleep in his mother’s arms when he is called into the examining room. With the stethoscope, a slight, sibilant rattling can be heard in both lungs. The eardrum is highly hemorrhagic, riddled with blood vessels. Fluoricum acidum Love without responsibility A constitutional remedy for children who are warm-blooded, extroverted, joyful, and artistic, with an active memory; we could confuse them with a small, thin Sulphur. But with Fluoricum acidum, there is always a slight undercurrent of disharmony in the tissues. Teething is slow, irregular. Visits to the orthodontist become necessary. Cavities appear early. The fingernails grow too fast and must be cut constantly; often warts appear all around them (Causticum, Dulcamara). When they are older, we note premature sexual desire with frequent erections, and amorous passion with their friends. The back shows a tendency to develop scoliosis. At school, these children lack maturity and exhibit thoughtless behavior. Their homework assignments are peppered with spelling errors. Finally, as they grow older, early balding and a tendency to develop varicose veins appear. The adults are libertines. They cannot tolerate love relationships in which close ties begin to hamper their freedom, and cannot assume their responsibilities with respect to their loved ones. Formica rufa The red ant This is a remedy for the joints, for rheumatism, gout, certain types of chronic nephritis (inflammation of the kidney), and for a tendency to develop polyps (for polyps in the nose, compare with Teucrium

marum). We observe red skin with urticaria (hives), and profuse perspiration which does not provide any relief. The mental and emotional aspects of this remedy are yet to be studied. *Original version: … pour “faire” il faut du fer … (to “do,” we need iron), a play on the phonetically similar words faire (to do) and fer (iron). Gelsemium sempervirens Paralyzed by fright Before a worrisome event (an airplane flight, a public appearance, a test, etc.), some people, like Argentum nitricum, are agitated; others will have a lump in their throat, like Ignatia. Gelsemium is paralyzed before the blank page. It is like a black hole. The person does not remember anything. Gelsemium individuals stammer and babble in front of an audience, and cannot remember what they are supposed to say. In addition, they are often subject to diarrhea with great urgency. This is a good remedy for adynamic fever in which thirst is absent; there is extensive trembling, along with muscular pain, headaches, and prostration (a complete lack of energy). We find this type of fever in certain influenza epidemics or in cases of a sore throat, light in color, with pain radiating into the ears (Phytolacca). The pulse is too slow, especially in older people, but it will speed up considerably when prompted by emotional influences. A remedy for paralysis, Gelsemium was used against poliomyelitis; it is a great help in writers’ cramp, and relieves infants who, out of fear of falling (Borax), cling to the crib when they are picked up. We can also call on this remedy in labor, when cervical spasms are preventing the baby’s birth. The person needing Gelsemium is also generally worse in the heat of summer, worse when the barometric pressure drops, and worse from damp cold. Observations Mark is scheduled to leave on the 5:30 p.m. train with his German teacher for an educational visit to Frankfort. Around 10 o’clock in the morning, he comes down with an intense fever without thirst and with great drowsiness. The examination reveals heavy eyelids, trembling, and a sore throat colored white.

“Will he be able to leave tonight, Doctor? We would like a treatment that is fast and effective.” I prescribe Gelsemium 9 CH, three globules every half-hour, with instructions to take it less frequently once he begins to improve. He improves very quickly, and at 5 p.m. , this child is well and ready to join his classmates. Robert, 38 years old, is an office worker. Though he is very intelligent, he refuses the promotions he has been offered. “If I take on too much responsibility, it’s too much stress for me.” He bites his nails and trembles slightly. At two years of age, he was afflicted with poliomyelitis, from which only some slight muscular aftereffects remain. Gelsemium in 15 CH, then 30 CH, helps him attain the position that is right for him. Barbara is about to bring twins into the world. I arrive at the maternity ward around 8 p.m. to find her full of intense anxiety. The cervix is not dilating; she is trembling, and gets up constantly to urinate. The midwife predicts that the birth will not happen until midnight. Before I go, I leave her a dose of Gelsemium 15 CH. One half-hour later, the future father calls me to tell me that the cervix is fully dilated; at 9 p.m. the young woman gives birth to two beautiful babies. Glonoinum Explosive Nitroglycerine as a homeopathic remedy is very effective (5 to 7 CH) in sudden congestive affections: headaches, flushes of heat, pulsating sensations all over the body. Affections after excessive cold or heat; sunburn. In the mental sphere, we notice extreme irritability and a state of mind easily exasperated by the least opposition. Graphites I could have been a diamond This substance has effectively the same chemical formula as the diamond, but life’s circumstances have caused it to remain “black and friable.” Will Graphites, like the ugly duckling, be able to complete its metamorphosis and take to the skies?

Graphites is a constitutional remedy that corresponds well to children who are rather heavy, chilly, and who tend to suffer from skin problems and constipation. These children are impudent and teasing, laughing when they are reprimanded; they tend to be lazy and indecisive. They are also timid at times, and sensitive to music, which makes them cry. In infants, we often find Leiner’s disease, with an extensive red eruption (erythema) on the buttocks and greasy cradle cap on the scalp. This affection which is very difficult to treat in conventional medicine disappears in several days with a few globules of Graphites 9 CH morning and evening. In addition, the child has difficulty burping (Argentum nitricum, Conium, Nux vomica), and is constipated. The Graphites subject often has a moist eczema (producing a liquid resembling honey), which may begin behind the ears or the knees. We find a tendency to suppurating wounds (impetigo) and keloid scars (thick and indurated); in this case, Graphites ointment does wonders. Other signs that may be present are fissures at the corners of the mouth, as well as on the nipples, the anus, and between the toes. Asthma alternates with skin problems. Suffocating attacks wake these individuals from a sound sleep and prompt them to go find something to eat. Graphites children do not like sweets or meat. In the clinical examination, we find a characteristic sign: the nails are thick, deformed, and break easily. With this type of allergic constitution, it is advisable to give neither the whooping-cough vaccine nor the BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine. For the eyes, this is an excellent remedy for herpes of the cornea (Hepar sulphur, Ignatia), on which conventional medicine has little effect. Observation A high-level sports professional asks my help for recurrent sinusitis and fissuring eczema of the extremities, which has resisted a variety of treatments attempted. Consulting my repertory, I find Graphites. “What is Graphites?” he asks me. Instead of answering him with the chemical formula, I respond in kind, giving him the central idea of the remedy as expressed in the subtitle above… . He sinks down into his chair. “Doctor, I am going to

tell you something I have yet to confess to any doctor I’ve consulted so far. A few years ago, I was taking heroin, and ruined my championship career. That is why I am now nothing more than an obscure trainer.” In fact, he is an educator and, as such, selects and trains the young people who may later become champions … and, like the graphite in the lead of a pencil, it is up to him to draw the straight line that leads to those heights… . Helleborus niger The winter rose This remedy intervenes at the deepest levels of depression, even the most severe depressive states, when all hope seems lost and the ill person is in a stupor, out of touch with the world, rocking back and forth in endless, rhythmic motions. Such is the case, for example, with certain children who suffer from hospitalism. Abandoned in an institution due to a physical or social disability, surrounded by a sterilized, mechanized world-a veritable emotional desert-the infant regresses, and remains lying in bed, rolling his head back and forth. These rhythmic movements probably approach the rhythms of the mother’s body (heartbeat, breathing, etc.), perceived by the child in utero. In addition, we observe grinding of the teeth, a putrid odor to the breath, hypersalivation, and the cri encŽphalique, or “encephalitic cry” (a characteristic cry of infants or children suffering from intracranial pathologies). Just like the rose that blooms in the midst of winter, on Christmas Day, when all else seems dead, Helleborus can transform this dramatic picture, showing us that there is still hope on earth. Helleborus subjects will quickly recover their energy, and will feel able to do great things.

Hepar sulphur The pyromaniac This is the main remedy for acute suppuration (discharge of pus), whether it is a case of otitis (inflammation of the ear), an abscess, conjunctivitis, or tonsillitis. The child cannot stand the pain-which puts her in a violent disposition-and cannot tolerate the cold (cotton in the ears). It is impossible to examine her. This is also the main remedy for acute laryngitis which comes on during cold, dry weather, when Aconitum has not brought about a sufficient cure. In 15 CH, it will quickly calm the most intense respiratory difficulties. At the level of the mind, there is an important mental symptom: “Wants to set things on fire.” This is the only remedy in Kent’s repertory to possess such a symptom. In France, the Midi region is affected as often by cold, dry winds as it is by fires-which makes sense when we realize that Hepar pyromaniacs are affected adversely by this type of weather. A few doses of Hepar sulphur (15 to 30 CH) can bring about the rapid disappearance of this troublesome habit. Observations Isabelle, seven years old, lives only a few minutes away from me, fortunately. At three in the morning, however, those minutes seem like centuries to her parents, who call me in a panic. Two weeks after a follow-up BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine, she developed a suppurative inflammation of the nose and throat. Tonight, suddenly, the crisis has hit. She is having an attack of suffocating laryngitis. Outside, a dry north wind is howling. When I arrive, she is seated and barely breathing, a hoarse sound emanating from her throat. Her feet are purple; her lower extremities are cold to the knees. Ideas swirl in my mind. The time it will take to call the emergency squad … it will be too late. It is impossible to take her anywhere; we’ll have to do a tracheotomy, but I don’t have the necessary equipment, and the idea of opening up her throat with a kitchen knife does not please me at all! I slip three globules of Hepar sulphur into her mouth and prepare a cortisone injection. Almost instantaneously, the girl seems to begin breathing more easily. Without moving her, gently, we continue slipping globules of Hepar sulphur into her mouth for several minutes. After about a quarter of an hour, her breathing becomes normal; she calms down, then falls asleep. We

have prevented the worst. Roger, 12 years old, set his parents’ garage on fire last week. He plays constantly with matches, firecrackers, and anything that burns … it had to happen! He is brought to see me for recurrent bronchitis, which yields quickly to Hepar sulphur. Hura brasiliensis The death of the child This is a type of latex. This remedy is often extremely effective in the treatment of rheumatoid polyarthritis (in which a number of joints are affected simultaneously), an illness diagnosed by a positive “latex test.” There is a problem at the level of the elastic fibers in the joints. These individuals experience love as an elastic force, similar to a rubber band. The greater the distance taken by the loved one, the more they will try to attract that person by force. When the rubber band breaks, it is catastrophic, and they never get over it. Hydrastis canadensis A cold and constipated, too Here is a good remedy for colds that never go away, with a thick, yellow discharge (particularly a postnasal discharge), frontal sinusitis, and diminished hearing due to obstruction of the Eustachian tubes. Characteristic symptoms are a tongue indented with tooth marks and constipation. This remedy is also recommended for goiter which occurs during puberty or pregnancy. Lyssinum Rabid desire for control These are people with intrusive personalities, worse even than Lachesis in their desire for control over those close to them. They make everyone’s head spin with their unstoppable loquacity, and manipulate others with all the means at their disposal. They are great lovers of gossip, using it first to figure people out, then to compromise them, and finally to dissect them completely. Their fear of water comes from the fact that water is an element which is difficult to control; it escapes from the hand that tries to hold it. Also of note: they are crazy about chocolate (Argentum nitricum,

Carcinosin, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Sepia, Thuja). Observation We probably all know a Hydrophobinum like this mother who literally used to invade my office with her horde of children, all suffering from psychological problems: slow speech development, fear of water (pools and the ocean). My secretary always tried to keep the damage to a minimum by giving her the last appointment of the day. Every time, nonetheless, I had to close my office door with an air of authority and walk out under a barrage of incessant chatter. She would follow me out to the parking lot, and continue talking until I started my car… . All the consultations ended this way, until one day when I had the occasion to treat her for other symptoms, and I gave her three globules of Hydrophobinum 10M. Since then, she has become reasonable, and her children are much better. Recently, she even left them at home to go on a trip with her husband. Hyoscyamus niger The jealous exhibitionist A key remedy for jealousy, along with Lachesis. Silly laughter, sexual excitement, loquacity, and immodesty; such are the principal symptoms. These children stroll completely naked around the house, play with their genitals, climb into their parents’ bed at night, and run away during the day. We often see such a picture at around the age of three, or when another baby is expected. Sometimes, these children become violent (breaking everything), rude and vulgar, and inattentive at school; at home, they refuse to eat or take medication. But they do not have the dictatorial nature of Lachesis. In addition, we observe in Hyoscyamus children a propensity to wet their pants during the day, and to wet the bed at night (more or less deliberate lapses to spur the parents to dedicate more time to the child). Sometimes, they will leave an even bigger package in their pants for Mom and Dad to take care of. We also find a dry, spasmodic cough at night, especially during teething. Finally, there are convulsions, during a high fever for example. Observations Emily, four years old, has severe epilepsy that began when she was three. The attacks are frequent, in spite of all the allopathic

medicines given her by a professor of neurology. At times, she must be given hormonal treatments to counteract edematous swelling in the brain. Different homeopathic remedies are tried, none of which helps her at all. At six years old, her electroencephalogram is still very disturbed, and the attacks are more frequent, in spite of the fact that she is taking three conventional antiepileptic medications. The mother notices that, during the periods of frequent crisis, the girl becomes extremely aggressive toward her brother. It is then that I recommend a dose of Hyoscyamus. After a dose of this remedy, the attacks diminish and her electroencephalogram becomes normal. The treatment is then continued with increasing potencies of Hyoscyamus, while at the same time the conventional antiepileptic medications are decreased, then finally stopped altogether. Now 14 years old, she has not taken any medication for the last five years, leads a normal life, and is doing well at school. Ian, two-and-a-half years old, has been waking up constantly in the middle of the night for a month. He crawls into bed with his father and mother, where he squirms about restlessly and keeps everyone from sleeping. During the day, he is constantly taking off his clothes, and he plays with his genitals. A new little brother is expected in a few months. One dose of Hyoscyamus allows the whole family to sleep peacefully at night. Hypericum perforatum Arnica for the nerves With that title, it is not surprising that this remedy is the one to use for bruises and wounds affecting the nervous system. It is especially useful for the ends of the extremities (crushing wounds to the fingers, with laceration and torn-away flesh), and for the spinal column, in particular injuries to the coccyx from a fall. It can be used in the higher potencies for such injuries. This remedy is also indicated after surgery, if the wound is painful, and in cases of head injuries, such as those incurred by the use of forceps. The indications for Hypericum in asthma are less well known: spasmodic attacks during foggy weather or before a storm (the ill person feels better on perspiring heavily or after abundant expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract). It may also be called upon for painful

hemorrhoids and for eczema on the face and hands with intense itching. This remedy is often needed by children who had a difficult birth, in which strong traction was applied to the head and spinal column. Hypericum was also known in the past for its use in prevention of tetanus. Observations Jonathan, one-and-a-half months old, is brought to me for problems that seem to indicate infantile colic. With this large baby, who weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, labor was difficult and forceps had to be used. He has been overly nervous since birth, and cries unceasingly-before, during and after nursing. Nonetheless, his weight gain is satisfactory. He has already had a few doses of Arnica, without success. One dose of Hypericum quickly brings about a state of serenity and peace of mind. Herb has just had his fingers crushed in the the car door. He is screaming. One nail is almost torn off. This is not too serious, as it will fall off and then grow back. Three globules of Hypericum bring him rapid relief. Note that it is often Silicea children who constantly stick their fingers in the hinges of doors. Ignatia amara This vale of tears In the the world around us, certain experiences can be “hard to swallow.” They stay stuck in our throats, like a lump, blocking the breath, sometimes even to the point of fainting. We should have cried then, our body wracked with tears; we should have screamed and fallen writhing on the ground. But our education, social convention, and a number of things held us back, and now that experience is painfully lodged somewhere within us. Later, the memory of it obsesses us, assailing our mind interminably and ruining the present. Sleep fails us. Our mood becomes unstable, with bursts of crazy, uncontrollable laughter alternating with pitiful tears. These symptoms might be brought on by a bereavement, an accident, the stress of a separation, a difficulty to be faced, or a test. In some way, we have felt unloved and abandoned. A dose of Ignatia 15 CH will free us from this state. In truth, life is not as sad as all that! Observations

Since the the age of 14, Laurie has had nervous troubles, with unyielding insomnia, numerous tics in her facial muscles, and shifting pains in the chest, abdomen, and head. In addition, she has fainted several times, even after only slight emotional upsets. Seated before me, this 17-year-old sighs constantly, swallows her saliva, and blinks her eyes. All tests are negative (even the scanner!). Three years ago, her father left to make a new life for himself with another woman, and she has not seen him since. And no one talks about it! With a few doses of Ignatia in 15, then 30 CH, and a few sessions of psychotherapy, all the symptoms rapidly disappear. Marianne, seven years old, has not slept since her dog was run over by a car in front of her house. It was a terrible scene. Ignatia 15, then 30 CH, restores restful nights to the whole family. One February evening, I return home late, looking forward to some rest. However, I find my daughter Pauline with a fever, whining and holding her left ear. A quick look with the otoscope gives me the diagnosis: acute otitis in the presuppurative stage; the eardrum is red and curved outward. Fatigue and routine lead me to prescribe Arsenicum album at first (she is restless and agitated, and we are near the sea), even though the time when symptoms began, 8 p.m. , does not coincide with the nature of that remedy. The prescription is unsuccessful. She sits on my lap, moaning. To distract her, I tell her a funny story. Right away, her plaintive tears give way to a burst of laughter … then start up again. Another funny story, and I get the same results. Alternating laughter and tears: this is certainly a valuable mental symptom, typical of Ignatia, and hardly a common symptom in ear infections. Realizing that the remedy is Ignatia, I analyze the situation. Ignatia contains strychnine, a neurotransmitter which inhibits the glycinergic system, which itself controls a portion of the brain’s activities. This system is out of order, due to grief over love. To me, Ignatia essentially means “do not leave me.” All my recent research has lead me to look for the unspoken word, the one thing a person has not been able to say at the level of the conscious mind, and to look for it in the one remedy that emerges out of a study of his or her symptoms. This word remains confined within the unconscious mind, and the only way it can express itself is to become a physical manifestation of illness. The

ideal for the physician, then, is to understand the language of illness, and to discuss with the patient the tale the illness tells. Back to Pauline. What is the source of her grief? I remember then that we recently lost our dog, who was quite old. Jeff was an African dog who had always been part of Pauline’s life. I had noticed that she had put up a picture of him in her room, glued to a piece of paper with these words written on it: “Jeff was very old, and so he died.” I remember thinking, “That’s good; she is working through her grief.” But the day before her illness, Pauline had come home from school in tears. A party had been held for her best friend, who was leaving for Africa, where her father had been transferred. Enough is enough. If they really loved me, why would they leave me alone like this? All these goodbyes are hard to hear, and so the ear is inflamed (on the left side, the emotional side). I turn to Pauline: “I know, it is because your friend has left for Africa!” Her face flushes crimson; she stops moaning, like someone caught in the act. (But what is her offense? To love for oneself, perhaps, without respecting the liberty of the other: “I love you, and therefore you will never leave me… .”) “What?” she answers indignantly. “I wasn’t even thinking about that anymore!” She is given three globules of Ignatia, then falls asleep and wakes up the next morning cured and in a happy mood. I explain to her that sometimes in life we have to be separated from those we love, to teach us that love should respect the other’s freedom… . One month later, she “comes up with” eczema on the left side of her body, which yields to one dose of Ignatia 30 CH. Influenzinum The homeopathic flu vaccine Obtained from extracts of the flu virus, this homeopathic remedy helps prevent that winter illness: take five globules in 9 CH morning and evening every Sunday in November, for two to three years. When the flu breaks out, it will be necessary to give more specific remedies (Arnica, Arsenicum album, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Gelsemium, Nux vomica, Oscillococcinum or Rhus toxicodendron, according to the epidemic, which varies year after year). In epidemics, the same remedy can be given to everyone who becomes ill (unless the individual nature of the case shows otherwise), and may be given as a

