Homeopathic Treatment of Eczema

From the Book

DERMATOLOGY
The conventional vs. the homoeopathic view, Clinical features and repertory rubrics, Conventional treatment, Complications, Other skin conditions that may resemble eczema, Relevant terms defined, Collaboration with the patient's general practitioner

TAKING THE CASE OF AN ECZEMA PATIENT
Starting with particulars, Open questions, Direct questions, Modalities, Concomitant symptoms, Alternating symptoms, Aetiology, The medical biography, General case-taking techniques

CASE ANALYSIS
Repertories, Particulars in case analysis, Which totality?, The hologram analogy, Characteristic symptoms, Lack of mental symptoms, Acorns and oaks, Severe cases and the 'small totality', Superficial symptoms, suppression and proving, Mild to moderate eczema cases, Definitely maybe, Suppression or unfoldment?, Small patients and the small totality, A caution: seek the biggest totality, Symptoms and symbols, illness as metaphor, Reverse elimination

REASONS FOR FAILURE
Educating the patient, The elusive simillimum, Looking for polychrests, Lateral thinking - non-repertorial prescriptions, Inflexibility, Going too deep, Being too shallow, Hydrocortisone, Incurable cases

AGGRAVATION AND MANAGEMENT
Commonsense precautions, Predicting aggravation, Potency, dosage and aggravation, Treating aggravation, Deteriorating cases, Topical applications, Dietary measures, Nutritional supplements

MATERIA MEDICA
Forty-two remedies are studied under the headings 'Characteristic Eczema Symptoms', 'The Itch', 'Characteristic Mental Symptoms', and 'Most Useful General Symptoms':

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Details

Eczema is one of the most commonly encountered conditions in everyday practice and can pose difficult and perplexing problems for the homoeopath.

This book sets out a practical basis for its treatment within the context of classical homoeopathy.

The author begins by defining the condition by reference to its conventional treatment, since most patients will have taken this route first and are likely to be familiar with the terminology of their diagnosis and the pharmaceutical preparations they have received.He then describes techniques of case-taking that are particularly appropriate to eczema.

This is followed by a full discussion of case analysis, including the relevance of particulars in the hierarchy of symptoms and the subject of one-sided cases, or cases with few other symptoms, with a view to helping the reader to increase his or her own understanding of the issues involved.

Further chapters cover all aspects of case management, among them suppression, aggravation, potency, repetition of the dose, adjunctive measures and commonsense advice.

The overall discussion is supported by twenty-two case histories. The book concludes with a compact materia medica of forty-two remedies which the author has found to be of value in his own experience, studied under the headings of their characteristic physical, mental and general symptoms.

There is a general index, a remedy index and a rubric index.

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Author

Robin Logan

qualified at the College of Homoeopathy in London in 1984 and was registered with the Society of Homoeopaths in 1986.

He was elected a Fellow in 1996 and is a past editor of the Society's journal, The Homoeopath. He practises in Surrey, Sussex and London.

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Reviews

Two Reviews:
1. Homoeopathic Links
2. The Homoeopath



Homoeopathic Links
Volume 12 (3)
Autumn 1999

Reviewed by
Bharati Ankalgi, BHMS, Nepal

Eczema is notoriously difficult to treat. Many homeopaths experience this difficulty.

In this book 'The Homoeopathic Treatment of Eczema', Robin Logan provides us a detailed approach for the treatment of eczema. In his introduction, Logan tells us that his book is based on classical homoeopathy and his approach to the cases is a holistic approach. He attempts to achieve a cure by applying a comprehensive knowledge of materia medica.

This book consists of six chapters along with an appendix, general index, remedy index and rubric index. The examples of twenty two cases are very interesting and useful in understanding the chapters more clearly.

In the first chapter 'Dermatology', Logan starts with the quote from James Tyler Kent in 'New Remedies and Lesser Writing'. 'If you do not know the sickness you are apt to think all things strange and unique.'

In this chapter, Logan gives detailed ideas about the allopathic and homoeopathic approaches to dermatology, along with brief description of various skin conditions. Each dermatological condition is explained together with repertorial language rubrics.

