OrganonOfMedicine

5thEditiontranslatedbyDudgeon 6thEditiontranslatedbyBoericke 1

Thephysicianshighandonlymissionistorestorethesicktohealth,tocure,asitistermed.1
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His mission is not, however, to construct socalled systems, by interweaving empty speculations and hypothesesconcerningtheinternalessentialnatureofthevitalprocessesandthemodeinwhichdiseases originateintheinterioroftheorganism,(whereonsomanyphysicianshavehithertoambitiouslywastedtheir talentsandtheirtime);norisittoattempttogivecountlessexplanationsregardingthephenomenaindiseases and their proximate cause (which must ever remain concealed), wrapped in unintelligible words and an inflatedabstractmodeofexpression,whichshouldsoundverylearnedinordertoastonishtheignorant whilstsickhumanitysighsinvainforaid.Ofsuchlearnedreveries(towhichthenameoftheoreticmedicine isgiven,andforwhichspecialprofessorshipsareinstituted)wehavehadquiteenough,anditisnowhightime thatallwhocallthemselvesphysiciansshouldatlengthceasetodeceivesufferingmankindwithmeretalk, andbeginnow,instead,foroncetoact,thatis,reallytohelpandtocure.

2 Thehighestidealofcureisrapid,gentleandpermanentrestorationofthehealth,orremovalandannihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable, and most harmless way, on easily comprehensibleprinciples.

3 Ifthephysicianclearlyperceiveswhatistobecuredindiseases,thatistosay,ineveryindividualcaseof disease(knowledgeofdisease,indication),ifheclearlyperceiveswhatiscurativeinmedicines,thatistosay, ineachindividualmedicine(knowledgeofmedicalpowers),andifheknowshowtoadapt,accordingto clearlydefinedprinciples,whatiscurativeinmedicinestowhathehasdiscoveredtobeundoubtedlymorbid inthepatient,sothattherecoverymustensuetoadaptit,aswellinrespecttothesuitabilityofthemedicine mostappropriateaccordingtoitsmodeofactiontothecasebeforehim(choiceoftheremedy,themedicine indicated),asalsoinrespecttotheexactmodeofpreparationandquantityofitrequired(properdose),andthe properperiodforrepeatingthedose;if,finally,heknowstheobstaclestorecoveryineachcaseandisaware howtoremovethem,sothattherestorationmaybepermanent,thenheunderstandshowtotreatjudiciously andrationally,andheisatruepractitionerofthehealingart.

4 Heislikewiseapreserverofhealthifheknowsthethingsthatderangehealthandcausedisease,andhowto removethemfrompersonsinhealth.

Usefultothephysicianinassistinghimtocurearetheparticularsofthemostprobableexcitingcauseofthe acutedisease,asalsothemostsignificantpointsinthewholehistoryofthechronicdisease,toenablehimto discover its fundamental cause, which is generally due to a chronic miasm. In these investigations, the ascertainable physicalconstitution of the patient(especially when the disease is chronic), his moral and intellectualcharacter,hisoccupation,modeoflivingandhabits,hissocialanddomesticrelations,hisage, sexualfunction,etc.,aretobetakenintoconsideration.

6FifthEdition Theunprejudicedobserverwellawareofthefutilityoftranscendentalspeculationswhichcanreceiveno confirmationfromexperiencebehispowersofpenetrationeversogreat,takesnoteofnothinginevery individual disease, except the changes in the health of the body and of the mind (morbid phenomena, accidents,symptoms)whichcanbeperceivedexternallybymeansofthesenses;thatistosay,henoticesonly thedeviationsfromtheformerhealthystateofthenowdiseasedindividual,whicharefeltbythepatient himself,remarkedbythosearoundhimandobservedbythephysician.Alltheseperceptiblesignsrepresent thedisease in its whole extent,thatis, togethertheyform the trueand onlyconceivable portraitof the disease.1
1

Iknownot,therefore,howitwaspossibleforphysiciansatthesickbedtoallowthemselvestosupposethat, withoutmostcarefullyattendingtothesymptomsandbeingguidedbytheminthetreatment,theyoughtto seekandcoulddiscover,onlyinthehiddenandunknowninterior,whattherewastobecuredinthedisease, arrogantly and ludicrously pretending that they could, without paying much attention to the symptoms, discover the alteration that had occurred in the invisible interior, and set it to rights with (unknown!) medicines,andthatsuchaprocedureasthiscouldalonebecalledradicalandrationaltreatment. Isnot,then,thatwhichiscognizablebythesensesindiseasesthroughthephenomenaitdisplays,thedisease itselfintheeyesofthephysician,sincehenevercanseethespiritualbeingthatproducesthedisease,thevital force?norisitnecessarythatheshouldseeit,butonlythatheshouldascertainitsmorbidactions,inorder thathemaytherebybeenabledtocurethedisease.Whatelsewilltheoldschoolsearchforinthehidden interioroftheorganism,asaprimacausamorbi,whilsttheyrejectasanobjectofcureandcontemptuously despise the sensible and manifest representation of the disease, the symptoms, that so plainly address themselvestous?Whatelsedotheywishtocureindiseasebutthese?* *Thephysicianwhoseresearchesaredirectedtowardsthehiddenrelationsintheinterioroftheorganism, maydailyerr;butthehomoeopathistwhograspswithrequisitecarefulnessthewholegroupofsymptoms, possessesasureguide;andifhesucceedinremovingthewholegroupofsymptomshehaslikewisemost assuredlydestroyedtheinternal,hiddencauseofthedisease. 6SixthEdition Theunprejudicedobserverwellawareofthefutilityoftranscendentalspeculationswhichcanreceiveno confirmationfromexperiencebehispowersofpenetrationeversogreat,takesnoteofnothinginevery individual disease, except the changes in the health of the body and of the mind (morbid phenomena, accidents,symptoms)whichcanbeperceivedexternallybymeansofthesenses;thatistosay,henoticesonly thedeviationsfromtheformerhealthystateofthenowdiseasedindividual,whicharefeltbythepatient himself,remarkedbythosearoundhimandobservedbythephysician.Alltheseperceptiblesignsrepresent thedisease in its whole extent,thatis, togethertheyform the trueand onlyconceivable portraitof the disease.1

Iknownot,therefore,howitwaspossibleforphysiciansatthesickbedtoallowthemselvestosupposethat, withoutmostcarefullyattendingtothesymptomsandbeingguidedbytheminthetreatment,theyoughtto seekandcoulddiscover,onlyinthehiddenandunknowninterior,whattherewastobecuredinthedisease, arrogantly and ludicrously pretending that they could, without paying much attention to the symptoms, discover the alteration that had occurred in the invisible interior, and set it to rights with (unknown!) medicines,andthatsuchaprocedureasthiscouldalonebecalledradicalandrationaltreatment. Isnot,then,thatwhichiscognizablebythesensesindiseasesthroughthephenomenaitdisplays,thedisease itselfintheeyesofthephysician,sincehenevercanseethespiritualbeingthatproducesthedisease,thevital force?norisitnecessarythatheshouldseeit,butonlythatheshouldascertainitsmorbidactions,inorder thathemaytherebybeenabledtocurethedisease.Whatelsewilltheoldschoolsearchforinthehidden interioroftheorganism,asaprimacausamorbi,whilsttheyrejectasanobjectofcureandcontemptuously despise the sensible and manifest representation of the disease, the symptoms, that so plainly address themselvestous?Whatelsedotheywishtocureindiseasebutthese?

7 Now,asinadisease,fromwhichnomanifestexcitingormaintainingcause(causaoccasionalis)hastobe removed1,wecanperceivenothingbutthemorbidsymptoms,itmust(regardbeinghadtothepossibilityofa miasm,andattentionpaidtotheaccessorycircumstances,5)bethesymptomsalonebywhichthedisease demandsandpointstotheremedysuitedtorelieveitand,moreover,thetotalityoftheseitssymptoms,of thisoutwardlyreflectedpictureoftheinternalessenceofthedisease,thatis,oftheaffectionofthevitalforce, mustbetheprincipal,orthesolemeans,wherebythediseasecanmakeknownwhatremedyitrequiresthe onlythingthatcandeterminethechoiceofthemostappropriateremedyandthus,inaword,thetotality 2of thesymptomsmustbetheprincipal,indeedtheonlythingthephysicianhastotakenoteofineverycaseof diseaseandtoremovebymeansofhisart,inorderthatitshallbecuredandtransformedintohealth.
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It is not necessary to say that every intelligent physician would first remove this where it exists; the indisposition thereupon generally ceases spontaneously. He will remove from the room strongsmelling flowers,whichhaveatendencytocausesyncopeandhystericalsufferings;extractfromthecorneatheforeign bodythatexcitesinflammationoftheeye;loosentheovertightbandageonawoundedlimbthatthreatensto causemortification,andapplyamoresuitableone;laybareandputligatureonthewoundedarterythat producesfainting;endeavourtopromotetheexpulsionbyvomitingofbelladonnaberriesetc.,thatmayhave beenswallowed;extractforeignsubstancesthatmayhavegotintotheorificesofthebody(thenose,gullet, ears,urethra,rectum,vagina);crushthevesicalcalculus;opentheimperforateanusofthenewborninfant,etc.
2

Inalltimes,theoldschoolphysicians,notknowinghowelsetogiverelief,havesoughttocombatandif possibletosuppressbymedicines,hereandthere,asinglesymptomfromamonganumberindiseasesa onesidedprocedure,which,underthenameofsymptomatictreatment,hasjustlyexciteduniversalcontempt, becausebyit,notonlywasnothinggained,butmuchharmwasinflicted.Asingleoneofthesymptoms presentisnomorethediseaseitselfthanafootisthemanhimself.Thisprocedurewassomuchthemore reprehensible,thatsuchasinglesymptomwasonlytreatedbyanantagonisticremedy(thereforeonlyinan enantiopathicandpalliativemanner),whereby,afteraslightalleviation,itwassubsequentlyonlyrenderedall theworse.

8 Itisnotconceivable,notcanitbeprovedbyanyexperienceintheworld,that,afterremovalofallthe symptomsofthediseaseandoftheentirecollectionoftheperceptiblephenomena,thereshouldorcould remainanythingelsebesideshealth,orthatthemorbidalterationintheinteriorcouldremainuneradicated.1

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Whenapatienthasbeencuredofhisdiseasebyatruephysician,insuchamannerthatnotraceofthe disease,nomorbidsymptom,remains,andallthesignsofhealthhavepermanentlyreturned,howcananyone, without offering an insult tocommon sense, affirm in such anindividual thewhole bodilydisease still remains interior? And yet the chief of the old school, Hufeland, asserts this in the following words: Homoeopathycanremovesymptoms,butthediseaseremains.(VideHomoopathie,p.27,1,19.)Thishe maintainspartlyfrommortificationattheprogressmadebyhomoeopathytothebenefitsofmankind,partly becausehestillholdsthoroughlymaterialnotionsrespectingdisease,whichheisstillunabletoregardasa stateofbeingoftheorganismwhereinitisdynamicallyalteredbythemorbidlyderangedvitalforce,asan alteredstateofhealth,butheviewsthediseaseasasomethingmaterial,whichafterthecureiscompleted, maystillremainlurkinginsomecornerintheinteriorofthebody,inorder,somedayduringthemost vigoroushealth,toburstforthatitspleasurewithitsmaterialpresence!Sodreadfulisstilltheblindnessofthe oldpathology!Nowonderthatitcouldonlyproduceasystemoftherapeuticswhichissolelyoccupiedwith scouringoutthepoorpatient.

9 Inthehealthyconditionofman,thespiritualvitalforce(autocracy),thedynamisthatanimatesthematerial body (organism), rules with unbounded sway, and retains all the parts of the organism in admirable, harmonious,vitaloperation,asregardsbothsensationsandfunctions,sothatourindwelling,reasongifted mindcanfreelyemploythisliving,healthyinstrumentforthehigherpurposeofourexistence.

Thematerialorganism,withoutthevitalforce,iscapableofnosensation,nofunction,noselfpreservation1,it derivesallsensationandperformsallthefunctionsoflifesolelybymeansoftheimmaterialbeing(thevital force)whichanimatesthematerialorganisminhealthandindisease.

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10FifthEdition

Itisdead,andonlysubjecttothepoweroftheexternalphysicalworld;itdecays,andisagainresolvedinto itschemicalconstituents. 10SixthEdition

Thematerialorganism,withoutthevitalforce,iscapableofnosensation,nofunction,noselfpreservation1,it derivesallsensationandperformsallthefunctionsoflifesolelybymeansoftheimmaterialbeing(thevital principle)whichanimatesthematerialorganisminhealthandindisease.

1

Itisdead,andonlysubjecttothepoweroftheexternalphysicalworld;itdecays,andisagainresolvedinto itschemicalconstituents.

11FifthEdition Whenapersonfallsill,itisonlythisspiritual,selfacting(automatic)vitalforce,everywherepresentinhis

organism,thatisprimarilyderangedbythedynamic1influenceuponitofamorbificagentinimicaltolife;it isonlythevitalforce,derangedtosuchanabnormalstate,thatcanfurnishtheorganismwithitsdisagreeable sensations,andinclineittotheirregularprocesseswhichwecalldisease;for,asapowerinvisibleinitself, andonlycognizablebyitseffectsontheorganism,itsmorbidderangementonlymakesitselfknownbythe manifestationofdiseaseinthesensationsandfunctionsofthosepartsoftheorganismexposedtothesenses oftheobserverandphysician,thatis,bymorbidsymptoms,andinnootherwaycanitmakeitselfknown.

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Materiapeccans!

11SixthEdition Whenapersonfallsill,itisonlythisspiritual,selfacting(automatic)vitalforce,everywherepresentinhis organism,thatisprimarilyderangedbythedynamic1influenceuponitofamorbificagentinimicaltolife;it isonlythevitalforce,derangedtosuchanabnormalstate,thatcanfurnishtheorganismwithitsdisagreeable sensations,andinclineittotheirregularprocesseswhichwecalldisease;for,asapowerinvisibleinitself, andonlycognizablebyitseffectsontheorganism,itsmorbidderangementonlymakesitselfknownbythe manifestationofdiseaseinthesensationsandfunctionsofthosepartsoftheorganismexposedtothesenses oftheobserverandphysician,thatis,bymorbidsymptoms,andinnootherwaycanitmakeitselfknown.2

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Materiapeccans!

Whatisdynamicinfluence,dynamicpower?Ourearth,byvirtueofahiddeninvisibleenergy,carriesthe moonaroundherintwentyeightdaysandseveralhours,andthemoonalternately,indefinitefixedhours (deductingcertaindifferenceswhichoccurwiththefullandnewmoon)raisesournorthernseastofloodtide andagaincorrespondinglylowersthemtoebb.Apparentlythistakesplacenotthroughmaterialagencies,not throughmechanicalcontrivances,asareusedforproductsofhumanlabor;andsoweseenumerousother eventsaboutusasresultsoftheactionofonesubstanceonanothersubstancewithoutbeingabletorecognize asensibleconnectionbetweencauseandeffect.Onlythecultured,practisedincomparisonanddeduction,can formforhimselfakindofsuprasensualideasufficienttokeepallthatismaterialormechanicalinhis thoughtsfromsuchconcepts.Hecallssucheffectsdynamic,virtual,thatis,suchasresultfromabsolute, specific,pureenergyandactionofheonesubstanceupontheothersubstance. Forinstance,thedynamiceffectofthesickmakinginfluencesuponhealthyman,aswellasthedynamic energyofthemedicinesupontheprincipleoflifeintherestorationofhealthisnothingelsethaninfectionand sonotinanywaymaterial,notinanywaymechanical.Justastheenergyofamagnetattractingapieceofiron orsteelisnotmaterial,notmechanical.Oneseesthatthepieceofironisattractedbyonepoleofthemagnet, buthowitisdoneisnotseen.Thisinvisibleenergyofthemagnetdoesnotrequiremechanical(material) auxiliarymeans,hookorlever,toattracttheiron.Themagnetdrawstoitselfandthisactsuponthepieceof ironoruponasteelneedlebymeansofapurelyimmaterialinvisible,conceptual,inherentenergy,thatis, dynamically,andcommunicatestothesteelneedlethemagneticenergyequallyinvisibly(dynamically).The steelneedlebecomesitselfmagnetic,evenatadistancewhenthemagnetdoesnottouchit,andmagnetises other steel needles with the same magnetic property (dynamically) with which it had been endowered previouslybythemagneticrod,justasachildwithsmallpoxormeaslescommunicatestoanear,untouched healthychildinaninvisiblemanner(dynamically)thesmallpoxormeasles,thatis,infectsitatadistance withoutanythingmaterialfromtheinfectivechildgoingorcapableofgoingtotheonetobeinfected.A purelyspecificconceptualinfluencecommunicatedtothenearchildsmallpoxormeaslesinthesamewayas themagnetcommunicatedtothenearneedlethemagneticproperty. Inasimilarway,theeffectofmedicinesuponlivingmanistobejudged.Substances,whichareusedas

medicines,aremedicinesonlyinsofarastheypossesseachitsownspecificenergytoalterthewellbeingof man through dynamic, conceptual influence, by means of the living sensory fibre, upon the conceptual controllingprincipleoflife.Themedicinalpropertyofthosematerialsubstanceswhichwecallmedicines proper,relatesonlytotheirenergytocalloutalterationsinthewellbeingofanimallife.Onlyuponthis conceptualprincipleoflife,dependstheirmedicinalhealthaltering,conceptual(dynamic)influence.Justas thenearnessofamagneticpolecancommunicateonlymagneticenergytothesteel(namely,byakindof infection)butcannotcommunicateotherproperties(forinstance,morehardnessorductility,etc.).Andthus everyspecialmedicinalsubstancealtersthroughakindofinfection,thatwellbeingofmaninapeculiar mannerexclusivelyitsownandnotinamannerpeculiartoanothermedicine,ascertainlyasthenearnessof thechildill withsmallpoxwill communicatetoahealthychild onlysmallpoxandnotmeasles.These medicines act upon our wellbeing wholly without communication of material parts of the medicinal substances,thusdynamically,asifthroughinfection.Farmorehealingenergyisexpressedinacaseinpoint bythesmallestdoseofthebestdynamizedmedicines,inwhichtherecanbe,accordingtocalculation,onlyso littleofmaterialsubstancethatitsminutenesscannotbethoughtandconceivedbythebestarithmeticalmind, thanbylargedosesofthesamemedicinein substance.Thatsmallestdosecanthereforecontainalmost entirelyonlythepure,freelydeveloped,conceptualmedicinalenergy,andbringaboutonlydynamicallysuch greateffectsascanneverbereachedbythecrudemedicinalsubstancesitselftakeninlargedoses. Itisnotinthecorporalatomsofthesehighlydynamizedmedicines,northeirphysicalormathematical surfaces(withwhichthehigherenergiesofthedynamizedmedicinesarebeinginterpretedbutvainlyasstill sufficientlymaterial)thatthemedicinalenergyisfound.Morelikely,thereliesinvisibleinthemoistened globuleorinitssolution,anunveiled,liberated,specific,medicinalforcecontainedinthemedicinalsubstance which acts dynamically by contact with the living animal fibre upon the whole organism (without communicatingtoitanythingmaterialhoweverhighlyattenuated)andactsmorestronglythemorefreeand moreimmaterialtheenergyhasbecomethroughthedynamization. Isitthensoutterlyimpossibleforouragecelebratedforitswealthinclearthinkerstothinkofdynamic energyassomethingnoncorporeal,sinceweseedailyphenomenawhichcannotbeexplainedinanyother manner?Ifonelooksuponsomethingnauseousandbecomesinclinedtovomit,didamaterialemeticcome intohisstomachwhichcompelshimtothisantiperistalticmovement?Wasitnotsolelythedynamiceffectof thenauseatingaspectuponhisimagination?Andifoneraiseshisarm,doesitoccurthroughamaterialvisible instrument?alever?Isitnotsolelytheconceptualdynamicenergyofhiswillwhichraisesit?

Itisthemorbidlyaffectedvitalforcealonethatproducesdisease1,sothatthemorbidphenomenaperceptible tooursensesexpressatthesametimealltheinternalchange,thatistosay,thewholemorbidderangementof theinternaldynamis;inaword,theyrevealthewholedisease;consequently,also,thedisappearanceunder treatmentofallthemorbidphenomenaandofallthemorbidalterationsthatdifferfromthehealthyvital operations,certainlyaffectsandnecessarilyimpliestherestorationoftheintegrityofthevitalforceand, therefore,therecoveredhealthofthewholeorganism.

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12FifthEdition

Howthevitalforcecausestheorganismtodisplaymorbidphenomena,thatis,howitproducesdisease,it wouldbeofnopracticalutilitytothephysiciantoknow,andwillforeverremainconcealedfromhim;only whatitisnecessaryforhimtoknowofthediseaseandwhatisfullysufficientforenablinghimtocureit,has theLordofliferevealedtohissenses 12SixthEdition

Itisthemorbidlyaffectedvitalenergyalonethatproducesdisease1,sothatthemorbidphenomenaperceptible tooursensesexpressatthesametimealltheinternalchange,thatistosay,thewholemorbidderangementof theinternaldynamis;inaword,theyrevealthewholedisease;consequently,also,thedisappearanceunder treatmentofallthemorbidphenomenaandofallthemorbidalterationsthatdifferfromthehealthyvital operations,certainlyaffectsandnecessarilyimpliestherestorationoftheintegrityofthevitalforceand, therefore,therecoveredhealthofthewholeorganism.

