defiiency( rather lengthy)

[J.VENKATASUBRAMANIAN]

Dear Shannon, Dear Dr Krishnamurthy,
I am keenly watching this discussion on deficiency.
I have read Dr Roberts' principles... ( which is by far
my most reread book). I am sharing the chapter with you.
(at the end of the posting)
Other references are (All are quoted as per the authors
I have read)
1. Hahnemann
Footnote to preface to sixth edition;
...The blood of the patient is made to flow mercilessly by bleedings,
leeches, cuppings, scarifications, to diminish an assumed
PLETHORA(emphasis mine) which never exists as in well woman a
few days before their menses, an accumulation of blood the loss
of which is of no appreciable consequence, ---

2. Boericke and Dewey:( Twelve Tissue Remedies)
The authors have also hypothecated that the tissue remedies
are supplied as there is a deficiency of them in a scale
which is not recognisable physically.

Now, to the idea of diseases being caused by congestion
(or plethora ?) or deficiency- I think the issue is to
be studied further with an open mind.

Regards
Venkat

The principles and Art of Cure by Homœopathy
by HERBERT A. ROBERTS, M.D.

CHAPTER XXIV
PSORA OR DEFICIENCY?

CRITICISM of Hahnemann's psora theory has raged for a century.
It is not feasible to follow minutely Hahnemann's line of reasoning
that led to his declaration of the psora theory, but we have his own
statement that it took years to classify what he came to term the
psoric miasm. Enough has been written to show that his reasoning in
this respect was sound, and as far as it went, clear. It is not
strange that in the light of modern knowledge new arguments have
arisen to assail this theory. Let us examine it in the light of
present-day knowledge.

We have considered the general symptomatology forming the psoric
group. Now let us turn to Bœnninghausen's list of antipsoric
remedies, and try to prove our problem along the same lines we should
employ were we to prove a problem in arithmetic. This list,
comprising fifty remedies, was published in Hahnemann's time, and has
been used with remarkable success in the so-called psoric conditions
from that time forward:

Agaricus
Alumina
Ammonium carb
Ammonium mur.
Anacardium
Arsenicum alb.
Aurum
Baryta carb.
Belladonna
Bor. ac.
Bovista
Calcarea carb
Carbo animalis
Carbo veg.
Causticum
Clematis
Colocynth Conium
Digitalis
Dulcamara
Euphorbium
Graphites
Guaicum
Hepar sulph.
Iodine
Kali carb.
Lycopodium
Magnesium carb.
Magnesium mur.
Manganum
Mezereum
Muriatic acid
Natrum carb.
Natrum mur. Kali nit.
Nitric acid
Petroleum
Phosphorus
Phosphoric acid
Platinum
Rhododendron
Sarsaparilla
Senega
Sepia
Silica
Stannum
Strontium
Sulphur
Sulphuric acid
Zincum
Sixteen of the remedies listed belong definitely to the
vegetable group, one definitely to the animal group; of the remaining
thirty-three remedies, comprising the chemical elements or inorganic
substances, or combined from these elements or substances (or reduced
to almost elemental consideration, as the Carbo's) we find only three
(Baryta, Platinum and Aurum) that appear in the range of chemical
elements higher by atomic weight than those essential to the
construction of the human body. The three remedies having their
source in the higher-than-body construction elements may be
considered as falling into the antisyphilitic class, and we may
reasonably question their adaptability to the antipsoric condition
when unmixed with a venereal taint.

Let us set aside for the time these three which seem to us
questionably allocated to this group, and proceed without hypothesis.

Some thirty elements, more or less, have been ascertained by
different investigators as appearing in the human body. It has been
definitely established that many of these are absolutely essential to
physical construction. Iodine, number 53 of the elements, is regarded
as the highest in atomic weight; and as we have pointed out, only the
three that we have questioned appear in the antipsoric list beyond
iodine.

The following list of elements appearing in the human body has
been compiled from several sources. It is notable that not all these
elements have been assigned constructive roles, in the eyes of
investigators; or rather, their presence in the body structure has
not been determined. Nevertheless, all these come within the first
fifty-three elements, as determined by atomic weight.

1. Hydrogen.
3. Lithium.
6. Carbon.
7. Nitrogen.
8. Oxygen.
9. Fluorine.
11. Sodium.
12. Magnesium.
13. Aluminium. 14. Silicon.
15. Phosphorus.
16. Sulphur.
17. Chlorine.
19. Potassium.
20. Calcium.
22. Titanium.
25. Manganese.
26. Iron. 27. Cobalt.
28. Nickel.
29. Copper.
30. Zinc.
32. Germanium.
33. Arsenic.
35. Bromine.
50. Tin.
53. Iodine.

