In 1876, Claude Bernard, a French physician studied fever in animals, and showed that if the body temperature of an animal was raised by 5 to 6 degrees, he would die. This forever changed our view of fever, for prior to this work, fever was viewed as one of the best of the natural defenses of the body. It was essential in fighting infections, and even encouraged in illness to “burn” out the disease.

Gradually fever began to be viewed as a disease. Now we suppress a fever in children as soon as we can, and as completely as possible. This is the major reason parents call their pediatricians and the major cause of visits to the emergency room. Misconceptions abound concerning fevers and the damage they can cause. The good effects of the fever are rarely ever realized in a childhood illness.

Fever is natural. Its job is to reduce bacterial and viral reproduction, it is a signal to the immune system to stand up and fight, using all the tools at its disposal: diarrhea, mucus discharge, vomiting, sweat, cough, expectoration, skin rash etc. These are all elements of the immune response.

However, today we often rely on drugs to heal us, even though those drugs produce their own set of associated symptoms: diarrhea and rashes from antibiotics are commonplace. Even this is the body’s way of trying to deal with the onslaught of the antibiotic. We have very little trust in the body’s ability to heal itself.

Let the fever develop. Study the child’s overall condition, rather than just the thermometer. If he is comfortable, active, eating and drinking well, then wait. See if his body can fight the infection alone. He will be rewarded with enhanced health and an improved immune system. If the child is uncomfortable, a safe, practical way to bring the fever down is a tepid sponge bath.

Sponge Bath

Use tepid (lukewarm) water only, not cold water, no ice or alcohol.
1. With a washcloth gently bathe one section of the body at a time, moving from head to toe.
2. Only uncover the part of the body being bathed.
3. Alternatively, if the child wishes, he or she may get into a lukewarm bathtub.
4. Repeat as often as necessary, even several times in succession, finishing at the toes and starting again at the head.
5. This gently lowers the fever to a comfortable level.
6. This treatment is meant to be soothing and comforting, as well as therapeutic.

Know when to take action.There are times when intervention is needed, and here are some signs you should keep in mind.

Continuous fever of 4-5 days
Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit
Lethargy
Rashes
Inconsolable crying
Headache or stiff neck

“New” Bacteria?
The focus in the news lately of virulent strains of staphylococcal bacteria which resist treatment by antibiotics is alarming for many of us. A disease which was common only in hospitalized patients, is now being seen in the general public and becoming more and more difficult to treat.

Western medical doctors and researchers look at this situation from the point of view of the drugs that failed, believing that we need stronger, more effective drugs. However from an alternative, more holistic medical view, the problem lies not in the lack of effective treatments, but in our inability to fight these bacteria.

Bad Case of the Office Flu
Why does the bacteria affect some people who are exposed to it but not others? Anyone would say that has to do with their present state of health. Everyone knows the story of the bad flu that went around the office, and there are those who catch it and recover quickly, those who catch it and take 3 weeks to recover, and those who never show one symptom of the flu! Our response is related to our susceptibility rather than our exposure to the bacteria.

Sophisticated Defense Mechanism
The human body contains a very sophisticated defense mechanism commonly referred to as the immune system. This defense mechanism is always at work to protect us from disease and keep us healthy. Fevers, redness around a cut, even pus and nasal discharge are the body’s way of ridding us of unfriendly bacteria and viruses. When we consistently thwart this process with the use of powerfully suppressive medications like antibiotics, we are weakening our defense mechanism.

The defense mechanisms do not work as well when they are not being used. They need to “work out” so to speak, just like the rest of our bodies. If we never allow ourselves to be ill (to have symptoms) the body never gets a chance to fine tune its responses. Then when we are stressed, we won’t recover as easily.

What’s the Alternative?
By avoiding suppressive medications like antibiotics (any medicine that is prefaced with “anti” is suppressing a symptom), anti-inflammatories, anti-histamines, etc. we can enjoy better overall health, and build up our immune system to lessen our susceptibility to all bacteria and viruses.

So, the next time that cold comes around, and you want to reach for your favorite cold medication, instead try a home remedy, or a homeopathic remedy, or go see your Acupuncturist or herbalist. For that bronchitis you get every year, try to treat it differently this time, look for ways to avoid those drugs with hidden (and not so hidden) side effects. Your body will thank you by keeping you healthy and happy!

by Lisette Narragon

I have begun studying with a Belgian homeopath, Henny Heudens-Mast. I attended an Advanced Materia Medica seminar in Belgium last November as well as two other case seminars given by Henny in January and April last year. Henny is a well known homeopath practicing in Belgium for the last 35 years. She gives numerous seminars every year in Germany, Belgium, and the United States. This particular seminar has a strong following of both European and American homeopaths, many of whom have attended for the last seven years. Henny is a great teacher with a wealth of experience treating people in Belgium, Germany, and the United States.

Henny is a true classical homeopath, she relies on the old masters of homeopathy for her own study and wraps their views of the remedies in with her own clinical experience. Video cases are used to represent the remedies along with information on remedy relationships.

I plan to attend the seminar, which is given bi-annually, again in March. It is a bit far to travel, but what I have gained in understanding of the remedies, case taking, and case evaluation is invaluable. Homeopathy is a very complex subject, and very few advanced seminars cover the classical application of Homeopathy as I learned and practice it. Henny’s understanding of Homeopathy and her practical application of it fits perfectly with mine, I hope to attend as many of these seminars as my pocketbook allows!