preventive measure to all those who might be exposed. Iodium Action and contemplation Here is an important constitutional remedy, which affects many organs in the body, with special emphasis on the glandular system in general and the thyroid in particular. When we look at the evolution of our species, we find a period in which we were fish, “cold-blooded” animals whose body temperature was regulated by the surrounding aquatic environment. Then the fish “emerged from the water,” taking on a reptilian form, and eventually evolved into mammals. With this step came internal control of the body temperature. And so we are endowed with a constant internal temperature of around 98.6û, no matter what the external conditions may be; all this thanks to the heat generated by our internal combustion mechanism, our metabolism. Iodine and the iodine-containing thyroid hormones play a key role in this regulatory function. When this system is out of order, we often find a clinical picture corresponding to Iodum. The metabolism takes off, and the individuals burn their fuel too fast, using up more than they take in, in spite of a ferocious appetite. They become thin and very anxious (especially while at rest), and they are driven to move, to run, to be violent. This might also be the case for teenagers who are unable to push on into the future when it is time to leave their motherperhaps because they never identified sufficiently with their father. They become melancholic, avoid people, and begin to have suicidal behavior. Nevertheless, these are individuals who are warm in every sense of the word. They want fresh air, need to go outside, and perspire abundantly. At times the remedy is suggested by hypertrophied glands or the beginning of goiter. In the respiratory system, we find violent head colds with abundant discharge, sneezing, pain in the frontal sinuses, painful laryngitis, lung affections, pleurisy, and enlarged adenoids. At other times, we might find the opposite picture, tending toward hypothyroidism: obesity, chilliness, constipation, slow growth in children. Homeopathic treatment will remedy a slight disorder in the glandular system, but when the disorder is too great, hormonal treatment will be necessary. In a symbolic sense, it is interesting to note that the letter Yod

means God in Hebrew. Moreover, the pronunciation of the vowel sounds in this word requires something of a smile, exposing the speaker’s teeth. In the animal world, showing the teeth is a sign of aggression (ready to bite); in human beings, on the contrary, it is synonymous with love, sympathy, and happiness. Iodum subjects are consumed by activity, and leave no space for contemplation in their lives. A grandmother who underwent a thyroid operation once told me that throughout her life she had always admired people who could devote themselves to contemplation, something she had never been able to do herself. In Judeo-Christian mythology, this remedy takes us to the myth of Cain (the “case of iodine”). Cain, the laborer, spends his time working the earth, disregarding any possibility whatsoever of contemplation, to the contrary of his brother Abel, the shepherd. Cain feels rejected by God, becomes malicious and kills his brother. Afterward, he is overcome with remorse and flees, distraught… . Iodum comes from the Greek word for “violet.” In fact, this element gives off violet-colored vapors when it burns. Violet, a mixture of red and blue, is the incarnation of temperance, red representing impulsive force and blue the calm of the sea and the sky. Violet is the symbol of a spiritual transfusion; it is the color of submission and obedience. It is the passage from yang to yin. Iodum has forgotten temperance and is consumed in the flames of excess. As a final note, we point to the role of iodine in the growth process. Observations Marc is nine years old, lively, thin, always taking off clothing or covers because he is too hot. “He eats well but never gains an ounce,” say the parents, who bring him in for springtime “hay fever.” Included in his medical history are urinary infections for which he had an X-ray of his kidneys at about four years of age. At that time, he had a strong allergic reaction to the iodine products administered. A notable amelioration is obtained with Iodum 15, 18, 24 then 30 CH, one dose every ten days. Evelyn comes to see me at age three for asthma: “Every cold runs down into asthmatic attacks,” says the mother. She herself has goiter. This notion reminds me of a similar observation by Charette, who had

mentioned Iodum when every cold turns into asthma (Naja). The presence of goiter in the mother is the second factor suggesting this remedy. Finally, I note that this is a girl who is rather thin in spite of a good appetite. That day, a sea wind is sweeping along the coast. Iodum 9 CH stops her current asthmatic crisis that same day, and the asthma never returns, even when she has a cold. One day, I suggest to the mother that she take Iodum for her thyroid problems. We discuss philosophy: God, life, death… . “I am going to tell you something I have never told anyone except my mother,” she tells me. “When I was ten years old, my uncle abused me, and while he was raping me, I decided that God did not exist.” Ipecacuanha Impeccable for spasms A key antispasmodic remedy, whether the spasms are in the digestive system (perhaps related to gastroenteritis) or of a bronchopulmonary nature, during a sudden attack of asthma. Two characteristic symptoms guide us unfailingly to this remedy: first of all, the tongue remains clean (which is surprising, given that the clinical picture almost always includes an element of nausea. Which takes us to the mental state: these individuals do not know what they want!). With Antimonium tartaricum, the tongue is heavily coated. Secondly, Ipecac often has a slight hemorrhagic tendency, such as a rather unobtrusive nosebleed (Ferrum phosphoricum). This is a remedy which we will call on readily in situations as diverse as diarrhea after eating unripened fruit in the summer; amebic dysentery with pain around the navel, little thirst and greenish stool; vomiting in pregnancy; and spasmodic coughing related to bronchitis or asthma, coming on during a period of cold, dry north winds. Observations Ian, 12 years old, wakes up with a stomachache and diarrhea; his tongue is still a healthy pink. The day before, he had finished off a big bowl of wild raspberries gathered in the mountains, about one-and-ahalf quarts of fresh fruit! A few globules of Ipecac 15 CH bring about a cure. Ronald, ten years old, begins an asthmatic attack just when a cold, dry north wind starts to blow. Each inhalation provokes a violent

cough. Cyanosis is beginning to show in his face: his lips have a bluish cast. His voice is weak and hoarse. He recovers fully within the next two hours with Ipecac 7 CH, three globules every five minutes, given in decreasing frequency as he feels better. Marianne, 27 years old, is two months pregnant. Profuse vomiting makes the beginning of her pregnancy miserable. Psychoanalysts would tell us that, in this way, she is demonstrating an unconscious rejection of her pregnancy. In sum, she does not know what she wants: to be a mother or to remain a daughter! Her tongue is clean, which guides me toward Ipecac. She takes it in 9 CH, and comments: “It is impeccable.” The rest of her pregnancy goes smoothly. Iris versicolor A “rare” remedy known for its effectiveness (5 to 7 CH) in migraine headaches with foggy vision (Natrum muriaticum, Sepia). Kalium bichromicum The scapegoat We live in a world of concrete. Kali bichromicum is an important ingredient in cement, which explains why this remedy is prescribed so frequently these days. In addition, a person who is sensitive to this substance and does a little masonry will quickly discover some of the symptoms of Kali bichromicum: a head cold with thick, viscous mucus, headaches located in the forehead (the beginning of sinusitis), stomachaches that can develop into ulcers, and above all, intense fatigue. Locally, there can be an eruption of eczema from exposure to cement on the hands (Kali bichromicum has a dramatic effect under these circumstances). The Kali bichromicum patient is chilly, desires beer, has rheumatic pains in the extremities, localized pain in small spots, sciatica on the left side, and nephritis (kidney inflammation) with gastric troubles. In fact, these people have significant local symptoms (such as large ulcers on the tonsils or in the stomach), with few general symptoms (no fever), as if the body were crystallizing all the potential for illness in one precise spot. Dr. Fayeton tells us that there seems to be a scapegoat that takes on all the pathology for the rest of the body. We live in a concrete society where, when things are not going well, everyone looks outside

of themselves for a scapegoat who can be held responsible, rather than looking for the beam in their own eye. Observations Elly, two years old, has had a cold for several weeks, with no fever. She has a thick nasal discharge with elastic plugs that form over and over again. It is winter, and her family recently moved into a newly-built house. Patrick, 37, has had sciatica on the left side for three months. Numerous allopathic treatments have had no effect; many tests have been done, none of them producing any notable results. Three months ago, he put a great amount of effort into a home project, putting in a concrete walkway around his house. He is cured with one dose of Kali bichromicum 15 CH. Kalium bromatum “idle hands do the devil’s work” This is an interesting remedy for insomnia after grief or bereavement (Ignatia, Natrum muriaticum). There may also be night terrors (Stramonium), grinding of the teeth during sleep, and sleepwalking. On the skin, we find extensive acne with pustules on the face, chest, and shoulders. This can be the case for a teenager or an adult whose sex life has recently shifted into overdrive and who develops tics and fidgety hands that move unceasingly. Stuttering and persistent hiccoughs (Sulphuricum acidum) may also be present. These are people who imagine they have brought down divine anger on themselves, and see anyone who crosses their path as a possible conspirator bent on ruining their reputation. It is a remedy for children who do not want to work, who say they would rather become a robber or a con artist, or do nothing at all. Kalium carbonicum The suffering of dependency With Kali carbonicum, we find patients who are so ticklish we cannot examine them (Antimonium crudum, Phosphorus). Along with a craving for sugar, which they eat by the spoonful, we observe swelling of the upper eyelids. It is a good remedy for coughs and asthma that come on around three o’clock in the morning. The child must sit up in

bed, and complains of stitching pains in the chest and throat. This remedy is full of stitching rheumatic pains. It is also the remedy for “back labor” during birth. For the heart, there is a key symptom: the person has the impression that the heart is hanging by a thread. Mentally, we find a desire for company, whom the individual treats outrageously. This denotes a very ambivalent relationship with the outer world. Somehow, desire and rejection are present simultaneously. To understand this remedy, we must refer to the role of potassium, an essential element in our intracellular life. Our cells contain high levels of potassium, while the extracellular medium contains high levels of sodium. The sodium-potassium pump in the cellular membranes works constantly to concentrate potassium within the cells and to expel sodium, a process indispensable for maintaining life. For this to occur, a great amount of fuel in the form of sugar (glucose) is necessary. At birth, after the umbilical cord is cut, glucose is no longer brought into the body through the blood. The sodium-postassium pump does not function as well as usual. The level of potassium falls within the cells, followed by anxiety that the cells may die. The newborn cries. The mother feeds the child at the breast or with a bottle, and everything is back in order. But Kali carbonicum infants resent others for the fact that they are suddenly so dependent. Their resulting ambivalence toward the relationship leads them to reject the company of others once their appetite is satisfied. Observation Daphne, 12 years old, has serious asthma with nightly attacks which have been occurring for several years, in spite of homeopathic and allopathic treatments. I see her one night around three o’clock in the morning. She had been breathing with great difficulty, and asked for the doctor to come. Once there, I find it very difficult to examine her with the stethoscope; it is cold and she reacts by writhing about in an exaggerated manner. Her upper eyelids are swollen and look like little bags over her eyes. “What does it feel like?” I ask. “Like it’s pricking me,” she says, pointing to her dilated chest. Kali carbonicum 7, 9, then 15 CH has a spectacular effect; the asthma disappears for two years. When she reaches puberty, however, the illness resurfaces and no longer responds to the remedy. At that time, other symptoms appear, indicating Staphysagria,

which brings about the definitive disappearance of the asthma (not one attack in the last ten years). Kalium iodatum We have here a remedy able to respond to such symptoms as head colds with a profuse, watery discharge and pain in the frontal sinuses; coughing due to compression of the larynx (due to goiter or angioma, a tumor of the blood or lymphatic vessels) or to compression of the trachea (an enlarged thymus, perhaps); asthma ameliorated by movement in the open air; a tendency to purpuric hemorrhaging, especially on the legs; and anal fissures in infants. Observation Fabian, five months old, spends all his time going to the emergency ward for treatment of asphyxia. He was born with a very large laryngeal angioma. Kali iodatum 7 CH has a remarkable effect on later attacks, allowing him to avoid emergency hospitalization. Kreosotum Eaten away Here is another remedy full of symbolic meaning: creosote (from the Greek kreas, flesh, and søotøer, preserver) is the essence of beech wood,* used to preserve meat; it was discovered in Moravia (Latin mors, death, and vita, life)… .** The Kreosotum child has tooth problems. The teeth come in with cavities, and a violent red eruption (erythema) breaks out on the buttocks during teething. The teeth will allow the child to bite, to be aggressive and thus autonomous; when they first appear, they are already eaten away from the inside. Kreosotum prefers to turn aggression inward rather than against another, which is in fact fertile ground for the development of severe illnesses such as cancer (it is, for example, a remedy for vaginal cancer). Observation Tim, six months old, consults for a “teething rash.” He has extensive erythema on the buttocks, and the teething itself is very painful. He also suffers from insomnia, is coughing, and is very capricious (he wants everything, but once he has something, he tosses it away). Kreosotum 7 CH, three globules three times a day,

over a period of 48 hours, brings about a rapid cure. *Original version: l‘“essence de htre” (essence of beechweed), phonetically similar to the phrase l’essence d’tre (the essence of being). **Original version: Moravie (mort ˆ vie), literally, Moravia (dread for life). The word Moravie and the phrase mort ˆ vie are phonetically similar. Lac caninum I am worthless This statement sums up the state of mind of Lac caninum patients, who truly feel they are living “a dog’s life.” Lac caninum is dogs’ milk. This milk comes from the abdominal section of the body, while in the human race, milk comes from the thoracic level of the woman’s body, above the diaphragm. Lac caninum individuals feel “castrated” in the Freudian sense of the word. They dream of snakes, of which they have a phobia, and often check for them under the bed before going to sleep (the snake symbolizes the male genitals and is therefore related to the issue of castration). Lac caninum children do nothing in class, since they are incapable of focusing their attention on the same subject for more than a few minutes (Lachesis). Sometimes they fly into fits of rage, losing all self-control, which earns them the reputation of “problem children.” In the physical sphere, these individuals suffer from affections alternating between the right and left sides of the body (like the snake and its characteristic undulating movement): migraines, colds, sore throats, or sciatica. One day, symptoms are present on the right side, the next day, on the left, and so on. In addition, this remedy is a decisive aid in encouraging the flow of milk in a mother who is unable to nurse. It also helps dry up the flow after nursing has been stopped. Observations Joseph, nine years old, does nothing in class. “Why?” I ask the parents. “He cannot focus his attention for more than five minutes.” “What opinion does he have of himself?” “He is always sure he’ll lose whenever there is any kind of

competition.” “Has he ever talked about snakes?” “Of snakes! It’s incredible that you should mention snakes, Doctor. My husband loves snakes, and we go out to the country every weekend to catch them!” This child is experiencing serious castration anxiety, watching his father catch snakes and plunge them into alcohol so he can preserve them in jars. Two doses of Lac caninum 15, then 30 CH turn him into a good student and save his school year. He is also cured of a catarrhal condition in the Eustachian tube and an eczematous eruption on the right side of his body. A mother brings me a very healthy child for a checkup before school starts. She, however, looks very tired. I ask her: “And you, how are you doing?” “Not well, doctor. I have all sorts of hormonal problems that don’t seem to respond to any treatment.” “Would you like me to prescribe a homeopathic remedy for you?” “Don’t waste your time on me, doctor. I’m not worth the trouble, and you have so many children out in the waiting room.” “You are not wasting my time. Take one dose of Lac caninum 30 CH; it will help you get back in balance.” A homeopathic consultation can sometimes be quick if we have the ears to hear what a person is saying. Lachesis mutus Too far to the left In this world, we live under the reign of a right-left duality, which can be perceived at the level of our own body. In general terms, the right side corresponds to the world of strength, skill, and the mathematical mind: the geometric mind of Pascal. The left side represents the world of feelings, associations, and the artistic mind: Pascal’s subtle mind . This duality is everywhere. In our culture, we push our male children toward the right, and they become “macho.” The girls are often confined to the left side, becoming too focused on feelings. This

left-right split is clearly present in many areas of life. Medicine does not escape the division; on the right side is the Cartesian spirit of allopathic medicine, and on the left the more artistic drift, the “alternative” medicines. Clearly, the truth lies in the middle, and resides in the balance between the two sides. Boys should discover their feelings, and girls should not be afraid to wield power… . Only a person who knows and understands both right and left can truly be a healer. On the other hand, either side taken to extremes is unhealthy. The extreme right of the FŸhrer, the extreme left of Stalin… . Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, took to the left-hand track with a passion, and a great gulf was created between him and his allopathic colleagues. Unfortunately, he was not acquainted with Lachesis early enough to get himself back on the center track (this remedy was discovered later on by Hering). And so this sterile breach between two halves of the medical profession persists even today. Lachesis individuals are dictatorial and extremely talkative, to the point where those around them are dizzied and overwhelmed. They avoid heat and especially tight clothes. Mentally, they are characteristically jealous, and Lachesis is the main remedy for the Oedipus complex, when the child must accept the father’s interference in the mother-child relationship. To identify with the father, be jealous of the father, desire to kill the father,* and finally to accept him and love him-this is the prelude to the child’s socialization. Thus we say that the father is the “ambassador of society.” After passing through the oedipal stage, the child recognizes and accepts others as kindred human beings. In the physical sphere, all problems begin on the left side, affecting the right side much later: recurrent left-sided otitis, left-sided pneumonia, left-sided eczema, and so on. All symptoms are aggravated after sleep. Lachesis is one remedy for “head lice.” Some children never seem to be able to get rid of these charming parasites. With a homeopathic constitutional treatment, it is possible to help them recover completely. It is also interesting to note that, among the remedies for children with lice, three of them concern jealous children (Apis, Arsenicum album, Lachesis). I came to understand this one day while visiting a mother who had just given birth to her second child. As I prepared to leave, she asked

me for a remedy for her five-year-old daughter, who was constantly afflicted with head lice. I asked if she was jealous. “Oh, jealous as a louse, Doctor!”** Indeed, while her mother was in the hospital, the girl slept in her father’s bed. Symbolically, we must “kill that louse,” or kill the spouse,*** which is the theme of the Oedipus complex. It is understandable, then, that these parasites are often rampant during the oedipal stage, around preschool age. Observations Clara, eight years old, has an appointment for care of a recurrent sore throat that reappears every three weeks. One week before the appointment, the parents rush her to see me for emergency treatment of a dramatic condition. For three days, the child has had a very sore throat, and her general condition is deteriorating in spite of two successive antibiotic treatments. In taking down the initial information, I discover that the child has been on antibiotics every three weeks and this time, it seems, the germs have become drug-resistant. With a fever of 104û, she seems very feeble. On examination, I note an enormous left tonsil covered with gray membranes. An eruption of hemorrhagic purpura marks the soft palate. At the peak of each day of fever, the child starts a very rapid chattering of incomprehensible gibberish. These sore throats first appeared at the age of six. At that time, the girl’s mother was pregnant with her little brother. Lachesis seems to me to be the remedy. But as a precaution, I ask the parents to have a throat culture and blood test done that same evening. Later, the doctor from the laboratory calls me to advise me not to forego antibiotics in this child’s case: he has never seen such an evil-looking throat. I thank him and explain that the child has been taking antibiotics for three days now, with no results. “I’ll work on this sample tonight and tomorrow morning I’ll have your germ for you,” he promises. The next morning, the mother calls me to tell me that, after a night on Lachesis 7 CH, the girl has no remaining fever. One half-hour later, it is the doctor at the laboratory who calls me in a panic; the sample from the child’s throat was crawling with anaerobic germs that were resistant to all antibiotics tested! Healed, the child does not relapse… . It seems she had her little

brother stuck in her throat! Anthony, eight years old, comes back from spending the weekend at his father’s house (his parents are divorced) with otitis (inflammation of the ear) on the left side. “It has been this way for the last few months,” the mother confides to me. “Every time he goes to see his father, he comes back sick!” It is always on the left side. It so happens that, for some time now, his father has been living with a new wife who has a son of the same age as Anthony … and who occupies a large part of his dad’s attention! Observations pertaining to Lachesis are a daily occurrence for the homeopath, confirming these words from Kent: “Lachesis seems to fit the whole human race, for the race is pretty well filled up with snake as to disposition and character, and this venom only causes to appear that which is in man.” We have seen that this poison corresponds in fact to the imbalance brought on by the Oedipus complex. It has very clear effects especially around the age of six to eight, during puberty and later at around fifty (the portrait of the menopausal woman who is loquacious, jealous, and attracted to alcohol is well known in the homeopathic literature). Laurocerasus Pleasure in activity Here is another active, hardworking type, who will fall apart when it is time to retire, since his work is his life. This produces a sudden break in the balance, and nothing seems enjoyable anymore, everything seems too burdensome. The Laurocerasus subject no longer puts her heart into her activities (Digitalis); she has a heavy heart (heart disease-cardiomyopathy). On the physical level, we find cyanosis, a blue tint from lack of oxygen (this is a remedy for neonatal cyanosis), as well as heart murmur at the mitral valve, audible with a stethoscope. It is a remedy that must be thought of when the person has a lack of reaction to remedies in cardiac and thoracic affections. One small symptom of note: when swallowing liquids, the person hears a noise in the esophagus and intestines similar to the sound of liquid in the pipes of household plumbing (Cuprum). Lilium tigrinum The lily

