Vol. 22 No. 3 June 2002

by Cyrus Boger

A realization that actual curing necessitates the calling forth of inherent reactive forces, is gradually gaining a more general acceptance. It has always been the view of genuine homœopaths, although not invariably acted upon.

That curing is inevitably homœopathic has not always been fully grasped even among professed homœopaths. Their knowledge has not always been broad enough to see how this must be so, whether accomplished by means of the similarly acting remedy or some other like procedure.

A fuller understanding of these factors not only aids the prescriber but clears the way for seeing how cures do occur without the help of our traditional remedies.

Looking further afield encourages us to make new provings, so that some former procedure may be simplified or shortened or some hitherto intractable disease be brought under better control. Medicines are mainly useful in proportion to their well-proven effects, for empiricism has left us pitifully few things worth perpetuating, in spite of its countless experiments. When, however, we attach remedies to disease names we thereby weaken their relative as well as inherent flexibility and radius of action.

In the absence of a good reaction we are accustomed to call to mind certain remedies which serve us in one way or another to remove this deficiency. Zincum belongs prominently in this list, while its compounds, such as the cyanatum, iodatum, sulphuricum, etc, all share this property very decidedly. Moreover, experiments have conclusively shown that the radical zinc accentuates and intensifies the curative action of its acid component. Thus Zincum arsenicosum is much more active than Arsenicum album alone, and so on down the list. Of all the iodides Zincum iodatum relieves the sense of inward pressure, so distressing in goitres of all sizes, most effectually, as well as acting curatively upon the goitre itself.

In fact stenosis, wherever found, is powerfully affected by this drug; be it in the veins, the valves of the heart, the larynx, etc.

In contradistinction to the rather slowly acting Kali bichromicum, Zincum chromicum acts rapidly, notably in coughs excited by tickling in the throat pit, where there is a loose rattle, yet the patient is compelled to swallow the expectorate. This is a very suggestive indication.

When the Zincum oxidatum patient says he feels as if he were growing smaller or shrivelling up, he is in his own way expressing a cardinal zinc attribute – the tendency for zinc symptoms to move inwardly, hence eventuate in the chronic disease.

By the full use of zinc oxide ointment, the traditional school noting but little of how real cure proceeds, helps to fasten upon and augment serious internal disorders. This piece of folly shows but little abatement in our day.

When there is general muscular soreness with neckache Phytolacca usually comes to mind first, however, by its rapid and satisfactory action Zincum salicylicum outclasses it greatly.

Still other experiments have pointed out the suitableness of Viburnum opulus to the asthma of childhood, which actual clinical experience has now abundantly confirmed.

This led to trying it for the asthmatic phase of hayfever with equally satisfactory results. The relief in both forms has been prompt and long-lasting, although I do not as yet feel that it can be permanent without a subsequent dose of Sulphur, in spite of the fact that relief in one case has lasted a whole year from a single dose of Viburnum opulus 50M.
from The Homœopathic Recorder, Vol XLII (1927)

THE EDITOR COMMENTS:

Remedies that can be prescribed in a situation where a well-chosen remedy has failed to produce any response are poorly understood, and theories to explain how and why they might work seem implausible.

A lack of reaction usually suggests prescribing the nosode of an illness the patient suffered in the past (say, Morbillinum for measles), or a major nosode believed to be able to remove the effects of a so-called miasm (Medorrhinum), or a nosode of a disease found frequently in the patient’s family tree (Carcinosum), or a nosode or tautopathic remedy given as an antidote to vaccination (DPT) or to an orthodox drug – or marijuana, etc, for that matter (Depoprovera, Cannabis).

Then there are many “lack of reaction” remedies named in homœopathic literature (for example Kent, page 1397); probably most do not deserve their reputation. Zincum merits its good reputation, however. And, as Dr Boger says, zinc compounds share this stimulating property very decidedly.

I have had experience with several zinc compounds, but only used Zincum metallicum deliberately as a reaction remedy.

I know the merit of Zincum arsenicosum in parkinsonism with great exhaustion and diminished bowel control, especially the Shy-Drager syndrome.

Zincum iodatum is a “broad-spectrum” remedy for several kinds of sore throat appearing as the first sign of a cold or similar illness, like Kali chloricum and the compounds of mercury and iodine.

Zincum sulphuricum is one of the remedies for pterygium (growth on the white of the eye).

Zincum phosphoricum has successfully treated macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in New Zealand. My patients take one drop, or tablet, of the 30c three times a day for the first four days of the month. If no change after 9 months it is probably pointless to continue its use.

Zincum cyanatum might suit some people, especially manipulative teenagers of subnormal intelligence, who seem to be able to induce seizures or “faint” when they think such behaviour is to their advantage.

Zincum muriaticum is a leading remedy for cases of “just about everything I eat tastes funny – and I don’t want to eat.” All the symptoms for this remedy in homœopathic books appear to be derived from poisonings with the crude substance, which should be kept in mind when prescribing it on “clawing pain in the stomach” and the like. However I have treated two people who had clawing stomach pain after surgery on their stomachs and they got prompt relief.

A couple of companies in Europe are marketing homœopathic remedies intended to enhance athletic performance that contain, among other things, Zincum lacticum (or similar).

Zincum salicylicum is a rare remedy these days. The only major reputable pharmacy stocking it is Schmidt Nagel in Switzerland. I would like to use it as Boger has.