Calc. phos. is a remedy which probably is not adequately appreciated. It is very deep-acting remedy with a wide spectrum of symptomatology, but it is easy to mistake for other remedies more classically know as "polychrests". I known in my own practice that I have frequently given Calc. carb., Phosphorus, Phosphoric acid, and even Chamomilla when I should have given Calc. phos. Gradually, however, I have learned to discern a few points which distinguish it from other remedies. In this chapter I shall try to highlight characteristics, along with the most striking points of its general symptomatology.
DISCONTENT is the main theme around which the image of Calc. phos. develops. Calc. phos. patients do not know what they want. They know something has gone wrong with their system, but they do not know precisely what it is or what to do about it. A sluggishness has affected the whole organism, and this brings about a deep discontent, a deep dissatisfaction.
In Calc. phos., there is usually a specific moment in time when the person's energy suddenly decreased. Perhaps there was an acute ailment, a shock of some sort, penicillin injections, etc. Whatever the cause, there followed a quite rapid decline of energy - not overnight perhaps, but over a brief period of time. Then, from that moment, the patient noticed a sluggishness f mind, an emotional indifference, and a lack of physical stamina. This state of lowered vitality usually affects all three levels simultaneously in Calc. phos., and it is this which leads to the pervasive discontent.
In Calc. phos., the fundamental weakness is seen most dramatically on the mental plane. It is as if the mind has become flabby in the same way that muscles becomes flabby. Here the Calc. carb. element is quite evident. The mind seems to slow down to about one-third its normal speed. This is not a perversion of mental function or a confusion. The mental processes function properly, but only at a much slower rate and requiring much more effort than previously. A Calc. phos. patient can do mathematics, for instance, but a problem that used to take a half-hour prior to the onset of pathology now takes an hour and a half.
Then, because of the effort involved, he begins to make mistakes - to miswrite letters or to misplace words. It becomes difficult to concentrate the mind. The patient becomes forgetful, she goes into another room to get something, only to forget what it was once she gets there.
A normal healthy person is capable of generating thoughts, a flow of ideas, some degree of reflection. The Calc. phos. patient loses this capacity. If there is time, and no distractions, he can complete the ask at hand, but only slowly and with effort. However, the interesting thing is that Calc. phos. patients can be STIMULATED to work to their previous capacity if the task is sufficiently interesting. They have an aversion to work if it is at all routine, but they can apply themselves to tasks which are outside the run of the mill demands. In other words, the mind has lost its vitality, but it can be STIMUATED into activity when the person is properly motivated.
Generally, though, every day demands for mental exertion are too much for Calc. phos. patients. Unlike Calc. carb. patients, who will continue uncomplaining to do the mental tasks place in front of them, Calc. phos. will want to avoid them. Mental exertion may bring on a headache. It is a prime remedy to think of in school children who get headaches from mental exertion; by contrast, Calc. carb. is more indicated in school children who get headaches after PHYSICAL exertion.
Calc. phos. patients have ailments from grief or from bad news. Suppose a person receives a phone call saying that his son has been killed in a car accident. Most people would experience an acute spasm of grief, with shouting and weeping etc. and gradually the system would recover. The Calc. phos. patients, however, will be completely overwhelmed, he will collapse altogether, unable to cope with the situation in any way. It is not so much the grief PER SE that affects him; it is the sheer stress of the event.
On the emotional level, there is a sluggishness which manifests as indifference or apathy. All motivation seems lost. This is not as severe as we see in Phosphoric acid, however. In Calc. phos. the stillness is not so absolute; the person is still animated by a tremendous discontent.
Finally, on the physical level, the Calc. phos. patient experiences a loss of stamina. After a shock or some other stressful event, he notices that he cannot play his customary game of tennis without getting out of breath or exhausted. Just as the mind has become flabby, so have the muscles.
The fundamental thing to remember about Calc. phos. is that this lack of vitality on mental, emotional, and physical levels produces a profound discontent in the person. He realises that something has gone wrong, but he doesn't know what he wants. He cannot be satisfied by anything. This state can appear similar to Tuberculinum, but it has a completely different origin and does not have the maliciousness of Tuberculinum. It is closer to Chamomilla, but without the aggressiveness and violence of Chamomilla.
