[H] The LM Potency 2
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 6:06 am
Dear Students and Colleagues,
I would like to clarify some points brought up in my first post.
Baron von Boenninghausen was sent two LM cases by Hahnemann in 1843, just
before the Founder left for his Heavenly Abode. The Baron shared theses
cases with his colleagues in the Neus Archive f.hom, Heilkunst Volume 1
number 1 1844, page 69 (Stapf Archives). Dr. Stapf raised a number of
questions as it is impossible to understand all the potential ramifications
raised by these 2 cases just by looking at the extracts. In order to answer
these questions Boenninghausen sought help from Dr. Croserio, who was very
close to Samuel and Melanie Hahnemann. Dr. Croserio responded with a
letter written on Jan. 28th, 1844 which was published with Boenninghausen's
commentary in the Neus Archive f.hom, Heilkunst Volume 1 number 12,
1844.The Baron wrote:
"In order to be quite sure as to the matter I applied to those
homeopaths in Paris, who were most intimate with Hahnemann, visited him
almost daily, and in consequence, were best informed as to his practice
during the *last times*, namely, to Dr. Croserio, from whom I had before
had a very friendly communication, could therefore also feel sure that he
would give me as detailed as an account as possible."
Hahnemann Paris Casebooks contain only personal notes of the Founder's
practice and leave many questions unanswered. He rarely wrote down exactly
how he was giving his remedies. Boenninghausen understood this, and for
this reason he sought an eyewitness account to fill in the details. Dr.
Croserio's letter is a very valuable testimony because it gives insights as
to how Hahnemann really practiced in the clinic. Dr. Croserio wrote:
"As to his [Hahnenmann's] mode in which he prescribed the medicines to
be taken I am able to give you all the information that you may wish, as I
have quite frequently been witness of it"
Creoserio confirmed that Hahnemann was dissolving 1 rarely 2 tiny pills
into 8 to 15 tablespoons of water and taking a tablespoon of this solution
and stirring it into a tumbler of water.
He notes that Hahnemann would start with 1 spoonful of the solution
and increase this on successive doses, if necessary,
"until he observed some action."
"Then he [Hahnemann] would diminish the dose or would stop the medicine."
This is a very important detail that does not come through clearly in
the 6th Organon. Hahnemann frequently stop his the repetition of his
remedies and gave placebos while he waited and watched. To this
Boenninghausen commented.
"This passage in the communication of Dr. Creoserio give the most clear
and complete exposition of the mode practice by the closely observing
Master of the art during the last times, on his patients, and explains most
satisfactorily what might have appeared obscure in the two cases lately
reported. The addition "until he felt an effect" is of the greatest
importance, and must always be closely observed, in order that nothing may
be spoiled afterwards by giving *too much* or *too often*"
Dr. Creoserio also notes:
"In order to pacify the patients or their relatives he frequently
allowed them to take simple sugar of milk"
Hahnemann often repeated the dose at suitable intervals to speed the
cure. In slowly moving cases of protracted diseases this repetition could
be daily or on alternate days. The exact intervals, however, are rarely
marked in the Paris Casebooks. Nevertheless, the pattern of giving a series
of doses and then having the chronic patient return in 7 days was very
common, especially at the beginning of treatment. Sometimes, he had them
come back in 3 or 4 days. Using a short series of doses followed by a
series of placebo is very common in the Founder's practice. The case of O-T
demonstrates this method clearly.
Hahnemann dictated this example case to a secretary and sent it to
Boenninghausen. Some details have been clarified from the Paris casebooks
from the sources quoted in The LM Potency 1
1. Jan. 15, 1843 Belladonna C potency in a 7 tablespoon solution.
The patient came with a sore throat that alternated with an anal fissure.
The first dose made the throat worse by evening.
2. Jan 16 Merc. 0/1 in 7 tablespoon solution.
The throatache was gone but the fissure returned immediately! This
shows these conditions were related. The patient then revealed that eight
years early he had a syphilitic chancre destroyed by corrosives. All his
problems started after this. He was immediately given Mercury 0/1. This
fissure and chap were very painful. How often he gave the dose is not
noted. It could be a daily dose.
3. Jan. 20 Merc. 0/2 in 7 tablespoons.
The patient returned for his check up 4 days later. This show how
closely Hahnemann was following a serious case at the start. There are no
"take this daily for one month" in his casebooks. The patient's throatache
returned slightly. The anus is better although there is still soreness
during stool. At this time, Hahnemann raised the potency! The journal says:
"One pellet of the Mercuries viv., 2 dynamization, prepared and taken in
the same manner in the morning". If the patient took the Merc. 0/1 in the
"same manner in the morning" a 7 tablespoon medicinal solution would not be
finished yet. Nevertheless, Hahnemann immediately raised the potency to
0/2. He did not wait for the bottle to be finished.