For example:
Eczema varicosum.
Also called hypostatic eczema or gravitational eczema,
arising from impaired venous return.

Rubrics:
Extremities; Eruption; ankle; eczema; varicosum
Extremities; Itching; Lower limb; varices
Extremities; Varices; leg; Itching
Generalities; Veins; Varicose; distended, engorged, plethoric, itching
(Page 8).

Logan mentions allopathic treatment, complications, other skin conditions that resemble eczema, definition of relevant terms (ex. Aroela reddish ring around the skin lesion).

The importance of collaboration with the patient's general practitioner is also discussed in this chapter. Further chapters are about taking the case of an eczema patient, case analysis, reasons for failure, aggravations, case management and materia medica.

The section on case taking offers us informative guidelines for the eczema patient and important things to keep in mind about case taking for various age groups. In this section there is also a comparative study of symptoms reported during case taking and various remedies and rubrics of repertories.

This is very useful, especially for the student and new practitioner in homoeopathy.In the chapter 'Case Analysis', there is a discussion and analysis of seventeen very interesting cases. This section is based on homoeopathic knowledge of the 'Organon' and the importance of it while treating the skin.

After going through these cases, we are able to learn what skin symptoms are useful, not only as a part of the totality, but to recognise that these often hold the key to resolving some very difficult and different situations.

In the section 'Reason for failure' the author covers the important areas where we might fail while treating the eczema cases. It is quite important to educate the patient and gain the confidence of the patient, to have knowledge of the effect of suppression, the importance of lifestyle and diet.

Also covered are: the elusive simillimum, what is the result of 'going to deep', being too shallow in a case. This section is illustrated with two good cases.In the chapter 'Aggravation and case management', three good illustrating cases are presented.

Further discussion is about the most suitable potencies, repetition of doses, management of aggravations, response of patient towards aggravations, dealing with the layers, treating aggravations, how to deal with deteriorating cases, use of topical ointment, dietary advice, the role of nutritional supplements and their action during the treatment. These topics become very clear after reading this section.

The last chapter is materia medica. This consists of 42 remedies with the most important general keynotes of each remedy, based on a combination of the author's experience, repertory study and previously recorded symptoms by the masters. Each remedy is explained with its characteristic symptoms, nature of itch with modalities, characteristic mental symptoms and useful general symptoms.

This section is very valuable, as it contains various information on polycrests and small remedies.In the appendix section, the importance of essence and doctrine of signatures are presented. This concerns the artistic side of homoeopathy while dealing the cases.

Here Logan tells us more about how to study the remedies.The new practitioner, students and experienced practitioners will find this a most useful book while dealing with cases of eczema.

What I missed is the presentation of the essence of the remedies especially in the materia medica section which would contain valuable information. Various skin conditions are mentioned very well in this book but if pictorial representation would have been included, the book would be perfect.

The language of this book is very simple and easy to understand. The physical aspect of this book, binding, paper, etc., are excellent.

The book is very handy. It is a very useful book. Everybody will benefit from it by re-verifying previous eczema cases and also in dealing with new cases.

This book will help every physician and student to find a deeper understanding in cases of eczema.for all future works on homoeopathic therapeutics.

from Homeopathic Links


The Homoeopath
Number 71 Autumn 1998

Reviewed by Miranda Castro

At last a book on homoeopathic therapeutics that takes the whole homoeopath into account!I must admit that my heart sank a little when I saw the title - I am tired of books on homoeopathic therapeutics that lead the conscientious homeopath off track.

And then my heart lifted when I saw who had authored it and I was not disappointed.

This is not a recipe book - you cannot become an expert at curing eczema simply by dipping into this book. This is a serious study guide for those interested in treating people who have eczema.

Robin explains the principles of constitutional, classical prescribing - succinctly and efficiently. This in itself is a tall order.

It is finely produced by Beaconsfield Publishers. I love seeing their books on my shelf in their trademark burgundy and navy blue and racing green colours. They are thoughtfully edited and their design is always pleasing.

John Churchill (head honcho) has a knack of picking books that immediately become classics for the serious student of homoeopathy and the homoeopathic practitioner. This is one of those.

