Keep it pure!

I was just visiting the HPathy.com site. It occasionally has some good articles but the latest from Luc De Schepper and Ikegami is bloody confusing.

Just more reasons to keep homeopathy pure...

"
Luc De Schepper
Look for the Core Delusion

When we read the description of OCD, “recurrent and persistent thoughts, excessive and obsessional thoughts, and repetitive behavior such as hand washing, praying, tearing things, tapping with finger or foot, etc.) it fits perfectly the homeopathic definition of a delusion or fixed idea as mentioned before. There may be many delusions present in one patient, but the one that interests us most is the “core delusion.” How do we define this?

A core delusion is the expression of the dominant, ruling emotion. It will be the driving force behind the actions, thoughts and plans of the patient, and will create along the way, secondary delusions. Therefore all compensations and secondary delusions have their origin in the core delusion. It is imperative for everyone (as we all have a core delusion) to execute compensations, which can be regarded as defense mechanisms to flee from the core delusion (when it is negative) or to reinforce the positive delusion. The patient will have to execute much compensation to stay away from his inevitable fate: he will have to face this core delusion at some point in his life. The patient’s “good” delusion obviously is bad for him as it impedes his self-growth. If we don’t ask enough “Why’s?” to the psychological behavior of the patient, he will express his compensations far away from the core delusion and try to coach you in prescribing for the mask rather than the shadow side, a mask that is formed by all these compensations. This will lead to the selection of a simile: “The mask is the simile (compensations), the shadow side is the simillimum (the core delusion)!” An Ancient Chinese Proverb expresses the same: “Confucius says to return to the root is to find the meaning, but to pursue appearance is to miss the source!” Finding the core delusion, is what we call the “Ah-ah,” the light bulb that appears: “I see the essence of my patient.” This core delusion is the center of the disease progression of the individual. All his mental-emotional, and physical compensations will be determined and guided by the primary delusion.

One should not despair when not finding the core delusion: as much as this is a very important piece of information, the homeopath can still find the remedy, by filling the rest of the pieces. And it is always advisable
Once we have to make the differential diagnosis between two or three remedies, to look carefully at their delusions and see which ones match the patient’s picture more."

******************
Thematic Approach of Clinic Case
-- Andréa Costa Pinto Ikegami

Translated by Maria Gabriela Ruscica

Abstract

The author presents a clinical case that serves to illustrate the application of non- traditional techniques for approaching cases. This method of Alfonso Masi Elizalde, represents a wider scope of possible strategies in order to individualize not merely each and every patient, but homeopathic practice itself.
Keywords

Individualization – Clinical strategies – Masi Elizalde

Patient

Male, 76 years, assisted in clinic, teacher at Paulista School of Homeopathy. Separated, two children, retired professor.

Consultation held on 18 August 2002, with complaint of “buzz in left ear” for two months. He does not refer to any other complaint or pathological history. He makes an effort to maintain his health and follows a macrobiotic diet. His aspect is more youthful than expected for his age.



Clinical Diagnosis

1. Buzz (Observation: normal audiometry and impedanciometry)
2. Delirium well systematized.

Miasmatic Diagnosis

Egotrophy (Classification of Masi Elizalde)

Symptoms and Themes

• Buzz in left ear, like a cicada. Worsening from 5 to 6 AM, when just waking up . Improvement reading a special book of spiritual self-help. On exceptional occasions, improvement after rain and after "taking a drink" like whisky and “caipirinhas”.

• Calcification: "I attribute to calcification", "My conclusion is that aging is degenerating everything, calcification"; "I took magnesium because I have it has the capacity to remove calcium in excess".

• Knowledge: "I found the buzz was reduced temporarily reading a book of 'Rational Culture'. I gained this knowledge twenty years ago. It is a book written by an alien. When people read this book, they go to another energy field", "I am from 'Rational Culture', we have a self-knowledge and eliminate psychological causes". "Perfect gut, I compared my gut with the pineal gland; I did a study and my times are all correct"; ."I used my knowledge to write a book on this subject"; "I want to bring this knowledge to the greatest number of people, through a radio program, to disseminate it" [He is author of several books about coming to 'Rational Culture' after reading a work assigned to an alien].

• Dissemination of knowledge: "I want to bring this knowledge to the largest number of people, through a radio program, to disseminate it". He is author of several books, at each visit he brings many materials, and asks to give classes on the subject in school.

• Preoccupation with health: "We are all subject to pollution from pesticides; I do exams every year to see if I have some virus hidden" [extreme concern with food, corporal functions, realization of researches on health issues, etc.].

• Universal Love: "Today I think family is a falsehood. Love, fraternity, peace is universal. I become particular love in universal".

Physical Examination

Not significant.
Approach of Case

The patient’s story emphasizes the following aspects: “excess of calcium”; fear of contagion; anxiety about health, desiring to read medical books, needing to know everything. This group of themes and symptoms immediately brought to mind Calcarea carbonica. A second group of themes and symptoms was composed of knowledge; light; universal love/brotherhood, suggested Phosphorus.

Masi Elizalde explains that the dynamic nature of Calcarea phosphorica is a conviction that one is the carrier of good news and has the duty to communicate it to others. The Calc Phos theme seemed to apply in this case, to the extent that the patient reported being the carrier of a knowledge that should save the world. Also, his mission was to disseminate it to the public as widely as possible, for which purpose he had even rejected his family. The conviction of possessing knowledge and having to disseminate it was a constant in his life, manifested before his philosophical-religious conversion ( through teaching and literary activity.)

