50 years since liberation
By Francis Treuherz MA RSHom FSHom

January 1995: I decided that I cannot let the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps go without being mentioned. There have been some moving scenes on television and in our communities as the remembrance takes place.

Two weeks ago I drew number 1 out of a hat, for the first case presentation of this year, at the weekly clinical meeting at the National Health Service general practice where I work. I decided to present the case of a Jewish woman of 84, who survived some horrors in Europe, came to England as a refugee and was then deported to Australia as an enemy alien. This was revealed when I asked her when her problem began. She said 50 years ago. Where were you 50 years ago? In Australia. How did you get there I asked noting her Central European accent? I was deported she said and gave me an account of her life. She returned to the UK soon after and remained here ever since. She is married happily. She looks frail. She has a foot deformity but manages well with special shoes. I saw her in June 1994. She presented as a closed rather taciturn individual who did not smile.

She was referred for true vertigo. Her GP confirmed in his letter that she had had it for 50 years.

I ascertained the following about the vertigo, it was worse while lying but better when the eyes were closed. It felt as if objects seemed to turn in a circle, in fact the vertigo felt as if it had a circular motion to it. She had a tendency to fall sideways. Getting up made it worse but it felt better in the open and in fresh air. Other symptoms included cold feet and a slowness of thoughts.

She told me after some conversation that she had become hard. She used to be able to show affection but now she could not. Roger Morrison refers to this in his Desktop Guide. The mental pathology occurs from a type of slowly advancing ‘induration’ ofthe mind. The patient develops an emotional flatness or hardness which eventually leads to indifference and depression. On the mental level we see fixed ideas and superstitions. Eventually we can see progressive mental deterioration and senility.

I prescribed Conium 6c bd, she was to stop taking it if better or if unwanted reaction, to repeat if relapse, to call if in doubt, and to return after 4 weeks.

4 week follow up. The vertigo ceased quite soon, and after one week she stopped the Conium. No prescription. Repeat if relapse, return in 4 weeks.

In another 4 weeks she returned again. No more vertigo.

She reported disturbed sleep, exhaustion, and the day’s events on her mind, and feeling generally exhausted. When did this begin I asked? In Vienna in 1938 she replied. I listened and pondered. I did not want to undo the work of the Conium, but this was not the required remedy. I prescribed Kali phosphoricum 6x.

(Please refer to appendix on the two remedies Conium and Kali Phosphonicum)

After a week she sent a brief note that not only had her sleep been restored for 6 out of 7 nights in the first week, but her energy and her spirits had lifted. She felt well being again! She returned for evaluation after 4 weeks, she actually looked happy, and smiled a little, and was discharged with encouragement to return if there was any relapse. Her GP says she continues well when she came for a new pair of special shoes recently.

I have often discussed these tortured histories with colleagues, and prescribed all sorts of remedies like China, Belladonna, Aurum, Natrum muriaticum. I never managed it so well and with such low potencies before. I offered the group some explanation in the form of a handout about Conium, a summary of Kali phosphoricum, ( see appendix on the two remedies Conium and Kali Phosphonicum) One of the doctors at the clinical meeting suggested that it was because of my origins and empathy that she recovered, and that I was the placebo! Her colleagues disagreed. Published in the Homœopath Journal of the Society of Homœopaths, 1995 and subsequently in the New England Journal of Homeopathic Medicine.

Francis Treuherz MA RSHom FSHom

Appendix

CONIUM MACULATUM = Hemlock
Conium has deep pathology on many levels. In the nervous system we find serious degenerative disorders. In the sexual sphere we find marked dysfunction. Furthermore, Conium is one of our main remedies to combat malignancy and premalignant conditions. The complaints of Conium originate slowly and progressively. Often the patient is unable to exactly date the onset of the problem. The pathology generally results from progressive paralysis or progressive induration leading toward malignancy.

Vithoulkas has brought to light the deeper emotional essence of the remedy which has been further elaborated by Louis Klein of Vancouver, Canada. The typical patient is practical, earthy and materialistic. The mental pathology occurs from a type of slowly advancing “induration” of the mind. The patient develops an emotional flatness or hardness which eventually leads to indifference and depression. On the mental level we see fixed ideas and superstitions. Eventually we can see progressive
mental deterioration and senility.

Mind
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  • Emotionally closed, flat, or hard people
  • Mental dullness or confusion. “Brain fag.”

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Depression
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  • Anxiety, hysteria, sadness, all from suppression of the sexual
  • instinct (after divorce or death of a spouse).
  • Superstition.
  • Senility.

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General
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  • General aggravation from suppression of sexual desires.
  • Tumors or induration of glands, there may be itching in the gland.
  • Malignancies, or history of breast or other cancers.
  • Perspiration on closing the eyes.
  • Weakness and trembling after stool.

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Head
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  • Vertigo, worse lying, worse turning in bed.
  • Photophobia.
  • Lacrimation with photophobia.
  • Boring in the nose with finger.
  • Cancer of the lip, especially in smokers.
  • Exophthalmus.
  • Troublesome cerumen.

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Neck and back
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  • Hard, swollen cervical glands.
  • Exophthalmic goitre.

