Homeopathic
Treatment of Diabetes
by Julia M. Green, M.D.
Success in the homeopathic treatment of any disease depends on
following the principles laid down in the philosophy of Hahnemann and expounded
by the wisest of his followers as they interpreted these principles in terms
which present day prescribers can understand.
These principles are clear, practicable and satisfying. Man is a
triune being, spiritual, mental, physical. All diseases, or disorders, partake
of these three realms. Therefore, we treat the man, not his organs by
themselves. We strive to learn the patient's reactions to the disorder present,
reactions in the spiritual, mental and physical spheres. We become acquainted
with him and try to separate the abnormal or morbid in his case from that which
is normal.
This means the gathering of symptoms, the arrangement of them for
study into the three classes mentioned, making the spiritual the most
important, the mental next and the physical last, also making the symptoms
predicated of the patient as a whole far more important than those predicated
of one part or only a few parts.
It means suiting a remedy to the patient, not to one of his parts,
whether this remedy is well known for the disease in question or not. It means
preparing the remedy to act on the plane of this particular patient's disorder.
It means watching the results of a prescription and judging therefrom whether
or not a curative process is developing. It means choosing a better remedy or
following along with the one first chosen and its complementary remedies.
The homeopathic physician, therefore, has no special treatment for
diabetes. The diabetic patient is treated just as every other patient is
treated. Like every other case, much depends on how far tissue change has taken
place at the beginning of treatment, that is whether this has advanced far
enough to render the patient incurable. Homeopathy can cure any curable case of
diabetes and it has done wonderful things with diabetics who have been
considered incurable by other methods. A so-called incurable may have to return
for further treatment at intervals if sugar returns after freedom and good
health. Advanced cases may never cease treatment altogether but may live as
long as other people and die of something else. Or such a patient may be
palliated wonderfully on the way to death.
In diabetics we are dealing with borderland cases, with what is
called an ultimate in organic disorder. Homeopathy, used for chronic ills from
early life, very rarely develops an ultimate. Its power in prevention is
marvelous. But, mind you, I am talking about principles and their practice, not
about the weaknesses of human nature and human endeavor in physicians as well
as in patients.
You will want to know whether the strictly homeopathic physician
uses insulin. I cannot answer for all of them. I know that some will not allow
it, will take it away at the beginning of homeopathic treatment, regarding it
as an element of interference. Since insulin is not really a drug, I think some
permit its use. Of one thing I am sure. A patient accustomed to insulin in large
doses over a long period is enabled to reduce that dosage soon after beginning
treatment and may cut it down one-half or three-quarters or cut it out
altogether. The pancreas, if not too far gone, comes back wonderfully toward
normal functioning.
Here are a few cases to illustrate what I have been trying to say.
CASE I. G. W.,
girl of five years
Began treatment October, 1937. Diabetes known to be present for
two years; on strict diet. Urine tested for sugar by mother every two days,
medium amount at first, a trace by Jan., 1938, then disappearing altogether
until March when medium amount again for a few days and sugar free by the 31st
to remain so.
Blood sugar test Jan. 13, 1938, 129; Aug. 4, 1938, 74; March 11,
1939, 113.
She was on a general diet after the first few months. This child
had little endurance at first, could not keep going with other children, could
not stay in kindergarten; looked sallow, weak, had a heart murmur. She had a
strong tendency to prolonged bronchitis with high fever, then recuperation. She
was irritable, unstable, extremely nervous, could not keep still, biting
fingers.
Her father had one tubercular lesion in lung before she was born.
Taking this inheritance into consideration along with the symptoms, treatment
was started with Tuberculinum 10M., and continued with Lycopodium in a series
of potencies.
She grew to be quite vigorous though still developing high fever
on slight provocation. I have not seen her since December, 1939, but hear she
is very well.
CASE II. B.W., three
years, sister of the former patient
Began treatment at the same time. Has had diabetes all her life;
urine sugar free on strict diet but returns if she has any starch or sugar. By
January, 1938, on a much more general diet, urine was sugar free or nearly so.
By the next September had been sugar free for many weeks and remained so. Blood
sugar, Jan. 13, 1938, 122; Aug. 4, 1938, 78.
This child was given Tuberculinum at first also, but later had
Pulsatilla and then Natrum mur., as her symptoms ran to catarrhal troubles with
ear inflammation, and to digestive disturbances.
She has always been stronger and more even tempered than her
sister.
CASE III. Fragment of
a case reported by Dr. C.A. Dixon, Akron, Ohio.Mrs. R., 48 years.
Oct. 10, 1940. Phos. 2c. Nov. 28, much better. Jan. 2, 1941, Phos.
2c. Jan. 23, worse. Phos. 1M. March 13, sugar free.
As no symptoms are given upon which to base the prescription, this
case is mentioned simply to show that the remedy alone made the patient sugar
free in less than six months and on three doses only.
CASE IV. Reported by
Dr. Harvey Farrington of Chicago. Roland I.P., age 62, tall, dark complexion.
Degeneration of macula lutea, both eyes, since five years; vision
dim, worse in a bright light. Process seemed to be checked by Nux vomica.
Mother, 82, and son, 35, have the same trouble. Younger son died of diabetes at
fourteen years.
Diabetes started apparently late in 1936. Lost twenty pounds
during the next year and became quite weak. Dec. 31, 1938, sugar in urine 8.5%.
