Sulphur

The attenuations are prepared from sublimated Sulphur, S, AW: 32.1.

This indispensible polychrest occupies a central position in the homoeopathic treasury of remedies, and is used successfully both in acute cases and, more fre- quently, in chronic cases. Furthermore, Sulphur, in a wide range of low or higher po- tencies, even in the highest potencies, according to the nature of the case, is funda-

mentally able to reverse the course of an illness. Defined in physiological, chemical or enzymological terms, its effects are achieved by the reactivation of enzyme-based detoxifying procedures which have been destroyed.

Nash, with apologies to Hahnemann, refers to Sulphur as the king of the antip- sorics.

It may happen that, both in humoral and in cellular phases, well-indicated reme- dies refuse to work. In such cases the use of Sulphur is recommended, in order to re- move the block to the action of the remedy resulting from a psoric constitution as a result of earlier retoxications (or blocking of enzymes).

At this point some exposition of the concept of Psora is called for.

In view of the fact that, in Hahnemann’s time, the concept of disease had not re- ceived any final, scientifically founded interpretation, so neither had the concept of Psora, established by Hahnemann, been accorded any scientifically comprehensible definition. People indulged in speculations and in personifications of abstract con- cepts, and the outcome was great confusion.

In the light of homotoxicology it has now become clear that Hahnemann’s concept of Psora is a characteristic situation of retoxication resulting from reversible blocking or irreversible destruction of enzyme-systems. Depending on the degree of damage, improvements or cures may be achieved by anti-homotoxic therapy. Such retoxica- tions occur as a result of the inhibition of processes of detoxification and elimination. Eliminations must always be seen in the context of detoxification. If eliminations of whatever kind are suppressed, no matter whether they be foot-sweat (an excretion phase) or a serous exudate in eczema or dermatitis, or some inflammation (a reac- tion phase), since these of course also serve to cleanse the body of homotoxins, this is achieved by an inhibition or destruction of the enzyme-systems which are en- trusted with this detoxifying function. This process of enzyme-damage matches the creation of impregnation phases – in serious cases or in repeated retoxications even of degeneration or neoplasm phases, which may present the most varied symptoms

of hydra-headed Psora.

Examples of impregnation phases are: achlorhydria, chronic diseases of the joints, myocardial lesions, post-infectious anaemia, lesions of the hepatic parenchyma, con- nective tissue lesions, and also numerous illnesses which nowadays are charac- terised as iatrogenic.

It is well known that through the use of numerous powerful drugs, such as sulphonamides, antibiotics, antipyretics etc., such iatrogenic damage or unwanted side-effects can be caused, which originate from blocking or destruction of enzymes and to a large extent may be equated with the concept of Psora.

Pork also contains the type of poison (sutoxins) which can impregnante the cells,

e.g. histamines and histamine polypeptides, in excessive quantity, and from these the tendency towards inflammations and itching originates. The excessive fat content, particularly intra-cellular, plays a homotoxic role in the consumption of pork, dis- eases of the lymphatic system occurring after resorption of the fat into the lymphat- ic vessels.

A part of the disease-manifestations which have been regarded as Psora, present- ing as scrofula (skropha = pig), or as dyscrasias of other kinds, must be regarded as sutoxic, i.e. as caused by the consumption of pork.

The body now seeks to compensate for the damage which has taken place in the context of the impregnation phases, or of the sutoxic overloading and it attempts to do this by means of a regressive vicariation, the retoxins (particularly histamine) being conducted away through reaction phases. Such reaction phases, where there is severe iatrogenic damage, particularly in degeneration or even neoplasm phases, may possibly take on the nature of evasive phases, e.g. suppurative fistulae, chronic skin conditions, chronic predisposition to boils in diabetes, etc. By means of these evasive phases, intermediate homotoxins or exogenous sutoxins (after conversion has taken place in the connective tissue) are eliminated, thus relieving the toxic state which corresponds to the cellular phase.

In all these cases Sulphur is effective in accelerating the processes of detoxifica- tion which are under way (possibly in the form of inflammations) and where appro- priate in beginning the reactive process or bringing it to crisis-point.

This self-healing tendency of the body thus receives excellent assistance from Sul- phur. However, the final success of the treatment depends not least on the extent of the retoxic damage, i.e. whether it is confined to impregnation phases which are still reversible, or whether it has already reached the degeneration or neoplasm phase where the damage may be more or less irreversible.

In many cases where the enzyme blockage is still reversible, Sulphur can often re- lease a very prompt action, as though the whole state of illness were unlocked with a suitable key, or a wider path had been opened up to the body’s natural healing ten- dency, charcterised by the reactivation of the physiological enzyme functions of general detoxification (major defensive system).