4. Jan. 25 Sailer says Hahnemann gave 2 placebos.
The 0/2 continued to improve the throat but there was severe
lancinations in the anus. The patient was then given 2 placebos. It seems
these two placebos were alternated with the remedy so he was now taking the
alternate day dose. This can be told because Hahnemann wrote on Jan. 30th
that the patient had taken the last dose of medicine that afternoon. He
only had 7 doses and that was 11 days later so he could not be taking the
remedy daily. The Merc. 0/2 was taken daily for 4 days and then slowed down
to alternate days intersperse with placebo. This shows Hahnemann slowing
down the remedy, which is an important method use to prevent over
medication. The daily dose of Mercury was not continued.
4. Jan. 30th 7 days of placebo in medicinal solution.
The anus was now better but the throat was worse. This shows the
alternation of the symptoms still continuing. There was not particular
aggravation yet Hahnemann decided to give placebos for 1 week and wait and
watch. He must have figured he had enough medicinal action so he stopped
the remedy. Then he changed his tactics.
5. Feb. 7 Sulphur 0/2. in 7 tablespoon solution.
The anus was still well but there were severe pain as if an ulceration
in the throat. Hahnemann wrote in the Chronic Diseases that the suppression
of syphilis can cause psora to obstruct the cure. At this time, Hahnemann
gave Sulphur 0/2 as an intercurrent remedy. Exactly how often it was given
is not noted. Just because the patient returned in one week one can not
assume it was a daily dose but it may have been.
6. Feb 13 Merc 0/2 olfaction.
The Sulphur brought out clear Merc. symptoms on the 11th and 12th. The
throat feel ulcerated and the saliva was increased and now was in great
quantities! There was also some constriction in the anus from yesterday.
Rather than alternating the symptoms were both present. Here the patient
was given an olfaction of Merc. 0/2. Hahnemann did not raise the potency
even though the other bottle of Merc. 0/2 was completely consumed.
This case shows that Hahnemann did not always wait until the bottle was
finished before he raised the potency and when a bottle was finished he
might NOT raise the potency . This is because he is individualizing these
procedures.
7. Feb 14. Merc 0/2 in 7 tablespoon medicinal solution.
Hahnemann now gave the patient a medicinal solution of Merc. 0/2. This
was to be taken "as before". The last doses appear to be taken on alternate
days. Hahnemann keep the patient on the *same potency* as first given on
Jan 20th, around 25 days ago.
8. Feb 20. placebo in 7 tablespoon medicinal solution.
The throat was better since the 18th but there was much suffering at the
anus. There seem to be enough medicinal action so Hahnemann again waited
and watched for around 11 days. The placebo had to be given on alternated
days to last this long. This shows that patient was most likely taking
Merc. 0/2 on alternate days. He was already use to taking the remedy (hence
the placebo) every other day.
9. March 3. Single dose olfaction of Nitric Acid. (17 days on single dose
olfaction)
No more throatache or serious anal problems although there is a
hemorrhoid vein that extrudes on stool. Dr. Creoserio made it very clear in
his letter that Hahnemann frequently gave single doses by olfaction. He wrote:
"In chronic diseases he [Hahnemann] would in no case allow the patient
to smell at the medicines oftener than once a week, and would give nothing
but sugar besides; and in this way he would make the most admirable cures,
even in cases where we others had not been able to do anything."
Hahnemann says. "I let him smell of Ac. Nitr." Hahnemann frequently
gave single doses by olfaction and sometimes by oral solution. In some
cases he would wait for longer periods than 7 days like 14 even 21 days.
There are many such prescriptions in the Paris casebooks between 1840 and 1843.
10. March 20 second single dose olfaction of Nitric Acid. (Patient cured)
Now there was hardly any pain after stool, throat well, although he
feels some sensation on drinking cold water. 17 days later Hahnemann says
"Now he is allowed to smell of Ac. nitr." This means that before this and
since March 3rd he was not allowed to smell Nitric acid! This is a single
dose olfaction series. There are many of these that are better documented
in the Paris casebooks. How long the remedy acted one cannot tell for the
record because only wrote "His health was permanently restored".