1

Howthevitalforcecausestheorganismtodisplaymorbidphenomena,thatis,howitproducesdisease,it wouldbeofnopracticalutilitytothephysiciantoknow,andwillforeverremainconcealedfromhim;only whatitisnecessaryforhimtoknowofthediseaseandwhatisfullysufficientforenablinghimtocureit,has theLordofliferevealedtohissenses

13 Porlotantolaenfermedad(quenovienedentrodelaprovinciadelacirugamanual)consideraba,comoest porlosallopathists,comocosaapartedelenterovivo,delorganismoydesufuerzavitaldeanimacin,y ocultadoenelinterior,seasiempretansutiluncarcter,esunaabsurdidad,esosepodaimaginarsolamente pormentesdeunaestampillamaterialistic,ytieneparalosmillaresdeaosdadosalsistemaqueprevalece delamedicinatodosesosimpulsosperniciososquelehanhechounarte(nocurativo)verdaderamentedaoso. 14 Hay,enelinteriordelhombre,nadamrbidoqueescurableyningunaalteracinmrbidainvisiblequees curablequenosehacesabidoalosmdicosexactamentedeobservacinpormediodelasmuestrasydelos sntomasmrbidosunarregloenconformidadperfectaconlacalidadinfinitadelpreservertodosabiodela vidahumana. 15FifthEdition Elafectodelmrbidamenteloco,dynamiscomounespritu(fuerzavital)queanimanuestrocuerpoen el interiorinvisible,ylatotalidaddelossntomasexteriorcognizableprodujoporellaenelorganismoyla representacindelmaladyexistente,constituyaunconjunto;sonunoeigual.Elorganismoesdehechoel instrumentomaterialdelavida,peronoesconcebiblesinlaanimacinimpartidaalporlafuerzavitalpor instintoquepercibeyderegulacin(apenaspueslafuerzavitalnoesconcebiblesinelorganismo),porlo tanto los dosjuntaconstituyenunaunidad,aunqueenpensamientonuestramenteseparaestaunidaden dosconceptosdistintosparaelmotivodefacilitarlacomprensindeella. 15SixthEdition The affection of the morbidly deranged, spiritlike dynamis (vital force) that animates our body in the invisibleinterior,andthetotalityoftheoutwardlycognizablesymptomsproducedbyitintheorganismand representingtheexistingmalady,constituteawhole;theyareoneandthesame.Theorganismisindeedthe material instrument of the life, but it is not conceivable without the animation imparted to it by the instinctively perceiving and regulating dynamis, just as the vital force is not conceivable without the organism,consequentlythetwotogetherconstituteaunity,althoughinthoughtourmindseparatesthisunity intotwodistinctconceptionsforthesakeofeasycomprehension.

16FifthEdition

Ourvitalforce,asaspiritlikedynamis,cannotbeattackedandaffectedbyinjuriousinfluencesonthehealthy organismcausedbytheexternalinimicalforcesthatdisturbtheharmoniousplayoflife,otherwisethanina spiritlike(dynamic)way,andinlikemanner,allsuchmorbidderangements(diseases)cannotberemoved fromitbythephysicianinanyotherwaythanbythespiritlike(dynamic1,virtual)alterativepowersofthe serviceablemedicinesactinguponourspiritlikevitalforce,whichperceivesthemthroughthemediumofthe sentientfacultyofthenerveseverywherepresentintheorganism,sothatitisonlybytheirdynamicactionon thevitalforcethatremediesareabletoreestablishanddoactuallyreestablishhealthandvitalharmony,after thechangesinthehealthofthepatientcognizablebyoursenses(thetotalityofthesymptoms)haverevealed thediseasetothecarefullyobservingandinvestigatingphysicianasfullyaswasrequisiteinordertoenable himtocureit.
1

Mostseverediseasemaybeproducedbysufficientdisturbanceofthevitalforcethroughtheimaginationand alsocuredbythesamemeans. 16SixthEdition Ourvitalforce,asaspiritlikedynamis,cannotbeattackedandaffectedbyinjuriousinfluencesonthehealthy organismcausedbytheexternalinimicalforcesthatdisturbtheharmoniousplayoflife,otherwisethanina spiritlike(dynamic)way,andinlikemanner,allsuchmorbidderangements(diseases)cannotberemoved fromitbythephysicianinanyotherwaythanbythespiritlike(dynamic1,virtual)alterativepowersofthe serviceablemedicinesactinguponourspiritlikevitalforce,whichperceivesthemthroughthemediumofthe sentientfacultyofthenerveseverywherepresentintheorganism,sothatitisonlybytheirdynamicactionon thevitalforcethatremediesareabletoreestablishanddoactuallyreestablishhealthandvitalharmony,after thechangesinthehealthofthepatientcognizablebyoursenses(thetotalityofthesymptoms)haverevealed thediseasetothecarefullyobservingandinvestigatingphysicianasfullyaswasrequisiteinordertoenable himtocureit.
1

Mostseverediseasemaybeproducedbysufficientdisturbanceofthevitalforcethroughtheimaginationand alsocuredbythesamemeans.

17FifthEdition Now,asinthecureeffectedbytheremovalofthewholeoftheperceptiblesignsandsymptomsofthedisease theinternalalterationofthevitalforcetowhichthediseaseisdueconsequentlythewholeofthediseaseis atthesametimeremoved,1 itfollowsthatthephysicianhasonlytoremovethewholeofthesymptomsin order,atthesametime,toabrogateandannihilatetheinternalchange,thatistosay,themorbidderangement of the vital force consequently the totality of the disease, the disease itself.2 But when the disease is annihilatedthehealthisrestored,andthisisthehighest,thesoleaimofthephysicianwhoknowsthetrue objectofhismission,whichconsistsnotinlearnedsoundingprating,butingivingaidtothesick.
1

Awarningdream,asuperstitiousfancy,orasolemnpredictionthatdeathwouldoccuratacertaindayorata certain hour, has not unfrequently produced all the signs of commencing and increasing disease, of approachingdeathanddeathitselfatthehourannounced,whichcouldnothappenwithoutthesimultaneous productionoftheinwardchange(correspondingtothestateobservedinternally);andhenceinsuchcasesall themorbidsignsindicativeofapproachingdeathhavefrequentlybeendissipatedbyanidenticalcause,by somecunningdeceptionorpersuasiontoabeliefinthecontrary,andhealthsuddenlyrestored,whichcould nothavehappenedwithouttheremoval,bymeansofthismortalremedy,oftheinternalandexternalmorbid

changethatthreateneddeath.
2

ItisonlythusthatGodthepreserverofmankind,couldrevealHiswisdomandgoodnessinreferencetothe cureofthediseasetowhichmanisliableherebelow,byshowingtothephysicianwhathehadtoremovein diseaseinordertoannihilatethemandthusreestablishhealth.ButwhatwouldwethinkofHiswisdomand goodnessifHehasshroudedinmysteriousobscuritythatwhichwastobecuredindiseases(asisassertedby thedominantschoolofmedicine,whichaffectstopossessasupernaturalinsightintothenatureofthings),and shutitupinthehiddeninterior,andthusrendereditimpossibleformantoknowthemaladyaccurately, consequentlyimpossibleforhimtocureit? 17SixthEdition Now,asinthecureeffectedbytheremovalofthewholeoftheperceptiblesignsandsymptomsofthedisease theinternalalterationofthevitalprincipletowhichthediseaseisdueconsequentlythewholeofthedisease isatthesametimeremoved,1itfollowsthatthephysicianhasonlytoremovethewholeofthesymptomsin order,atthesametime,toabrogateandannihilatetheinternalchange,thatistosay,themorbidderangement of the vital force consequently the totality of the disease, the disease itself.2 But when the disease is annihilatedthehealthisrestored,andthisisthehighest,thesoleaimofthephysicianwhoknowsthetrue objectofhismission,whichconsistsnotinlearnedsoundingprating,butingivingaidtothesick.
1

Awarningdream,asuperstitiousfancy,orasolemnpredictionthatdeathwouldoccuratacertaindayorata certain hour, has not unfrequently produced all the signs of commencing and increasing disease, of approachingdeathanddeathitselfatthehourannounced,whichcouldnothappenwithoutthesimultaneous productionoftheinwardchange(correspondingtothestateobservedinternally);andhenceinsuchcasesall themorbidsignsindicativeofapproachingdeathhavefrequentlybeendissipatedbyanidenticalcause,by somecunningdeceptionorpersuasiontoabeliefinthecontrary,andhealthsuddenlyrestored,whichcould nothavehappenedwithouttheremoval,bymeansofthismortalremedy,oftheinternalandexternalmorbid changethatthreateneddeath.
2

ItisonlythusthatGodthepreserverofmankind,couldrevealHiswisdomandgoodnessinreferencetothe cureofthediseasetowhichmanisliableherebelow,byshowingtothephysicianwhathehadtoremovein diseaseinordertoannihilatethemandthusreestablishhealth.ButwhatwouldwethinkofHiswisdomand goodnessifHehasshroudedinmysteriousobscuritythatwhichwastobecuredindiseases(asisassertedby thedominantschoolofmedicine,whichaffectstopossessasupernaturalinsightintothenatureofthings),and shutitupinthehiddeninterior,andthusrendereditimpossibleformantoknowthemaladyaccurately, consequentlyimpossibleforhimtocureit?

18FifthEdition Fromthisindubitabletruth,thatbesidesthetotalityofthesymptomsnothingcanbyanymeansbediscovered indiseasewherewiththeycouldexpresstheirneedofaid,itfollowsundeniablythatthesumofall the symptomsineachindividualcaseofdiseasemustbethesoleindication,thesoleguidetodirectusinthe choiceofaremedy. 18SixthEdition Fromthisindubitabletruth,thatbesidesthetotalityofthesymptomswithconsiderationoftheaccompanying modalities(5)nothingcanbyanymeansbediscoveredindiseasewherewiththeycouldexpresstheirneed

ofaid,itfollowsundeniablythatthesumofallthesymptomsandconditionsineachindividualcaseof diseasemustbethesoleindication,thesoleguidetodirectusinthechoiceofaremedy.

19 Now,asdiseasesarenothingmorethanalterationsinthestateofhealthofthehealthyindividualwhich expressthemselvesbymorbidsigns,andthecureisalsoonlypossiblebyachangetothehealthyconditionof thestateofhealthofthediseasedindividual,itisveryevidentthatmedicinescouldnevercurediseaseifthey didnotpossessthepowerofalteringmansstateofhealthwhichdependsonsensationsandfunctions; indeed,thattheircurativepowermustbeowingsolelytothispowertheypossessofalteringmansstateof health.

20Fifthedition Thisspiritlikepowertoaltermansstateofhealth(andhencetocurediseases)whichlieshiddenintheinner natureofmedicinescanneverbediscoveredbyusbyamereeffortofreason;itisonlybyexperienceofthe phenomenaitdisplayswhenactingonthestateofhealthofmanthatwecanbecomeclearlycognizantofit. 20Sixthedition Thisspiritlikepowertoaltermansstateofhealth(andhencetocurediseases)whichlieshiddenintheinner natureofmedicinescaninitselfneverbediscoveredbyusbyamereeffortofreason;itisonlybyexperience ofthephenomenaitdisplayswhenactingonthestateofhealthofmanthatwecanbecomeclearlycognizant ofit.

21 Now,asitisundeniablethatthecurativeprincipleinmedicinesisnotinitselfperceptible,andasinpure experimentswithmedicinesconductedbythemostaccurateobservers,nothingcanbeobservedthatcan constitutethemmedicinesorremediesexceptthatpowerofcausingdistinctalterationsinthestateofhealthof thehumanbody,andparticularlyinthatofthehealthyindividual,andofexcitinginhimvariousdefinite morbidsymptoms;soitfollowsthatwhenmedicinesactasremedies,theycanonlybringtheircurative propertyintoplaybymeansofthistheirpowerofalteringmansstateofhealthbytheproductionofpeculiar symptoms;andthat,therefore,wehaveonlytorelyonthemorbidphenomenawhichthemedicinesproducein thehealthybodyasthesolepossiblerevelationoftheirindwellingcurativepower,inordertolearnwhat diseaseproducing power, and at the same time what diseasecuring power, each individual medicine possesses.

22FifthEdition Butasnothingistobeobservedindiseasesthatmustberemovedinordertochangethemintohealthbesides thetotalityoftheirsignsandsymptoms,andlikewisemedicinescanshownothingcurativebesidestheir tendencytoproducemorbidsymptomsinhealthypersonsandtoremovethemindiseasedpersons;itfollows, ontheonehand,thatmedicinesonlybecomeremediesandcapableofannihilating disease,becausethe medicinalsubstance,byexcitingcertaineffectsandsymptoms,thatistosay,byproducingacertainartificial morbidstate,removesandabrogatesthesymptomsalreadypresent,towit,thenaturalmorbidstatewewishto cure.Ontheotherhand,itfollowsthat,forthetotalityofthesymptomsofthediseasetobecured,amedicine

mustbesoughtwhich(accordingasexperienceshallprovewhetherthemorbidsymptomsaremostreadily, certainly,andpermanentlyremovedandchangedintohealthbysimilaroroppositemedicinalsymptoms 1)has atendencytoproducesimilaroroppositesymptoms.

1

Theotherpossiblemodeofemployingmedicinesfordiseasesbesidesthesetwoistheallopathicmethod,in whichmedicinesaregiven,whosesymptomshavenodirectpathologicalrelationtothemorbidstate,neither similarnoropposite,butquiteheterogeneoustothesymptomsofthedisease,is,asshownabove,inthe introduction(Reviewofthetherapeutics,allopathyandpalliativetreatmentthathavehithertobeenpracticed intheoldschoolofmedicine),merelyinstinctivevitalforce,which,whenmadeillbynoxiousagents,strives tosaveitselfatwhateversacrificebytheproductionandcontinuanceofmorbidirritationintheorganisman imitation,consequently,ofthecrudevitalforcewhichwasimplantedinourorganisminordertopreserveour lifeinhealth,inthemostbeautifulharmony;butwhenderangedbydisease,wassoconstitutedastoadmitof beingagainchangedtohealth(homoeopathically)bytheintelligentphysician,butnottocureitself,forwhich thelittlepoweritpossessesissofarfrombeingapatterntobecopied,thatallthechangesandsymptomsit produces in the (morbidly deranged) organism are just the disease itself. But this injudicious system of therapeuticsoftheoldschoolofmedicinecannomorebepassedbyunnoticedthatcanhistoryomittorecord thethousandsofyearsofoppositiontowhichmankindhasbeensubjectedundertheirrational,despotic Governments. 22SixthEdition Butasnothingistobeobservedindiseasesthatmustberemovedinordertochangethemintohealthbesides thetotalityoftheirsignsandsymptoms,andlikewisemedicinescanshownothingcurativebesidestheir tendencytoproducemorbidsymptomsinhealthypersonsandtoremovethemindiseasedpersons;itfollows, ontheonehand,thatmedicinesonlybecomeremediesandcapableofannihilating disease,becausethe medicinalsubstance,byexcitingcertaineffectsandsymptoms,thatistosay,byproducingacertainartificial morbidstate,removesandabrogatesthesymptomsalreadypresent,towit,thenaturalmorbidstatewewishto cure.Ontheotherhand,itfollowsthat,forthetotalityofthesymptomsofthediseasetobecured,amedicine mustbesoughtwhich(accordingasexperienceshallprovewhetherthemorbidsymptomsaremostreadily, certainly,andpermanentlyremovedandchangedintohealthbysimilaroroppositemedicinalsymptoms1) havethegreatesttendencytoproducesimilaroroppositesymptoms.
1

Theotherpossiblemodeofemployingmedicinesfordiseasesbesidesthesetwoistheallopathicmethod,in whichmedicinesaregiven,whosesymptomshavenodirectpathologicalrelationtothemorbidstate,neither similarnoropposite,butquiteheterogeneoustothesymptomsofthedisease.Thisprocedureplays,asIhave shownelsewhere,anirresponsiblemurderousgamewiththelifeofthepatientbymeansofdangerous,violent medicines, whose action is unknownand which are chosen onmere conjectures and given in large and frequentdoses.Again,bymeansofpainfuloperations,intendedtoleadthediseasetootherregionsandtaking thestrengthandvitaljuicesofthepatient,throughevacuationsaboveandbelow,sweatorsalivation,but especiallythroughsquandering theirreplaceableblood,asisdonebythereigningroutinepractice,used blindlyandrelentlessly,usuallywiththepretextthatthephysicianshouldimitateandfurtherthesicknaturein itseffortstohelpitself,withoutconsideringhowirrationalitis,toimitateandfurthertheseveryimperfect, mostlyinappropriateeffortsoftheinstinctiveunintelligentvitalenergywhichisimplantedinourorganism,so longasitishealthytocarryonlifeinharmoniousdevelopment,butnottohealitselfindisease.For,wereit possessedofsuchamodelability,itwouldneverhaveallowedtheorganismtogetsick.Whenmadeillby noxiousagents,ourlifeprinciplecannotdoanythingelsethanexpressitsdepressioncausedbydisturbanceof theregularityofitslife,bysymptoms,bymeansofwhichtheintelligentphysicianisaskforaid.Ifthisisnot

given,itstrivestosavebyincreasingtheailment,especiallythroughviolentevacuations,nomatterwhatthis entails,oftenwiththelargestsacrificesordestructionoflifeitself. Forthepurposeofcure,themorbidlydepressedvitalenergypossessessolittleabilityworthyofimitation since all changes and symptoms produced by it in the organism are the disease itself. What intelligent physicianwouldwanttoimitateitwiththeintentiontohealifhedidnottherebysacrificehispatient?

23 Allpureexperience,however,andallaccurateresearchconvinceusthatpersistentsymptomsofdiseasearefar frombeingremovedandannihilatedbyoppositesymptomsofmedicines(asintheantipathic,enantiopathicor palliativemethod),that,onthecontrary,aftertransient,apparentalleviation,theybreakforthagain,onlywith increasedintensity,andbecomemanifestlyaggravated(see5862and69).

24 Thereremains,therefore,noothermodeofemployingmedicinesindiseasesthatpromisestobeofservice besidesthehomoeopathic,bymeansofwhichweseek,forthetotalityofthesymptomsofthecaseofdisease, amedicinewhichamongallmedicines(whosepathogeneticeffectsareknownfromhavingbeentestedin healthyindividuals)hasthepowerandthetendencytoproduceanartificialmorbidstatemostsimilartothat ofthecaseofdiseaseinquestion.

Now,however,inallcarefultrials,pureexperience,1thesoleandinfallibleoracleofthehealingart,teachesus thatactuallythatmedicinewhich,initsactiononthehealthyhumanbody,hasdemonstrateditspowerof producingthegreatestnumberofsymptomssimilartothoseobservableinthecaseofdiseaseundertreatment, doesalso,indosesofsuitablepotencyandattenuation,rapidly,radicallyandpermanentlyremovethetotality ofthesymptomsofthismorbidstate,thatistosay(616),thewholediseasepresent,andchangeitinto health;andthatallmedicinescure,withoutexception,thosediseaseswhosesymptomsmostnearlyresemble theirown,andleavenoneofthemuncured.

1

25

Idonotmeanthatsortofexperienceofwhichtheordinarypractitionersoftheoldschoolboast,afterthey haveforyearsworkedawaywithalotofcomplexprescriptionsonanumberofdiseaseswhichtheynever carefully investigate, but which, faithful to their school, they consider as already described in works of systematicpathology,anddreamedthattheycoulddetectinthemsomeimaginarymorbificmatter,orascribe tothemsomeotherhypotheticalinternalabnormality.Theyalwayssawsomethinginthem,butknewnotwhat itwastheysaw,andtheygotresults,fromthecomplexforcesactingonanunknownobject,thatnohuman beingbutonlyaGodcouldhaveunravelledresultsfromwhichnothingcanbelearned,noexperience gained.Fiftyyearsexperienceofthissortislikefifty yearsoflookingintoakaleidoscopefilledwith unknown colored objects, and perpetually turning round; thousands of ever changing figures and no accountingforthem!

26 Thisdependsonthefollowinghomoeopathiclawofnaturewhichwassometimes,indeed,vaguelysurmised butnothithertofullyrecognized,andtowhichisdueeveryrealcurethathasevertakenplace:

Aweakerdynamicaffectionispermanentlyextinguishedinthelivingorganismbyastrongerone,ifthelatter (whilstdifferinginkind)isverysimilartotheformerinitsmanifestations.1
1

Thusarecuredbothphysicalaffectionsandmoralmaladies.Howisitthatintheearlydawnthebrilliant Jupitervanishesfromthegazeofthebeholder?Byastrongerverysimilarpoweractingonhisopticnerve,the brightness of approaching day! In situations replete with foetid odors, wherewith is it usual to soothe effectuallytheoffendedolfactorynerves?Withsnuff,thataffectsthesenseofsmellinasimilarbutstronger manner!Nomusic,nosugaredcake,whichactonthenervesofothersenses,cancurethisolfactorydisgust. Howdoesthesoldiercunninglystiflethepiteouscriesofhimwhorunsthegauntletfromtheearsofthe compassionatebystanders?Bytheshrillnotesofthefifecommingledwiththerollofthenoisydrum!Andthe distantroaroftheenemyscannonthatinspireshisarmywithfear?Bytheloudboomofthebigdrum!For neithertheonenortheotherwouldthedistributionofabrilliantpieceofuniformnorareprimandtothe regimentsuffice.Inlikemanner,mourningandsorrowwillbeeffacedfromthemindbytheaccountof anotherandstillgreatercauseforsorrowhappeningtoanother,eventhoughitbeamerefiction.Theinjurious consequencesoftoogreatjoywillberemovedbydrinkingcoffee,whichproducesanexcessivejoyousstateof mind.NationsliketheGermans,whohaveforcenturiesbeengraduallysinkingdeeperanddeeperinsoulless apathyanddegradingserfdom,mustfirstbetroddenstilldeeperinthedustbytheWesternConqueror,until theirsituationbecameintolerable;theirmeanopinionofthemselveswastherebyoverstrainedandremoved; theyagainbecamealive totheirdignity asmen,and then,forthefirst time, theyraised theirheads as Germans.

27 Thecurativepowerofmedicines,therefore,dependsontheirsymptoms,similartothediseasebutsuperiorto it in strength ( 12 26), so that each individual case of disease is most surely, radically, rapidly and permanentlyannihilatedandremovedonlybyamedicinecapableofproducing(inthehumansystem)inthe mostsimilarandcompletemannerthetotalityofitssymptoms,whichatthesametimearestrongerthanthe disease.

28 Asthisnaturallawofcuremanifestsitselfineverypureexperimentandeverytrueobservationintheworld, thefactisconsequentlyestablished;itmatterslittlewhatmaybescientificexplanationofhowittakesplace; andIdonotattachmuchimportancetotheattemptsmadetoexplainit.Butthefollowingviewseemsto commenditselfasthemostprobableone,asitisfoundedonpremisesderivedfromexperience.