The detoxification which is set in motion by a dose of Sulphur takes the form of regressive vicariation, as described by various physicians. Thus Nash tells of a fe- male patient who had had a disease of the stomach for 14 years and was emaciated almost to a skeleton. From the medical history it was found that, about 15 years pre- viously, she had had eczema on the neck and occiput, which had been suppressed with a highly effective ointment. Since that time there had not been a sign of the eczema. Nash prescribed a dose of Sulphur 200. After three weeks the eruption was restored and the stomach-complaints were completely removed.

It may be mentioned here that excessive reactions are generally not caused by higher potencies of Sulphur. These generally occur only after the use of lower po- tencies, so that in extremely chronic cases it is prudent to use the high potencies and the highest, either straight away or after beginning with low potencies.

No doubt every homoeopathic physician who experiments with high potencies has observed similar cases from time to time. It may however be emphasized that the usual injections of Sulphur are quite sufficient, in order to achieve results of this kind, by triggering a natural healing process in the form of a regressive vicariation.

Typical of Sulphur indications in impregnation phases is the affection of the skin, which itches and then burns after being scratched. The body is trying to eliminate

the intermediate homotoxins, particularly histamine, by way of its integument. In the process tendencies towards regressive vicariation arise, in the form of reaction phas- es, such as a wide variety of discharges which are excoriating and cause reddening of the orifices, and also an offensive body-odour, in spite of frequent bathing, as is the case with Psorinum. However, the patients cannot tolerate washing and bathing. Thus they appear mostly as dirty people lacking in personal cleanliness and predis- posed towards skin problems.

The burning and itching occur everywhere: on the vertex, in the eyes, the face, even the tongue and in mouth ulcers; there is burning in the stomach and rectum, burning and itching of haemorrhoids, burning in the urethra, burning and itching in the vulva and nipples, between the shoulder-blades, on the hands and feet so that they have to be put out from under the bed-covers, to cool them down. All these are typical indications for Sulphur.

It is not possible to detail here even all the important symptoms of Sulphur. This is owing to the fact that Sulphur is the major remedy in practically all cellular phases, and particularly in impregnation phases which still display a tendency to turn re- gressive. Almost every symptom which finds clinical expression in dyscrasias of the most varied kind, in tuberculosis (scrofula), (consequences of pork-poisoning), in chronic ulcerations, boils, a wide variety of tumours, ulcers of fingers and nails, ul- cers of the lower leg, skin diseases, asthma, angina pectoris and myocardial lesions following retoxic impregnation in the treatment of acute illnesses (tonsillitis, in- fluenza, scarlet fever etc.), can respond to Sulphur in some way or other and is al- most always to be found within the comprehensive symptom-catalogues of Sulphur and in the reports of its provings.

An important symptom also is the reddening of all orifices of the body, particular- ly of the ears; this can prove an indication for Sulphur at first sight. Also the hot flushes which are so common in the menopause respond well to Sulphur (otherwise to Sepia, Lachesis, Sanguinaria etc.), and in the most serious cases to Sulphuricum Acidum.

The sensations of weakness which are often observed in impregnation phases may also be an indication for Sulphur, e.g. the weakness and stagnation in the stomach which occurs in the morning around 11:00 a.m., making it necessary to eat. Like- wise morning diarrhoea which drives the patient out of bed, obviously serving to eliminate homotoxins in view of the relief experienced afterwards, also calls for a dose of Sulphur.

It may be mentioned that Sulphur is one of the most important components of tis- sue in the body. It is known that the basic substance of the mesenchyme consists of hyaluronic acids or of the mucoitine and chondroitine sulphuric acid.

The richer in sulphur the connective tissue is, the softer and more mucous it tends to be. Injections of Sulphur make the connective tissue less rich in sulphur and more resistant, the sulphur in the tissues being mobilised and excreted, which has been shown by August Bier and collaborators in numerous highly impressive experi- ments. This helps us to understand the beneficial action of Sulphur in arthroses and primary chronic arthritis.

The fact is also well-known that numerous enzymes become active through sul- phide groups, such as Coenzyme A, the cytochromes, and many others. It is also well-known that the SH-groups are particularly easily blocked by synthetic drugs and heavy metals, and this forms the basis for the iatrogenic damage which follows the use of many drugs.

Through the administering of Sulphur compounds in a suitable attenuation appro- priate to the biological milieu, such damage may be reversed in many cases, insofar as it is still reversible. When the detoxifying functions of the enzymes start up again, they are expressed as regressive vicariations, with recurrence of the illness which was previously retoxically treated, such as eczema etc.