Phos. ac. 3X.
May 24, 1939. Weakness with perspiration. Tenderness of buttocks;
hurts to sit. Spells of melancholy. Phos. ac. 1M.
June 17. Much better, more energy. Pain in buttocks better. Nov 4.
Phos. ac. CM. Jan. 8, 1940. Phos. ac. CM. April 6. Phos. ac. CM. Sept. 8. Phos.
ac. MM.
Sept. 15. Much stronger, says last medicine acted like magic.
Nov. 9. Sugar 0.75%, gaining weight and energy. March 1, 1941.
Better in every way, sugar free if he avoids starches and foods containing cane
sugar; allowed honey, pure maple or corn syrup. This case never took insulin.
CASE V. Also reported
by Dr. Farrington.Theo. J., age 50.
Not well for several months. Had arthritis in 1924
"cured" by baths at Burton Harbor, Michigan.
June 15, 1940. Sugar formed in urine ten weeks ago, taken insulin
daily since. Amount of sugar in urine now 3.6%. Lost twelve pounds in the last
month. Aversion to sweets. Pain in lumbar region 3 p.m. Syzygium 12X. three
times a day for seven days. Insulin discontinued.
Aug. 2. Sugar free. Pain in back gone several weeks ago.
Aug. 23. Feeling fine. Has gained weight. Sept. 6. Sugar free.
Losing weight again. Hunger. Diarrhea from milk or sour foods. Sulph. 1M.
Nov. 8. Gained weight; seems perfectly well. March 24, 1941. Still
perfectly well.
CASE VI. Another case
of my own.
L.E.M., medium height, stocky, rather pasty, sallow, very puffy
about the eyes. In U.S. Naval Academy with rigid tests and O.K.
HISTORY: 1906: Trace of sugar in urine. 1908: Typhoid; never
regained weight. 1911: Appendectomy; appendix found shrivelled; followed by
abscess on abdominal wall. 1912: Some sugar but gradually less. 1914:
Strangulated intestine, emergency operation. Sugar in quantity after this. One
time of coma. 1916: Retired on account of diabetes. 1921: Gradual loss of
weight. Neuralgia legs and feet until hard to walk. Began insulin; on it all
the time since May, 1923.
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT: June 16, 1925. 42 years, height 67 3/4
inches, weight 143 1/2. At lowest weighed 113 and some of this edema. Face
sallow with tendency to moth spots and acne. B.P. below 100 at one time, now
130. Sugar in urine was 5 or 6%, now none for a year. Blood sugar was 35.00%
two or three years ago, now none. Taking 32 units of insulin daily.
Left antrum has been infected for three years. Now slight discharge
which is offensive. Skin extremely dry. Slight wounds or scratches very slow to
heal. Ulcers over tibia and between toes do not heal. Endurance low, must lie
down frequently. Teeth poor, better since started insulin. Likes dry weather,
mild climate. Worse damp weather and drafts. Craves open air. Calm naturally,
phlegmatic, rather slow. Irritable with diabetes.
July 14. Cut insulin one-half. Lyc. 10M. July 20. Decidedly better
and cut out insulin. July 29. Stools regular (had been constipated many years).
Diarrhea the 24th. Aug. 10. Sugar 1 1/8% a week ago.
Sept. 9. More energy; color better. Urinalysis ten days ago:
quantity normal; sp. gr. 1035, sugar 2 1/2%.
Oct. 24. More nervous, irritable. Lyc. 10M. Nov. 25. No better,
very irritable. Sugar 3 3/4%. Lyc. 50M. Dec. 9. Better in general. Sugar 4%,
sp. gr. 34.
Feb. 8, 1926. Growing worse, thinner, weaker. Vision blurred on
attempting to read. Ulcer of great toe refuses to heal. Sulph. 10M.
Feb. 19. No better. Went to Naval Dispensary for examination. Advised
return to insulin and did so. Told trouble with retina. Psor. 10M.
March 25. Gaining flesh steadily. Able to reduce quantity of
insulin over and over and get a reaction, even when eating more freely than for
years.
April 7. Urine and blood sugar free since early February. April
26. Has gained ten pounds. Looks more sallow. Eyes no better. Psor. 10M.
May 24. Insulin 18 units (one year ago 36 units). Vision better
slowly. July 7. Vision worse. Ankles swelling. Psor. 50M.
Sept. 28. Able to go touring, driving long distances, eating as
other people do in hotels and restaurants; careful to avoid most sweets.
Dec. 18. Been better. Now weight less. Psor. 50M.
Feb 16, 1927. Toe which has had ulcer since treatment began
entirely healed. Subsequent history is a repetition. Weight, strength, energy,
remain good. Does all kinds of mechanical labor. Diet only slightly restricted.
Insulin produces reaction occasionally and must be reduced. Vision is
permanently affected so cannot read fine print. All tests for sugar negative.
The change from an invalid to a vigorous active man began promptly
and has continued all these years; it would have to be seen to be realized.
Remedies have been: Psorinum for a basic remedy; Lycopodium and Sulphur for
lesser chronic ills and Kali bi. for acute troubles, mostly catarrhal.
The homeopathic treatment for the diabetic is the same as for any
other disorder and the results are very frequently soul satisfying.
