The carcinosin Drug Picture

FOUBISTER Donald M.

Foreword

I have great pleasure in placing this booklet in the hands of the homoeopathic physician of whom I have
the honour to have been a student. He has made very valuable observations and advances in the
homoeopathic treatment of children and some of the essence of his experience is presented herewith.
Carcinosin is a remarkable remedy and to Dr. Foubister goes the credit of exploring and exposing its
great possibilities. This paper was originally published in the British Homoeopathic Journal and I am
deeply grateful both to the editor Dr. L. R. Twentyman and to the author for their kind permission for
reprinting this.

P. Sankaran

Preface

Various preparations of Carcinosin have long been used in homoeopathic practice mainly in cases with
a background of a family history of cancer not responding to ordinary constitutional prescribing. The
usefulness of Carcinosin today may be attributed to the greater amount of radiation to which mankind is
exposed or it may be that it can now be prescribed on accurate indications, and was in the past often
missed.

All Carcinosins have a common action. It may be that the site of the tumour from which a preparation
was made can be a guide to the choice, but so far there are no clear differentiating symptoms. It is to be
hoped that the unusual approach to discovery of the indications for Carcinosin will not put any one off
from a clinical trial.

This paper was written some time back but is fully up-to-date. Since then no new indications have
emerged, but ones given below have been further confirmed.

London, January 1967.

D. M. FOUBISTER

PAGE 7

The carcinosin drug picture

Carcinosinum

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 be 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 Carcinosum, indications for Psorinum “feels
specially well before an attack” was uncovered only after previous benefit from Carcinosin.

PAGE 8

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 café au lait * 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 a 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 out-patient 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 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 utilise 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.

PAGE 9

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.

PAGE 10

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.

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 out-patient
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, Phosphorus, Sepia,
Lycopodium and Calc. phos.

PAGE 11

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. jod., 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 with Medorrhinum in
the 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.

PAGE 12

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.

PAGE 13

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.

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 and 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 and 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
adenostum, and it is a very powerful nosode. Gould’s preparations are also extremely active and
valuable.

PAGE 14

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 disease, more strongly represented the 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 Staphisagria.

(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.

PAGE 15

(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 phophorica, Phosporus, 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 born of
mothers who while pregnant were suffering from cancer of the breast and subseqeuntly died from it.
These children had a brownish, café 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.

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.

PAGE 17

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: Café 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 leukocytes 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, enuresis-slow in getting dry.

FAMILY HISTORY: Nil

PAGE 18

MENTALS, GENERALS: Typical appearance, café 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.

PAGE 19

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 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.

PAGE 20

Dragging dawn 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 week’s freedom and her
menstrual symptoms were relieved. She was then given Sepia 200, 1m, 10m, which was followed by
three weeks of freedom, after which another relapse. Carcinosin 30, 200, 1m was given.

It was followed by a severe aggravation lasting about a wek 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.

PAGE 21
 Carcinosin appearance.

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 adenostum
30, 200, 1 m, the C. adenostum 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 syndrome-including the fact 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 homeopathy 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.

PAGE 22

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 Carcinosin adenostum 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.

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.

PAGE 23

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.

PRVIOUS ILLNESS: Nil.

FAMILY HISTORY: Nil.

The child was of the Phosphorus type-responsive, affectionate, wanting to please and the kind of night
terrors might well have been 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, 1m,

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”. Staphisagria, 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.
 PAGE 24

Case 10

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

PREVIOUS ILLNESS: recurrent pseudocyesis with enlarged abdomen and mild 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, 1m 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.

PAGE 25

Aversion fat cream +. Aversion salt.

Sensitive to reprimand.
 Perspires profusely even in winter, Carcinosin 30, 200, 1m 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 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 view-point 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. Café 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.

PAGE 26

References

(1) Kent, J.T. : Lectures on Homoeopathic Philosophy.

(2) Foubister, D.M. : “Clinical Impressions of Carcinosin”, Brit. Hom. J. 44, April, 1954.