The Calc. phos. image in children is helpful in understanding the situation in adults. I remember a doctor's child who had had a head injury. He became very peevish and irritable. We would ask, "what is wrong? Are you in pain? what do you want"? with each question, he only cried louder and louder. He used to wake up in the night screaming, but he could give no reason. The parents even took him out side for a walk at 3 a.m. but soon he was wailing again. Naturally, I tried Chamomilla in this case, but it did not work. Finally Calc. phos. cleared up the problem.
It is this discontent which characterises the adult state as well. They moan and groan and complain, but there is no way to satisfy them. They sense that something is deeply wrong in their organism, but they can find no way of correcting it. The discontent even penetrates their sleep; they moan in their sleep.
As with many remedies prepared from salts, Calc. phos. combines symptomatology from its components. It has the Calc; carb. aggravation from exertion (although not its endurance for mental exertion), but it has the Phosphorus ability to be stimulated into functioning. It has slowness in learning to talk or walk, like Calc. carb. Unique to Calc. phos., however, is slow closing of the fontanels, and the "growing pains" of children due to slow closure of epiphyses.
The Phosphorus influence is strongly manifest in a symptom I have observed to be cured in Calc. phos. patients; fear of thunderstorms. This symptom is not listed in Kent's Repertory, but it is so prominent in my experience that I have added it in the second degree. From experience, I would also add Calc. phos. to the rubrics, Sympathetic, and Anxiety about Others, Calc. phos. patients suffer with others, but with the difference that they are somewhat more detached than Phosphorus. In Calc. phos. it is more of an inward affair, less overtly giving then Phosphorus. Basically, Calc. phos. patients do not have the energy or motivation to give as much as Phosphorus patients.
Now, let me mention some of the key physical symptoms which distinguish Calc. phos. the primary target, of course, is the cervical region and the upper thoracic area, including the scapulae. There may be electric-like shocks which seem to explode in all directions. These pains are especially aggravated by drafts and cold wet weather - like Rhus tox and Cimicifuga.
The cervical region, in general, is an interesting region for studying remedies and various causations. On the mental-emotional level, specifically, pains in this area symbolise conflicts between perceived demands and doubt about the ability to meet those demands. Modern urban society particularly influences this conflict. Many stresses are applied with which our organisms are unaccustomed; if the vitality of an individual patient is unable to cope with these stresses, the defence mechanism creates a blockage in the cervical region, the conduit connecting the mental and emotional "organs" of the body. This process can occur with other remedies as well, but it is particularly prominent in the pathology of Calc. phos. If feels as if a hand is clutching the blood vessels of the neck and cutting off the circulation.
In general, of course, Calc. phos. is known to be intolerant to cold wet weather. This is especially so when the snow melts. The suffering may not be particularly severe while the snow is actually falling, but when it melts and the humidity rises, they become stiff all over.
It is true that Calc. phos. patients are generally intolerant to cold, but the Phosphorus element shows its influence again in an exceptional patent which can be warm blooded. Even in these exceptional patients, however, the LOCAL pains are still aggravated by cold wet weather. Also, even these patients have the cold feet which are typical in Calc. phos.
The stiffness in Calc. phos. can resemble Rhus tox in that it is aggravated in the morning and ameliorated by motion during the day. Ligaments and tendons in Calc. phos. seem to lose their vitality and elasticity. In particular, this allows the spine to lose its normal alignment. For this reason, Calc. phos. is one of the main remedies for scoliosis.
Sometimes Calc. phos. patients develop sighing which is similar to Ignatia. This might not necessarily occur after a grief. It is as if there is not enough oxygen, and the patient is compelled to take deep breaths which are not satisfying. Sometimes there is a cramping feeling in the solar plexus which is indistinguishable from Ignatia. In addition, there can be perspiration in the face, which is a keynote of Ignatia.
Calc. phos. has a desire for sweets, even though it is not ? in the Repertory. It also has a desire for smoked meats, such as salami.