Flower of glory and source of fertility, symbol of mystical abandonment to the grace of God, Lilium tigrinum, the lily, is often indicated for single women with uterine or ovarian affections. Tormented by a desire for spiritual salvation, made worse by consolation, they often present with deep depression, anxiety, crying, and fear that they have an incurable organic illness (Boericke). In addition, they have a propensity for swearing, using vulgar words, and thinking about obscene things. These are women who seem hurried, who always want to be busy. In brief, they escape their basic metaphysical anxiety by working to the point of exhaustion, a bit like Arsenicum album-except the latter is more of a meticulous perfectionist, and more avaricious-and also like Iodum, which is agitated and active but does not contemplate. In the physical sphere, we note astigmatism (Medorrhinum, Tuberculinum); digestive flatulence; heart pains as if the heart were crushed in a vice (Cactus); pulsation all over the body; suffocation, especially in hot rooms full of people; angina pectoris with pain in the right arm; prolapse or anteversion of the uterus; fibroma; acid, brown vaginal discharge; ovarian pain extending toward the thigh; and unsatisfactory sleep with frightening dreams, including laborious dreams and, sometimes, voluptuous dreams. Lycopodium clavatum Too far to the right This is the contrary of Lachesis. Overdevelopment of the right-hand sphere leads the individual to a strong desire for power and a macho temperament. It has been said that Lycopodium was once a giant, the greatest tree in the forest. Today, it is just a tiny, ludicrous plant (club moss). Lycopodium individuals want to recover the power, strength, and dignity that have been lost, but lack the self-confidence necessary to do so. In school, they will be at the head of the class, but although they are intelligent, they are also stubborn and lack open-mindedness, especially toward the left-hand sphere, that of feelings. As we saw in our discussion of Apis and the symbolism of the Nativity scene, the child, to be able to say “I am,” must one day leave the mother, the father, the ass (to acquire knowledge) and the ox (to remove the blinders). It is this last point that proves to be a stumbling block for Lycopodium.

In society, Lycopodium subjects are often lower-level executives with narrow-minded views, authoritarian but not very courageous, who suffer from liver problems (the key organ of the right side) or other problems affecting first and foremost the right side of the body. In her book on the symbolism of the human body, Annick de Souzenelle gives a remarkable explanation of the role of the porta hepatis (the gateway to the liver which includes the portal vein) and its correspondence to the passage through the portals of spiritual faith.* To reach the level of the body above the diaphragm, to leave the material world and rise up toward a larger view, human beings must pass through the porta hepatis (the narrow gates of heaven, the portal vein which reaches the liver). Once the passage has been made and spiritual faith discovered, the “bilious” human nature can be tempered. The cross is a powerful symbol of growth and faith; in order to grow, one must believe, have confidence, and it is there that Lycopodium falls short.** These individuals fret too much; they suffer from stomachaches, abdominal bloating, constipation, and hemorrhoids (they stay confined to the oral and anal stages, do not reach the oedipal stage, and therefore do not gain access to the rest of society).*** Lycopodium children love judo and karate. In school, they suffer from dyslexia, confusing sounds and inversing syllables. They have asthma or pneumonia on the right side, with characteristic flaring of the nostrils. The worst time of day for them is late afternoon to early evening, around five to seven o’clock in the evening. As for the digestive system, they have strong cravings for seafood, especially oysters, but one day they get sick from eating them, and then develop a total aversion for these items. Onions are difficult on their digestive system (Thuja). Lycopodium infants often have red sand in the urine (uric acid) and a right-sided umbilical or inguinal hernia. They spit up abundantly, particularly in the late afternoon, a time when they are also subject to violent episodes of anger. Observation Alexis, six years old, has a long history of chronic nasal obstruction, despite an operation on his adenoids at the age of six months. He suffers from recurrent right-sided sore throats and otitis (inflammation of the ear). He also has attacks of acetonemia (Sepia, Phosphorus). In my office, he eyes me with an authoritative air, arms crossed over his chest, and wants to go “pee-pee” as soon as he is up

on the examining table. Right away, his well-trained parents get up to accompany him to the toilet. “You can go afterward,” I tell him. He tries throwing a tantrum, but I ask the parents to sit back down and, looking the boy in the eye, tell him in my best firm voice that if he cries, the doctor will not be pleased. He calms down immediately, and the rest of the examination proceeds smoothly under the parents’ astonished gaze. With Lycopodium, he has no further health problems. *Original version: Here, the author adds: (tu es le pre, tu hais le pre, tuer le pre), a play on three phonetically similar phrases, meaning, “you are the father, you hate the father, to kill the father.” **“Jaloux comme un pou,” a common French expression to describe jealousy. ***Original version: il faut tuer “l’Žpoux,” (literally, one must kill the spouse), a play on the phonetically similar words l’Žpoux (the male spouse), and les poux (the lice). *Original version: … l’a “porte du foie” ou de la foi (literally, the “gateway to the liver” or to faith). Both authors draw a parallel between access to the liver (le foie) and spiritual faith (la foi) through their respective portals-the porta hepatis and the portal vein, for the former, and the portals of heaven, for the latter. **Original version: The author here plays on the words croix, cross, cro”tre, to grow, and croire, to believe or have faith. *** See discussion under Lachesis. Magnesium carbonicum The adopted child Magnesia carbonica is a hypersensitive child, very nervous, very restless, who gets into everything and makes the parents’ life impossible. We find in these individuals an aversion to vegetables, a desire for bread and milk, and a tendency to have diarrhea that is green, foamy and sour. The whole body smells sour. Ailments have a periodicity of three weeks. The child’s general state is adversely affected during teething, which is slow and difficult. J.T. Kent discovered that this is the remedy for children who are abandoned by their parents, and then have to make an effort to adapt to life in an institution or adoptive family. Observation

Julian, five years old, is a child adopted from abroad. His adoptive parents had a deep desire to have children, a desire they could not bring to fruition. After a long, difficult process, they are able to adopt this child, then six months old. It is obvious that they give him anything his heart desires; they are completely “gaga” over him. The mother follows him constantly around the room as he grabs, handles and breaks everything in his reach. With Magnesia carbonica, the colds, sore throats and bouts of otitis (inflammation of the ear) that were afflicting him every three weeks all disappear, along with his restlessness. Magnesium muriaticum Nonviolence “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want… .” This pastoral image from the Book of Psalms is very much the spirit of Magnesia muriatica (as is the hippie atmosphere of the sixties). This remedy corresponds to people who are sensitive, peaceable, loving, and who opt for a submissive style of collective living. At the bottom of it all lies a question of faith. The clinical picture is characterized by stools like sheep dung; by children whose digestion is disturbed by milk, and whose symptoms are aggravated by sea bathing and being near the sea; and by problems with constipation that begin during teething (which is surprising, since in general infants will have looser stools at that time). The symbolic meaning of the tooth is interesting to look at in this context. The arrival of the tooth allows the infant to become independent from the mother’s breast; now the child can eat solid food, take a full bite out of life… . But this new ability to take aggressive action means that somewhere, death will occur. When beginning to eat foods other than its mother’s milk, the infant will eat grains, but also will eat animals, bringing them to their death.* Magnesia muriatica prefers to become constipated rather than enter into this vicious circle of violence. If the stool is retained, the need to eat will be reduced… . Magnesia muriatica is a good remedy for children exposed to family conflicts (for example, when the parents are fighting or in the midst of a divorce and the children become epileptic or asthmatic). Magnesia muriatica subjects reject the mother (aggravation at the sea)

and the father (aggravation from the sun). They are searching for a true friend, the shepherd who will guide them to paradise. Their faith, however, is not very sound, and they fall apart in our violent world. Observations A nine-month-old child is brought to see me. She was conceived in India while her counterculture parents were there on a philosophical quest. Her name means “morning light” in Hindi. She has been constipated since her teeth began coming in, a vain effort so far. Her stool resembles sheep dung, small balls more or less agglutinated. One dose of Magnesia muriatica 15 CH brings back her smile and stops the constipation; her teeth come in without any further problems. Ronald, eight, presents with asthmatic attacks that put him in the hospital frequently. They come on mostly during the first part of the night, and during an east wind (here, a wind from the sea). The parents are in the midst of a divorce and argue constantly in his presence. He has a marked craving for artichokes. Magnesia muriatica brings a cure. Valerie was born of an illegitimate affair. The pregnancy went on in an atmosphere of permanent conflict which ended in divorce. On her eleventh day of life, the infant comes down with profuse diarrhea. The milk she has drunk comes out completely undigested in the stool. Healing comes about in one night with a dose of Magnesia muriatica 15 CH. Quentin, 18 months, has his canine teeth coming in. He wakes up every night toward 5 a.m. , has generalized eczema which is aggravated by sea bathing and heat, and is constipated, with stool like sheep dung. Magnesium phosphoricum This is an antispasmodic remedy, reminiscent of Colocynthis. The pains are cramping and are relieved by heat. The person moans constantly and cannot sleep (abdominal colic, tooth pains, menstrual pain). Medorrhinum What comes next? Here is a key constitutional remedy for the “sycotic” terrain denoted

by Hahnemann, which corresponds to the anal stage as described by Freud. These individuals have a problem with time. They are constantly projecting into the future. “What comes next?” This question, which is constantly on their lips, ruins the present for them. Mother Medorrhinum is a perpetual planner. We know that in one week we are having dinner with these people, then in a month we are going to that place, in two months we’ll have to start our Christmas shopping, and so on. In addition, people benefitting from Medorrhinum are endowed with clairvoyance, but only foresee catastrophes or negative events. For example, they think of someone and then that person calls to say he is sick. In the family history there are cases of cancer and chronic rheumatism. Medorrhinum infants sleep flat on their stomach, rear in the air. They often have a red rash (erythema) on the buttocks. The adults continue to sleep on the stomach. The children are sensitive to humidity (asthma during foggy weather, for example). Their legs are constantly in motion while they are seated (Zincum). In the eyes, we find chronic conjunctivitis, with the lids stuck together in the mornings, and astigmatism (Lilium tigrinum, Tuberculinum). Amelioration at the seaside is a good symptom of this remedy. On the skin, we find a large number of small molluscum pendulum around the neck, and warts on the knees. Moreover, the knee is an important area in Medorrhinum; problems often occur here. The girls often have an ill-smelling vaginal discharge (a fishy odor). Finally, a minor symptom that is characteristic of this remedy: cavities between the upper central incisors. How to understand Medorrhinum? In the anal stage, following the oral stage, an attempt is made to control what moves in and out of the body. Money symbolizes the stool, which must either be given or withheld (Medorrhinum has fierce anal itching and cannot expel the stool without leaning backward). “Time is money.” Medorrhinum tries to control time. These individuals are constantly projecting their minds into the future, making them clairvoyant, which makes this a remedy for mediums who predict the future (Phosphorus). On the other hand, lack of control, or anarchy, leads to skin tumors and cancer. In brief, faced with the instability of the passage of time, Medorrhinum tries to control it from downstream, but suddenly, has no more control of the

present! This remedy is often complementary to Sulphur. Mercurius solubilis The swindler In ancient times, Mercury was the divine messenger. Holder of messages from the heavens, he was to take them to earth and distribute them to the people there. But he is tempted to use these messages for his own personal gain … which makes him the god of merchants and thieves! In contemporary societies, this type of “mercurial crime” could be represented by insider crimes in the stock market. In fact, however, this remedy proves beneficial for many people. Who hasn’t been tempted at least once to take advantage of a chance to get rich quick, to be the swindler? We find Mercurius among the ranks of over talented, precocious children who skip a grade, or again among the leaders of teenage gangs, almost but not quite delinquent. It is important to keep a close eye on the company these children keep. Restless, into everything, joking, bold, dictatorial, they may also be egocentric, indifferent to loved ones, even subject to homicidal impulses. In the physical sphere, the Mercurius sore throat is well known, with its fetid breath, profuse salivation, white membranes, its coated tongue indented by the imprint of the teeth, its sweats, its fevers with trembling. The skin is unhealthy (boils, discharge of pus … ). Finally, it is interesting to note that Mercurius subjects love bread with butter … even though earning their bread and butter has little appeal! * Observation Roger, nine, gets into everything in my office while his parents, visibly dispirited, explain to me that he has recurrent otitis (inflammation of the ear), boils, and frequent sore throats. At birth, he had a cephalhematoma (a blood-filled bump on the head-Calcarea, Fluoricum acidum, Mercurius, Silicea). He loves butter and eats it by the spoonful; he also has discipline problems at school. In addition, the examination reveals fetid breath: I prescribe Mercurius. Three months later, my secretary reminds me of his previous restless behavior. Today, he is gentle as a lamb … and has not had any health problems

since. Other forms of mercurius Mercurius Corrosivus: Diarrhea with sticky, hemorrhagic stools, containing mucus; nephritis; herpetic stomatitis: canker sores (aphthae) and fever (Rhus toxicodendron). Mercurius Bi-iodatus: Sore throat, especially on the left side (Lachesis). Mercurius Proto-iodatus: Sore throat, especially on the right side (Lycopodium). Mercurius Sulphuratus Ruber (Cinnabaris): An excellent remedy for infections of the foreskin (7 CH). Mercurius Sulphuricus: A good remedy for hay fever; note the sneezing on exposure to the least bit of sun (Agaricus). Mezereum Disoriented This remedy is effective in cases of cutaneous eruptions suppressed by external application of ointments, or in eruptions after vaccination. It is also useful in cases of impetigo with yellow-gold pus which looks something like honey and forms crusts. Moreover, it produces dramatic results in cases of bilateral maxillary sinusitis with a chronic cough, bouts of fever in the late afternoon, and pain from pressure on the two maxillary sinuses (two doses of Mezereum 15 CH at an interval of 48 hours cure cases resistant to two weeks of antibiotics!). The key to this remedy is found here. The maxillary sinuses are hollow facial organs which contain anatomical structures sensitive to the magnetic field in the environment. These organs give migratory birds, for example, a sense of direction and orientation. Following a move, travel in a foreign country, a resort vacation, etc., Mezereum subjects’ maxillary sinuses become blocked, and they “lose their bearings.” Children have a fever which peaks in the afternoon; they also have a cough and stomach complaints. An X-ray shows both maxillary sinuses full (in cases where only the right side is concerned, see Lycopodium, Sulphur, or Aurum; for the left side, see Lachesis). It should be noted that sinusitis, an infection located deep within the face, is very difficult to cure allopathically in spite of the availability of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, which do not penetrate the

sinuses easily. In contrast, they can often be cured quickly with a wellchosen homeopathic remedy. While we are on the subject of maxillary sinusitis, we might take a look at frontal sinusitis, in which the pain is located above the eyes. The remedies are often Arsenicum album, Kali bichromicum, or Silicea, for chilly individuals; while Sanguinaria and Thuja often work for those who are not chilly. Aveterinary case Rex, a seven-year-old wolfhound, has had eczema ever since he and his family moved to a new home. The eruption moves from place to place, accompanied by fierce itching; it is aggravated by heat. Mezereum 9 CH brings a complete cure. Millefolium A good remedy for nosebleeds (Ferrum phosphoricum) and for painful varicose veins during pregnancy. While we are on the subject of nosebleeds, here is an infallible trick I learned from an Indian homeopath. It stops the bleeding quickly. Tell the patient to put a small piece of paper under the tongue. I do not know what reflex mechanism is activated, but the bleeding ceases right away, and this method rarely fails. Moschus Defamation Hahnemann tells us that people who use musk as a perfume develop a weakened nervous system. This remedy, closely studied by E. Valero, is the only one that brings about dreams of defamation in the provings; the subject is trying to stain someone else’s reputation by telling lies about them, either in spoken or written form. This same individual, in turn, becomes hypersensitive to others’ opinions of him. Kent tells us that this remedy is beneficial for young girls who have been encouraged since early childhood to use crafty cunning to have their every whim satisfied. We find a wide variety of symptoms, including feigned blindness and deafness, fainting spells, paroxysms of nervous hysteria, uncontrollable laughter, nervous hiccoughs of a spasmodic nature, sexual excitement, difficult breathing with oppression of the chest and glottal spasms, and, in children, nervous

