A Description of Homeopathic Miasms

June 2001 Miasms in Homoeopathy
THE CONCEPT OF MIASMS IN HOMOEOPATHY:

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY
TOM O'BRIEN
___
"Useful to the physician in assisting him to cure are the particulars

of the most probable exciting cause of the acute disease, as also the
most significant points in the whole history of the chronic disease, to
enable him to discover its fundamental cause, which is generally
due to a chronic miasm. In these investigations, the ascertainable
physical constitution of the patient (especially when the disease is
chronic), his moral and intellectual character, his occupation, mode
of living and habits, his social and domestic relations, his age,
sexual function, etc., are to be taken into consideration."
(Aph. 5 Organon of Medicine - Samuel

Hahnemann)
Summary:
This brief article examines the Hahnemannian concept of Miasms

and describes the distinguishing characteristics of the four main
miasmatic states, Psora (for more see PSORA 5) Psora, Sycosis,
Syphilis and Tuberculosis, together with the proposition of emerging
AIDS and Cancer Miasms. In addition, with reference to distinctions
in the treatment of chronic diseases, a brief description of the main
miasmatic remedies is included.
Introduction
Through ancient and modern history there has been a constant

search for the causes of the acute and chronic disease.
Hippocrates, along with others, taught that all diseases were caused
by the susceptibility in the individual rather than one cause. In the
Greek philosophy disease is caused by an interdependent set of
circumstances which disrupts the natural ebb and flow of the
pneuma (vital force) within the organism. In the Organon of Rational
Medicine Samuel Hahnemann separated the origin of disease into
two categories, the exciting and fundamental causes, and related
Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 1

them very closely to the susceptibility of the physical constitution,

as can be seen in aph. 5 quoted above
From the early days of his career Samuel Hahnemann experienced

great success in the treatment in acute diseases but as early as
1816 he was becoming concerned because the constitutional health
of his patients seemed to be slowly declining. His search for a
deeper understanding of the processes that lie behind chronic
disease was prompted because of the fact that even though he
prescribed medicines according the similimum principles they were
often less and less effective as the patient experienced relapse of
illness. In 1828 he published 'The Chronic Diseases, Their Peculiar
Nature and their Homeopathic Cure', commonly known as The
Chronic Diseases, and this was followed in 1829 by its philosophical
counterpart the 4th edition of Organon. In these works Hahnemann
made public for the first time his theory of the chronic miasms, a
concept that remains controversial to this day - even among
homoeopaths.
Miasms as a concept of first cause.

The word 'miasm' is derived from the Greek word meaning taint.
During the 18th century it was a common belief that miasms were
impure airs or 'myres' that were partly responsible for the spread of
disease. While Hahnemann may have subscribed in part to these
theories, by the late 1790s he had realized that syphilis was an
infectious blood disease that could 'mask' itself with the symptoms
of other illnesses. Also, early in his career Hahnemann suggested
that certain skin eruptions were being caused by microscopic
"miasmic animalcule" ('little animals' - after the observations of 18th
century Dutch naturalist, van Leeuwenhoek, who invented the
microscope. In addition Hahnemann began to develop a materia
medica and repertory for the treatment of chronic as well as acute
illness, and postulated that miasmic taint was present not only in
the individual who suffers a disease, but also in the generations of
people who may follow from that time. It is these distinctions made
by Hahnemann, between chronic and acute causation in illness
which Little draws attention to as follows;
"It is sometimes thought that Hahnemann taught that all long-

lasting diseases are caused by chronic miasms. This is not the total
picture. In the Organon he mentions three classifications of long
lasting disease,

those caused by continuing stress factors (disorders

upheld by maintaining causes which by their nature are
not necessarily true chronic disorders aph.73),
those caused by drug toxicity and faulty treatment

