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Carcinosin Drug Picture

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The document discusses the Carcinosin drug picture based on clinical experience and provides information about its symptoms and uses.

The document focuses on discussing the Carcinosin drug picture, including its symptoms and uses as derived from clinical experience and provings.

Micrococcinum and Oscillococcin are discussed as two French remedies similar to Carcinosin that were prepared from microorganisms found in tumors and used by Leon Vannier.

THE

CARCINOSIN
DRUG PICTURE

by Foubister

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CONTENTS

1) The Carcinosin Drug Picture 2) Summary 3) Case Histories 4) References 5) Discussion 6) Carcinosin 7) Appendix 8) Bibliography

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THE CARCINOSIN DRUG PICTURE


According to homoeopathic philosophy, organic disease is an ultimate, the result of preceding changes in the vitality of the patient which are manifested by functional changes and subjective symptoms. It is generally accepted that organic disease may be foreshadowed by functional changes.1 It is these symptoms of disordered vitality which have to be matched in selecting a constitutional remedy with the object of correcting the underlying disharmony. There is perhaps a tendency to regard nosodes representing the ultimates in disease as being comparatively superficial in their action. Yet the well-proved nosodes such as Tuberculinum and Medorrhinum are undoubtedly among the most deeply acting and valuable medicines in the materia medica. It may he that nosodes carry in them in their potentized state something of the nature of the preceding deranged vitality. After six years study of Carcinosin that is my impression and its profound action may possibly be explained in this way. Kent believed cancer to be the result of suppressed psora and it is of interest to note that in some cases responding to Carcinosin, indications for Psorinum and other antipsorics not previously evident came to light. In a few cases the symptom of Psorinum "feels specially well before an attack" was uncovered only after previous benefit from Carcinosin. My interest in Carcinosin was aroused by a chance experience : that of having in the out-patient department simultaneously two children born of mothers who were, during the pregnancy, suffering from cancer of the breast.2 These children presented a remarkably similar appearance, having blue sclerotics, a cafe au lait (Coffee with milk) complexion and numerous moles. Both children suffered from insomnia. I had previously been given a therapeutic hint that where there was a family history of cancer, Carcinosin sometimes cured insomnia, and had used it occasionally in insomnia with success. I wondered if one could regard these children, having been nourished by cancerous blood, as exhibiting these characteristics on account of the mother's condition. In other word was this sort of proving of Carcinosin, or was it a coincidence? It would take considerable time to collect a number of such cases and the immediate course open was to study the antecedents of children with that appearance to find out whether this appearance was associated with a strong family history of cancer or not. In the outpatient department we began by checking the family history and giving Carcinosin to children with that appearance. During the first few years detailed notes were taken by one of

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my clinical assistants of 200 cases in which we had tested the remedy with or without success. Gradually the picture of Carcinosin emerged. It did receive a small proving, 3 and I proved it myself in the 200th potency. It is generally accepted that we can utilize the symptoms derived from clinical experience of the therapeutic effects of a remedy and that the drug picture which is the real basis of prescribing is built up from provings plus clinical experience. It has been noted that only a small proportion of provers are sufficiently sensitive to any substance to bring out anything like its full effects, those presumably having an idiosyncrasy to the drug being tested.4 In studying the therapeutic effects of a homoeopathic remedy one cannot escape the conclusion that anyone benefiting from a drug in high potency must also have been sensitive to it. A more careful study of therapeutic effects would in my view enrich the materia medica. Disease in fact tends to increase sensitivity to the appropriate remedy even in the physiological use of drugs.5 It soon became apparent that children of what we came to regard as the "Carcinosin appearance" did not show the kind of family history we had almost expected to find. In many instances there was a strong family history of cancer, but in others there was a strong family history of tuberculosis, of diabetes and pernicious anaemia, or a combination of all these more strongly represented than in the average family; only occasionally there was no such history. It would, of course, require a great deal of research to prove this.

Gradually we gained the impression that in addition to the "Carcinosin appearance" and a tendency to insomnia even in young children there was a tendency to have an inflammatory illness, usually a whooping cough or pneumonia, very early in life, and therefore almost severely. For instance, whooping cough at five months fits into the Carcinosin picture. If, for the sake of argument, we accept McDonagh's concept that there are two basic diseases, inflammation and tumour formation, also the teaching of Rudolf Steiner, then it might not be too far fetched to regard this tendency to inflammation as a reaction against inherited tendencies. A child who had the longest list of severe inflammatory diseases I have ever seen had indications for Carcinosin, and its administration was followed by a remarkable improvement. We gained the impression that after administration of Carcinosin, there was considerable likelihood of an inflammatory reaction very difficult to prove also without considerable research, in the children's ward Sister Sayer observed that children receiving Carcinosin often had a rise of temperature on the tenth day, and this has been often confirmed.

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Alimentary upsets of one kind or another, say a tendency to diarrhoea or constipation or acidosis in childhood, seemed to come into the picture, but this is not certain; it is so common in childhood. In the provings Dr. Templeton noted the constancy with which Carcinosin produced constipation. In the children's ward we observe the position in which a child sleeps, and in the outpatient department I have for years asked all mothers about this symptom, as it is an unequivocal one. There is a tendency for many infants to sleep in the knee-elbow position up to the last quarter of the first year, then it often disappears. The knee-elbow position is noted in Kent's Repertory only under Medorrhinum, but our enquiry has revealed that a number of drugs have it. Carcinosin has this symptom (also a tendency to sleep on the back, hands above head). Other drugs having the knee-elbow position, which is obviously more valuable as a symptom in older children, are Tuberculinum, Phosphorous, Sepia, Lycopodium and Calc. phos.

More work is required to elucidate the full picture of mentals and generals of Carcinosin, but clinical studies gradually revealed that Carcinosin is related to some of the most commonly indicated and deeply acting medicines in the materia medica and the action of Carcinosin is deep and long lasting. The majority of the children in out-patient had been receiving treatment, and it became apparent that many children who were candidates for Carcinosin in other respects had already been helped by one or more of a group of remedies, the most constant of which are Tuberculinum, Medorrhinum, Nat. mur. and Sepia. Others were Alumina, Ars. alb., Ars. iod., Pulsatilla, Staphisagria, Phos., Calc. phos., Lueticum, Lycopodium, Sulphur, Psorinum, Dysentery co. and Opium. Others may be added as experience grows. In any patient not responding to one of these remedies, though accurately chosen, it is worthwhile to see whether Carcinosin may fit the case. Also, when two or more of the related remedies are partially indicated but no one adequately covers the case, Carcinosin should be considered. These indications for Carcinosin have been abundantly confirmed. Say, you have a child with the obstinacy and love of travel of Tub. bov. combined with amelioration by the sea and other symptoms of Medorrhinum, a fairly common combination in my experience. Carcinosin will often cover the case. I have not hesitated to prescribe Carcinosin at the beginning of treatment if clearly indicated, with excellent results.