asthma. Muriaticum acidum The death of the mother The only sign of suffering a Muriaticum acidum child gives is the presence of hemorrhoids (it is the only remedy for hemorrhoids in children). At times we may see some nosebleeds as well. The suffering these signs point out is very profound and well hidden. Observations A seven-year-old child consults for repeated bouts of bronchitis. Looking at his health card, I see that “bleeding hemorrhoids” are mentioned several times. Now, only one remedy is listed in Kent’s repertory for the symptom “hemorrhoids in children”: Muriaticum acidum. I observe the mother, a woman who is still young but whose face nonetheless is weary, wrinkled, prematurely aged. I ask: “And you? How are you doing?” “Doctor, I am very tired; I haven’t slept well for years. Every night I’m woken by the same nightmare, and can’t go back to sleep.” I jump on the occasion, inspired by the work of our Belgian colleagues who have demonstrated that dreams are “primitive” symptoms, thus highly valuable. “What is the dream about?” “Every night, I dream that my mother is dying.” She tells me that her mother died of tuberculosis in Morocco when she herself was about eight years old. Curiosity prods me to open Hahnemann’s Materia Medica, and there I discover symptom number 545: “He dreams that his mother died on the fourth day.” I prescribe Muriaticum Acidum in successively higher potencies for both mother and child. Two years later, all is still well: the child has not had another attack of bronchitis and the mother’s appearance is more serene. Recently, a family brings me a baby for the regular checkup done at twenty-four months. He is fine and the routine examination is excellent. No prescription is necessary. On leaving, the father rises from his chair and asks if I have a remedy for a violent attack of hemorrhoids that has lasted for the last three weeks in spite of the allopathic treatment he has received. I observe his face, which shows the same expression of fatigue and anxiety I had seen in the mother’s

face in the above observation. “How is your mother doing?” The man’s face pales, he sits down again, and, very troubled, tells me that his mother is dying of rapidly-developing cancer, the first symptoms having appeared only three weeks before! *Original version: Here, the author adds, ( … la morsure = la mort sžre!). Literally, this means “the bite equals certain death!” The two phrases, la morsure (the bite), and la mort sžre (certain death), are phonetically similar. *Original version: … Mercurius aime le pain et le beurre … et l’argent du beurre! Literally, “… Mercurius loves bread with butter … and the money for the butter!” This refers to the expression “le beurre et l’argent du beurre” (butter and the money for the butter), similar to the English expression, “have your cake and eat it, too.” Naja tripudians Here is another snake venom, useful when all colds turn to asthma (Iodum). This remedy responds to symptoms such as a fear of being abandoned, fear of rain, and acute or chronic endocarditis (following infectious diseases). It is interesting to note that, in the case of an asthmatic child relieved by this remedy, his mother told me that her brother-in-law drowned before her very eyes while she was pregnant. A serpent ejecting its venom into a cup-this is the pharmacists’ symbol. Homeopaths, who often use venoms of different kinds, bear a direct relationship to this traditional pharmaceutical symbol. Natrium carbonicum Harmony with the cosmos Natrum carbonicum subjects possess an extraordinary sensitivity to music, especially to the piano. These children lisp a bit (Conium, Lachesis, Nux vomica), and have an intolerance to milk and to the sun. Their ankles are fragile and they are subject to frequent sprains. We find white spots on the facial skin, and swelling of the upper eyelids (Kali carbonicum). Natrum carbonicum infants often may be detected by early onset of thrush, with restlessness and a red eruption (erythema) on the buttocks. To calm these children down, all we need to do is to give them Natrum carbonicum, along with a little sip of carbonated water-

and be sure to accompany the remedy with the music of Chopin! Natrum carbonicum people dream of being in complete harmony with the cosmos. Often, they are interested in astronomy, which brings them as much pleasure as a Mozart sonata. Observation “Music causes great sadness which increases to religious insanity. This is true of all the Sodiums, but especially so of Natrum carbonicum,” says Kent in his Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica. Isabelle is 27 years old when, on November 8, 1979, I see her in the emergency ward for an acute attack of delusional ideas. A piano teacher, she recently moved out of her parents’ home, where she had been living while trying to recover from the emotional trauma of having fallen in love with someone beyond her reach, a well-known symphony conductor. The attack started when her piano was delivered and she started playing it. In the emergency ward, she is so highly agitated that neuroleptic medication is immediately administered by injection; her delusions have a predominantly religious theme, with scenes of crucifixion. I give her a dose of Ignatia, and later the same evening, a dose of Natrum muriaticum, which I choose on the basis of the cause at hand (ailments from disappointed love), her general appearance (slender), and the presence of hangnails. Her condition improves rapidly, permitting the neuroleptics to be reduced rapidly, then completely stopped after one week. On November 18, Isabelle is given permission to leave the hospital long enough to teach her courses. She is discharged on November 28. On December 6, she is well, but complains of nightmares; she dreams that someone is breaking into her apartment. In addition, she still has a persistent swelling of the upper eyelids, which puts us on the track of her true constitutional remedy: Natrum carbonicum. This remedy is given repeatedly during a three-month period. One year later, Isabelle is transformed, both mentally and physically. A minimum amount of neuroleptics, along with homeopathy and psychotherapy, all worked together to help her through a difficult point in her life. Natrium muriaticum

The father Let the sun shine on the sea (the mother), and the result is salt (the child). The father is the person who separates mother and child, bringing language to the latter (language not being needed in the bonded mother-child relationship.) Equipped with the word, the child emerges, leaving the mother behind, able now to communicate with another. Natrum muriaticum children have a problem with the father. Either his presence has been too pronounced, leading to a bonded father-child relationship, or, on the contrary, he has been physically or emotionally absent. Natrum muriaticum subjects are immured within themselves, superbly reserved (Latin murus, wall). They are late in learning to talk and then speak little, telling nothing about what is going on in their lives (at school, for example). Later, we might find an adult, face hidden behind a profuse beard, who has decided to “really express himself” by crossing the Atlantic on his own, alone on the sea beneath the sun. In the homeopathic interview, these individuals reveal nothing: all our observations are summed up by the blank page before us, on which we might simply write, in very large letters, “Natrum muriaticum.” In the physical sphere, the symptoms are generally typical of the remedy: thinness of the upper body (thin arms, narrow chest); desire for salt, bread, and meat; intense thirst; constipation; allergic reactions to the sun; herpes; colds that start with profuse and violent sneezing; asthma at 9 a.m. or around nine or ten at night; a “mapped” tongue; bitten-down nails (Medorrhinum); hangnails (a thin layer of cuticle growing at the edge of the nails, also bitten down); oily skin; dandruff and eczema at the hairline; and urticaria (hives). Natrum muriaticum generally shows improvement at the seaside, though aggravation of symptoms may occur if the person becomes saturated with salt. Natrum muriaticum is also a useful remedy in cases of jealousy among children (Arsenicum album, Nux vomica, Sepia). Observations Bertrand, nine years old, is very jealous of his three-year-old sister, an extrovert who knows how to amuse her audience, completely captivating their father. Some time ago, Bertrand began to add salt to all his food, and he became solitary, withdrawn. Then, suddenly,

violent attacks of asthma came on, appearing every evening around ten o’clock. Natrum muriaticum brings a speedy cure. A grandmother, a pharmacist by profession, takes advantage of some vacation time to bring me her grandson, 20 months old, covered with eczema. “My daughter is a doctor herself,” she tells me, “but I do not think that allopathic medicine can get to the bottom of this problem.” The child is thin and talks very little. In addition, I learn that he is constipated and loves salt. I think of Natrum muriaticum and notice that the grandmother has a slight divergent strabismus (crossed eyes); she is unable to look me directly in the eye. It is no coincidence that she is the one who thought to bring me the child: both have the same constitution. I address her with these words: “Tell me about your father.” She becomes troubled, begins to cry, and acknowledges that her father was an alcoholic, making family life a veritable hell… . Both child and grandmother benefit from Natrum muriaticum, which brings a complete disappearance of the child’s eczema. Natrium phosphoricum Freedom This is a remedy frequently of use for people who present with an excess of lactic acid due to excessive consumption of sugar. Acidic belching, a sour taste in the mouth, and thrush are some of the symptoms encountered. Their dreams are punctuated by closed doors and enclosed places with no way out, evoking an unconscious search for freedom, which sometimes leads them to the impasse of drugs. Natrium sulphuricum Water is the issue People who need this remedy notice the least change of weather due to an enormous sensitivity to humidity. Head colds; asthma in humid weather, especially around 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning; meningitis following head injuries with cerebral edema; and mood swings alternating between euphoria and depression (bipolar disorder) are among the symptoms in the Natrum sulphuricum clinical picture. To understand this remedy, we must go back to the moment of birth. At that time, some level of head injury occurs, with cerebral

edema (an excess of water, or “humor,” in the brain). Next to develop is our humor, cheerful during nursing, depressed when the breast or the bottle is empty, which gives rise to this relationship between our humor and the degree of extracellular humidity. Natrum sulphuricum regulates all of these phenomena; when we understand this, we understand its action in problems following head injuries and in troubles brought on by excess humidity. It must also be noted that we find in this remedy a strong craving for fats (which is rare for children), a tendency to develop warts and condylomata, early morning stool that wakes the individual (Sulphur), and possibly pneumonia in the left lower lung. Finally, Natrum sulphuricum feels worse at the seaside. Observation Daniel had a catastrophic birth, since he had the maximum head size for his mother’s pelvic dimensions. After a long and difficult labor, the infant was in an epileptic state for twenty-four hours, requiring all the latest techniques available to revive him. Tests show meningeal hemorrhaging. The child is discharged from the hospital at the age of three weeks with heavy antiepileptic medication and a very disturbed electroencephalogram. I give him two doses of Arnica 15 and 30 CH, followed by Natrum sulphuricum 15, 18, 24 and 30 CH, one dose per week. At the age of three months, the electroencephalogram is normal and the antiepileptic medications are stopped. At six months, the child is developing well and can hold a sitting position. At nine months, an eruption of warts breaks out on the abdomen and persists for two months. Now six years old, this child shows completely normal development. Nitricum acidum It’s the law Nitricum acidum is an individual who applies rules and laws rigidly, allowing no extenuating circumstances for transgressors. It is certainly a Nitricum acidum individual who wrote, “Dura lex sed lex!” (The law may be harsh, but it is the law!) At school, we find children who are “too serious, too well-behaved.” Their suffering comes from a lack of flexibility. If, on the first of April, a joking instructor gives the whole class a thousand lines to write as punishment, our poor Nitricum

acidum will spend all night scratching out pages and pages of copy (an actual case history). In the physical sphere, the picture looks like this: chronic nasal discharge; chronic otitis with cholesteatoma, a benign tumor that develops in the middle ear (Calcarea carbonica); frequent hoarseness; fetid perspiration of the feet; white spots on the nails (Alumina, Arsenicum album, Phosphoricum acidum, Sepia, Silicea, Sulphur, Tuberculinum); anal fissures; and a strong odor to the urine (like that of a horse). These are children who love fats and salt (pork cold cuts, for example), along with everything that is indigestible (like some laws!). We note an amelioration of all symptoms while the child is riding in a car. The Nitricum acidum subject must be told that such a thing as pardon exists on this earth. Human beings are certainly imperfect; human error is therefore pardonable. On the other hand, to persevere even though in the wrong is diabolical. Observation Matthew, age seven, presents with asthma and eczema. On one of his first school reports, it is mentioned that he is “too well-behaved.” His tongue is mapped (Natrum muriaticum); he is constipated and bleeds with the expulsion of stool, has a wart on the right hip, and loves greasy and salty foods. Nux moschata Playing the ostrich This remedy corresponds to people who “pass out” whenever the least problem arises. They cover their eyes as soon as danger appears, creating a stagnant and absurd situation! We observe intense sleepiness-one of my patients told me that, whenever she had any problems, she would go lie down and take refuge in sleep. Her child, when I examined him, would hide his head in his hands… . Besides cold extremities, dry mucous membranes, irregular menstruation, and a distinct liking for nutmeg, we note a characteristic physical symptom: the nipples are retracted.

Nux vomica Overworked The nux vomica seed contains strychnine. Recent neurophysiological studies show that strychnine is a neurotransmitter which acts in the human brain to excite the pyramidal (corticospinal) system, responsible for our motor functions (glycine, on the contrary, calms this symptom). This clearly confirms the homeopathic observation that Nux vomica is a person who is overexcited, on edge after excesses of any kind (rich food, drink, intellectual labor … ) without an adequate expenditure of physical energy. Nux vomica is irritable. These individuals come into your office, pushing ahead of everyone else, and start complaining angrily about the preceding treatment, which has so far had no effect. They are extremely fussy and cannot stand it when even the smallest detail is out of order. They are startled by noise and are hypersensitive to all external impressions (light, odors). At times, this excited state comes to a halt long enough for a short nap, which makes them feel better, but which they will fight with all the stimulants at their disposal (coffee, alcohol, tobacco, medication, etc.). Nux vomica infants are overworked by intense digestive activity which causes them plenty of trouble. They eat too much, have poor digestion, are unable to burp, spit up the milk, and are agitated. They have an umbilical or inguinal hernia (which may become strangulated). They suffer from blocked nasal passages, especially at night, which disturbs their sleep. Nux vomica is one of the best remedies in cases of nasal obstruction at night. In addition, we note a frequent urging to stool, but both child and adult are only able to go a little bit at a time. In older individuals, we find back pains that force the Nux vomica subject to sit up in order to turn over in bed. This same person is afflicted with insomnia after three o’clock in the morning. What is it that pushes Nux vomica individuals to drive themselves so hard? It is the fear of want: for adults, fear of poverty; for infants, fear of dying from hunger. Observation Ross, three years old, presents with recurrent otitis (inflammation of the ear). One day, he is hospitalized for febrile convulsions. The clinical examination shows a scar from surgery performed on a left inguinal hernia at the age of two months, mottled skin color (a slight

peripheral circulatory insufficiency), an umbilical hernia, and nasal obstruction. With Nux vomica 15, then 30 CH, the ear problems disappear. In their place appears a generalized eruption of eczema, with only slight itching, which disappears in turn six months later. A few remedies of note for constitutions with febrile convulsions: Cicuta virosa, Cina, Curare, Hyoscyamus, Nux vomica, Opium, Stramonium. Oleum animale aethereum Fat This is an effective remedy in certain cases of obesity linked to a desire for fats, a desire the person is unable to appease. The detail that allows its prescription: a red face in the absence of fever (Capsicum, Ferrum, Phosphorus, Psorinum). Under the action of this remedy, I have seen some children lose quite a few pounds in the months following the dose; they found that their former craving changed overnight to a revulsion for fats. Oleum jecoris aselli Cod liver oil A traditional source of vitamin D, cod liver oil has long been the nightmare of many children. Vitamin D is necessary, in small doses, for growth; it prevents rickets. However, in excessive doses, it hinders growth (in the Mediterranean region, which enjoys an exceptional amount of sunlight, people are relatively small … ). Observation Oliver is a twelve-year-old whom I have been treating since he was three-and-a-half. At first, he came to me for troubles with chronic diarrhea, which had evolved in a series of ups and downs since he was six months old. Everything was set in order with Podophyllum, followed by Pulsatilla. The next year, a lung problem was treated with Phosphorus, then Natrum sulphuricum. Afterward, this child exhibited no health problems, but, year after year, it became increasingly evident that he was growing too slowly; he was also noticeably restless, for which a number of remedies were prescribed with no success (Arsenicum album, Medorrhinum, Sulphur). At age 11, he is four feet two inches tall and weighs sixty-one

pounds. Even though the parents are smaller than average, to be prudent I put them in contact with a hospital in Nice, where a complete checkup is performed. The hospital reaches no conclusion with regard to the therapy required, other than regular examinations and the administration of vitamin D in the form of a medication called Sterogyl 15¨. The child becomes more and more difficult, putting his education in jeopardy. His teachers can endure him no longer. Severe pains appear in the lumbar region of the back, and the doctors at the university hospital diagnose ankylosing spondylitis. The child’s mother notices that, after each dose of Sterogyl¨, the pain seems to increase, but the professor assures her that there is no link between the medication and the rheumatic condition. It must also be noted that the mother herself is afflicted with the same problem, for which she underwent an unsuccessful operation at age 17. Since her height was below the norm when she was a child, her parents took her to a doctor to increase her rate of growth. After receiving the prescribed injections, she began to have pains in her back; she has only become worse ever since. For my part, I see less and less of this child entrusted to the care of the university doctors, until one day, in May 1990, the school director calls the parents to report that the child has been immobilized by an extremely violent attack of lumbago. Since my office is nearby, they brought him to me immediately. On examination, the child shows me a very painful area located at the sacroiliac joints. I quickly leaf through my repertory to find “sacroiliac pain” and “small stature,” and three remedies appear in both: Calcarea phosphorica, Oleum jecoris aselli and Sulphur. My attention is attracted by Oleum jecoris aselli, since an infant I had treated a few years before had completely stopped growing after one dose of Sterogyl¨, and resumed normal growth after one dose of Oleum jecoris aselli 15 CH. I ask the question: “Is he taking Sterogyl¨?” Then the mother tells me about the effects this medication seemed to have on her son. With four doses of Oleum jecoris aselli (15, 18, 24 and 30 CH in ascending order), this child’s pains, which had become constant, disappear. At the same time, his state of nervousness also vanishes, to the

great satisfaction of his teachers and to the benefit of his schooling. Two years later, the child is doing well, growing at a normal rate (+2.5 inches per year), and enthusiastic about school. Looking at the materia medica of this remedy in Allen, we find the diarrhea and pneumonia contracted at a young age. I also advised the mother to take this remedy, which seems to have benefitted her greatly. Opium Paradise With this remedy, we find ourselves once again referring to recent neurophysiological research. It is now a well-established fact that, at different points in the body, we manufacture endorphins, natural opiates which intervene to calm fear, pain, coughing, and intestinal activity, among other things. Addicts who take injections of morphine go into a state of nirvana, where no anxiety exists and all is bliss. But when the effects of this substance wear off, the situation is the reverse. This is the hell of fear and pain, which drives the individual to seek out another fix, whatever the cost. It is possible to raise endorphin levels naturally: mystics who go into trance states are an example. More prosaically, jogging more than five miles raises endorphin levels considerably, bringing about a state of serenity with agility of mind and thought… . In sum, on earth, we must choose between pleasure first and suffering later-the addict’s way-or suffering first and pleasure later-the athlete’s way, as an example. In homeopathy, Opium is the key remedy for acute or chronic effects from fear. Fear makes Aconite agitated, but it paralyzes Opium, who can die in a paroxysm of fear from cardiopulmonary arrest (morphine-derived drugs depress these two vital functions). Homeopathic doctors, therefore, suggest Opium for countering the risk of sudden death to which certain newborns are prone. During pregnancy, the mother had a very frightening experience, and to counteract it, her body fabricated a large quantity of opioids which passed through the placenta and penetrated the child’s brain. These babies are born asleep, drowsy; they do not suck with enough strength, fall asleep while nursing, and are slow to recover their birth weight. Umbilical hernias and constipation may be present. One dose of Opium 15 CH is usually enough to wake up these infants and

normalize their weight gain. Observation Dominique, 28, is four months pregnant when she is attacked at an automatic teller machine. The attacker demands her money while threatening her with a knife pointed at her stomach. When born, the infant is constantly drowsy and gains no weight. One dose of Opium 15 CH sets everything in order. At this point, the young mother remembers nothing unusual; the pregnancy seems to have been free of problems. At the age of four months, the infant again becomes drowsy, constipated, stops gaining weight. Opium 30 CH brings good results, and I also give a dose to the mother. It is then that she remembers this unhappy incident which occurred during her fourth month of pregnancy. Oscillococcinum The homeopathic antiviral medicine Well known by the public as a remedy for the flu, Oscillococcinum’s effectiveness is indisputable when it comes to halting influenza and similar seasonal illnesses of a viral nature. This is, in fact, our homeopathic antiviral medicine. What is less well known, however, is that it is made from an extract of duck livers and hearts. These extracts are rich in nucleic acids and other phosphoric compounds, which are structurally similar to viruses, and thus produce an action in accordance with the law of similars. It is interesting to touch on this notion, especially for the French, since traditional French cooking uses poultry livers and hearts in abundance during the winter. Perhaps the tradition of foie gras was a subconscious response to the need for this antiviral substance and its protection from cold-weather illnesses. Unfortunately, taken in massive doses, it has the reverse effect, aggravating the tendency to catch colds and to take cold easily. So, at Christmas time, the absenteeism rate increases. Of course, other factors are also involved, but, as the Mexican homeopath P.S. Ortega points out, the freedom that humanity enjoys allows us to transgress the laws of nature, setting the stage for illness. In sum, during the winter, on becoming chilled or after contact with

someone sick with the flu, taking a dose of Oscillococcinum often stops illness short. This remedy is not sold in centesimal Hahnemannian (CH), but in Korsakoff (K) potencies, a technique which uses the same flask over and over again in potentizing the remedy. Oscillococcinum is used in 200 K. Palladium metallicum Pure mind These people are “proud as peacocks,” and seek out approval from others. Though they succeed brilliantly in society, they are exhausted and tearful when alone. This remedy can be interesting for some teenagers, especially those who have a tendency to “strut their stuff” in an open display of pride and vanity, and who have headaches, digestive pains, and, for girls, ovarian problems. It is a good complementary remedy to Platina. To understand this remedy, we must refer to the Greek goddess Pallas Athena, born directly from the head of Jupiter (and not in the ordinary, vulgar way of mortals, out of the female genital organs). Palladium children will deny the body and try to seduce the father-and, beyond the father, to seduce the whole of society-with the brilliance of their minds. Observation Helen is a young woman who is obese, but who enjoys a brilliant reputation in society as an erudite university scholar. She suffers from uterine retroversion and pain in the right ovary. Her troubles disappear in one month with a dose of Palladium 15 CH, and at the same time, she loses ten pounds. Pertussinum Whooping cough Made from the secretions of whooping-cough sufferers, this remedy is very useful in 15 or 30 CH when treating chronic spasmodic coughs that persist after a whooping-cough vaccine, after whooping cough itself, or after viral infections with similar symptoms (Carbo vegetabilis, Drosera). Petroleum The skeptic

