Aphorism 40

Aphorism 40

§ 40 Formation of complex disease. 

 In third clause Dr. Hahnemann states that when two diseases of nearly equal intensity meet together in an organism they neither repel each other nor do they cure each other due to their dissimilar nature, rather forms a complex disease so that each of them occupies a particular place or organ unique to itself in the organism, leaving the rest. So, a Syphilitic person may become Psoric and vice versa.

 

 In this case of mixed miasm, two diseases or miasms are dissimilar and of nearly equal intensity so it cannot cure each other, initially venereal symptoms are kept in abeyance and suspended when Psoric symptoms begins to appear; in course of time the two join together and each involves those parts of the organism which is unique to it, rendering patient to be more diseased and difficult to cure. 

 

Likewise in case of acute infection as for example small pox and measles one usually suspends the other as has been previously seen but there had been severe epidemic of a kind in which two dissimilar acute diseases occurred simultaneously in one and the same body for a short time. He further gives its attestation from different authorities - 

1. P. Russell met a single case in an epidemic of small pox and measles being prevalent at the same time to be combined as one case among three hundred cases. 

2. Rainey witnessed simultaneous occurrence of smallpox and measles in two girls. 

3. J. Maurice, in his whole practice, observed two cases in which small pox and measles occurred simultaneously in patients.

4. Similar cases of complex diseases are to be found in Ettmuller's works, and in writings of a few others. 

5. Zencker saw cow-pox run its regular course along with measles and along with purpura. 

6. Jenner saw cow-pox to run its course undisturbed during mercurial treatment for syphilis. 

In footnote Dr. Hahnemann says that when two dissimilar diseases of nearly equal intensity meet together in an organism, they do not mix with each other, that is no real amalgamation takes place rather they exist besides each other in the organism effecting the parts particularly adapted to it, and its cure is effected by judicious alternation of best anti- miasmatic medicine given in suitable dose and form.