Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction:
DEFINITIONS:
Constitution
[n. constitution \ Lat.: Constitūtĭo - Arrangement]
Constitutions
[pl. constitutions < constitution]
Homeopathic constitution:
(ROGET'S THESAURUS)
Constitution:
The difficulties to which Whitmont addresses his essay are not just
those of the particularly homœopathic definition of the terms, but are in
the nature of the difficulties posed philosophically and semantically by
any attempt to describe particular contingent forms of a dynamic
continuum, of which only a tiny part is apparent to our present level of
perception.
Since the Universe is holographic, one could well say ‘so what?’ —
within the narrow definition is implicit the wider (and vice versa).
But this does not address the problem highlighted by Whitmont: how
can a differentiation be made between what is constitutional and what is
not constitutional? How do we define the boundaries of the individual,
particularly if we are attempting to tune our perception of the world to
accord with systems theory? How can the term constitution be grounded
and given a practical and useful role in medicine? How does it relate to
concepts such as susceptibility, symptom totality, miasmatic inheritance
and distinctions such as those between common and characteristic
symptoms?
BY STUART CLOSE:
BY DR.J.T.KENT:
CONCEPTION OF ‘CONSTITUTION’:
All the above diverse viewpoints are valid at some level, some to a
greater extent than others. The difficulty in arriving at a comprehensive
definition of ‘constitution’ is in representing a synthesis of all of them; in
particular, fulfilling the basic human need to ‘type’ and using the
understanding gained by so doing with intelligence, while simultaneously
accepting the ultimately unique nature of every individual. This is not a
new problem — Hippocrates stated that: ‘A measure, however, be it
weight or number, serving as directive, you will not find; there is no other
than the body’s sensation.’ (Gutman, 1986. p12).
CHARACTERS OF CONSTITUTION:
IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUTION:
b) Calcarea phosphoric.
c) Calcarea flourica.
CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION:
1) Carbonitrogenous constitution.
2) Hydrogenoid constitution.
3) Oxygenoid constitution.
CARBONITROGENOUS CONSTITUTION:
HYDROGENOID CONSTITUTION:
OXYGENOID CONSTITUTION:
c) Easy demineralisation.
It is characterised by:
Morphology:
General aspect :
• Short limbed,
• Thick Set,
• Square Or Sphere.
• Developed in width.
• Thick skeleton.
• Rigid articulation.
Mentality:
• Stubborn.
• Stranger.
• Detector.
• Reasonable.
Morphology:
• Long limbed.
• Rachis supple.
• Vaulted.
• Shoulder blade prominent.
• Saddle backed.
Mentality:
• Nervous.
• Sensitive.
• Imaginative.
• Emotive.
• Intuitive.
• Dreamer.
• Distracted.
• Superficial.
Morphology:
• Leanness.
• Asymmetric.
Mentality:
• Unstable.
• Rapid assimilation.
• Disorderly.
• Restless.
• Intuitive.
• Cannot continue.
• Capricious.
• Versatile.
• Easily vulgar.
• Fantastic.
"It will help the physician to bring about a cure if he can find out the
data of the most probable occasion [Bold by DL] of a acute disease,
and the most significant factors in the entire history of a protracted
wasting sickness, enabling him to find out its fundamental cause [Bold
by DL] . The fundamental cause of a protracted wasting sickness mostly
rests upon chronic miasms. In these investigations, the physician should
take into account the patient's
1. Discernible body constitution (especially in cases of
protracted disease) [Bold by DL]
3. Occupations,
6. Age
6. Age. Stages of life are a very important part of time and progression
in Homoeopathy. The critical times are conception, birth, childhood,
puberty, adolescence, middle age, and old age. Some remedies work
particularly well on babies while other are more suited to the elderly.
Some work well at both extremes of life. Hering recorded this is the
section of the Guiding Symptoms called States of Life and Constitution.
All these perceptible signs represent the disease in its entire extent
[Gr. Wesen, essence, nature, being – DL], that is, together they form the
only conceivable gestalt of the disease [Bolds by DL]."
The Esse is the alteration of the condition of the body and soul that
make up the Gestalt of the disease (§6). The disease-Gestalt is
composed of the symptoms that mark the progression from the state of
health to the state of disease. The essence is the individualized nature
of the complete experience of suffering (§6, 91, 92 & 175). In this study
Hahnemann included changes in the innate constitution and personality
as well as the negative states brought on by the disease.
The inner essence of a disease (the suffering vital force) is invisible but
the disease-Gestalt can be witnessed through the signs, befallments and
symptoms. In this way, one can know the essential nature of the
mistuning of the vital force and find appropriate medicine. This is the
Esse in Hahnemannian Homoeopathy.