Gallavardin tells us this remedy is useful for people who do not believe in homeopathy. We live in a petroleum-based society. The greater part of our energy is extracted from this malodorous, black substance that seeps from the rocks. From it we derive the plastics that make up almost all of the objects we use on a daily basis. We breathe petroleum every time we fill up our cars… . What does the materia medica say about Petroleum’s mental symptoms? “Low-spirited, with dimness of sight. Feels that death is near, and must hurry to settle affairs. Long-lasting complaints follow mental states: fright, vexation, etc.” (William Boericke, 1927). We inhabit a materialistic society which has excluded the spiritual dimension of the human being. One of our favorite expressions is “easy payment plan,” and our temple is Wall Street, the street that runs right into a wall of money and goes nowhere. It is your money or your life, and this underlying fear of death drives people to hurry, to take advantage of it all quickly, while there is still time… . It is difficult to wait, to have to work in order to succeed and obtain what the advertisements show us. How, in this context, should we believe in a kind of medicine based on doses so small they are infinitesimal? A kind of medicine that is reputed to work slowly, besides! The first thing to give to someone who does not believe in homeopathy would be Petroleum 30 CH. I say “would be,” since anyone who agrees to take a dose is showing that they already believe in it in some small way. Petroleum has poor hearing on account of a chronic catarrhal condition in the Eustachian tube. This individual is subject to eczema with fissures, worse in winter. In addition, we find chilblains, excess acidity in the stomach, nausea and vomiting from riding in a car (Cocculus, Tabacum) or from eating vegetables of the cabbage family. Weight loss following grief (Phosphoricum acidum) and a lack of will and determination can also be part of the remedy picture. Phosphoricum acidum Exhausted Whether it is after a prolonged period of worry, excessive intellectual labor, mourning, loss of vital fluids, or extensive diarrhea, the Phosphoricum acidum subject is completely drained. All functions slow down; the features are drawn; and, in older children, we find oily,

falling hair. It is a useful remedy in cases of weight loss after prolonged grief (Petroleum). Somewhere in this person’s vital energy, a breach has occurred. At some moment, Phosphoricum acidum did not feel loved. In terms of food, we note a desire for cold milk (Phosphorus, Staphysagria, Tuberculinum), while, paradoxically, diarrhea and nausea are also present. The stools during diarrhea are pale, watery, sometimes involuntary. We may see bed-wetting in the first hours of sleep (Sepia). The urine contains phosphate crystals. A cough appearing after grief is another symptom (Ignatia, Phosphorus); for example, a child becomes asthmatic when the parents separate. Observations Eleanor, two months old, has diarrhea whenever her mother gives her orange juice (a typical symptom of Phosphoricum acidum). The mother also seems very tired: pale; circles under her eyes; oily, dull hair falling out in handfuls; white spots on her fingernails. Her father died of cancer during her sixth month of pregnancy. The young mother-to-be then lost much weight and thought she would lose her baby. Ian, eight years old, has been having attacks of asthma for six months; no medicine seems to prevail. One evening, visiting the child on a house-call, I notice a tangle of electrical paraphernalia set up in his bed. It is a device designed to stop bed-wetting by waking the child with an electric shock as soon as the urine starts to flow. This illegal apparatus was sold under the table at a high price to the parents, who are exasperated by the child’s enuresis and ready to do anything to make it stop. With Phosphoricum acidum, both the enuresis and the asthma are quickly corrected. Christopher, 15 years old, is in a stage of rapid teenage growth. He has been depressed ever since his parents moved to a different region of the country for professional reasons. He had to leave all his friends. Oily hair, craves cold milk, falling grades at school. I ask the parents about his early childhood and about the pregnancy, since teens often relive problems linked to the first days of life, when they had to leave the mother’s womb. In adolescence, it is the family nest that must be left, one day soon, to enter adulthood. In answer to my question, the

mother nonchalantly informs me that Christopher was an unwanted child. His eyes fill with tears. A certain uneasiness pervades the room. I look the boy in the eye and tell him: “You know, there are two kinds of people on earth. Some are here because their parents wanted them; others because they are the ones who wanted to come into the world. In that case, it is because they have something very important to do.” Christopher perks up quickly on hearing these words. By the time he leaves, he seems almost cheerful, and everything is soon set in order with Phosphoricum acidum 15 CH. Phosphorus Ablaze The classic image of Phosphorus is that of a phosphorous match which burns, brilliant, then is consumed and shrivels up, curling in on itself. Phosphorus individuals are ablaze; they consume all their energy and become exhausted. In everything that happens to them, it seems as if the soul or life energy is unable to become fully incarnate in the physical body, which is then cut off from the energy it needs and becomes sick. Phosphorus subjects live with their head among the stars, soaring at thirty thousand feet, unable to settle into the petty details of the earthly world. On the other hand, their sense of esthetics gives them a taste for harmony and beauty, attracting others. Phosphorus is endowed with a particularly sympathetic nature. These individuals commune with others, embracing their joys and their torments; they feel deeply the effects of the emotional atmosphere and are profoundly affected by storms (emotional or physical). Clairvoyance, states of ecstasy … a good candidate for religious groups and associations concerned with mysticism. During the consultation, Phosphorus children lean on the desk, close to the doctor, their brilliant, luminous gaze following every move, keeping close watch on every gesture. These children crave salt and are very thirsty, like Natrum muriaticum, but do not have the same reserved nature. They often suffer from diarrhea, gastric troubles (gastritis, vomiting), problems with the liver (hepatitis), kidneys (nephritis), or lungs (pneumonia). Often a hemorrhagic tendency will be present: nosebleeds, purpura. At night, they perspire profusely in the midst of a very deep sleep. Sometimes they are so wet they must be changed. In brief, these children leave you with an impression of

friendliness and natural sympathy for others, but are too disembodied, too ethereal, and need to have their feet put back on the ground. Observation Dominick, 12 years old, has had kidney problems for several days: nephritis with albumin and blood in his urine. A year ago, he began a spurt of rapid growth, started losing weight and eating straight salt, and became very thirsty. Recently, he caught a chill, became hoarse, and then developed pains in the lumbar region of the back with urine the color of beef bouillon. He looks exhausted and is perspiring heavily. Phosphorus 15 CH, given every six hours, produces a miraculous effect, clearing up the urine and curing the nephritis within a few days. It should be noted that this remedy gives very good results in cases of acute pancreatitis. Moreover, not having seen one case of diabetes in fifteen years as a homeopathic pediatrician, I wonder if this remedy might prevent that disease, especially since it is used so frequently to treat acute illnesses such as bronchitis, gastroenteritis, and acetonemia (Lycopodium, Sepia). Phytolacca decandra The mercury of the plant kingdom This is a good remedy for sore throats that come on during “electric,” stormy weather and are covered with a light-colored exudate. The throat is painful, and the pain extends into the ears on swallowing. The patient wants cold drinks, has pain in the lumbar area of the back, and has swollen glands in the neck. This remedy is often needed in cases of infectious mononucleosis (gray membranes in the throat, swollen glands, a palpable spleen, intense fatigue). It is also a useful remedy during teething, for babies who constantly want to bite something to relieve the pain (7 CH). Finally, it is an effective remedy for nursing women at the beginning of mastitis. The breast is hard, sensitive, and when the infant nurses the pain extends throughout the mother’s body. Here, a few words about sore throats. Many people think that sore throats should be treated systematically with antibiotics to prevent the risks of further streptococcal infection. However, streptococcus bacteria are not present in all sore throats, many of which are viral in nature. Moreover, under this blind avalanche of antibiotics, the

streptococci are currently showing a tendency to become resistant. Therefore, the wisest way to proceed is to begin with a homeopathic treatment which, if well-matched to the person’s symptoms, will cure the problem in 24 to 48 hours. If this treatment fails, then do a throat culture on the second or third day and, when necessary, use antibiotics specific to the bacteria present in the sample. Platinum metallicum Substance versus glitter* To be, or to exist through other beings? Platina is the remedy for individuals who allow themselves to be trapped by their own image as it is reflected to them by those around them. They spend all their energy trying to fill the ever-larger gap between what they truly are and what they seem to be. A key remedy for public figures (actors, teachers, politicians) who constantly want to “polish their image,” but who do not have enough backbone, enough substance, to carry it off, and so crack under the pressure. This is a remedy for the master idolized by the disciples of his sect. Driven by pride, he did not tell them that the important thing is to find the master within. Hahnemann was the first doctor to have the idea of trying this remedy, and heaven knows he needed a dose, given the genius of his discovery and the charisma he possessed. His motto was “All substance and no glitter.” At the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at Sèvres, France, the standard prototypes are made of platinum, a metal that does not fluctuate and thus always gives the correct measure. So when your success leads you to develop a “big head,” when you begin to take yourself for a god, when those around you seem small and worthless, that is the moment to take a dose of Platina (15 to 30 CH). For children, think of the mirror-gazing stage. At around two or three years old, your little girl does all she can to be noticed, wants to be “interesting” to everyone in the world, and tries to capture all the attention within the family circle; or again, your teenager shuts himself for hours in the bathroom, working on his “look,” to which he attaches too much importance. For you yourself, if you do not have enough stamina to impress your friends while jogging; if you break your back while trying to lift burdens that are too heavy; if your mind has a

tendency to become too critical; and if you cannot tolerate your children any longer (Lycopodium, Sepia), this remedy could help you reestablish your balance. Plumbum metallicum Zero tolerance for constraints Everything seems a nuisance to the Plumbum individual, who becomes gloomy, taciturn, depressed. In our increasingly complex society, constraints and obligations are growing from day to day. In addition, lead pollution has reached significant levels. To accept this high level of civilization which is more and more constraining, one must have “aplomb.“* Otherwise, one might just go “plumb” crazy, and escape into infantile and irresponsible behavior (the future? - that’s somebody else’s problem!). Plumbum will allow children to tolerate the constraints of schooleven those who have been labeled “problem children,” and who have been sent from school to school for lack of discipline and interest (15 to 30 CH). Let us not wait for the physical symptoms to appear before thinking of this remedy (abdominal colic, motor paralysis, chronic nephritis). Observation Arnold, nine, fails class after class. Psychological tests, however, show he is endowed with a high level of intelligence. Unfortunately, he cannot tolerate the constraints of school, nor any constraints imposed by being part of a group. He has a passion for animals. At home, he spends hours with his insects and reptiles, and has become an expert on the subject. After Plumbum 30 CH, for the first time his teacher gives him an encouraging report card, and the child agrees to take extracurricular speech therapy courses. Podophyllum peltatum A good remedy for children with diarrhea, especially during teething. The main symptoms are as follows: liquid stool with a nauseating odor, especially in the morning; distended abdomen and colic, forcing the child to lie on her stomach; sometimes, rectal prolapse (falling or slipping downward) during stools (Ferrum). Also, in feverish cases, the child is quite talkative (Lachesis, Tuberculinum). The remedy should be given in 7 CH, three granules after each

abnormal stool. During pregnancy, Podophyllum is a good remedy for rectal prolapses and hemorrhoids. Psorinum The external experienced as aggressive Life’s journey of initiation A closed person An open person Infinite, fusional love Infinite cosmic love between mother and child: completely evolved oral stage (psoric) The external is experienced The internal in communication as aggressive with the external Psorinum is the major remedy corresponding to the “psoric” terrain denoted by Hahnemann, and, in psychoanalysis, to a fixation in the “oral” stage described by Freud. Newborn children who have just come into the world and left the relative paradise in the mother’s womb (where they were fed, protected, and had plenty of warmth and oxygen) experience great anxiety. They must now breathe, struggle against the cold, eat… . This primordial anxiety, a deep rift in the energetic makeup of a human being, is the anxiety experienced by Psorinum: fear of lack, fear of being abandoned, fear of poverty. These individuals are very chilly (they come into your office dressed in layers of clothing which never seem to end, no matter how many they might peel away). Psorinum is a key remedy for people with allergies. People with allergies react inadequately to the external environment. To understand this, think of a human being on the earth, situated between two infinite loves. The first love, which we have all known, is the fusional stage between mother and child, which culminates during intrauterine life and fades after 18 months of age (see diagram). But this is an infinitely small love, egotistically centered as it is on two individuals. We are called to evolve toward another infinite love which links us to all human beings and which, like a sun, guides us toward a fusion of a more cosmic nature. As a general rule,

we do not attain this stage of infinitely great love until after we die, and our life is a journey between these two infinite loves, a journey of initiation during which we must eliminate the layers of our ego, one by one. The external, perceived as dangerous in the initial stages corresponding to Psorinum, will later be loved and loving. “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth,” Jesus Christ once said. Indeed, once past the “psoric” stage, we begin to understand that, if the external was making us sick, it was because we were somehow rejecting it or reacting too violently to it. Psorinum is a good remedy to give in doses of 30 CH or higher when there is a personal or family history of hay fever, eczema, or asthma. The skin of Psorinum children has a dirty appearance, with moist eczema erupting especially behind the ears. They also have bad breath. These patients do not react to remedies that seem well indicated. They are often constipated and, a curious symptom, feel best right before the phases of aggravation, when their symptoms begin to worsen. Pulsatilla pratensis Mama! For Pulsatilla, Mother is the sole point of reference. The umbilical cord has never been truly severed, and if Mother is not there, the child finds a substitute (a teddy bear, thumb-sucking, a favorite blanket, etc.). Pulsatilla children are capricious; they cry easily but are quickly consoled: “like an April day.” The absence of thirst is notable. As long as Pulsatilla babies are nursing from the breast or the bottle, they will drink large quantities, but offer them a cup or a bowl, and they are no longer interested. They will then develop a habit of drinking very little. The recklessness of Pulsatilla children, who will at times launch forth into adventure with a total lack of fear, can seem paradoxical. But if these children are this adventuresome, it is because they are thoroughly convinced that Mother will be there, ready to intervene at the least sign of danger. Another sign of this remedy is circulatory troubles: the skin is always marked by a network of veins and capillaries which is aggravated in warm rooms. With a bit of humor, we can imagine the Pulsatilla child tangled up in its umbilical cord, and so showing signs of

circulatory trouble… . In the doctor’s office, the Pulsatilla child is often with Mother Pulsatilla and Grandma Pulsatilla, who show a liking for old-fashioned embroidered blouses and blue clothing. Consultations are often for repeated colds, otitis (inflammation of the ear), eczema, and asthma, the last often appearing after removal of the adenoids. Pulsatilla is a major remedy for “suppressions,” the first unhappy experience of suppression being the cutting of the umbilical cord that linked mother and child. Following that are suppressions of warts by surgery, of eczema by skin creams, of colds by removal of adenoids … and the Pulsatilla picture is aggravated. As for the digestive system, Pulsatilla children are averse to hot food, just as they do not tolerate overheated air. They are equally affected by fatty foods. On the other hand, they exhibit a desire for butter that they will eat by the spoonful (Mercurius): butter, cream … the best of what Mother offers. In the evening, the Pulsatilla child does not want to go to sleep unless it is in Mother’s bed. This becomes the source of numerous family dramas when Father must give in and go sleep in the living room. Mother Pulsatilla will give birth in her own mother’s city, if possible with the same doctor, and it is her mother who holds her hand in the labor room. When the pediatrician arrives to see the new baby, the young mother is in tears: “To think that we had to be separated!” Pulsatilla is a major remedy for childhood illnesses such as rubella and common measles, which, for the homeopathic pediatrician, play an “abscess” role, allowing any remaining unhealthy fragments of the mother-child relationship, or the oral stage, to be evacuated. It is also good to give a dose of Pulsatilla 15 CH after vaccination against rubella and measles; this will eliminate harmful reactions. Finally, Pulsatilla is an important remedy at puberty. At that time, the young person revisits the stages of childhood, and whatever has not yet been resolved may now be put in order. The adolescent has to leave his or her parents one day. For Pulsatilla, separation imposed by certain circumstances, such as going to school, is a very difficult experience. Hives, acne, asthma, late onset of menstruation, and leukorrhea (whitish vaginal discharge) are all in the clinical picture. Observations