What does this case tell us? First of all it shows that Hahnemann used
individualization according to the time and circumstances. Secondly, it
shows how he would interpolate and/or follow his medicinal doses with
placebo. This is witnessed throughout the Paris Casebooks between 1840 and
1843 (the LM epoch). Hahnemann case examples and Dr. Croserio letter offer
true picture of how the Founder was actually giving his remedies in Paris
in his last times. Over the last 8 or so years I have reviewed many cases
which show a similar pattern. That is the use of single doses by olfaction
and placebos as well as a series of remedies interpolated with and/or
followed by placebos.
Hahnemann did not speak out his liberal use of placebos in the 6th
Organon. This may have been because he did not want to state this in a
public work as the placebo was his "secret simillimum". If the public
found out it could have caused problems. Most people do not realize that
Hahnemann was often using "on again - off again" method when he was giving
a series of rapid doses to speed the cure.
As Dr. Creoserio said when Hahnemann observe a visible medicinal action
he would stop his repetitions and give a series of placebos. He would do
this every once in awhile just to wait and watch so he wouldn't over
medicate his patients. Many also do not realize that Hahnemann was also
using the single dose, especially by olfaction between 1840 and 1843. This
balance of single doses and infrequent repetitions and split-doses a rapid
intervals to speed the cure offers a wide range of methods in the clinic.
The idea Hahnemann gave the daily dose to everyone is a complete myth.
I hope this information is useful to the homeopathic community. There
are simply too many people that think they can give the LM potency daily
for long periods in a mechanical fashion. One patient was told to take the
LM potency daily for 6 weeks just to test the remedy! Aggravations have
been called cleansing crises and patients told to continue on the medicine.
I have reviewed several cases that were spoiled in this way. There is a
great difference between an aggravation and healing crisis. Homeopaths
should know the difference! In either case it is usually best to stop the
medicine and watch the direction of the symptoms.
The idea that one can give the daily dose for months is often separated
from the words IF NECESSARY found in the footnote to aph. 246. I have not
seen one LM case in the Paris Casebooks where Hahnemann thought it was
necessary!!! He used almost as much placebo as medicine.
Similia Minimus,
Sincerely, David Little
_______________________________________________
Homeopathy Mailing List
homeopathy@homeolist.com
http://www.homeolist.com/mailman/listinfo/homeopathy
I would like to clarify some points brought up in my first post.
Baron von Boenninghausen was sent two LM cases by Hahnemann in 1843, just
before the Founder left for his Heavenly Abode. The Baron shared theses
cases with his colleagues in the Neus Archive f.hom, Heilkunst Volume 1
number 1 1844, page 69 (Stapf Archives). Dr. Stapf raised a number of
questions as it is impossible to understand all the potential ramifications
raised by these 2 cases just by looking at the extracts. In order to answer
these questions Boenninghausen sought help from Dr. Croserio, who was very
close to Samuel and Melanie Hahnemann. Dr. Croserio responded with a
letter written on Jan. 28th, 1844 which was published with Boenninghausen's
commentary in the Neus Archive f.hom, Heilkunst Volume 1 number 12,
1844.The Baron wrote:
"In order to be quite sure as to the matter I applied to those
homeopaths in Paris, who were most intimate with Hahnemann, visited him
almost daily, and in consequence, were best informed as to his practice
during the *last times*, namely, to Dr. Croserio, from whom I had before
had a very friendly communication, could therefore also feel sure that he
would give me as detailed as an account as possible."
Hahnemann Paris Casebooks contain only personal notes of the Founder's
practice and leave many questions unanswered. He rarely wrote down exactly
how he was giving his remedies. Boenninghausen understood this, and for
this reason he sought an eyewitness account to fill in the details. Dr.
Croserio's letter is a very valuable testimony because it gives insights as
to how Hahnemann really practiced in the clinic. Dr. Croserio wrote:
"As to his [Hahnenmann's] mode in which he prescribed the medicines to
be taken I am able to give you all the information that you may wish, as I
have quite frequently been witness of it"
Creoserio confirmed that Hahnemann was dissolving 1 rarely 2 tiny pills
into 8 to 15 tablespoons of water and taking a tablespoon of this solution
and stirring it into a tumbler of water.
He notes that Hahnemann would start with 1 spoonful of the solution
and increase this on successive doses, if necessary,
"until he observed some action."
"Then he [Hahnemann] would diminish the dose or would stop the medicine."
This is a very important detail that does not come through clearly in
the 6th Organon. Hahnemann frequently stop his the repetition of his
remedies and gave placebos while he waited and watched. To this
Boenninghausen commented.