Hahnemann was the first physician to fully integrate into medicine the
innate constitution, the spiritual, mental and emotional temperament, the
instinctive vital force, inheritance, predispositions, single and multiple
causations, susceptibility, infection, acute and chronic miasms as well as
the complete objective signs, coincidental befallments and subjective
symptoms. Hippocrates is normally thought of as the father of
constitutional medicine but Hahnemann brought this study to its
perfection in Homoeopathy.
"It was next to impossible for the them [the materialists] to acknowledge
the nature of the spiritual-body organism as a highly potentized
wesen, to acknowledge that the changes of its life in feeling and
function, which one calls disease, had to be determined and produced
mainly (in fact almost solely) through dynamic (spirit-like) impingements
and could not be produced differently. [Bold by DL]" (Organon of the
Medical Art, O'Reilly edition, Introduction, page 12.)
The English word, constitution, comes from the Latin root, constituere,
which means constitutes: to set up, to establish, to form or make up, to
appoint to give being to. Beschaffenheit is usually translated as
constitution in relationship to the Latin root "constiture" in homoeopathic
works. Chambers Dictionary defines constitution as: the natural
condition of the body or mind; disposition. In this sense constitutional
means; inherent in the natural frame, or inherent nature.
3. A medical term for inherent traits and qualities of the human being
[constitution; make-up and qualities of the body and/or soul].
Diathetic Constitutions
Hahnemann saw the unity of the organic whole while the orthodox
school fell under the sway of reductionist pathology and disease names.
The Founder pointed out that the mechanist looks at the products of
disease and mistakes them for the cause of the disease and the disease
itself. 'Tolle Causum' they cry yet they do not yet realize that the cause
of an event can never be at the same time, the event itself. Even in early
Homoeopathy the constitutional view of the human organism was clearly
defined and the local basis of disease refuted. Vide § 42 of the 1st
Organon (1810).
"But the human organism in its living state is a complete whole, a unity.
Every sensation, every manifestation of power, every affinity of the
component parts of one part is intimately associated with the sensation,
the functions and the affinities of the component part of all other parts.
No part can suffer without all other parts. No part can suffer without all
other parts sympathizing and simultaneously undergoing more or less
change." (Organon of Medicine 5th & 6th edition, Dudgeon and
Boericke, Appendix, page 194, B. Jain, Delhi, India
To this belongs first of all the sex and the age; then the bodily
constitution and the temperament; both if possible, separated
according to his sick and his well days i.e., in so far as an
appreciable difference has appeared in them. In all these peculiarities
whatever differs little or not at all from the usual natural state needs
little attention; but everything that differs in a striking or rare way
therefrom deserves a proportionate notice. The greatest and most
important variations are here found mostly in the states of the mind and
spirit, which must be scanned all the more carefully, if they are not only
sharply distinct, but also of rare occurrence and, therefore, correspond
to only few remedies."
This quote clearly shows that constitution and temperament are primary
factors in conditioning the nature of the symptoms developed after the
suppression of the psora. This same is true with sycosis, pseudopsora,
syphilis and any other chronic miasm. Junker noted that the suppression
of the itch miasma tended to produce phthisis in young sanguine
persons, dropsy in the phlegmatic temperament, and insanity in the
melancholic temperament. He noted in the obese there was a tendency
to produce suffocating catarrh and mucous consumption. Junker makes
a direct link between suppression and the development of pseudopsora
TB symptoms like consumption and phthisis. Each innate constitutional
temperament has its own unique reactions to stimuli. For this reasons
the same pathogen will affect the 4 temperaments and their 12 mixtures
in a different manner.
Hering's Contribution
Hering's proving collection and his clinical confirmations are the source
of constitutional characteristics such as: Nux Vomica is well adapted to
angry, irritable, dark, thin, dry, bilious, choleric persons; Pulsatilla is well
adapted to gentle, blond haired, blue eyed phlegmatic temperaments;
Phosphorus is well adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine
temperament, fair skin, delicate eyelashes, fine, blond or red hair, with
quick perceptions, and very sensitive nature; Arsenicum is well adapted
to the over anxious, chilly, nervous anxious temperaments. Such
symptoms do not automatically lead to remedies by themselves, as they
are only part of the totality of the symptoms.
The Argent Nit. child: Always moving around and never wants to sit still.
Prone to nervousness and can experience upset stomach when
stressed. May react badly to new situations like moving house. Can be
prone to insomnia due to worry. Prone to bedwetting.The Argent Nit.
Types tend to have weak mucous membranes in their eyes.
The Arsen. Alb. child: Highly sensitive and highly-strung. Easily upset by
loud noise. Can become exhausted after periods of exertion. Active
imagination can create nightmares in dreams. Increasingly mentally and
physically agile with age. Can worry overly about parent’s well being.