29FifthEdition As every disease (not strictly belonging to the domain of surgery) depends only on a peculiar morbid derangementofourvitalforceinsensationsandfunctions,whenahomoeopathiccureofthevitalforce derangedbynaturaldiseaseisaccomplishedbytheadministrationofamedicinalagentselectedonaccountof anaccuratesimilarityofsymptoms,asomewhatstronger,similar,artificialmorbidaffectionisbroughtinto contactwithand,asitwere,pushedintotheplaceoftheweaker,similar,naturalmorbidirritation,against whichtheinstinctivevitalforce,nowmerely(thoughinastrongerdegree)medicinallydiseased,is then compelledtodirectanincreasedamountofenergy,but,onaccountoftheshorterdurationoftheaction 1ofthe medicinalagentthatnowmorbidlyaffectsit,thevitalforcesoonovercomesthis,andasitwasinthefirst

instancerelievedfromthenaturalmorbidaffection,soitisnowatlastfreedfromthesubstitutedartificial (medicinal)one,andhenceisenableagaintocarryonhealthilythevitaloperationsoftheorganism.This highlyprobableexplanationoftheprocessrestsonthefollowingaxioms.

1

Theshortdurationoftheactionoftheartificialmorbificforces,whichwetermmedicines,makesitpossible that,althoughtheyarestrongerthanthenaturaldiseases,theycanyetbemuchmoreeasilyovercomebythe vitalforcethancantheweakernaturaldiseases,whichsolelyinconsequenceofthelonger,generallylifelong, durationoftheiraction(psora,syphilis,sycosis),canneverbevanquishedandextinguishedbyitalone,until thephysicianaffectsthevitalforceinastrongermannerbyanagentthatproducesadiseaseverysimilar,but stronger to wit a homoeopathic medicine, which, when taken (or smelt), is as it were, forced upon the unintelligent,instinctivevitalforce,andsubstitutedintheplaceoftheformernaturalmorbidaffection,by whichmeansthevitalforce,andsubstitutedintheplaceoftheformernaturalmorbidaffection,bywhich meansthevitalforcethenremainsmerelymedicinallyill,butonlyforashorttime,becausetheactionofthe medicine(thetimeinwhichthemedicinaldiseaseexcitedbyitrunitscourse)doesnotlastlong.Thecuresof diseasesofmanyyearsduration(46),bytheoccurrenceofsmallpoxandmeasles(bothofwhichruna courseofonlyafewweeks),areprocessesofasimilarcharacter. 29SixthEdition Aseverydisease(notentirelysurgical)consistsonlyinaspecial,morbid,dynamicalterationofourvital energy(oftheprincipleoflife)manifestedinsensationandmotion,soineveryhomoeopathiccurethis principleoflifedynamicallyalteredbynaturaldiseaseisseizedthroughtheadministrationofmedicinal potencyselectedexactlyaccordingtosymptomsimilaritybyasomewhatstronger,similarartificialdisease manifestation. By this the feeling of the natural (weaker) dynamic diseasemanifestation ceases and disappears.Thisdiseasemanifestationnolongerexistsfortheprincipleoflifewhichisnowoccupiedand governedmerelybythestronger,artificialdiseasemanifestation.Thisartificialdiseasemanifestationhassoon spentitsforceandleavesthepatientfreefromdisease,cured.Thedynamis,thusfreed,cannowcontinueto carrylifeoninhealth.Thismosthighlyprobableprocessrestsuponthefollowingpropositions.

30FifthEdition Thehumanbodyappearstoadmitofbeingmuchmorepowerfullyaffectedinitshealthbymedicines(partly becausewehavetheregulationofthedoseinourownpower)thanbynaturalmorbidstimulifornatural diseasesarecuredandovercomebysuitablemedicines. 30SixthEdition Thehumanbodyappearstoadmitofbeingmuchmorepowerfullyaffectedinitshealthbymedicines(partly becausewehavetheregulationofthedoseinourownpower)thanbynaturalmorbidstimulifornatural diseasesarecuredandovercomebysuitablemedicines.1

1

Theshortdurationoftheactionoftheartificialmorbificforces,whichwetermmedicines,makesitpossible that,althoughtheyarestrongerthanthenaturaldiseases,theycanyetbemuchmoreeasilyovercomebythe vitalforcethancantheweakernaturaldiseases,whichsolelyinconsequenceofthelonger,generallylifelong, durationoftheiraction(psora,syphilis,sycosis),canneverbevanquishedandextinguishedbyitalone,until thephysicianaffectsthevitalforceinastrongermannerbyanagentthatproducesadiseaseverysimilar,but strongertowitahomoeopathicmedicine.Thecuresofdiseasesofmanyyearsduration(46),bythe occurrenceofsmallpoxandmeasles(bothofwhichrunacourseofonlyafewweeks),areprocessesofa

similarcharacter.

31 Theinimicalforces,partlypsychical,partlyphysical,towhichourterrestrialexistenceisexposed,whichare termed morbific noxious agents, do not possess the power of morbidly deranging the health of man unconditionally1;butwearemadeillbythemonlywhenourorganismissufficientlydisposedandsusceptible toattackofthemorbificcausethatmaybepresent,andtobealteredinitshealth,derangedandmadeto undergoabnormalsensationsandfunctionshencetheydonotproducediseaseineveryonenoratalltimes.
1

WhenIcalladiseaseaderangementofmansstateofhealth,Iamfarfromwishingtherebytogivea hyperphysicalexplanationoftheinternalnatureofdiseasegenerally,orofanycaseofdiseaseinparticular.It isonlyintendedbythisexpressiontointimate,whatitcanbeproveddiseasesarenotandcannotbe,thatthey arenotmechanicalorchemicalalterationsofmaterialsubstanceofthebody,andnotdependantonamaterial morbificsubstance,butthattheyaremerelyspiritlike(conceptual)dynamicderangementsofthelife.

32 Butitisquiteotherwisewiththeartificialmorbificagentswhichwetermmedicines.Everyrealmedicine, namely,actsatalltimes,underallcircumstances,oneverylivinghumanbeing,andproducesinhimits peculiarsymptoms(distinctlyperceptible,ifthedosebelargeenough),sothatevidentlyeverylivinghuman organismisliabletobeaffected,and,asitwere,inoculatedwiththemedicinaldiseaseatalltimes,and absolutely(unconditionally),which,asbeforesaid,isbynomeansthecasewiththenaturaldiseases.

Inaccordancewiththisfact,itisundeniablyshownbyallexperience 1thatthelivingorganismismuchmore disposedandhasagreaterliabilitytobeactedon,andtohaveitshealthderangedbymedicinalpowers,than bymorbificnoxiousagentsandinfectiousmiasms,or,inorderwords, thatthemorbificnoxiousagents possess a power of morbidly deranging mans health that is subordinate and conditional, often very conditional;whilstmedicinalagentshaveanabsoluteunconditionalpower,greatlysuperiortotheformer.
1

33

Astrikingfactincorroborationofthisis,thatwhilstpreviouslytotheyear1801,whenthesmoothscarlatina of Sydenham still occasionally prevailed epidemically among children, it attacked without exception all childrenwhohadescapeditinaformerepidemic;inasimilarepidemicwhichIwitnessedinKonigslutter,on thecontrary,allthechildrenwhotookintimeaverysmalldoseofbelladonnaremainedunaffectedbythis highlyinfectiousinfantiledisease.Ifmedicinescanprotectfromadiseasethatisragingaround,theymust possessavastlysuperiorpowerofaffectingourvitalforce.

34FifthEdition Thegreaterstrengthoftheartificialdiseasesproduciblebymedicinesis,however,notthesolecauseoftheir powertocurenaturaldisease.Inorderthattheymayeffectacure,itisbeforeallthingsrequisitethatthey shouldbecapableofproducinginthehumanbodyanartificialdiseaseassimilaraspossibletothediseaseto becured,inorder,bymeansofthissimilarity,conjoinedwithitssomewhatgreaterstrength,tosubstitute themselvesforthenaturalmorbidaffection,andtherebydeprivethelatterofallinfluenceuponthevitalforce.

Thisissotrue,thatnopreviouslyexistingdiseasecanbecured,evenbyNatureherself,bytheaccessionofa newdissimilardisease,beiteversostrong,andjustaslittlecanitbecuredbymedicaltreatmentwithdrugs whichareincapableofproducingasimilarmorbidconditioninthehealthybody. 34FifthEdition Thegreaterstrengthoftheartificialdiseasesproduciblebymedicinesis,however,notthesolecauseoftheir powertocurenaturaldisease.Inorderthattheymayeffectacure,itisbeforeallthingsrequisitethatthey shouldbecapableofproducinginthehumanbodyanartificialdiseaseassimilaraspossibletothediseaseto becured,which,withsomewhatincreasedpower,transformstoaverysimilarmorbidstatetheinstinctivelife principle,whichinitselfisincapableofanyreflectionoractofmemory.Itnotonlyobscures,butextinguishes andtherebyannihilatesthederangementcausedbythenaturaldisease.Thisissotrue,thatnopreviously existingdiseasecanbecured,evenbyNatureherself,bytheaccessionofanewdissimilardisease,beitever sostrong,andjustaslittlecanitbecuredbymedicaltreatmentwithdrugswhichareincapableofproducinga similarmorbidconditioninthehealthybody.

35 Inordertoillustratethis,weshallconsiderinthreedifferentcases,aswellwhathappensinnaturewhentwo dissimilarnaturaldiseasesmeettoinoneperson,asalsotheresultoftheordinarymedicaltreatmentof diseaseswithunsuitableallopathicdrugs,whichareincapableofproducinganartificialmorbidcondition similartothediseasetobecured,wherebyitwillappearthatevenNatureherselfisunabletoremovea dissimilardiseasealreadypresentbyonethatisunhomoeopathic,eventhoughitbestronger,andjustaslittle is the unhomoeopathic employment of even the strongest medicines ever capable of curing any disease whatsoever.

36 I.Ifthetwodissimilardiseasesmeetingtogetherinthehumanbeingbeofequalstrength,orstillmoreifthe olderonebethestronger,thenewdiseasewillberepelledbytheoldonefromthebodyandnotallowedto affectit. Apatientsuffering fromaseverechronicdiseasewillnotbeinfectedbyamoderateautumnal dysenteryorotherepidemicdisease.TheplagueoftheLevant,accordingtoLarry, 1doesnotbreakoutwhere scurvy is prevalent, and persons suffering from eczema are not infected by it. Rachitis, Jenner alleges, preventsvaccinationfromtakingeffect.Thosesufferingfrompulmonaryconsumptionarenotliabletobe attackedbyepidemicfeversofanotveryviolentcharacter,accordingtoVonHildenbrand.
1

MemoiresetObservations,intheDescriptiondelEgpte,tom.i.

37FifthEdition So,alsounderordinarymedicaltreatment,anoldchronicdiseaseremainsuncuredandunalteredifitis treatedaccordingtothecommonallopathicmethod,thatis tosay,withmedicinesthatareincapableof producinginhealthyindividualsastateofhealthsimilartothedisease,eventhoughthetreatmentshouldlast foryearsandisnotoftooviolentcharacter.Thisisdailywitnessedinpractice,itisthereforeunnecessaryto giveanyillustrativeexamples. 37SixthEdition

So,alsounderordinarymedicaltreatment,anoldchronicdiseaseremainsuncuredandunalteredifitis treatedaccordingtothecommonallopathicmethod,thatis tosay,withmedicinesthatareincapableof producinginhealthyindividualsastateofhealthsimilartothedisease,eventhoughthetreatmentshouldlast foryearsandisnotoftooviolentcharacter. 1Thisisdailywitnessedinpractice,itisthereforeunnecessaryto giveanyillustrativeexamples.

1

Butiftreatedwithviolentallopathicremedies,otherdiseaseswillbeformedinitsplacewhicharemore difficultanddangeroustolife.

38 II.Orthenewdissimilardiseaseisthestronger.Inthiscasethediseaseunderwhichthepatientoriginally labored,beingtheweaker,willbekeptbackandsuspendedbytheaccessionofthestrongerone,untilthe lattershallhaverunitscourseorbeencured,andthentheoldonereappearsuncured.Twochildrenaffected withakindofepilepsyremainedfreefromepilepticattacksafterinfectionwithringworm(tinea)butassoon astheeruptionontheheadwasgonetheepilepsyreturnedjustasbefore,asTulpius 1observed.Theitch,as Schopf2saw,disappearedontheoccurrenceofthescurvy,butafterthecureofthelatteritagainbrokeout. So,alsothepulmonaryphthisisremainedstationarywhenthepatientwasattackedbyaviolenttyphus,but wentonagainafterthelatterhadrunitscourse.3Ifmaniaoccurinaconsumptivepatient,thephthisiswithall itssymptomsisremovedbytheformer;butifthatgooff,thephthisisreturnsimmediatelyandprovesfatal. 4 Whenmeaslesandsmallpoxareprevalentatthesametime,andbothattackthesamechild,themeaslesthat hadalreadybrokenoutisgenerallycheckedbythesmallpoxthatcamesomewhatlater;nordoesthemeasles resumeitscourseuntilafterthecureofthesmallpox;butitnotinfrequentlyhappensthattheinoculated smallpoxissuspendedforfourdaysbythesuperventionofthemeasles,asobservedbyManget, 5 afterthe desquamationofwhichthesmallpoxcompletesitscourse.Evenwhentheinoculationofthesmallpoxhad takeneffectforsixdays, andthemeaslesthenbrokeout,theinflammation oftheinoculationremained stationaryandthesmallpoxdidnotensueuntilthemeasleshadcompleteditsregularcourseofsevendays. 6In anepidemicofmeasles,thatdiseaseattackedmanyindividualsonthefourthorfifthdayaftertheinoculation ofsmallpoxandpreventedthedevelopmentofthesmallpoxuntilithadcompleteditsowncourse,whereupon thesmallpoxappearedandproceededregularlytoitstermination.7 Thetrue,smooth,erysipelatouslooking scarlatinaofSydenham,withsorethroat,wascheckedonthefourthdaybytheeruptionofcowpox,which ran its regular course, and not till it was ended did the scarlatina again establish itself; but on another occasion,asbothdiseasesseemtobeofequalstrength,thecowpoxwassuspendedontheeighthdaybythe superventionofthetrue,smoothscarlatinaofSydenham,8andtheredareolaoftheformerdisappeareduntil the scarlatina was gone, wherein the cowpox immediately resumed its course, and went on its regular termination.9Themeaslessuspendedthecowpox;ontheeighthday,whenthecowpoxhadnearlyattainedits climax,themeaslesbrokeout;thecowpoxnowremainedstationary,anddidnotresumeandcompleteits courseuntilthedesquamationofthemeasles,hadtakenplace,sothatonthesixteenthdayitpresentedthe appearanceitotherwisewouldhaveshownonthetenthday,asKortum10observed. Evenafterthemeasleshadbrokenoutthecowpoxinoculationtookeffect,butdidnotrunitscourseuntil thesemeasleshaddisappeared,asKortumlikewisewitnessed.11 Imyselfsawthemumps(anginaparotidea)immediatelydisappearwhenthecowpoxinoculationhadtaken effectandhadnearlyattaineditsheight;itwasnotuntilthecompleteterminationofthecowpoxandthe disappearanceofitsredareolathatthisfebriletumefactionoftheparotidandsubmaxillaryglands,thatis causedbyapeculiarmiasm,reappearedandranitsregularcourseofsevendays. Andthusitiswithalldissimilardisease;thestrongersuspendstheweaker(whentheydonotcomplicateone

another,whichisseldomthecasewithacutedisease),buttheynevercureoneanother.
1

Obs.,lib.I,obs.8. InHufelandsJournal,xv,2. Chevalier,inHufelandsNeuestenAnnalenderfranzosichenHeikunde,ii,p.192.

Maniaphthisisupervenienseamcumomnibussuisphaenomenisauffert,verummoxreditphthisisetoccidit, abeuntemania.ReilMemorab.,fasc.iii,v,p.171.
5

IntheEdinb.Med.Comment.,pt.i,1. JohnHunter,OntheveneralDisease,p.5. Rainey,intheEdinb.Med.Comment.,iii,p.480.

VeryaccuratelydescribedbyWitheringandPlenciz,butdifferinggreatlyfromthepurpura(orRoodvonk), whichisoftenerroneouslydenominatedscarletfever.Itisonlyoflateyearthatthetwo,whichwereoriginally verydifferentdiseases,havecometoresembleeachotherintheirsymptoms.

9

Jenner,inMedicinischeAnnalen,August,1800,p.747. InHufelandsJournalderpraktischenArzneikunde,xx,3,p.50.

10

11

Loc.cit.

39 Nowtheadherentsoftheordinaryschoolofmedicinesawallthisforsomanycenturies;theysawthatNature herselfcannotcureanydisease bytheaccessionof another,beit everso strong,ifthenewdiseasebe dissimilartothatalreadypresentinthebody.Whatshallwethinkofthem,thattheyneverthelesswenton treating chronic disease with allopathic remedies, namely, with medicines and prescriptions capable of producingGodknowswhatmorbidstatealmostinvariably,however,onedissimilartothediseasetobe cured?Andeventhoughphysiciansdidnothithertoobservenatureattentively,themiserableresultsoftheir treatment should have taught them that they were pursuing an inappropriate, a false path. Did they not perceivewhentheyemployed,aswastheircustom,andaggressiveallopathictreatmentinachronicdisease, thattherebytheyonlycreatedanartificialdiseasedissimilartotheoriginalone,which,aslongasitwaskept up,merelyheldinabeyance,merelysuppressed,merelysuspendedtheoriginaldisease,whichlatter,however, alwaysreturned,andmustreturn,assoonasthediminishedstrengthofthepatientnolongeradmittedofa continuanceoftheallopathicattacksonthelife?Thustheitchexanthemacertainlydisappearsverysoonfrom theskinundertheemploymentofviolentpurgatives,frequentlyrepeated;butwhenthepatientcannolonger stand the factitious (dissimilar) disease of the bowels, and can take no more purgatives, then either the cutaneouseruptionbreaksoutasbefore,ortheinternalpsoradisplaysitselfinsomebadsymptom,andthe patient,inadditiontohisundiminishedoriginaldisease,hastoendurethemiseryofapainfulruineddigestion andimpairedstrengthtoboot.So,also,whentheordinaryphysicianskeepupartificialulcerationsoftheskin

andissues ontheexteriorofthebody,withtheviewoftherebyeradicatingachronicdisease,theycan NEVERcurethembythatmeans,assuchartificialcutaneousulcersarequitealienandallopathictothe internalaffection;butinasmuchastheirritationproducedbyseveraltissuesisatleastsometimesastronger (dissimilar)diseasethantheindwellingmalady,thelatteristherebysometimessilencedandsuspendedfora weekortwo.Butitisonlysuspended,andthatforaveryshorttime,whilethepatientspowersaregradually wornout.Epilepsy,suppressedformanyyearsbymeansofissues,invariablyrecurred,andinanaggravated form,whentheywereallowedtohealup,asPechlin 1andotherstestify.Butpurgativesforitch,andissuesfor epilepsy,cannotbemoreheterogeneous,moredissimilarderangingagentscannotbemoreallopathic,more exhaustingmodesoftreatmentthanarethecustomaryprescriptions,composedofunknowningredients, usedinordinarypracticefortheothernameless,innumerableformsofdisease.Theselikewisedonothingbut debilitate,andonlysuppressorsuspendthemaladyforashorttimewithoutbeingabletocureit,andwhen usedforalongtimealwaysaddanewmorbidstatetotheolddisease.
1

Obs.phys.med.,lib.ii,obs,30.

40 III.Orthenewdisease,afterhavinglongactedontheorganism,atlengthjoinstheoldonethatisdissimilar toit,andformswithitacomplexdisease,sothateachofthemoccupiesaparticularlocalityintheorganism, namely,theorganspeculiarlyadaptedforit,and,asitwere,onlytheplacespeciallybelongingtoit,whileit leavestheresttotheotherdiseasethatisdissimilartoit.Thusasyphiliticpatientmaybecomepsoric,and viceversa.Astwodiseasedissimilartoeachother,theycannotremove,cannotcureoneanother.Atfirstthe venerealsymptomsarekeptinabeyanceandsuspendedwhenthepsoriceruptionbeginstoappear;incourse oftime,however(asthesyphilisisatleastasstrongasthepsora),thetwojointogether,1thatis,eachinvolves thosepartsoftheorganismonlywhicharemostadaptedforit,andthepatientistherebyrenderedmore diseasedandmoredifficulttocure. Whentwodissimilaracuteinfectiousdiseasesmeet,as,forexample,smallpoxandmeasles,theoneusually suspendstheother,ashasbeenbeforeobserved;yettherehavealsobeensevereepidemicsofthiskind,where, inrarecases,twodissimilaracutediseasesoccurredsimultaneouslyinoneandthesamebody,andforashort time combined, as it were, with each other. During an epidemic, in which smallpox and measles were prevalentatthesametime,amongthreehundredcases(inwhichthesediseasesavoidedorsuspendedone another,andmeaslesattackedpatientstwentydaysafterthesmallpoxbrokeout,thesmallpox,however,from seventeen to eighteen days after the appearance of the measles, so that the first disease had previously completeditsregularcourse)therewasyetonesinglecaseinwhichP.Russell 2metwithboththesedissimilar diseasesinonepersonatthesametime.Rainey3 witnessedthesimultaneousoccurrenceofsmallpoxand measlesintwogirls.J.Maurice4,inhiswholepractice,onlyobservedtwosuchcases.Similarcasesaretobe foundinEttmullers5works,andinthewritingsofafewothers. Zencker6sawcowpoxrunitsregularcoursealongwithmeaslesandalongwithpurpura. Thecowpoxwentonitscourseundisturbedduringamercurialtreatmentforsyphilis,asJennersaw.
1

Fromcarefulexperimentsandcuresofcomplexdiseasesofthiskind,Iamnowfirmlyconvincedthatnoreal amalgamationofthetwotakesplace,butthatinsuchcasestheoneexistsintheorganismbesidestheother only,eachinpairsthatareadaptedforit,andtheircurewillbecompletelyeffectedbyajudiciousalternation ofthebestmercurialpreparation,withtheremediesspecificforthepsora,eachgiveninthemostsuitable doseandform.