The provings elicited very little except dullness of mind, thinking difficult, disinterested, aversion to conversation and one can link up Carcinosin with Medorrhinum in the

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treatment

of backward

or

mentally

defective children. Clarke noted that Carcinosin

was useful in mental cases with a tendency to suicide and family history of cancer. In my experience with Carcinosin, it is useful in mental cases with a background of fright, prolonged fear, or unhappiness. Fear can come into the picture a great deal, and anticipation. This is an important aspect of Carcinosin. Among the specific mental symptoms it covers is Fastidiousness. Think of its related remedy, Arsenicum. It can be added to the tidy remedies Ars., Nux, Anacardium, Graphites. It can have the opposite being related to Sulphur. It has the obstinacy of Tub. bov. and the enjoyment watching a thunderstorm of Sepia. It has the marked sense of rhythm, the love of dancing of Sepia. It has the sensitivity to music of Sepia, and the sympathy others of Phos. etc., also incidentally a feature of Sepia. It has in children the sensitivity to reprimand of Medorrhinum and other, if not all, sycotics. GENERALS : Among physical generals Carcinosin has either a craving or an aversion to one or more of the following: Salt, Milk, Eggs, Fat meat, Fruit and there may be a craving now and an aversion at another time in the same patient not an uncommon finding in childhood. It can be added, therefore, to the small list of remedies having a desire for meat fat. Carcinosin has alternation of symptoms like Lac caninum, Sepia etc. Regarding environment influences, Carcinosin is better or worse from sea air. This is a very definite symptom linking it up with Medorrhinum, Nat. mur., and Sepia, also Tuberculinum which sometimes is worse at the seaside. Discounting the benefit of a rest for the tired housewife, the exhilaration of the child going to the coast for its annual holiday, and the influence of fresh air on the town dweller, sea air does greatly ameliorate some patients and their asthma or peptic ulcer pain disappears regularly by the seaside, or it may have the opposite effect. We should, however, be careful not to accept as absolutely definite the symptoms recorded in Kent's Repertory under "Air, Sea". Medorrhinum almost invariably is ameliorated by the sea but very rarely it is worse by the sea. Nat. mur. is about 50-50. It is benefited by sea air just as often as it is aggravated.

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Carcinosin is worse or better at the seaside and quite often is worse at the East Coast and better on the South Coast or vice versa. A word about the various preparations of Carcinosin. The original Carcinosin, obtainable at Nelson's and Keene & Ashwell, is the one which was proved and the one which we have used mainly. Its source is unknown, but it is believed to be from carcinoma of breast. Recently two new series of preparations have been made by Nelson's to whom we have supplied specimens from the homoeopathic hospital, and Gould & Son who have potentized a number of specimens of cancer obtained from another source. In general it may be said that the recently introduced preparations are much more active, and there is a very definite place for the newer ones. Of these I have had most experience with Nelson's Carcinosin adenostom, and it is a very powerful nosode. Goulds preparations are also extremely active and valuable. Another point in the prescription of Carcinosin as a constitutional remedy is that it is probably unsafe to give it to patients suspected of cancer. It has been frequently used in the treatment of cancer. In one article in an old Homoeopathic Recorder it is claimed to ease the pain of cancer of the breast. It is not easy to find a single case of cancer treated by Carcinosin alone, and it seems to be of very doubtful value in the treatment of the disease. In fact, it almost seems that the further away you get from actual cancer, as in childhood, the, more useful Carcinosin is a constitutional remedy.

SUMMARY
HEREDITARY BACKGROUND: Various preparations of Carcinosin have long been used in homoeopathic practice, mainly on the indication of a strong family history of cancer. Recent clinical experience suggests that they may be useful as constitutional remedies for patients having a strong family history of cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, or a mixture of these diseases, more strongly represented than in an "average" family. RELATED REMEDIES: The Tuberculins, Medorrhinum, Syphilinum, Sepia, Natrum muriaticum, Calcarea phosphorica, Dys. co., Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Psorinum, Arsenicum album, Arsenicum iodatum, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Opium, Alumina and Staphysagria. (a) There may be partial indications for two or more of these remedies without complete coverage by any single one, such as the desire for travel of Tuberculinum

or Calcarea phosphorica; the fastidiousness of Arsenicum album; and the dislike of consolation of Natrum muriaticum or Sepia. Many combinations may be found.

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(b) One of these remedies may apparently be clearly indicated, e.g. Sepia and little effect is produced, or the effect may be short-lived. Sometimes a series of those remedies may have been given without really satisfactory results. APPETITE: There may be a craving for, or aversion to salt, milk, eggs, fat, fruit (N.B.It can be added to the list of remedies having a craving for fat). ENVIRONMENT: A definite symptom which has emerged is "influenced by sea air". The patient may be better or worse at the seaside, or may be better at the East Coast and worse at the South Coast and vice versa, as a Carcinosin indication. POSITION IN SLEEP IN CHILDREN: The knee-elbow position is covered by Medorrhinum, Carcinosinum, Calcarea phosphorica, Phosphorus, Sepia, Lycopodium and probably others. Normally this position is adopted in the first nine or twelve months of life, then it is less often found and is therefore of more value when found in older children. PERSONAL HISTORY: There is often tendency to insomnia even in childhood. Whooping cough or pneumonia frequently occur early in life and therefore tend to be severe. APPEARANCE OF THE, PATIENT: Interest was aroused by the similarity between two children born of mothers who while pregnant were suffering from cancer of the breast and subsequently died from it. These children had a brownish, cafe au lait complexion, numerous moles and blue sclerotics. Both suffered from insomnia (the Carcinosins are useful remedies for insomnia, when indicated). SUGGESTIVE OF THE CARCINOSINS AS CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES: One or more of the following: (a) The family history (and possibly the personal history). (b) Reaction to sea air. (c) Appetite. (d) Knee-elbow position in children. (e) Related remedies. Either two or more strong partial indications, or, one or more remedies have not achieved what would be expected. (f) The patient's appearance. All the Carcinosins have a general common action, as outlined above, but it is likely that further experience will demonstrate points of differentiation.

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CASE HISTORIES
Case 1: A girl of 10 years was first seen in 1952 with a history of asthma dating from a fright caused by a flying-bomb when she was 18 months old. After orthodox treatment the parents took her to an osteopath and after he too failed, she arrived at Shepherd's Bush Clinic.

PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Pneumonia at 1 year. Whooping cough badly at 9 years, followed by an aggravation of the asthma for 6 months. FAMILY HISTORY: Diabetes on both sides of the mother's family. No history of cancer. MENTALS, GENERALS: Weeps if reprimanded. Aversion to fat meat and eggs. Also allergic to eggs and intolerant he smell of eggs. Asthma better at seaside. APPEARANCE: Cafe au lait complexion. Numerous moles. Blue sclerotics. Carcinosin was followed by an aggravation and then a sustained improvement in health. During the past five years she has had altogether four doses of Carcinosin 200 and one of 1 m. The only other medicine on the card is Phos. 6 for some acute condition. She is now discharged, having had eight minor attacks since the beginning of treatment and none for the past year. Case 2: Another child who had the typical appearance and in this case no family history of any of the related diseases. She was seen first at the age of 11 about two years ago, having been discharged from a teaching hospital with second stage nephritis following a severe acute attack. The urine had 6 parts albumen per 1,000, a few granular casts, many leucocytes and lower urinary tract epithelial cells. Blood urea 22 mgm per cent. This had persisted for some time and a very gloomy prognosis had been given. PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Whooping cough, measles, tonsillitis, enuresisslow in getting dry. FAMILY HISTORY: Nil.