(physician caused Aph.74.),
and those caused by infectious miasms (naturally

caused Aph.78)."
In addition one may compare those aspects of miasmatic taint

which are enduring with those which are limited (or self-limiting)
And equally, the an episode of venereal or non-venereal disease if
treated appropriately, according to homoeopathic principles, should
result in no taint remaining to progress during the individual's
lifetime. Koehler (1986) offers a simple yet illustrative comparative
frame:
(from Koehler, Gerhard, (1986) The Handbook of Homoeopathy)
Hahenmann's miasmic theory associated with chronic disease

contained two venereal and two non-venereal miasms that might
lead to life-long chronic disease. The two non-venereal miasms are
Psora (the itch disease) and Pseudo-psora (the tubercle disease).
The two venereal miasms are Sycosis (the fig wart diseases) and
Syphilis (the chancre disease). He also gave details on how to
uncover and treat miasmatic illness (Aph. 204-209) and hinted at
the possibility of other chronic miasms being uncovered through
research (Aph.103), the need for which he continued to emphasise
in his writings
It should be noted that, parallel to these theoretical observations,

Hahnemann was developing his practice experience of delivering

treatment in ever-smaller amounts (potencies) (Organon 4th ed.

onward) and the excellent results which followed. During
Hahnemann's lifetime for example, the metal mercury was used in
the treatment of syphilis. He soon found that Mercury in
homeopathic potency worked much better on syphilis than the
crude poisonous form and in his records he notes several
permanent cures (Handley).

The Miasms & their chief characteristics

"The very earmarks of the various stagmata show their respective
characters. The psoric itches, and appears unclean and unwashed.
The syphilitic ulcerates, and the bony structure is changed. The
sycotic infiltrates, and (the body) is corroded by its discharges." 1
Hahnemann's Chronic Diseases essentially defines basic types of

physical and emotional imbalance; disease is a deviation from being
in a state of internal and external harmony. In his Theory of Chronic
Disease he initially indicated three discernible types of miasmic
taint; Psora, Sycosis & Syphilis -
Psora
"…the internal itch dyscrasia (the psora) is far the most frequent
fundamental cause of chronic diseases." Aph. 206
Psora represents functional weakness.

Hypertrophy, Hypertension
Basic Principles: Deficiency
The skin is the largest single organ in the body and is intimately
linked with the immune system. The doctrine of psora is a
constitutional view of how the immune system responds to
infectious diseases of the skin, especially when they are suppressed.
The term itself, was not invented by Hahnemann. It is derived from
the Greek and superficially equated with scabies although it has a
more profound meaning.
"The terms, Psora and scabies (itch), are much older then
Hahnemann and homoeopathy. To equate the modern term
'"scabies acari" with the Greek naturalist's Psora and the itch
diathesis is a grand mistake. The first recorded usage of "Psora
agria" and "scabies jugis" was by the Alexandrine translators who
had a much wider definition than the modern term for scabies acari.
Many have attacked the Psora teachings and used the term,
scabies, to try and debunk Hahnemann. Dr. Hahnemann was well
aware of both the presence of mites and microorganisms as he
included them as carriers of the primary infection of the psoric
miasm. "2
The deficiency state is due to inadequate utilisation in the mineral

metabolism. Suppression of skin eruptions activates the particular
disposition, shifting to respiratory disorders or gastrointestinal
disease.
1
See Bibliography, Herbert Roberts. P.218
2
See Bibliography, Little

Sycosis
Sycosis represents imbalances resulting from infiltration and
proliferation.
Hypertrophy, Hypertension
Basic Principle: Excess
Hahnemann named the gonorrhoea miasm Sycosis, after the Greek

word for the "fig". He also appreciated that Sycosis, closely relate to
sequealae of the gonorrhoeal infection, is perhaps the most
'stubborn' of the miasms to dispel.
"For it is hardly ever possible to destroy the whole of the many-

formed sycotic miasma by the use of Thuja alone, just as a little as
Sulphur alone can destroy psora or Quicksilver can destroy syphilis
and its manifold sequel by itself alone."3
Others too, commented on the manifold characteristics of sycosis.

Little, referring also to Kent says:
Hahnemann was well aware that there were two forms of

gonorrhoea miasm, one acute and self-limiting in nature, and the
other chronic in its tendency. Kent determined that there were three
type of gonorrhoea of which two were infectious miasms and one
was not. The first is a simple non-infectious inflammatory
gonorrhoea while the second a self-limiting acute miasm that did
not tend to produce a chronic syndrome. The third is an infection
with the sycotic miasm, which has the potential to produce a chronic
disease with secondary and tertiary states, especially when
suppressed. The non-suppressed primary infection of sycosis has
four phases, the initiatory, inflammatory, the receding, and the
stage of gleet. All of these phases may be complicated with chronic
sequels.4
The sycotic mode of reaction is provoked by gonorrhoea, chronic