"This passage in the communication of Dr. Creoserio give the most clear
and complete exposition of the mode practice by the closely observing
Master of the art during the last times, on his patients, and explains most
satisfactorily what might have appeared obscure in the two cases lately
reported. The addition "until he felt an effect" is of the greatest
importance, and must always be closely observed, in order that nothing may
be spoiled afterwards by giving *too much* or *too often*"
Dr. Creoserio also notes:
"In order to pacify the patients or their relatives he frequently
allowed them to take simple sugar of milk"
Hahnemann often repeated the dose at suitable intervals to speed the
cure. In slowly moving cases of protracted diseases this repetition could
be daily or on alternate days. The exact intervals, however, are rarely
marked in the Paris Casebooks. Nevertheless, the pattern of giving a series
of doses and then having the chronic patient return in 7 days was very
common, especially at the beginning of treatment. Sometimes, he had them
come back in 3 or 4 days. Using a short series of doses followed by a
series of placebo is very common in the Founder's practice. The case of O-T
demonstrates this method clearly.
Hahnemann dictated this example case to a secretary and sent it to
Boenninghausen. Some details have been clarified from the Paris casebooks
from the sources quoted in The LM Potency 1
1. Jan. 15, 1843 Belladonna C potency in a 7 tablespoon solution.
The patient came with a sore throat that alternated with an anal fissure.
The first dose made the throat worse by evening.
2. Jan 16 Merc. 0/1 in 7 tablespoon solution.
The throatache was gone but the fissure returned immediately! This
shows these conditions were related. The patient then revealed that eight
years early he had a syphilitic chancre destroyed by corrosives. All his
problems started after this. He was immediately given Mercury 0/1. This
fissure and chap were very painful. How often he gave the dose is not
noted. It could be a daily dose.
3. Jan. 20 Merc. 0/2 in 7 tablespoons.
The patient returned for his check up 4 days later. This show how
closely Hahnemann was following a serious case at the start. There are no
"take this daily for one month" in his casebooks. The patient's throatache
returned slightly. The anus is better although there is still soreness
during stool. At this time, Hahnemann raised the potency! The journal says:
"One pellet of the Mercuries viv., 2 dynamization, prepared and taken in
the same manner in the morning". If the patient took the Merc. 0/1 in the
"same manner in the morning" a 7 tablespoon medicinal solution would not be
finished yet. Nevertheless, Hahnemann immediately raised the potency to
0/2. He did not wait for the bottle to be finished.
4. Jan. 25 Sailer says Hahnemann gave 2 placebos.
The 0/2 continued to improve the throat but there was severe
lancinations in the anus. The patient was then given 2 placebos. It seems
these two placebos were alternated with the remedy so he was now taking the
alternate day dose. This can be told because Hahnemann wrote on Jan. 30th
that the patient had taken the last dose of medicine that afternoon. He
only had 7 doses and that was 11 days later so he could not be taking the
remedy daily. The Merc. 0/2 was taken daily for 4 days and then slowed down
to alternate days intersperse with placebo. This shows Hahnemann slowing
down the remedy, which is an important method use to prevent over
medication. The daily dose of Mercury was not continued.
4. Jan. 30th 7 days of placebo in medicinal solution.
The anus was now better but the throat was worse. This shows the
alternation of the symptoms still continuing. There was not particular
aggravation yet Hahnemann decided to give placebos for 1 week and wait and
watch. He must have figured he had enough medicinal action so he stopped
the remedy. Then he changed his tactics.
5. Feb. 7 Sulphur 0/2. in 7 tablespoon solution.
The anus was still well but there were severe pain as if an ulceration
in the throat. Hahnemann wrote in the Chronic Diseases that the suppression
of syphilis can cause psora to obstruct the cure. At this time, Hahnemann
gave Sulphur 0/2 as an intercurrent remedy. Exactly how often it was given
is not noted. Just because the patient returned in one week one can not
assume it was a daily dose but it may have been.
6. Feb 13 Merc 0/2 olfaction.
The Sulphur brought out clear Merc. symptoms on the 11th and 12th. The
throat feel ulcerated and the saliva was increased and now was in great
quantities! There was also some constriction in the anus from yesterday.
Rather than alternating the symptoms were both present. Here the patient
was given an olfaction of Merc. 0/2. Hahnemann did not raise the potency
even though the other bottle of Merc. 0/2 was completely consumed.
