(vi) To fulfill Hahnemann’s three injunctions of cure: rapid, gentle and permanent.
(vii) Anti-miasmatic medicines help to clear up the suppressions (in relation to the past); clear up the presenting symptoms from their root or origin (in relation to the present); and clear up the susceptibility to get infection and thereby strengthening the constitution (in relation to the prophylactic aspect or future).

MIASMATIC THEORY : SCIENTIFIC BASIS :

A concept, theory or principle can be granted as scientific, if it fulfills the following criteria:-

a) It is based on clearly observed data, facts and phenomena.

b) It has been repeatedly confirmed by future observations and experiences under similar conditions.

c) It must give clear and correct guidance in anticipating the future events.

Note : All these conditions of the scientific method are fulfilled by the miasmatic concept and approach.
KEY WORDS AND Criteria :

BASIC CRITERIA OF THE FOUR GREAT MIASMS :

Miasm – Psora

Key Word- Irritation

Criteria – Lack, Scanty, Absence (correct spelling of absence and criteria)

Either physical or mental. E.g. atrophy, anemia, ataxia, anorexia etc.
Physical / Mental
Physical irritation is characterised by itching. Mental irritation leads to mental turmoil, characterised by anxiety, fear. Therefore any diseased condition characterised by deficiency, scantiness or absence, and all ‘hypo’ conditions reflects Psora. E.g. itching all over the body. E.g. anxiety, alertness, apprehension (especially of impending misfortune), which manifests as fear. Psora has the most fears of all the miasms. Deficient immunity resulting in increased susceptibility to catch infections, i.e. ‘hyper sensitivity’, is a psoric criterion.

Miasm – Sycosis

Keyword – Incoordination

Criteria – Hyper

Either physical or mental
Physical Mental All hypers and excesses are sycotic.
Incoordination in development. Incoordination in the sensorium or comprehension. E.g. hypertrophy, hyperplasia, hypersexuality, excess working (workaholics). Proliferation or excess. E.g. absentmindedness
E.g. tumours, fibroids, warts and any growths. Whilst concentrating on studies, the mind is distracted and wanders off elsewhere.
Miasm – Syphilis

Key words -Destruction and Degeneration

Criteria – ‘dyses’ and irregular

Either physical or mental

Physical/ Mental E.g. dystrophy, dysplasia,
Characterised by structural destruction and degeneration. Characterised by destruction and perversion. Dysphagia.

Irregular manifestations such as
i) Ulceration (where there is cellular destruction and degeneration)
ii) Pus formation (characterised by degenerated cellular debris)
iii) Necrosis (characterised by structural degeneration)
iv) Love for one’s own life is destroyed (suicidal tendencies).
v) Perverted sex and sexual cravings. Irregular peristaltic movement
resulting in dysenteric spasm and stool, or high systolic and low diastolic blood pressure in one individual. Such manifestations reflect irregularity in the circulatory mechanism.

Miasm – Tubercular

Key Word – Dissatisfaction

Criteria – Alternating, periodic, one sided, vague manifestations.

Manifestations.

Either physical or mental
Physical /Mental
i) Person craves sugar but it makes him sick and he becomes dissatisfied.
ii) Perverted sexual cravings or excessive masturbation make the person exhausted (this is from the syphilitic component of the miasm), or the person enjoys sex, but exhaustion does not permit so they remain unsatisfied.
iii) Changeable mentality (e.g. wants new clothes, changes occupation, studies, jobs, partners etc. very frequently and is never satisfied).
iv) Vagabond mentality (e.g. likes to travel often, cannot stay in one place). i) Alternation – e.g. constipation alternates with diarrhoea.
v) Periodicity – e.g. headache comes on every seventh day.
vi) One sided diseases – e.g. insomnia, anorexia, migraine, fatigue etc.
vii) Other conditions which present with ill-defined symptoms or too few symptoms.
viii) All allergic manifestations such as food and dust allergies.
ix) All haemorrhages.
x) All recurrent problems.

LOOK AND DIAGNOSE THE MIASM

1) PSORA:

Nervous, apprehensive, fearful.
Hair: Dry, harsh, dandruff++
Face: Bluish appearance, features of cyanosis.
Lips: Dry
Facial expression: Anxious.
Skin: Dry – Nails: Dry
Dress: Wears light colours
Personality: Affectionate, amiable, caring, cautious, collector, compassionate, conservative, considerate, dutiful (over the top) (Sycosis joins), easy-going, emotional, forsaken, kind, naive, peace-maker, perceptive, private, reserved, sensitive, thoughtful, worrier.
Hobbies: Watching TV, video, films (cinema), reading, games, playing cards.
Occupation: Caregiver, clerical, board nurse, nursery-nurse.

2) SYCOSIS:

Cunning, exploitative, jealous, suspicious mischievous.
Hair: Fishy smell, alopecia in circular spots.
Face: Yellowish colour, puffy, oedematous. Facial expression: Greedy.
Congenital/acquired overgrowth. Lips: Thickened. Skin: Thickened, fish-scale, vesicular
Nails: Thick, ridged, ribbed, corrugated, convex.
Dress: Wears yellow/bright colours, (ostentatious and fatuous)
Personality: Aggressive, ambitious, arrogant, assertive, bossy, charismatic, enthusiastic, fanatic (if destructive Syphilis joins), (excess due to greed also present), faultfinding, friendly, gregarious, humorous, intense, list maker, manipulative, outgoing (if changeable Tubercular joins), perfectionist, planner, possessive, ritualistic serious, sincere, sociable (Tubercular joins)
Hobbies: Gambling, casinos, bingo, shopping, fast dancing (rock and roll).
Occupation: Accountant, chief executive officer, dictator (successful), doctor (Psora), lawyer, pimp, policeman, politician, receptionist, stockbroker. (Syphilis joins), under-cover agent.

3) SYPHILIS:

Vindictive, spiteful, dull.
Hair: Falling from all over the body
Face: Reddish appearance, cleft palate. Facial expression: Cruel, brutal.
Allied congenital abnormalities.
Lips: Cracked – Skin: Cracks and fissures, ulcerative.
Nails: Thin, break easily, channeled, pitted, concave (spoon shaped).
Dress: Wears non-matching colours, dark colours, black.
Personality: Abusive, closed, depressed, dogmatic, pessimistic, revengeful, rude. Lack of conception and realization.
Hobbies: Hunting, wrestling, boxing, martial arts, archery, ten-pin bowling, speedway, coarse fishing (sea fishing).
Occupation: Butcher, manual labourer, publican.

4) TUBERCULAR:

Discontented, independent, stubborn, changeable
Hair: Breaks, splits and sticks together
Face: Purple colour, flushed cheeks. Facial expression: Indifferent.
Lips: Bright red, flushing. Skin: Flushing easily, bleeding.
Nails: Glossy, white spots.
Dress: Wears red, purple and pinkish colours.
Personality: Adventurous, artistic, bubbly, changeable, creative, fearless, fun loving, independent, rebellious.
Hobbies: Creative hobbies, cooking, knitting, drawing, acting, traveling, golf, skiing, horse riding, motor racing, music, gardening, lake fishing, swimming.
Occupation: Actor, air hostess, artist, craftsman/artisan, detective, driver, gardener, kindergarten nurse (Psora joins), postman, shopping (likes changes) salesman, teacher.