Homoeopathic Society

Vol. 19 No. 4 September 1999

by Tim Rogers

Osteoarthriticum, also called Osteoarthritic nosode, was made in London from material taken from a human joint badly damaged by osteoarthritis. It was used for years on no better indication for its employment than “the patient has osteoarthritis”.

However, in June 1970 the Indian homœopathic journal The Hahnemannian Gleanings, published a report on a proving of the remedy conducted by Dr P. S. Krishnamurthy, using 8 provers; 2 female, 6 male. Potencies of 12c, 30c and 200c were used.

Osteoarthritic nosode-the proving

Mind anger, unusual, violent (3); irritability (4); apathy to work (5); aversion to company (1); depression (6); amorous thoughts, troublesome (2).
Head headache < evening > pressure (4); left-sided headache < evening > pressure (2).
Eyes burning, slight, in evening (6).
Ears burning, left ear (3).
Face heaviness (4); pain, burning; pain on movement, left mandible joint (3).
Throat soreness (4); pain, left side (2).
Stomach appetite - increased (4); ravenous (1).
Abdomen heaviness (4); distension and flatulence (3); unsatisfactory bowel movement (6); constipation, no urge (2).
Genitalia (M) sexual desire increased, uncontrollable, constant; violent erections; masturbation frequent; awake at night due to troublesome thoughts of sex (1); want of erections (2).
Genitalia (F) pain, loins and back, increased one week before menses (1); menses delayed by one week (1).
Chest pains, sore, bruised (6); pain, heart region, extending to left arm with drawing pain, numbness in fingers of left hand; > pressure (2); pain, burning (3).
Back pain, lumbar, > pressure, > motion (8).
Extremities pain, drawing, burning, both knees, > pressure, > motion (6); pain, left knee, < motion (2); pain, hip joints, < sitting, < raising legs (4); pain, ankles, > pressure, < beginning to move, > continued motion (3); pains, drawing, upper extremities (4); pain in the joints, < after sleeping in the afternoon, siesta (4).
Sleep sleepiness, overpowering (2); sleep disturbed by amorous thoughts (1); dreams of long-nosed people and disfigured faces (2).
Skin and perspiration hot skin on joints (2); sweats during pains (1). Generals pains, sore, bruised (8).

In The Homœopath, Autumn, 1981, David Munnings wrote about the nosode. This is what he had to say:

My experience with the Osteoarthritic nosode (OAN) may be of help to others. I keep the 30c, 200c and the 1M, but I have so far used only the 30c. Like most nosodes, it is a powerful remedy, not to be trifled with. At first, I did not repeat more frequently than once in a month, but experience has taught me that it can be used beneficially as often as once in six days.

In four of my cases, there has been marked aggravation of digestive tract symptoms.

• Mr M, 58 years. Pain cervical region, extending to right shoulder. The suffering was so intense that patient was almost suicidal. OAN 30c, one dose. Next day pain was bearable and continued so for over a year.
Lycopodium 30c, one dose. Remaining pain moved down back to right leg, to foot, to great toe and disappeared. A flu-like condition followed, similar, the patient said, to a virus pneumonia which he had suffered some 25 years previously.

• Mrs McC, 42 years. Pain cervical region. Natrum muriaticum seemed indicated on totality of symptoms, and was given in the 30c potency, 3 doses for 3 days. After two months, no effect. Bryonia 6c, 3 hourly was given, again with no effect.
OAN 30c one dose. Improvement followed, but symptoms returned after only six days. Patient given a supply of OAN 30c to take as required at the return of symptoms. She took one every six days. The pain gradually moved down the spine. Entirely free of pain after three months.

• Mrs L, 54 years. Pain in hands. Joints stiff and swollen. Unable to grip, with sensation as if tendons too short. OAN one dose. Same evening, burning pain in all joints of hand and wrist. Next morning woke free of all pain, stiffness and swelling which has never returned. No other medicine has been needed.
This woman had had her condition for only three months, and had refused allopathic drugs when her doctor had told her that he could only offer palliation. Perhaps if we customarily got our cases in the early stages before any suppressive treatment had been undertaken, we should find many of them as easy as this one.

• Mrs C, 59 years. Pain in knees, 4 years. Had to retire early from her post as a nurse. OAN 30c one dose. Aggravation followed- pain spread to hips and spine. After four days aggravation gave way to amelioration, since when the patient has been free of pain, and has been able to work again.

Many similar cases could be given, but these are representative. I will mention one more as a warning. A 79-year-old woman, who had homœopathic treatment for over 20 years before I saw her, experienced such an aggravation of stomach symptoms after a single dose of OAN 30c that she wrote dispensing with my services. Could it be this was the first aggravation she had ever suffered?

In the light of experience my advice would be to use the indicated remedy first. If the result is disappointing, give a single dose of OAN 30c. If it is effective, repeat at intervals of from one week to one month as necessary.