Typhoidinum in Clinical Practice: Some Preliminary Observations from a Case Series

Background: Nosodes are homeopathic preparations either obtained from diseased pathological secretions/excretions or from microbial cultures of microorganisms. For the homoeopathic remedy Typhoidinum, we use the lysate of Salmonella typhi capable of producing bacterial endotoxins. Proving data for nosodes is rudimentary, but evidence of their clinical effectiveness in various diseases has been reported/experienced.

Objectives: To compile some preliminary observations, until Typhoidinum is proved thoroughly, so as to identify (1) any useful pattern of symptomatology/indications that emerges, (2) the various clinical conditions in which prescribed, (3) period of response (clinically significant improvement) to the remedy, and (4) the mean time of recovery in each diagnostic condition.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients, presenting with ailments after having never been well since typhoid, were prescribed the remedy in Centesimal or LM potencies and analysed for subjective/objective changes during each follow-up as per their clinical diagnosis.

Results: There were 27 patients (16 females and 11 males) between the age group of 9 and 71 years (mean age: 35.89 years), and clinical recovery was recorded in 33 different clinical conditions, including recurrent fevers, migraine, GERD, Ménière's disease, depression, and plantar warts. During the course of treatment, a few constitutional features viz. anxious and allergic personalities and craving for spicy foods were also identified in the treated group.

Conclusion: Typhoidinum has been a part of homoeopathic literature for over a century now. Barring a few anecdotal experiences, neither has it received a thorough proving nor is there enough pharmacological data that can guide us in prescribing the remedy with surety. The remedy when prescribed purely on the etiological basis (anamnesis) was found to be effective in 27 patients suffering from varied diseases. There appears to be scope for a properly designed proving of this nosode, which can be a useful addition to the materia medica.

Keywords: Homeopathy, Typhoidinum, case series

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).