Dr Kavya Mohan
Abstract
According to Stuart Clause idiosyncracy means habit or quality of the organism peculiar to the individual. It is the peculiarity of the constitution, inherited or acquired which makes the individual morbidly susceptible to some agent or influence which would not so affect others.
This article focuses on the views of Staurt Clause on idiosyncrasy, it’s types, causes and management
Key words : Idiosyncracy, Miasm
INTRODUCTION
MANY of the articles which is included in this book “Genius of homoeopathy” were originally prepared as lectures for the Senior Classes of the New York Homœopathic Medical College, during Stuart Clause’s engagement as Professor of Homœopathic Philosophy, 1909-1913.
According to Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, idiosyncrasy is defined as:
“A peculiar physical or mental trait, a peculiar way of feeling, thinking, or reacting, which distinguishes one individual from another, and makes him respond differently from others to the same external influence Idiosyncrasy a fundamental concept in homeopathy, recognizing that each individual has a unique constitution, which influences their susceptibility to disease and their response to remedies. He emphasized the importance of understanding idiosyncrasy in order to individualize treatment and select the most appropriate remedy for each patient.
In Genius of homoeopathy by Stuart Clause he is saying that to an average physician, idiosyncracy means merely oversensitiveness of drug
Examples : 1) In the case of intermittent fever, after giving a moderate dose of cinchona, the patient shows dangerous effects such as becoming delirious, developing vomiting and go into collapse or hemorrhage from the kidney, lungs or retina,or sometimes with permanent loss or impairment of function, these results have been reported by use of quinine but the average physician doesn’t learn
2) Average physician sees a case that requires opium after administering the usual dose he notices dangerous effects like congestion of brain, lung, intestine substitutes it with some other drug, he doesn’t learn from his experience
Some patients manifest
- Idiosyncrasy to smell : Cannot bear the smell of violet, or of lavender or of any other flower he will get sick
- Idiosyncrasy to food: A person cannot eat some articles of food without suffering eg: apple, peach, strawberry, onion, potato, milk, fat, butter affect certain people unpleasantly
Examples
- Stuart Clause observed that a patient always gets hay fever and asthma whenever he rides horse, odour and exhalation from horse in noxious to him
- A woman who comes in contact with cat causes violent trembling and aggravation of all his symptoms, she was suffering from hay fever
- Idiosyncracy is a key to the difficult case from the stand point of homeopathic prescriber
- Idiosyncracy can be viewed as modality, these peculiarity when taken on certain degree of importance, can be used for the indication of remedy
- Property interpreted and classified sometimes rank as general symptom, expressing and representing peculiarity of the patient himself
- They aid in individualizing the case and differentiate between 2 similar remedies
Stuart clause during his practice was puzzled and baffled by a case for several weeks, but by the peculiar symptom aggravated by onion, lead to the prescription of thuja which cured the case
Cause of idiosyncrasy
According to Rice “fundamental cause of every idiosyncrasy is morphological imbalance, excess and defect in development, there results excess and defect in function with a corresponding degree of hyperexcitability or nonexcitability”
Idiosyncracy are inherited or acquired. They represent morbid susceptibility to some agent or influence
Drug idiosyncracies both inherited and acquired appear due to previous abuse of the drug, others have their origin from psoric constitution.
Many persons who have been poisoned by drug are afterwards hypersensitive to drug condition termed anaphylaxis
For example susceptibility to Rhus or ivy poisoning, especially if they are initially treated externally, such persons are poisoned by the slightest contact with plant even by passing in its vicinity without contact, in that case if there occurs disappearance of external manifestation it is followed by a setting up of constitutional susceptibility. This makes him susceptible not only to disease but to the drug concerned homoeopathically
Suppression of primary form of the disease by topical or palliative treatment which may lead to the development of idiosyncrasy. If the initial attack is perfectly cured homoeopathically by internal medicines such tendencies won’t happen.
Investigation shows that cases of inherited idiosyncrasy and morbid susceptibility to drug are traceable to abuse of these drug by parents or ancestors
Stuart clause observed violent and sudden aggravation of mercury following administration of high potency, patient asked whether doctor had prescribed mercury for him, and he told Stuart Clause that he can’t take mercury in any form, later it was found out that his parents had been heavy users of mercury. Another case he noticed that even amalgam filling of teeth causes symptoms of mercurial poisoning due to absorption of mercury in infinitesimal quantities. Many cases in today’s generation which is now corresponding to sulphur is due to abuse of sulphur by the previous generations.
Treatment of idiosyncrasy
1)If the patient is sensitive to Rhus and had lead to Rhus poisoning, then a very high potency of Rhus will sometimes remove that susceptibility and a dose of Rhus in c.m. or m.m. will often check the acute poisoning from Rhus : but if you find that the patient has been born with a sensitivity to Rhus, while Rhus may palliate a few times it will finally cease to help him
2) psoric constitution.
Example: When one is born with this sensitivity it is very tenacious and will sometimes persist, in spite of our best endeavours, to the end of life. If eradicated at all, it requires an antipsoric to get to the bottom of it. Some times hay fever is brought on and is supposed to be caused by the patient’s over-sensitiveness to irritants that develop about that time ; sometimes it is attributed to the hay that is growing in the fields at that time, sometimes to the different weeds that grow up then. Such patients have often been able to remove out the idiosyncracy that they are susceptible to. But psora is at the bottom of all these troubles.
Importance of idiosyncracy
- Constitutional peculiarities :Close emphasizes that idiosyncrasy includes constitutional peculiarities, which are the inherent tendencies and weaknesses that shape an individual’s response to environment, stress, and disease. These peculiarities influence a person’s susceptibility to disease, making them more prone to specific conditions.
- Remedy Selection
Understanding idiosyncrasy is crucial in selecting the appropriate homeopathic remedy. Close stresses that the remedy must match the individual’s unique characteristics, addressing the underlying causes of disease. By considering idiosyncrasy, homeopaths can tailor treatment to the individual’s needs, ensuring a more effective and personalized approach.
- Holistic Approach
Clause’s concept of idiosyncrasy emphasizes the importance of considering the whole person, including physical, mental, and emotional aspects. This holistic approach recognizes that disease is a manifestation of imbalance in the individual’s entire being, rather than just a localized symptom.
Conclusion
Stuart Clause’s concept of idiosyncrasy in “The Genius of Homeopathy” highlights the significance of individuality in homeopathic practice. By understanding and respecting idiosyncrasy, homeopaths can provide personalized treatment that addresses the unique needs and characteristics of each patient. Clause’s work continues to inspire homeopaths worldwide, emphasizing the importance of tailoring treatment to the individual, rather than just the disease.
References
- Organon of Medicine – Samuel Hahnemann translated by R.E.Dudgeon
- Genius of Homoeopathy – Stuart Clause
Dr Kavya Mohan
PG Scholar,Department of organon of medicine with homoeopathic philosophy
Under the guidance of Dr. Shobha.B.Malipatil MD (HOM),HOD, AND P.G GUIDE,Department of organon of medicine with philosophy GHMCH Bangalore
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