Minutus

To add a slightly different stance to Andy's contribution I wanted to to put
forward my reasons for choosing NITRIC ACID for this case.

In Nitric acid (as with all the acids) we have the theme of separation and
the need to re-create a fusion of the separate ends - to complete the
circle. This is a fulfilment.

In the case presented we have just this situation. The separation is the bad
marriage with little love in it. And the chance of a child has now become a
chance for fulfilment.

We were also told that she was difficult to interview because she speaks in
circles!

To this I added PHILOSOPHY, ability for - anac; hep; lach; nit-ac; sulph; (+
others?).

There is constant chaos, processing, thinking, organising, cleaning = a form
of irresolution which you get with all the acids - never completing, never
getting the ends of the separated circle to join up, but going round and
round and round, forever "twirling."

I have always likened this irresolution to the fizzing and bubbling that
many acids can produce (especially when added to water) - forever shifting -
bubbles making room for even more bubbles (bubbles = circles). This is all
about expansion. She is living a life which is not allowing her to expand
and be fulfilled.

Also there is abusive behaviour in this case which we don't have much
information about. When Nitric acid is scorned in any way (when a separation
is enforced) they burn, hurt, explode, can become really nasty. But if they
are cherished and loved they can have enormous sympathy for others who are
suffering. But if constricted and not allowed to enjoy life and expand we
then have the typical and well known remedy picture of Nitric Acid.

But we also can philosophise and theorise about this case. What we really
need are some confirming symptoms, especially some physical ones.

Best wishes, Joy Lucas

This is a post on the case of the "Pregnant Philosopher". I will make use of Joy's interesting post:

Joy Lucas wrote:
((((()))))) Joy, thank you for this discussion of a "higher-order" understanding of Nitric acid. This type of understanding is much appreciated by me and I would guess by other List-Kin. In fact, if you (Joy) were interested in giving a short online materia medica survey course in this way of viewing remedies, I for one might be interested in it, depending on cost.

I once heard Jeremy Sherr discuss the syphilitic miasm as akin to a set of railroad tracks (i.e. never converging, which is, as you point out, is akin to never "succeeding", "never fulfilling"). Nit-ac, Fl-ac are syco-syphilitic remedies, so this correlates with Jeremy's idea. It may be of interest that an ACID is a compound which has an "extra" H+ ion to "donate"--a hydrogen ion (no electron). This suggests that all the acids may share some characteristics with what we know about hydrogen (all-embracing big-picture global consciousness with sense of responsibility or care
for the whole; theorizing tendency etc.) but maybe in a "broken" way (electron missing, so kind of like a broken hoop). What makes these acids have resonance with the syphilitic miasm (to this concept of "non-mending of the sacred hoop"), might be this broken hydrogen. (opinions on this idea encouraged).

In regards to the case, the philosophical/theorizing bent may relate again to hydrogen or hydrogen ion, if the Nit-ac or hydrogen ideas pan out in practice.
(((((())))))) A good rubric idea. Here is a composite rubric:

MIND; PHILOSOPHY; ability for: anac., dream-p ("dreaming potency"), halo., hep., hydrog., lach., nit-ac., olib-sac (olibanum sacrum; (Boswellia carteri; (frankincense?)), sulph (2), vacuum, verat..

Subrubric:
reveries, great inclination to philosophic: dream-p, hydrog, sulph, vacuum

Sources:
Complete Repertory: anac., halo., hep., hydrog., lach., nit-ac., sulph.
Synthesis Repertory: anac, "dreaming potency", hep, hydrog, lach, nit-ac, olibanum sacrum (frankincense?), Sulph(2), verat
Addition from proving of Vacuum (Nuala Eising): Vacuum

(((((((())))))))) An interesting remedy in this rubric is the one pointed out by Dr. Swift and researched by Claudia, and which probably warrants as much looking into as is possible (Olibanum sacrum): (from previous posts by the latter and former)

Jill,

The remedy olib-sac came up a lot in repertory although I don't know the
remedy at all. Seems to have lots around philosophy, meaning of life, etc.,
feels old, delusion spied upon/watched.

