homeopathy III: aurum

the first class of homeopathy III with Dr. Elmore. besides the orientation spiels we went over two case studies that demonstrated key aspects of the homeopathic remedies aurum and nat mur, which are fairly similar. the first case was a 31 year old female that came initially complaining about her allergies, but further questioning revealed deep stress, mainly centering around a dysfunctional marraige--to a man she married almost out of obligation, because he could pay off the massive debt she had accrued. although she couldn't stand him (in fact spent every night outside because she didn't want to be in the house with him), she felt that leaving him would be a betrayal and thus had been living in distress the entire marraige. her current state was one of profound depression to the point of suicidal notions, which she kept from others. she had lost her "inner light", which only came back when thinking about leaving her husband. another poignant aspect of her character was that as a young child, she took care of younger siblings after the mother abandoned the family.

the fastidiousness, emotional insularity and feelings of loyalty and betrayal were all indicative of nat mur, but it was then revealed to the class that this patient also loved the sun, which is decidedly not characteristic of nat mur-- instead, the remedy given to this patient was aurum, which is apparently the leading remedy for patients with suicidal tendencies. aurum patients hold themselves to extremely high standards and have to do things right in all aspects of their lives. the combination of their idealism and suicidal notions (losing the fear of death) makes teenagers the most likely aurum patients. here are some study questions based on Dr. Elmore's readings of aurum:

questions
1. central theme of aurum is...
2. personality type?
3. two remedies that might be confused with aurum?
4. miasm?
5. how does the miasm physically manifest?
6. how does the miasm manifest mentally / emotionally?
7. suicidal thoughts may arise in aurum patients when...

8. occupation ameliorates or aggravates?
9. how much do aurum patients share of their suffering to others?
10. relationship to religion?
11. relationship to death?
12. aurum state might be brought on by loss of...
13. aurum patient can't stand...
14. aurum imagines that... resulting in...
15. relationship to physical pain?

16. relationship to music?
17. what time of day aggravates aurum patients?
18. relationship to sunshine?
19. sleep?

20. nasal symptoms?
21. aurum is a main remedy for which HEENT disorder?
22. eye symptoms?
23. affect on glands?
24. testicles?
25. uterus?
26. chest symptoms?

27. in what particular way are aurum children similar to nat. mur children?
28. relationship to friends?
29. time course of aurum?
30. what are the salts of aurum?

answers
1. depression and loathing of life.
2. perfectionists.
3. nux vomica and natrum muriaticum.
4. syphilitic.
5. destruction of bones and tissue.
6. depression, suicidal thoughts.
7. in a high place or any other precarious situation.

8. ameliorates.
9. nothing; others may not know of their suffering at all.
10. despair of religious salvation -- praying for hours on end.
11. no fear of death, desires death.
12. finances or property.
13. contradiction.
14. he neglected his duty, resulting in guilt.
15. intense pain, causing suicidal thoughts.

16. often ameliorates.
17. sunset to sunrise.
18. desires sunshine.
19. insomnia.

20. boring pain at the root of the nose.
21. mastoiditis.
22. photophobia, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, sore / bruised sensation. [look-- PCC]
23. swelling and hypertrophy.
24. swelling and indurated, especially right side.
25. prolapse due to heaviness and congestion of uterus.
26. dyspnea, asthma, angina.

27. easily hurt.
28. few friends, doesn't share much with them.
29. since it is a metal remedy, takes a longer time to act.
30. aurum arsenicum, muriaticum, iodatum, sulphuricum [ars mur iod sul] [aura of siam]