pelvic inflammations, cumulative sequelae of vaccination, injection
of foreign protein, excessive food intake, blood transfusions,
suppression of warts and cysts. The diagram which follows might be
3
One needs to note that the Masters didn't always agree with one another -
vis. Kent when he writes about Syphilis: "Hahnemann made the mistake, and many homoeopaths have
done likewise, of not distinguishing between chancroid and chancre, which fact accounts for some of
his reports of cases cured very speedily with Merc. 30. The distinction between chancroid and chancre
had not been made in Hahnemann's day. The cures with a dose of Mercury are not cures of the
syphilitic miasm."
4
See Bibliography, Kent

said to be illustrative of how, following an earlier (generational or

inter-generational) exposure and suppression of the gonorrhoeal
infection, those aspects of sycotic miasm might manifest
themselves in other forms and again become suppressed through
inappropriate treatment to further root this miasmatic state.
Syphilis
Syphilis represents organic lesions with ulceration and tissue
destruction
Dystrophy, Dystonia
Basic Principle: Destruction
Syphilis is a comparatively modern disease and, writes Roberts, it is

the basis of many constitutional troubles. The disease itself was
well-rooted and established as endemic in the population 5. Kent
comments on the stages of the disease before suppression may
result in a syphilitic miasm, thus;
5
See Bibliography, Roberts

"The general course of syphilis is:
Primary Stage. 1st. Chancre. 2nd. Buboes (Boils)

Secondary Stage. 3rd. Skin affections, maculae and others
eruptions.
4th. Ulcers in the throat.
5th. Loss of hair.
Tertiary Stage. Nerve and bone affections.
The disease may be suppressed in the first stage and remain latent
for some time."6
Should a suppression or inheritance cause the appearance of the

syphilitic miasm then its character may be differentiated in a
number of ways. In overview, Roberts adds,
"It has been said that the patient afflicted with the syphilis taint
suffers from structural changes; yet the emotional sphere in the
purely syphilitic patient is not seriously affected. For this reason, in
the syphilitic person we find less subjective symptoms; there is little
of the super sensitiveness and less desires cravings and longings
than the psoric patient; the mental sphere has not been so much
invaded, for the syphilitic stigma is not so thoroughly established
through untold centuries of time as the psoric, and because it is not
so thoroughly a part of the very essence of man's spirit we have a
far better chance to eradicate the dyscrasia."7
Congenital and acquired syphilis will trigger this mode of reaction.

There may also be a family history of malignant tumours, blood
disease, degenerative nervous disease, psychosis, alcoholism, and
suicide.
6
7
See Bibliography, Roberts

Psora, Sycosis, Syphilis: Synopsis of Mental & Emotional

Miasmic Reactions
(from Koehler, Gerhard, (1986) The Handbook of Homoeopathy)

Tuberculosis
Hahnemann introduced the idea of the miasm in 1829. At that time
he mentioned psora, sycosis, and syphilis. Later in his life he found
that some cases of disease carried a symptom picture that
appeared to be Psora, and yet did not depend exclusively on an
external skin eruption for their development. He observed that this
disease was infectious in nature and possessed primary, latent, and
secondary symptoms as well as inherited aspects. He decided that it
was caused by a miasmic agent with a distinct aetiology so he
separated its symptoms from Psora and made a new classification
called the Pseudo-psora, or what has come to be known as the TB
miasm.
Modern medical research has established that the stress caused by

poor social conditions, poor nutrition, acute infectious diseases, and
heredity produce stresses in the immune system which greatly
increasing the susceptibility to TB infection. The incidence of TB, far
from declining, is exploding exponentially all over the western
world, and there is a clear-cut association between the presence of
the disease and poverty. One of the more disturbing trends is the
rapidly growing resistance of this bacteria to antibiotic treatment.
The most common form of the disease appears in the lungs
although it may also spread to other parts of the body.
In Hahnemann's time the disease also grew to epidemic proportions

as 'consumption'. David Little remarks that ' Hahnemann looked on
pseudo-psora as a heightened form of the psora because it over
stimulates the vital force, the endocrine glands, and the nervous
system much in the same manner'. A constitution with the inherited
TB miasm is especially susceptible to acute miasms that affect the
eyes, ear, nose, throat, glands, and respiratory tract. Those with a
TB constitution often experience dangerous complications to the
common acute miasms of childhood, such as measles, mumps, and
chickenpox. Pseudo-psora is very destructive to the bodily
structures as well as the inner organs and mucus membranes.