Olibanum sacrum from synthesis. That's all I have on it. checkingon the web
it seems to be frankincense.

Russell Swift, DVM
Hi folks,

Olibanum sacrum is sometimes called Boswellia carteri (Bosw-c.).

I remember that remedy quite well, because year ago, me and my freind,
we succussed Olibanum up to C 30 for study reasons, than we did a
proving on ourselves, but I haven't got the paper on it any longer.

All I can remember was that the most striking symptom was a clouded
mind, thoughts seemed to be like covered by fog, enhenced sensitivity
and introspection without clear perception of one's train of thought, a
vague feeling of being influenced by something without being able to pin
down what it exactly is.

For more information:
On Olibanum, Boswellia carteri.
Mind there is also Boswellia serrata.
Information on the plant, see

http://www.liberherbarum.com/Pn0691.HTM
and its action, see

http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/bos3-4.html

It's used in TCM, see

http://www.1stchineseherbs.com/chineseref.htm

It's used in Aryuvedic medicine, see

http://www.herbscancure.com/boswellia.htm
http://www.ann.com.au/herbs/Monographs/boswelli.htm
http://www.virtualhealthinfo.com/herb/boswellia.htm

All the best
Claudia
More of Joy's post:
(((((((())))))))) Thanks Jill, for providing this case leading to education and entertainment
for all (and we hope a conclusive remedy which acts well in the case). Looking forward to more info
that is gleanable from the client when available, if you want to share it.
Blissings,

Andy

Hi Joy,

I'm fascinated by this view of the acids.
Is this common understanding that I've just missed, or who/where does it
come from??? Can you put up more re the acid family, and/or point me to a
place to read more?

Wondering about DDs that might need to be done (and which of my "missed
cases" might be acids!): Puls? Psor has the separation, but despairs of
connecting??? Stram???

Am I right in understanding that the exhaustion the acids are most known for
need not be present in an "early" stage, e.g. in a child, or relatively
healthy adult? (I have that bit of info in my notes, but not too much about
what that early stage *does* look like...)

Shannon
on 9/26/02 11:32 AM, Joy Lucas at joy.lucas@ntlworld.com wrote:

Dear Friends: Re the "pregnant philospher"

Thank you all for your input, enormous help in getting started on this case.
Unfortunately my sources clearly need to be updated, thus why I was
perplexed with what was coming up.
I did write quite an extensive overview of this client a couple days ago,
including all modalities and phys sym. I have not seen this mailing posted
(wierd..because it shows as a sent message from my outbox). I will try to
send it again.
Again thank you to all, this site truly is an educational blessing, amoung
other things.
Could I please also invite the wisdom of my fellow collegeuas to generate
some comments/advise on homeo computer programs ie. Mac Rep vs Radar etc...
Thinking of spending some money!
With the highest regards from Canada,

JEM

Hi Jill,

I've used CaraPro, MacRep/RefWorks and now am using Radar/EH.

I like Radar/EH so much that I am now doing technical support for the
company.. they are very committed to homeopathy and to making the product
always better. I am building a networked computer lab so that I may provide
the best possible support to Radar/EH customers who have the multi-user
network versions of the software including a few Colleges, Universities, and
other Homeopathy schools.

Archibel (Radar/EH publisher, Belgium) has provided 2 minor updates, one
"medium" update and most recently one Major update (ALL FREE) in the past
year. No other company imho, has made such strides without asking for $1
more from existing customers who would naturally wish to take advantage of
improvements in the software, and who've been held hostage by expensive
upgrade policies elsewhere / elsewhen.

Have you seen Dr. Will Taylor's software review:
http://homeoint.org/articles/taylor/software.htm

The software is now in release 2.0, with seemingly ever-increasing amounts
of MM, journals, cases, etc.
www.wholehealthnow.com/eh2

regards,

Dave Hartley
www.Mr-Notebook.com
www.localcomputermart.com/dave
Seattle, WA 425.820.7443

Dear Andy, thanks for this. Excellent - I guess she might well be Hydrogen
then? Not a remedy I know very well - anyone got a case to share? I will be
doing some reading I think this weekend.