Morse tells us (Applied Biochemistry):

It is seen that no inert element, like argon [Argon accompanies
air into the lungs as nitrogen does, but in both cases they play no
part in the economy of the body.], occurs in the body; that
radioactive elements and those that are undergoing decomposition are
lacking; and that with regard to atomic weight, iodine is the
farthest up the scale. Heavy elements, such as lead, and the noble
metals, are not found. Two explanations may be offered:

(1) The distribution of the elements in the human organism is an
historical matter, representing the period in evolution when only
those elements that are of lighter weight than iodine were evolved.
This is not probable.

(2) The lighter kinds occurring in living things because these
elements were relegated to the surface of the earth and were
available for the use of the organism as it has undergone evolution.
The geologist believes that the heavier elements lie toward the
center of the earth, since the total weight of the earth demands
heavier substances near the center of the mass.

So in reality we might add to our list argon (18) and nitrogen
(7) as appearing with some regularity in the body. With our knowledge
of the power of the infinitesimals beyond the range of laboratory
analysis we dare not say that any element, however small its portion
or vague its relationship, "plays no part."

Again, with our knowledge of the disturbing powers of the radio-
active elements, we can see definitely why they were not included in
construction, for they are essentially destructive. These correspond
to the action of the syphilitic taint, and should be classed as anti-
syphilitic in action.

However, we are discussing primarily those elements which, in
simple form or combined, are essentially constructive, to demonstrate
the significance of our hypothesis that Psora, and Deficiency in
properly balanced essentials, are one and the same; or if they are
not identical problems, we must admit that here lies a significant
key to the problem of psora, and one worthy of deeper study.

Without question there is some essential failure of the system
to assimilate the necessary constructive materials that provides the
background of the so-called psoric taint; yet we find that emotional
or other stress develops the psoric symptomatology even in
constitutions that have been sound and healthy. Here we find that our
theory of psora as a deficiency of the proper elements is verified.
For instance, those chest conditions with many functional symptoms:
we are often able to trace these to improper breathing habits, and
this again to emotional strain that has broken the habit of rhythm;
or perhaps the breathing habit has been normal until the necessity of
remaining long hours in close, unaired rooms has forced the system to
unnatural and insufficient intake of oxygen.

The greatest asset of the body is that of adaptability, but this
in itself, under unnatural or forced conditions, while permitting
life to continue under emergent or hampered conditions, breeds a
train of symptoms that Hahnemann described as psoric.

The body elements best known to the student of biochemistry are:
Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Fluorine, Sodium, Magnesium,
Silicon, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Chlorine, Potassium, Calcium,
Manganese, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Arsenic and Iodine. Chemists have been
able to estimate the percentage of these elements present in the
organism, even such small amounts as those of arsenic, with its sixth-
decimal proportions in thyroid and brain, and 0.000,001,9 per cent.
in the liver. It is comparatively easy to define the constructive
purposes of many of these elements, such as calcium; yet there is
some purpose aside from that of mere bricks-and-mortar for even the
most obvious. Magnesium is found throughout the body, in the lungs,
glands, brain, muscles and muscular organs such as the heart. This
has been determined with a fair amount of measurable accuracy; yet
how do we account for the fact that a magnesium-free diet sends
animals into convulsions? Or that tin, found in traces in the tongue
and brain, is related definitely to the sense of taste? When cobalt
and nickel, discovered in the pancreas, are lacking, just what
influence does this have in the development of diabetes?

Manganese is an accompaniment of iron in practically all human
tissue. Scientists have discovered that manganese starvation in
animals will produce sterility in the male and loss of mother-love in
the female; this loss of maternal instinct incites them to refuse
attention to their young, who die in a few hours. McCollum tells
us: "When to the carefully prepared manganese-free diet is added as
little as five-thousandths of I per cent. of manganese, all the
abnormalities described are corrected." Yet Reiman and Minot tell
us: "Prolonged feeding of moderate amounts of its ores to dogs failed
to produce significant changes in the manganese content of the blood
and tissues or to cause any pathological symptoms."

It is comparatively easy to determine the broader outlines of
the constructive duties of these elements and inorganic substances,
but it is the subtle and potential influences (as illustrated by the
observations on manganese) that are most pertinent to our thesis. In
other words, it is not the overfeeding or gross starvation of any
element that provides us with the so-called antipsoric remedies.
Since the so-called psoric conditions are largely functional and
react preeminently upon the nervous and emotional plane, may we not
regard these conditions as a lack of balance in the ability to
assimilate, as well as a possible starvation of essentials?

In a comparison of the constructive role of these substances (as
determined by laboratory technique) with their more subtle
manifestations (demonstrated through provings of the homœopathic
potentiations), let us look again at manganese:

Reiman and Minot (J. Biological Chemistry) "found it to be
present in practically all human tissue, the liver carrying more than
any other;" J. H. Clarke (Dictionary of the Materia Medica) cites its
ability to produce inflammation and fatty degeneration of the liver.
We have seen its association with iron in the blood, and
homœopathically, it has its place in anemic conditions when
indicated. We have noted the laboratory observation of the loss of
maternal instinct. Clarke gives as the first mental
symptom: "Peevishness and taciturnity, with concentration in self."
Sterility has not been a proven symptom, yet Clarke gives: "Sensation
of weakness in (male) genital organs."