An interesting observation I have made is that Calc. phos. is one remedy that tends to produce prolonged aggravations - even 10 - 20 days. It seems that it goes very deeply into the whole organism and stirs up many deep problems on the way toward cure. Calc. phos. is a very useful remedy - one that is irreplaceable when indicated.
DISCONTENT is the main theme around which the image of Calc. phos. develops. Calc. phos. patients do not know what they want. They know something has gone wrong with their system, but they do not know precisely what it is or what to do about it. A sluggishness has affected the whole organism, and this brings about a deep discontent, a deep dissatisfaction.
In Calc. phos., there is usually a specific moment in time when the person's energy suddenly decreased. Perhaps there was an acute ailment, a shock of some sort, penicillin injections, etc. Whatever the cause, there followed a quite rapid decline of energy - not overnight perhaps, but over a brief period of time. Then, from that moment, the patient noticed a sluggishness f mind, an emotional indifference, and a lack of physical stamina. This state of lowered vitality usually affects all three levels simultaneously in Calc. phos., and it is this which leads to the pervasive discontent.
In Calc. phos., the fundamental weakness is seen most dramatically on the mental plane. It is as if the mind has become flabby in the same way that muscles becomes flabby. Here the Calc. carb. element is quite evident. The mind seems to slow down to about one-third its normal speed. This is not a perversion of mental function or a confusion. The mental processes function properly, but only at a much slower rate and requiring much more effort than previously. A Calc. phos. patient can do mathematics, for instance, but a problem that used to take a half-hour prior to the onset of pathology now takes an hour and a half.
Then, because of the effort involved, he begins to make mistakes - to miswrite letters or to misplace words. It becomes difficult to concentrate the mind. The patient becomes forgetful, she goes into another room to get something, only to forget what it was once she gets there.
A normal healthy person is capable of generating thoughts, a flow of ideas, some degree of reflection. The Calc. phos. patient loses this capacity. If there is time, and no distractions, he can complete the ask at hand, but only slowly and with effort. However, the interesting thing is that Calc. phos. patients can be STIMULATED to work to their previous capacity if the task is sufficiently interesting. They have an aversion to work if it is at all routine, but they can apply themselves to tasks which are outside the run of the mill demands. In other words, the mind has lost its vitality, but it can be STIMUATED into activity when the person is properly motivated.
Generally, though, every day demands for mental exertion are too much for Calc. phos. patients. Unlike Calc. carb. patients, who will continue uncomplaining to do the mental tasks place in front of them, Calc. phos. will want to avoid them. Mental exertion may bring on a headache. It is a prime remedy to think of in school children who get headaches from mental exertion; by contrast, Calc. carb. is more indicated in school children who get headaches after PHYSICAL exertion.
Calc. phos. patients have ailments from grief or from bad news. Suppose a person receives a phone call saying that his son has been killed in a car accident. Most people would experience an acute spasm of grief, with shouting and weeping etc. and gradually the system would recover. The Calc. phos. patients, however, will be completely overwhelmed, he will collapse altogether, unable to cope with the situation in any way. It is not so much the grief PER SE that affects him; it is the sheer stress of the event.
On the emotional level, there is a sluggishness which manifests as indifference or apathy. All motivation seems lost. This is not as severe as we see in Phosphoric acid, however. In Calc. phos. the stillness is not so absolute; the person is still animated by a tremendous discontent.
Finally, on the physical level, the Calc. phos. patient experiences a loss of stamina. After a shock or some other stressful event, he notices that he cannot play his customary game of tennis without getting out of breath or exhausted. Just as the mind has become flabby, so have the muscles.
The fundamental thing to remember about Calc. phos. is that this lack of vitality on mental, emotional, and physical levels produces a profound discontent in the person. He realises that something has gone wrong, but he doesn't know what he wants. He cannot be satisfied by anything. This state can appear similar to Tuberculinum, but it has a completely different origin and does not have the maliciousness of Tuberculinum. It is closer to Chamomilla, but without the aggressiveness and violence of Chamomilla.
