Hahnemann’s teaching in regard to local application is very clear and distinct, and in practice has thoroughly proven its value.
It is neither beneficial in acute local diseases of rapid growth, nor in those of long standing, to use a remedy externally as a local application to the diseased part, even if the medicines were specific and curative in that form. Acute local diseases, such as inflammations of single parts, like erysipelas, for instance, which are not produced by violent external injuries, but by dynamic or internal causes, will usually yield rapidly to internal homoeopathic remedies selected from our stock of well-tested medicines. Organon, Aphorism §194:
What, then, should be the attitude of the Hahnemannian follower in regard to local applications?
- Is it necessary that we leave the patient in all his discomfort in a chronic case like psoriasis and depend entirely upon the potentized remedy?
- Does the intense itching necessarily prove the deciding symptom in selecting the remedy?
- Just what is the meaning of local applications?
If by local applications we mean something that will mask the expression of the disease, this certainly should not be considered beneficial according to Hahnemann’s teaching; but if we base our use of local applications upon physical principles, we may consider it.
For instance, in cases of psoriasis and skin diseases, where there is excessive scaling and dryness, this is the cause of the intense itching and is purely a mechanical disturbance. This can be removed very easily and properly by olive oil or use of coconut oil or whitfield ointment, followed by a bathing of the part, for cleansing purposes. Such conditions as appear in erysipelas, where there is great tension and dryness, may be temporarily relieved without violating Hahnemannian principles by laying on for a few minutes a soft cloth which has been dipped in a normal salt solution. Such treatments are not local applications in the sense that Hahnemann referred to in his derogation of the practice. In case of burns internal use of Urtica- Urens along with external application of weak solution of Urtica in water brings dramatic results. In cases of fistulae and ulcers d local application of Calendula 1 part in 20 parts of water will produce rapid healing through promotion of healthy granulation tissue. In acne the local application of Berberis Aquifolium and Calendula shall do wonders. In cases of gangrene local application of Hypericum and calendula will give most satisfactory results. Local application of Aconite 6CH on the carious tooth will take away intense toothache in a matter of minutes, this use of Aconite was given by Dr.Dorothy Shepherd and is verified as true by my 30 years of practice. Even Hahnemann recommended local use of Thuja on sycotic warts while administering Thuja internally in potencies.
There is another phase of local applications to be considered, those which have to do with the thermic reactions of the body. For instance, it would be very objectionable to put cold applications on a patient whose symptomatology calls for Rhus tox. It would be equally inconsistent and aggravating to put a local hot application on a Pulsatilla patient, and one should guard against using a hot water bottle at the feel of Sulphur patients. When using any adjuvants, the thermal reactions of the patient should be considered. This brings out the necessity of having a keen observation and a very thorough knowledge of the aggravations and ameliorations of our remedies, so as to avoid doing anything locally that would aggravate the general discomfort of the patient.
There is only one condition where local application of the indicated potentized remedy may be used to advantage, and that is in cases where it is impossible to administer it by mouth. This statement is based on Hahnemann’s observations that mucous surfaces and denuded surfaces are receptive to the indicated remedy, but to a more limited degree than through the alimentary canal.
Aphorism 290, 291,292.
- 290 Fifth Edition
Besides the stomach, the tongue and the mouth are the parts most susceptible to the medicinal influences; but the interior of the nose is more especially so, and the rectum, the genitals, as also all particularly sensitive parts of our body are almost equally capable of receiving the medicinal action; hence also, parts that are destitute of skin, wounded or ulcerated spots permit the powers of medicines to exercise almost as penetrating an action upon the organism as if the medicine had been taken by the mouth or still better by olfaction and inhalation.
- 291 Fifth Edition
Even those organs which have lost their peculiar sense, e.g., a tongue and palate that have lost the faculty of tasting, or a nose that has lost the faculty of smelling, communicate the power of the medicine that acts first on them alone not less perfectly to all the other organs of the body.
- 292 Fifth Edition
Even the external surface of the body, covered as it is with skin and epidermis, is not insusceptible of the powers of medicines, especially those in a liquid form, but the most sensitive parts are also the most susceptible.1
1 Rubbing-in appears to favour the action of the medicines only in this way, that the friction makes the skin more sensitive, and the living fibres thereby more capable of feeling, as it were, the medicinal power and of communicating to the whole organism this health-affecting sensation. The previous employment of friction to the inside of the thigh makes the mere laying on the mercurial ointment afterwards quite as powerfully medicinal as if the ointment itself had been rubbed upon that part, a process which is termed rubbing-in, but it is very doubtful whether the mental itself can penetrate in substance into the interior of the body, or be taken up by the absorbent vessels by means of this so-called rubbing-in. Homoeopathy, however, hardly ever requires for its cures the rubbing-in of any medication, nor does it need any mercurial ointment.