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MENTALS, GENERALS: Typical appearance, cafe au lait complexion, numerous moles, very blue sclerotics. Desires salt, eggs (vinegar, coffee). Aversion to milk. Sleeps well. Carcinosin 30, 200, 1m was given, and a month later seen by someone else at the hospital who gave Sepia 12. There was a great improvement in general health and the albumen went down fairly rapidly to 1 part per 1,000 and the urine was otherwise normal. Eventually there was just a persistent trace of albumen. Ten months later with this trace of albumen B coli mutabile 200 was given, and the next specimen a month later was clear. That is over a year ago, and there has been no recurrence of albumen. Case 3: This illustrates the use of Carcinosin in a case where an apparently well-selected related remedy, Nat. mur., failed to produce a lasting effect. This man of 50 came to see me about two years ago with the complaint of asthma for eight years. PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Migraine, which ceased before the asthma developed. Concussion at the age of 21. Tonsils and adenoids removed as a child. FAMILY HISTORY: Mother, cancer of bowel. Father, peptic ulcer. MENTALS and GENERALS: Sympathetic to others. Sensitive to music. Tired in the sun (sensitive to drugs, especially acids). Aversion to salt. Better in himself in the evening. Asthma worse in wet weather; worse at 10 a.m., better cool dry days. Nat. mur. 30, 200, 1 m was given and followed by a definite improvement but he relapsed within two weeks. Nat. mur. 200, 1 m, 10 m, was tried with some improvement and another quick relapse. Then Nat. sulph. 200 was tried but without any real benefit. Thinking over the case it seemed to me that Nat. mur. would ordinarily have had a much better effect in this case. It did have an excellent effect which vanished after two weeks, and apart from Nat. sulph. which also failed, there did not appear to be any other obvious remedy. Taking into consideration the relationship of Nat. mur. to Carcinosin and the history of his

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mother having died of cancer, probably a stronger heredity indication than any other, Carcinosin 30 was followed by several months of freedom from asthma and another dose by a further period of several months of freedom up to the present, and great benefit to general health. Case 4: Another case already reported in the paper of 1954 further illustrates the use of Carcinosin when an apparently well-indicated remedy failed, in this case Sepia. A woman of 30 suffered from boils in the ears, alternating from one ear to the other. Chemotherapy helped to clear up the boils but did not stop recurrence. She had no freedom from boils for more than a week or two at a time. The following symptoms were present: Disliked consolation, could not weep even when she lost her mother who died from cancer of the uterus. Nausea and vomiting at the beginning of her periods. Dragging down at M.P. Headache before a thunderstorm. Tired in the morning, better in the evening. Profuse offensive axillary perspiration. Nat. mur. and Gelsemium have sadness but cannot weep. Sepia, however, which contains Nat. mur., seemed to be much more indicated. The patient was given Sepia 30, 200, 1m on three consecutive days. She had a week's aggravation, then six weeks' freedom and her menstrual symptoms were relieved. She was then given Sepia 200, lm, 10m, which was followed by three weeks of freedom, after which another relapse. Carcinosin 30, 200, lm was given. It was followed by a severe aggravation lasting about a week and then had been followed by complete freedom for three years. Case 5: The next case is that of a girl of 15 years of age who had practically all her life a chronic yellow nasal catarrh and frequent colds. Her condition had been worse since whooping cough at the age of 11 years. PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Tonsils and adenoids removed. Measles badly. Whooping cough very badly. All childish illnesses more severe than her five sibs. FAMILY HISTORY: Mother subsequently died of cancer of oesophagus. MENTALS, GENERALS: Timid, loves affection, chews nails. Very fond of dancing. Terrific reader. Feels a fright in her stomach. Starts at noise. Anticipation or chlorine in a swimming bath starts up eczema. Anticipation may cause vomiting. Carcinosin appearance.

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Pulsatilla and Sepia were considered, but in view of her appearance and the severe whooping cough and the fact that both Pulsatilla and Sepia are related to Carcinosin, she was given Carcinosin adenostom 30, 200, 1 m, the C. adenostom being selected because of fright in the stomach and vomiting on anticipation. There was a violent aggravation after which catarrh and colds vanished for a year. Case 6: A child of 9 suffered from the age of 5 months from recurrent attacks of fever going up to 104-105, not influenced by any orthodox drugs. Investigation in two hospitals had proved negative. The picture was that of a typical attack of acidosis the periodic syndromeincluding the feet that they never lasted for more than five days, and attacks could come on from excitement. The attacks were followed by a loss of weight, and the parents had no real confidence in homoeopathy but had come out of a sense of duty to clutch at the very last straw. There was nothing outstanding in the personal or family history except that the attacks came on a month after vaccination at 3 months and the father had suffered from similar attacks in childhood which cleared up before puberty. In this case the best course seemed to be to try to stop the attacks first to gain the parents' confidence and then treat constitutionally. Belladonna 30 was administered on the symptomatology 3 hourly for the first 24 hours, then 6 hourly for two days. There were an enormous mass of prescribing symptoms, far too many, and the parents did not seem to understand what was wanted. To cut a long story short, Belladonna helped enormously to cut down the severity and length of the attacks and then Calc. phos. 30, 200, 1m given with partial success in reducing the number of attacks. Later Carsinosin adenostom 200 was given about a year ago and there has only been one slight attack in the past six months. The main indications here were a combination of related remedies including Calc. phos. Among her symptoms were: Loves a thunderstorm, likes fruit and fat meat as well as bacon fat. Loves affection. Suffers from anticipation. Dreams of snakes. Sensitive to reprimand. Mentally tense (Dys. co.). Case 7: A boy of 13 years had suffered from asthma from the age of 2, both spasmodic and bronchial attacks. PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Three attacks of pneumonia at 3 months, 10 months and 18 months of age. Asthma started after the second pneumonia. FAMILY HISTORY: Nil, except tendency to asthma on father's side. Dissimilar twin brother also had asthma for which he was given Medorrhinum, which cured him.

