Characteristics of the Leprosy Miasm in HIV and Stage 17

The feeling of the Leprosy misam is of intense oppression, intense hopelessness, isolation and an intense desire for change.

LEPROSY:
Disgust. Great contempt Isolation Dirty Hunted
Intense hopelessness Intense oppression
Tears himself. Bites.  Mutilation
Despair Outcast Sadism
Repulsion Loathing
Confine Castaway Seclude

Plant remedies:  Secale, Hura, Ocimum-s, Aloe, Cicuta, Mandragora.

Psychologically, the pace of this Miasm can be quite sudden in its onset, usually there is a serious shock or series of shocks in succession that erode our self respect and confidence.  Once established the miasm seems to engender a gradual deterioration of human and social values ... which can be perceived as the destruction of the very 'structure' of life.  The subjective feelings simple reflect the intensity of the distress experienced.  Anguish and depression are common.
A study of HIV and AIDS in the UK provides and example of this pattern of physical and emotional decline.

Humanistic and Cultural Aspects of the picture of AIDS in the UK. 

The most horrendous Humanistic and Psychological aspects of the suffering of AIDS have been brought to the attention of the Homoeopathic Community by Misha Norland in his study and proving of aids (1999).  He points out that we were all deeply shocked by the initial prospect of exponential contagion and the subsequent death toll. Remember the demonisation of HIV in the T.V. Tombstone Campaign in 1996?

This blatant stereotyping exaggerated negative characteristics which stood out and was used to separate the group from what is considered normal or acceptable.

It was as low on fact as it was high in the fear factor.   Regardless of its original intention the whole unfortunate  campaign became reminiscent of "Crystal-nacht" in Germany  ... and this had a huge Psychological impact on the Public and even more so on many HIV suffers. Any fragile sense of belonging that lingered on was finally dealt a blow from which there was little chance of recovery. Gay HIV patients became regarded as "other" more than ever before.

This all became part of the presenting picture and could also be considered as a maintaining cause in some of the mental and emotional difficulties.

Misha's proving revealed many interesting themes,  and it is interesting to note that it appeared in the same decade that research began into genetic meddling across species boundaries to create GM foods.  Breaking Boundaries is therefore an important theme, and  in particular the whole feeling of being on the outside and having no defences seem to reflect the experience of immunological deficiency as a sensation of needing a shell or barrier on the mental level :-

-Felt very exposed - I had no shell to protect me. I felt that I had lost my wall, my protection and my shell, and there was a free flow of emotions both in and out. I was exposed, almost naked, with no control.
-It feels as though barriers between me and other people can come down with this man.
It appears that the taboo engendered by the Tombstone Campaign made AIDS sufferers feel even more ostracised, and unwanted than ever,
- Began to panic about being rejected in the middle of the night. Panic lasted all day. Feel in need of loads of reassurance.
- Had the desire to be alone. Felt different to and separate from other people. Felt very individual.
- The first thing I noticed after taking the remedy was before hand I had been very sociable and after taking the remedy and about 10 or 15 minutes after, I started to feel very self conscious and kind of almost paranoid and I went and sat in the corner.
- I imagined everything I said was wrong - that I had offended someone.
- Not connecting with people - feelings of isolation - felt, 'nobody loves me'.
These feeling even goes as deep as outright fear ...
- Feelings of paranoia. Felt lied to; that people were plotting against me.
- Fear of authority, adults, schooling. Feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability, failure. 

Reckless behaviour is part of the macho image and an important factor in the transmission of HIV ...

- Normally feel easily rejected, now feel great. I loved being on my own. I felt like doing something mischievous. I wanted to do something naked and extravagant. I had no embarrassment with nakedness. 

Miasmatic Influences in HIV

Tuberculosis also has an inescapable diagnosis of an early death resulting in a hedonistic intensity for living life to the full, so there is a logical affinity for the tubercular remedies.
There is enough evidence of isolation and estrangement here to suggest the AIDS really falls into the Syphilitic or Leprotic Miasm.

There is also enough to suggest that the breaking down of personal (as well as physical and immunological) boundaries is a regression towards the Carbon Series - where the issue is of the definition and delight in the Sense of Self. This regression seems to arise from a loss of Spirituality - materialistic selfishness.
Was Scholten's Iquilai remedy an element from Stage11 (Del: appreciated not) with a Carbonate? (Germanium has loss of boundaries). 
  A  mental profile derived from repertorising rubrics having the feelings of isolation in AIDS gives Thuja, Positron and Carcinosin.

The Mineral remedies of Stage 17 have an abundance of Leprotic symptoms.

The Stage 17 remedies are all about endings.  In every remedy in this column of the Periodic Table something or other is coming to an end. They let go of something normally considered precious.