VideTransactionsofaSocietyfortheImprovementofMed.andChir.Knowledge,ii. InEdinb.MedandPhys.Journ.,1805. InMed.andPhys.Journ.,1805. Opera,ii,p.i,cap.10. InhufelandsJournal,xvii.

41FifthEdition Muchmorefrequentthanthenaturaldiseasesassociatingwithandcomplicatingoneanotherinthesamebody are the morbid complication resulting from the art of the ordinary practitioner, which the inappropriate medicaltreatment(theallopathicmethod)isapttoproducebythelongcontinuedemploymentofunsuitable drugs.Tothenaturaldisease,whichitisproposedtocure,therearethenadded,bytheconstantrepetitionof theunsuitablemedicalagent,thenew,oftenverytedious,morbidconditionswhichmightbeanticipatedfrom thepeculiarpowersofthedrug;thesegraduallycoalescewithandcomplicatethechronicmaladywhichis dissimilartothem(whichtheywereunabletocurebysimilarityofaction,thatis,homoeopathically),adding totheolddiseaseanew,dissimilar,artificialmaladyofachronicnature,andthusgivethepatientadoublein place of a single disease, that is to say,render him muchworse and more difficult tocure,often quite incurable.Manyofthecasesforwhichadviceisaskedinmedicaljournals,asalsotherecordsofothercases inmedicalwritings,attestthetruthofthis.Ofasimilarcharacterarethefrequentcasesinwhichthevenereal chancrousdisease,complicatedespeciallywithpsoraorwiththevenerealchancrousdisease,complicated especiallywithpsoraorwithdyscrasiaofcondylomatousgonorrhoea,isnotcuredbylongcontinuedor frequentlyrepeatedtreatmentwithlargedosesofunsuitablemercurialpreparations,butassumesitsplacein theorganismbesidethechronicmercurialaffection1thathasbeeninthemeantimegraduallydeveloped,and thusalongwithitoftenformsahideousmonsterofcomplicateddisease(underthegeneralnameofmasked venerealdisease),whichthen,whennotquiteincurable,canonlybetransformedintohealthwiththegreatest difficulty.
1

Formercury,besidesthemorbidsymptomswhichbyvirtueofsimilaritycancurethevenerealdisease homoeopathically,hasamongits effectsmanyothers unlikethoseofsyphilis, for instance,swelling and ulcerationofbones,which,ifitbeemployedinlargedoses,causesnewmaladiesandcommitgreatravagesin thebody,especiallywhencomplicatedwithpsora,asissofrequentlythecase. 41SixthEdition Muchmorefrequentthanthenaturaldiseasesassociatingwithandcomplicatingoneanotherinthesamebody are the morbid complication resulting from the art of the ordinary practitioner, which the inappropriate medicaltreatment(theallopathicmethod)isapttoproducebythelongcontinuedemploymentofunsuitable drugs.Tothenaturaldisease,whichitisproposedtocure,therearethenadded,bytheconstantrepetitionof theunsuitablemedicalagent,thenew,oftenverytedious,morbidconditionscorrespondingtothenatureof thisagent;thesegraduallycoalescewithandcomplicatethechronicmaladywhichisdissimilartothem (whichtheywereunabletocurebysimilarityofaction,thatis,homoeopathically),addingtotheolddiseasea new,dissimilar,artificialmaladyofachronicnature,andthusgivethepatientadoubleinplaceofasingle disease,thatistosay,renderhimmuchworseandmoredifficulttocure,oftenquiteincurable.Manyofthe

casesforwhichadviceisaskedinmedicaljournals,asalsotherecordsofothercasesinmedicalwritings, attestthetruthofthis.Ofasimilarcharacterarethefrequentcasesinwhichthevenerealchancrousdisease, complicatedespeciallywithpsoraorwiththevenerealchancrousdisease,complicatedespeciallywithpsora or with dyscrasia of condylomatous gonorrhoea, is not cured by longcontinued or frequently repeated treatmentwithlargedosesofunsuitablemercurialpreparations,butassumesitsplaceintheorganismbeside thechronicmercurialaffection1 thathasbeeninthemeantimegraduallydeveloped,andthusalongwithit oftenformsahideousmonsterofcomplicateddisease(underthegeneralnameofmaskedvenerealdisease), whichthen,whennotquiteincurable,canonlybetransformedintohealthwiththegreatestdifficulty.
1

Formercury,besidesthemorbidsymptomswhichbyvirtueofsimilaritycancurethevenerealdisease homoeopathically,hasamongits effectsmanyothers unlikethoseofsyphilis, for instance,swelling and ulcerationofbones,which,ifitbeemployedinlargedoses,causesnewmaladiesandcommitgreatravagesin thebody,especiallywhencomplicatedwithpsora,asissofrequentlythecase.

42 Natureherselfpermits,ashasbeenstated,insomecases,thesimultaneousoccurrenceoftwo(indeed,of three)naturaldiseaseinoneandthesamebody.Thiscomplication,however,itmustberemarked,happens onlyinthecaseoftwodissimilardisease,whichaccordingtotheeternallawsofnaturedonotremove,donot annihilateandcannotcureoneanother,but,asitseems,both(orallthree)remain,asitwere,separateinthe organism,andeachtakespossessionofthepartsandsystemspeculiarlyappropriatetoit,which,onaccountof thewantofresemblanceofthesemaladiestoeachother,canverywellhappenwithoutdisparagementtothe unityoflife.

43 Totallydifferent,however,istheresultwhentwosimilardiseasemeettogetherintheorganism,thatistosay, whentothediseasealreadypresentastrongersimilaroneisadded.Insuchcasesweseehowacurecanbe effectedbytheoperationsofnature,andwegetalessonastohowmanoughttocure.

44FifthEdition Twodiseasessimilartoeachothercanneither(asisassertedofdissimilardiseaseinI)repeloneanother,nor (ashasbeenshownofdissimilardiseaseinII)suspendonanother,sothattheoldoneshallreturnafterthe new one has run its course; and just as little can two similar disease (as has been demonstrated in III respectingdissimilaraffections)existbesideeachotherinthesameorganism,ortogetherformadouble complexdisease. 44SixthEdition Similardiseasescanneither(asisassertedofdissimilardiseaseinI)repeloneanother,nor(ashasbeen shownofdissimilardiseaseinII)suspendonanother,sothattheoldoneshallreturnafterthenewonehas runitscourse;andjustaslittlecantwosimilardisease(ashasbeendemonstratedinIIIrespectingdissimilar affections)existbesideeachotherinthesameorganism,ortogetherformadoublecomplexdisease.

45FifthEdition

No!Twodiseases,differing,itistrue,inkind1 butverysimilarintheirphenomenaandeffectsandinthe sufferings and symptoms they severally produce, invariably annihilate one another whenever they meet togetherintheorganism;thestrongerdiseasenamely,annihilatestheweaker,andthatforthissimplereason, becausethestrongermorbificpowerwhenitinvadesthesystem,byreasonofitssimilarityofactioninvolves preciselythesamepartoftheorganismthatwerepreviouslyaffectedbytheweakermorbidirritation,which, consequently,cannolongeractontheseparts,butisextinguished 2,or(inotherwords)because,wheneverthe vitalforce,derangedbytheprimarydisease,ismorestronglyattackedbythenew,verysimilar,butstronger dynamicmorbificpower,itthereforenowremainsaffectedbythelatteralone,wherebytheoriginal,similar butweakerdiseasemust,asameredynamicpowerwithoutmaterialsubstratum,ceasetoexerciseanyfurther morbidinfluenceonthevitalforce,consequentlyitmustceasetoexist.
1

Vide,supra,26,note.

Justastheimageofalampsflameisrapidlyoverpoweredandeffacedfromourretinabythestronger sunbeamimpingingontheeye. 45SixthEdition

No!Twodiseases,differing,itistrue,inkind1 butverysimilarintheirphenomenaandeffectsandinthe sufferings and symptoms they severally produce, invariably annihilate one another whenever they meet togetherintheorganism;thestrongerdiseasenamely,annihilatestheweaker,andthatforthissimplereason, becausethestrongermorbificpowerwhenitinvadesthesystem,byreasonofitssimilarityofactioninvolves preciselythesamepartoftheorganismthatwerepreviouslyaffectedbytheweakermorbidirritation,which, consequently,cannolongeractontheseparts,butisextinguished2,or(inotherwords),thenewsimilarbut strongermorbificpotencycontrolsthefeelingsofthepatientandhencethelifeprincipleonaccountofits peculiarity,cannolongerfeeltheweakersimilarwhichbecomesextinguishedexistsnolongerforitwas neveranythingmaterial,butadynamicspiritlike(conceptual)affection.Thelifeprinciplehenceforthis affectedonlyandthisbuttemporarilybythenew,similarbutstrongermorbificpotency.
1

Vide,supra,26,note.

Justastheimageofalampsflameisrapidlyoverpoweredandeffacedfromourretinabythestronger sunbeamimpingingontheeye.

46 Manyexamplesmightbeadducedofdiseasewhich,inthecourseofnature,havebeenhomoeopathically curedbyotherdiseasespresentingsimilarsymptoms,wereitnotnecessary,asourobjectistospeakabout something determinate and indubitable, to confine our attention solely to those (few) disease which are invariablythesame,arisefromafixedmiasm,andhencemeritadistinctname. Amongthesethesmallpox,sodreadedonaccountofthegreatnumberofitsserioussymptoms,occupiesa prominentposition,andithasremovedandcuredanumberofmaladieswithsimilarsymptoms. Howfrequentlydoessmallpoxproduceviolentophthalmia,sometimesevencausingblindness!Andsee!By itsinoculationDezoteux1curedachronicophthalmiapermanently,andLeroy2another. An amaurosis of two years duration, consequent on suppressed scald head, was perfectly cured by it, accordingtoKlein.3 How oftendoes smallpoxcausedeafnessand dyspnoea!And boththesechronicdiseases it removedon

reachingitsacme,asJ.Fr.Closs4observed. Swellingofthetesticle,evenofaveryseverecharacter,isafrequentsymptomofsmallpox,andonthis accountitwasenabled,asKlein5observed,tocure,byvirtueofsimilarity,alargehardswellingoftheleft testicle,consequentlyonabruise.Andanotherobserver6sawasimilarswellingofthetesticlecuredbyit. Amongthetroublesomesymptomsofsmallpoxisadysentericstateofthebowels;anditsubdued,asFr. Wendt7observed,acaseofdysentery,asasimilarmorbificagent. Smallpoxcomingonaftervaccination,aswellonaccountofitsgreaterstrengthasitsgreatsimilarity,atonce removesentirelythecowpoxhomoeopathically,anddoesnotpermitittocometomaturity;but,ontheother hand,thecowpoxwhennearmaturitydoes,onaccountofitsgreatsimilarity,homoeopathicallydiminish verymuchthesuperveningsmallpoxandmakeitmuchmilder8,asMuhry9andmanyotherstestify. Theinoculatedcowpox,whoselymph,besidestheprotectivematter,containsthecontagionofageneral cutaneouseruptionofanothernature,consistingofusuallysmall,dry(rarelylarge,pustular)pimples,resting onasmallredareola,frequentlyconjoinedwithroundredcutaneousspotsandoftenaccompaniedbythe mostviolentitching,whichrashappearsinnotafewchildrenseveraldaysbefore,morefrequently,however, aftertheredareolaofthecowpock,andgoesoffinafewdays,leavingbehindsmall,red,hardspotsonthe skin;theinoculatedcowpox,Isay,afterithastaken,curesperfectlyandpermanently,inahomoeopathic manner,bythesimilarityofthisaccessorymiasm,analogouscutaneouseruptionsofchildren,oftenofvery longstandingandofaverytroublesomecharacter,asanumberofobserversassert.10 Thecowpox,apeculiarsymptomofwhichistocausetumefactionofthearm 11,cured,afteritbrokeout,a swollenhalfparalyzedarm.12 The fever accompanying cowpox, which occurs at the time of the production of the red areola, cured homoeopathicallyintermittentfeverintwoindividuals,astheyoungerHardege 13reports,confirmingwhatJ. Hunter14hadalreadyobserved,thattwofevers(similardiseases)cannotcoexistinthesamebody. Themeaslesbearastrongresemblanceinthecharacterofitsfeverandcoughtothewhoopingcough,and hence it wasthat Bosquillon15 noticed, in an epidemic whereboth these affections prevailed,that many childrenwhothentookmeaslesremainedfreefromwhoopingcoughduringthatepidemic.Theywouldall havebeenprotectedfrom,andrenderedincapableofbeinginfectedby,thewhoopingcoughinthatandall subsequentepidemics,bythemeasles,ifthewhoopingcoughwerenotadiseasethathasonlyapartial similaritytothemeasles,thatistosay,ifithadalsoacutaneouseruptionsimilartowhatthelatterpossesses. Asitis,however,themeaslescanbutpreservealargenumberfromwhoopingcoughhomoeopathically,and thatonlyintheepidemicprevailingatthetime. If,however,themeaslescomeincontactwithadiseaseresemblingitinitschiefsymptom,theeruption,itcan indisputablyremove,andeffectahomoeopathiccureofthelatter.Thusachronicherpeticeruption was entirely and permanently (homoeopathically) cured16 by the breaking out of the measles, as Kortum17 observed.Anexcessivelyburningmiliaryrashontheface,neck,andarms,thathadlastedsixyears,andwas aggravatedbyeverychangeofweather,ontheinvasionofmeaslesassumedtheformofaswellingofthe surfaceoftheskin;afterthemeasleshadrunitscoursetheexanthemawascured,andreturnednomore.18
1

Traitedelinoculation,p.189. HeilkundefurMutter,p.384. Interpresclinicus,p.293. NeueHeilartderKinderpocken.Ulm,1769,p.68;andSpecim.,obs.No.18.

Op.cit. Nov.Act.Nat.cur.,vol,I,obs.22. NachrichtVondemKrankeninstitutzuErlangen,1783.

AnewfootnoteisaddedhereintheSixthEdition,asfollows: Thisseemstobethereasonforthisbeneficialremarkablefactnamelythatsincethegeneraldistributionof JannersCowpoxvaccination,humansmallpoxneveragainappearedasepidemicallyorvirulentlyas4045 yearsbeforewhenonecityvisitedlostatleastonehalfandoftenthreequartersofitschildrenbydeathofthis miserablepestilence.

9

Willian,UeberdieKuhpockenimpfung,ausdemEngl.,mitZusatzenG.P.Muhry,Gottingen,1808.

10

EspeciallyClavier,HurelandDesmormeaux,intheBulletindessciencsmedicales,publieparlesmembres delEure,1808,alsointheJournaldemedicinecontinue,vol.xv,p.206.
11

Balhorn,inHufelandsJournal,10,ii. Stevenson,inDuncansAnnalsofMedicine,lustr.2,vol.I,pt.2,No.9.

12

13

InHufelandsJournal,xxiii.

14

OntheVeneralDisease,p.4. CullensElementsofPracticalMedicine,pt.2,I,3,ch.vii.

15

16

Oratleastthatsymptomwasremoved.

17

InHufelandsJournal,xx,3,p.50. Rau,Ueberd.Werthdeshom.Heidelb.,1824,p.85.

18

47 Nothingcouldteachthephysicianinaplainerandmoreconvincingmannerthantheabovewhatkindof artificialmorbificagent(medicine)heoughttochooseinordertocureinasure,rapidandpermanentmanner, conformablywiththeprocessthattakesplaceinnature.

48 Neitherinthecourseofnature,asweseefromalltheaboveexamples,norbythephysiciansart,canan existingaffectionormaladyinanyoneinstanceberemovedbyadissimilarmorbificagent,beiteverso strong, but solely by one that is similar in symptoms and is somewhat stronger, according to eternal, irrevocablelawsofnature,whichhavenothithertobeenrecognized.

49 Weshouldhavebeenabletomeetwithmanymorereal,naturalhomoeopathiccuresofthiskindif,ontheone hand,theattentionofobservershadbeenmoredirectedtothem,and,ontheotherhand,ifnaturehadnotbeen sodeficientinhelpfulhomoeopathicdiseases.

50 MightyNatureherselfhas,aswesee,athercommand,asinstrumentsforeffectinghomoeopathiccures,little besides the miasmatic diseases of constant character, (the itch) measles and smallpox 1, morbific agents which2,asremedies,areeithermoredangeroustolifeandmoretobedreadedthanthediseasetheyareto cure,theythemselvesrequirecuring,inordertobeeradicatedintheirturnbothcircumstancesthatmake theiremployment,ashomoeopathicremedies,difficult,uncertainanddangerous.Andhowfewdiseasesare theretowhichmanissubjectthatfindtheirsimilarremedyinsmallpox,measlesoritch!Hence,inthecourse ofnature,veryfewmaladiescanbecuredbytheseuncertainandhazardoushomoeopathicremedies,andthe curebytheirinstrumentalityisalsoattendedwithdangerandmuchdifficulty,forthisreasonthatthedosesof thesemorbificpowerscannotbediminishedaccordingtocircumstances,asdosesofmedicinecan;butthe patientafflictedwithananalogousmaladyoflongstandingmustbesubjectedtotheentiredangerousand tediousdisease,totheentirediseaseofsmallpox,measles(oritch),whichinitsturnhastobecured.Andyet, asisseen,wecanpointtosomestrikinghomoeopathiccureseffectedbythisluckyconcurrence,allsomany incontrovertibleproofsofthegreat,thesoletherapeuticlawofnaturethatobtainsinthem:Curebysymptoms similarity!
1

Andtheexanthematouscontagiousprinciplepresentinthecowpoxlymph. Namely,smallpoxandmeasles.

51 This therapeuticlawis renderedobvious toall intelligent minds bythese instances,and theyareamply sufficientforthisend.But,ontheotherhand,seewhatadvantagesmanhasovercrudeNatureinherhappy goluckyoperations.Howmanythousandsmoreofhomoeopathicmorbificagentshasnotmanathisdisposal forthereliefofhissufferingfellowcreaturesinthemedicinalsubstancesuniversallydistributedthroughout creation!Inthemhehasproducersofdiseaseofallpossiblevarietiesofaction,foralltheinnumerable,forall conceivableandinconceivablenaturaldiseases,towhichtheycanrenderhomoeopathicaidmorbificagents (medicinalsubstances),whosepower,whentheirremedialemploymentiscompleted,beingovercomebythe vitalforce,disappearsspontaneouslywithoutrequiringasecondcourseoftreatmentforitsextirpation,like theitchartificialmorbificagents,whichthephysiciancanattenuate,subdivideandpotentizealmosttoan infiniteextent,andthedoseofwhichhecandiminishtosuchadegreethattheyshallremainonlyslightly strongerthanthesimilarnaturaldiseasetheyareemployedtocure;sothatinthisincomparablemethodof cure,thereisnonecessityforanyviolentattackupontheorganismfortheeradicationofevenaninveterate diseaseofoldstanding;thecurebythismethodtakesplacebyonlyagentle,imperceptibleandyetoftenrapid transitionfromthetormentingnaturaldiseasetothedesiredstateofpermanenthealth.

52FifthEdition Surelynointelligentphysician,aftertheseexamplesasclearasdaylight,canstillgoonintheoldordinary systemofmedicine,attackingthebody,ashashithertobeendone,initsleastdiseasedpartswith(allopathic) medicinesthathavenodirectpathological(homoeopathic)relationtothediseasetobecured,withpurgatives, counterirritants,derivatives,etc.1,andthusatasacrificeofthepatientsstrength,inducingamorbidstate quite heterogeneousand dissimilar totheoriginal one, totheruin ofhis constitution, bylargedoses of mixturesofmedicinesgenerallyofunknownqualities,theemploymentofwhichcanhavenootherresult,asis demonstratedbytheeternallawsofnatureintheaboveandallothercasesintheworldinwhichadissimilar diseaseisaddedtotheotherinthehumanorganism,foracureisnevertherebyeffectedindisease,butan aggravationistheinvariableconsequence,thereforeitcanhavenootherresultthanthateither(because, accordingtotheprocessofnaturedescribedinI,theolderdiseaseinthebodyrepelsthe dissimilarone wherewiththepatientisassailed)thenaturaldiseaseremainsasitwas,undermildallopathictreatment,beit eversolongcontinued,thepatientbeingtherebyweakened;or(because,accordingtotheprocessofnature describedinII,thenewandstrongerdiseasemerelyobscuresandsuspendsforashorttimetheoriginal weakerdissimilarone),bytheviolentattackonthebodywithstrongallopathicdrugs,theoriginaldisease seemstoyieldforatime,toreturninatleastallitsformerstrength;or(because,accordingtotheprocessof naturedescribedinIII,twodissimilardiseases,whenbothareofachroniccharacterandofequalstrength, takeupapositionwhenbesideoneanotherintheorganismandcomplicateeachother)inthosecasesin whichthephysicianemploysforalongtimemorbificagentsoppositeanddissimilartothenaturalchronic diseaseandallopathicmedicinesinlargedoses,suchallopathictreatment,withouteverbeingabletoremove andtocuretheoriginal(dissimilar)chronicdisease,onlydevelopsnewartificialdiseasesbesideit;and,as dailyexperienceshows,onlyrendersthepatientmuchworseandmoreincurablethanbefore.
1

VidesupraintheIntroduction:AreviewoftheTherapeutics,etc.,andmybook,DieAlloopathie,einWort derWarnungfurKrankejederArt,Leipzig,beiBaumgartner(translatedinHahnemannsLesserWritings.) 52SixthEdition Therearebuttwoprinciplemethodsofcure:theonebasedonlyonaccurateobservationofnature,oncareful experimentationandpureexperience,thehomoeopathic(beforeweneverdesignedlyused)andasecond whichdoesnotdothis,theheteropathicorallopathic.Eachopposestheother,andonlyhewhodoesnotknow eithercanholdthedelusionthattheycaneverapproacheachotherorevenbecomeunited,ortomakehimself soridiculousastopracticeatonetimehomoeopathicallyatanotherallopathically,accordingtothepleasure ofthepatient;apracticewhichmaybecalledcriminaltreasonagainstdivinehomoeopathy.