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MENTALS AND GENERALS: Carcinosin appearance; moles +++ Sensitive to reprimand. Loves fat meat. Asthma always better at the seaside. In this case Medorrhinum seemed indicated except for the love of fat meat - an example of two or more partial indications for related remedies. Carcinosin 200 was given and during the following year he had only two minor attacks. Case 8: A girl of 9 was brought with the complaint of night terrors for five years. She had a severe fright at 2, when her tonsils and adenoids had been removed. The mother described the terrors: She screams while still asleep; when wakened she answers correctly and forgets about the episode in the morning. On one occasion she talked of being afraid of someone behind a screen. PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Nil. FAMILY HISTORY: Nil. The child was of the Phosphorus typeresponsive, affectionate, wanting to please and the kind of night terrors might well have been covered by Phos., but she had other symptoms not covered by Phos. which were quite definite. Loves dancing. Very tidy. (Sympathetic to animals only). Phosphorus was given with some definite benefit, later Opium to antidote the fright, and eventually Carcinosin, and the night terrors disappeared for two years altogether. Then the adenoids grew in again and another operation was done, and back came the terrors which again were abolished by Carcinosin 30, 200, lm. Case 9: Another case I will just briefly mention. A boy of 14, much underweight, had been severely frightened ever since going to a boarding school at 9. Among his symptoms was fear of people, fear of mirrors, and he "bottled things up". Staphysagria, Stramonium and later Medorrhinum helped. Eventually Carcinosin was given at long intervals and he is now doing his military training and has recently passed the stiff physical tests for a commission.

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Case 10: Mrs. R. 45. Married. Generalized early osteoarthritis, hands, feet, spine.

PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Recurrent pseudocyesis with enlarged abdomen and milk in breasts. Tubes ligated on advice of psychiatrist. Prolonged fear in childhood caused by a sadistic father. Used to stammer. Still cannot say certain words including number 8 or letters. FAMILY HISTORY: Nil. MENTALS AND GENERALS: Sympathetic to others and loves affection. Sentimental. Headache in thunderstorm. Loves dancing. Sensitive to certain people. Weak ankles. (Still afraid in dark). Never weeps. 8-6-57 Carcinosin 30, 200, 1 m given with remarkable benefit and patient can say "8" now. 28-9-57, Sepia 12, also Ruta. Iron in low potency. Case 11: Egyptian boy of 5 years. Recurrent colds, debility. Tonsils removed at 2 years. PREVIOUS ILLNESS: No illnesses. FAMILY HISTORY: Both parents cancer. GENERALS AND MENTALS: Carcinosin appearance (many moles). Obstinate. Sensitive to music. Loves travel. Aversion fat cream +. Aversion salt. Sensitive to reprimand. Perspires profusely even in winter, Carcinosin 30, 200, 1 m given 4-5-54. Letter, December 6th, 1954, from his father: "The temperature foreseen by you appeared on the 15th day and lasted 24 hours. He has developed physical endurance and there has been no more snoring or coughing. As a matter of

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fact, John has not had a single cold until lately and this is most exceptional, particularly in view of the debilitating climate we have to endure here (East Africa)." Case 12: Finally, a tragic case of cancer in childhood. It is of interest from the viewpoint of the Carcinosin drug picture. A child of 11 years of age was looking after a baby in a garden, the gate of which opened into a cul de sac. The baby managed to slip out through the gate while the girl looking after her was preoccupied, and was killed by a motor car. The girl was so shocked she stopped growing, and eventually developed cancer of the liver from which she died. THE FAMILY HISTORY was as follows: Father's mother died of pernicious anaemia. Father's brother died of cancer. Mother's mother died of diabetes. PREVIOUS ILLNESS: Measles only. MENTALS AND GENERALS: Loves affection. Sympathetic to others. Very tidy. Blue sclerotics. Numerous moles. Cafe au lait complexion. In conclusion, I wish to thank those who have contributed to this clinical study, especially Dr. James Hamilton, Dr. Andrew Strigner and Dr. L. R. Twentyman.

REFERENCES

(1) Kent, J. T.: Lectures on Homoeopathic Philosophy. (2) Foubister, D. M.: "Clinical Impressions of Carcinosin", Brit. Horn. J. 44, April, 1954. (3) Templeton, W. L.: Brit. Horn. J. 44, April 1954. (4) Goodman and Gilman: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics 1955, p. 12, Macmillan & Co. (5) Ibid, pp. 12 and 13. (6) Templeton, W. L.: Brit. Horn. J.). 44, April 1954.

DISCUSSION

THE PRESIDENT, Dr. A. D. MacNeill, expressed the thanks of the meeting to Dr. Foubister for his most interesting paper and said he was interested in the relationship between Carcinosin and other remedies which had been mentioned. He then opened the meeting to discussion.

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DR. T. D. Ross said that this paper had given us a great deal of material. The interesting thing was that Dr. Foubister was using Carcinosin as a remedy for constitutions to make healthier people, in particular-starting in childhood. This, of course, was the best time to treat patients in order to prevent serious disease in the future. The use of Carcinosin in actual cancer had not produced such brilliant results. This is as we would expect because in these cases we are dealing with ultimate disease processes. Or are we? In fact some of those developing cancer have quite good heredity and past history. Many, however, have bad health and may be nervous or asthmatic or have a bad heredity. In these Carcinosin is very valuable and one links it with Medorrhinum. He thought the stress on family history was important and should be more universally adopted in history taking. He also thought we ought to try using the newer more potent preparations of Carcinosin. Nelson's original Carcinosin had come, from America and Dr. Compton Burnett got his from Epps, Thatcher. All these comments linked up with the virus theory of cancer. Are we perhaps using a virus or infecting agent along with antibodies? In our Carcinosin maybe pure virus would be better and the method of preparation may be important. Several serums have been prepared for cancer in the past, other than homoeopathic ones. DR. FOUBISTER said that he wishes to warn us about the new preparations as these were very potent and could cause violent reaction, but in suitable cases worked very well indeed. DR. AHMAD asked why we used the 30, 200 and 1m potencies in series. DR. FOUBISTER replied that he thought this probably caused less aggravation than the single dose. DR. CAMPBELL described a case of pernicious anaemia she had in 1945 and had treated with Carcinosin 200, 3 doses weekly together with Ars. alb. and Ferr. phos. 6x repeated. This patient had been unable to go out or do any work. She was now well and able to undertake quite a lot. She had had no vitamin B12. DR. RUNCIE said he was interested in the relationship of cancer to an inflammatory state. Is it not helpful to induce an inflammatory condition in order to get a result, as there is a lack of inflammation in cancer? He quoted a case of a lady with ganglia on her wrist, one of. which had been cut, but it recurred. She was treated with Benz. acid for a long time and the other ganglia disappeared. The one which had been cut remained. He discovered, however, a history of miscarriage and prescribed Pyrogen. The ganglion eventually cleared up. DR. FOUBISTER stated that an inflammatory state also occurs after using Iscador in cancer. He had used Carcinosin in cases of ganglion.

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DR. COOPER said he thought of Carcinosin if there was a history of syphilitic heredity and stated that he knew of a certain island which had an epidemic of syphilis in 1870 and there was now much cancer, hypertension and mental illness of depressive type. He wondered if Carcinosin and Lueticum might be closely related. To which DR. FOUBISTER replied that he thought this was most likely, and these remedies were probably complementary. DR. DUTHIE said we were most fortunate in having heard Dr. Foubister as he had given us something that we could not get else where. Burnett had originally introduced eleven Carcinosins. He had also found that Nat. mur, was a complement to Carcinosin. He thought that Thuja "woke up" his patients. He had found Dr. Foubister's remarks on modalities most interesting. He also stated that Clarke mentioned that milk should not be given and salt should be eliminated from the diet of patients with cancer, as this seemed to stimulate tissue activity. DR. STEWART remarked that he thought Carcinosin should not be used in actual cases of cancer. This was in keeping with other nosodes. Burnett had found that Bacillinum was not much help in established cases of tuberculosis.