The first Stage 17 remedy from the Carbon Series is Fluorine. Lets discuss the characteristics found in the carbon series remedies first. We can expect these to influence the remedy to some extent. In fact the Series determines the problematic (symptomatic) area of  psychological or social development that is affected.  In the Carbon Series the focus is internal... problems related to establishing our sense of Self in relation to family and friends.  At the end of the Series, Flourine has the most bouncing, unpredictable and unmanageable ego!

If Stage 17 remedies are about loss and letting go , Flourine is about letting of self-imposed behavioural restrictions. This makes them hard, fast and care-free, these are some the ingredients found in the composition of the criminal mind!

It is  self-worth that is coming to an end in this remedy.  The reaction is to prop up our sense of worth by exaggerating our performance out there - in society.

The ruthless justice (ferrums) seen in the roles portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson springs to mind immediately.  This glamorous character, like Dirty Harry before him, acquires almost Super-Hero Status. He uses any means to accomplish his goal. Clearly this is a great contrast to the collapsed state of HIV described above ... but there are common factors.  He is a loner, adamantly and contemptuously going his own way, regardless of risk, always operating outside of social norms and constraints.   This makes such good television because it provides the 'normal' socially constrained viewer a measure of freedom and catharsis.  This can also happen in the euphoria of demonstrations and pop festivals.

It should not come as any surprise to discover that such flamboyant flouratums are attracted to easy money. It allows them to purchase the accessories and gadgets which accentuate their image and allows them the time and freedom to behave outrageously.

Subconsciously they pay the price ... they can be worried about their health and physique to the extent of becoming physical fitness fanatics ... which can provide yet another opportunity to brag.  Society validates these superficial values at every turn and Flouratums take it all onboard - swallowing advertising hook, line and sinker.  Although they feel flash and clean on the outside they can feel empty and dirty inside, especially sexually -  promiscuity becomes the norm and there are often lewd and 'dirty' dreams.

This dirty feeling may have come from some particular experience such as having a teenage abortion or some unfair accusation or criminal conviction.  This is not felt as a sense of guilt however. There is little remorse or guilt in the Flouratums, they are too  hardened  emotionally, they brush it off (flouride is often added to toothpaste to harden the enamal) - guilt is Bromatum territory.

Chlorine remedies (natrums) being in the Silica Series focus less on  self-gratification and more on their family and on relationships.  In this Series the ego becomes defined in terms of the binary opposition between self and other (Flouratums couldn't give a jot about others).  Because emotions and relationships are the focus Natrums are often the saddest of remedies (just had to include that quote from Spinal Tap!)  The Leprotic themes of isolation and separation are felt very tangibly on the emotional level - as profound grief.

The Bromatums belongs to the Ferrum (work) series.  This means that their focus is not so intensely directed towards image and ego; they are fully directed towards making connections to the outside world, on the world of conscientious duty and responsibility.  They need the protection and security that comes from passing exams and getting a good job.  There is a lot of form filling and tick-boxing in this group!

Stage 17 - the end stage of the work series, which brings us to the Bromatums, implies giving up work. It may be through some misfortune, some disability or simply old age .  Subsequently they begin to miss the routine of work and need to be 'doing something'.  This is the type of guilty feeling and also the source of the restlessness that is typical of the Bromatums.  These people suffer greatly when they require support from public funds and benefits.  The feeling can escalate to the point where they feel that if they are branded as guilty they may as well hang for a sheep as for a goat.

Bromatums tend to be very passionate and when things go wrong they can respond instinctively and can sometimes be quite dangerous.  Their instincts can take control of their reason.  As in the other Stage 17 remedies this uncontrolled behaviour can be one factor leading to isolation.  They often feel such an intense sense of disgrace that there is a sense that their downfall is apparent to everyone - the result is that they feel awkward and shy.  A characteristic symptom is the feeling that someone it looking over your shoulder.  Ultimately they want to get away - yet another expression of the isolation typical of the Leprosy Miasm.

The Iodine salts (Iodatums) belong to the Silver Series, hence the concept of the loss of culture ... not only the arts but also in cultural traditions, which in this modern world often means immigration and emigration.  There can be such a sense of isolation that they feel as if are walking in a wasteland.

Some Iodatum rubrics reflecting the themes we have been considering …

DISGUST – himself
APPROACHED by persons; being – aversion to
AVERSION – family; to members of
COMPANY – aversion to – sight of people; avoids the
COMPANY – aversion to – strangers, to the presence of
HATRED – persons – offended him
MISANTHROPY
DREAMS – FLEEING
DREAMS – WALKING – ruins, among

The Lanthanide remedy of Stage 17 is Lutetium.  The feeling here is that nothing  matters anymore.  The material world holds no further attraction.  They are free, perhaps blissfully, because nothing can harm them and nothing is taboo anymore - but they are floating away; it is the end of the game...

Rien ne va Plus.