53FifthEdition True,mildcurestakeplace,aswesee,onlyinahomoeopathicwayawaywhich,aswehavealsoshown above(725)inadifferentmanner,byexperienceanddeductions,isalsothetrueandonlyonewhereby diseasesmaybemostsurely,rapidlyandpermanentlyextinguishedbyart;forthismodeofcureisfoundedon aneternal,infalliblelawofnature. 53SixthEdition Thetruemildcurestakeplaceonlyaccordingtothehomoeopathicmethod,which,aswehavefound(7 25)byexperienceanddeduction,isunquestionablytheproperonebywhichthroughartthequickest,most certainandmostpermanentcuresareobtainedsincethishealingartrestsuponaneternalinfalliblelawof nature.

Thepurehomoeopathichealingartistheonlycorrectmethod,theonepossibletohumanart,thestraightest waytocure,ascertainasthatthereisbutonestraightlinebetweentwogivenpoints.

54FifthEdition This,thehomoeopathicway,must,moreover,asobservedabove(4349)betheonlyproperone,because, ofthethreepossiblemodesofemployingmedicinesindiseases,itistheonlydirectwaytoamild,sure, permanent cure without doing injury in another direction, and without weakening the patient. The pure homoeopathicmodeofcureistheonlyproperway,theonlydirectway,theonlywaypossibletohumanskill, ascertainlyasonlyonestraightlinecanbedrawnbetwixttwogivenpoints. 54SixthEdition Theallopathicmethodoftreatmentutilizedmanythingsagainstdisease,butusuallyonlyimproperones (alloea)andruledforagesindifferentformscalledsystems.Everyoneofthese,followingeachotherfrom timetotimeanddifferinggreatlyeachfromtheother,honoreditselfwiththenameofRationalMedicine1. Everybuilderofsuchasystemcherishedthehaughtyestimationofhimselfthathewasabletopenetrateinto theinnernatureoflifeofthehealthyaswellasofthesickandclearlytorecognizeitandaccordinglygavethe prescriptionwhichnoxiousmatter2shouldbebanishedfromthesickman,andhowtobanishitinorderto restorehimtohealth,allthisaccordingtoemptyassumptionsandarbitrarysuppositionswithouthonestly questioning nature and listening without prejudice to the voice of experience. Diseases were held to be conditionsthatreappearedprettymuchinthesamemanner.Mostsystemsgave,therefore,namestotheir imagineddiseasepicturesandclassifiedthem,everysystemdifferently.Tomedicineswereascribedactions which were supposed to cure these abnormal conditions. (Hence the numerous text books on Materia Medica.3)
1

As if the establishment of a science, based only on observation of nature and pure experiment and experienceidlespeculationandscholasticvaporingscouldhaveaplace.
2

Uptothemostrecenttimeswhatiscurableinsicknesswassupposedtobematerialthathadtoberemoved sincenoonecouldconceiveofadynamiceffect(11note)ofmorbificagencies,suchasmedicinesexercise uponthelifeoftheanimalorganism.

3

Tofillthemeasureofselfinfatuationtooverflowinghereweremixed(verylearnedly)constantlymore, indeed,manydifferentmedicinesinsocalledprescriptionstobeadministeredinfrequentandlargedosesand thereby the precious, easilydestroyed human life was endangered in the hands of these perverted ones. Especiallysowithseton,venesection,emetics,purgatives,plasters,fontanellesandcauterization.

55FifthEdition Thesecondmodeofemployingmedicinesindiseases,theallopathicorhomoeopathic,which,withoutany pathologicalrelationtowhatisactuallydiseasedinthebody,attacksthepartsmostexemptfromthedisease, inordertodrawawaythediseasethroughthemandthustoexpelit,asisimagined,hashithertobeenthemost generalmethod.IhavetreatedofitaboveintheIntroduction1,andshallnotdwelllongeronit.

1

ReviewoftheTherapeutics,etc.

55SixthEdition Soon,however,thepublicbecameconvincedthatthesufferingsofthesickincreasedandheightenedwiththe introductionofeveryoneofthesesystemsandmethodsofcureiffollowedexactly.Longagotheseallopathic physicianswouldhavebeenlefthaditnotbeenforthepalliativereliefobtainedattimesfromempirically discoveredremedieswhosealmostinstantaneousflatteringactionisapparenttothepatientandthistosome extentservedtokeepuptheircredit.

Thethirdandonlyremainingmethod ofemployingmedicinesindiseases,which,besidestheothertwojust alludedto,istheonlyotherpossibleone,istheantipathic(enantiopathic)orpalliativemethod,wherewiththe physiciancouldhithertoappeartobemostuseful,andhopedmostcertainlytogainhispatientsconfidence bydeludinghimwithmomentaryamelioration.ButIshallnowproceedtoshowhowinefficaciousandhow injuriousthisthirdandsoleremainingwaywas,indiseasesofanotveryrapidcourse.Itiscertainlytheonly oneofthemodesoftreatmentadoptedbytheallopathsthathadanymanifestrelationtoaportionofthe sufferingscausedbythenaturaldisease;butwhatkindofrelation?Ofatruththeveryone(theexactcontrary oftherightone)thatoughtmosttobeavoidedifwewouldnotdeludeandmakeamockeryofthepatient affectedwithachronicdisease.
1

56FifthEdition

AfourthmodeofemployingmedicinesindiseaseshasbeenattemptedtobecreatedbymeansofIsopathy, asitiscalledthatistosay,amethodofcuringagivendiseasebythesamecontagiousparticlethatproduces it.Butevengrantingthiscouldbedone,whichwouldcertainlybeavaluablediscovery,yet,afterall,seeing thatthevirusisgiventothepatienthighlypotentized,andthereby,consequently,toacertaindegreeinan alteredcondition,thecureiseffectedonlybyopposingasimillimumtoasimillimum. 56SixthEdition Bymeansofthispalliative(antipathic,enantiopathic)method,introducedaccordingtoGalensteaching Contrariacontrariisforseventeencenturies,thephysicianshithertocouldhopetowinconfidencewhile they deluded with almost instantaneous amelioration. But how fundamentally unhelpful and hurtful this methodoftreatmentis(indiseasesnotrunningarapidcourse)weshallseeinwhatfollows.Itiscertainlythe onlyoneofthemodesoftreatmentadoptedbytheallopathsthathadanymanifestrelationtoaportionofthe sufferingscausedbythenaturaldisease;butwhatkindofrelation?Ofatruththeveryone(theexactcontrary oftherightone)thatoughtcarefullytobeavoidedifwewouldnotdeludeandmakeamockeryofthepatient affectedwithachronicdisease1.
1

AthirdmodeofemployingmedicinesindiseaseshasbeenattemptedtobecreatedbymeansofIsopathy,as itiscalledthatistosay,amethodofcuringagivendiseasebythesamecontagiousprinciplethatproduces it. Butevengrantingthiscouldbedone,yet,afterall,seeingthatthevirusisgiventothepatienthighly potentized,andconsequently,inanalteredcondition,thecureiseffectedonlybyopposingasimillimumtoa simillimum. Toattempttocurebymeansoftheverysamemorbificpotency(perIdem)contradictsallnormalhuman understandingandhenceallexperience.ThosewhofirstbroughtIsopathytonotice,probablythoughtofthe benefitwhichmankindreceivedfromcowpoxvaccinationbywhichthevaccinatedindividualisprotected againstfuturecowpoxinfectionandasitwerecuredinadvance. Butboth,cowpoxandsmallpoxareonly similar,innowaythesamedisease.Inmanyrespectstheydiffer,namelyinthemorerapidcourseand mildness ofcowpoxandespeciallyinthis,thatisnevercontagioustomanbymorenearness.Universal

vaccinationputanendtoallepidemicsofthatdeadlyfearfulsmallpoxtosuchanextentthatthepresent generationdoesnolongerpossessaclearconceptionoftheformerfrightfulsmallpoxplague. Moreover,in this way,undoubtedly,certaindiseasespeculiartoanimals maygive us remediesand thus happilyenlargeourstockofhomoeopathicremedies. Buttouseahumanmorbificmatter(aPsorintakenfromtheitchinman)asaremedyforthesameitchorfor evilsarisentherefromis? Nothingcanresultfromthisbuttroubleandaggravationofthedisease.

57 Inordertocarryintopracticethisantipathicmethod,theordinaryphysiciangives,forasingletroublesome symptomfromamongthemanyothersymptomsofthediseasewhichhepassesbyunheeded,amedicine concerning which it is known that it produces the exact opposite of the morbid symptom sought to be subdued,fromwhich,agreeablytothefifteencenturiesoldtraditionalruleoftheantiquatedmedical school(contrariacontrariis)hecanexpectthespeediest(palliative)relief.Hegiveslargedosesofopiumfor painsofallsorts, becausethis drugsoonbenumbsthesensibility,andadministersthesameremedyfor diarrhoeas,because it speedily puts a stop to the peristaltic motion of the intestinal canaland makes it insensible;andalsoforsleeplessness,becauseopiumrapidlyproducesastupefied,comatosesleep;hegives purgativeswhenthepatienthassufferedlongfromconstipationandcostiveness;hecausestheburnthandto beplungedintocoldwater,which,fromitslowdegreeoftemperature,seemsinstantaneouslytoremovethe burningpain,asifbymagic;heputsthepatientwhocomplainsofchillinessanddeficiencyofvitalheatinto warmbaths,whichwarmhimimmediately;hemakeshimwhoissufferingfromprolongeddebilitydrink wine, whereby he is instantly enlivened and refreshed; and in like manner he employs other opposite (antipathic)remedialmeans,buthehasveryfewbesidesthosejustmentioned,asitisonlyofveryfew substancesthatsomepeculiar(primary)actionisknowntotheordinarymedicalschool.

58 If,inestimatingthevalueofthismodeofemployingmedicines,weshouldevenpassoverthecircumstance thatitisanextremelyfaultysymptomatictreatment(v.noteto7),whereinthepractitionerdevoteshis attentioninamerelyonesidedmannertoasinglesymptom,consequentlytoonlyasmallpartofthewhole, wherebyreliefforthetotalityofthedisease,whichiswhatthepatientdesires,cannotevidentlybeexpected, wemust,ontheotherhand,demandofexperienceif,inonesinglecasewheresuchantipathicemploymentof medicinewasmadeuseofinachronicorpersistingaffection,afterthetransientameliorationtheredidnot ensue an increased aggravation of the symptom which was subdued at first in a palliative manner, an aggravation,indeed,ofthewholedisease?Andeveryattentiveobserverwillagreethat,aftersuchshort antipathicamelioration,aggravationfollowsineverycasewithoutexception,althoughtheordinaryphysician isinthehabitofgivinghispatientanotherexplanationofthissubsequentaggravation,andascribesitto malignancyoftheoriginaldisease,nowforthefirsttimeshowingitself,ortotheoccurrenceofquiteanew disease1.
1

Littleasphysicianshavehithertobeeninthehabitofobservingaccurately,theaggravationthatsocertainly followssuchpalliativetreatmentcouldnotaltogetherescapetheirnotice.Astrikingexampleofthisistobe found in J. H. Schulzes Diss. qua corporis humani momentanearum alterationum specimina quoedam expenduntur,Hale,1741,28.Willisbearstestimonytosomethingsimilar(Pharm.rat.,7,cap.I,p.298): Opiatadoloresatroscissimosplerumquesedantatqueindolentiamprocurant,camquealiquamdiuetpro

statoquodamtemporecontinuant,quospatioelapsodoloresmoxrecrusescuntetbreviadsolitamferociam augentur. And also at page 295: Exactis opii viribus illico redeunt tormina, nec atrocitatem suam remittunt,nisidumabeodempharmacorursusincantuntur.InlikemannerJ.Hunter(OntheVenereal Disease,p.13)saysthatwineandcordialsgiventotheweakincreasetheactionwithoutgivingrealstrength, andthepowersofthebodyareafterwardssunkproportionallyastheyhavebeenraised,bywhichnothingcan begained,butagreatdealmaybelost.

59 Important symptoms of persistent diseases have never yet been treated with such palliative, antagonistic remedies,withouttheoppositestate,arelapseindeed,apalpableaggravationofthemaladyoccurringa fewhoursafterwards.Forapersistenttendencytosleepinessduringthedaythephysicianprescribedcoffee, whoseprimaryactionistoenliven;andwhenithadexhausteditsactionthedaysomnolenceincreased;for frequentwakingatnighthegaveintheevening,withoutheedingtheothersymptomsofthedisease,opium, whichbyvirtueofitsprimaryactionproducedthesamenight(stupefied,dull)sleep,butthesubsequent nightswerestillmoresleeplessthanbefore;tochronicdiarrhoeasheopposed,withoutregardingtheother morbidsigns,thesameopium,whoseprimaryactionistoconstipatethebowels,andafteratransientstoppage ofthediarrhoeaitsubsequentlybecamealltheworse;violentandfrequentlyrecurringpainsofallkindshe couldsuppresswithopiumforbutashorttime;theythenalwaysreturnedingreater,oftenintolerableseverity, or some much worse affection came in their stead. For nocturnal cough of long standing the ordinary physicianknewnobetterthantoadministeropium,whoseprimaryactionistosuppresseveryirritation;the coughwouldthenperhapsceasethefirstnight,butduringthesubsequentnightsitwouldbestillmoresevere, andifitwereagainandagainsuppressedbythispalliativeinincreaseddoses,feverandnocturnalperspiration wereaddedtothedisease;weaknessofthebladder,withconsequentretentionofurine,wassoughttobe conqueredbytheantipathicworkofcantharidestostimulatetheurinarypassageswherebyevacuationofthe urinewascertainlyatfirsteffectedbutthereafterthebladderbecomeslesscapableofstimulationandless abletocontract,andparalysisofthebladderisimminent;withlargedosesofpurgativedrugsandlaxative salts, which excite the bowels to frequent evacuation, it was sought to remove a chronic tendency to constipation,butinthesecondaryactionthebowelsbecamestillmoreconfined;theordinaryphysician seekstoremovechronicdebilitybytheadministrationofwine,which,however,stimulatesonlyinitsprimary action,andhencetheforcessinkallthelowerinthesecondaryitsprimaryaction,andhencetheforcessink allthelowerinthesecondaryaction;bybittersubstancesandheatingcondimentshetriestostrengthenand warmthechronicallyweakandcoldstomach,butinthesecondaryactionofthesepalliatives,whichare stimulatingintheirprimaryactiononly,thestomachbecomesyetmoreinactive;longstandingdeficiencyof vitalheatandchillydispositionoughtsurelytoyieldtoprescriptionsofwarmbaths,butstillmoreweak,cold, andchillydothepatientssubsequentlybecome;severelyburntpartsfeelinstantaneousalleviationfromthe application of cold water, but the burning pain afterwards increases to an incredible degree, and the inflammationspreadsandrisestoastillgreaterheight;1bymeansofthesternutatoryremediesthatprovoke asecretionofmucus,coryzawithstoppageofthenoseoflongstandingissoughttoberemoved,butit escapes observation that the disease is aggravated all the more by these antagonistic remedies (in their secondaryaction),andthenosebecomesstillmorestopped;byelectricityandgalvanism,withintheir primaryactiongreatlystimulatemuscularaction,chronicallyweakandalmostparalyticlimbsweresoon excitedtomoreactivemovements,buttheconsequence(thesecondaryaction)wascompletedeadeningofall muscular irritability and complete paralysis; by venesections it was attempted to remove chronic determinationofbloodtothehead,buttheywerealwaysfollowedbygreatercongestion;ordinarymedical practitionersknownothingbetterwithwhichtotreattheparalytictorporofthecorporealandmentalorgans,

conjoinedwithunconsciousness,whichprevailsinmanykindsoftyphus,thanwithlargedosesofvalerian, becausethisisoneofthemostpowerfulmedicinalagentsforcausinganimationandincreasingthemotor faculty;intheirignorance,however,theyknewnotthatthisactionisonlyaprimaryaction,andthatthe organism, afterthatispassed,mostcertainlyfallsback,inthesecondary(antagonistic)action,intostill greaterstuporandimmobility,thatistosay,intoparalysisofthementalandcorporealorgans(anddeath); theydidnotsee,thattheverydiseasestheysuppliedmostplentifullywithvalerian,whichisinsuchcasesan oppositelyacting,antipathicremedy,mostinfalliblyterminatedfatally.Theoldschoolphysicianrejoices2that heisabletoreduceforseveralhoursthevelocityofthesmallrapidpulseincachecticpatientswiththevery firstdoseofuncombinedpurplefoxglove(whichinitsprimaryactionmakesthepulseslower);itsrapidity, however,soonreturns;repeated,andnowincreaseddoseseffectaneversmallerdiminutionofitsrapidity,and atlengthnoneatallindeedinthesecondaryactionthepulsebecomesuncountable;sleep,appetiteand strengthdepart,andaspeedydeathisinvariablytheresult,orelseinsanityensues.Howoften,inoneword, thediseaseisaggravated,orsomethingevenworseiseffectedbythesecondaryactionofsuchantagonistic (antipathic)remedies,theoldschoolwithitsfalsetheoriesdoesnotperceive,butexperienceteachesitina terriblemanner.
1

VideIntroduction. VideHufeland,inhispamphlet,DieHomoopathie,p.20.

60FifthEdition If these illeffects are produced, as may very naturally be expected from the antipathic employment of medicines, the ordinary physician imagines he can get over the difficulty by giving, at each renewed aggravation,astrongerdoseoftheremedy,wherebyanequallytransientsuppressioniseffected;andasthere thenisastillgreaternecessityforgivingeverincreasingquantitiesofthepalliativethereensueseitheranother moreserious diseaseorfrequentlyevendangertolifeanddeathitself, but neveracureofadiseaseof considerableoroflongstanding. 60SixthEdition If these illeffects are produced, as may very naturally be expected from the antipathic employment of medicines, the ordinary physician imagines he can get over the difficulty by giving, at each renewed aggravation,astrongerdoseoftheremedy,wherebyanequallytransientsuppression1iseffected;andasthere thenisastillgreaternecessityforgivingeverincreasingquantitiesofthepalliativethereensueseither anothermoreseriousdiseaseorfrequentlyevendangertolifeanddeathitself,butneveracureofadiseaseof considerableoroflongstanding.
1

Allusualpalliativesgivenforthesufferingofthesickhave(asisseenhere)asaftereffectsanincreaseof thesamesufferingandtheolderphysicianshadtorepeatthemineverstrongerdosesinordertoachievea similar modification, which however, was never permanent and never sufficient to prevent an increased recurrence of the ailment. But Brousseau, who twentyfive years before contended against the senseless mixing of different drugs in prescription and thereby ending its reign in France, (for which mankind is grateful tohim) introduced his socalled physiological system (without taking note of the homoeopathic method then already established), a method of treatment, while effectively lessening and permanently preventing the return of all the sufferings, was applicable to all diseases of mankind; a thing that the palliativestheninusewerenotcapableofaffecting.

Beingabletohealdiseasewithmildinnocentremediesandthusestablishhealth,Brousseaufoundtheeasier waytoquietthesufferingsofpatientsmoreandmoreatthecostoftheirlifeandatlasttoextinguishlife whollyamethodoftreatmentthat,alas,seemedsufficienttohiscontemporaries.Inthedegreethatthe patientretainshisstrengthwillhisailmentsbeapparentandthemoreintenselywillhefeelhispains.He moansandgroansandcriesoutandcallsforhelpmoreandmorevociferouslysothatthephysiciancannot comeanytoosoontogiverelief.Brousseauneededonlytodepressthevitalforce,tolessenitmoreandmore andbehold,themorefrequentlythepatientwasbled,themoreleechesandcuppingglassessuckedoutthe vitalfluid(fortheinnocentirreplaceablebloodwasaccordingtohimresponsibleforalmostallailments).In thesameproportionthepatientloststrengthtofeelpainortoexpresshisaggravatedconditionbyviolent complaintandgestures.Thepatientappearsmorequietinproportionashegrowsweaker,thebystanders rejoiceinhisapparentimprovement,readytoreturntothesamemeasuresontherenewalofhissufferingsbe theyspasms,suffocation,fearsorpain,fortheyhadsobeautifullyquietedhimbeforeandgavepromiseof furtherease.Indiseaseoflongdurationandwhenthepatientretainedsomestrength,hewasdeprivedoffood, putonahungerdiet,inordertodepresslifesomuchmoresuccessfullyandinhibittherestlessstates.The debilitatedpatientfeelsunabletoprotestagainstfurthersimilarmeasuresofbloodlettingleeches,vesication, warm baths and so forth to refuse their employment. That death must follow such frequently repeated reductionandexhaustionofthevitalenergyisnotnoticedbythepatient,alreadyrobbedofallconsciousness, andtherelatives,blindedbytheimprovementsevenofthelastsufferingsofthepatientbymeansofblood lettingandwarmbaths,cannotunderstandandaresurprisedwhenthepatientquietlyslipsaway. ButGodknowsthepatientonhisbedofsicknesswasnottreatedwithviolence,fortheprickofasmall lancetisnotreallypainfulandthegumArabicsolution(EaudeGourme,almosttheonlymedicinethat Brousseauused)wasmildintasteandwithoutapparentactionthebiteoftheleechesinsignificantandthe bloodlettingbythephysiciandonequietlywhilethelukewarmbathscouldonlysoothe,hencethedisease fromtheverystartmusthavebeenfatal,sothatthepatient,notwithstandingalleffortsofthephysician,hadto leavetheearth.Inthiswaytherelatives,andespeciallytheheirsofthedeardeparted,consoledthemselves. ThephysiciansinEuropeandelsewhereacceptedthisconvenienttreatmentofalldiseaseaccordingtoasingle rule,sinceitsavedthemfromallfurtherthinking(themostlaboriousofallworkunderthesun).Theyonly had to take care to assuage the pangs of conscience and console themselves that they were not the originatorsofthissystemandthismethodoftreatment,thatalltheotherthousandsofBrousseauistsdidthe sameandthatpossiblyeverythingwouldceasewithdeathanywayaswastaughtbytheirmaster.Inthisway manythousandphysiciansweremiserablymisledtoshed(withcoldheart)thewarmbloodoftheirpatients thatwerecapableofcureandtherebyrobmillionsofmengraduallyoftheirlife,accordingtoBrousseaus method,morethanfellonNapoleonsbattlefields.WasitperhapsnecessarybythedispositionofGodfor thatsystemofBrousseauwhichdestroyedmedicallythelifeofcurablepatientstoprecedehomoeopathyin ordertoopentheeyesoftheworldtotheonlytruescienceandartofmedicine,homoeopathy,inwhich curablepatientsfindhealthandnewlifewhenthismostdifficultofallartsispractisedbyanindefatigable discriminatingphysicianinapureandconscientiousmanner?