Four-thirty p.m. , the end of the school day, is “mothers’ hour.” Isabelle’s left ear is bothering her. She has a sore throat and green nasal discharge; her fever is rising, she is not thirsty and wants to be left uncovered. Isabelle clings tightly to her mother, not letting go even when she goes to telephone the doctor. “Since school started, my child is always sick, Doctor!” Isabelle is three-and-a-half years old; it is her first year in school. In the morning, she lets go of her mother with great difficulty. Once her mother is gone, she stops crying and goes to seek refuge in the teacher’s lap… . But this does not alleviate Isabelle’s depression over being abandoned by her mother. So she takes refuge in illness. Besides, when she is sick, she can stay home. With Pulsatilla, the colds disappear, and from that time on, Isabelle leaves her mother with a smile at the school’s front door. James, 45 years old, is a passionate tennis player. However, for some time now, he has suffered from pain in the right arm which keeps him from playing and even wakes him at night. A rheumatologist specializing in sports medicine is not able to provide relief; neither is the mesotherapist (who performs a specialized therapy using injections of minimal doses of medication near the site of the pain). The examination reveals true varicose veins on the upper extremities, which points toward Pulsatilla. “What was your childhood like? Tell me about your mother.” “My mother-I never knew her. She left my father early on and he sent me to be raised in an institution run by nuns… .” His pains disappear with Pulsatilla 15, 18, 24, then 30 CH, one dose per month in ascending order. Cedric, four years old, comes to see me because he does not want to be toilet-trained and refuses to sit on the bowl. I observe him: shy, bottle and blanket in hand. “You are still giving him a bottle?” “You know, Doctor, it’s so much easier in the mornings.” “Give him a cup, take away the bottle-after all, cups and bowls go together, you know!” As the psychologist Jacques SalomŽ says, humor, which allows us some “healing laughter,”* is a good tool to have in the therapist’s kit. Pyrogenium

The homeopathic antibiotic This is the internal antiseptic in homeopathy. It proves very useful in cases of infection, especially in the mouth (abscessed teeth); in cases of fever with putrid discharges; septic fevers with insomnia; pulse too fast for the temperature (the person hears their own heart beating); and especially puerperal septicemia (a severe bloodstream infection after childbirth-give the remedy in 7 to 30 CH). Observation A ten-year-old boy had an operation several months ago for a facial sarcoma (cancer) of the right temporal region. After intense postoperative chemotherapy, his defenses drop to the point where blood tests show less than 500 white blood cells per cubic milliliter. He begins to develop a type of malignant staphylococcic infection of the face, originating at his surgical scar. Of course, the child is under specialized hospital care, and the necessary procedures are done: perfusion of strong doses of three of the latest antibiotics. In spite of these efforts, however, the illness evolves slowly; his fever reaches 104û. On the third day, the child is in a semicomatose state, on morphine, his fever holding steady at 104û and half his face red and inflamed with erysipelas. The doctors at the hospital meet with the parents to tell them that the prognosis is not a good one; they don’t know if he will make it. His father calls me that evening, desperate. I go to the hospital to give them some moral support, though I do not have much hope of being able to help them in any way. It is a distressing sight: this child is literally rotting away before our very eyes, which makes me think of Pyrogenium. I advise his mother to put three globules of 7 CH in his mouth every hour. The next day, Saturday morning, a miracle occurs! The fever has dropped to 101.6û for the first time in three days. That evening, the swelling on his face goes down, and the pain disappears; the child smiles. Then the fever is gone. And just on time: Sunday is his birthday! *Original version: ætre ou para”tre (To be or to make a show), a play on the famous line from Hamlet, “ætre ou ne pas tre?” (To be or not to be?). *Original version: … il faut avoir du plomb (ˆ dose homŽopathique!) dans la cervelle … (one must have lead (in homeopathic doses!) in the

brain). This is a play on the French expression avoir du plomb dans la tte (literally, “to have some lead in the head”), meaning to have a good head on one’s shoulders. *Original version: “gairire” (joyous laughter), phonetically similar to guŽrir (to heal). Rheum palmatum Too acidic A “rare” remedy, useful in cases of diarrhea during teething. The stool is acidic, sour; the child’s whole body smells sour, bitter; the buttocks are red and irritated. Rheum often has Sulphur as a complementary remedy. Rhus toxicodendron Movement is life This is the remedy for exposure to damp cold when the body is warm from intense physical exercise, and the muscular tissue has been stretched, overworked. This is the case, for example, after labor that has gone on too long and caused the newborn to suffer. Afterward, we find a child who is sad, restless, and who falls ill when the teeth start coming in. The clinical picture includes the following symptoms: fever at night, frequent thirst for small quantities of water, chilliness, muscular pain all over the body, stomachaches, and the tongue coated except at the tip, which remains bright red. In older children, we run across colds (nasopharyngitis) with hoarse coughing, provoked by a sea wind or by getting caught in the rain while playing football, for example. In addition, Rhus toxicodendron is a good remedy for sprains and twists (if bone tissues are torn, Ruta graveolens is the remedy of preference). As for the skin, this is an acute remedy for episodes of herpes, chicken pox, and shingles (Mezereum), as well as for suppurative eczema and urticaria (hives). Finally, it is effective for rheumatism in older people whose overall condition is improved by movement. Rumex crispus Colds This is a remedy for winter colds, when the air is too cold. These

patients arrive with a muffler up over their nose so they can breathe some air that is a little bit warmer. The cough is provoked by an incessant itching at the level of the throat pit (the hollow at the base of the neck). Ruta Graveolens Major Sprains Here is the remedy for major sprains, when the periosteum is torn from the bone where the tendons are attached. It should be given in 7 CH, three globules three times a day for two or three days. For painful effects of long-ago sprains, one remedy is worth remembering: Strontium carbonicum, to be taken in doses of 15 CH. In addition, it is good to know that Natrum carbonicum individuals are people who often twist their ankles. Ruta graveolens is also a remedy for eye strain with headaches suffered by people who have been doing very meticulous work, such as sewing. Sabadilla False self-impressions This remedy is useful for people who have erroneous ideas about themselves, like the beloved French cartoon character Obelix, who does not think he is big even though he is twice the size of anyone else in his village. They can also imagine that they have a serious illness, such as cancer. Some women mistakenly believe they are pregnant. We find that these individuals are hypersensitive to odors, have spasmodic attacks of sneezing, and may have acute episodes of hay fever. The principal indication of this remedy is that colds are accompanied by pain in the forehead, along with conjunctivitis. In addition, it must be noted that this is a key remedy for recurrent worm infections of the ascarid variety (Cina, Sinapis nigra). Sabal serrulata The small breast A helpful remedy to encourage breast development in teenage girls who are nervous, easy to anger, and have a complex about their underdeveloped bust. Take 7 CH globules every morning for several days (Nux moschata).

Sambucus nigra A useful remedy in cases of nasal obstruction in newborns. Their stopped-up nose keeps them from sleeping and nursing. The infant wakes suddenly, cannot breathe, begins to turn blue. In older children, it is a remedy for laryngitis with a suffocating cough around midnight and profuse perspiration; the child must sit up in bed (Aconitum, Hepar sulphur, Spongia). Sanguinaria canadensis This remedy corresponds to clinical pictures such as chronic coughing after whooping cough (Carbo vegetabilis, Pertussinum) or a bad bout of flu; flushes of heat to the face, which turns red; headaches in the forehead (frontal sinuses) with intense thirst, in cases where a head cold is followed by diarrhea (globules of 15 CH). Sanicula aqua The silent spring* Spring water from Ottawa, Canada, is a homeopathic remedy that can be of precious help when children are slow in beginning to talk (Agaricus, Calcarea phosphorica, Baryta carbonica, Natrum muriaticum, Nux moschata). Unfortunately, this spring has dried up since a freeway was built in the vicinity, and it is becoming more and more difficult to obtain this remedy. It is also useful in cases of rickets, enuresis (involuntary urination), and constipation. Two notable symptoms are profuse perspiration of the occiput (the back of the head) during sleep, and perspiration of the feet (Silicea). Sarsaparilla officinalis Lost heritage A remedy for urinary infections: the child cries before and during urination. The urine itself is bloody and full of sandy deposits. This is also a remedy for rashes that appear after vaccination and during hot weather. This remedy has been described as effective for people who are very attached to their ancestors, to inherited possessions, and who lose their state of balance when their heritage is lost-for example, after the unavoidable sale of an old family home (Dr. Fayeton).

Secale cornutum The link in the chain This remedy, well known for circulatory troubles in the extremities, such as chilblains, varicose ulcers, and gangrene (Arsenicum album), is also a remedy for difficult pregnancies (tendency to spontaneous abortion during the third month). During labor, the uterus does not contract. The new mother’s milk does not flow, and she becomes infected with puerperal fever (Pyrogenium). Procreation is dangerous for these individuals, who, moreover, scorn their parents and would rather have neither descendants nor ancestors. Among the symptoms of this remedy, we find a hearty appetite with a desire for sour things; eyes sunken, hollow, and ringed with blue; insomnia with anxious dreams in patients dependent on sleeping pills; and, finally, an aversion to heat (the opposite of Arsenicum album). Selenium metallicum Early aging Selenium comes from the Greek word Selênê, the moon. This is the remedy to think of in cases of fatigue and aging after an exhausting illness. The person can no longer tolerate mental work, and becomes depressed, subject to lascivious thoughts and impotency. Their hair is too oily (Bryonia, Phosphoricum acidum, Thuja), and it falls out. The person needing this remedy will be worse in the sun, during hot weather, from strong odors, from tea; also present are a desire for alcohol, chronic liver troubles, and unrestful sleep with a pulsating sensation felt in the blood vessels. The person wakes too early, and always at the same time. Sepia officinalis Couldn’t be more of a woman* There is perhaps no other remedy more feminine than Sepia, even though it is also at times indicated for some men. The typical Sepia woman arrives at your office exhausted, visibly overwhelmed by the agitated behavior of her numerous children. Her face is marked by yellow “liver” spots from her last pregnancy.

At home, she puts too much effort into providing happiness for her little flock, which includes her husband. He, in turn, does not get involved enough in household activities. Everything must be sparkling clean in her home, and housekeeping is a constant worry due to her overly meticulous nature. In fact, Sepia is a Cinderella who scrubs and polishes everything, is constantly devoted to others, and secretly dreams that “one day her prince will come… .” In truth, the prince is unconsciously the father, who is very important for the Sepia individual. Later on, the husband will often be seen as a source of disappointment, and will sometimes be rejected. Like the cuttlefish, a small sea animal with deep, dark eyes, Sepia accumulates all the blackness of life within herself, then uses it as a screen to hide behind. Her temperament feels the effects and turns quickly toward depression. In the physical sphere, we find constipation, hypersensitivity to odors (the child who smells everything; nausea from the odor of cooking), and chilliness (especially the extremities; hands and feet are always cold). Physical exercise makes Sepia feel better, since it stimulates circulation of blood in the lesser pelvis and helps decongest the venous system in the liver. The Sepia girl has a dull complexion and is somewhat shy on her visit to the doctor’s office, crossing her legs and constantly biting her lips. She has white spots on her nails. Often, she will have warts that cause itching on her hands or the soles of her feet. All symptoms are aggravated at the seashore. In the summer, it is better to plan for good hikes in the mountains. Also of note, a great sensitivity to E. coli bacteria (diarrheal disease and urinary infections caused by the colibacillus), as well as to sore throats and to chicken pox, which is severe and leaves the patient in a state of profound fatigue. Sepia children are jealous of other children (Arsenicum album, Natrum muriaticum, Nux vomica). They are talented in sports, especially rhythmic sports like gymnastics and dance. Sepia individuals are among those who love children the most, along with Platina and Lycopodium. They are attracted by professions that relate to children and childhood. However, in their phase of nervous exhaustion-which happens often, since they try to do too much-they cannot stand children anymore. Observations

Matthew, age ten, has suffered from asthmatic attacks for the last three years. Before that time, he had numerous colds (nasopharyngitis) and his adenoids were removed. Also of note, the BCG (tuberculosis vaccine), which he just received for the third time, fails to take effect on him. The parents have noticed a curious fact: the asthmatic attacks seem to diminish, even disappear, with physical exercise. Recently, for example, he woke up with a moderate asthmatic attack that went away later that day while he was playing soccer. He is a meticulous child and a good student. He loves acidic foods (pickles, vinegar-laden dressings). He tends to become constipated. In addition, he is jealous of his youngest sister, a five-year-old. With Sepia, followed later by Tuberculinum and Psorinum, the asthmatic attacks disappear completely. Melanie fits her name well. She is a dark-complexioned girl of eight, shy and too assiduous at school. She has recurrent sore throats and white vaginal discharges. In her history, we find E. coli urinary infections in her first year. Her head perspires profusely when she first falls asleep, since she buries herself completely under her covers. Sometimes, she “forgets herself” in the early part of the night, and wets the bed, which disturbs her greatly. She is very sensitive to odors and will easily vomit after eating food that is too rich, or after chocolate, which she adores, or again while riding in a car. Her appetite is absent at mealtimes, especially in the morning at breakfast. At this time also, her white discharges are aggravated, and diminish later on. The sore throats and bed wetting disappear after a few doses of Sepia. Two of her great passions, by the way, are dancing and horses. Silicea terra The crystal “Silica is what keeps a stalk of grain upright,” we are told by Kent, a homeopath from the early part of this century. In effect, Silicea is a good remedy for children who are rather thin, have a poor appetite, and who constantly need to be told to stand up straight. Intellectually brilliant in general, they are shy in public and try to go unnoticed. Silicea is the second in the class; the first is Lycopodium.

However, if they are pushed a little, these individuals can be warm and lively. Silicea children come home from school tired, and take great pleasure in a boiling hot bath. Perhaps it brings back a sense of wellbeing similar to the warmth of the womb, where they were well protected from the difficult world around us. Silicea infants seem to resent their mother for having brought them into the world. They refuse to nurse, have little appetite, and are hard to rouse. At birth, they often have a cephalhematoma, a large, blood-filled bump on the head. The teeth come in late and with difficulty. Silicea is also a good remedy for bringing foreign objects to the surface of the skin (for example, a shard or sliver of glass after an accident: with Silicea 9 CH for several days, a small pus-filled wound develops; this abscess then ruptures and the foreign body comes out). Silicea children have skin that easily becomes infected. The nails are often ingrown and marked with white spots. The throat is a fragile area, subject to painful infections and chronic winter colds (suppurative nasopharyngitis), with discharge in the Eustachian tubes (the ears “stop up,” and the doctor says there is liquid behind the eardrums). Rather than removing the adenoids and inserting a tympanostomy tube to drain the fluid, we might do better to reflect on the real meaning of this symptom. The child hears sounds muffled by a liquid barrier, just as they were in the womb. Because of a lack of self-confidence, Silicea constantly tries to regress. These children must be pushed to keep moving forward, must be given responsibilities and told they are big kids now. This alone will benefit them greatly. Vaccines cause many problems for the Silicea child, whether it is the BCG, which discharges pus for months, or the DTP vaccines (fortunately, the smallpox vaccines are no longer given!). Also of note is that these children fear anything that is sharp and pointed (Spigelia), especially needles (injections), which can pierce the bubble around them that keeps them safe and happy. If we rub two pieces of silica together, sparks are produced. Our little Siliceas, once “warmed up,” can become resplendent human beings, with a gift for communication. Observations Josephine calls me in a panic from the hospital, where she was

admitted several hours ago. She is pregnant and, due to her age, it was recommended that she undergo amniocentesis. She had hesitated a long time, since she is afraid of injections. She nearly fainted when the doctor approached her abdomen with his huge needle. Everything went downhill from there; the examination was complicated by a fissure in the bag of waters, and she has been told that she will probably lose her baby within 48 hours. I advise one dose of Opium 15 CH for the stress, followed by a dose of Silicea 15 CH six hours later. Things are set quickly back in order; the pregnancy is carried to term and the child delivered without further problems. Lionel, thirteen, consults for recurrent sore throats. He is a preadolescent who seems to have grown too fast. He is thin, stays seated shyly on his chair, but his eyes are lively and intelligent. After we break the ice, communication comes easily between us. His sore throats started with his second BCG, which discharged pus for three months. At present, he still has a large keloid scar (Graphites, Mercurius, Thuja) on his arm. He is chilly, and loves to take boiling hot baths, but in the summer, when he is hot, he can just as easily dive into the icy water of a mountain lake. The examination brings to light offensive perspiration of the feet; he cannot wear sneakers. His nails have white spots, numerous and small (large spots: Sulphur). On his report card is written: “a brilliant student but lacks self-confidence and is too often distracted.” At school, he often has problems hearing, since his ears stop up when he has a cold; then he is off in endless reveries. During the recreational period, he prefers to talk with a friend off in a corner, discussing books he has read or his collection of miniature cars. He is horrified by violent games (soccer, rugby). Herb, nine months, is brought to me for a suppurative inflammation of the right ear that he has had for a month. This infant is thin, has little appetite, and his head perspires profusely after he falls asleep (Graphites, Sepia). In addition, his eyes have been teary since birth, due to stricture of the tear duct, and his feet smell bad! The examination reveals that he does not yet have any teeth. The two first upper incisors are visible under the gums, but they are not able to push their way through. Recently, after his second tetracoccus vaccine, he had a small abscess at the point of injection. His ear infection is cured within 24 hours with a dose of Silicea 15 CH.