(3) Templeton, W.L. : Brit. Hom. J. 44, April 1954.

(4) Goodman and Gilman: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics 1955, p. 12, Macmillan and Co.

(5) Ibid, pp. 12 and 13.

(6) Templeton, W.L. : Brit. Hom. 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.

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.

PAGE 27

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 m 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 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.

PAGE 28

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.

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.

PAGE 29

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 café au lait

Complexion as well as cutaneous moles.

He craves or cannot take at all

Egg, fruit, fat, and also salt.

”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 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
café 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.

PAGE 30

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 muabile
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 café 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.

PAGE 31

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.

DR. FOUBISTER said that the appearance might be fully or only partially in evidence. If it were present,
at least I 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 psychotic 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. Fr. 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.

PAGE 32

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 indicate, 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, 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 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 disentangle miasmatic influences.

PAGE 33

Carcinosin

A clinical and pathogenetic study

By j. hui bon hoa, m.d. , d.f. hom.

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 and 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 an epitheliomata of the intestine and of the bladder

PAGE 34

Carcinoma scir. mam.-from a scirrhus of the breast

Carcinoma squam. pulp.-from an epithelioma of the the lung

The original Carcinosin of source unknown remains the 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 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 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.

Table of individual characteristics

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.

PAGE 35
 Facies

Café 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
beneficent 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 numberous 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 fear-prolonged 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., Sil., Thuja.

Attention to detail, exaggerated precision, fastidiousness, like ARS., Nux v., Anac., Graph.

PAGE 36

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
with 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”, of Kent’s 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.

PAGE 37

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 of aggravation. There may be
aggravation on the Atlantic coast, amelioration on the 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

PAGE 38

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).

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.)

PAGE 39

Guiding symptoms (w.l. templeton)

Head

Throbbing headache. Pulsating, deep-seated, rightsided, 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 localisation 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 (Spiegelia). Feeling of constriction of the heart.
Oppression of the chest, with the desire to take a deep breath (Ignatia).

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.

PAGE 40

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).

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

PAGE 41

Intestinal parasitosis

Sacral pain

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.”

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.

PAGE 42

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 café-au-lait complexion.

One or more of the above conditions must be present.

Related and complementary remedies

Tuberculins, Medorrhinum, Sepia, Syphilinum, Nat. mur., Calc. phos., Dys. ca., 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).

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.

Potencies

The following potencies are available from A. Nelson and

Co., Ltd.:

C. adeno stom. G 12 30 200

1M

C. adeno vesica 6 12 30

C. intest. co. 6 12 30

C. scir. mam. 6 12 30 200

C. squam. pulm. 6 12 30 200

Old Carcinosin

(on which this paper is based) 30 200

1M 10M 50M CM

PAGE 43

Clinical cases
 Case I

(Dr. Hui Bon Hoa)

This case was presented to the meeting of the Société de Médecine Homoeopathique d’Aquitaine on
11th March 1962.

Mme. F., aged 78, sent by her doctor in September 1961 on 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.

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 café-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.

PAGE 44

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; café-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

PAGE 45

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.

PAGE 46

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.

Collateral relatives. A first cousin and a nephew asthmatic.

On examination

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

PAGE 47

Desire for sugar

Desire for hot drinks

Dislikes fat

Irregular, restless sleep

Nervous and distract, 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 The apparently well indicated related remedy did not work,

2 Family history of cancer,

3 Presence of large moles,

4 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 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
anaesthesia.

Grandfather died of cancer

PAGE 48

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,

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.

PAGE 49

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 2 ½ 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.

PAGE 50

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.

The interesting thing about this case was the canalisation of the reaction by acupuncture. In connection
with this, Dr. Foubister has often observed a febrile reaction on the tenth day after administration of
Carcinosin-a 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.

PAGE 51

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 curd 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 comfortable 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.

PAGE 52

”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, colourless watery discharge. A small quantity of this liquid was
potentized and has been used with good effect in many cases of advanced epithelioma.”

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 Léon
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 Léon 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
potentized 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).