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| Hpathy Ezine - September, 2006 | |||||
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Dr. Praful M BarvaliaDHMS, MD (Hom)<-- Interviewed by Dr. Leela D'Souza |
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Dr. Barvalia: I agree. Yes, the final category of hospital cases I group are those that require Multidisciplinary treatment. This group includes cases like Developmental Disabilities and Genetic Diseases. It must be stressed that we’re still focusing on homeopathic treatment as the central therapeutic modality. While many of these can be treated in a multidisciplinary way in the out-patient department, some of them require hospital management as well. We are actively working with this group of patients at Spandan. Let me explain this with a case of Cerebral Palsy that I have under treatment. This is a Spastic Child who has been on his chronic constitutional remedy for the last few years. He has improved with his constitutional remedy to a very large extent, not only in terms of his behavior but in his cognitive abilities as well. This child was diagnosed as Athetoid Diaplegic with Cerebral Palsy. His involuntary motion and tremors also responded very well to the remedy, while the muscle tone improved about 20%. An Orthopaedic Surgeon had been regularly evaluating him and when the child reached this level of improvement, he opined that the child was at the right point to be taken up for Surgery to release the adductor's. He thought that the clinical improvement would be significant following surgery given the tremendous positive changes that had taken place on the constitutional remedy. After the surgery, he was managed post-operatively only with acute
homeopathic remedies well supported with intensive physiotherapy.
After this his chronic homeopathic remedy was continued. The child
is still under treatment but the transformation in his life and
daily functioning capacity is indeed wonderful to behold! This is
a perfect example of hospital level multidisciplinary care for the
best therapeutic result, where 3 important experts were involved
– the Homeopath, the Orthopaedic Surgeon and the Physiotherapist
in order to bring about the best possible clinical success for a
child with CP. We will be able to do all this more easily and for
more people once the hospital in Deonar is ready. Dr. Leela: Remarkable! That is one
blessed CP child! Dr. Barvalia:Thanks to the hard work of my team mates- Dr Piyush Oza as clinical coordinator & Dr Vijaya Patil, Dr. Purnima Patil and Dr Vrishali Mayekar, the Childcare project has really shaped up well. The immense help from my friend and trustee Mr. Sudheendra Kulkarni caused my dream of this institute to become a reality. Our success in Autism is due to a scientific synthesis of sensory Integration & homoeopathy. We have now a database of thousands of disabled children who have benefited from Homoeopathy. In fact, our AUTISM centre has attracted children not only from various parts of country but from abroad too. My wife Dr. Alka Barvalia has integrated Yoga & Homoeopathy into our child care programme. With all this in the background, we wish to evolve the DEONAR:
SPANDAN HOLISTIC MOTHER CHILD HOSPITAL into good reference Institute. Dr. Leela: In addition,
I understand within the basic focus of the Spandan
group, catering to the under-privileged is a core issue. Also, your
vision is necessarily based on sound ethical principles and a focus
on the humanity in every sick person. Dr. Barvalia: Yes. For any project to be truly successful and serve humanity, there has to be the hand and blessing of God with it. For that purpose, we have to be ethically sound in our intentions. The activity of Spandan is important and necessary today, where we see an increasing commercialization of the medical profession. Health care has become inaccessible and unaffordable to a vast majority of the population. Most of our work in Spandan has been with the under-privileged children whose parents cannot afford expensive, specialized care in large hospitals. “Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility”. I found it necessary to provide this high quality of service and healing for these socially less fortunate. We have regularly organized free multidisciplinary medical child-care camps through Spandan. In fact, Rajan Sankaran and Divya Chhabra were our chief guests at our camp held in February 2005. This hospital will be situated right in the middle of 2 large slums of Mumbai in the "M" and “N” Municipal ward. People in these slums are of every religious and cultural community in India; many migrant families searching for work in Mumbai, and those who often have just one meal a day to survive on. The Deonar project will directly benefit these under-privileged people. Over the last few years, government,
municipal and legal supports have been very forthcoming and granted
official permissions to lay a solid foundation for the hospital
to be built. Numerous well intentioned individuals in each of these
groups have helped us. And now all we need to realize this possibility
is adequate funds to begin building the project. Dr. Leela: I’m sure, that will be
forthcoming as well J
God never lets us down when He’s already started something big.
Please tell us a little more about what you have planned for this
hospital. Dr. Barvalia: Briefly, our plan for the Hospital Project has 3 components: 1. Holistic Mother-Child Care center 2. Super-specialty Multidisciplinary Hospital Complex with HIV/AIDS Department 3. Research Institute
The building plan in the picture is only proposed and may be modified. But the super-specialty multidisciplinary hospital will integrate the best that modern medicine has to offer, tailored to the homeopathic perspective. These will be included in departments like Neurology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics and Neonatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Psychiatry, a specialized Surgical Unit with fully equipped Operation Theaters for children with neuromuscular disorders, and an advanced unit for neurological and neurosurgical disorders. Over time, we will also include an Intensive Care facility (ICU) in the hospital. The diagnostic section will include advanced metabolic and biochemistry tests; Genetic Screening; EEG; EMG; CT Scan; Audiometry; BERA, etc. The therapy center will be well equipped for Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Sensory Integration, Neuro-development therapy, Speech therapy and AIT and Play therapy. The Psychology section will include
a counseling and resource center as well as psychometric evaluations. Dr. Leela: I’ve been reading
the brochure which also states that you will continue to include
and expand the existing Spandan activities and also include Mental
Health and the Educational component in your vision for its future. Dr. Barvalia:
Yes our plan is to be able to develop an integrated and holistic
educational approach for children with developmental problems, Autism,
and Vocational training center. This is inclusive of a “Half Way
Home” rehabilitation unit for Psychotics. All this will also provide
advanced educational training for professionals working in the field
of Rehabilitation and Mental Health. Our emphasis is also on Yoga
and other complimentary alternative therapies to develop the emotional
and physical wellbeing of people. Dr. Leela: That’s great Dr. Barvalia.
There is a real need today for professionals and homeopaths specializing
in Mental Health, to get hands on experience with
integrated, humane and holistic therapy. Mental health problems
have become increasingly common today, right from childhood.
Dr. Barvalia: My interest when starting with Spandan and its activities was that we would really serve not only the underprivileged, but also the homeopathic community at large with a model for a well integrated multi-disciplinary method of functioning that will benefit everyone. It becomes a win-win situation all around, where while homeopathy remains the MAIN method of therapeutics, the homeopath is not isolated any more. He is now able to make use of various tools required for holistic healing, including the professional opinion of trained and experienced people from the medical and paramedical fraternity. We have to understand that modern medicine has a lot to offer when packaged with the right healing perspective. We have to learn to make use of these scientific advancements and integrate them into our homeopathic set up without compromising on our homeopathic principles while also maintaining a high standard of homeopathic care.
Dr. Barvalia: Yes, the story starts as a Case of Surgical Shock in Renal Failure and is like this. Dr. K was a dermatologist and Dr. (Mrs.) K was physician, both allopathic practitioners. They consulted me for their son aged 18-19 years, who was hospitalized for the last 7 to 8 days. This boy was studying in an engineering college & was diagnosed as schizophrenic a year earlier. One day, he jumped from the balcony of his second floor residence in an impulsive act under a psychotic spell. He was rushed to the hospital & was admitted in the I.C.U. He had feeble pulse, cold-clammy skin & was unconscious. He had fractured his hip bone & transverse process & also had Haemo pneumothorax. He was admitted in well equipped allopathic hospital. After 24 hours he became conscious. But even after 6 days, his urine output was poor. The day I saw him his urine output was hardly 100 ml. His S. Creatinine and BUN were gradually increasing. Twice they carried out HEAMODIALYSIS but there was no change in renal function. The situation was grim as he was approaching an almost total renal shut down. A renal transplant was being considered. All this prior history was obtained from his parents. His father took me to the hospital. I saw this boy who greeted me with faint smile. He hardly spoke anything. The following observations I made were extremely valuable: Right from day one, he never lifted his limbs. He felt as if there is no ‘POWER’ at all in his limbs, is how he explained this to me. Neurologically there was nothing wrong as he had no head injury. He had fracture of hips and transverse process – but no reason for his limbs to be ‘powerless’. I interpreted this as characteristic “PARALYTIC WEAKNESS”. Add to this the component of Surgical
shock – Cold clammy skin, haemorrhage's, post surgical renal shutdown.
We have from Boericke only
5 remedies: Strontium Carb in Boericke’s Materia Medica states: Rheumatic pains, chronic sprains, stenosis of oesophagus. Pains make patient faint or sick all over. Chronic SEQUALAE OF HEMORRHAGES, after operations with much oozing of blood and coldness and prostration. Arteriosclerosis. High blood pressure with flushed face pulsating arteries, threatened apoplexy. Violent involuntary starts. Affections of bones, especially femur. Restlessness at night, smothering feeling. FOR SHOCK AFTER SURGICAL OPERATIONS. NEURITIS, great sensitiveness to cold. Strontium Carb in Clarke’s Dictionary states: Causation: Operation (photopsia). Extremities: Immobility of the limbs,
on one side only (the right side of the body), like paralysis, in
the evening. As if all power had left the left arm. Numbness,
almost paralytic, of the forearms and hands. Dr. Leela: Strontium Carb! Amazing! The rubric you mention from Boericke,
I found in Complete
Repertory 2005 How do you interpret this rubric philosophically
to decide on Strontium Carb? I would never have considered Strontium
Carb though, as first choice. Just shows how much more I need to
evolve as a homeopath. Dr. Barvalia: The philosophical observation and analysis is followed by Materia Medica and repertorial integration to determine the indicated remedy. This is how I analyzed the situation: The Ailments/from Trauma led to hemorrhage
& shock which resulted in symptoms of cold- clammy limbs &
the unconscious state. This is “SUSPENDED ANIMATION” as per foot
note of Aphorism 67 in The Organon. Here we can see that
the vital force has been suspended under “massive, intense shock.”