This case shows that Hahnemann did not always wait until the bottle was
finished before he raised the potency and when a bottle was finished he
might NOT raise the potency . This is because he is individualizing these
procedures.
7. Feb 14. Merc 0/2 in 7 tablespoon medicinal solution.
Hahnemann now gave the patient a medicinal solution of Merc. 0/2. This
was to be taken "as before". The last doses appear to be taken on alternate
days. Hahnemann keep the patient on the *same potency* as first given on
Jan 20th, around 25 days ago.
8. Feb 20. placebo in 7 tablespoon medicinal solution.
The throat was better since the 18th but there was much suffering at the
anus. There seem to be enough medicinal action so Hahnemann again waited
and watched for around 11 days. The placebo had to be given on alternated
days to last this long. This shows that patient was most likely taking
Merc. 0/2 on alternate days. He was already use to taking the remedy (hence
the placebo) every other day.
9. March 3. Single dose olfaction of Nitric Acid. (17 days on single dose
olfaction)
No more throatache or serious anal problems although there is a
hemorrhoid vein that extrudes on stool. Dr. Creoserio made it very clear in
his letter that Hahnemann frequently gave single doses by olfaction. He wrote:
"In chronic diseases he [Hahnemann] would in no case allow the patient
to smell at the medicines oftener than once a week, and would give nothing
but sugar besides; and in this way he would make the most admirable cures,
even in cases where we others had not been able to do anything."
Hahnemann says. "I let him smell of Ac. Nitr." Hahnemann frequently
gave single doses by olfaction and sometimes by oral solution. In some
cases he would wait for longer periods than 7 days like 14 even 21 days.
There are many such prescriptions in the Paris casebooks between 1840 and 1843.
10. March 20 second single dose olfaction of Nitric Acid. (Patient cured)
Now there was hardly any pain after stool, throat well, although he
feels some sensation on drinking cold water. 17 days later Hahnemann says
"Now he is allowed to smell of Ac. nitr." This means that before this and
since March 3rd he was not allowed to smell Nitric acid! This is a single
dose olfaction series. There are many of these that are better documented
in the Paris casebooks. How long the remedy acted one cannot tell for the
record because only wrote "His health was permanently restored".
What does this case tell us? First of all it shows that Hahnemann used
individualization according to the time and circumstances. Secondly, it
shows how he would interpolate and/or follow his medicinal doses with
placebo. This is witnessed throughout the Paris Casebooks between 1840 and
1843 (the LM epoch). Hahnemann case examples and Dr. Croserio letter offer
true picture of how the Founder was actually giving his remedies in Paris
in his last times. Over the last 8 or so years I have reviewed many cases
which show a similar pattern. That is the use of single doses by olfaction
and placebos as well as a series of remedies interpolated with and/or
followed by placebos.
Hahnemann did not speak out his liberal use of placebos in the 6th
Organon. This may have been because he did not want to state this in a
public work as the placebo was his "secret simillimum". If the public
found out it could have caused problems. Most people do not realize that
Hahnemann was often using "on again - off again" method when he was giving
a series of rapid doses to speed the cure.
As Dr. Creoserio said when Hahnemann observe a visible medicinal action
he would stop his repetitions and give a series of placebos. He would do
this every once in awhile just to wait and watch so he wouldn't over
medicate his patients. Many also do not realize that Hahnemann was also
using the single dose, especially by olfaction between 1840 and 1843. This
balance of single doses and infrequent repetitions and split-doses a rapid
intervals to speed the cure offers a wide range of methods in the clinic.
The idea Hahnemann gave the daily dose to everyone is a complete myth.
I hope this information is useful to the homeopathic community. There
are simply too many people that think they can give the LM potency daily
for long periods in a mechanical fashion. One patient was told to take the
LM potency daily for 6 weeks just to test the remedy! Aggravations have
been called cleansing crises and patients told to continue on the medicine.
I have reviewed several cases that were spoiled in this way. There is a
great difference between an aggravation and healing crisis. Homeopaths
should know the difference! In either case it is usually best to stop the
medicine and watch the direction of the symptoms.
The idea that one can give the daily dose for months is often separated
from the words IF NECESSARY found in the footnote to aph. 246. I have not
seen one LM case in the Paris Casebooks where Hahnemann thought it was
necessary!!! He used almost as much placebo as medicine.
Similia Minimus,
Sincerely, David Little
_______________________________________________
Homeopathy Mailing List
homeopathy@homeolist.com
http://www.homeolist.com/mailman/listinfo/homeopathy