Hello Friends, This is an effort to get to the root of the theory of miasms. Lets begin by trying to define the word "Miasm".

When we ask someone, "What are miasms?", we usually get the answer, "Miasms are the fundamental cause of all diseases." or "Miasms are the factors which predispose us to diseases.". But these answers tell us about the effect of miasms and not what they stand for. Its like asking someone "What is an apple?" and getting the reply "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." instead of "An apple is a fruit." Think over it and tell us what the word "Miasm" means to you. Your thoughts and active participation in this forum will help us to solve the mistry of miasms.

Hello! My current thinking and feeling on the subject of miasm is that it is caused by a mis-integration (or dis-integration) of all of the parts of us. Particularly the disconnection of spiritual and physical. This misalignment creates a gap where a susceptibility can reside and this is the miasm. The susceptibility is created as the reflection of the gap, or what we need to do to heal. That's why some of us suffer mentally, some emotionally, and some on a more spiritual level. When we can bridge the gap, reclaim our total selves and integrate them, the gap ceases to exist and so then does the susceptibility. My three cents.
Great subject for the BB!

OK here we go. Miasmatic diseases are (in my mind) the EFFECTS or RESULTS of the "ethereal phenomena" that many of us homeopaths 'erroneously' believe. In that sense they are very real. This is obvious. Let's consider then what Dr Bhatia asked, what do miasms "stand for"? We all know well the very real symptoms (EFFECTS) of miasma. I think Dr Bhatia was asking about the ROOT of miasms, rather than what symptoms a miasm produces. Where does the miasm come from? How does one acquire the miasmatic taint? Why do we have them? Miasmatic symptoms in themselves are common knowledge.

[This message has been edited by ~dawn~ (edited 06 December 2000).]

In my very personal experience, the miasm is the cause, rather than the result, of this dis- or 'mis-integration'. This disconnectedness can occur on all levels, physical, spiritual, emotional, social, etc. In my case, the miasm (psora) was inherited from both my mother and father, and all of my siblings have it in one form or other, in lesser or greater degrees. Usually, when you see someone who has a miasm, you will find that their family members have it as well.

The chronic diseases seem to strike where the person is most susceptible. Hence, someone may develop primarily physical symptoms, and another person in the same family will be much more affected in the mental sphere. It seems that the more sensitive the person is the deeper the disease can go, into the mental and emotional realms.

These miasms are very troublesome, especially when they are so rarely diagnosed and properly treated. Most people who have them suffer their entire lifetimes, in many different ways, without ever knowing what is truly wrong with them.

[This message has been edited by nrg grl (edited 07 December 2000).]

I am sure you are totally correct .......any chance you can also give a good guide as to which symptom/personality fits which miasm ?????please

I would love to be able to work that one out
as like you I see the same problem running through a family but seem powerless to stop it

Pat,

Here is a brief description of the imbalances which can manifest in the personalities of people who have miasms. I am limiting my discussion to the three primary miasms and that which I have personally experienced or witnessed. These descriptions are mostly of the mental symptoms as it seems that is what you are asking for. Please bear in mind that some people with miasms may have only physical symptoms and are, for the most part, healthy mentally and emotionally. I have noticed that people who produce more severe physical symptoms manage to keep the disease out of the deeper levels of their being (this is a fundamental aspect of Hahnemann's theory). Hence, the truly 'chronic' sufferers may have few actual "physical" symptoms.

Psoric miasm can cause severe anxiety, lack of concentration, depression, and a general inability to connect with, and function in, the world. The sufferer sometimes cannot escape his own thought processes to manifest himself in the world of action. There is also an association with alcoholism and other addictions, perhaps in an attempt to self-medicate. Physiological symptoms include skin problems such as excessively dry skin and eczema, asthma and lung problems, and digestive disorders, among others.

Whereas psoric patients tend to be talkative and self-expressive, people with deep sycosis can be very closed down mentally and emotionally. Symptoms include poor memory and absent-mindedness, skepticism, suspiciousness, secretiveness, fixed ideas, and hidden self disgust. It is characterized physically by excressences such as warts, moles, and cysts. There is also an association with addictions, including sex addiction (especially in men). (Sycosis has its origin in gonorrhea.)

The syphilitic miasm is characterized by a preoccupation with death and a tendency toward suicide and insanity.

People afflicted deeply with these miasms frequently end up in the psychiatrist's office and are given a diagnosis of mental illness. Needless to say, conventional forms of treatment such as drugs and therapy are rarely, if ever, effective.

I think it's very important to mention here that there should be absolutely no stigma attached to people who have these diseases. We need to view the miasms as obstacles to health, rather than "taints" which carry moral implications. With proper treatment, persons who are affected by these very chronic diseases can be transformed into whole human beings. I would like to see the miasms become the mental illness of the next century in terms of removing the stigma and fostering understanding of how to properly identify and treat them. The suffering of those who are afflicted is greatly compounded by a society and medical profession which do not understand.

P.S. David Little's website, simillimum.com, has been indispensable in helping me to understand and treat miasms. Much of the information here can be found in the essay, "Symptoms and the Miasms". Here is a link for anyone wanting more information and the perspective of a Master Homeopath:
http://www.simillimum.com/Thelittlel...m/miasms4.html

[This message has been edited by nrg grl (edited 08 December 2000).]

Thank you for that

I think I will now need to look into the physical symptoms of Miasms

Cant associate the mental ones with the people I am concerned about

Do you care to describe what the mental symptoms are? I'm curious now.

There are no mental symptoms only physical ones which although relieved by appropriate remedy are not cured

Constitutional Remedy equally does not cure

Miasms were not looked for by the original Homeopath who helped the patient regain health .......patient is a happy person content with life but has to be careful what they eat as certain things cause the symptoms

Dear Pat, How about the mental disposition then? Surely there is something in the mental sphere that would help to point to a correct rem to help out.

And others,
I'm glad this discussion forum has been opened...as I think the study and understanding of miasm's is really important to anyone training to become a Homeopath, such as myself.

Interesting stuff so far!!
Lisa