61 Hadphysiciansbeencapableofreflectingonthesadresultsoftheantagonisticemploymentofmedicines, theyhadlongsincediscoveredthegrandtruth,THATTHETRUERADICALHEALINGARTMUSTBE FOUNDINTHEEXACTOPPOSITEOFSUCHANANTIPATHICTREATMENTOFTHESYMPTOMS OFDISEASE;theywouldhavebecomeconvinced,thatasamedicinalactionantagonistictothesymptomsof thedisease(anantipathicallyemployedmedicine)isfollowedbyonlytransientrelief,andafterthatispassed, by invariable aggravation, the converse of that procedure, the homoeopathic employment of medicines according tosimilarity ofsymptoms, must effect a permanent and perfect cure, if atthe same time the

oppositeoftheirlargedoses,themostminutedoses,areexhibited.Butneithertheobviousaggravationthat ensuedfromtheirantipathictreatment,northefactthatnophysicianevereffectedapermanentcureofdisease ofconsiderable oroflong standingunlesssomehomoeopathic medicinalagent wasaccidentallyachief ingredientinhisprescription,noryetthecircumstancesthatalltherapidandperfectcuresthatnatureever performed ( 46), were always effected by the supervention upon the old disease of one of a similar character,evertaughtthem,duringsuchalongseriesofcenturies,thistruth,theknowledgeofwhichcan aloneconducetothebenefitofthesick.

62 Butonwhatthisperniciousresultofthepalliative,antipathictreatmentandtheefficacyofthereverse,the homoeopathictreatment,depend,isexplainedbythefollowingfacts,deducedfrommanifoldobservations, whichnoonebeforemeperceived,thoughtheyaresoverypalpableandsoveryevident,andareofsuch infiniteimportancetothehealingart.

63 Everyagentthatactsuponthevitality,everymedicine,derangesmoreorlessthevitalforce,andcausesa certainalterationinthehealthoftheindividualforalongerorashorterperiod.Thisistermedprimaryaction. Althoughaproductofthemedicinalandvitalpowersconjointly,itisprincipallyduetotheformerpower.To itsactionourvitalforceendeavorstoopposeitsownenergy.Thisresistantactionisaproperty,isindeedan automaticactionofourlifepreservingpower,whichgoesbythenameofsecondaryactionorcounteraction.

64 Duringtheprimaryactionoftheartificialmorbificagents(medicines)onourhealthybody,asseeninthe followingexamples, ourvitalforceseemstoconductitselfmerelyinapassive(receptive)manners,and appears,sotosay,compelledtopermittheimpressionsoftheartificialpoweractingfromwithouttotake placeinitandtherebyafteritsstateofhealth;itthen,however,appearstorouseitselfagain,asitwere,andto develop(A)theexactoppositeconditionofhealth(counteraction,secondaryaction)tothiseffect(primary action)produceduponit,iftherebesuchanopposite,andthatinasgreatadegreeaswastheeffect(primary action)oftheartificialmorbificagentonit,andproportionatetoitsownenergy;or(B)iftherebenotin natureastateexactlytheoppositeoftheprimaryaction,itappearstoendeavortoindifferentiateitself,thatis, tomakeits superiorpoweravailablein theextinction ofthechangewroughtinit fromwithout(bythe medicine),intheplaceofwhichitsubstitutesitsnormalstate(secondaryaction,curativeaction).

65 Examplesof(A)arefamiliartoall.Ahandbathedinhotwaterisatfirstmuchwarmerthantheotherhand that has not been so treated (primary action); but when it is withdrawn from the hot water and again thoroughlydried,itbecomesinashorttimecold,andatlengthmuchcolderthantheother(secondaryaction). Apersonheatedbyviolent exercise(primaryaction)isafterwardsaffectedwithchillinessandshivering (secondaryaction).Toonewhowasyesterdayheatedbydrinkingmuchwine(primaryaction),todayevery breathofairfeelstoocold(counteractionoftheorganism,secondaryaction).Anarmthathasbeenkeptlong inverycoldwaterisatfirstmuchpalerandcolder(primaryaction)thantheother;butremovedfromthecold wateranddried,itsubsequentlybecomesnotonlywarmerthantheother,butevenhot,redandinflamed

(secondaryaction,reactionofthevitalforce).Excessivevivacityfollowstheuseofstrongcoffee(primary action),butsluggishnessanddrowsinessremainforalongtimeafterwards(reaction,secondaryaction),ifthis benotalwaysagainremovedforashorttimebyimbibingfreshsuppliesofcoffee(palliative).Afterthe profoundstupefiedsleepcausedbyopium(primaryaction),thefollowingnightwillbeallthemoresleepless (reaction,secondaryaction).Aftertheconstipationproducedbyopium(primaryaction),diarrhoeaensues (secondaryaction);andafterpurgationwithmedicinesthatirritatethebowels,constipationofseveraldays durationensues(secondaryaction).Andinlikemanneritalwayshappens,aftertheprimaryactionofa medicinethatproducesinlargedosesagreatchangeinthehealthofahealthyperson,thatitsexactopposite, when,ashasbeenobserved,thereisactuallysuchathing,isproducedinthesecondaryactionbyourvital force.

66 Anobviousantagonisticsecondaryaction,however,is,asmayreadilybeconceived,nottobenoticedfrom theactionofquiteminutehomoeopathicdosesofthederangingagentsonthehealthybody.Asmalldoseof everyoneofthemcertainlyproducesaprimaryactionthatisperceptibletoasufficientlyattentive;butthe livingorganismemploysagainstitonlysomuchreaction(secondaryaction)asisnecessaryfortherestoration ofthenormalcondition.

67FifthEdition Theseincontrovertibletruths,whichspontaneouslyofferthemselvestoournoticeandexperience,explainto us the beneficial action that takes place under homoeopathic treatment; while, on the other hand, they demonstratetheperversityoftheantipathicandpalliativetreatmentofdiseaseswithantagonisticallyacting medicines.1
1

Onlyinthemosturgentcases,wheredangertolifeandimminentdeathallownotimefortheactionofa homoeopathic remedy not hours, sometimes not even quarterhours, and scarcely minutes in sudden accidentsoccurringtopreviouslyhealthyindividualsforexample,inasphyxiaandsuspendedanimation fromlightning,fromsuffocation,freezing,drowning,etc.isitadmissibleandjudicious,atalleventsasa preliminarymeasuretostimulatetheirritabilityandsensibility(thephysicallife)withapalliative,asfor instance, with gentle electrical shocks, with clysters of strong coffee, with a stimulating odor, gradual applicationofheat,etc.Whenthisstimulationiseffected,theplayofthevitalorgansagaingoesoninits formerhealthymanner,forthereisherenodisease*toberemoved,butmerelyanobstructionandsuppression ofthehealthyvitalforce.Tothiscategorybelongvariousantidotestosuddenpoisoning:alkaliesfrommineral acids,heparsulphurisformetallicpoisons,coffeeandcamphora(andipecacuanha)forpoisoningbyopium, etc. Itdoesnotfollowthatahomoeopathicmedicinehasbeenillselectedforacaseofdiseasebecausesomeof themedicinalsymptomsareonlyantipathictosomeofthelessimportantandminorsymptomsofthedisease; ifonlytheothers,thestrongerwellmarked(characteristic),andpeculiarsymptomsofthediseasearecovered andmatchedbythesamemedicinewithsimilarityofsymptomsthatistosay,overpowered,destroyedand extinguished;thefewoppositesymptomsalsodisappearofthemselvesaftertheexpiryofthetermofactionof themedicament,withoutretardingthecureintheleast. *Andyetthenewsectthatmixesthetwosystemsappeals(thoughinvain)tothisobservation,inorderthat theymayhaveanexcuseforencounteringeverywheresuchexceptionstothegeneralruleindiseases,andto

justifytheirconvenientemploymentofallopathicpalliatives,andofotherinjuriousallopathictrashbesides, solelyforthesakeofsparingthemselvesthetroubleofseekingforthesuitablehomoeopathicremedyforeach caseofdiseaseImightalmostsayforthesakeofsparingthemselvesthetroubleofbeinghomoeopathic physicians,andyetwishingtoappearassuch.Buttheirperformancesareonaparwiththesystemthey pursue;theyarenothingtoboastof. 67SixthEdition Theseincontrovertibletruths,whichspontaneouslyofferthemselvestoournoticeandexperience,explainto us the beneficial action that takes place under homoeopathic treatment; while, on the other hand, they demonstratetheperversityoftheantipathicandpalliativetreatmentofdiseaseswithantagonisticallyacting medicines.1
1

Onlyinthemosturgentcases,wheredangertolifeandimminentdeathallownotimefortheactionofa homoeopathic remedy not hours, sometimes not even quarterhours, and scarcely minutes in sudden accidentsoccurringtopreviouslyhealthyindividualsforexample,inasphyxiaandsuspendedanimation fromlightning,fromsuffocation,freezing,drowning,etc.isitadmissibleandjudicious,atalleventsasa preliminarymeasuretostimulatetheirritabilityandsensibility(thephysicallife)withapalliative,asfor instance, with gentle electrical shocks, with clysters of strong coffee, with a stimulating odor, gradual applicationofheat,etc.Whenthisstimulationiseffected,theplayofthevitalorgansagaingoesoninits formerhealthymanner,forthereisherenodisease*toberemoved,butmerelyanobstructionandsuppression ofthehealthyvitalforce.Tothiscategorybelongvariousantidotestosuddenpoisoning:alkaliesfrommineral acids,heparsulphurisformetallicpoisons,coffeeandcamphora(andipecacuanha)forpoisoningbyopium, etc. Itdoesnotfollowthatahomoeopathicmedicinehasbeenillselectedforacaseofdiseasebecausesomeof themedicinalsymptomsareonlyantipathictosomeofthelessimportantandminorsymptomsofthedisease; ifonlytheothers,thestrongerwellmarked(characteristic),andpeculiarsymptomsofthediseasearecovered andmatchedbythesamemedicinewithsimilarityofsymptomsthatistosay,overpowered,destroyedand extinguished;thefewoppositesymptomsalsodisappearofthemselvesaftertheexpiryofthetermofactionof themedicament,withoutretardingthecureintheleast. *Andyetthenewsectthatmixesthetwosystemsappeals(thoughinvain)tothisobservation,inorderthat theymayhaveanexcuseforencounteringeverywheresuchexceptionstothegeneralruleindiseases,andto justifytheirconvenientemploymentofallopathicpalliatives,andofotherinjuriousallopathictrashbesides, solelyforthesakeofsparingthemselvesthetroubleofseekingforthesuitablehomoeopathicremedyforeach caseofdiseaseandthusconvenientlyappearashomoeopathicphysicians,withoutbeingsuch.Buttheir performancesareonaparwiththesystemtheypursue;theyarecorrupting.

68FifthEdition Inhomoeopathiccurestheyshowusthatfromtheuncommonlysmalldosesofmedicine(275287) required in this method of treatment, which are just sufficient, by the similarity of their symptoms, to overpowerandremovethesimilarnaturedisease,therecertainlyremains,afterthedestructionofthelatter,at first a certain amount of medicinal disease alone in the organism, but, on account of the extraordinary minutenessofthedose,itissotransient,soslight,anddisappearssorapidlyofitsownaccord,thatthevital forcehasnoneedtoemploy,againstthissmallartificialderangementofitshealth,anymoreconsiderable reactionthanwillsufficetoelevateitspresentstateofhealthuptothehealthypointthatis,thanwillsuffice

toeffectcompleterecovery,forwhichaftertheextinctionofthepreviousmorbidderangementbutlittleeffort isrequired(64,B). 68SixthEdition Inhomoeopathiccurestheyshowusthatfromtheuncommonlysmalldosesofmedicine(275287) required in this method of treatment, which are just sufficient, by the similarity of their symptoms, to overpowerandremovefromthesensationofthelifeprinciplethesimilar naturaldiseasetherecertainly remains,afterthedestructionofthelatter,atfirstacertainamountofmedicinaldiseasealoneintheorganism, but,onaccountoftheextraordinaryminutenessofthedose,itissotransient,soslight,anddisappearsso rapidlyofitsownaccord,thatthevitalforcehasnoneedtoemploy,againstthissmallartificialderangement ofitshealth,anymoreconsiderablereactionthanwillsufficetoelevateitspresentstateofhealthuptothe healthypointthatis,thanwillsufficetoeffectcompleterecovery,forwhichaftertheextinctionofthe previousmorbidderangementbutlittleeffortisrequired(64,B).

69FifthEdition In the antipathic (palliative) mode of treatment, however precisely the reverse of this takes place. The medicinalsymptomwhichthephysicianopposestothediseasesymptom(forexample,theinsensibilityand stupefactioncausedbyopiuminitsprimaryactiontoacutepain)iscertainlynotalien,notallopathicofthe latter;thereisamanifestrelationofthemedicinalsymptomtothediseasesymptom,butitisthereverseof whatshouldbe;itishereintendedthattheannihilationofthediseasesymptomshallbeeffectedbyan opposite medicinalsymptom,whichisimpossible.Nodoubttheantipathicallychosenmedicinetouches preciselythesamediseasedpointintheorganismasthehomoeopathicmedicinechosenonaccountofthe similaraffectionitproduces;buttheformercoverstheoppositesymptomofthediseaseonlyasanopposite, andmakesitunobservableforashorttimeonly,sothatinthefirstperiodoftheactionoftheantagonistic palliative the vital force perceives nothing disagreeable from either if the two (neither from the disease symptomnorfromthemedicinalsymptom),astheyseembothtohavemutuallyremovedanddynamically neutralizedoneanotherasitwere(forexample,thestupefyingpowerofopiumdoesthistothepain).Inthe firstminutesthevitalforcefeelsquitewell,andperceivesneitherthestupefactionoftheopiumnorthepainof thedisease.Butastheantagonisticmedicinalsymptomcannot(asinthehomoeopathictreatment)occupythe placeofthemorbidderangementpresentintheorganismasasimilar,stronger(artificial)disease,andcannot, therefore,likeahomoeopathicmedicine,affectthevitalforcewithasimilarartificialdisease,soastobeable tostepintotheplaceoftheoriginalnaturalmorbidderangement,thepalliativemedicinemust,asathing totallydifferingfrom,andtheoppositeofthediseasederangement,leavethelatteruneradicated;itrendersit, asbeforesaid,byasemblanceofdynamicneutralization,1 atfirstunfeltbythevitalforce,but,likeevery medicinaldisease,itissoonspontaneouslyextinguished,andnotonlyleavesthediseasebehind,justasitwas, butcompelsthevitalforce(asitmust,likeallpalliatives,begiveninlargedosesinordertoeffectthe apparentremoval)toproduceanoppositecondition(63,64)tothispalliativemedicine,thereverseofthe medicinalaction,consequentlytheanalogueofthestillpresent,undestroyed,naturalmorbidderangement, whichisnecessarilystrengthenedandincreased2bythisaddition(reactionagainstthepalliative)producedby thevitalforce.Thediseasesymptom(thissinglepartofthedisease)consequentlybecomesworseafterthe termoftheactionofthepalliativehasexpired;worseinproportiontothemagnitudeofthedoseofthe palliative.Accordingly(tokeeptothesameexample)thelargerthedoseofopiumgiventoallaythepain,so muchthemoredoesthepainincreasebeyonditsoriginalintensityassoonastheopiumhasexhaustedits action.3

Inthelivinghumanbeingnopermanentneutralizationofcontraryorantagonisticsensationscantakeplace, ashappenswithsubstancesofoppositequalitiesinthechemicallaboratory,where,forinstance,sulphuric acidandpotashunitetoformaperfectlydifferentsubstance,aneutralsalt,whichisnownolongereitheracid oralkali,andisnotdecomposedevenbyheat.Suchamalgamationsandthoroughcombinationstoform something permanently neutral and indifferent do not, as has been said, ever take place with respect to dynamicimpressionsofanantagonisticnatureinoursensificapparatus.Onlyasemblanceofneutralization andmutualremovaloccursinsuchcasesatfirst,buttheantagonisticsensationsdonotpermanentlyremove oneanother.Thetearsofthemournerwillbedriedforbutashorttimebyalaughableplay;thejokesare, however,soonforgotten,andhistearsthenflowstillmoreabundantlythanbefore.
2

Plainasthispropositionis,ithasbeenmisunderstood,andinoppositiontoitsomehaveassertedthatthe palliativeinitssecondaryaction,wouldthenbesimilartothediseasepresent,mustbecapableofcuringjust aswellasahomoeopathicmedicinedoesbyitsprimaryaction.Buttheydidnotreflectthatthesecondary action is not a product of the medicine, but invariably of the antagonistically acting vital force of the organism;thatthereforethissecondaryactionresultingfromthevitalforceontheemploymentofapalliative isastatesimilartothesymptomsofthediseasewhichthepalliativeleftuneradicated,andwhichthereaction ofthevitalforceagainstthepalliativeconsequentlyincreasedstillmore.
3

Aswheninadarkdungeon,wheretheprisonercouldwithdifficultyrecognizeobjectsclosetohim,alcohol issuddenlylighted,everythingisinstantlyilluminatedinamostconsolatorymannertotheunhappywretch; but when it is extinguished, the brighter the flame was previously the blacker is the night which now envelopeshim,andrenderseverythingabouthimmuchmoredifficulttobeseenthanbefore. 69SixthEdition In the antipathic (palliative) mode of treatment, however precisely the reverse of this takes place. The medicinalsymptomwhichthephysicianopposestothediseasesymptom(forexample,theinsensibilityand stupefactioncausedbyopiuminitsprimaryactiontoacutepain)iscertainlynotalien,notallopathicofthe latter;thereisamanifestrelationofthemedicinalsymptomtothediseasesymptom,butitisthereverseof whatshouldbe;itishereintendedthattheannihilationofthediseasesymptomshallbeeffectedbyan oppositemedicinalsymptom,whichisneverthelessimpossible.Nodoubttheantipathicallychosenmedicine touchespreciselythesamediseasedpointintheorganismasthehomoeopathicmedicinechosenonaccountof thesimilar affectionit produces;but theformercoverstheopposite symptom ofthediseaseonlyasan opposite,andmakesitunobservabletoourlifeprincipleforashorttimeonly,sothatinthefirstperiodofthe actionof the antagonisticpalliative thevitalforceperceives nothing disagreeable fromeither ifthetwo (neitherfromthediseasesymptomnorfromthemedicinalsymptom),astheyseembothtohavemutually removedanddynamicallyneutralizedoneanotherasitwere(forexample,thestupefyingpowerofopiumdoes thistothepain).Inthefirstminutesthevitalforcefeelsquitewell,andperceivesneitherthestupefactionof the opium nor the pain of the disease. But as the antagonistic medicinal symptom cannot (as in the homoeopathictreatment)occupytheplaceofthemorbidderangementpresentintheorganisminthesensation ofthelifeprincipleasa similar,stronger(artificial)disease,andcannot,therefore,likeahomoeopathic medicine,affectthevitalforcewithasimilarartificialdisease,soastobeabletostepintotheplaceofthe originalnaturalmorbidderangement,thepalliativemedicinemust,asathingtotallydifferingfrom,andthe oppositeofthediseasederangement,leavethelatteruneradicated;itrendersit,asbeforesaid,byasemblance ofdynamicneutralization,1 atfirst unfelt bythevitalforce,but, likeeverymedicinaldisease,it issoon spontaneouslyextinguished,andnotonlyleavesthediseasebehind,justasitwas,butcompelsthevitalforce (asitmust,likeallpalliatives,begiveninlargedosesinordertoeffecttheapparentremoval)toproducean

oppositecondition(63,64)tothispalliativemedicine,thereverseofthemedicinalaction,consequentlythe analogueofthestillpresent,undestroyed,naturalmorbidderangement,whichisnecessarilystrengthenedand increased2bythisaddition(reactionagainstthepalliative)producedbythevitalforce.Thediseasesymptom (thissinglepartofthedisease)consequentlybecomesworseafterthetermoftheactionofthepalliativehas expired;worseinproportiontothemagnitudeofthedoseofthepalliative.Accordingly(tokeeptothesame example)thelargerthedoseofopiumgiventoallaythepain,somuchthemoredoesthepainincreasebeyond itsoriginalintensityassoonastheopiumhasexhausteditsaction.3

1

Inthelivinghumanbeingnopermanentneutralizationofcontraryorantagonisticsensationscantakeplace, ashappenswithsubstancesofoppositequalitiesinthechemicallaboratory,where,forinstance,sulphuric acidandpotashunitetoformaperfectlydifferentsubstance,aneutralsalt,whichisnownolongereitheracid oralkali,andisnotdecomposedevenbyheat.Suchamalgamationsandthoroughcombinationstoform something permanently neutral and indifferent do not, as has been said, ever take place with respect to synamicimpressionsofanantagonisticnatureinoursensificapparatus.Onlyasemblanceofneutralization andmutualremovaloccursinsuchcasesatfirst,buttheantagonisticsensationsdonotpermanentlyremove oneanother.Thetearsofthemournerwillbedriedforbutashorttimebyalaughableplay;thejokesare, however,soonforgotten,andhistearsthenflowstillmoreabundantlythanbefore.
2

Plainasthispropositionis,ithasbeenmisunderstood,andinoppositiontoitsomehaveassertedthatthe palliativeinitssecondaryaction,wouldthenbesimilartothediseasepresent,mustbecapableofcuringjust aswellasahomoeopathicmedicinedoesbyitsprimaryaction.Buttheydidnotreflectthatthesecondary action is not a product of the medicine, but invariably of the antagonistically acting vital force of the organism;thatthereforethissecondaryactionresultingfromthevitalforceontheemploymentofapalliative isastatesimilartothesymptomsofthediseasewhichthepalliativeleftuneradicated,andwhichthereaction ofthevitalforceagainstthepalliativeconsequentlyincreasedstillmore.
3

Aswheninadarkdungeon,wheretheprisonercouldwithdifficultyrecognizeobjectsclosetohim,alcohol issuddenlylighted,everythingisinstantlyilluminatedinamostconsolatorymannertotheunhappywretch; but when it is extinguished, the brighter the flame was previously the blacker is the night which now envelopeshim,andrenderseverythingabouthimmuchmoredifficulttobeseenthanbefore.