He was prescribed Calcarea phosphorica CH200 in a single dose.

Evolution

The effect of the prescribed dose was an immediate improvement of his chief complaint, the buzz, demonstrated by a decrease in intensity/ frequency of this symptom and its having no more interference in his daily life.

Similarly, a deeper improvement was perceived in his emotional relations. He perceived that love was not only universal, but also involved the love of family. He resumed his relationship with his wife and children.

Just one dose of Calc Phos was prescribed in May 2004. The patient continues with good progress until today.

Discussion

The approach used in this case seems to contradict all standards of good homeopathic practice, both Hahnemannian and Kentian. However, homeopathy is by definition, the medicine of the individual, and demands the most absolute individualization of each case (Hahnemann, 1995: # 82).

The individual circumstances of this case - obsessive presence of repeated elements – guides us to choose an approach that prioritizes, precisely, the special elements in this case.. A standard repertorial analysis did not confirm the remedies suggested by the textual analysis (Calcarea carbonica, Phosphorus and Calcarea phosphorica). In fact, the chosen remedy appeared in the 94th position in the repertorization.



The prescription of Calcarea phosphorica was suggested by applying the methodology of Masi Elizalde. It is useful to highlight that the remedy not only led to improvement of the chief complaint, but managed a deeper change in the existential dynamic of the patient. It allowed him to objectify the content of "Noumenon" from Elizalde’s terminology, that is, seeing the world no longer distorted by a "psoric spot" in his imagination.

Professor Elizalde insisted that all theoretical elaborations about "medicals theses" should pass the test of experience. That is, the prescription of a remedy based on understanding of its deep matter, must induce movement of significant improvement in all transcendental areas - physical, psychological and existential. From that point of view, this case serves to confirm the thesis of the prescription and to remind us that intellectually elaborated ideas must always go through the sieve of real application.
Conclusions

The proposed example suggests that there are strategies for working cases that are appropriate to the particular characteristics of each case. Standard methodology for the analysis of cases, at present, is the result of a long process of construction, begun in the Hahnemann’s time. However, inclusion of new kinds of understanding, such as linguistics, and new instruments of technological application, such as programs and digital libraries, allow us an unprecedented flexibility in choice of strategies.

Jack, I couldn't read past your intro paragraph...I didn't want to subject myself to torture.

Really Glen... what the heck is this guy talking about? How can any rational person see his technique as valid or even usable?

Well, the thing is, I sincerely believe that there are many "rational" and even some brilliant people who ascribe to this. But being rational is an altogether different animal from being one who objectively confirms the claims of others through unbiased experience. These are the ones who know that he's trying to twist reality to fit his claim; and not allowing his claim to fit reality.

Not to mention ... how do you reproduce it?

I have been looking at my monthly Hpathy - much less and just reading the titles was enough for me. Seems that DeScepper - became more COre delusional in the wake of Sankarans $$$$success in getting everyone to buy his crap.
Wow that was really, really painful, do we have an ailments from bullshit remedy?

I think it is a delusion to think that one can cure using this vague notion of "core delusion". I have so much to say on this but I am at work right now (marking season...so been quiet on the forum here lately). Let's just say, that sometimes I feel like a salmon going upstream when I hear this shite here at the school from new students. We have a pretty good stable of teachers now and they do not subscribe to these ideas (without shaming the students who are questioning about delusions etc). However, it is like a virus that pervades silently and with deadly attraction.

New age homeopathy....that is one of my arguments...hmmmm...a blog idea!

Core delusion, indeed!!

I agree Andrea.

If those students who are following the "core delusion" path are challenged about that method, they not only may realize how unreliable it is, but also why pure homeopathy makes so much more sense.

Perhaps a friendly debate between students (pure vs delusion) in class would allow the ideas of each method to be fleshed out. Most students upon truly examining the debate would support the pure side.

I have a Sankaran book on my shelf in my office. I bought it in first year and found it fascinating. Then as I started looking at real cases and learning more of the Organon in year 2 and 3 I realized that the book was of no help whatsoever and it confused the hell out of me. After starting my practice, I realized that it not only eas of no use, but actually harmed homeopathy.

After seeing Joe take and analyze cases in year 3 clinic, I realized which path I was going to persue.

So again, I think many people follow the core delusion path b/c they simply aren't seeing enough cases and aren't actually trying to put it in to practice. Therefore they don't question it.

You are so right! Usually by Year 3 they see "the light" because they have Joseph for clinic.

When people are ueducated, the Sankaranian thing is so much in the public parlance around homeopathy, that they are curious. Curiosity is healthy. And debate is constant on this topic in the classrooms here...we are fortunate to have homeopaths who are solid in their Organon who can address these questions effectively and with some humour, without slamming other ideas.

I was fascinated with this whole core delusion thing because of my training as a therapist...I discovered very very quickly that it was so assumptive and couldn't possibly aid me in my naivete of how homeopathy actually looked in practice. It is hard enough being a good homoepath using the principles that Hahnemann bequeathed to us, let alone adding abstract notions that really have nothing to do with anything other than buidling a practitioner's ego...I really believe that is all it is about (a whole other topic!)

Yup, yup, yup