Without the arrangement of the various illness which has resulted from homotox- icology teaching, and without the knowledge of their relationships to one another, one can scarcely grasp the action of such a great remedy as Sulphur. This, however, also makes the multiplicity of symptoms in the remedy-picture of Sulphur compre- hensible, likewise the fact that not only impregnation phases, but possibly also de- generation phases and even neoplasm phases may be beneficially influenced by Sul- phur – and, in every case, the great army of deposition phases and reaction phases, the latter particularly so in the case of evasive phases, or where there is a psoric loading.

In this connection we should recall Prof. Stiegele’s lecture at Freudenstadt, where he let it be known that, although he was not actually a high-potency supporter and had never otherwise reported the fact, he had experimented with high potencies throughout the long years of his medical practice, and had established numerous as- tonishing effects in the process.

Among other cases, Prof. Stiegele described that of a boy who had migrating pneumonia. Every attempt to help him seemed hopeless, since no homoeopathic remedy was able to achieve a deep-reaching action. Prof. Stiegele then called in a well-known clinician, who likewise gave up the case. That same evening Prof. Stiegele gave a dose of Sulphur 200X with surprising success, for the crisis which had been awaited for weeks and months set in overnight, and the next morning the patient had no fever for the first time. A short convalescence completed his recovery. Such observations are characteristic of the action of Sulphur. Therefore in all cases which do not respond to well-indicated biotherapeutic or anti-homotoxic remedies, Sulphur should be given intercurrently, e.g. as an intravenous injection, regardless as to whether it might be a case of chronic septic endocarditis (Leimbach. Homotoxin- Journal 3, 151 [1964]), or one of bronchial asthma, chronic heart disease, skin dis- eases, liver disease, chronic rheumatism or gouty, arthritic complaints, acute pneu- monia, tuberculosis in its various forms, chronic nutritional disorders in adults or in children, difficult convalescence, dyspeptic states, haemorrhoids, chronic gastric weakness, hydrocephalus, chronic gynaecological conditions (e.g. ovarian cysts), varicose ulcers (be careful here not to give too low potencies, since, if there is not absolute abstinence from pork and pork products, the ulcers may enlarge enormous-

ly), of menopausal complaints, diabetes or any one of numerous cellular phases.

It is hardly possible to give an exhaustive survey of the action of Sulphur in a short character-sketch. One should always think of Sulphur when the following symp- toms are prominent or dominate the picture:

1. Putting the feet out of bed, though they may be cold during the day.
2. Hot flushes and sensations of heat, also burning in a great variety of areas of the body, possibly with episodes of sweating and a craving for fresh air.
3. Itching, in skin diseases or on its own, often followed by burning. (cf. Phospho- rus, Arsenicum Album).
4. Chronic skin diseases, lichen planus, acne vulgaris, eczema, neurodermitis, der- matoses, associated with offensive body-odour and aversion to washing and bathing (especially in cold water), with much itching (especially at night). Ur- ticaria, angioedema.
5. Reddened mucosa, especially at orifices of the body. Strikingly red lips and ears, red eyelids with tendency towards tubercular inflammations, styes, blepharitis.
6. Haemorrhoids with redness and itching of the anus.
7. Morning diarrhoea, driving the patient out of bed.
8. Weakness and stagnation in the stomach around 11:00 a.m., obliged to eat. Aver- sion to meat and intolerance of milk.
9. Vicarious effects in the context of retoxic impregnation phases; a wide variety of impregnation and cellular phases, showing a tendency towards regressive vicari- ation, but unable to carry it through. Any consequences of suppressed discharges of any kind. Viral illnesses.
10. Heart-complaints. Pressure like a weight or stone on the chest.
11. Sleeplessness: cannot get to sleep, with heat in the feet, itching, and also asth- matic complaints.
12. Sulphur should always be given intercurrently if well-indicated remedies do not act, in high or in the highest potencies, even in degeneration or neoplasm phases.

The further to the right of the Biological Division in the cellular area the phase is situated, the higher should be the potency – generally speaking – which is selected. The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Sulfur, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for sulphur: various skin diseases, especially those of chronic nature; pruritic eczema and suppu- rative skin diseases; acute and chronic inflammations of the respiratory organs, the gastrointestinal tract, and the urinary and reproductive organs; hepatic and digestive insufficiencies; varicose veins; haemorrhoids; haemorrhages; cardiocirculatory com- plaints; abnormality of blood pressure (dysarteriotony); rheumatic complaints; in- somnia; nervous disorders; general weakness and debilitation, behavioural disor-

ders; emotional discord or upset.