February 2019 - Calcutta Clinical Programme 2019

1. Calcutta Clinical
Programme 2019
Janet Banerjea R.S.Hom.
Joint Principal Allen College of Homoeopathy, Essex, England
“Sapiens”, 382, Baddow Road, Great Baddow,
Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9RA, England
Tel & Fax No. 44 (0) 1245 505859
allencollege@btconnect.com www.homoeopathy-course.com
It is evident from the attached photographs that this course was again a
success, a large group of homoeopaths varying in experience from 30
years to 1 year gave a varied group who melded together to form a group
of students who not only learnt form each other, met the challenges of an
intense course but formed friendships united in the commitment to
practising homoeopathy well.
One group member attended the course in 1991 and felt a refresher was
now due, the Japanese students came to increase their clinical experience
after Dr. Saptarshi Banerjea gave a series of enthusiastic lectures in
Japan. A group of Indian doctors from Maharashtra and Gujarat attended
in order to refresh their miasmatic understanding in cases and to develop
their proficiency in Materia Medica. The blend of previous exposure and
learnt methods challenged the lecturers which led to healthy exchanges.
The simple, classical approach to prescriptions is the consistent approach
throughout the course, so students are in no doubt that this approach is
achievable and effective, no matter what the complaint or pathology.

2. I have selected this image as it typifies the grateful attitude of patients.
The family members standing alongside the seated patient (yellow t shirt)
carried him in to the clinic. This was a third follow up. Six months
previously the patient became paralysed from the waist down. His injury
resulted from years of carrying market goods on the head. You may think
of a large basket of bananas, coconuts and even cement. The injury
occurred whilst in the market, he turned and ‘pulled’ the spine, resulting
sudden sharp neuralgic pains along the lower extremities, followed by
lower limb paralysis. He has pain in the back muscles, with stiffness and
neuralgia. Due to the patient’s economic situation, there were no MRI
reports or other indications of pathology. The patient expressed intolerance
of heat as you can see he wears a lunghi (for air circulation) rather than
trousers.
The discussion with the students included the following medicine
suggestions, the aetiology is of no doubt.
Bellis Perennis, Cicuta Virosa, Hypericum Perforatum, Rhus toxicodendron
and Strychninum Purum. I have compared them below.

3. Bellis Per Cicuta Vir Hypericum Rhus
Toxicodendron
Strychninum
Seat of
action
Deep nerves
Trauma
Sprains
Soreness
Nervous
system
Spasm
Injury to
nerves,
especially
tips of
fingers
Pain
radiating up
the spine
and down
the limbs
Fibrous tissue
Tendons, joints
Stimulates
motor sensors
and central
nervous
system.
Influences the
spinal cord.
Depth Deep acting
+++
Deep acting
++
Deep acting
++
Medium to Deep
acting +
Deep acting
++
Modalities Worse Heat Worse
touch,
drafts
Worse in
cold
Better motion but
worse at the
start. Worse in
sleep, damp
weather, at rest.
Better rubbing
and warmth
Worse
slightest
touch, sound,
odour.
Worse motion.
Charac-
teristics
Railway
spine
(Erichsen's
disease)Like
whiplash,
more likely if
facing away
from
acceleration.
Princely
remedy for
old labourers
(Burnett)
Tired feeling
Cervical
muscles
contracted.
Convulsions
from
concussion
of the brain
Spasm after
injury.
Spinal
concussion
Hot swelling of
joints
Ailment from
strains,
overlifting.
Spasm.
Stiffness/rigidi
ty of muscles.
Pain comes at
intervals.
Sharp pains
and icy
sensation.
Muscles relax
between
convulsions
Emotional Moaning Effects of
shock
Sad, restless,
apprehension at
night.
Ref: Boericke & Clarkes Dictionary Materia Medica.
The chart above sets out the key areas for consideration. The spasm of
Cicuta, Hypericum and Strychninum is not present although all are
medicines affecting the nerves. The modalities of Rhus tox are not present
and knowing that deep nerves and trauma and the key prescribing points
for Bellis Per made it an obvious (and correct) choice as reported by the
patient.
According to Foubister the highest potencies were given in ascending
order. 10M followed by 50M. Just one poppy seed (10M) in water at a ten
day (50M) interval.

4. The patient reported that some movement and sensation is returning and is
hopeful of some degree of recovery. He hopes to walk, and accepts this
may be with sticks/supports at some time in the future.
The large volume of patients seen over the three week period gives ample
material to open discussion of philosophy, analysis of cases and to
compare Materia Medica. The colleagues leave Calcutta with a rich source
of first hand evidence of the action of simple, straightforward single
medicine homoeopathy. Along with this they leave with copious notes on
remedy differences and miasmatic analysis skills. Above all, they share
comradeship in an unfamiliar environment and gain proficiency in this vast
science and art.