A synopsis of signs and symptoms8.
(From Koehler, Gerhard, (1986) The Handbook of Homoeopathy)
8
See Bibliography, Koehler

Modern Miasms
Several generations of Homeopaths have now taken up the work n
the chronic miasms that Samuel Hahnemann began in 1828. Certain
editions and corrections were made by the likes of Baron Von
Boenninghausen, Constantine Hering, & James Tyler Kent to
mention a few. The syndromes related to the chronic miasms Psora,
Tuberculosis, Sycosis and Syphilis, have all expanded and the
symptomatology increased, and the work continues, with the case
being argued and developed for cancer, AIDS and even the ill-health
sequelae of vaccination as distinct miasmic reactions.
Cancer
Despite the fact that most people now view most cancers as
treatable, if detected early enough, and the great silence which
once accompanied a diagnosis of cancer is gone forever, the
combination of chemotherapy and surgery has not held back the
disease complex in any way. Projected figures in the United States
say that 50% of all adult males and one-third of all adult females will
be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The emerging view
among many practitioners of homeopathy is that cancer in its
multiple guises constitutes a miasm of the modern age.
In the history of homoeopathy also, many of the otherwise eminent

practitioners viewed cancer cure as a dismal prospect. Under the
heading; Why is cancer incurable, Kent (Lesser Writings) remarked:
"It is true that in some cases (of cancer) there are hold-over
symptoms enough to lead to the remedy, but in most cases there is
nothing discoverable but the malignant growth and its associated
features of hardness, stinging pains, ulceration, enlarged glands and
the tendency to involve the surrounding parts in its own
development. A neophyte could say that such a growth is
malignant, without the aid of a microscope. Then, in most cases,
the paucity of symptoms is the present state of the situation."9
It is the absence of symptoms, particularly the differentiated

'mentals' oh homeopathy, coupled with the presence of gross
pathology that led to Kent's readily admitted experience of few
cancer successes;
" The cancer is the ultimate. The symptoms from the first are the
outward image of the patient. If they have been suppressed or
changed by drugs that are not homoeopathic, there is nothing left
9

for the homoeopath to do and the surgeon can do no better.

Palliation and prolonging life are not curing…. Pathological
conditions, as also the patient, are incurable when there are no
signs and symptoms, and so long as there are no signs and
symptoms these remain incurable. In proportion as the pathology
progresses the signs and symptoms decrease." While it must be
held as a tenet of classical treatment principles that any remedy will
assist in the treatment of cancer if it is the similimum for the total
'picture', the remedy carcinosinum, first prepared by Foubister 50
years ago10, has gradually found its place in the homeopath's
armamentarium, chiefly as a nosode, used to treat a genetic
predisposition to cancer. Bailey11, argues for a place of note in the
use of the nosode in the treatment of the Cancer Constitution 1,
while acknowledging that one of the reasons homeopaths have
been slow to realise a clear constitutional description is that
'individuals of markedly differing personalities belong to the one
type, making it difficult to characterise the mental picture'.
Because 'genetics' alone cannot account for the onslaught of the
cancer epidemic, other aspects of mental and physical toxicity and
environmental stress have contributed to a symptom picture finding
use for remedies such as cadmium sulphuratum, Conium,
Arsenicum, Phytolacca, and Hydrastis. In short, although there is
growing weight of experience to corroborate the emergence of a
distinctive cancer miasmic taint, whether or not this is so,
Carcinosinum manifests a constitution which is, as Sankaran12 points
out, striking in its symptomatology blend:
10
See Bibliography, Foubister
11
See Bibliography, Bailey (p.1)
12
See Bibliography, Sankaran