Dislikes mess and being messy, keeps room tidy.
Warm drinks and sweet foods are favoured by the Arsen. Alb. Types.
The Calc. Carb. child: Plump and overweight. Placid and calm. Slow to
walk and talk and teeth are slow to develop. Can fall over easily. Scared
of the dark and can be prone to waking up due to bad dreams. Often
lazy and may need encouragement with homework because may give
up easily.
Ears, nose and throat are weak areas of the Calc. Carb. Type.
Mental and emotional aspects: Takes time to work things out and solve
problems. Deep concentration on a task can create irritability. Not
always willing to change habits and routines. Not an early morning
person. Possible mood swings, tearful and despondent then impatient.
Physical weaknesses: Skin. Nails. Slow metabolic rate. May often have
sores in corner of mouth, be exhausted, have bad breath, nose bleeds,
styes in eyes and suffer from travel sickness. Dietary factors: Likes sour
and savoury foods. Dislikes sweet foods, salt, seafood and hot drinks.
The Graphites child: Feels the cold and gets chills quickly. Timid,
hesitant and anxious. Does not like travelling great distances because of
travel sickness.
The Graphites type like savoury foods, such as vegetables and salads.
Mental and emotional aspects: Very highly strung. Rapid and extreme
mood swings. Can jump from tears to joy then back to depression in the
blink of an eye; prone to suppression of grief. Possible difficulty in
ending relationships and seeing this as a weakness. Coffee and
cigarette addiction is common.
The Ignatia child: Highly strung, excitable and sensitive. Finds it difficult
to function when stressed. Divorce of parents almost impossible to deal
with, causing outbursts of anger, crying and poor grades at school.
Prefers not to be alone. May experience headaches, choughs, sore
throats. Responds well to encouragment.
Mental and emotional aspects: Very ambitious and creative. Mind can
become crowded with thoughts. Jealous and possessive. Talkative. May
be sensitive to noise. May view self as sinful when religious. Suspicious
of strangers.
Dietary factors: Likes coffee, alcohol and seafood, cool drinks, sour and
savoury food and carbohydrates. Dislikes sweet drinks.
Dietary factors: Likes sweet foods and warm drinks, onions, garlic and
seafood. Dislikes cheese and strongly flavoured meats.
The Lycopodium child: Insecure and shy, though can be dominant and
bossy with children they know. Prefers indoor pursuits over outdoors.
Conscientious and achiever academically.
Mental and emotional aspects: Will suppress emotions such as, fear,
anger, guilt and loneliness, which can lead to depression. May suppress
feelings over lost loved ones. May become very depressed after
relationship break-up. Will possibly wish to cry but find self unable.
Suffer in silence rather than ask for help. Down to Earth with mind set on
career.
Dietary factors: Likes cold drinks, sour and savoury foods and craves
salt and most carbohydrates. Dislikes coffee and bread.
The Nat. mur. child: Small for their age. Slow development. Well
behaved. Loves animals. Very good academically but can become
extremely hurt if criticised at school. May suffer from headaches under
pressure.
Dietary factors: Likes fatty and rich food, cheese and cream, alcohol,
coffee and spicy foods. Dislikes the effects of some spicy food even
though they like eating them.
The Nux Vomica child: Irritable and easily bored. May be prone to
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. May have temper tantrums.
Competitive as a teenager. Because they like to be rebellious they may
become addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Appearance: Tall and slim with long limbs. Likes to be stylish. Artistic
and creative in appearance. Fine skin. Can have fair to dark hair.
Mental and emotional aspects: Needs a lot of love and attention. Good
fun to be around but can become demanding. Likes to be the centre of
attention and like being cared for when upset or unwell. Expressive,
affectionate and not afraid to show emotions. Needs reassurance
regarding looks and image. Short attention span. Can be hard work for
partner.
The Phosphorus child: Tall and slim with ling legs and arms. Nervous.
Likes to be with people and centre of attention. Loves to receive
attention. Strong fear of the dark.
The Phosphorus type like mild cheeses and sour and savoury foods.
Mental and emotional aspects: Shy and easily embarrassed. Kind and
gentle and makes friends easily. Likes to be supported by others. Not
assertive and can be indecisive. Cries easily, in particular over cruelty to
children and animals, tragic news or weepy movies. Also laughs easily.
Avoids confrontation. Loves animals. Can suppress guilt and anger.
Occasionally prone to obsessive or compulsive behaviour.
Dietary factors: Likes sweet foods, cold foods and cold drinks. Dislikes
fatty foods such as cream and butter, and very rich, spicy foods.
The Pulsatilla child: Fears the dark and dislikes bedtime. Sensitive to
changes in the weather. Becomes tearful and weepy when overtired.
Prone to coughs and colds.