He then went on to the enjoyment of all by reciting. Carcinosins The Ballad of Cars and Sins Begins with car which makes you think of going away. So travelling appeals to some of these poor souls. The car begins with "C" which stands for cafe au lait Complexion as well as cutaneous moles. He craves or cannot take at all Egg, fruit, fat, and also sal. "C" stands for consolation causing distress And consummate correctness and fastidiousness. Carcinosin's last syllable starts with "S" And sin makes you think of sleeplessness, "S" stands for the spots on which they rest, Elbows and knees which you've probably guessed, "S" stands for sea and sclerotics that are blue. DR. GORDON ROSS said that he had now a much clearer idea of the Carcinosin type. He often used it in a new case in a child in order to prepare the ground for other remedies. He

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had recently had three cases of bad hearts in children in which he had used this remedy whose mothers were Nat. mur. cases. DR. FOUBISTER said that he had found it valuable in rheumatic fever as many of these children have a cafe au lait appearance. He also thought it was necessary to repeat the remedy weekly in these cases. One might often start with Carcinosin and then obtain a clear indication for other remedies. He thought that more than one remedy was usually required in treatment. DR. T. D. ROSS asked if he had any experience of its use in cases of worms, and DR. FOUBISTER replied that he had used it sometimes but was not sure how it compared with Burnett's Scirrhinum. DR. E. PATERSON said she thought Carcinosin was the end result of all miasms and this was why often Tub., Medorrhinum and Lueticum were all needed. Regarding Dr. Foubister's remarks that nosodes might be deep or superficial, she thought they were always deep. She also wondered how soon one should repeat the Carcinosin. She remembered a case of a baby with a skin which had been greatly irritated by a nosode and she felt this could not be left without some kind of treatment while the aggravation was wearing off. To this DR. FOUBISTER replied that when he mentioned superficial he meant e.g. using B. coli mutabile for clearing up the remains of urinary infection. He thought that Carcinosin could be repeated in the same way as other remedies. Sometimes the mental symptoms of Puls, or Staph, may come out in children after Carcinosin and he wondered whether he should prescribe the remedy or wait. Regarding the skin irritation, he sometimes used hydrocortisone ointment etc. in these cases, because he felt that the emotional upset of itch might well effect the action of the remedy. DR. GUNN said she was rather afraid of Carcinosin but had used it very successfully in repeated dosage 3x for cases of chronic mastitis. DR. BOYD remarked that much stress had been placed on the appearance of these children, and he for one had not come across very many with the typical cafe au lait colour, moles and blue sclerotics, and he wondered whether perhaps these were not as clear as one gathered from Dr. Foubister's paper. He also queried Dr. Stewart's statement regarding the use of nosodes in acute disease, as he had successfully helped a child with primary tuberculosis with three doses of Tub. bov. 12c which had brought down the fever and cleared up the chest. DR. STEWART replied that he had been quoting Burnett on use of Bacillinum in late cases.

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DR. FOUBISTER said that the appearance might be fully or only partially in evidence. If it were present, at least in this country it was a very suggestive pointer, but its partial or even complete absence, as in the case of other characteristic symptoms, should not deter one from prescribing Carcinosin providing it was indicated on other grounds such as family history, failure of related remedies though apparently well indicated, or indications for two or more of the related remedies without complete coverage by one. The meeting finished with a vote of thanks to Dr. Foubister for his most interesting paper.

Postscript 1967
The indications for Carcinosin outlined above have been verified and further information has been obtained. The late Dr. Douglas Ross considered Carcinosin to be essentially a sycotic remedy, which is understandable from its origin, although it covers all miasms. Dr. Paschero and Dr. Shapiro independently found that Carcinosin can be added to the list of homoeopathic medicines most generally indicated for adverse after-effects of vaccination. Dr. Paschero also had the opportunity to administer Carcinosin preoperatively to patients undergoing plastic surgery, and found that the incidence of keloid scars was greatly reduced. Dr. Hui Bon Hoa who has had extensive experience with Carcinosin stressed its high value to patients unduly disturbed by anticipation, and here again it can be added to the list of homoeopathic medicines suitable for "complaints from anticipation". In slow recovery from any acute illness, miasmatic influences require consideration. Carcinosin has been found useful in this sphere in general, when indicated, but especially in cases of whooping cough not responding to apparently indicated remedies. Glandular fever may run a prolonged course, and it may not be easy to make accurate homoeopathic prescriptions because the protean nature of the pathology makes it difficult or impossible to distinguish between pathological and reactive symptoms. Some years ago a young woman presented herself for treatment of sub-acute glandular fever. She was typically Carcinosin in her constitutional make-up, and the superficial resemblance between groups of enlarged lymph glands in this disease and malignancy seemed to be an additional indication. Administration of Carcinosin 200, was followed by a lasting improvement. Ten consecutive cases were subsequently treated in the subacute stage with Carcinosin, and nine cases showed considerable improvement. Another aspect of Carcinosin which was noted during the clinical proving was that when indicated, amelioration or cure might be obtained, or if a month or two were allowed to elapse

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after its administration, clear-cut indications for Pulsatilla or other related medicines were sometimes thrown up. It is difficult to explain this other than by the supposition that Carcinosin, when indicated, has the power to disentanglce miasmatic influences.

CARCINOSIN

A clinical and pathogenetic study


By J. Hui Bon Hoa, M.D., D.F. Horn. Gibson Miller liked to say that if he were confined to the use of one single remedy he would choose Sepia. I am sure that if this great homoeopath were alive today he would choose Carcinosinum which is the nosode, or should one rather say, the sarcode, of cancer. Following the work of Dr D. M. Foubister and Dr W. Lees Templeton of the Faculty of Homoeopathy of Great Britain, this remedy has come into current usage at the same level as Sepia, Sulphur, Lycopodium, Phosphorus and other constitutional remedies, surpassing them all in the number of times it is indicated. The preparation used by Foubister and Templeton in clinical practice and in the elaboration of its pathogenesy is the original preparation of Carcinosin. Its origin is unknown. It was brought over from the United States and was probably prepared from an epithelioma of the breast. A number of different specimens obtained from the operating theatre of the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital are now available in potency. These Carcinosins were prepared by A. Nelson & Co. Six of them are now in current use. They are: Carcinoma adeno stom from an epithelioma of the stomach Carcinoma adeno vesica from an epithelioma of the bladder Carcinoma intest. co. from epitheliomata of the intestine and of the bladder Carcinoma scir. mam.from a scirrhus of the breast Carcinoma squam. pulp.from an epithelioma of the lung The original Carcinosin of source unknown remains the one of choice because it alone has been the subject of considerable clinical and pathogenetic study. According to Foubister, the newer Carcinosins are extremely powerful and should be used with caution. The time has now come to present to French-speaking homoeopaths a study of Carcinosin (modelled on the familiar style of Dr Duprat). The facts are drawn from the work of Dr D. M. Foubister who has described the general and mental characteristics of the remedy and drawn the drug picture in an article in the July 1958 number of The British

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Homoeopathic Journal which was translated into French by Dr E. Schepens of Brussels, and from that of Dr W. Lees Templeton who published a fine pathogenesy of this remedy in the April 1954 number of the same Journal.