Also Andy I am offering an online course at the moment. If you want to know
details email me privately at joy.lucas@ntlworld.com.

Anyway thanks for your interesting post and I hope the originator of the
case can send more info.

Best wishes, Joy
_________________________________________________________________
Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.
http://www.hotmail.com

have been using radar for about 1.5 yrs now. and just upgraded it. it is am incredible program.
the research material is extensive with a large assortment of mm's, journals, conference lectures,
etc. the rep program has a lot of flexibility--i still havent explored all of the features yet. i havent
used macrep so i cant compare. i idid use cara for awhile. there is just no comparison.

Dear Shannon, the 'common understanding' I was referring to is the one we
read again and again in the MM's, i.e. on the one hand we have irritable,
hateful and vindictive and on the other we get sadness, melancholy,
despondency, timidity and apprehensiveness, great sensitivity and
sympathetic compassion. Scholten calls it tension and relaxation and desire
for unity and there is obviously quite a void in between these extremes.

The rest of what I wrote is my own understanding of this acid and the group
of acids as a whole. I would love to write up more about this group of
remedies but I will post you privately first about this.

This theme of separation in the acids can be followed through on the
physical plane as well - fissures, cracks and ulcers - it effects the
muco-cutaneous orifices and adjoining parts, especially the mouth and rectum
but they can be anywhere. And a characteristic pain is SPLINTERING.

It is also interesting that a peculiar sx is a sensation as if the head is
in a vice PRESSING THE SIDES TOGETHER, as if tightly bound and constricted
by tape (trying to make that unity?)

It is very important to learn the physical attributes of any remedy, even as
much as the mental and emotional, although we put great emphasis on the
latter two - sometimes too much? But if you feel you might have missed this
remedy in previous cases of your own then it is a good idea to study the
physicals to help you decide.

One other aspect of this acid which relates to the case presented is that
the fumes of Nitric acid are extremely suffocative, and we were told that
this person was being 'controlled' by her in laws.

As to the exhaustion of the acids we can look again at the case and note
that although she is 28 she felt 45 and as though she had a lot of children.
This I took to be worn out and exhausted. I believe this weakness and
exhaustion can be present at any stage, but you might have to dig around for
it in some cases, it might not always be evident, but I think it will
definitely be there somewhere. Exhaustion is such a big keynote of all the
acids.

All remedies have 'stages' in as much as one doesn't swiftly become this
remedy or that remedy. Even a sudden trauma takes time to manifest its
effect. Pathology always has stages and a client can present at any stage.
It all depends on what we call 'relatively healthy' and we have to mould our
case taking skills to extract all the necessary information to make the
correct prescription.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes, Joy
Shannon Nelson

In a message dated 9/27/02 10:49:51 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
jillt@globalserve.net writes:
One more vote for RADAR. I have used it for over 2 years now and have found
that it is easy to use. I also recommend EH (the accompanying Materia Medica
Program) as it is invaluable in reasearching remedies, cases, etc.

From talking to other homeopaths and fellow students, it seems that the
technical assistance and training opportunities are unparalleled by other
software providers.

Go for it you won't look back.
Jim Gregorich
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear Joy,
Thanks for writing a kind response to my post re: Jill's interesting case. Hydrogen would seem to be the front runner, after a couple of cycles of contributions by List members.

((((((())))))) Quick survey of this rubric:
===========
MIND; PHILOSOPHY; ability for: anac., dream-p ("dreaming potency"), halo., hep., hydrog., lach., nit-ac., olib-sac (olibanum sacrum; (Boswellia carteri; (frankincense?)), sulph (2), vacuum, verat..