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Urinary and Sexual Organs
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  • Premature ejaculation, even during the foreplay.
  • Impotence.
  • High sexual drive.
  • Prostatic enlargement or cancer; weight or heaviness felt in the perineum (Chim, Sep).
  • Prostatic discharge.
  • Paralysis of the bladder. Urination interrupted despite straining, and then flows easily after he relaxes.
  • Cancer or tumours of the testes, prostate, ovaries, uterus.
  • Whitish, acrid or bloody leukorrhea.

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Chest
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  • Cancer of the breast, hard and often with axillary lymph nodes.
  • History of breast cancer.
  • Swelling and tenderness of the breast before the menses.
  • Itching of the breast.
  • Cough, worse on first lying and compelled to sit up.
  • Cough from tickle or dryness in the larynx.

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Extremities
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  • Progressive weakness even to the point of paralysis (Caust),
  • generally beginning in the thighs or legs. Ataxia.
  • Difficulty rising from squatting.
  • Numbness.

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Clinical

Ataxia. Cervical dysplasia. Cervicitis. Cough. Dementia. Depression. Exophthalmus. Hyperthyroidism. Impotence. Lymphoma. Malignancy. Multiple sclerosis. Neuro-degenerative disorders. Premature ejaculation. Prostatitis. Senility. Sexual dysfunction. Uterine fibroids. Vaginitis. Vertigo.

Kali phosphoricum = Potassium phosphate

we think of Kali phosphoricum in cases of mental and physical
exhaustion, especially after periods of stress or over-exertion. It is
needed in students or intellectuals who have made some enormous exertion and have a type of mental breakdown (Pic-ac, Con). Especially when great exhaustion and mental dullness is associated with nervousness and over-sensitivity we think of Kali Phosphoricum. The patient is often extroverted and easily upset from hearing bad news or hearing of world catastrophes.

Mind
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  • Mental fatigue. Irritable, restless, anxious from mental
    exertion.
  • Starting from noise; hypersensitivity to all stimuli.
  • Feeling unable to cope; despondency. Great nervous dread.

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General
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  • Chilly, worse cold
  • General aggravation from coition
  • Great depletion. Weakness after chemotherapy or cancer surgery.
  • General aggravation at night.

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Head
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  • Headache, worse from mental exertion.
  • Chronic ear discharges.
  • Swelling and bleeding of gums, especially when digestion disturbed.

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Gastro-intestinal
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  • Craves: Cold drinks and food. Sweets. Vinegar.
  • Flatulence, early satiety, food intolerances.
  • Diarrhoea, often very offensive.

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Urinary and Sexual Organs

Offensive menses or leukorrhea.

Extremities

Arthritis, better motion, better warmth.

Clinical

Anxiety. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Diarrhoea. Headache.
Indigestion. Multiple sclerosis. “Neurasthenia”. Vaginitis.

About the Author
[boxibt style=”success”]Francis Treuherz MA RSHom FSHom
Registered Homeopath
Email: fran@gn.apc.org
Website: www.homeopathyhelpline.com
2 Exeter Road
London NW24SP
England
Phone & Fax: +44 (0)208 450 6564
Mobile: +44(0)795 845 9446[/boxibt]

I am registered with the Society of Homeopaths, elected a Fellow of the Society for contributions to the profession, former editor of the professional journal and currently Honorary Secretary. I teach students regularly both in Britain and overseas (currently part time at the University of Westminster BSc course in homeopathy), and have written many articles and a book.

I have been in private practice since 1984 and in the NHS part time since 1990. I aim to work with doctors to help the patients they cannot cure. I am writing to encourage you to look after your health and come to see me, and to give you and your friends the news of my practice.

Fitzrovia Medical Centre, 31 Fitzroy Square, London W1P 5HH. Nearest stations: Warren St or Gt Portland St. The clinic is on the SW corner of Fitzroy Square, by the Telecom Tower. On most Wednesdays. Phone 0207 383 4410.

Cricklewood: 2 Exeter Road, side entrance, NW2 4SP. Nearest stations: Kilburn Jubilee Line and Brondesbury on the North London Line. Exeter Road starts next to Kilburn station. The house is on the corner of Exeter Road and Dartmouth Road, by a pillar box. On other weekdays by appointment. Phone/fax 0208 450 6564.

Appointments are available from 9.00 or 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. There is a charge for appointments cancelled at less than 24 hours notice. Call one of the above numbers.

Advice If you are uncertain whether homeopathy is suitable for you or your children please ring for a chat on my home number: 0208 450 6564.

Homeopathy Homeopathic medicines are safe and effective. This is clarified in the leaflets from the Society of Homeopaths – Homeopathy Simply Explained, and Homeopathy: Past Present and Future Medicine – given to all patients. Homeopathy is a comprehensive medical system that can treat people with most conditions from arthritis to varicose veins, from constipation to concussion, from piles to complaints during pregnancy, from newborn babies to senior citizens. A speciality is to help people, who doctors cannot help, and to avoid or reduce reliance on conventional medication, such as antibiotics, steroids or surgery. Emotional, mental and physical problems are treated together.

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