AIDS
AIDS could be said to provide a logical development in the history of

medicine. The collapse of the immune system from an overload of
toxic interference in the form of pharmacotherapeutics. The search
for the 'magic bullet' by conventional medicine has rebounded on
this occasion, since none of the medical drugs being used can
unambiguously transform the course of the disease, proving
palliation rather than cure. Jonathan Stallick observes that 'if AIDS
is the latest product of this process, then we can only recoil in dread
at what the next step could be'.13
Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome was first diagnosed in the

early 1980's as a clinical phenomenon. When eventually the
presence of HIV was detected in most (but not all!)14 sufferers, the
virus was considered to be guilty of cause by association. Not
everyone agrees with the findings. In his thesis about the causal
link between AIDS and syphilis, Harris coulter remarks that the
13
See Bibliography, Stallick, (p.2)
14
See Bibliography, Coulter

dispute over the illness is the continuation of a quarrel as old as

bacteriology. " Louis Pasteur's nineteenth century feud with Antoine
Bechamp was the beginning of a continuing clash between those
who stress the overriding significance of the bacterium, virus, or
'germ' as the disease 'cause', and those who emphasise that no
microbe infects every person exposed to it."15
The experts say HIV causes AIDS. Coulter disputes this and links the
syndrome to the miasmic, immunosuppressive sequelae of
inappropriately treated syphilis, adding that "The immune system
cannot be suppressed and undermined indefinitely without a price
being paid. AIDS is the last stop on the line. The chickens have
come home to roost." In effect he holds the view, as do others, that
as a consequence of bad therapeutic management, the life-force is
assaulted and a new miasm is emerging from the AIDS-Syphilis
Syndrome.
The homoeopathic treatment of those who have immuno-

suppressed systems is drawing attention to those medicines
traditionally employed with the syphilitic miasm, namely Mercurius,
Arsenicum album, Sulphur and Nitricum Acidum. Again, while
caution must be applied to the idea of using specifics, hope is now
present that the therapeutics of homoeopathy applied in a
principled way can provide a life-force enhancing alternative to
conventional treatment.
15
See Bibliography, Stallick (p. 9)

Vaccinosis
Vaccinosis is the gereral term used to describe chronic disease

caused by vaccines. Richard Moskovitz, an American Homeopathic
Physician who researches the efficacy and impact of vaccination
through reports of disturbing case histories has developed a clear
position of scepticism of the process: "Vaccines have become
sacraments of our faith in biotechnology in the sense that :
1) their efficacy and safety are widely seen as self-evident and

needing no further proof; 2) they are given automatically to
everyone, by force if necessary, but always in the name of the
public good; and 3) they ritually initiate our loyal participation in the
medical enterprise as a whole. They celebrate our right and power
as a civilization to manipulate biological processes ad libitum and
for profit, without undue concern for or even any explicit concept of
the total health of the populations about to be subjected to them. "
Among the many indications of ailments following vaccination is the

notion that the patient expresses, of 'never been well since..' This
syndrome can often be trace backward to a specific drug treatment
or immunization. If the aetiological aspects but there are few
symptoms to complete a picture, a homoeopathic preparation of the
vaccine may antidote its worst consequences and move the
individual toward cure or bring out the older symptoms so that a
more complete remedy may be chosen. Also the great anti-sycotic
Thuja is employed in this form of treatment when indicated by the
totality of symptoms. In fact one, has to wonder if the following
rubric may not prove in future to be a most useful form of
assistance to treatment in completing a cure which the otherwise
well-selected constitutional cannot achieve because of the effects of
vaccination:
Murphy - Diseases
VACCINATIONS, ailments, after (38)
2 acon, 2 ant-t, 2 apis, 2 ars, 2 bell, 1 bufo, 2 calc, 3 CARC, 1 crot-h, 1 echi, 1 graph, 1 hep, 1
kali-chl, 2 kali-m, 1 lac-v, 3 MALAND, 2 merc, 1 merc-s, 3 MEZ, 2 ped, 2 per, 1 phos, 1 plan,
2 psor, 1 puls, 1 rhus-t, 1 sabin, 1 sarr, 3 SARS, 1 sep, 3 SIL, 1 skook, 3 SULPH, 1 syc-co, 3
THUJ, 3 TUB, 3 VAC, 2 vario