I TABLE OF INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS A TYPOLOGY Physique By reference to Foubister's list of related remedies and the classification of these remedies according to the biochemical constitutions of Vannier and Bernard we shall see that Carcinosin belongs equally to the carbonic (Sulphur, Lycopodium), phosphoric (Nat. mur., Ara. alb., Phos,) and sulphuric (of Bernard) (Sulphur, Nat. sulph., Psorinum, Nat. mur.) constitutions. None of the remedies described by Vannier as fluorique appear on Foubister's list. Facies Cafe-au-lait, pale complexion, with numerous moles and blue sclerotics (Foubister). Psychology Templeton's provings show up a sort of cerebral torpor, mental inertia which is aggravated by a feeling of cephalic constriction. The patient may even be apathetic and does not reply to questions. He is preoccupied, but annoyed by this. Brain work is a trial to him. Foubister has drawn attention to the beneficient action of Carcinosin, resembling that of Medorrhinum, in the treatment of mongols and sometimes other backward or mentally defective children. Dr J. H. Clarke wrote that Carcinosin was used in the treatment of psychotic patients with a tendency to suicide who had a cancerous heredity. The following mental symptoms drawn from numerous clinical observations mainly from the work of Foubister are very important. Homoeopathic prescribing is based on this type of symptom, in addition to those obtained from provings. Fundamental fearprolonged fear, and prolonged unhappiness. Anticipation. This takes the form of worry, sometimes amounting to anguish, as for example the late arrival of a child, husband, or wife, or the fear of young people that they may fail examinations. It is a frequent symptom of Carcinosin which has been of great value in my work. The list of remedies showing anxiety of anticipation thus becomes: Arg. nit., Ars., Carbo. veg., CARC, Gels., Lyc., Med., Plumb., Phos. ac, Sill., Thuja.

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Attention to detail, exaggerated precision, fastidiousness, like ARS., Nux v., Anac, Graph. Obstinacy, like the Tuberculins. Strong sense of rhythm, love of dancing; a useful confirmatory symptom of both Sepia and Carcinosin. Sensitive to music which sometimes makes him weep. Carc, Digitalis, GRAPH., Kreos., Kali nit., NAT. C., Nat. sul., Nux v., Thuja. Note that Nux and Carcinosin are the only two remedies of the materia medica which both have fastidiousness and sensitivity to music. It is therefore useful to associate these two symptoms in our history taking, in the interests of rapid prescribing. Like Sepia again, Carcinosin likes watching a thunderstorm. Like Phosphorus, it is very sympathetic to others. Like Medorrhinum, it is very sensitive to reprimand, a sycotic symptom, a pointed out by Dr Twentyman; found in the section of generalities, rubric "sycosis", 5f Kents Repertory. Finally, I have noticed that Carcinosin often has bizarre tics; one of my patients constantly tapped his brothers' skulls with his fingertips; another used to gently bite the tips of children's fingers, one after the other; he had not lost this habit at the age of 40. Sometimes Carcinosin tears at the skin round the nails. Dr Templeton points out that blinking of the eyes, another common form of tic, suggests Carcinosin. It has all sorts of grimaces. All these symptoms are peculiar to Carcinosin and thus of great importance and we are indebted to Foubister for describing them.

B MODALITIES AND CHARACTERISTIC REACTIONS Aggravation and amelioration Aggravation or amelioration from heat or cold, or else the patient is sensitive to both heat and cold. Very characteristic is the influence of the sea air, whether aggravation or amelioration, as in Medorrhinum and Nat. mur. Medorrhinum is characteristically better for sea air, very occasionally it has a seaside aggravation, whilst Nat. mur. has roughly 50% amelioration or aggravation. There may be aggravation on the Atlantic coast, amelioration on the

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Mediterranean coast, or vice versa. (The English equivalent, according to Foubister, is amelioration on the East coast and aggravation on the West coast, or vice versa.) Worse for undressing (cough, skin), as in Rumex Worse talking or laughing (cough), as in Phos. Better after a short sleep Causalities A family history of cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, pernicious anaemia, or a combination of these diseases more strongly represented than in an "average" family history (Foubister); hereditary syphilis (Cooper); a past history of whooping cough or other acute fevers at an early age. Sensations Beating, throbbing (Templeton) Secretions Acrid and thick Desires and aversions (food) Desire or aversion for salt, milk, eggs, fat, fruit. Sometimes there is a desire in a child for one of these foods at one time, followed by aversion for the same food at another. Alternation Alternation of symptoms from one side of the body to the other as in Lac caninum and Sepia. Periodicity Afternoon, 1-6 p.m. Concomitance Numerous pigmented naevi, in particular, moles. Other remedies associated with pigmented naevi are: Calc, Carb. v., Graph., Nitric ac, Petroleum, Phos. acid, PULS., Silicea, Sulphur, Sulph. ac, Tarentula, Thuja. Blue sclerotics, blinking of the eyes. Sleep Sleep disturbed. Difficulty in falling asleep, restless sleep; awakened by shudders; exciting dreams; over-active ideas (Coffea); lies awake most of the night; insomnia in general (Foubister).

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Position during sleep The child may sleep in the genu-pectoral position (position of Mohammedan prayer) as with Medorrhinum. Foubister's list of remedies associated with this position is as follows: Carcinosin, Calc. phos., Lycopodium, Medorrhinum, Phos., Sepia, Tuberculinum. Dorsal position: with arms raised above the head (Puls.)

GUIDING SYMPTOMS (W. L. Templeton)

Head Throbbing headache. Pulsating, deep-seated, right-sided, suborbital headache (Tub.). Feeling of constriction of the brain. Eyes Twitching lids Ear, nose and throat Sensation as of a lump. Palatal pain, aggravated by hot drinks, ameliorated by cold; worse morning and evening (Lach.). (This localization to the palate is unusual and therefore of great importance, according to Templeton.) Mouth Tender gums, dental pain, ulceration Chest Cough; stomach cough (Bry.) provoked by tickling the substernal region. Aggravated by heat, in a warm room, or by cold air (Rumex); by laughing or talking (Phos., Rumex); from changing clothes (Rumex); from yawning (Nat. sulph.) Cardiovascular system Violent cardiac palpitation heard and felt by the patient (Spigelia). Feeling of constriction of the heart. Oppression of the chest, with the desire to take a deep breath (Ignatia).