The Homoeopathic Treatment of Eczema describes the whole homoeopathic picture... as it relates to the treatment of eczema.

Robin manages to convey the complexity of the homoeopathic process while at the same time breaking it down into many of its component parts in a way that is accessible.

The parts included are as follows:

A brief run down
A brief run down of the orthodox medical definitions of the various types of eczema and related skin conditions, as well as the conventional medical treatments. Some common rubrics are included here, although these are rather scanty in places. I particularly appreciated Robin's comments about collaborating with a patient's GP.

Case-taking of the eczematous patient
This chapter helps to focus the practitioner on the information needed to be able to go to the next step. It has useful advice for the student homoeopath and timely reminders for the experienced practitioner.

Case analysis
This chapter includes an invaluable discussion of characteristic symptoms as well as a wide range of cases to demonstrate the different types of patient and to encourage flexibility in analysis and remedy selection. The cases are mostly fairly brief and I felt somewhat envious of the clarity and simplicity of some of them.

Reasons for failure
A short chapter that discusses some common scenarios with failed cases. Robin includes three of his own.

Case management
Case management logically follows, with advice about potency and aggravations as well as the practical management of the eruptions with external creams etc. This section is oddly brief and the adjunctive measures such as diet are addressed rather skimpily.

Materia Medica
The last section of the book, and the largest (one third of the book), is taken up with a Materia Medica of forty-two remedies. Each one lists the characteristic symptoms of the skin and itch symptoms as well as a short list of characteristic mental and most useful general symptoms.

The pictures are keynote reminders and are well sketched. I was delighted to see a large number of so-called small remedies listed, with clear descriptions given.

This is not a complete Materia Medica and I assume that those using it will not mistake of trying to fit their patient into one of the forty-two remedies listed. I can think of a couple of patients of my own whose eczema cleared up with remedies not given here.

However, it is useful to have the strong symptoms listed in one place, and I will have to keep the hook to hand to refer to with future patients suffering from eczema!

The last few pages are given over to the doctrine of signatures and describe a whole remedy... not a remedy for eczema either... to remind the reader that the homoeopathic process is more than the sum of its parts. To finish by putting us back in touch with our art. How lovely.

Finally, this book has more indexes than you usually get. There are three in total: a general index, a remedy index and a separate index for rubrics. The first two work well but I couldn't make much sense of this last index (which masquerades as a mini-repertory).

This may be the book's weakest point (a very small weakness considering its considerable overall strengths). It includes a few of the symptoms from the Materia Medica and some from remedies mentioned throughout the text, but is not complete.

The Homoeopathic Treatment of Eczema will be useful to students and practitioners alike. Robin's common sense is sprinkled throughout and, as an added bonus, his unique, characteristic and gentle touch shines through and makes it more than your average textbook. I can only hope that it sets a precedent.

from The Homoeopath

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Contents

Introduction -- 1-2

1. Dermatology -- 3-18
The Allopathic Versus the Homeopathic View -- 3-5
Clinical Features and Repertory Rubrics -- 6-11
Asteatotic Eczema -- 7
Atopic Eczema -- 7
Contact Dermatitis -- 8
Eczema Papulosum -- 9
Eczema Pustulosum -- 9
Eczema Rubrum -- 9
Eczema Sclerosum -- 9
Eczema Siccum -- 9
Eczema Varicosum -- 10
Infantile Eczema -- 10
Infected Dermatitis -- 10
Nummular Eczema -- 11
Pityriasis Alba -- 11
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis -- 11
Allopathic Treatment -- 12-13
Topical Steroids -- 12
Other Treatments -- 13
Complications -- 14
Other Skin Conditions That May Resemble Eczema -- 14-16
Erysipelas -- 14
Erythema Multiforme -- 15
Fungal Infections -- 15
Ichthyosis -- 15
Lichen Planus -- 15
Pemphigus -- 15
Pruritis -- 15
Psoriasis -- 16
Scabies -- 16
Scalded Skin Syndrome -- 16
Relevant Terms Defined -- 16
Collaboration with the Patient's General Practitioner -- 17-18

