Abstract:
Background: The external application of medicine involves the use of therapeutic agents applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes to treat localized disease conditions. This article gives an idea for all about Hahnemann’s standpoint on external application and disadvantages of external application and its utility in local maladies of external causes.
Keywords: External application, internal diseases, suppression
The external application is a debatable topic in the homoeopathic system of medicine. Nowadays it is necessary for a physician to satisfy his patient by giving some external application for the local manifestation. But the question is, is it absolutely necessary? When can I use the external applications? Does it cure the disease? Is it hastening the cure in local diseases?
Master Hahnemann, (§185) regarded local maladies as a one sided disease, where the changes and symptoms appear on the external part of the body. The old school concept is that these external parts are affected alone without the involvement of other parts of the body. This concept is illogical and purely theoretical. All the parts of the body are interconnected to form a whole organism and it maintains the sensation and functions harmoniously. No external malady can occur without the involvement of the whole organism. No single part can be diseased, the rest of the organism remains healthy.
The vital force always serves to minimize the loss and preserve the integrity of the vital organs of the organism, by throwing the diseases first to the least important part of the organism i.e. skin which is not indispensable to human life. Hence the disease is confined to the part for the time being and the vital principle silence the internal disease without affecting the vital organs.
The treatment with external application will always suppress the disease but not cure the patient.
So, the external maladies are caused by the dynamic derangement of the internal vital force. The treatments which are directed towards these external maladies must be given as an internal remedy by considering the whole organism.
It is evident that the internal remedy which is chosen and given by considering the totality will cure the internal disease and remove the external manifestation without any local application (§191).
In §194 Hahnemann said, it is not useful to apply the medicine externally even though it is specific to the condition and the homoeopathicity (relation between the remedy and patient who has been cured) is established.
So, the cure affected by the internal remedy must follow Hering’s Law of Cure: The cure must take place from above, downwards; within, outwards; centre to periphery; from more important to less important organs and in the chronologically reverse order of disease development.
Disadvantage of simultaneous local application along with internal administration:
- The external manifestations are the chief symptoms which will be removed before the internal disease.
- The picture of the disease will be lost.
External applications as per Hahnemann teachings:
- In case of psoriasis the intense itching is mainly because of the scales which is purely a mechanical disturbance, this can be removed by applying olive oil.
- In case of erysipelas there will be dryness which can be removed by placing a soft cloth dipped in normal salt solution.
- Other than the tongue, mouth and stomach, the medicines can be administered by applying on skin by rubbing it on the back, arms and extremities but while doing these parts with pain or spasm or skin eruptions must be avoided (§285).
- In difficult cases of gonorrhoea where there are large fig warts, it can be moistened with freshly prepared juice of thuja leaves mixed with equal quantity of alcohol (Chronic disease: cure of sycosis).
From this we can understand that, master Hahnemann is not in favour of using the external application in cases of dynamic diseases. The use of external application in dynamic diseases may lead to suppressions.
Usage of Homoeopathic preparations as external application in non-dynamic diseases:
- Apis Mellifica: Beneficial in stings of bees and wasps when mother tincture is applied with cotton. Swelling or puffing up, red rosy hue with stinging pain and soreness.
- Arnica Montana: Beneficial in injuries from fall, blows, cuts, sprained joints, abrasions, bruises, bed sores. Prevents pus formation. Sore, lame bruised feeling. Soreness of gums after tooth extraction.
- Bellis Perennis: Muscular soreness and lameness. Venous congestion due to mechanical causes. After major surgeries. Excellent for sprains and bruises.
- Calendula Officinalis: A very good healing agent can be applied locally for open wounds, non-healing ulcers. It promotes rapid healing with healthy granulation tissues. Reduces suppuration and promotes scar formation. Can be used for superficial burns and scalds.
- Cantharis: Efficient in case burns and ulcers caused by burns.
- Plantago Major: Local application in toothache, decayed teeth. Tooth sensitive and sore to touch. Pyorrhoea alveolaris.
- Symphytum Officinale: It can be used externally for dressing sores and ulcers. It stimulates the growth of epithelium on ulcerated surfaces.
Conclusion:
The cure, according to Master Hahnemann, lies in addressing the internal disease through internal remedies chosen based on the totality of symptoms. The homoeopathic remedy works holistically and removes the external manifestations without external applications. Disease, therefore, it affects the individual as a whole, physical and psychical, and it is not possible to cure unless the disturbed order has been completely restored in the whole individual and unless the symptoms have altogether disappeared. Hahnemann says restore health and annihilate the whole, the entire disease, not SUPPRESS certain symptoms.
References:
- Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th edition. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.; 2013.
- Roberts HA. The principles and art of cure by homoeopathy: a modern textbook. New Delhi: Jain; 1997.
- Mandal Pratim Partha, Mandal B. A Text Book of Homoeopathic Pharmacy. B. Jain Publishers; 2001.
- Boericke W. Boericke’s new manual of homoeopathic materia medica with repertory. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2007.
Dr Ragul S
PG Scholar – Department of Organon of medicine & Homoeopathic Philosophy,
Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital
Mangalore, Karnataka.