Subrubric:
reveries, great inclination to philosophic: dream-p, hydrog, sulph, vacuum

Sources:
Complete Repertory: anac., halo., hep., hydrog., lach., nit-ac., sulph.
Synthesis Repertory: anac, "dreaming potency", hep, hydrog, lach, nit-ac, olibanum sacrum (frankincense?), Sulph(2), verat
Addition from proving of Vacuum (Nuala Eising): Vacuum
===========

Left in this wonderful rubric to look at (see *)

**anac-abusive stuff is sketchily in the case, and a feeling of somehow being abused
--dream-p- dont know anything about this remedy, and dont yet have synthesis on computer to analyze-anybody?
--halo-assume this is halothane, the anesthetic; may be worth a quick check
--hepar-not too much for this
**hydrogen-Delusion old provides a second strong peculiar symptom
--lach-not much
*nit-ac- she has a resentment of the husband and the in-laws. Dont know if this can be equated with the nit-ac picture; the analysis of fulfillment (and lack therof) given by Joy is some evidence
**olib-sac- Russell repertorization sounds really suggestive, but need someone with radar to provide all the
rubrics for this one, and any other info
--sulph(2)- not much
*Vacuum-great new proving--It is a cynical person with longing for harmony, delusion immortal, del being watched, del. contaminated, cant support injustice, aversion company, averse responsibility,
etc. - a bit like a Pessimistic Fl-ac with a larger perspective and a conscience. I dont see the cynicism in this woman (aside from the thought to terminate pregnancy, but this has to do
not with cynicism about the world, but regarding her personal situation, if I recall correctly). Vacuum also has a variety of other symptoms that she doesnt have, and does not have delusion old. Vacuum seems to also have the global perspective (Like from surrounding space, which is evacuaated) but is intensely dissatisfied/disappointed with this particular world of conflict.
--Veratrum-not much

Quick analysis

Hydrogen
Philosophy, ability (which Joy aptly introduced)
Delusion old MIND; DELUSIONS, imaginations; old, being: adam., ars., bor., gink., haliae-lc., hydrog., lap-c-b.
as 2 incontrovertible symptoms are very suggestive of Hydrogen
Case:Delusion old, and philosophizes with astronomical star (hydrogen) and moon "icons" indicating a kind of "off-planet" overview perspective, which is charateristic of Hydrogen, even though her actual concerns are more personal (abuse, baby decision, probs with husband, probs living with in-laws). (Luna, as Joy suggested in passing, -my little experience with this one sees more romantic fantasy instead of philosophical ramblings--interested in peoples experience with it). Hydrogen remains a strong candidate, and the following rubrics from the proving (Mnd section)
somewhat support Hydrogen further with issues about pregnancy, husband, moving from parents house,
paranoia (could be correlated with her feeling of being watched by in-laws).

Excerpts from Hydrogen Mind (Sherr Proving):

I can honestly say I'll never be the same again — a bit like having a baby.
Moved from parent's house. [24, 30C, XX:XX:XX]
Three months after starting the proving the prover moved house. [04
Feel like a crippled old man. [38, 200C, 18:XX:XX]
Don't want to move at all — want to be still and warm and lie around in a heap all day. like what it must feel to be old. I do feel old. [16, 30C, 02:XX:XX]
Paranoid feeling with cold perspiration. [16, 30C, XX:XX:XX]
Feel I can't trust anyone — 'paranoia'. [24, 30C, 100:XX:XX]
I felt mistrust, suspicion and paranoia. [16, 30C, Letter]
I feel people are playing games with me. Everything is out of balance. [16, 30C, XX:XX:XX]
While sitting in a restaurant, felt progressively more cut off from friends at the table. I began to feel detached and paranoid. I felt disliked by people.
Felt isolated in the shop. Feeling unacceptable, 'as if I was a marked person' — but later felt better on my own. [12, 6C, 19:XX:XX]
Very worried that people don't like me and can't cope with me — that they will think I am insane. I think maybe I am insane. This is frightening me. [16, 30C, 25:XX:XX]
Thought someone was telling someone else that I was mad and asking what should be done about it. [16, 30C, 25:XX:XX]
Feeling suspicious all day. Anxious and conscious of vulnerability. (Asked husband to move out if he was thinking of being unfaithful). [12, 6C, 06:XX:XX]
Felt cut off from people and suspicious. [22, 12C, 06:XX:XX]
Fear and desperation about being pregnant — period 16 days late — felt terrible all day. So despairing. [08, 30C, 50:XX:XX]
I can honestly say I'll never be the same again — a bit like having a baby. [08, 30C, 100:XX:XX]
Almost the impression that I am pregnant — many old sensations and emotions from previous pregnancies recurred. Like having another person inside of me.
All physical symptoms of pregnancy. Went for a test. [08, 30C, 01:XX:XX]
Greatly increased tendency to theorize and philosophize, especially concerning esoteric matters. [16, 30C, 05:XX:XX]
ANACARDIUM
The existence of anac in the Philosophy ability rubric is also interesting, considering both in the couple can be ABUSIVE
(V. Rozenberg (seminar 1988) said that anac's often come in couples, and I can confirm that).