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Digestive system Feeling of tightness, pain better for pressure or for bending, or for hot drinks (Mag. phos.). Constipation without desire (Opium). Stools hard and dry.

Back and limbs Muscular twitchings in thighs arms and back. Pain, weakness, fatigue and swelling of the thighs, better after a short sleep (marked symptoms). Pain in the legs, better for heat, or for gentle movement (Puls.), aggravated by rapid movement. Skin Acneiform eruption of the face. Rash between the shoulder-blades, worse for undressing (see cough).

II CLINICAL INDICATIONS Mental retardation Arthritis Asthma Headache Mental confusion Constipation Neuro-vegetative dystonias Ocular fatigue Flatulence Grimacing Sexual impotence Insomnia Hepatic insufficiency Masturbation Migraine Mongolism Styes Cardiac palpitation Facial palsy Intestinal parasitosis Sacral pain

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Sciatica Tics Cough Ulceration of mucous membranes On the subject of whether Carcinosin is indicated in cases of cancer Dr Foubister writes: "It must be noted that it is not without danger to give Carcinosin to cancer suspects." "It has often been used in the treatment of cancer. In an article published in the Homoeopathic Recorder, Carcinosin is claimed to relieve the pain of breast cancer; but there are no records of cases of cancer treated by Carcinosin alone, and it is doubtful whether it is of much value in the disease." Foubister's paper, however, deals with Carcinosin as a constitutional remedy and he says: "It seems that the further away you are from cancer, the more valuable it is as a constitutional remedy."

III ESSENTIAL FEATURES FOR THE PRESCRIPTION OF CARCINOSIN Dr Foubister gives the following indications for the prescription of Carcinosin: 1. A family history of a tendency to cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, pernicious anaemia, or a combination of these, a personal history of whooping cough or other severe acute infection at an early age. 2. Marked aggravation or improvement at the seaside. 3. Appetite: desire or aversion for salt, milk, eggs, fat, fruit. 4. Genu-pectoral position during sleep. 5. Associated remedies: the patient is partially covered by two or more of these remedies; or else apparently clearly indicated related remedies do not work, or have a very short action. 6. The appearance of the patient: moles, blue sclerotics or pale cafe-au-lait complexion. One or more of the above conditions must be present. IV RELATED AND COMPLEMENTARY REMEDIES Tuberculins, Medorrhinum, Sepia, Syphilinum, Nat. mur., Calc. phos., Dys. co., Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Psorinum, Ars. alb., Ars. iod., Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Nat. sulph., Opium, Alumina, Staphysagria, Nux vomica, Dioscoria (Foubister). Associated bowel nosodes: No growth, Cocci, Yeasts (W. L. Templeton and J. Paterson).

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Auto-isotherapy Some patients who had responded to Carcinosin but whose improvement only lasted for a short time have derived benefit from auto-isopathy. I give a single dose of Pharyngeal Mucus 30CH. V POTENCIES

The following potencies are available from A. Nelson & Co., Ltd.:

C. adeno stom. C. adeno vesica C. intest. co. C. scir. mam. C. squam. pulm. Old Carcinosin (on which this paper is based)

G 6 6 6 6

12 12 12 12 12

30 30 30 30 30

200

1M

200 200

30

200

1M

VI CASE I (Dr Hui Bon Hoa)

CLINICAL CASES

This case was presented to the meeting of the Societe de Medecine Homoeopathique d'Aquitaine on 11th March 1962. Mme F., aged 78, sent by her doctor in September 1961on account of jaundice which, in view of the patient's age, gave cause to suspect a neoplasm. History of present condition The illness began with mild fatigue which became rapidly worse, curtailing all physical activity, so that the patient, without being senile, found herself consigned to enforced rest, moving from chair to chair without being able to undertake any useful work whatever. Moreover, she developed angina of effort. It was then that she asked her doctor to obtain another opinion. Past history revealed the following: A severe attack of Spanish 'flu in 1917. She was expected to die, but recovered after a struggle.

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Hypertension, 230/110, for which she was given Sarpagnan which upset her, followed by Anaprel which she tolerated better. Her husband died of a growth of the colon. A grandmother also died of cancer. On examination She was tired; she had an obvious cafe-au-lait complexion, but no jaundice. Liver and spleen were not enlarged. The stools were of normal colour, the urine normal and clear. Auscultation revealed extra systoles. Chest sounds normal. Reflexes normal. No lymphadenopathy. Laboratory investigations These showed a slight rise in the serum albumin and a right branch bundle block. Also diverticulous colon. Otherwise normal. Individual characteristics Typical Carcinosin appearance; cafe-au-lait complexion; enormous pigmented naevus of the forehead; multiple naevi; blue sclerotics. Feels the heat. Meticulous and fastidious. Anticipatory anxiety. Conclusion An asthenic patient, whose typical Carcinosin. skin had given rise to an impression of icterus. Precancerous condition. A typical Carcinosin from both the morphological and psychological points of view. Treatment: Carcinosin 200 one dose. Results: Marked improvement from the 7th day of treatment. The asthenia and precordial pain disappeared and the patient resumed her normal activity. There was no aggravation. On 23rd February 1962 this patient was still well. Her appearance was unchanged. B.P. 190/100. No medicine.

CASE II Mme B., aged 42, governess, had suffered for eight days from pain in the right buttock, of moderate severity, which prevented her from sleeping. Modalities Worse for stumbling Worse for sitting in one position for long Worse lying down Better standing

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On examination Lasegue's sign A fibrous band, two centimetres long, and as thick as a pencil, was present on the right border of the sacrum, and gave rise to pain which radiated to the anal fold. Blue sclerotics A few moles Carcinosin 200 CH, 1 dose. The pain had distinctly improved the day after the administration of the remedy, and had completely disappeared by the following day. At the same time, the patient experienced a general sense of well-being, great euphoria, and increased vitality. There was no aggravation. Other symptoms were as follows: Sensitive to heat Desire for sweets Desire for strongly seasoned food Sensitive to music Sensitive to noise Sensitive to reprimand Cutaneous hyperaesthesia Anticipatory anxiety Past history Childish ailments Serious croup at 5 Chronic leucorrhoea as a small girl Her father and two of his brothers died of cancer No tuberculosis in the family CASE III Mme B., aged 38, no profession, suffered from asthma. The attacks came every evening at bedtime, never during the day. They were not very severe, but wheezing forced her to get up. They responded to theophyline suppositories. Her asthma was ameliorated by liver extracts, aggravated after such food as fried food, port and shellfish. Past history Infantile asthma till puberty (at 12 years) and again from age 30 until the present. Whooping cough. Possibly initiated the disease. Heredity. Maternal grandmother died of cancer.

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Collateral relatives. On examination

A first cousin

and a nephew asthmatic.