Summary of Chief Miasmatic Remedies

"All chronic diseases of mankind, even those left to themselves, not
aggravated
by a perverted treatment, show, as said, such a constancy and
perseverance,
that as soon as they have developed and have not been thoroughly
healed by
the medical art, they evermore increase with the years, and during
the whole of
man's lifetime; and they cannot be diminished by the strength
belonging even
to the most robust constitution. Still less can they be overcome and
extinguished. Thus they never pass away of themselves, but
increase and are
aggravated even till death. They must therefore all have for their
origin and
foundation constant chronic miasms, whereby their parasitical
existence in the
human organism is enabled to continually rise and grow."
Samuel Hahnemann
Chronic Diseases
Eugenio Candegabe has given us an insight which is useful in

helping to appreciate that symptoms are an expression of, as he
terms it, 'a vital phenomenon, as dynamic and three-dimensional as
the world we live in." To characterise any one homoeopathic
remedy as only anti-psoric, anti-sycotic, or anti-syphilitic, is limiting
the understanding of that expression in a uni-dimensional views. All
of the medicines used in homoeopathy carry a 'band-width' of
medicinal properties, which is only better understood in the practice
of the discipline. For example of Lycopodium he says,
"Lycopodium's aversion to company could be considered to be
psoric when it reflects his feelings of incompetence, sycotic when
seen as a way of hiding his weakness in order to muster his forces
and win some victory, and decidedly syphilitic when coupled with a
feeling of complete failure, total indifference to everything, and
weariness of life."
The Use of Anti-Miasmatic Remedies
All of the deeper acting remedies have been credited with anti-miasmatic properties,
ever since Hahnemann recognised the relationship between psora and Sulphur.
While any remedy in homoeopathy chosen according to the
principle of 'similia similibus curentur' can therapeutically address
the deficiencies, excesses and destructive aspects of the diseased

state, it is both possible and desirable to treat on a miasmatic level by employing

remedies that are similar to the miasm, as well as the symptoms. Indeed for a period
in his own practice in Paris, Hahnemann appears to have held the view that it was
necessary to treat virtually every chronic case with Sulphur at the outset, to deal with
the predominance of psoric miasma is encountered.
The list that follows therefore is not an attempt to limit the

possibilities of understanding the uses of remedies, but just an
outline of significant remedy- characteristics in the context of
miasmic expression of chronic illness, and while it contains some of
the major remedies such as Calcarea Carbonica, Sulphur and the
rightly-praised Lycopodium, it is important to remember that those
infrequent remedies, sometimes referred to as 'small', may in their
own right constitute the similimum which is of equal importance to
any of the polycrests, when it is chosen and applied according to the
symptom totality.
List of most commonly used Anti-miasmatic remedies
Nosodes
The advent of Hahnemann's Doctrine of the Miasms caused great

interest in the chronic diseases and their anti-miasmatic remedies.
One of the direct consequences of the publication of The Chronic

Diseases (1828) was the development of the use of miasmic

organisms as potentized homeopathic remedies for the treatment
and prevention of disease. The five major miasmatic nosodes are Psorinum,
Medorrhinum, Syphilinum, Tuberculinum and Carcinosin (which came much later).
Hahnemann seemed to be unhappy at the notion of using disease
products or constituents for the treatment of illness. In footnotes to
Aphorism 56 in the 6th ed. Organon, following criticism of the palliative
method of treatment, "Contraria contrariis" further wrote:
- A third mode of employing medicines in diseases has been attempted to be created by means
of Isopathy, as it is called - that is to say, a method of curing a given disease by the same contagious
principle that produces it. But even granting this could be done, yet, after all, seeing that the virus is
given to the patient highly potentized, and consequently, in an altered condition, the cure is effected
only by opposing a simillimum to a simillimum.
- To attempt to cure by means of the very same morbific potency (per Idem) contradicts all
normal human understanding and hence all experience. Those who first brought Isopathy to notice
probably thought of the benefit which mankind received from cowpox vaccination by which the
vaccinated individual is protected against future cowpox infection and as it were cured in advance. But
both, cowpox and smallpox are only similar, in no way the same disease. In many respects they differ,
namely in the more rapid course and mildness of cowpox and especially in this, that is never
contagious to man by more nearness. Universal vaccination put an end to all epidemics of that deadly
fearful smallpox to such an extent that the present generation does no longer possess a clear conception
of the former frightful smallpox plague.
- Moreover, in this way, undoubtedly, certain diseases peculiar to animals may give us remedies
and thus happily enlarge our stock of homœopathic remedies.
- But to use a human morbific matter (a Psorin taken from the itch in man) as a remedy for the
same itch or for evils arisen therefrom is ---- ?
- Nothing can result from this but trouble and aggravation of the disease.
Notwithstanding any of the above, however, it seems that shortly