Anac also has sense of ISOLATION/forsaken (note below in Jill's addl sx of client
++Fear is of abandonment, not being appreciated --but hydrog also has isolated feeling. And anac has the need
to create order (fastidious (rest, cannot unless there is order), like the patient does, which Hydrogen does not
seem to have.

However, Anac does not have delusion old. And the classic "split feeling" is missing (although person does seem detached, and expresses great dissatisfaction with her internal state). The
symptoms for hydrogen seem overwhelming and so hydrogen may also have the abuse thing (sketchy info we have on the abuse).
Anac confirmatories , many of which not present:
OLIB-SAC- (Frankincense)
From Russell:
The remedy olib-sac came up a lot in repertory although I don't know the
remedy at all. Seems to have lots around philosophy, meaning of life, etc.,
feels old, delusion spied upon/watched.

This rem seems like a possibility, can someone provide more information?
NIT-AC- Please see Joy's earlier post.

VACUUM-A long shot but possible (Big perspective, delus watched, philosophizer, but no delusion old (does have delus. immortal).
=============================

Here is Jill's additional info. I have highlighted a few things (+) but not really included many of them in analysis:

No major surgeries, traumas, illnesses. Father deceased d/t aneurysm,
mother alive.

Client has been on and off the pill for years, so bleeding time, duration
and flow are fine, sometimes clots size of finger tip since birth of second
child. She had been supplementing with a natural progesterone product on
the advise of her mother-in-law and husband who feel her it necessary due to
her emotional instability (hormonal). No complaints of PMS. Pregnancies
good, no tearing from second pregnancy "I could have had the baby all
alone". Severe nauseas and fatigue with this pregnancy lasting first in
first trimester...better now.

Most of her symptoms are on an emotional plane.
She describes tons of stress, fatigue, exhaustion, wake up nervous, feeling
like three days jammed into one, "I have endured so much in my life that my
body is beyond its time (again this theme of life in fast momentum and she
is aging quickly).
She describes herself as emotionally fractured, living in the shadow of her
husband, feel I am not myself.

Sleep
is not good over the last year, feels worse in the morning, tired, groggy.
Nightmares which she would only describe as based on emotion, issues.."
carry emotions into my dreams". In general a poor quality of sleep, not
insomnia. Sleeps on stomach to derive relaxing a letting go solar plexus
are protected, although it is not comfortable and difficult now being
pregnant. "I do so much in the day that I get to bed exhausted".

Bowel
She goes to the washroom "more now often due to the fear in my life"
implying she has a

++nervous bowel that responds to emotional upset.

++At one
point she experienced painless rectal bleeding not related to bowel
movements.
This has subsided and medical test yielded nothing. a bit more
constipations now, but on prenatal sup with iron.

Sensation as if...

++I get a sensation in my heart that it feels like it misses a beat, not in
relation to anything or any event...no pattern

Food
cr: sweets, fruits (that's a really tough questions), lately wanting some
kind of fish (usually don't eat fish because vegan), roasted vegetables

++Humans have reached state of revolution that we don't have to kill creatures
anymore, it more sympathy really.
av. pork or beef (been off it for so long couldn't imagine eating it and
enjoying it), spinach

Temperature:
I've thought that I am neither hot or cold...prefer fall and spring
++Fear is of abandonment, not being appreciated
((((()))))) so the Hydrogen, (or possibly anac followed by hydrogen (a bit of a stretch)?) could be seen as the front runner at the moment unless there are better ideas forthcoming; , with some question about
Olib-sac, but lacking further info, Hydrogen may be the first choice? What is your take on the case so
far Jill, others?