70FifthEdition Fromwhathasbeenalreadyadducedwecannotfailtodrawthefollowinginferences: Thateverythingofareallymorbidcharacterandwhichoughttobecuredthatthe physiciancandiscoverindiseasesconsistssolelyofthesufferingsofthepatient, and the sensiblealterationsinhishealth,inaword,solelyofthetotalityofthe symptoms, by means of whichthediseasedemandsthemedicinerequisiteforits relief; while, on the other hand, everyinternalcauseattributedtoit,everyoccult quality or imaginary material morbific principle,isnothingbutanidledream; Thatthisderangementofthestateofhealth,whichwetermdisease,canonlybe converted intohealthbyanotherrevolutioneffectedinthestateofhealthbymeans of medicines, whose sole curativepower,consequently,canonlyconsistin alteringmansstateofhealththatistosay, inapeculiarexcitationofmorbid symptoms,andislearnedwithmostdistinctnessandpurityby testingthemonthe healthybody; That,accordingtoallexperience,anaturaldiseasecanneverbecuredbymedicines that

possessthepowerofproducinginthehealthyindividualanalienmorbidstate (dissimilar morbid symptoms)differingfromthatofthediseasetobecured (never, therefore, by an allopathic modeoftreatment),andthateveninnatureno cureevertakesplacein whichaninherent diseaseisremoved,annihilatedand curedbytheadditionofanotherdiseasedissimilartoit,bethe newoneeverso strong; That,moreover,allexperienceprovesthat,bymeansofmedicineswhichhavea tendency toproduceinthehealthyindividualanartificialmorbidsymptom, antagonistic to the single symptomofdiseasesoughttobecured,thecureofa longstandingaffectionwillneverbeeffected, butmerelyaverytransient alleviation,always followsbyits aggravation; andthat, ina word,thisantipathic andmerelypalliativetreatmentinlongstandingdiseasesofaserious characteris absolutelyinefficacious; That,however,thethirdandonlyotherpossiblemodeoftreatment(the homoeopathic),inwhichthereisemployedforthetotalityofthesymptomsofa naturaldiseaseamedicinecapableofproducingthemostsimilarsymptoms possible in the healthyindividual,giveninsuitabledose,istheonlyefficacious remedial method whereby diseases,whicharepurelydynamicderanging irritations of the vital force, are overpowered,andbeingthuseasily,perfectlyand permanently extinguished, must necessarily ceasetoexistandforthismodeof procedurewehavetheexampleofunfetteredNature herself,whentoanold diseasethereisaddedanewonesimilartothefirst,wherebythenew oneis rapidlyandforeverannihilatedandcured. 70SixthEdition Fromwhathasbeenalreadyadducedwecannotfailtodrawthefollowinginferences: Thateverythingofareallymorbidcharacterandwhichoughttobecuredthatthe physiciancandiscoverindiseasesconsistssolelyofthesufferingsofthepatient, and the sensiblealterationsinhishealth,inaword,solelyofthetotalityofthe symptoms, by means of whichthediseasedemandsthemedicinerequisiteforits relief; while, on the other hand, everyinternalcauseattributedtoit,everyoccult quality or imaginary material morbific principle,isnothingbutanidledream; Thatthisderangementofthestateofhealth,whichwetermdisease,canonlybe converted intohealthbyanotherrevolutioneffectedinthestateofhealthbymeans of medicines, whose sole curativepower,consequently,canonlyconsistin alteringmansstateofhealththatistosay, inapeculiarexcitationofmorbid symptoms,andislearnedwithmostdistinctnessandpurityby testingthemonthe healthybody; That,accordingtoallexperience,anaturaldiseasecanneverbecuredbymedicines that possessthepowerofproducinginthehealthyindividualanalienmorbidstate (dissimilar morbid symptoms)differingfromthatofthediseasetobecured (never, therefore, by an allopathic modeoftreatment),andthateveninnatureno cureevertakesplacein whichaninherent diseaseisremoved,annihilatedand curedbytheadditionofanotherdiseasedissimilartoit,bethe newoneeverso strong; That,moreover,allexperienceprovesthat,bymeansofmedicineswhichhavea tendency toproduceinthehealthyindividualanartificialmorbidsymptom, antagonistic tothesingle symptomofdiseasesoughttobecured,thecureofa longstandingaffectionwillneverbeeffected, butmerelyaverytransient alleviation,always followsbyits aggravation; andthat, ina word,thisantipathic andmerelypalliativetreatmentinlongstandingdiseasesofaserious characteris absolutelyinefficacious; That,however,thethirdandonlyotherpossiblemodeoftreatment(the

homoeopathic),inwhichthereisemployedforthetotalityofthesymptomsofa natural disease a medicinecapableofproducingthemostsimilarsymptoms possible in the healthy individual, giveninsuitabledose,istheonlyefficacious remedialmethodwherebydiseases,whichare purelydynamicderanging irritationsofthevitalforce,areoverpowered,andbeingthus easily,perfectlyand permanently extinguished, must necessarily cease to exist. This is broughtabout by means of the stronger similar deranging irritation of the homoeopathic medicine inthesensationofthelifeprinciple.andforthismodeofprocedurewehavethe exampleofunfetteredNatureherself,whentoanolddiseasethereisaddedanew onesimilartothefirst,wherebythenewoneisrapidlyandforeverannihilatedand cured.

71 Asitisnownolongeramatterofdoubtthatthediseasesofmankindconsistmerelyofgroupsofcertain symptoms,andmaybeannihilatedandtransformedintohealthbymedicinalsubstances,butonlybysuchas arecapableofartificiallyproducingsimilarmorbidsymptoms(andsuchistheprocessinallgenuinecures), hencetheoperationofcuringiscomprisedinthethreefollowingpoints: I.Howisthephysiciantoascertainwhatisnecessarytobeknowninordertocure thedisease? II.Howishetogainaknowledgeoftheinstrumentsadaptedforthecureofthe natural disease,thepathogeneticpowersofthemedicines? III.Whatisthemostsuitablemethodofemployingtheseartificialmorbificagents (medicines)forthecureofnaturaldisease?

72 Withrespecttothefirstpoint,thefollowingwillserveasageneralpreliminaryview.Thediseasetowhich manisliableareeitherrapidmorbidprocessesoftheabnormallyderangedvitalforce,whichhaveatendency tofinishtheircoursemoreorlessquickly,butalwaysinamoderatetimethesearetermedacutediseases; ortheyarediseasesofsuchacharacterthat,withsmall,oftenimperceptiblebeginnings,dynamicallyderange thelivingorganism,eachinitsownpeculiarmanner,andcauseitgraduallytodeviatefromthehealthy condition,insuchawaythattheautomaticlifeenergy,calledvitalforce,whoseofficeistopreservethe health,onlyopposestothematthecommencementandduringtheirprogressimperfect,unsuitable,useless resistance,butisunableofitselftoextinguishthem,butmusthelplesslysuffer(themtospreadand)itselfto beevermoreandmoreabnormallyderanged,untilatlengththeorganismisdestroyed;thesearetermed chronicdiseases.Theyarecausedbyinfectionwithachronicmiasm.

73 Asregardsacutediseases,theyareeitherofsuchakindasattackhumanbeingsindividually,theexciting causebeinginjuriousinfluencestowhichtheywereparticularlyexposed.Excessesinfood,oraninsufficient supplyofit,severephysicalimpression,chills,overheatings,dissipation,strains,etc.,orphysicalirritations, mentalemotions,andthelike,areexcitingcausesofsuchacutefebrileaffections;inreality,however,theyare generallyonlyatransientexplosionoflatentpsora,whichspontaneouslyreturnstoitsdormantstateifthe acutediseaseswerenotoftooviolentacharacterandweresoonquelled.Ortheyareofsuchakindasattack severalpersonsatthesametime,hereandthere(sporadically),bymeansofmeteoricortelluricinfluences andinjuriousagents,thesusceptibility forbeingmorbidlyaffectedbywhichispossessedbyonlyafew

personsatonetime.Alliedtothesearethosediseasesinwhichmanypersonsareattackedwithverysimilar sufferingsfromthesamecause(epidemically);thesediseasesgenerallybecomeinfectious(contagious)when theyprevailamongthicklycongregatedmassesofhumanbeings.Thencearisefevers1,ineachinstanceofa peculiarnature,and,becausethecasesofdiseasehaveanidenticalorigin,theysetupinallthosetheyaffect anidenticalmorbidprocess,whichwhenlefttoitselfterminatesinamoderateperiodoftimeindeathor recovery. The calamities of war, inundations and famine are not infrequently their exciting causes and producerssometimestheyarepeculiaracutemiasmswhichrecurinthesamemanner(henceknownbysome traditionalname),whicheitherattackpersonsbutonceinalifetime,asthesmallpox,measles,whooping cough,theancient,smooth,brightredscarletfever2ofSydenham,themumps,etc.,orsuchasrecurfrequently inprettymuchthesamemanner,theplagueoftheLevant,theyellowfeveroftheseacoast,theAsiatic cholera,etc.
1

Thehomoeopathicphysician,whodoesnotentertaintheforegoneconclusiondevisedbytheordinaryschool (whohavefixeduponafewnamesofsuchfevers,besideswhichmightynaturedarenotproduceanyothers, soastoadmitoftheirtreatingthesediseaseaccordingtosomefixedmethod),doesnotacknowledgethe namesgoalfever,biliousfever,typhusfever,putridfever,nervousfeverormucousfever,buttreatsthemeach accordingtotheirseveralpeculiarities.

2

Subsequentlytotheyear1801akindofpupuramiliaris(roodvonk),whichcamefromtheWest,wasby physiciansconfoundedwiththescarletfever,notwithstandingthattheyexhibitedtotallydifferentsymptoms, thatthelatterfounditsprophylaticandcurativeremedyinbelladonna,theformerinaconite,andthatthe formerwasgenerallymerelysporadic,whilethelatterwasinvariableepidemic.Oflateyearsitseemsasifthe twooccasionallyjoinedtoformaneruptivefeverofapeculiarkind,forwhichneithertheonenortheother remedy,alone,willbefoundtobeexactlyhomoeopathic.

74FifthEdition Amongchronicdiseaseswemuststill,alas!,reckonthosesocommonlymetwith,artificiallyproducedin allopathictreatmentbytheprolongeduseofviolentheroicmedicinesinlargeandincreasingdoses,bythe abuseofcalomel,corrosivesublimate,mercurialointment,nitrateofsilver,iodineanditsointments,opium, valerian,cinchonabarkandquinine,foxglove,prussicacid,sulphurandsulphuricacid,perennialpurgatives, venesections,leeches,issues,setons,etc.,wherebythevitalforceissometimesweakenedtoanunmerciful extent,sometimes,ifitdonotsuccumb,graduallyabnormallyderanged(byeachsubstanceinapeculiar manner)insuchawaythat,inordertomaintainlifeagainsttheseinimicalanddestructiveattacks,itmust producearevolutionintheorganism,andeitherdeprivesomepartofitsirritabilityandsensibility,orexalt thesetoanexcessivedegree,causedilatationorcontraction,relaxationorindurationoreventotaldestruction ofcertainparts,anddevelopfaultyorganicalterationshereandthereintheinteriorortheexterior1(cripple thebodyinternallyorexternally),inordertopreservetheorganismfromcompletedestructionofthelifeby theeverrenewed,hostileassaultsofsuchdestructiveforces.
1

Ifthepatientsuccumbs,thepractiserofsuchatreatmentisinthehabitofpointingouttothesorrowing relatives,atthepostmortemexamination,theseinternalorganicdisfigurements,whichareduetohispseudo art,butwhichheartfullymaintainstobetheoriginalincurabledisease(seemybook,DieAlloopathie,ein WortdehWarnunganKrankejederArt,Leipzig,beiBaumgartner[translatedinLesserWritings]).Those deceitfulrecords,theillustrated works onpathologicalanatomy,exhibit theproductsofsuchlamentable bungling.

74SixthEdition Amongchronicdiseaseswemuststill,alas!,reckonthosesocommonlymetwith,artificiallyproducedin allopathictreatmentbytheprolongeduseofviolentheroicmedicinesinlargeandincreasingdoses,bythe abuseofcalomel,corrosivesublimate,mercurialointment,nitrateofsilver,iodineanditsointments,opium, valerian,cinchonabarkandquinine,foxglove,prussicacid,sulphurandsulphuricacid,perennialpurgatives 1, venesections,sheddingstreamsofblood,leeches,issues,setons,etc.,wherebythevitalenergyissometimes weakenedtoanunmercifulextent,sometimes,ifitdonotsuccumb,graduallyabnormallyderanged(byeach substanceinapeculiarmanner)insuchawaythat,in ordertomaintainlifeagainsttheseinimicaland destructiveattacks,itmustproducearevolutionintheorganism,andeitherdeprivesomepartofitsirritability andsensibility,orexaltthesetoanexcessivedegree,causedilatationorcontraction,relaxationorinduration oreventotaldestructionofcertainparts,anddevelopfaultyorganicalterationshereandthereintheinterioror theexterior (cripple thebodyinternallyor externally), inorder topreservethe organism fromcomplete destructionofthelifebytheeverrenewed,hostileassaultsofsuchdestructiveforces.3
1

Theonlypossiblecaseofplethorashowsitselfwiththehealthywoman,severaldaysbeforehermonthly period,withafeelingofacertainfullnessofwombandbreasts,butwithoutinflammation.
2

Amongallimaginablemethodsforthereliefofsickness,nogreaterallopathic,irrationalorinappropriate onecanbethoughtofthanthisBrousseauic,debilitatingtreatmentbymeansofvenesectionandhungerdiet, whichformanyyearshasspreadoveralargepartoftheearth.Nointelligentmancanseeinitanything medical,ormedicallyhelpful,whereasrealmedicines,evenifchosenblindlyandadministeredtoapatient, may at times prove of benefit in a given case of sickness because they may accidentally have been homoeopathictothecase.Butfromvenesection,healthycommonsensecanexpectnothingmorethancertain lesseningandshorteningoflife.Itisasorrowfulandwhollygroundlessfallacythatmostandindeedall diseasesdependonlocalinflammation.Evenfortruelocalinflammation,themostcertainandquickestcureis foundinmedicinescapableoftakingawaydynamicallythearterialirritationuponwhichtheinflammationis basedandthiswithouttheleastlossoffluidsandstrength.Localvenesections,evenfromtheaffectedpart, onlytendtoincreaserenewedinflammationoftheseparts.Andpreciselysoitisgenerallyinappropriate,aye, murderoustotakeawaymanypoundsofbloodfromtheveinsininflammatoryfevers,whenafewappropriate medicineswoulddispelthisirritatedarterialstate,drivingthehithertoquietbloodtogetherwiththediseasein afewhourswithouttheleastlossoffluidsandstrength.Suchgreatlossofbloodisevidentlyirreplaceablefor theremainingcontinuanceoflife,sincetheorgansintendedbytheCreatorforbloodmakinghavethereby becomesoweakenedthatwhiletheymaymanufacturebloodinthesamequantitybutnotagainofthesame goodquality.Andhowimpossibleisitforthisimaginedplethoratohavebeenproducedinsuchremarkable rapidityandsotodrainitoffbyfrequentvenesectionswhenyetanhourbeforethepulseofthisheatedpatient (beforethefeverandchillstage)wassoquiet.Noman,nosickpersonhasevertoomuchbloodortoomuch strength.Onthecontrary,everysickmanlacksstrength,otherwisehisvitalenergywouldhavepreventedthe developmentofthedisease.Thusitisirrationalandcrueltoaddtothisweakenedpatient,agreater,indeedthe mostserioussourceofdebilitythatcanbeimagined.Itisamurderousmalpracticeirrationalandcruelbased onawhollygroundlessandabsurdtheoryinsteadoftakingawayhisdiseasewhichiseverdynamicandonly toberemovedbydynamicpotencies.

75 Theseinroadsonhumanhealtheffectedbytheallopathicnonhealingart(moreparticularlyinrecenttimes)

areofallchronicdiseasesthemostdeplorable,themostincurable;andIregrettoaddthatitisapparently impossibletodiscoverortohituponanyremediesfortheircurewhentheyhavereachedanyconsiderable height.

76FifthEdition OnlyfornaturaldiseaseshasthebeneficentDeitygrantedus,inHomoeopathy,themeansofaffordingrelief; but those devastations andmaimings ofthe human organism exteriorly and interiorly, effected byyears, frequently,oftheunsparingexerciseofafalseart,withitshurtfuldrugsandtreatment,mustberemediedby thevitalforceitself(appropriateaidbeinggivenfortheeradicationofanychronicmiasmthatmayhappento belurkinginthebackground),ifithasnotalreadybeentoomuchweakenedbysuchmischievousacts,and candevoteseveralyearstothishugeoperationundisturbed.Ahumanhealingart,fortherestorationtothe normalstateofthoseinnumerableabnormalconditionssooftenproducedbytheallopathicnonhealingart, thereisnotandcannotbe. 76SixthEdition OnlyfornaturaldiseaseshasthebeneficentDeitygrantedus,inHomoeopathy,themeansofaffordingrelief; but those devastations andmaimings ofthe human organism exteriorly and interiorly, effected byyears, frequently,oftheunsparingexerciseofafalseart,1withitshurtfuldrugsandtreatment,mustberemediedby thevitalforceitself(appropriateaidbeinggivenfortheeradicationofanychronicmiasmthatmayhappento belurkinginthebackground),ifithasnotalreadybeentoomuchweakenedbysuchmischievousacts,and candevoteseveralyearstothishugeoperationundisturbed.Ahumanhealingart,fortherestorationtothe normalstateofthoseinnumerableabnormalconditionssooftenproducedbytheallopathicnonhealingart, thereisnotandcannotbe.
1

Ifthepatientsuccumbs,thepractiserofsuchatreatmentisinthehabitofpointingouttothesorrowing relatives,atthepostmortemexamination,theseinternalorganicdisfigurements,whichareduetohispseudo art,butwhichheartfullymaintainstobetheoriginalincurabledisease(seemybook,DieAlloopathie,ein WortdehWarnunganKrankejederArt,Leipzig,beiBaumgartner[translatedinLesserWritings]).Those deceitfulrecords,theillustrated works onpathologicalanatomy,exhibit theproductsofsuchlamentable bungling.Deceasedpeoplefromthecountryandthosefromthepoorofcitieswhohavediedwithoutsuch bunglingwithhurtfulmeasuresarenotopenedupthroughpathologicalanatomyasarule.Suchcorruption anddeformitieswouldnotbefoundintheircorpses.Fromthisfactcanbejudgedthevalueoftheevidence drawnfromthesebeautifulillustrationsaswellasofthehonestyoftheseauthorsandbookmakers.

77 Thosediseasesareinappropriatelynamedchronic,whichpersonsincurwhoexposethemselvescontinuallyto avoidablenoxiousinfluences,whoareinthehabitofindulgingininjuriousliquorsoraliments,areaddicted todissipationofmanykindswhichunderminethehealth,whoundergoprolongedabstinencefromthingsthat arenecessaryforthesupportoflife,whoresideinunhealthylocalities,especiallymarshydistricts,whoare housedincellarsorotherconfineddwellings,whoaredeprivedofexerciseorofopenair,whoruintheir healthbyoverexertionofbodyormind,wholiveinaconstantstateofworry,etc.Thesestatesofillhealth, whichpersonsbringuponthemselves,disappearspontaneously,providednochronicmiasmlurksinthebody, underanimprovedmodeofliving,andtheycannotbecalledchronicdiseases.

78FifthEdition Thetruenaturalchronicdiseasesarethosethatarisefromachronicmiasm,whichwhenlefttothemselves, anduncheckedbytheemploymentofthoseremediesthatarespecificforthem,alwaysgoonincreasingand growingworse,notwithstandingthebestmentalandcorporealregimen,andtormentthepatienttotheendof hislifewitheveraggravatedsufferings.Thesearethemostnumerousandgreatestscourgesofthehuman race;forthemostrobustconstitution,thebestregulatedmodeoflivingandthemostvigorousenergyofthe vitalforceareinsufficientfortheireradication. 78SixthEdition Thetruenaturalchronicdiseasesarethosethatarisefromachronicmiasm,whichwhenlefttothemselves, anduncheckedbytheemploymentofthoseremediesthatarespecificforthem,alwaysgoonincreasingand growingworse,notwithstandingthebestmentalandcorporealregimen,andtormentthepatienttotheendof hislifewitheveraggravatedsufferings.These,exceptingthoseproducedbymedicalmalpractice(74),are the most numerous and greatest scourges of the human race; for the most robust constitution, the best regulatedmodeoflivingandthemostvigorousenergyofthevitalforceareinsufficientfortheireradication.1
1

Duringtheflourishingyearsofyouthandwiththecommencementofregularmenstruationjoinedtoamode oflifebeneficialtosoul,heartandbody,theyremainunrecognizedforyears.Thoseafflictedappealinperfect healthtotheirrelativesandacquaintancesandthediseasethatwasreceivedbyinfectionorinheritanceseems tohavewhollydisappeared.Butinlateryears,afteradverseeventsandconditionsoflife,theyaresureto appearanewanddevelopthemorerapidlyandassumeamoreseriouscharacterinproportionasthevital principlehasbecomedisturbedbydebilitatingpassions,worryandcare,butespeciallywhendisorderedby inappropriatemedicinaltreatment.

79 Hithertosyphilisalonehasbeentosomeextentknownassuchachronicmiasmaticdisease,whichwhen uncuredceasesonlywiththeterminationoflife.Sycosis(thecondylomatousdisease),equallyineradicableby thevitalforcewithoutpropermedicinaltreatment,wasnotrecognizedasachronicmiasmaticdiseaseofa peculiarcharacter,whichitneverthelessundoubtedlyis,andphysiciansimaginedtheyhadcureditwhenthey had destroyed the growths upon the skin, but the persisting dyscrasia occasioned by it escaped their observation.

