Auxiliary methods of treatement Dr GSB.pptx

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1. Auxiliary methods of treatment Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy Compiled by Dr Gayatri S. Bhagwat Reader Department of Organon of Medicine BHMC Belagavi

2. OTHER PHYSIO-THERAPEUTIC MEASURES Hahnemann’s scientific philosophical approach has recognized the effects of the physical energies upon the life force. These physic-therapeutic agents recognized as therapeutic powers by Hahnemann have been developed indistinctive, professional sciences in the later years . Mesmerism, magnetism , electricity, galvanism, massage and bath are such important therapeutic measures other than drugs recognized by Hahnemann. In those cases where medicines alone cannot bring about desired results in the patient, these measures can help the physician in curing the diseases . Hahnemann quotes , “there may be diseases, especially diseases of sensibility and irritability, abnormal sensations and involuntary muscular movements which may be cured by those means”.

3. The therapeutic measures other than drugs recommended by Hahnemann are : 1. Galvanism and electricity (§ 286) 2. Magnetism (§ 287) 3. Mesmerism or animal magnetism (§ 288 & 289) 4. Massage (§ 290) 5. Bath (§ 291)

4. Galvanism and Electricity (§ 286) The dynamic force of galvanism and electricity (§ 286) have a powerful effect just as the dynamised homeopathic medicines. Diseases of sensitivity and irritability, abnormal sensations and involuntary muscular movements can be cured by these methods. But to make homeopathic use of such powers, still the knowledge regarding them is not sufficient. So far, both galvanism and electricity have been used by many physicians for palliative purposes. These palliative purposes have made great damage to the patient. Much research has to be done to understand their therapeutic effects. In the introductory chapters Hahnemann explains about the cures by medical electricity, observed by old physicians.

5. Several authors like Sauvages , Delas , Barillo , Wilkinson, Wesley, Zetzel etc observed that electricity is capable of producing as well as curing acceleration of pulse, febrile paroxysms , convulsive movements, a kind of sciatica, etc. Electricity can cure certain diseases like apoplexy, paralysis and amaurosis because it is homeopathic to them in its action.

6. Magnetism (§ 287) The healing power of magnet can be employed for homeopathic use . These methods have been explained by Hahnemann in Materia Medica Pura under  North Pole and South Pole of the powerful magnet bar. Though both poles have equal powers they do not oppose each other in their respective actions. While applying these magnetic fields to the patient, their power can be altered and modified by counting the duration of the application of the magnet to the patient. The North Pole and the South Pole have distinctive curative effects. The adjustment and application of these poles can be done according to the symptoms produced by both poles .

7. If any violent effect results due to over application of the magnetic power, application of the polished zinc plate can be used as an antidote. Homeopathic M ateria M edica contains medicines like “ Magnetis polus australius (south pole of magnet)”, “ Magnetis polus arcti (north pole of magnet)”, “ magnetis poli ambo (magnet exposed to sugar of milk)” etc.

8. Mesmerism or Animal Magnetism (§ 288 - 289) Hippocrates, the father of medicine believed in somnambulistic powers. Paracelsus believed in animal magnetism. “Mesmer ” discovered this therapeutic method of animal magnetism. Hence it is called as the mesmerism. Mesmerism seems to be similar to the Reiki healing and the pranic healing techniques. Mesmerism or animal magnetism is a therapeutic method of communicating human healing power of a well intentioned person by exerting his will power to the sick persons.

9. Types of Pass Pass can be of 2 types : i . Positive  mesmerism.   i i. Negative  mesmerism i . Positive Mesmerism:  It is one of the methods of positive pass where one single pass is made, without much exertion, with palms of the healer not too slowly, from top of head to the tips of the toes. This method of  practicing mesmerism depends upon an influx of more or less vital  force in the patient and hence called the positive mesmerism. Practical use:  It helps to distribute the disturbed vital force uniformly allover the body. It also helps in extinguishing the morbid vital force and replaces with the healthy vital force. Hence, it is effective in treating old ulcers, amaurosis and paralysis of single organs.

10. ii. Negative Mesmerism:  Another method of mesmerism, where the excessively accumulated vital force in the individual parts of a system can be discharged. This is possible especially in debilitated persons . This is just opposite to the positive mesmerism . Different methods of  passes called as soothing and ventilating, belong to this group. This is performed simply by making a very rapid motion through flat extended hand held parallel to and about an inch distant from the body . The pass is done from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. The more rapidly this pass is made, so much more effectively will the discharge be affected.

11. Practical use:  This type of mesmerism helps in raising the somnambulists from sleep. It is effective in counteracting the bad effects of positive mesmerism. Negative mesmerism is useful in discharging the unevenly  accumulated vital energy in the body by its rapid negative passes . Negative pass if applied very rapidly is too dangerous, especially to  persons suffering with chronic ailments and deficient vital force.

12. Massage (§ 290) The massages of different types are useful to the patients who are cured of their chronic illness, but still suffering with loss of flesh (loss of weight),weakness of digestion and lack of sleep etc. Practical uses:  The vigorous, good natured person will give the massage by separately grasping and moderately pressing the muscles of the limb,  breast and back. This he does to arouse the life principle to reach and restore the tone of muscles, blood and lymph vessels. The mesmeric effect is the chief feature in this massage and it must not be used in excess in patients still hypersensitive.

13. Baths (§ 291) Baths of pure water act as palliatives. They act partly as homeopathic means in acute diseases as well as in convalescence of chronic diseases. Baths help in restoration of health. Their effects depend on the temperature of the water used and duration and the repetition of the exposure to the bath. By repeated usage they can bring some physically observable changes only. Baths are not having any known powers of curing.

14. Practical use:  Luke warm baths: In the frozen, drowned and suffocated cases , the nerve fibers will be in the be numbed state . Luke warm baths at 25 to27° R. serve to arouse the nerves to normal state . In cases of irritability and uneven distribution of life force in some organs like hysteric spasms and infantile convulsions, baths may give homeopathic aid.

15. Cold baths: In those persons who are cured of chronic diseases by the help of medicines and yet deficient vital heat, the cold baths at 10 to 6°R may give a homeopathic aid. Baths can be used as effective palliative means. First they palliate instantaneously and then with repeated immersions to restore the tone of the exhausted fiber. The baths can be used for a few minutes and gradually in lower temperatures. Violent reactions cannot be expected by baths because they act physically and not dynamically.

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