SOFTWARE
(((((()))))) Jill-re: software, here is one strategy for lowest cost and most coverage. Note that the necessity to have both platforms seems to be a price of living on a dual plane of existence (the Darwin-Wallace phenomenon- everything comes in twos;).
KENT PROGRAMS
*Macrep basic (or Macrep Pro if want to spend exstra 400-500 that way)
*Complete repertory
*Macrep full library (includes Murphy rep and 1600 keynotes, most other repertories in existence)

*Referenceworks (610 volumes) (and see if can get 0% financing from Kent Associates ) (Encyclo Homeoapthica is another option-dont have experience with it , it might be comparable
with rfworks, but will have to research. )
ARCHIBEL PROGRAMS
*Radar pkg #1 (includes Synthesis and Kunzlis repertory plus radar keynotes)
*Radar Families module (extra $100) (or get Macrep Pro instead of Basic)
This is just one way to go--it forgoes the Macrep Pro version, which is a disadvantage (less search capability, cant add rubrics or rems, no family analysis, etc (cost-cutting measure, which folks with more money may want to get).

But getting Macrep basic instead frees up about $400-$500 to get (current sale) Radar pkg #1 and (additiona $100 purchase) its families module.. Altogether, this allows repertorization of all 3 modern repertories
(Complete, Synthesis (these two complement each other nicely, and are both essential in my opinion), and Murphy (alphabetical (can be useful at times in finding stuff), Very useful compilation chapters (Like Emergencies, for example), and has material not in the other two, though no author refs). Other repertories that might rarely be useful are Kent original, Boger- Boenninghausen, Knerr, Kunzli, Boericke, etc and these all included in this purchase strategy).

Can buy Radar families module to get family analysis, and Synthesis covers more remedies than Complete, although many of the additional remedies in Synthesis have scanty info; still it might cure some cases sometime to have those additoinal rems included in family analysis (if all rems are indeed encompassed in the family analysis).. If get macrep Pro instead, that has built-in family analysis feature.

Note that for Macintosh users, have to use Virtual PC to get radar to run on mac, a big disadvantage because may have to reboot computer to switch between Archibel and Kent pgms.. If
Radar is bought using USB copy pro device, then it can be installed on a USB PC or USB Macintosh, which gives
some flexibility in case want to run a mac and a PC in the office to get the best performance from radar
and be able to easily repertorize in both Synth or Complete/murphy repertories without rebooting mac or other gyrrations necessary when using Virtual PC. Or run 2 USB macs, one with Kent programs, the other Archibel programs using Virtual PC.

For PC users, then the PC versions of the Kent programs can be used, and should make for easy toggling
between Radar/ (and EH if chosen) AND Macrep/and RFW if chosen) on the same computer.
This is just one way to go. I have had macrep since '87 but now see the need to be able to also repertorize
Synthesis (Scholten additions, other additions (maybe more from Vithoulkas clinical practice?), plus remedies (polychrests and important remedies) here and there that the Complete rep researchers missed; also a different slant on rubrics and different subrubrics), so am going to take part in the current sale with good prices on Radar.

Note that one reason to have the Complete as well as Synthesis (amid others like much greater breadth, and good organization/cross referencing of the Complete (not that Synthesis is not well organized, cause it is)) is COMPOSITE MAIN RUBRICS, which contain all the remedies in all the subrubrics. This lends itself well to initial repertorizations in difficult cases without missing any remedies. Maybe Synthesis can do this in the computer version, but it doesnt appear to be the case (someone please correct me if I am wrong).

Please also see the other posts by other List denizens with their suggestions which cover areas in which I have no experience (Like CARA and other programs, which I'm sure are useful, but I have no experience with them).

Best to all
Andy