In this continuation of the study on Psora, Roberts dives deeper into the extensive range of symptoms and expressions associated with this miasm. He explains that Psora is primarily a functional disorder of the vital force rather than a cause of structural disease. Psoric disturbances manifest in various ways, particularly as heightened sensitivities, emotional triggers, and a general discomfort with environmental and internal stimuli.
Psoric vertigo is very common and appears in many forms, often aggravated by movement or emotional changes. There’s a distinct desire to lie down, which relieves symptoms—this desire for rest and quiet is central to Psoric pathology. Headaches are usually paroxysmal, start in the morning, worsen as the sun rises, and improve by sunset. These are often frontal or temporal and respond to rest, sleep, and heat. Similarly, nausea and vomiting with a regular pattern, relieved by sleep or calm, also typify Psora. In children with fever, a psoric sign is the desire to be left alone and kept still.
On a physical level, Psora does not produce structural changes, so features like the head shape and scalp remain normal. However, the scalp and hair are usually dry, lusterless, and itchy, with dandruff or papular eruptions that worsen in the open air or evening and improve with scratching, though scratching causes burning. The skin often appears dirty or unhealthy.
The eyes in Psora show no physical pathology but are functionally disturbed. There is sensitivity to sunlight, especially in the morning, and floating spots before the eyes. Emotions often trigger eye symptoms. The ears are similarly affected in a nervous or functional way, with dry, scaly canals and hypersensitivity to sound. Structural ear conditions like abscesses are rare.
The face is typically triangular or an inverted pyramid in shape. Red, dry lips, sometimes with soreness or swelling, are common. Psoric facial skin may show itchy pimples, acne, and hot flushes—especially around menopause. In the nose, there is extreme sensitivity to odors, and exposure to smells may disturb sleep or cause nausea. Though pimples and mild inflammations can appear, there are no malignant or destructive lesions unless other miasms are involved.
In the mouth, there are frequent taste perversions, bad breath, and symptoms like thrush or stomatitis. Psora alone causes a peculiar burnt taste, not found in other miasms. A key feature is constant hunger and cravings, even when the stomach is full. Cravings are often strange or changeable—common desires include sweets, sour foods, and fried items, though these may not be tolerated. A prominent symptom is gnawing or empty stomach sensation, especially in the late morning. There’s a general lack of assimilation, contributing to persistent hunger and bloating.
The digestive tract shows signs like heartburn, bloating, flatulence, and loose stools, especially in the morning or after overeating. Psoric diarrheas are typically painless, offensive, and spasm-like, sometimes brought on by excitement, cold exposure, or emotional anticipation. Constipation is also common, often with small, hard stools and no urging. Alternation between constipation and diarrhea may be present.
Chest and respiratory symptoms include dry, tickling, spasmodic coughs, and anemia-related weakness due to poor oxygenation. The coughs are worse in the morning and emotionally triggered. There’s often awareness of the heartbeat, anxiety about heart disease, and palpitations worsened by eating or emotions. Despite intense sensations, Psoric heart symptoms are rarely fatal—in contrast to the sudden death common in syphilitic or sycotic heart cases.
In the urinary system, symptoms include involuntary urination when sneezing or coughing, and retention in cold weather. Burning during urination can occur without any infection. The reproductive system, especially in women, reflects emotional sensitivity, with symptoms like dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea. Emotional traumas like grief or unhappy marriage can cause deep physical ailments, reinforcing Psora’s link with emotional disturbances.
Psoric skin conditions are classic and diagnostic. The skin is dry, rough, dirty-looking, and eruptions tend to be papular or scaly rather than moist or suppurative. Itching is almost always present and worsens with heat or bathing. These patients dislike bathing, which worsens their irritation. Sulphur is considered the remedy most closely matching the psoric picture, though not universally applicable.
When Psora mixes with sycosis or syphilis, more severe skin conditions like impetigo or erysipelas can occur. Without these admixtures, pure Psora tends to avoid severe infections or ulcerative processes.
Lastly, psoric individuals are prone to coldness, particularly during headaches, which are worsened by exertion and relieved by warmth and rest. They prefer walking over standing, often needing to lean on something due to fatigue. While Psora does not cause anatomical deformities, joint weakness, especially in the ankles, may point to a syphilitic influence.