The Calc. phos. image in children is helpful in understanding the situation in adults. I remember a doctor's child who had had a head injury. He became very peevish and irritable. We would ask, "what is wrong? Are you in pain? what do you want"? with each question, he only cried louder and louder. He used to wake up in the night screaming, but he could give no reason. The parents even took him out side for a walk at 3 a.m. but soon he was wailing again. Naturally, I tried Chamomilla in this case, but it did not work. Finally Calc. phos. cleared up the problem.
It is this discontent which characterises the adult state as well. They moan and groan and complain, but there is no way to satisfy them. They sense that something is deeply wrong in their organism, but they can find no way of correcting it. The discontent even penetrates their sleep; they moan in their sleep.
As with many remedies prepared from salts, Calc. phos. combines symptomatology from its components. It has the Calc; carb. aggravation from exertion (although not its endurance for mental exertion), but it has the Phosphorus ability to be stimulated into functioning. It has slowness in learning to talk or walk, like Calc. carb. Unique to Calc. phos., however, is slow closing of the fontanels, and the "growing pains" of children due to slow closure of epiphyses.
The Phosphorus influence is strongly manifest in a symptom I have observed to be cured in Calc. phos. patients; fear of thunderstorms. This symptom is not listed in Kent's Repertory, but it is so prominent in my experience that I have added it in the second degree. From experience, I would also add Calc. phos. to the rubrics, Sympathetic, and Anxiety about Others, Calc. phos. patients suffer with others, but with the difference that they are somewhat more detached than Phosphorus. In Calc. phos. it is more of an inward affair, less overtly giving then Phosphorus. Basically, Calc. phos. patients do not have the energy or motivation to give as much as Phosphorus patients.
Now, let me mention some of the key physical symptoms which distinguish Calc. phos. the primary target, of course, is the cervical region and the upper thoracic area, including the scapulae. There may be electric-like shocks which seem to explode in all directions. These pains are especially aggravated by drafts and cold wet weather - like Rhus tox and Cimicifuga.
The cervical region, in general, is an interesting region for studying remedies and various causations. On the mental-emotional level, specifically, pains in this area symbolise conflicts between perceived demands and doubt about the ability to meet those demands. Modern urban society particularly influences this conflict. Many stresses are applied with which our organisms are unaccustomed; if the vitality of an individual patient is unable to cope with these stresses, the defence mechanism creates a blockage in the cervical region, the conduit connecting the mental and emotional "organs" of the body. This process can occur with other remedies as well, but it is particularly prominent in the pathology of Calc. phos. If feels as if a hand is clutching the blood vessels of the neck and cutting off the circulation.
In general, of course, Calc. phos. is known to be intolerant to cold wet weather. This is especially so when the snow melts. The suffering may not be particularly severe while the snow is actually falling, but when it melts and the humidity rises, they become stiff all over.
It is true that Calc. phos. patients are generally intolerant to cold, but the Phosphorus element shows its influence again in an exceptional patent which can be warm blooded. Even in these exceptional patients, however, the LOCAL pains are still aggravated by cold wet weather. Also, even these patients have the cold feet which are typical in Calc. phos.
The stiffness in Calc. phos. can resemble Rhus tox in that it is aggravated in the morning and ameliorated by motion during the day. Ligaments and tendons in Calc. phos. seem to lose their vitality and elasticity. In particular, this allows the spine to lose its normal alignment. For this reason, Calc. phos. is one of the main remedies for scoliosis.
Sometimes Calc. phos. patients develop sighing which is similar to Ignatia. This might not necessarily occur after a grief. It is as if there is not enough oxygen, and the patient is compelled to take deep breaths which are not satisfying. Sometimes there is a cramping feeling in the solar plexus which is indistinguishable from Ignatia. In addition, there can be perspiration in the face, which is a keynote of Ignatia.
Calc. phos. has a desire for sweets, even though it is not ? in the Repertory. It also has a desire for smoked meats, such as salami.
An interesting observation I have made is that Calc. phos. is one remedy that tends to produce prolonged aggravations - even 10 - 20 days. It seems that it goes very deeply into the whole organism and stirs up many deep problems on the way toward cure. Calc. phos. is a very useful remedy - one that is irreplaceable when indicated.
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