The Pulsatilla types often rest with their hands behind their heads.
Appearance: Slim and tall. Often sits with legs crossed. Likes to look
attractive and elegant. Medium to dark hair, often with brown eyes.
The Sepia type doesn’t like crowds but fears being alone.
Appearance: Often thin or slim, with a large forehead. The head can
appear too large for the body. Delicate, fine features; almost doll-like in
appearance. The skin of the lips goes grey and can be cracked. The
palms of the hands feel sweaty to the tough and nails can be brittle.
Dietary factors: Likes cold foods such as salads and raw vegetables.
Dislikes meet and dairy products, especially cheese and milk. Dislikes
very hot food.
The Silicea child: Can be smaller than children of a similar age, with
petite appearance, apart from large head. Feels the cold. Not sporty as
has little stamina. Can be shy. Usually tidy and well behaved.
The Silicea type may have brittle nails and slow-healing skin.
Dietary factors: Likes sweet foods, fatty foods and stimulants such as
coffee and chocolate. Likes alcohol, spicy foods, citrus fruits, salads and
seafood. Dislikes dairy products, especially milk and eggs. Dislikes most
hot drinks.
This aphorism points out that the susceptibility of the human organism
is partly psychological and partly physical. It has been well proven that
physical and mental stress lowers the immunity and makes individuals
and groups more susceptible to particular illnesses. Therefore,
susceptibility is related to both constitution and temperament. To be
susceptible the organism must be sufficiently disposed to specific inimical
disease powers. Without this sympathetic relationship there will be no
disease. This is why pathogenic agents do not affect every person nor the
same person all of the time. The patient must be sufficiently susceptible
according to the time and circumstances. Susceptibilities may be inherited
as well as acquired.
"The true, natural chronic diseases are those that arise from a chronic
miasm. When left to themselves (without the use of remedies that are
specific against them) these diseases go on increasing. Even with the
best mental and bodily dietetic conduct, they mount until the end of life,
tormenting the person with greater and greater sufferings."
Note 78.
"In the most blooming years of youth and with the commencement of
regular menstruation, coupled with a beneficial lifestyle for spirit, heart
and body, these chronic diseases often remain indiscernible for several
years. Those afflicted appear in the eyes of their relatives and
acquaintances as if they were completely healthy and as if the disease,
implanted in them through infection or heredity, were completely
vanished. However, it inevitably comes to the fore again in later years and
with adverse events and relationships in life. The more the life principle
has been deranged through debilitating passions, grief and worry, and
especially through inexpedient, medicinal treatment, the more rapidly the
disease increases and the more onerous its character. [Bolds by DL]"
" It is, to some extent, understandable how psora could now unfold
itself in so many countless disease forms in all the human race since this
age-old infectious tinder has gone, little by little, through many
millions of human organisms over the course of hundreds of
generations, thus attaining incredible proliferation. This is all the more
understandable when we consider the multitude of circumstances
that have tended to contribute to the formation of this great diversity
of chronic diseases (secondary symptoms of psora), as well as the
indescribable variety of human congenital bodily constitutions,
which already, in and of themselves, deviate so greatly from one
another. [Bolds by DL]"
CONSTITUTION (DIATHESIS):
Example:
Example:
Example:
"Bilious, constitutions; acon., Aesc., ail., ambr., ant-c., ant-t., ars., Bell.,
berb., BRY., cann-i., CARD-M., Cham., CHEL., CHIN., chion., chol.,
Cocc., Ip., iris., Lach., lept., mag-m., Merc., nat-s., NUX V., Phos., plat.,
ptel., PSOS., Puls., sang., sep., Sulph."
Example:
There are literally 100's of rubrics on this subject in the old materia
medicas and repertories. These are general symptoms of the constitution,
temperament, diathetic states and miasms. A miasm can produce a
number of diatheses depending on the constitution and temperament and
conditioning factors. For example, pseudo-psora TB miasm tends to
produces a hemorrhagic diathesis while sycosis tends to an arthritic
rheumatic diathesis. If the individual is of a sanguine temperament and
acquires the TB miasm the chance of dangerous hemorrhage is
increased greatly. This is because the fiery sanguine temperament that
rules the warm/moist blood humour and the TB miasm both have an easy
tendency to bleed. Such knowledge forms the basis of the homoeopathic
view of constitution, temperament, susceptibility, miasms and diathesis.
"The miasm of the other common gonorrhoea seem not to penetrate the
whole organism, but only to locally stimulate the urinary organs. They
yield either to a dose of one drop of fresh parsley juice, when this is
indicated by a frequent urgency to urinate, or a small dose of Cannabis, of
Cantharides, or of the Copaiva balm, according to their different
constitutions and other ailments attending it. [Bolds by DL]"
BIBLIOGRAPHY: