November, 2008

Nicholas Nossaman, M.D., D.Ht., shared his extensive knowledge of homeopathic treatment of acute and chronic respiratory diseases at the IV Congreso CentroAmericano De Homeopatia Unicista San Salvador in November 2008. Dr. Nossaman sent the following communication to Homeopaths Without Borders, which provided financial support for his trip:

Most of the first day consisted of my presentation. During that time I offered a detailed introduction to thorough case taking—the importance of obtaining a complete case. This was followed by statistical data from the World Health Organization relating to incidence of various acute and chronic respiratory diseases in the countries of Central America, as well as basic information about asthma, or reversible airway disease.

I then described five cases of pneumonia, treated with homeopathy. Attendees studied each case with the goal of arriving at solutions; strategies and conclusions were later discussed with the group. In addition, I presented other cases of chronic respiratory diseases, including an asthma case with an admixture of emotional pathology.

My preparation included more material than conference time allowed, including a longitudinal case of a fellow with ulcerative colitis who later developed sclerosing cholangitis, then pulmonary fibrosis and still later, herpes zoster. My intention was to demonstrate that longitudinal care of homeopathic patients is required, and that commonly presented “happily ever” after cases are not always what they seem.

Information I was unable to cover during the Congreso was made available in written form for the conferees to study at their leisure. This included a copy of my article, “It’s Done with Mirrors”, published in the American Journal of Homeopathy. The article details a unifying principle encompassing natural healing across various disciplines and stemming from the simillimum principle of homeopathy.

All of the material was presented in Spanish, having been translated by Elda Mendoza of San Salvador who read the text of my power point text to guarantee precision and clarity. I was able to engage in the discussion in Spanish with Mrs. Mendoza standing by to ensure accuracy. The discussions were animated and many of the attendees demonstrated a good deal of sophistication in their knowledge, a credit to their diligence as well as the inspiration and teaching of Dr. Karl Robinson over several years of instruction at The Homeopathic School of the Americas. I was heartened to observe that I had taught many of the same people a few years ago in El Salvador and Guatemala at the invitation of Dr. Robinson.

The Congreso program contained a variety of information, ranging from Dr. Robinson’s teachings about diabetes mellitus with a focus on the significance of diet to Dr. Barcelo’s comprehensive look at the research that has contributed to understanding quantum physics and energy medicine. Several prescribers from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras presented their own cases; the quality of many of these made them worthy of publication.

There was also levity and relaxation. Two of the mornings were spiced by our being led in Qi Gong and other exercises by a homeopath from Guatemala and a photographer who is embarking on homeopathy as her second career. The Central Americans provided unique flavor to the proceedings with breaks morning and afternoon for elaborate snacks (more like small meals) as well as a Saturday night banquet and dance. A Salvadoran band had most of us dancing the entire evening. Additionally, the event was held at a beautiful venue that served in the past as a club for Salvadoran military officers.

As a footnote, one of the students, Luis Portillo, Jr., had just been graduated from medical school and was waiting to learn where he had been “matched” for his residency in family medicine. His intention is to continue his study of homeopathy; he asked me to record a video welcome to the new students who will be entering homeopathic training at the course initiated by Dr. Robinson.

I was very pleased to be able to contribute to the process of the expansion and enlivening of the practice of homeopathy in Central America.