Speaking of the necessity for carbohydrates in the diet,
McCollum (Food, Nutrition and Health) says:

During digestion and absorption through the intestinal walls all
of these (forms of carbohydrates) are converted into glucose. Glucose
is the one sugar which always occurs in the blood. Although it is
present in blood only to the extent of one part per thousand of
blood, this sugar is the principal fuel which is burned by the
muscles for providing energy for keeping the body warm and for
muscular work.

Carbohydrates are the usual form in which carbon, the element,
is found in the system and in which it is ingested. This is the
physiological sphere; now let us turn to the role the carbons occupy
in the list of antipsoric remedies. In Bœnninghausen's list we find
Ammonium carb., Baryta carb., Calcarea carb., Carbo animalis, Carbo
veg., Graphites, Kali carb., Magnesium carb., Natrum carb., Sepia;
all these have the characteristic carbon influence, even though
associated with another element. It may seem strange to the casual
student of materia medica to include Sepia in this list, but to the
homœopathician Sepia is the animal carbon.

In spite of our belief that Barium belongs preeminently to the
antisyphilitic group, Baryta carb. bears the family relationship of
the carbons, which admits it to the antipsoric, or deficiency, group
as well. Carbo an. and Carbo veg. manifest most markedly the
characteristic homœopathic indications for their use: burned out
defines the condition in one word. This burned out energy and its end-
results of lack of body heat and muscular strength extends even into
the mental sphere; and whether it comes from excesses, loss of animal
fluids, from emotional, mental or physical stress, it is the red
thread that runs all through the proven symptoms of the carbon
combinations. This symptomatic thread runs all through the various
spheres of action of each individual remedy of the carbon family,
mental, moral, and all the varying physical fields in which it is
applicable-and inasmuch as it is found it its physiological form
throughout the system, so we find its symptomatology running through
every part.

Calcium is an essential of bony structure and is a necessary,
small but constant, essential of the blood. The homœopathic materia
media indicates the Calcarea group in "scrofulous" conditions;
rickety children; large heads with open fontanelles; and a host of
symptoms we have already described in those conditions traceable to
psora. McCollum tells us that calcium in the food is not
enough: "Human infants often develop rickets when receiving a
sufficiency of calcium and phosphorus provided they are deprived of
sunlight and vitamin D."

This last comment, provided they are deprived of sunlight...
leads us to meditate upon that comment of Hahnemann in relation to
psora, to the effect that unnatural or unhappy surroundings are
extremely dangerous to the vital energy.

It is not necessary to compare the symptomatology of many of our
remedies with the body elements to bear out our contention that the
problems of psora and deficiency are closely related. Any thoughtful
student may verify further comparisons in the homœopathic materia
medica.

In these days one rarely has the opportunity to see a patient
released from emotional and economic stress into simple and natural
surroundings, with much outdoor life and a simple, natural food
supply free from adulterations and replete with the stored elements
direct from Nature's lavish supply. However, if such a case is
observed, one learns many things about the resilience of the human
economy under the proper conditions. It leads one to a different
outlook upon psora and its relation to the undue stress of modern
life and economic conditions. We have stated repeatedly that
emotional strain was an important factor in developing psoric
conditions: the inability to relax for the natural and important
functions demanded by Nature. Hustle and bustle take away our
rhythmic, full, deep breathing; the hurry for trains and time clocks
interferes too often with the excretory functions; the demands of
society lead us to suppress natural perspiration; anxiety over almost
every item of our lives gets in its dangerous work and often deprives
us of necessary rest-certainly of chance moments of relaxation.

All these circumstances pressing upon a delicate adjustment of
spirit, mind and body' (especially if this be predisposed by
inheritance to maladjustment) cannot but make confusion worse
confounded. And at this point, if we pass on to our unborn children
our inhibitions and suppressions of the spirit, mind and flesh, what
can we except but to build for them a future lacking the ability to
receive from natural sources those elements-not always measurable nor
as yet defined-that are essential to health? And when we ponder that
wrong living conditions, appalling plagues and seasons of famine have
been cyclic since History began, we cannot wonder at an inherited
tendency to disease that Hahnemann called psoric.

Whether this tendency to the psoric manifestations develops
because of inability to assimilate or inability to relax to the point
of assimilation, the end-results are the same, and will continue to
be until corrected through more healthy and natural ways of living
plus the power of the potentized remedy to release suppressions and
tune the maladjustments to order.
--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, Bob&Shannon
wrote:
be
diet
diseases of
am not
more at your
Hahnemann or any
this could
starves;
rice, which is
defiency
us quite
calcium
adequate. But if
both have
one
constitution that
of calcium
changed.
Then why do
confuse the
follow
stop to
immediately
of the
from the
corrected. To
that
to start
carefully
I mean by