| Abstract
The author presents a clinical case that serves
to illustrate the application of non- traditional techniques for
approaching cases. This method of Alfonso Masi Elizalde, represents
a wider scope of possible strategies in order to individualize not
merely each and every patient, but homeopathic practice itself.
Keywords
Individualization – Clinical strategies
– Masi Elizalde
Patient
Male, 76 years, assisted in clinic, teacher
at Paulista School of Homeopathy. Separated, two children, retired
professor.
Consultation held on 18 August 2002, with complaint
of “buzz in left ear” for two months. He does not refer to any other
complaint or pathological history. He makes an effort to maintain
his health and follows a macrobiotic diet. His aspect is more youthful
than expected for his age.
Clinical Diagnosis
1. Buzz (Observation: normal audiometry and impedanciometry)
2. Delirium well systematized.
Miasmatic Diagnosis
Egotrophy (Classification of Masi Elizalde)
Symptoms and Themes
• Buzz in left ear, like a cicada. Worsening from 5 to 6 AM, when
just waking up . Improvement reading a special book of spiritual
self-help. On exceptional occasions, improvement after rain and
after "taking a drink" like whisky and “caipirinhas”.
• Calcification: "I attribute to calcification",
"My conclusion is that aging is degenerating everything, calcification";
"I took magnesium because I have it has the capacity to remove
calcium in excess".
• Knowledge: "I found the buzz was reduced temporarily reading
a book of 'Rational Culture'. I gained this knowledge twenty years
ago. It is a book written by an alien. When people read this book,
they go to another energy field", "I am from 'Rational
Culture', we have a self-knowledge and eliminate psychological causes".
"Perfect gut, I compared my gut with the pineal gland; I did
a study and my times are all correct"; ."I used my knowledge
to write a book on this subject"; "I want to bring this
knowledge to the greatest number of people, through a radio program,
to disseminate it" [He is author of several books about coming
to 'Rational Culture' after reading a work assigned to an alien].
• Dissemination of knowledge: "I want to
bring this knowledge to the largest number of people, through a
radio program, to disseminate it". He is author of several
books, at each visit he brings many materials, and asks to give
classes on the subject in school.
• Preoccupation with health: "We are all subject to pollution
from pesticides; I do exams every year to see if I have some virus
hidden" [extreme concern with food, corporal functions, realization
of researches on health issues, etc.].
• Universal Love: "Today I think family is a falsehood. Love,
fraternity, peace is universal. I become particular love in universal".
Physical Examination
Not significant.
Approach of Case
The patient’s story emphasizes the following aspects: “excess of
calcium”; fear of contagion; anxiety about health, desiring to read
medical books, needing to know everything. This group of themes
and symptoms immediately brought to mind Calcarea carbonica.
A second group of themes and symptoms was composed of knowledge;
light; universal love/brotherhood, suggested Phosphorus.
Masi Elizalde explains that the dynamic nature of Calcarea
phosphorica is a conviction that one is the carrier
of good news and has the duty to communicate it to others.
The Calc Phos theme seemed to apply in this case, to the extent
that the patient reported being the carrier of a knowledge that
should save the world. Also, his mission was to disseminate it to
the public as widely as possible, for which purpose he had even
rejected his family. The conviction of possessing knowledge and
having to disseminate it was a constant in his life, manifested
before his philosophical-religious conversion ( through teaching
and literary activity.)
He was prescribed Calcarea phosphorica CH200 in a single
dose.
Evolution
The effect of the prescribed dose was an immediate improvement
of his chief complaint, the buzz, demonstrated by a decrease in
intensity/ frequency of this symptom and its having no more interference
in his daily life.
Similarly, a deeper improvement was perceived in his emotional
relations. He perceived that love was not only universal, but also
involved the love of family. He resumed his relationship with his
wife and children.
Just one dose of Calc Phos was prescribed in May 2004. The patient
continues with good progress until today.
Discussion
The approach used in this case seems to contradict all standards
of good homeopathic practice, both Hahnemannian and Kentian. However,
homeopathy is by definition, the medicine of the individual, and
demands the most absolute individualization of each case (Hahnemann,
1995: # 82).
The individual circumstances of this case - obsessive presence
of repeated elements – guides us to choose an approach that prioritizes,
precisely, the special elements in this case.. A standard repertorial
analysis did not confirm the remedies suggested by the textual analysis
(Calcarea carbonica, Phosphorus and Calcarea phosphorica).
In fact, the chosen remedy appeared in the 94th position
in the repertorization.

The prescription of Calcarea phosphorica was suggested by
applying the methodology of Masi Elizalde. It is useful to highlight
that the remedy not only led to improvement of the chief complaint,
but managed a deeper change in the existential dynamic of the patient.
It allowed him to objectify the content of "Noumenon"
from Elizalde’s terminology, that is, seeing the world no longer
distorted by a "psoric spot" in his imagination.
Professor Elizalde insisted that all theoretical elaborations about
"medicals theses" should pass the test of experience.
That is, the prescription of a remedy based on understanding of
its deep matter, must induce movement of significant improvement
in all transcendental areas - physical, psychological and existential.
From that point of view, this case serves to confirm the thesis
of the prescription and to remind us that intellectually elaborated
ideas must always go through the sieve of real application.
Conclusions
The proposed example suggests that there are strategies for working
cases that are appropriate to the particular characteristics of
each case. Standard methodology for the analysis of cases, at present,
is the result of a long process of construction, begun in the Hahnemann’s
time. However, inclusion of new kinds of understanding, such as
linguistics, and new instruments of technological application, such
as programs and digital libraries, allow us an unprecedented flexibility
in choice of strategies.
References
HAHNEMANN, S. Organon da Arte de Curar. 6ª ed. Trad. de
E.M. Villela e I. C. Soares. Ribeirão Preto: Museu de Homeopatia
Abrahão Brickmann, 1995.
MASI ELIZALDE, A. [Palestras na Associação Paulista
de Homeopatia, 1982 -2000]. Gravação em fita cassete, Biblioteca
da APH/EPH.
ROSENBAUM, P. Medicina do Sujeito. Rio de Janeiro: Luz Menescal,
2004.
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Andréa Costa Pinto Ikegami
Medical Homeopath and Ophthalmologist.
Teaching Assistant of School of Homeopathy, Brazil.
Cultura Homeopática • p. 13-15 • Apr-May-Jun • nº 11 • 2005
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