{"id":58725,"date":"2024-10-05T06:22:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-05T06:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homeobook.com\/?p=58725"},"modified":"2024-10-05T06:22:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-05T06:22:51","slug":"role-of-external-applications-in-homoeopathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homeobook.com\/role-of-external-applications-in-homoeopathy\/","title":{"rendered":"Role of external applications in Homoeopathy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr Prachi Shah<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract:
\n<\/strong>Homoeopathy, one of the most commonly used alternative medicines globally, has a wide range of roles in the management of various diseases. Use of external applications has always been a topic of controversy since the time of Hahnnemann. If we all decide to stick to our basics, we could all be on the same page without being controversial. Hence, one must follow the traditions and always try to innovate and give new ideologies to the fraternity, keeping basics in mind.<\/p>\n

We all young and emerging homeopaths should take responsibility for the same.<\/p>\n

Keywords: <\/strong>local application, external application, ointment, homeopathy, Hahnemann, Organon of medicine.<\/p>\n

Introduction:
\n<\/strong>From the time immemorial, local applications have been used by physicians for a very long time from Aesculapius down to the present day, on the belief that if the external manifestations are removed, the disease is cured. But, Dr. Hahnemann after discovery of homoeopathy proclaimed that, that the external application is nothing but the outward reflection of the internal derangement of the spiritual, dynamic vital force which, when disturbed, expresses itself on the surface as signs.<\/p>\n

External applications are not in the strict principle of homeopathy. Treatment of diseases by internal medication is the specialty of homeopathy. Disease manifests by signs and symptoms, which are the sole guide of our homeopathic method of treatment.<\/p>\n

No disease is external or local. The immaterial spirit-like vital force throws out the internal disease on the external surface. The nature of external symptoms indicate the nature of internal sickness. By removal of the external affections by external application the disease is never cured. On the other hand, they may attack some vital organs of our body, and as a result, we lose the image of the diseases. But for accidental cases, injuries, lacerations, burns etc. we need some local cleansing and dressing of the part.<\/p>\n

Henneman gave some arguments against the external application in his Organon of medicine (5th Edition) in aphorism 196 to 203. But later on he saw the necessity of external application, while advocating the administration of medicine per mouth.<\/p>\n

He felt that, oral route is not the only route for administration of medicine.<\/p>\n

So, he clearly explained, in the 6th edition of Organon of Medicine in aphorism 284 and 285, about the use of external application. He said that curative remedy should be continued internally while the same remedy is used externally as ointment, lotion, liniment, glycerol etc.<\/p>\n

Note: Inveterate and difficult cases of sycosis (when the sycosis remains along with the excrescences), Thuja occidentalis <\/em>may be applied externally. This is the only condition where external application of medicine has been advocated by Hahnemann.<\/p>\n

LOCAL MALADIES:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Definition: <\/strong>Local maladies or local diseases are one sided diseases where changes and ailments appear on the external parts of the body. (Aphorism 185).<\/p>\n

Local maladies are not purely local in nature but the rest of the body also participates in the development of the disease process. All parts of the organism are independent; no symptoms will develop exclusively independent. Some disturbance in one part may generate changes in the other parts of the body also. In each and every disease the entire organism reacts as a whole. So the local diseases are not truly local.<\/p>\n

Types of local maladies:<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are divided into two type:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Local maladies because of external cause<\/li>\n
  2. Local maladies because of internal cause<\/li>\n
  3. Local maladies because of external cause:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There are some local maladies which, in their first context itself appear to be local.<\/p>\n

    Example: In cases of mild skin injuries, it remains purely local. Owing to the mildness of the symptoms, the vital force can aid it without any medicinal help.<\/p>\n

    On the contrary, if the local melodies are because of severe types of external injuries, a revolution takes place in the entire organism. the whole organism reacts and there appears a protective general response like fever, malaise etc. If the injury of the external cause is of a severe type, even surgical aid may be needed.<\/p>\n

    In such cases, also along with the mechanical and surgical aid, proper homeopathic dynamic medicines have to be given to assist the vital force in recovery. It is a common example that a patient with severe contusions, lacerated muscles will develop fever. This type of fever has to be smoothened by the use of dynamic homeopathic remedies. In case of scalds and burns along with the local cleanliness and hygiene, internal dynamic medicines can be administered to prevent shock (\u00a7 186).<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Local maladies because of internal cause (\u00a7 187 & 188)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This is the second group of local maladies where the physician cannot notice any type of external cause like injury or accident. Here, the cause is purely internal and dynamic. Example: eruptions on the lip and whitlow, etc (\u00a7 189).<\/p>\n

      Such local diseases where external cause could not be traced out, must be treated with internal remedies to achieve a judicious, sure, efficient and radical cure (\u00a7 190).<\/p>\n