Spigelia anthelmia This remedy concerns people who are frightened by sharp, pointed objects (Silicea). It is also known for its effectiveness in worm infections with abdominal pains. It is useful, too, for some heart problems (pericarditis), and in cases of facial neuralgia. Spongia tosta The sponge “Come quickly, I’m suffocating, I feel like there’s a sponge stuffed in my mouth.” It is six in the morning on New Year’s Day. The call comes from one of my friends who lives not far from me. Outside, rain is beating down, and a hard wind is blowing from the east, the direction of the sea. I recommend Spongia 7 CH, three globules, while he waits for me to get there. When I arrive a few minutes later, I find his voice less hoarse, more audible. “I feel better,” he declares. Examination reveals an enormous, edematous uvula hanging down into the throat. I stay a little while longer, and everything is set back in order with Spongia repeated every five minutes. Spongia is an excellent remedy for laryngitis brought on by damp weather or winds from the sea (Bromium). In dry weather, Aconite and Hepar sulphur are the remedies of choice. This is severe laryngitis, with difficulty in breathing and flaring of the nostrils (the nostrils dilate and contract, following the rhythm of the breath). There is always great anxiety, and excitement aggravates the cough, which is hoarse. This is also a remedy for coughs in people with heart problems, as well as for severe asthma with repercussions on the functions of the right side of the heart (right cardiac hypertrophy). Stannum metallicum The tin man* Tin, in homeopathic doses, is a good remedy for people who are tired, exhausted, who seem completely subdued. They suffer from long-lasting bronchial or pulmonary discharge, or from paralytic afflictions of the nerves. Discouraged, sad, and anxious, they are not interested in company. Aware of their feeble state, they try to plan for the future, accumulating money in the savings bank, keeping everything in order. Like Arsenicum album and Sepia, they are fanatics about

housekeeping (an aversion to housekeeping and domestic things is found in Sulphur iodatum). These patients vomit from the odor of food, and have the special characteristic of not being able to wear earrings, which cause their skin to become infected (Lachesis, Medorrhinum). At night, they perspire excessively and are exhausted. Observation An eighteen-month-old girl presents with generalized eczema, for which many remedies have been tried to no avail. One day, for a persistent cough and intense fatigue, she is prescribed a dose of Stannum 15 CH. Both the bronchitic cough and the eczema are subsequently cured. The mother tells me that she herself does not like to be caught off guard. She would like, for example, to be able to predict the course a conversation will take before she gets involved in it! At home, she would like everything to be in order at all times, and suffers from feeling too tired to do the housework as she would like it done. Staphisagria Frustrated This remedy is a very useful one for our times. We have so many occasions, in our increasingly complex society, to feel bullied, trampled, victims of an injustice! Any atmosphere of resentment or trial and judgement is an indication that this remedy is of interest. Staphysagria has been skinned alive: these individuals are in a permanent state of suffering and “hold in” all the grievances brought upon them by the perverse events and circumstances of life. In fact, the key to this remedy resides in what has been called, since Freud’s time, sadomasochism. Staphysagria takes pleasure in pain, continually reliving the anger and frustration inside. These individuals unconsciously get themselves into situations where injustices rain down upon them. Jealousy is also present with this remedy. Take the example of the five-year-old who, when his little sister is born, becomes intolerable. “He’s looking for a spanking,” the parents say. He finally gets one, too, since he has done everything to deserve it. However, instead of turning to violence, it would be better to give him a dose of Staphysagria and so check the development of this

detrimental atmosphere. This remedy is used often after surgery, especially if the operation concerns the genitalia or the lesser pelvis (an operation to correct phimosis, a too-tight opening of the foreskin, for example). The child begins to exhibit masochistic behavior, hurting himself with selfinflicted scratches or bites, or knocking his head against the ground whenever he is annoyed. In older girls, this remedy is often used after puberty, on the occasion of their first sexual relations. At that time, they may develop symptoms of recurrent cystitis (bladder inflammation), while bacteriological tests remain normal (cystalgia with clear urine, bladder irritation of a psychological origin). In very small children, a good symptom of Staphysagria is this: they take the day for the night. The infant sleeps during the day, but not at night. On investigation, we find there was some kind of great annoyance during the pregnancy. In the physical sphere, there are also many symptoms that lead us to this remedy. For example, concerning the eyes, we find recurrent styes and chalazia. As for the mouth, the teeth are covered with a blackish edging, and the gums bleed easily when the teeth are brushed (Phosphoricum acidum) - that’s what happens when you take a real kick in the teeth! At times, there is chronic laryngitis with hoarseness: “I’m speechless!” Finally, there are numerous back pains (this person is carrying a heavy load). Observations Daphne, who has already been a subject of discussion in reference to Kali carbonicum, comes to see me for asthma which has returned in spite of being relieved for several years with that remedy. I see a chalazion on her upper left eyelid. Are there some frustrations in her life? At the age of six, because of her asthmatic bronchitis, she had been sent to a sanatorium in the mountains. The mother reveals to me that, on her return, the child exhibited strange behavior: she did not want to go to school unless her mother would walk her there, tapping her with a switch all the way. The asthma is cured definitively with a few doses of Staphysagria. Roland, six months old, takes long naps, but does not sleep at night, creating a veritable inferno at home. He wants his bottle of milk

to be cold. During the pregnancy, the father filed for divorce. One dose of Staphysagria 15 CH brings a cure. One winter’s day, I pay a visit to a six-year-old who has the flu. It is a run-of-the-mill flu that calls for Belladonna. As I write out my prescription, two things on the table catch my eye: a report from Amnesty International and, placed on top of it, an atomizer of Salbutamol¨, a substance used by asthmatics to calm attacks. “I didn’t think anyone in this family had asthma.” “I have had it for the last six months,” the mother, age 34, tells me. “Every night, around midnight, I wake up suffocating. I’ve gone to see several doctors, but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.” I think of the Amnesty International report, with all the suffering and injustice it describes. It all brings Staphysagria to mind. “Have you been the victim of an injustice, did you suffer in some way six months ago?” The word is spoken; her eyes fill with tears. “I had to have a pregnancy terminated, since my husband does not want any more children.” With Staphysagria, the nightly asthma attacks quickly disappear. It is also interesting to note that Staphysagria is often useful in asthma, where there is some masochistic behavior (the person inflicts self-injury by holding the air in too long); that in Staphysagria families, there is often an austere atmosphere (Louis XIII furniture, animals stuffed and mounted for display … ); and that some teachers who are too strict can turn their pupils into Staphysagria patients. In the area of religion, excessive emphasis on the moral value of pain and suffering, as well as worshiping of martyrs, with a wealth of details about the tortures inflicted upon them, are definitely in line with this remedy. Stramonium Eat or be eaten This remedy bears the anxiety about being devoured that has inhabited human beings since the earliest times, when wild animals could appear at any moment, claws extended, ready to devour their

victim. This anxiety belongs to the oral stage; from the time when the teeth first come in, the child can bite, but can also be bitten … and so we have the stories of ogres, wolves, and so on. Infants wake up screaming in the middle of the night; they look terrified. Caught up in one of these horrible visions, they do not recognize anyone. Afterward, the light must be left on for them to go back to sleep. Stramonium will quickly cure such difficulties. This remedy is also helpful in cases of high fever with possible convulsions, such as we find in some childhood illnesses. Observation Pauline is eighteen months old when she is exposed to measles. Ten days later, she comes down with a head cold, with inflammation of the nasopharynx and serious conjunctivitis. Her fever slowly climbs. On the evening of the eleventh day, at about 11 p.m. , I answer an urgent call on her behalf. Her temperature is at 104.2û. In spite of the aspirin she has taken, the child is delirious, does not recognize anyone, and, with a terrified air, talks about a “bowwow.” As we undress her for examination, I notice that the fever has not touched her lower extremities, which are ice-cold; this brings Stramonium to mind. The diagnosis is measles, without a doubt, but her symptoms are severe, and I fear encephalitis. We give her three globules of Stramonium 9 CH. Her temperature goes down to 102.2û in the following half-hour, and she comes back into contact with reality. The next day, her fever is gone, the rash appears as it should in measles, and the suppurative conjunctivitis has disappeared. Subsequent treatment is a simple matter. Measles is an illness that often serves as an outlet for problems of the oral stage that have not yet been resolved (which is why it has stayed with us for so many centuries). When I ask the mother about her pregnancy, she tells me that toward the end of it, her wolfhound savagely attacked the mail carrier before her very eyes, and she was unable to intervene. “I recently dreamed about it again,” she adds. Subsequently, I gave both mother and child Stramonium 15 and 30 CH in successive doses. “My daughter loves me so much that she sometimes squeezes me hard in her arms, seals her mouth over my neck, and bites me,” Pauline’s mother had told me one day. Sulphur

I suffer* The importance of this mineral becomes quickly apparent when we hear the complaints of those who need it. It is one of the most important remedies in homeopathy, and many cures are completed with a few doses of Sulphur. These subjects have frequently arrived at a stage of cutaneous elimination in the form of eczema, boils, and diverse forms of skin disease. Sulphur is a “centrifugal” remedy that “brings out” that which should be brought to the surface of the skin in order for the body to be well. This sometimes explains the cutaneous aggravations that appear soon after a dose of this remedy. Thus, it is better to take it in a very diluted form (for example, one dose of Sulphur 30 CH diluted in a liter of spring water: drink one glass every morning and discontinue if aggravation occurs). How to understand Sulphur? On earth, human beings are situated between two sources of energy, of heat: the sun in the sky and the fire at the center of the earth. Sulphur is the internal sun. Sulphur individuals put their trust in the material sun, the sun within themselves. They are convinced that they hold the truth within, and laughingly shun the external and others around them. Sulphur subjects are generally self-centered, yet remain lively and lighthearted. They make the most of what they have: “One bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” The remedy Sulphur touches the depths of the ego, and helps the individual open up to the external. The Sulphur child throws out all ills toward the surface, becoming covered with eczema, for example, while remaining in good health inside. These are children who do not want to bathe or wash, and who have a liking for untidy outfits, especially since they cannot stand to be hot and are prone to stripping down to a bare minimum. We will see significant thirst, a taste for cold cuts, fat, meat and sweets. A meal without cake is a feast spoiled. They easily feel ill effects from physical effort, especially in hot temperatures, and also suffer from standing for long periods. We often see them leaning against a wall or a tree. In the physical sphere, Sulphur can cure many illnesses and can affect all the organs of the body. For example, it is a useful remedy in cases of recurrent sore throats, otitis (inflammation of the ear), asthma, and chronic diarrhea. Mother Sulphur arrives late at your office, or on the wrong day for her appointment. In the waiting room, she distributes cookies to her

children, and crumbs fall everywhere, much to the chagrin of your secretary. The health insurance card has been forgotten, and, when you have a chance to get a look at it, it is stained with a recent hot chocolate. At home, everything is in a permanent shambles, but, in the midst of her disorder, mother Sulphur feels quite comfortable. Nonconformist, recalcitrant, Sulphur loves conviviality and fun above all, but will moan and groan when things do not turn out that way. Finally, we note that Sulphur individuals are subject to contracting worms, and they are adversely affected by vaccines (Thuja, Silicea). Observations Sophie’s diagnosis is congenital rubella with progressive glaucoma. The intraocular fluid pressure is so high that she must undergo a monthly operation. In addition, her vision is compromised by cataracts in both eyes; the left is almost completely opaque. I see her at fiveand-a-half months for treatment of a cold (nasopharyngitis). This child, who has had five operations, who spends her time in hospitals undergoing all kinds of tests, is stretched out on the examining table, perfectly relaxed, gurgling happily as the examination proceeds. On the inside, she is fine. This is even more remarkable when we realize that infants between five and 18 months of age often scream and cry while being examined. A nine-month-old child who laughs throughout the physical examination is often a Sulphur child (or Phosphorus). Under the effects of Sulphur, the intraocular pressure stops its upward climb. At the age of six months, no operation is necessary. With time, Sophie shows definite and general improvement; even the cataracts improve, and she is able to recover some of her vision. Catherine, 23 years of age, is in a state of fatigue after her first pregnancy, which was difficult. The heat of the following summer is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. A knotty eruption of streptococcal erythema appears. Legs swollen and painful, she is confined to her bed. It takes one month of treatment with antibiotics and antiinflammatory medication before she can walk again. The doctor then prescribes repository preparations of penicillin (deep intramuscular injections that dissolve slowly into the bloodstream) once every three weeks for three years, or perhaps five, to prevent a relapse. After three months, Catherine feels well, and decides to discontinue this tedious and painful treatment. Unfortunately, however,

one morning everything starts over, just as it was on day one. Both legs are swollen, painful, stiff. Stopping by to see the baby, I leave three globules of Sulphur 7 CH in the mother’s mouth, since she has definite symptoms of the remedy: relaxed and happy temperament, red cheeks, intense thirst, desire for sweets… . That same evening, incredibly enough, I find her on her feet again. “Everything was resorbed gradually as the day went by, Doctor. This evening I feel great!” Fifteen years later, this illness has not recurred. Sulphuricum acidum The accident The theme of accidents is one of the most important for people who benefit from Sulphuricum acidum. Somewhere in their history, there was an accident that changed everything, an accident for which they felt responsible (or for which a feeling of guilt has been transmitted to them). It may be an illegitimate birth experienced as an accident by the family, or a real accident with loss of a loved one. Sulphuricum acidum’s skin is easily marked (Arnica, Lachesis, Pulsatilla). Like Medorrhinum, this remedy tries to stay ahead of events. These people are hurried, and because of their great haste and activity (Argentum nitricum), they actually do perpetuate accidents, repeating the “original sin.” We find canker sores (aphthae) in the mouth, especially in children (Borax); an exaggerated sensitivity to insect stings, streptococcus and staphylococcus infections; excess acidity (sour perspiration, acidic leukorrhea). This remedy is complementary to Pulsatilla. Sulphur iodatum A mix of sulphur and iodine, this is a remedy often employed on the basis of clinical concepts denoting a tuberculous terrain (Tuberculinum), with recurrent head colds and bronchitis; laryngitis; enlarged adenoids (Agraphis); and a catarrhal condition in the Eustachian tube. The child sleeps with an open mouth. In addition, moist eczema is frequently present, as is acne on the face or the back (Carbo vegetabilis, Kali bromatum). Overall, these people are thin and tired, in spite of their agitation. One mental symptom is important to remember: an aversion to household tasks

(Cenchris, Lilium tigrinum). Symphytum officinale A useful remedy when fractures do not consolidate correctly, and also for eye injuries (a tennis ball in the eye, for example). In the latter case, no remedy rivals it (5 to 7 to 15 CH). Syphilinum Syphilis This remedy is prepared from extracts of the bacteria responsible for syphilis. According to Hahnemann, this illness is at the root of the third miasm which, in turn, generates chronic diseases (the first is psora, from scabies or itch; the second, sycosis, from the gonococcus bacterium). This third miasm, which we have linked to the oedipal complex, establishes a neurotic type of mental construction in which the drive to murder out of jealousy is present. Syphilis is a miasm in which we observe a tendency to destroy in order to be able to rebuild on a new foundation. In truth, however, the reconstruction effort often leaves something to be desired. Syphilinum is an interesting remedy to give to individuals who develop in a disharmonious way (scoliosis, malposition of teeth, skeletal deformation). We often find a family history of alcoholism or venereal disease. The person may have a bad memory and low morale. Especially notable is the mania for ceaselessly washing the hands. On the level of physical symptoms, some of the most important are the inflammation of the cornea, stunted teeth full of cavities, excessive salivation (Baryta carbonica, Mercurius), a desire for alcoholic drinks (Ethylicum), chronic summertime asthma, and an aggravation of symptoms at night and near the sea. *Original version: Ote ta voix (Takes away your voice), phonetically similar to “Ottawa.” *Original version: Plus femme que moi, tu meurs (Any more of a woman than me, and you’d just die). The expression “plus ‘x,’ tu meurs” (roughly, “any more ‘x’ than that, and you’d just die”) is used often in everyday French. *Original version: ƒteint, (“extinguished,” as a fire put out or a light turned off), phonetically similar to Žtain (tin).

*The words soufre (sulphur), and (je) souffre (I suffer), are phonetically similar. Tabacum Tobacco Here is a good remedy for carsickness. The child is nauseous and pale, wants to uncover the abdomen, and must have the windows open. This remedy is especially useful if people in the car are smoking. Other remedies, in passing, that are good for carsickness: Cocculus, useful for people who develop nausea and headaches on winding roads; Petroleum, the remedy to use when there is an odor of gasoline in the car (the person feels better when eating something, and has a cold sweat); and, finally, Nux vomica, which corresponds to the individual who becomes edgy, fidgety, then vomits. Note that, for adults, Tabacum is a homeopathic remedy for high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and coronary disease. Tarentula hispanica Fear of slavery This is the remedy for difficult children, children who are agitated, disobedient, quarrelsome, violent (they break everything), and who feign illness and injury. The only thing that will calm them down is music. Then they begin to dance, confirming the saying, “music soothes the heart of the wild beast… .” I came to understand the spirit of this remedy thanks to Roman, a six-year-old who had undergone surgery at the age of three for a neuroblastoma (a cancerous abdominal tumor). After surgery, he ran the gauntlet of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and numerous stays at the hospital for tests and observation. The following years were marked by repeated bouts of bronchitis, sore throats, and even pneumonia of the left lung. What struck me about this child was his state of restlessness, which I attributed to anxiety over death, understandable in his case, but for which Arsenicum album failed to provide complete relief. At night, besieged by nightmares, he would end up in his parents’ bed. One day, he told me about his nightmare: he dreamed a witch was turning him into a slave. A glance at the rubric “slave” in Loutan’s Repertory* gives me the following information: “Feels like a slave controlled by the pull of a

string; wants to liberate himself by dancing (Tarentula).” It so happens that this child is remarkably calmed by music. Several doses of Tarentula (15 to 30 CH) were given, and now, two years after treatment, the boy is doing very well. Tarentula individuals do not understand that the rules imposed by educators are not bonds meant to hamper their freedom and reduce them to slavery, but that they are necessary to preserve everyone’s freedom, since one person’s freedom ends where another’s begins. The social fabric demands that we accept a certain number of laws. Taxus baccata No one can do anything more for me A child treated for cancer leaves the hospital greatly weakened and anemic. His mother decides to complement the intensive therapies he is receiving with homeopathic care. She subscribes to a magazine called ARC which publishes information about cancer, and has just read an article about the bark of a type of California yew, Taxus brevifolium, which contains an interesting anti-cancer agent. Unfortunately, if this substance were widely exploited, all the forests of California would be destroyed. “Might this not be a remedy better used in homeopathic doses?” she asks me. I decide to look into this question, and find Taxus baccata in Boericke. Looking over the rubrics, I read: “Supra-orbital and temporal pain on right side; erysipelas,” two symptoms the child has had. In Kent, I find the rubric: “Helplessness, feeling of” (Helleborus, Kali bromatum, Petroleum, Phosphorus, Stramonium, Taxus baccata). At one moment, the doctors had thrown up their hands. I give him this remedy in ascending potencies (7 to 30 CH, one dose per week). The transformation is obvious. One month later, the child is laughing, joking, with excellent skin color and appetite, ready to go back to school. Tellurium metallicum Fear of being touched on sensitive spots This remedy corresponds to people who are shaken to the depths of their soul by one hurtful remark that strikes a sensitive chord. The characteristic symptom is the presence of eczema behind the ears, often due to a chronic discharge from the ear. The person also craves

apples (Sulphur). While we are on the subject of eczema, we might say a word or two about it. As we have seen, this affection is a skin-level expression of some problem that exists in the sphere of the fusional mother-child relationship (first eighteen months). In the patient’s history, we sometimes find illegitimate love. The mother or the father has loved someone outside of the couple, of the family-and our Tellurium subject becomes an “ex,” the ex-loved-one, the ex-amor, the eczema.* Such was the case of a woman who, after giving birth, learned from her father’s own mouth that he was not her real father … and watched her infant become covered with eczema. Teucrium marum verum This is the well-known remedy for hiccoughs in nursing infants who, famished, nurse greedily, and then writhe with terrible hiccoughs during digestion. In addition, we often find a tendency toward ingrown nails. Among older children, this remedy is interesting in cases of chronic head colds with inflammation of the nasopharynx, enlarged adenoids and a catarrhal condition in the Eustachian tube, worse in damp weather. Furthermore, these children are subject to worm infections (Calcarea carbonica, Cina, Spigelia, Sulphur), and may present with polyps in the sinuses, for example. As for the skin, we may find some psoriasis, most notably on the thumb. On the mental level, the person is overstimulated and hypersensitive, contrasting with the rest of the organism, which is insensitive to medications until we give Teucrium. It is the remedy for children who have received numerous treatments of all sorts with no results, in whom no remedy seems to stimulate the least reaction (Phosphoricum acidum). Thuja occidentalis The tree of life Thuja is an important constitutional remedy, capable of bringing balance at a very deep level to the terrain Hahnemann called sycotic. In terms of psychological development, we can compare this sycotic terrain to what Freud called the anal stage. There is a problem of control. These individuals have a tendency to be obsessive and fastidious, meticulous to excess.