Respiration completely normal (attacks only occur at night), but considerable abdominal meteorism. Liver not enlarged or tender. The lower limbs were very thin by comparison with the average corpulence of her body. Multiple large moles. No other findings. Cholesterol 1.30 g. She had had extensive homoeopathic treatment in another town. One frequently meets with a case such as this, where Pertussin, Carbo. veg., Nux vomica and Streptococcin and other remedies have been prescribed with good results. The following mental and general symptoms were also present: Worse for heat Better in open air Worse for wind Worse at new moon Not affected by storms or the seaside Hunger easily satisfied Desire for sugar Desire for hot drinks Dislikes fat Irregular, restless sleep Nervous and distrait, easily gets angry when contradicted Afraid of having cancer like her mother Tidy, but not excessively so Not particularly sensitive to music Many large moles All these symptoms were very definite. Lycopodium 30 CH which was apparently indicated, gave no result, so for the following reasons: 1 2 3 4 The apparently well indicated related remedy did not work, Family history of cancer, Presence of large moles, Lycopodium does not cover fear of illness and is complementary to Carcinosin, a single dose of Carcinosin 200 was given and the patient recovered in 9 days (including

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flatulence and leucorrhoea which she had not mentioned) without aggravation.

CASE IV Mme J., aged 52, no profession, suffered from insomnia. She had slept badly since the age of 15 and this was getting worse. She could spend a whole night without shutting her eyes (Dr Templeton's pathogenesy). Weeps while giving the history (Kali. c, Med., PULS., SEP.). Past history Hysterectomy for fibroids three years ago. Post-operative phlebitis with two emboli. Pentothal anaeathesia. Grandfather died of cancer One uncle had tuberculosis One aunt had tuberculosis One cousin had tuberculosis Physical examination Nothing was noteworthy, except perhaps for a chronic reddening of the conjunctivae. The general and mental symptoms were as follows: Worse from heat, or in a warm room Better in the open air Must have fresh air Aversion from fat Aggravation from milk Good character Excessively timid Weeps easily Weeps whilst giving her history to the doctor Very sensitive and emotional Would like consolation, but says there is no one to console her Declares that ordinary drugs poison her One enormous mole on her back (Puls. very frequently has this sign also) All very definite symptoms. Pulsatilla 7 CH, 9 CH, 30 CH was given on three successive days, without effect. So for the following reasons: 1 The apparently indicated remedy had no effect, 2 Family history of cancer and tuberculosis,

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3 Presence of a large mole on the back, 4 Pulsatilla is complementary to Carcinosin, a single dose of Carcinosin 200 was given which cured the patient without aggravation.

CASE V Mme M., aged 26, no profession, consulted me for chronic discoloration of the skin. The anamnesis revealed that she suffered from migraine, constipation and insomnia. Past history Typhoid 21/2 years; purulent peritonitis at 8 years; diphtheria; measles; chicken pox. Family history Her father died of uraemia; her grandmother died of carcinoma of the rectum. There was no tuberculosis in the family. The general and mental symptoms were as follows: Very chilly Stifled in a hot room Worse before and during a storm Desire for eggs Desires spiced food Sleeps on her stomach Highly strung; starts at a sudden noise Better for physical exercise Many moles Physical examination The conjunctivae and skin were discoloured yellow. The liver was of normal size and not tender to palpation. The spleen was not felt. There was no abdominal meteorism or other abnormality on clinical examination. Carcinosin 200 CH 1 dose was given. The patient was very upset immediately after Carcinosin was administered, and I took advantage of this reaction to give an acupuncture treatment as follows. T.R.10., T.R.3., M.C.6., V.60., E.45., V.13. Equilibrium was at once restored. From the second day after treatment had started, the icterus began to fade and disappeared completely together with the insomnia, constipation and migraine.

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The interesting thing about this case was the canalization of the reaction by acupuncture. In connection with this, Dr. Foubister has often observed a febrile reaction on the tenth day after administration of Carcinosina reaction which he points out can best be understood if it is agreed with Macdonagh and Rudolf Steiner that there are two fundamental disease processes: inflammation and tumour formation. This febrile reaction or a past history of severe early infectious disease can be considered as a reaction against hereditary cancerous tendencies.

APPENDIX
SCIRRHINUM Burnett was one of the first homoeopaths to use Carcinosin to any extent and he was followed by Clarke. Apart from Carcinosin one of his favourite remedies was Scirrhinum, or Durum, prepared from a scirrhus carcinoma. Its key-note was "a violent feeling of hollowness" at the umbilicus. Burnett claimed to have cured numerous cases of tumour of the breast with this remedy. He also cured a gross indurated cervical adenopathy, cases of haemorrhage, and varices of the lower limbs. One patient expelled a considerable number of threadworms after the administration of Scirrhinum. In obstinate cases of this kind, where Cina or Teucrium had no effect, Clarke, whose notes provide this information, obtained good results with Scirrhinum 200. Its time of aggravation is from 5-6 p.m., and irregularly throughout the night.

CARCINOMA Kent comments in Lesser Writings p. 411: "Carcinoma relieves pain that is sharp, burning or tearing. With this remedy (a nosode) patients remained comfort-able for many years, even though cure was impossible and the cancer continued to develop. The growth of the tumour was delayed, and the suffering, which usually goes with this condition, was avoided. "The preparation of Carcinoma which I have used for come years was taken from a cancer of the breast. The patient had a permanent, clear, colorless watery discharge. A small quantity of this liquid was potentized and has been used with good effect in many cases of advanced epithelioma."

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MICROCOCCINUM AND OSCILLOCOCCIN Two French remedies similar to Carcinosin. Micrococcinum was prepared from Micrococcus neoformans, which was found in a malignant tumour by Doyen in 1901, and which he held to be the cause of cancer. Micrococcinum has been used by Leon Vannier since 1919 as a "specific desensitizer of the cancerinic state". Oscillococcin was prepared from the oscillococcus described by a homoeopathic physician, Dr Roy, in 1925 It also was soon used by Leon Vannier. Vannier himself described the results of his experiment: "In the cancerinic state, Micrococcinum and Oscillococcin are far from giving the same results as the potentised tuberculins give in the tuberculinique state. Nevertheless, in certain cancerinic states a change can take place under their influence. In particular, loss of weight can be arrested almost immediately, but this continuity of action cannot be compared with that of the Tuberculins" (Les Canceriniques). On the other hand, Vannier was much more impressed by auto-isotherapy with blood. Oscillococcin is better known for its action against influenza. There are no key-notes: it seems to work as a pathological remedy for influenza (Chavanon).

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bernard, H., Traite de medecine homeopathique. Boericke, E., Pocket manual of homoeopathic materia medica, 9th edition. Clarke, J., A dictionary of practical materia medica, 3rd edition, 3 vol. Foubister, D.M., Brit. Horn. Journal, The Carcinosin Drug Picture", 47, 201, July 1958. Kent, J.T., New remedies, Clinical cases, Lesser writings. Kent, J.T., Aphorisms and Precepts, 1st Indian edition. Templeton, W.L., The British Homoeopathic Journal, April 1954. Vannier, L., La Typologie et ses applications therapeutiques, 1re partie: Generalities et Constitutions. Vannier, L., Les Canceriniques et leur traitement homeopathique.

Source :- B.Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.


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