In spite of best supportive medical care in the ICU, the vital force
had not fully recovered and hence the situation continued to progress
towards RENAL FAILURE. We needed a homeopathic remedy which could
remove the suspension, eliminate the profound adverse impact
of the shock & could restore the vital force to health. In short,
what we were looking for was a “CORPSE REVIVER”. Strontium Carb,
based on the Materia Medica, is a corpse reviver and covers
the homeopathic characteristics of the situation. Dr. Leela: That, Dr. Barvalia is an
amazing analysis! This perspective and arriving at the similimum
remedy, you say, is the result of a homeopath being properly trained
in the applied aspects of homeopathic philosophy, materia medica
and repertory? This it what your advanced training seeks to develop
in every homeopath, right? Dr. Barvalia:
Quite right. This case beautifully demonstrates the application
of ORGANON, REPERTORY and MATERIA MEDICA, to manage a critical,
life threatening emergency. It is possible in future, that
this case could be managed with interdisciplinary Intensive
Care (ICU) at our proposed Deonar facility. Dr. Leela: I will be signing up for
your advanced training for sure! I could do with some polishing
of my philosophical perspectives. So how did this case develop and
respond? Dr. Barvalia: The progress to cure was very interesting. After starting on the Strontium Carb 200C on 9-11-94, the patient began a tremendous improvement within 3 days. The dose was repeated 4 hourly. His haemodialysis was stopped after 3 days, but instead he developed tremendous weakness. This along with the pathological destructive changes evident in the renal function tests, a tubercular miasmatic block was perceived and a dose of Tuberculinum 200c was interpolated as anti-tubercular remedy. He was continued on Strontium Carb 200, 2 hourly for the next 10 days till his BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)(Normal - 7 to 20 mg/dl) came down to 42 from 120 and Serum Creatinine (Normal - 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dl) came down to 3 from a high of 9. The patient continued to do well for a month. Suddenly, he came down with BRONCHO PNEUMONIA, while still in hospital. There was a distinct evening rise of fever, haemoptysis & chest pain < inspiration with earlier concomitants of starting in sleep & Nightmares. Phosphorous 200 4 hourly given for 5 days brought about good relief. The following changes took place:
Since there was now a change in the thermal state the acute prescription was changed to Lyco 200 based on additional characteristics. It was prescribed in frequent doses as well, following which the entire episode resolved. Later on the detailed case was studied
and MAGNESIUM SULF was selected as chronic constitutional
medicine that helped him with his Psychotic issues in the long term.
That, of course, is another long story. Dr. Leela: Thank you for this exciting
case Dr. Barvalia. I’m sure people will appreciate more deeply
why I considered you a visionary influence to me, right from the
time you lectured to us on homeopathic philosophy and the scope
of homeopathic therapeutics in college – way back in 1986-87! Dr. Barvalia: We are indebted to our Master Homeopaths - Hahnemann, Hering, Boenninghausen, Boger, Kent, etc., who have given us so much. We owe our vision to them and we reciprocate by giving back of ourselves to the profession and to the society. Let us pray that our Master’s Grace remains eternally present with the homeopathic community. Have I given you enough for the interview? Dr. Leela:(smile) Absolutely, more than adequate Dr. Barvalia! I can't remember when I read so many exciting and inspiring cases one after another - apart from the article by Stuart Close that appeared last month. I don't think we have another ezine issue with so much of EXCITING HOMEOPATHY to read about in one place! Thank you also for the Status Epilepticus Emergency case. This has been a tremendously inspiring interview
for me personally. You have touched on various areas that interest
me as a homeopath very deeply. I look forward to this
providing the start to a global vision in homeopathic hospital
management. I encourage all those with a similar vision for homeopathy
to come to Mumbai and experience this first-hand through Spandan
and later through the I recently discovered that you received
an award from ROTARY INTERNATIONAL. Please permit me to add information
about it to this interview. Here is what it states:
I wish you and your work, sir, the abundant blessings of God for your dedicated service to society, especially those He cares for the most - the underprivileged. I am reminded of an inspiring Power Point presentation on Mother Teresa, which has been circulating the cyber world. Maybe we can put in a link here. For her, every human being, even human soul was a creation of God – dying or destitute. All anyone had to do she believed, was love that priceless soul empowered with the love of Jesus. She did that faithfully, for one person at a time, every day of her life. But she changed the lives of millions of people! For me, these two aspects; serving
people with the love of God, and healing through
the principles of homeopathy are two sides of the same
coin : the effect is rapid, gentle and permanent. Dr. Barvalia:
Yes, thanks a million for sending me those heart touching slides! Dr. Leela: On that note, Sir, I join innumerable of my colleagues in Mumbai and around India, who have been and continue to be touched with your vision, to wish you great success in this noble venture. Click here for announcement for Jan ’07 Workshop Dr. Praful Barvalia can be contacted at: Dr. Praful M Barvalia, MD(Hom) |
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