In the physical sphere, symptoms appear largely as cellular proliferations, either at the level of the skin (condylomata, warts, etc.) or internally (fibroma, cancer). These people perspire heavily. The perspiration has a strong odor which orients the homeopathic doctor toward this remedy while examining the patient. Moreover, Thuja subjects are extremely sensitive to vaccines, which always aggravate their condition. They consult the homeopath for problems appearing after exposure to humidity: chronic colds with inflammation of the nasopharynx and enlarged adenoids (Agraphis nutans), otitis, frontal sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, asthma. As we have indicated, the examination often reveals some warts, but also keloid scars, and nails that are deformed, ridged, and break easily. In terms of food, these individuals cannot tolerate onions. Lastly, we must note that Thuja subjects are sensitive to music and attracted by metaphysical questions. Observation Lionel, three years old, has had a chronic purulent (containing pus) discharge from the right ear for the last two years. In the care of an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, the child has taken a large quantity of antibiotics, without lasting results, and the practitioner is now limiting himself to close observation. The parents are instructed to take the child to a doctor immediately if he complains of a headache and begins to vomit. It is under exactly these circumstances that he arrives at my office one day. Fortunately, neither mastoiditis nor meningitis is present; it is simply an ordinary case of gastroenteritis. In the course of the interview, I learn that all the problems started a few days after a smallpox vaccine; he also has a fairly prominent keloid scar from the same vaccine. I advise them to give him Thuja 15 CH. After this medication, the ENT problems disappear completely. Is it necessary to give Thuja systematically after every vaccine? No, it is better to give it only to children who have a Thuja constitution or whose family members (parents, brothers, sisters) do. As an acute remedy for infants, I suggest a few globules of Aconitum after any vaccine, since Aconitum is the remedy for illnesses that come on suddenly in a context of fear. When problems surface after

vaccination, Thuja must be considered, but not without examining other remedies known for treatment of post-vaccination problems (Silicea and Sulphur, notably). Arsenicum album is a good complementary remedy for Thuja in acute situations (for example, in frontal sinusitis or asthmatic attacks). After the whooping-cough vaccine, if problems appear, it is better to give Carbo vegetabilis 30 CH, and possibly Pertussinum 30 CH as well. After the measles vaccine, think above all of Pulsatilla 15 CH and Morbillinum 15 CH (the homeopathic potency of the same vaccine). Not all warts require Thuja; in fact, this is far from being the case. There are other remedies, such as Nitricum acidum or Causticum, for example, that could be better indicated. Avoid trying to suppress a wart locally by external medical or physical means. This suppression could lead to internal problems. In effect, warts are often located on acupuncture points, which they stimulate, thus participating in the regulation of the individual’s internal energy. Suppressing a wart can be compared to snatching a crutch away from a person leaning on it for support. Tuberculinum bovinum Kent Tuberculosis In homeopathy, a terrain known as “tuberculinic” has been described. It corresponds to children who are too frequently affected by cold in the winter, coming down with otitis (inflammation of the ear), sore throats, bronchitis, and lung problems, as well as recurrent urinary infections and painful constipation. These children are better from a stay in the mountains at moderate elevations (3,000 to 5,000 feet, since high altitudes excite them too much). On the other hand, the seashore makes them worse. They become nervous, have trouble sleeping, and adopt a marginal type of behavior; then the health problems begin. In the family history, the homeopath finds cases of tuberculosis or primary tuberculosis infection. The BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine does not take effect in these children. The skin test comes up negative over and over again, and the vaccine is thus given repeatedly, which aggravates their condition each time. The scar from this same vaccine discharges pus for a long time (Silicea), and sometimes a swollen gland even appears in the vicinity. Health problems begin in general around the third month after

the BCG is given. Children with a tuberculinic terrain are often subject to allergies, and Tuberculinum is a good constitutional remedy in cases presenting with eczema, hay fever, asthma. Dr. Broussalian of Grenoble, France, recommends Tuberculinum and Psorinum before pollen season to prevent hay fever, which seems to me to be good advice. Physically, Tuberculinum children are generally rather thin, or may even be “as thin as a rail” (Aurum, Lycopodium, Natrum muriaticum). A bluish vein can be seen at the root of the nose, and numerous white spots are present on the nails. Infants in the first days of life have mastitis with secretion of milk (Asafoetida, Cyclamen). We also observe ingrown nails (Graphites, Silicea, Teucrium), and slow, difficult teething. Older children love cold milk, fatty foods, smoked meats, pork, and sweets. Teenagers are marked with acne. They have a desire for travel which may easily take them on a quest for paradise along the road to Kathmandu. In these conditions, beware of drugs (another type of travel), especially since these young people are very stubborn (Calcarea, Lycopodium, Platina), and their moods swing up and down between depression and excitement. Finally, we note at all ages an intense fear of animals, especially dogs. In the doctor’s office, these children are very modest, and do not dare to undress (the opposite of Medorrhinum). Should the BCG be given to these children? For the homeopath, the answer is no, since the underlying tuberculinic terrain is thus aggravated. Besides, the BCG will do no good, since, if the child does have a tuberculinic terrain, the vaccine will not take effect and will therefore not provoke an immune response; if the child does not have a tuberculinic terrain, the vaccine takes effect but is of no use, since the child was not predisposed to tuberculosis. These notions seem to be confirmed by recent studies that show the ineffectiveness of the BCG. In 1982, the World Health Organization published the results of research done in India over a period of sevenand-a-half years. This study, which included 270,000 children, compares the BCG with a placebo (a neutral substance given to half the children in a blind study) and concludes that the BCG is ineffective. There were as many cases of tuberculosis among those vaccinated as

among those who were not. Since then, the BCG has no longer been obligatory in the United States, in Sweden, in Switzerland, or in Germany. The best way to prevent tuberculosis is testing and treatment of those who have this disease, the maintenance of a good level of hygiene among the population at large, and assuring balanced nutrition. Respect for these conditions is at the root of the neardisappearance of tuberculosis in western societies. On the other hand, in spite of widespread use of the BCG in the developing world, tuberculosis still runs rampant. It is important to note that the AIDS epidemic which is developing at the present time increases the risk of tuberculosis for people with this disease, since their immunity in general is reduced. The BCG is dangerous for these individuals, as it is a vaccine made from live bacilli which can be reactivated. This vaccine is therefore contraindicated for those who are HIV positive. A final point of interest: recently, a team of Canadian researchers proved that the tuberculinic terrain is a reality when they identified the responsible gene on chromosome II (Dr. Skamen and collaborators). Observations Julia, 13, consults for chronic sinusitis, which she has had every winter for the last few years. She is a thin preteen with lively eyes. “Our child is difficult to keep up with, Doctor; her moods are like a roller coaster, as is her schoolwork. She is thin, but has a good appetite. When she comes home from school, she pours herself big glasses of cold milk, or devours a whole block of cheese. In the evenings, we can’t get her to go to bed; she reads until midnight or later, mostly adventure novels. On cold, windy days, her nerves are on edge, and she does not sleep well.” As the parents talk, I look over her health records and come to the page on vaccines: she has already had four BCG shots! And there is still one more to go, from the looks of the form. “That vaccine never takes effect on her, Doctor… .” The clinical examination reveals perspiration at the tip of the nose, moist hands, white spots on the nails. With a few doses of Tuberculinum, winter brings her only one episode of infection, resolved with Silicea.

Molly consults at five years of age for asthma, which has been getting worse ever since she was 20 months old. At the present time, she has an attack of asthma once every three weeks. There is a history of tuberculosis in the family: her maternal grandparents were affected. The interview and clinical examination reveal signs suggesting Lachesis. With a few doses of this remedy, she does not suffer a single attack for nearly one year. One day, the medical team from the school district comes to her school to test everyone for tuberculosis. In the test they are performing, tuberculin is injected under the skin. Molly’s mother, who is herself a doctor, notices that I keep my son Bastien home from school that day (our two children are in the same school at that time). Thinking to herself that I’m exaggerating, since it is only a test, she lets her daughter go to school. That night, Molly has an asthmatic attack that does not yield to Lachesis, which had produced dramatic effects the year before. The next day, she is still in crisis, and her mother calls me that morning. I suggest a dose of Tuberculinum 15 CH. The attack quickly subsides. Since this episode, seven years have gone by, and Molly has had no further problems with asthma. It must be emphasized that tuberculinic children are adversely affected even by a simple skin test, and it is best to be parsimonious with these tests done at school. In winter, after each round of vaccinations and BCG tests in the schools, my office regularly fills up with cases of bronchitis, otitis, and asthma. Pauline, two-and-a-half, has contracted a rare disease: the uncombable hair syndrome. She is a favorite subject of the dermatologists at the university hospital where she has become a patient. After numerous tests and samples taken, the diagnosis has been reached, and a thesis is even being written about her case. However, no treatment is proposed for this illness, about which nothing is known; there are only three or four recognized cases in France. For five months now, her hair has been dry, limp, and falling out in handfuls. The hair that is left is permanently disheveled, and nothing can be done to make it look any better. I notice that three months before the illness began, she received the BCG vaccine. A red scar is still visible on her little arm where the vaccine was given. There is a history of primary tuberculosis infection on the father’s side of the family. She perspires abundantly on the

neck and back, drinks large quantities of milk, and her teeth are coming in. I prescribe one dose of Tuberculinum 15 CH. Five days after the dose, the mother notices that Pauline’s hair is beginning to return to normal. Three years later, she has not relapsed. At the hospital, the doctors did not hide the fact that they were somewhat disappointed: no more thesis! Their conclusion: “We must have made a mistake in the diagnosis.” *Dr. Guy Loutan is a Swiss homeopath who is also working on the spirit of homeopathic remedies. *Original version: il aima l’ex:ex aima-eczŽma ou encore je suis un ou une ex aimŽe… . This is a play on the words involving “ex-” and aimŽe (loved one), combined to mimic the sound of the word “eczema.” Urtica urens The death of the father This is a good remedy for urticaria (hives). Many of us have had the unpleasant experience of being stung by nettles. With Urtica urens, we have an attack of hives that inflicts the same sensation of burning and itching, and which is aggravated by contact with water and with cold (Apis: urticaria ameliorated by cold). This attack can come on after eating seafood. In addition, there are sometimes rheumatic pains in the joints. These symptoms reappear regularly each year. Urtica urens is also a remedy known for its effects on lactation, which is increased in nursing women under its action (for example, three globules of 7 CH every morning for a few days). This remedy is often indicated in families where the members have been marked by the death of the father, whether physical or psychological (the father was absent or overshadowed by the mother). Observation One day, I am called to the maternity ward to see a baby. The mother asks if I can give her something to help her lactation, which dropped off considerably two days ago. I give her Urtica urens, which does wonders. “What happened when your milk dried up?” “That morning, they brought me my baby and his skin was all

yellow! It was just ordinary neonatal jaundice.” “Tell me about your father.” “My father died five years ago of liver cancer. One day he turned yellow … and three weeks later, he was dead!” Personal observation During my years as a medical student, I was afflicted each spring by an attack of generalized urticaria. I went to see the eminent physicians for whom I was working at the time in Lyon. Each time, I was given the same prescription: rest, diet, and the inevitable doses of cortisone. The attacks became worse and worse; sometimes I even developed Quincke’s edema (giant hives) on my face, with signs of suffocation. I never went anywhere without my ampoule of cortisone, ready for any emergency. Moreover, the BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine never took effect on me, and I was being given a new one every year. One day, on the advice of a member of my family who had been cured of migraines by a homeopath in town, I consulted the same practitioner. He asked me all sorts of questions that seemed ludicrous, given what I was studying. Then he prescribed a remedy for me: Urtica urens 7 CH. It worked wonders on my attacks of hives (better than the cortisone!), which became less frequent and began to fade away. Later, reflecting on the question of this allergy, I remembered an incident from the past: a few years before, I had accidentally fallen into a patch of nettles. My homeopath, with his questions about my reactions to heat and cold, my perspiration, my food cravings and aversions, had arrived at the truth about my problem. Afterward, when the “eminent” doctors I had previously consulted would laugh about the prescriptions made by homeopaths, I listened with a different ear, and this experience set me on the path toward the type of medicine that works with the whole picture, or the “terrain.” Valeriana officinalis False circumstances I can think of no better way to describe the spirit of this remedy than with a song by French author Yves Duteil: “Amandine’s mother invites her lover to dine; Amandine says no… .” Valeriana individuals do not like to live under false circumstances. They want the situation to be clear, and they want official recognition.

This remedy corresponds to hypersensitive children and nervous adults for whom apparently well chosen remedies do not seem to work. The clinical picture can include such symptoms as earaches and sore throats, spasmodic asthma, nausea and loss of consciousness after emotions or excitement, and insomnia with itching and muscular spasms. Infants regurgitate curdled milk after nursing, and sometimes have diarrhea with screaming and agitation. Observation Letitia, seven, presents with recurrent sore throats. During each acute episode, a homeopathic remedy seems to fix the problem, but the sore throats inevitably return. What is most striking is the state of hyperexcitement she is in each time, in spite of her fever, which should be completely exhausting. Her eyes are lively; she is physically agitated, chatters incessantly, and is seized with bouts of uncontrollable, crazy laughter. “I know that she is going to get sick when I see this state of excitement coming on,” her mother tells me. She also has frequent insomnia, for which a homeopathic combination remedy, which contains valerian extracts, produces good results. Therefore, I begin a constitutional treatment with Valeriana (15-30 CH), and the sore throats disappear. Letitia’s parents are not married, and she reproaches them for it. Veratrum album The lie This is a remedy known for its intense acute states which give the impression of cardiovascular shock: pale skin, cold sweat, pulse weak and fast. This may also be the case in acute gastroenteritis such as the type which sometimes afflicts world travelers, in which we find abundant diarrhea with profuse and sudden vomiting. The notable characteristic is that the stool does not smell bad (the opposite of Arsenicum album). The vomiting is followed by intense hiccoughing. This remedy is also useful during violent attacks of asthma in which the same state of shock is present. In addition, it is one of the best cardiac stimulants, as long as it is taken in homeopathic doses. In acute cases, this remedy can be helpful in psychiatry for delusional episodes with manic excitation and coprophagia (the ill person eats his feces). The individual is excitable, tears and cuts everything within reach, then relapses into total muteness and refuses to eat.

Veratrum album individuals do not tell the truth. There is a kind of perversion of the word that takes place. In adults, the lie allows them to regain a position in society they feel they have lost: the end justifies the means (E. Candegabe). Veratrum album is ambitious and easily becomes an obsequious “bootlicker” with superiors, while being hard on those who are weaker. Children can feign illness (Aconitum, Belladonna, Moschus, Tarentula). They can become ill when a baby brother or sister is born, for example, because they imagine that their new sibling is going to take their place while they are away at school. Veratrum album mothers have a tendency toward depression before their monthly menstruation, and sometimes tend to have false pregnancies. Observation Marie, seven years old, comes to see me once again for bronchitis. She has been in my care since the age of 18 months, paying me numerous visits each year for eczema, bronchitis which is sometimes asthmatic, otitis, and conjunctivitis. In short, the psora identified by Hahnemann is revealing itself, like the mythical Hydra, with multiple heads that grow anew each time we cut one off with a remedy. Both mother and daughter are regulars at my office, and at each appointment they wait patiently, always absorbed in reading wonderful picture books that take them into a fabulous world of fairytales, where they are princesses, the chosen… . On this particular day, I try to deepen my analysis. The mother tells me that her daughter became ill after being scolded by the teacher for cheating on a quiz. This child, endowed with sharp intelligence and a brilliant memory, is always at the head of her class. On that day, however, her parents had taken her for a weekend vacation without her schoolbooks, and she had not been able to study. Afraid of getting a bad grade, she preferred to copy her classmates’ answers. Looking up two rubrics in the repertory-“fear of his position in society” and “vomiting of mucus from coughing” (a constant in her case)-I see Veratrum album in both. Moreover, it seems that this child will readily lie in order to correct a given situation (Argentum nitricum, Conium, Ethylicum, Syphilinum, Veratrum album). Under Veratrum album 7 CH, her bronchitis disappears within 48 hours, and with a few doses in 15, 18, 24, then 30 CH, the clinical picture is radically transformed. The winter that follows is her first without a single acute

illness. Vipera berus The viper The viper, a common Eurasian poisonous snake, produces a venom that, in homeopathic doses, is a good remedy for thrombosis (formation of clots) in superficial veins, as well as for acute or chronic phlebitis (inflammation of a vein). Observation Natalie, age twelve, has had phlebitis in her right arm for several months; it came on after intense physical effort. It is not subsiding, in spite of diverse conventional medical treatments. A few doses of Vipera 9, 12, and 15 CH bring about the disappearance of all her symptoms within a few days. X-ray It may seem surprising that X-rays can be used in homeopathic doses. The product is prepared by diluting and potentiating an alcohol solution which has been exposed to X-rays. This remedy has often worked well in my experience for patients who have been subjected to massive doses of radiation (radiation therapy for cancer, for example) and who complain of nausea, fatigue, rheumatic pains, and eczema (one dose of 15 CH). In the same line of thinking, there is a remedy called “Sol,” which is prepared from lactose (milk sugar) exposed to direct sunlight. This is an excellent remedy for people who suffer from the least exposure to the sun, as the following observation shows. Observation Mary Frances, age 38, has a rare form of psoriasis: the lesions appear upon her first exposure to the sun, and become worse each time she is exposed, until they cover almost her entire body. All the products recommended by the dermatologist are made with cortisone. When she tells me of her symptoms, I advise her to take Sol 7 CH each time she is exposed to the sun. In fact, three doses are enough to make these troubles disappear, which is fortunate for someone living on the sunny Mediterranean coast (C(tm)te d’Azur). Several years later, her dermatologist, seeing no further trace of

psoriasis, finds out from her that I have given her a homeopathic remedy that worked wonders. He immediately asks the name of this miracle product. When she tells him it was Sol 7 CH, a dilution of sunlight, he doesn’t believe a word! Zincum metallicum Fear of the law Zincum individuals have a superego that gets in their way. The paternal figure in their life has had a castrating effect on them, in the psychoanalytical sense of the word. They dream of a horse that turns into a dog. The horse is Pegasus, the father who takes them flying toward paradise. He becomes a barking dog, Cerberus, who drags them down into Hades. In effect, Zincum people are unable to move beyond the inferno of the anal stage and thus cannot continue on into the altruistic post-oedipal paradise. They can only express themselves through spasms and convulsions. In everyday life, this fear of the father extends to paternal substitutes, guardians of the law: teachers, police, judges, and so on. In practice, this remedy is useful for children who have complications in childhood illnesses: the eruption does not break out and neurological complications appear. These are restless children who grind their teeth, fondle their genitals and sometimes present with long-continuing diarrhea, which in fact does not bother them. Zincum is also of note in the following: sleepwalking after emotional experiences, urinary incontinence at night (toward early morning), asthma in the evenings with flatulence, constant coughing while lying down, and restless legs in bed. Often, puberty arrives late, while restlessness and tics are the order of the day. In adults, we find a few good indications for this remedy: these individuals cannot tolerate wine and have an aversion to fish, veal and sweets. Conclusion We have arrived at the end of a book which takes a new look at homeopathy and at medicine in general. Clearly, this is only a starting point, since the richness of the human soul is only equaled by that of nature. New remedies must be studied and understood: that is the work of tomorrow for all the teams that have made a commitment to

this extensive task. I would like to mention here, in thanks for their assistance, my friends and fellow homeopaths of the Provence-Alps-C(tm)te d’Azur region, as well as the other teams of researchers in France, among them the group led by Dr. Fayeton and another led by Dr. Lamothe. My wish is to see many young doctors joining this current of thought in the future, since the field of medicine is in ever-greater need of this tool that can help return human beings to a state of harmony in this universe which is so complex, so difficult, and yet so fascinating. I also thank Martine Bourbon for her efficient assistance.