after Hahnemann published his chronic disease theory, Hering
performed the first proving of Psorinum on himself. It was Hering's
idea to use miasmic agents as a potentized remedy. He is
responsible for greatly expanding the materia medica of
homeopathy and adding seven (7) new categories of potentized
remedies16.
1. The use of poisons taken from insects, snakes, and other venomous creature
(Animal poisons).
2. The use of remedies made from miasmas (Nosodes).
3. The introduction of potentized miasmas and morbid secretions taken directly

from the patient's body (Auto-nosodes).
4. The use of homologous organs, tissue and secretions (Sarcodes).
Lectures on the Theory & Practice of Homoeopathy, R.E. Dudgeon, B.Jain

16
Publishers (P) Ltd, Lecture VI, Isopathy, pages 141-175

5. The use of potentized miasmic products nosodes for the prevention of

infectious diseases (Nosode Homeoprophylaxis)
6. The use of chemical and nutritional elements innate to the human organism
(Chemical and elemental relationships)
7. The use of potentized genus groups as curative and preventatives remedies for
individuals, groups, and habitats. Hering suggests potentized seed of weeds or
dangerous plants to eradicate and destroy those plants and potentized insects or
animals to remove and prevent infestations of dangerous species (Isodes).
Hering also acknowledged that he never succedded in curing, only

ameliorating diseases with their own morbid products. Significant in
this context is their use as intercurrents. The proper use of a
nosode, drug or vaccine in potency is homoeopathic when
integrated into proper constitutional case management.
Selecting a remedy
"What do we require in order to take a case? Knowledge of Material
Medica and Repertory, of miasms, psychology and pathology? In
fact we are required to be fools, to know nothing. That is why
Hahnemann wrote that disease requires individualisation. It actually
demands nothingness which is freedom from prejudice, and sound
senses."
The Spirit of Homoeopathy R. Sankaran,

P. 34
Ultimately, the miasmatic significance of the symptoms in the case

will become apparent in receiving the case - by virtue of the
unfolding of the person's story. The medical history, with details of
vaccinations, suppressive drug treatments, hereditary factors, etc.,
will give an indication of the predominating miasms in the patient's
past and present, but more importantly, it is the mental attitude,
hopes, desires and ambitions, that will reveal the extent of the
influence of a given miasm on the person himself.
In other words the decision to describe a certain case as psoric,

sycotic or syphilitic will inevitably depend as much on 'meaning' of
the symptoms in the context in which they occur, as the deficiencies
and excesses, which accompany them. Candegabe offers the
following comment:
"…it follows that a group of apparently sycotic symptoms, such as

meticulous attention to detail, amelioration by occupation and
intolerance of contradiction, will not by itself convey the picture of a
remedy, unless the symptoms are expressed in terms of the
fundamental cause." (.17)

Conclusion
This brief article examined the Hahnemannian concept of Miasms
and describes the distinguishing characteristics of the four main
miasmatic states, Psora, Sycosis, Syphilis and Tuberculosis, together
with the proposition of emerging AIDS, Cancer and Vaccinosis
Miasms. While Homeopathic medicine represents the second-most
widely used modality in the world, modern allopathic medicine with
all of its technological armory has chosen for now to dismiss its
message. This, despite the fact that when one considers the
evidence, Samuel Hahnemann provided a comprehensive
descriptive epidemiological framework long before the emergence
of that specialism. If one investigates modern epidemiology one
finds that there are six categories of infections; bacterial, fungal,
rickettsial, chlamydial; viral and parasitical. Surveyed from a
homoeopathic point of view, these diseases fall easily into
Hahnemann's classification of the acute and chronic miasms.
According to David Little, The grand epidemic diseases that have
affected the worldwide population for 100's of years are still psora
(skin infection and their sequels), pseudo - psora (TB), sycosis
(gonorrhoea), syphilis, AIDS and certain cancers. Cancer is a final
state, which may be caused by viruses, carcinogenic substances,
and mixed miasms or a mixture all three combined. Cancers such
as leukaemia and Hodgkin's Disease are specific cancer miasms as
they are related to viruses. Most fungal infections of the lungs find a
perfect "soil" for their development in those suffering from TB
miasm. Sexual disease such as venereal chlamydia, genital
candidiasis, genital warts, trichomoniasis all find their perfect soil in
the sycotic taint.
The concept and its application continues to remain far-reaching in

