The Bowel nosodes of Bach & Paterson
Edward Bach (1886 – 1936) was a physician, pathologist and bacteriologist. He is more widely known for the development of the ‘Bach Flower remedies’, but has earned respect, and found fame in the realm of homeopathy, for the creation of the ‘Bowel Nosodes’.
Bach undertook research into immunology and recognised parallels between the concept of vaccination and the homeopathic treatment approach. This insight led Bach to develop seven homeopathic nosodes that were derived from bowel bacteria [1].
Whilst Bach later abandoned this research and turned to the development of the flower remedies, his co-worker John Paterson (1890 – 1955) continued to investigate homeopathic remedies made from intestinal cultures [2]. He concluded that a pathogenic state, disease, always resulted in disturbance of the bowel flora [3]. He described these nosodes as “deep acting remedies” that “ cover the totality of symptoms from the highest level, the ‘mentals’, too the lowest level of gross pathology”, and as encompassing a patients life-history “from earliest childhood to adult life or old age” [3, n.p.].
In his writings, Paterson formulated indications for the use and application of the bowel nosodes. An adherence to his administration protocol he vehemently recommended [3].
Prescribing the bowel nosodes:
Patterson strongly emphasized the following points [3]:
– In a new case: The bowel nosode should only be given where the case is unclear, and diverse remedies appear to fit the case. Where the symptom picture is clear enough to suggest a single matching remedy, this should be administered and not the nosode.
– If the ‘mental’ symptomatology is most prevalent, the remedy should be selected in a higher potency. If the ‘physical’ symptoms are more apparent, the lower potencies should be administered. These must then be administered more frequently, possibly daily, but this is case dependent and can only be decided by the vitality of the patient and the presenting case. Higher potencies must not be repeated as frequently.
– Paterson suggests the potency of 1 M or higher in a ‘mental’ case, and 6 C in the more ‘physical’ expressions. An intermediary dosage is C 30, to be used where there is acute and chronic disease expression.
– In order to complement the nosode that is prescribed in high potency, a related remedy may be given in low potency and in frequent repetition.
– In an old case: This is a case that has already been treated. For such a treatment a nosode may be contraindicated. A positive influence of the preceeding remedies on the development of the bowel flora cannot be excluded. Administering a bowel nosode at this stage could alter the flora and could disturbe the positive development caused be the prior remedies. A test of the stool culture is recommended in such a case to indicate the extent of impact on the bowel flora of the previously prescribed remedies.
– Bowel nosodes should not be repeated in the three months following an administration, associated remedies, as indicated by the presenting symptoms should be prescribed if necessary.
Indications of the Bach & Paterson bowel nosodes [2, 3, 4, 5]:
Morgan-Pure: The main theme of this nosode is Congestion. Congestive headaches with rubescence which is worse for hot & thunder weather. High blood pressure causes vertigo. Varicose veins. Anxiety about health, irritability. Anxiety when alone, but company is avoided. Depression and suicidal disposition. Congestion of liver. Jaundice. Heartburn. Burning pains in stomach. Bilious attacks that are accompanied by headache, reliefed by vomiting. Cholecystitis, gallstones, constipation, haemorrhoids. Kidney stones. Nasal & bronchial congestion. Affections of the skin with dryness, itching, irritation, redness & heat, as in eczema, psoriasis & acne. Menopause. Asthma. Bronchitis. Constipation. Chronic congestion in joints, notably the knees. Morgan-Pure is particularly indicated where skin affections, disease of the liver, headaches of a bilious origin, or gallstones appear in the case-taking.
Morgan-Gaertner: This is a sub-type of Morgan-Pure, and is also indicated in cases of skin or liver conditions, but, unlike Morgan-Pure, is more for acute expressions. For example, in the inflammatory attack of a cholecystitis. Also in renal colics with the presence of kidney stones. These individuals fears crowds and are claustrophobic. There is increased micturation. Skin affections are flaky, expose dry cracks especially at mouth & ears. Constipation is less likely, there is more of a tendency to diarrhoea, with abdominal distention & consequently flatulence. All affections are characterized by irritability. Angina pectoris, palpitations that are relieved by releasing gas (burping or flatulence). Arthritic &rheumatic affections.
Proteus: All symptom onset is sudden & the prime action radius is on the central and peripheral nervous system. Brain-storm, described by sudden & severe upset of the nervous system, accompanied by bursts of violent, aggressive temper, particularly if there is opposition. Stubornness. Stressed. Fearful. A remedy with the indication of epileptic seizures with convulsion. Meningitis. Spasms. Affections like numbness in the peripheral nervous system, intermittent claudication. Raynauds disease, Manieres disease, associated with capillary spasms. Duodenal ulcers caused by persistent neural strain. Herpetic eruptions. Cramping muscles. Angio-neurotic oedema. Kidney & urinary infections. Neural tension and strain. Shingles. Strains of War.
Mutabile: This nosode mutates, indications therefore are ‘alterations’ where skin affections turn to asthmatic symptoms, for example.
Bacillus: A keynote of this nosode is general fatigue, mental and physical. Exhaustion. Early senility. There is lack of peristaltic & movement in the bowels. Abdomen is distended & there is flatulence. Little quantity urinated. Asthma, Catarrh of the bronchiae. Low bloodpressure, slow pulse. Muscular weakness. Backache, weakness. Low sexual function. Asthma. Heartburn.