2. Taking the Case of an Eczema Patient -- 19-36
Starting with Particulars -- 19-20
Open Questions -- 21
Direct Questions-- 21
Modalities -- 22
Emotional Modalities -- 23
Character of Eruption -- 23
Sensation -- 24
Location -- 24
Concomitant Symptoms -- 25
Alternating Symptoms -- 26
Aetiology -- 26
Vaccination as an Aetiology -- 27
Emotional Aetiology -- 28
The Medical Biography -- 28
General Case - Taking Techniques -- 29
Individualise Your Approach -- 30
Infants and Toddlers -- 31-32
Adolescents -- 33
Obtaining a Character Profile -- 34
Symbolic Language -- 35
Questionnaires -- 36
Computer Databases -- 36

3. Case Analysis -- 37-71
Repertories -- 37-39
Precision -- 38
Computers -- 39
Particulars in Case Analysis -- 40-41
Which Totality? -- 42
The Hologram Analogy -- 43-45
Correspondences with the Homeopathic Case -- 43
Remedies Vary in Size -- 44
Characteristic Symptoms -- 46-48
Lack of Mental Symptoms -- 49
Acorns and Oaks -- 49-50
Severe Cases and the "Small Totality" -- 51-58
Symptom Matrices -- 51
Small Totality Case Examples -- 52-58
Superficial Symptoms, Suppression and Proving, and Mild to Moderate Eczema Case -- 9-63
Definitely Maybe -- 64
Suppression or Unfoldment? -- 65
Small Patients and the Small Totality -- 66-67
A Caution: Seek the Biggest Totality -- 68
Symptoms as Symbols, Illness as Metaphor -- 69-71

4. Reasons for Failure -- 72-80
Educating the Patient -- 72
The Time Factor - Impatient Patients -- 72-73
Suppressing Aggravation -- 74
Lifestyle and Diet -- 75
The Elusive Simillimum -- 76
Looking for Polychrests -- 76
Lateral Thinking - Non-Repertorial Prescriptions -- 77
Inflexibility -- 77
Going Too Deep -- 78
Being Too Shallow -- 79
Hydrocortisone -- 79
Incurable Cases -- 80

5. Aggravation and Case Management -- 81-91
Commonsense Precautions -- 81
Predicting Aggravation -- 81-83
Potency, Dosage, and Aggravation -- 84
Potency -- 84
LM Potencies -- 84
Repetition of the Dose -- 85
Too Deep a Layer -- 86
Waiting -- 87
Treating Aggravation -- 87
Deteriorating Cases -- 88
Topical Applications -- 88
Herbal Preparations for Topical Application -- 89
Allopathic Topical Treatments -- 89
Dietary Measures -- 90
Nutritional Supplements -- 90-91

Materia Medica -- 92-139
Alumina -- 93
Apis Mellifica -- 94
Arsenicum Album -- 95-96
Belladonna -- 97
Berberis Vulgaris -- 98
Bovista -- 99
Calcarea Carbonica -- 100
Calcarea Sulphurica -- 101
Carcinosin -- 102
Cicuta Virosa -- 103
Clematis Erecta -- 104
Croton Tiglium -- 105
Dulcamara -- 106
Graphites -- 107-108
Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum -- 109
Ignatia -- 110
Juglans Cinerea -- 111
Kali Suphuricum -- 112
Lachesis -- 113
Lycopodium -- 114
Manganum -- 115
Medorrhinum -- 116
Mercurius Solubilis -- 117-118
Mezereum -- 119
Natrum Muriaticum -- 120
Nitric Acid -- 121
Oleander -- 122
Petroleum -- 123
Phosphorus -- 124
Psorinum -- 125-126
Pulsatilla -- 127
Rhus Toxicodendron -- 128-129
Rhus Venenata -- 130
Sarsaparilla -- 130
Sepia -- 131
Skookum Chuck -- 132
Staphysagria -- 133
Sulphur -- 134-135
Thuja Occidentalis -- 136
Tuberculinum -- 137
Vinca Minor -- 138
Viola Tricolor -- 138-139

Appendix: Essences and the Doctrine of Signatures -- 140-143
General Index -- 144-147
Remedy Index -- 148-149
Rubric Index -- 150-152

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