its use and in its potential.
___

References
Bailey, P. (1998) Carcinosinum. A Clinical Materia Medica.
Candegabe, Eugenio (1997) Comparative Medica Medica. Beaconsfield
Publishing
Coulter, Harris, J. (1986) AIDS and Syphilis. The Hidden Link B. Jain
Publishers
Hahnemann, S The Organon of Medicine 6th ed. Ed. W. Boerike
Homeopathic Publishers.
Hahnemann, S. The Chronic Diseases, Their Peculiar Nature and their
homeopathic Cure. Tafel ed. (1981) Jain New Delhi
Handley, Rima, (1998) In search of the later Hahnemann. Beaconsfield
Publishers
Koehler, Gerhard, (1986) The Handbook of Homoeopathy. Thorsons
Publishing.
Little, David. The Little Library
http://www.simillimum.com/Thelittlelibrary.html
Moskovitz. Richard (19 (2000) Vaccination: A Sacrement of Moderine
Medicine HealthWorld Online - Homeopathy - Vaccination: A Sacrament
of Modern Medicine. http://www.healthy.net
Roberts, Herbert (1996-Rep.)The Principles & Art of Cure by
Homoeopathy. Jain Publ.
Sankaran, R. (1993) The Spirit of Homoeopathy. Jain Publ.
Stallick, Jonathan (1996) AIDS. The Homoeopathic Challenge. Ribble
Press.

1
Bailey, P. (1998) Carcinosinum. A Clinical Materia Medica.

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June 2001 Miasms in Homoeopathy

THE CONCEPT OF MIASMS IN HOMOEOPATHY:

"Useful to the physician in assisting him to cure are the particulars

(Aph. 5 Organon of Medicine - Samuel

This brief article examines the Hahnemannian concept of Miasms

Through ancient and modern history there has been a constant

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 1

them very closely to the susceptibility of the physical constitution,

From the early days of his career Samuel Hahnemann experienced

Miasms as a concept of first cause.

"It is sometimes thought that Hahnemann taught that all long-

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 2

those caused by continuing stress factors (disorders

those caused by drug toxicity and faulty treatment

and those caused by infectious miasms (naturally

In addition one may compare those aspects of miasmatic taint

(from Koehler, Gerhard, (1986) The Handbook of Homoeopathy)

Hahenmann's miasmic theory associated with chronic disease

It should be noted that, parallel to these theoretical observations,

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 3

treatment in ever-smaller amounts (potencies) (Organon 4th ed.

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 4

The Miasms & their chief characteristics

Hahnemann's Chronic Diseases essentially defines basic types of

Psora represents functional weakness.

The deficiency state is due to inadequate utilisation in the mineral

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 5

Hahnemann named the gonorrhoea miasm Sycosis, after the Greek

"For it is hardly ever possible to destroy the whole of the many-

Others too, commented on the manifold characteristics of sycosis.

Hahnemann was well aware that there were two forms of

The sycotic mode of reaction is provoked by gonorrhoea, chronic

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 6

said to be illustrative of how, following an earlier (generational or

Syphilis is a comparatively modern disease and, writes Roberts, it is

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 7

"The general course of syphilis is:

Primary Stage. 1st. Chancre. 2nd. Buboes (Boils)

Should a suppression or inheritance cause the appearance of the

Congenital and acquired syphilis will trigger this mode of reaction.

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 8

Psora, Sycosis, Syphilis: Synopsis of Mental & Emotional

(from Koehler, Gerhard, (1986) The Handbook of Homoeopathy)

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 9

Modern medical research has established that the stress caused by

In Hahnemann's time the disease also grew to epidemic proportions

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 10

A synopsis of signs and symptoms8.

(From Koehler, Gerhard, (1986) The Handbook of Homoeopathy)

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 11

In the history of homoeopathy also, many of the otherwise eminent

It is the absence of symptoms, particularly the differentiated

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 12

for the homoeopath to do and the surgeon can do no better.

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 13

AIDS could be said to provide a logical development in the history of

Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome was first diagnosed in the

Tom O’Brien MSc Burren School of Homoeopathy 14

dispute over the illness is the continuation of a quarrel as old as