Prescribing in

1
Prescribing in Acute Diseases
2
Hahnemann classified diseases into acute and
chronic along with their various sub-groups
(Aphorism No. 72-82)
3
Acute diseases are rapid, morbid processes of the
abnormally deranged vital force, which have a
tendency to finish their course more or less
quickly, but always in a moderate time, resulting
in recovery in the course of time or in death, if
the vital force is overwhelmed.
4
These may affect the individual or groups of
persons in a sporadic manner.
5
These are transient explosions of latent psora,
which spontaneously return to its dormant state
if the acute diseases are not of too violent
character and are soon quelled.
6
These diseases may supervene in the course of
time of the chronic disease due to adverse
factors.
7
The Prescribing Totality which consists of the
chief complaint(s) and the concomitants governs
the choice of the remedy in the acute diseases.
8
In acute diseases, the constitutional symptoms of
the patient are thrown into the background, and
the vital force under the impact of the
environmental force brings the acute
symptomatology to the forefront.
9
This could be deciphered relatively easily as
compared to the chronic diseases.
10
In a case of chronic disease, when an acute
condition develops, do not be afraid to prescribe
the remedy, as long as the picture is quite clear.
11
Giving an acute remedy in a chronic condition
without a clear picture is very dangerous as
patient will not improve and may rather
deteriorate. (Ref Talks on Classical Homoeopathy
by G. Vithoulkhas)
12
After the acute symptomatology is treated
adequately by the indicated acute remedy, they
disappear, and the chronic constitutional
symptoms previously submerged, now reappear at
the end of the acute disease.
13
This is the best time to give the indicated
constitutional remedy, which will prevent
relapses.
14
In infants and children, in comatose as well in
persons with communication blocks or in the
insane, the objective data assumes the greatest
importance for prescribing.
15
The value of concomitants in acute prescribing
has to be borne in mind, especially the mental
concomitants in the physical diseases, and the
physical concomitants in mental diseases.
16
ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OF CHRONIC DISEASES
17
There are two approaches to the acute attacks of
chronic diseases
18

• Acute prescription based on the presenting
  totality

19

• Constitutional prescribing as in chronic
  diseases.

20
Acute prescription based on the presenting
totality
21
This is required in chronic diseases of relapsing
nature or periodicity, interspersed with acute
attacks.
22
They are totally or partially asymptomatic during
the intervals.
23
e.g. Epilepsy Bronchial asthma
Intermittent fevers Migraines
24
The acute episode requires acute prescribing
based on the presenting totality.
25
Constitutional drug has to be administered after
the acute phase is over.
26
Constitutional prescribing as in chronic diseases.
27
At times, in acute diseases, the vital force is
so overwhelmed by the morbific agent, that it is
not able to throw up the acute response, but has
to call upon the generals in self-defense.
28
The constitutional symptoms, instead of receding
into the background become prominent
29
This calls for the deep-acting constitutional
remedy indicated for the case
30
e.g. Phos Sulph in pneumonia, Lyc in
Meningo- Encephalitis, Diabetic acidosis
31
If the right constitutional remedy is not given
in time, the case is likely to turn fatal
32
Constitutional remedy, if given in the Prodromal
phase of an acute disease, also acts as an
abortive
33

• This is helpful when
• the Totality which emerges is of the
  constitutional remedy and no other remedy,

34
UNUSUAL PRESCRIPTIONS
35
On rare occasions in acute diseases, in the
absence of clear-cut pointers to the remedy,
recourse has to be taken to the following
categories of remedies on the basis of the
available data in the case
36
Nosodes Staphylococcinum in Myocardial
infarction Bacillus No.7 in Cardiac arrest
37
Streptococcus hemolyticus in acute
endocarditis Paratyphoidinum B in acute
gastro-enteritis Secale cor in acute hemorrhages
38
Organ Remedies Carduus marianus for
liver Crategus for heart
39
Pathological Prescribing Hecla lava for tumors
of the jaw. Citrus vulgaris in right facial
palsy
40
Some practical hints in treating acute diseases
during constitutional treatment
41
1. If you feel after examining the patient and
taking a detailed history of his complaints,
42
that the disease is not so serious, you can try
household remedies. One can wait for 48 hours or
so.
43
2. Many times it is not so easy to find an acute
remedy on the first day. On the second day the
picture of the remedy may be more clear.
44
Here again examine the patient thoroughly,
theoretically and clinically. If the patient is
improving on his own, wait and watch.
45
Do not take any measures to give a remedy, if the
patient feel less ill than what he was on the
first day.
46
But if the patient is getting more sick everyday,
then one has to treat immediately.
47
Examination of different groups of acute cases
seen in practice
48
Observation 1 Patients who frequently had
acute diseases before they were on Homoeopathic
treatment
49
and in whom the frequency and degree of acute
infections diminished after the treatment.
50
In such a case, the susceptibility of the patient
is very good as their health has improved after
the Homoeopathic treatment.
51
Observation 2 Patients who were never acutely
ill before the Homoeopathic treatment
52
and who become frequently ill after the
treatment, though their general energy has
improved.
53
This is frequently observed in patients suffering
from Cancer, Autoimmune disorders and Epilepsy.
54
Prior to Homoeopathic treatment, this group of
patients were too weak to produce acute diseases.
55
Now if they feel generally better since the
Homoeopathic treatment and if they get acute
diseases afterwards,
56
their level of health has improved and the
organism has become stronger.
57
e.g. 1. Patient with chronic Rheumatoid
Arthritis, who was on Cortisone treatment for
years, for the first time developed influenza
after Homoeopathic treatment.
58
e.g. 2. In a case of Cancer of kidney, who never
had any allergic rhinitis, suddenly developed
multiple episodes.
59
Observation 3 Patients with recurrent acute
infections such as tonsillitis, UTI, bronchitis,
etc.
60
Here these acute infections are basically coming
due to chronic disturbance in the defense and
immune system.
61
Here one has to treat the chronic layer to stop
recurrence of acute recurring illnesses.