Gaertner: Malnutrition is a keynote. This remedy is particularly indicated in diseases of children. Emaciation, but mentally active. Thumb sucking, biting finger-nails. Paleness, skinny, lacking stamina. Fearful & oversensitive. There is a marked hypersensitivity to impressions. There is an inability to digest fat. Food poisoning. Food sensitivities. Chronic gastro-enteritis, Coeliac disease, IBS, Chrone’s disease, intolerance to dairy/lactose & gluten. Ketosis. Malignancy. Threadworms. Diahhoea & constipation can alternate. Headaches caused by over-acidity. Damage caused by the administration of antibiotics. Renal calculus & colic. Cholera.
Dysentery Co.: Apprehension / Anticipation. This is the nosode of the heart. The keynote is nervous tension. The prospect of an event taking place can cause mental unrest, and nervous tension. Individuals are over-sensitive to critique. They are fidgety, restless around others and in the time leading up to an occurrence. They are always in a hurry. They may suffer nervous tics in the face or on the limbs at this time. Claustrophobia. Panic. Headaches may come from this excitement, and are commonly located on the vertex or at the front of the head above the eyes. There may be temporary blindness involved. Stammering, blushing. Intestinal pylori can cause spasms & retention of faeces. Distention of abdomen. Digestive cramps. Duodenal ulcers with nervous tension around the stomach & heart. Heart activity may be disturbed, palpitations, tachycardia. Postnatal depression. Heartburn, eructations.
Sycotic Co.: Irritability. Nervous irritability. Fear of darkness, solitude, dogs. Facial tics, like twitching & blinking of eye. Meninges may be chronically or sub-acutely irritated. Chronic catarrhs. Sinus catarrh causes headache. Headaches of long duration. Profuse nocturnal sweating of head. Irritation of the mucous membranes. The gastro-intestinal tract can be chronically irritated, gastro-enteritis, diarrhoea. IBS. Urgent stools upon rising in the morning. Digestive irritation. Eating eggs causes nausea. Bronchial, nasal & throat catarrh of all stages. Anaemia, facial palor. Rheumatic fibrositis. Vesicular eruptions on skin. Warts. Irritation of gentio-urinary tract, cystitis, pyelitis, urethritis, vulvo-vaginitis. Fidgety feet at night. Leucorrhoea, left sides ovaian pain during menses. Meningitis. Food intolerances. Herpes, warts.
Faecalis: There are no indications for this nosode, albeit its affinity to Sepia.
Related remedy groups, according to Paterson [3]:
Morgan-Pure – Sulphur, Alumina, Baryta Carb., Calc. Carb., Calc. Sulph., Digitalis, Ferr. Carb., Medorrhinum, Graphites, Kali. Carb, Magn. Carb., Nat. Carb., Petroleum, Psorinum, Sepia, Tub. Bov..
Morgan-Gaertner – Lycopodium, Chelidonium, Chenopodium, Hell. Nig., Hepar Sulph., Lachesis, Merc. Sulph., Sanguinaria, Taraxacum.
Proteus – Natrium Mur., Ac. Mur., Amon. Mur., Aurum Mur., Apis, Baryta Mur., Borax, Conium, Cuprum Met., Calc. Mur., Ferr. Mur., Ignatia, Kali. Mur., Magn. Mur., Secale.
Mutabile – Pulsatilla, Ferr. Phos., Kali. Phos., Kali. Sulph..
Bacillus – Iodum, Kali. Carb., Arsenicum Iod., Bromium, Calc. Iod., Ferr. Iod., Kali. Bich., Kali. Brom., Kali. Carb., Kali. Nit., Merc. Iod., Nat. Iod..
Gaertner – Merc.Viv., Phosphorus, Silicea, Calc. Fluor., Calc. Hypophos., Calc. Phos., Calc. Sil., Kali. Phos, Nat. Phos., Nat. Sil. Flour., Phytolacca, Pulsatilla, Syphilinum, Zinc Phos..
Dys.Co. – Arsenicum Alb., Anacardium, Argentum nit., Cadmium met., Kalmia, Veratrum album, Veratrum viride.
Sycotic Co – Ac. Nit., Antim. Tart., Bacillinum, Calc. Metal., Ferr. Met., Natrium Sulph., Rhus Tox., Thuja.
Faecalis – Sepia
References:
[1] The Bach centre (n.d.) Our founder, Dr Edward Bach [online] last accessed 27 October 2014, available at: http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/drbach.htm
[2] Kumar, S. (2007) Bowel Nosodes Hpathy [online] last accessed 27 October 2014, available at: http://hpathy.com/materia-medica/bowel-nosodes/
[3] Paterson, J. (2002) The Bowel nosodes [online] last accessed 06 May 2015, available at: http://www.homeoint.org/books5/paterson/bowelnosodes.htm
[4] Bhatti, A. (n.d.) The complete handbook of resonance healing [online] last accessed 06 May 2015, available at: http://www.dratiq.com/download/Dr.%20Atiq’s%20Bowel%20Nosode%20Repertory.pdf
[5] O’Sullivan M. (2009) The homeopathic bowel nosodes HWC [online] last accessed 06 May 2015, available at: http://www.homeopathyworldcommunity.com/profiles/blogs/the-homeopathic-bowel-nosodes
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