80 Incalculablygreaterandmoreimportantthanthetwochronicmiasmsjustnamed,however,isthechronic miasm ofpsora,which,whilethosetworevealtheirspecificinternaldyscrasia,theonebythevenereal chancre,theotherbythecauliflowerlikegrowths,doesalso,afterthecompletionoftheinternalinfectionof thewholeorganism,announcebyapeculiarcutaneouseruption,sometimesconsistingonlyofafewvesicles accompaniedbyintolerablevoluptuousticklingitching(andapeculiarodor),themonstrousinternalchronic miasm thepsora,theonlyreal fundamentalcauseandproducerofalltheothernumerous,Imaysay innumerable,formsofdisease1,which,underthenamesofnervousdebility,hysteria,hypochondriasis,mania, melancholia,imbecility,madness,epilepsyandconvulsionsofallsorts,softeningofthebones(rachitis), scoliosisandcyphosis,caries,cancer,fungusnematodes,neoplasms,gout,haemorrhoids,jaundice,cyanosis, dropsy, amenorrhoea, haemorrhage from the stomach, nose, lungs, bladder and womb, of asthma and

ulceration of the lungs, of impotence and barrenness, of megrim, deafness, cataract, amaurosis, urinary calculus,paralysis,defectsofthesensesandpainsofthousandsofkinds,etc.,figureinsystematicworkson pathologyaspeculiar,independentdiseases.
1

Ispenttwelveyearsininvestigatingthesourceofthisincrediblylargenumberofchronicaffections,in ascertainingandcollectingcertainproofsofthisgreattruth,whichhadremainedunknowntoallformeror contemporary observers, and in discovering at the same time the principal (antipsoric) remedies, which collectivelyarenearlyamatchforthisthousandheadedmonsterofdiseaseinallitsdifferentdevelopments andforms.IhavepublishedmyobservationsonthissubjectinthebookentitledTheChronicDiseases(4 vols.,Dresden,Arnold.[2ndedit.,Dusseldorf,Schaub.])beforeIhadobtainedthisknowledgeIcouldonly treatthewholenumberofchronicdiseasesasisolated,individualmaladies,withthosemedicinalsubstances whosepureeffectshadbeentestedonhealthypersonsuptothatperiod,sothateverycaseofchronicdisease wastreatedbymydisciplesaccordingtothegroupofsymptomsitpresented,justlikeanidiopathicdisease, anditwasoftensoforcuredthatsickmankindrejoicedattheextensiveremedialtreasuresalreadyamassedby thenewhealingart.Howmuchgreatercauseistherenowforrejoicingthatthedesiredgoalhasbeensomuch morenearlyattained,inasmuchastherecentlydiscoveredandfarmorespecifichomoeopathicremediesfor chronicaffectionsarisingfrompsora(properlytermedantipsoricremedies)andthespecialinstructionsfor theirpreparationandemploymenthavebeenpublished;andfromamongthemthetruephysiciancannow selectforhiscurativeagentsthosewhosemedicinalsymptomscorrespondinthemostsimilar(homoeopathic) mannertothechronicdiseasehehastocure;andthus,bytheemploymentof(antipsoric)medicinesmore suitableforthismiasm,heisenabledtorendermoreessentialserviceandalmostinvariablytoeffectaperfect cure.

81 Thefactthatthisextremelyancientinfectingagenthasgraduallypassed,insomehundredsofgenerations, throughmanymillionsofhumanorganismsandhasthusattainedanincredibledevelopment,rendersitin somemeasureconceivablehowitcannowdisplaysuchinnumerablemorbidformsinthegreatfamilyof mankind,particularlywhenweconsiderwhatanumberofcircumstances1 contributetotheproductionof thesegreatvarietiesofchronicdiseases(secondarysymptomsofpsora),besidestheindescribablediversityof meninrespectoftheircongenitalcorporealconstitutions,sothatitisnowonderifsuchavarietyofinjurious agencies,actingfromwithinandfromwithoutandsometimescontinually,onsuchavarietyoforganisms permeatedwiththepsoricmiasm,shouldproduceaninnumerablevarietyofdefects,injuries,derangements andsufferings,whichhavehithertobeentreatedofintheoldpathologicalworks 2,underanumberofspecial names,asdiseasesofanindependentcharacter.
1

Some of these causes that exercise a modifying influence onthe transformation of psora into chronic diseasesmanifestlydependsometimesontheclimateandthepeculiarphysicalcharacteroftheplaceof abode,sometimesontheverygreatvarietiesinthephysicalandmentaltrainingofyouth,bothofwhichmay havebeenneglected,delayedorcarriedtoexcess,orontheirabuseinthebusinessorconditionsoflife,inthe matterofdietandregimen,passions,manners,habitsandcustomsofvariouskinds.
2

Howmanyimproperambiguous namesdonot these works contain, under eachof whichareincluded excessivelydifferentmorbidconditions,whichoftenresembleeachotherinonesinglesymptomonly,asague, jaundice, dropsy, consumption, leucorrhoea, haemorrhoids, rheumatism, apoplexy, convulsions, hysteria, hypochondriasis,melancholia,mania,quinsy,palsy,etc.,whicharerepresentedasdiseasesofafixedand

unvaryingcharacter,andaretreated,onaccountoftheirname,accordingtoadeterminateplan!Howcanthe bestowalofsuchanamejustifyanidenticalmedicaltreatment?Andifthetreatmentisnotalwaystobethe same,whymakeuseofanidenticalnamewhichpostulatesanidentityoftreatment?Nihilsaneinartem medicampestiferummagisunquamirrepsitmalum,quamgeneraliaquaedammedicinam,saysHuxham,a manasclearsightedashewasestimableonaccountofhisconscientiousness(Op.phys.med.,tom.I.).Andin likemannerFrittzelaments(Annalen,I,p.80)thatessentiallydifferentdiseasesaredesignatedbythesame name.Eventhoseepidemicdiseases,whichundoubtedlymaybepropagatedineveryseparateepidemicbya peculiarcontagiousprinciplewhichremainsunknowntous,aredesignated,intheoldschoolofmedicineby particularnames,justasiftheywerewellknownfixeddiseasesthatinvariablyrecurredunderthesameform, ashospitalfever,goalfever,campfever,putridfever,biliousfever,nervousfever,mucousfever,althougheach epidemicofsuchrovingfeversexhibitsitselfateveryoccurrenceasanother,anewdisease,suchasithas neverbeforeappearedinexactlythesameform,differingverymuch,ineveryinstance,initscourse,aswell asinmanyofitsmoststrikingsymptomsanditswholeappearance.Eachissofordissimilartoallprevious epidemics,whatevernamestheymaybear,thatitwouldbederelictionofalllogicalaccuracyinourideasof thingswerewetogivetothesemaladies,thatdiffersomuchamongthemselves,oneofthosenameswemeet withinpathologicalwritings,andtreatthemallmedicinallyinconformitywiththismisusedname.The candidSydenhamaloneperceivedthis,whenhe(Obs.med.,cap.ii,Demorb,epid.)insistsuponthenecessity ofnotconsideringanyepidemicdiseaseashavingoccurredbeforeandtreatingitinthesamewayasanother, since all that occur successively, be they ever so numerous, differ from one another: Nihil quicquam (opinor,)animumuniversaequapatetmedicinaepomoeriaperlustrantem,tantaadmirationepercellet,quam discolor illa et sui plane dissimilis morborum Epidemicorum facies; non tam qua varias ejusdem anni tempestates, quam qua discrepantes divewrsorum ab invicem annorum constitutiones referunt, ab iisque dependent.Quaetamapertapraedictorummorborumdiversitastumpropriisacsibipeculiaribussymptomatis, tumetiammedendiratione,quamhiabillisdisparemprorsussibivendicant,satisillucescit.Exquibusconstat morbushosce,ututexternaquadantenusspecie,ersymptomatisaliquotutrisqueparitersupervenientibus, convenirepauloincautioribusvideantur,retamenipsa(sibeneadverterisanimum),alienaeadmondumesse indolis,etdistareutaeralupinis. Fromallthisitisclearthattheseuselessandmisusednamesofdiseasesoughttohavenoinfluenceonthe practiceofthetruephysician,whoknowsthathehastojudgeofandtocurediseases,notaccordingtothe similarityofthenameofasingleoneoftheirsymptoms,butaccordingtothetotalityofthesignsofthe individualstateofeachparticularpatient,whoseaffectionitishisdutycarefullytoinvestigate,butneverto giveahypotheticalguessatit. If,however,itisdeemednecessarysometimestomakeuseofnamesofdiseases,inorder,whentalkingabout apatienttoordinarypersons,torenderourselvesintelligibleinfewwords,weoughtonlytoemploythemas collectivenames,andtellthem,eg.,thepatienthasakindofSt.Vitussdance,akindofdropsy,akindof typhus,akindofague;but(inordertodoawayonceandforallwiththemistakennotionsthesenamesgive riseto)weshouldneversayhehastheSt.Vitussdance,thetyphus,thedropsy,theague,asthereare certainlynodiseaseoftheseandsimilarnamesoffixedunvaryingcharacter.

82 Although,bythediscoveryofthatgreatsourceofchronicdiseases,asalsobythediscoveryofthespecific homoeopathicremediesforthepsora,medicinehasadvancedsomestepsnearertoaknowledgeofthenature ofthemajorityofdiseasesithastocure,yet,forsettlingtheindicationineachcaseofchronic(psoric)disease heiscalledontocure,thedutyofacarefulapprehensionofitsascertainablesymptomsandcharacteristicsis asindispensableforthehomoeopathicphysicianasitwasbeforethatdiscovery,asnorealcureofthisorof otherdiseasescantakeplacewithoutastrictparticulartreatment(individualization)ofeachcaseofdisease

onlythatin this investigationsomedifferenceistobemadewhentheaffectionisanacuteandrapidly developeddisease,andwhenitisachronicone;seeingthat,inacutedisease,thechiefsymptomsstrikeusand becomeevidenttothesensesmorequickly,andhencemuchlesstimeisrequisitefortracingthepictureofthe diseaseandmuchfewerquestionsarerequiredtobeasked1,asalmosteverythingisselfevident,thanina chronicdiseasewhichhasbeengraduallyprogressingforseveralyears,inwhichthesymptomsaremuchmore difficulttobeascertained.

1

Hence the following directions for investigating the symptoms are only partially applicable for acute diseases.

83 This individualizing examination of a case of disease, for which I shall only give in this place general directions, of which thepractitioner will bear in mind onlywhatis applicable for each individual case, demandsofthephysiciannothingbutfreedomfromprejudiceandsoundsenses,attentioninobservingand fidelityintracingthepictureofthedisease.

84 Thepatientdetailsthehistoryofhissufferings;thoseabouthimtellwhattheyheardhimcomplainof,howhe hasbehavedandwhattheyhavenoticedinhim;thephysiciansees,hears,andremarksbyhisothersenses whatthereisofanalteredorunusualcharacterabouthim.Hewritesdownaccuratelyallthatthepatientand hisfriendshavetoldhimintheveryexpressionsusedbythem.Keepingsilencehimselfheallowsthemtosay all they have to say, and refrains from interrupting them1 unless they wander off to other matters. The physicianadvisesthematthebeginningoftheexaminationtospeakslowly,inorderthathemaytakedownin writingtheimportantpartsofwhatthespeakerssay.
1

Everyinterruptionbreaksthetrainofthoughtofthenarrators,andalltheywouldhavesaidatfirstdoesnot againoccurtotheminpreciselythesamemannerafterthat.

85 Hebeginsafreshlinewitheverynewcircumstancementionedbythepatientorhisfriends,sothatthe symptomsshallbeallrangedseparatelyonebelowtheother.Hecanthusaddtoanyone,thatmayatfirsthave beenrelatedintoovagueamanner,butsubsequentlymoreexplicitlyexplained.

86 Whenthenarratorshavefinishedwhattheywouldsayoftheirownaccord,thephysicianthenrevertstoeach particularsymptomandelicitsmorepreciseinformationrespectingitinthefollowingmanner;hereadsover the symptoms as they were related to him one by one, and about each of them he inquires for further particulars,e.g.,atwhatperioddidthissymptomoccur?Wasitprevioustotakingthemedicinehehad hithertobeenusing?Whiletakingthemedicine?Oronlysomedaysafterleavingoffthemedicine?Whatkind ofpain,whatsensationexactly,wasitthatoccurredonthisspot?Wherewastheprecisespot?Didthepain occurinfitsandbyitself,atvarioustimes?Orwasitcontinued,withoutintermission?Howlongdiditlast? Atwhattimeofthedayornight,andinwhatpositionofthebodywasitworst,orceasedentirely?Whatwas

theexactnatureofthisorthateventorcircumstancementioneddescribedinplainwords?

87 Andthusthephysicianobtainsmorepreciseinformationrespectingeachparticulardetail,butwithoutever framinghisquestionssoastosuggesttheanswertothepatient1,sothatheshallonlyhavetoansweryesorno; elsehewillbemisledtoanswerintheaffirmativeornegativesomethinguntrue,halftrue,ornotstrictly correct,eitherfromindolenceorinordertopleasehisinterrogator,fromwhichafalsepictureofthedisease andanunsuitablemodeoftreatmentmustresult.

1

Forinstancethephysicianshouldnotask,Wasnotthisorthatcircumstancepresent?Heshouldneverbe guiltyofmakingsuchsuggestions,whichtendtoseducethepatientintogivingafalseanswerandafalse accountofhissymptoms.

88 Ifinthesevoluntarydetailsnothinghasbeenmentionedrespectingseveralpartsorfunctionsofthebodyor hismetalstate,thephysicianaskswhatmorecanbetoldinregardtothesepartsandthesefunctions,orthe stateofhisdispositionormind1,butindoingthisheonlymakesuseofgeneralexpressions,inorderthathis informantsmaybeobligedtoenterintospecialdetailsconcerningthem.

1

Forexamplewhatwasthecharacterofhisstools?Howdoeshepasshiswater?Howisitwithhisdayand nightsleep?Whatisthestateofhisdisposition,hishumor,hismemory?Howaboutthethirst?Whatsortof tastehasheinhismouth?Whatkindsoffoodanddrinkaremostrelished?Whataremostrepugnanttohim? Haseachitsfullnaturaltaste,orsomeotherunusualtaste?Howdoeshefeelaftereatingordrinking?Hashe anythingtotellaboutthehead,thelimbsortheabdomen?

89 Whenthepatient(foritisonhimwehavechieflytorelyforadescriptionofhissensations,exceptinthecase offeigneddiseases)hasbythesedetails,givenofhisownaccordandinanswertoinquiries,furnishedthe requisiteinformationandtracedatolerablyperfectpictureofthedisease,thephysicianisatliberty and obliged(ifhefeelshehasnotyetgainedalltheinformationheneeds)toaskmoreprecise,morespecial questions.1

1

Forexample,howoftenarehisbowelsmoved?Whatistheexactcharacterofthestools?Didthewhitish evacuationconsistofmucusorfaeces?Hadheorhadhenotpainsduringtheevacuation?Whatwastheir exactcharacter,andwhereweretheyseated?Whatdidthepatientvomit?Isthebadtasteinthemouthputrid, orbitter,orsour,orwhat?beforeoraftereating,orduringtherepast?Atwhatperiodofthedaywasitworst? Whatisthetasteofwhatiseructated?Doestheurineonlybecometurbidonstanding,orisitturbidwhen firstdischarged?Whatisitscolorwhenfirstemitted?Ofwhatcoloristhesediment?Howdoeshebehave duringsleep?Doeshewhine,moan,talkorcryoutinhissleep?Doeshestartduringsleep?Doeshesnore duringinspiration,orduringexpiration?Doeshelieonlyonhisback,oronwhichside?Doeshecover himselfwellup,orcanhenotbeartheclothesonhim?Doesheeasilyawake,ordoeshesleeptoosoundly? Howoftendoesthisorthatsymptomoccur?Whatisthecausethatproducesiteachtimeitoccurs?doesit comeonwhilstsitting,lying,standing,orwheninmotion?onlywhenfasting,orinthemorning,oronlyin

Edited by Foxit Reader Copyright(C) by Foxit Software Company,2005-2007 For Evaluation Only.
theevening,oronlyafterameal,orwhendoesitusuallyappear?Whendidtherigorcomeon?wasitmerely achillysensation,orwasheactuallycoldatthesametime?ifso,inwhatparts?orwhilefeelingchilly,washe actuallywarmtothetouch?wasitmerelyasensationofcold,withoutshivering?washehotwithoutredness oftheface?whatpartsofhimwerehottothetouch?ordidhecomplainofheatwithoutbeinghottothe touch?Howlongdidthechillinesslast?howlongthehotstage?Whendidthethirstcomeonduringthecold stage?duringtheheat?orprevioustoit?orsubsequenttoit?Howgreatwasthethirst,andwhatwasthe beveragedesired?Whendidthesweatcomeonatthebeginningortheendoftheheat?orhowmanyhours aftertheheat?whenasleeporwhenawake?Howgreatwasthesweat?wasitwarmorcold?onwhatparts? howdiditsmell?Whatdoeshecomplainofbeforeorduringthecoldstage?whatduringthehotstage?what afterit?whatduringorafterthesweatingstage? (AddedtotheSixthEdition) Inwomen,notethecharacterofmenstruationandotherdischarges,etc.

90 Whenthephysicianhasfinishedwritingdowntheseparticulars,hethenmakesanoteofwhathehimself observesinthepatient1,andascertainshowmuchofthatwaspeculiartothepatientinhishealthystate.
1

For example, how the patient behaved during the visit whether he was morose, quarrelsome, hasty, lachrymose,anxious,despairingorsad,orhopeful,calmetc.Whetherhewasinadrowsystateorinanyway dullofcomprehension;whetherhespokehoarsely,orinalowtone,orincoherently,orhowotherwisedidhe talk?whatwasthecolorofhisfaceandeyes,andofhisskingenerally?whatdegreeoflivelinessandpower wasthereinhisexpressionandeyes?whatwasthestateofhistongue,hisbreathing,thesmellfromhis mouth,andhishearing?werehispupilsdilatedorcontracted?howrapidlyandtowhatextentdidtheyalterin thedarkandinthelight?whatwasthecharacterofthepulse?whatwastheconditionoftheabdomen?how moistorhot,howcoldordrytothetouch,wastheskinofthisorthatpartorgenerally?whetherhelaywith headthrownback,withmouthhalforwhollyopen,withthearmsplacedabovethehead,onhisback,orin whatotherposition?whateffortdidhemaketoraisehimself?andanythingelseinhimthatmaystrikethe physicianasbeingremarkable.

91 Thesymptomsandfeelingsofthepatientduringapreviouscourseofmedicinedonotfurnishthepurepicture ofthedisease;butontheotherhand,thosesymptomsandailmentswhichhesufferedfrombeforetheuseof themedicines,oraftertheyhadbeendiscontinuedforseveraldays,givethetruefundamentalideaofthe originalformofthedisease,andtheseespeciallythephysicianmusttakenoteof.Whenthediseaseisofa chroniccharacter,andthepatienthasbeentakingmedicineuptothetimeheisseen,thephysicianmaywith advantage leavehim somedays quite without medicine,or inthe meantimeadministersomething ofan unmedicinalnatureanddefertoasubsequentperiodthemoreprecisescrutinyofthemorbidsymptoms,in ordertobeabletograspintheirpuritythepermanentuncontaminatedsymptomsoftheoldaffectionandto formafaithfulpictureofthedisease.

92 Butifitbeadiseaseofarapidcourse,andifitsseriouscharacteradmitofnodelay,thephysicianmust

contenthimselfwithobservingthemorbidcondition,alteredthoughitmaybebymedicines,ifhecannot ascertainwhatsymptomswerepresentbeforetheemploymentofthemedicines,inorderthathemayatleast formajustapprehensionofthecompletepictureofthediseaseinitsactualcondition,thatistosay,ofthe conjointmaladyformedbythemedicinalandoriginaldiseases,whichfromtheuseofinappropriatedrugsis generallymoreseriousanddangerousthanwastheoriginaldisease,andhencedemandspromptandefficient aid;andbythustracingoutthecompletepictureofthediseasehewillbeenabledtocombatitwithasuitable homoeopathicremedy,sothatthepatientshallnotfallasacrificetotheinjuriousdrugshewasswallowed.

93 Ifthediseasehasbeenbroughtonashorttimeor,inthecaseofachronicaffection,aconsiderabletime previously,bysomeobviouscause,thenthepatientorhisfriendswhenquestionedprivatelywillmentionit eitherspontaneouslyorwhencarefullyinterrogated.1

1

Anycausesofadisgracefulcharacter,whichthepatientorhisfriendsdonotliketoconfess,atleastnot voluntarily,thephysicianmustendeavortoelicitbyskilfullyframinghisquestions,orbyprivateinformation. Tothesebelongpoisoningorattemptedsuicide,onanism,indulgenceinordinaryorunnaturaldebauchery, excessinwine,cordials,punchandotherardentbeverages,orcoffee,overindulgenceineatinggenerally,or insomeparticularfoodofahurtfulcharacter,infectionwithvenerealdiseaseoritch,unfortunatelove, jealousy,domesticinfelicity,worry,griefonaccountofsomefamilymisfortune,illusage,balkedrevenge, injuredpride,embarrassmentofapecuniarynature,superstitiousfear,hunger,oranimperfectioninthe privateparts,arupture,aprolapse,andsoforth.

94 Whileinquiringintothestateofchronicdisease,theparticularcircumstancesofthepatientwithregardtohis ordinaryoccupations,hisusualmodeoflivinganddiet,hisdomesticsituation,andsoforth,mustbewell consideredandscrutinized,toascertainwhatthereisinthemthatmaytendtoproduceortomaintaindisease, inorderthatbytheirremovaltherecoverymaybyprompted.1

1

Inchronicdiseasesoffemalesitisspeciallynecessarytopayattentiontopregnancy,sterility,sexualdesire, accouchements,miscarriages,suckling,andthestateofthemenstrualdischarge.Withrespecttothelast namedmoreparticularly,weshouldnotneglecttoascertainifitrecursattooshortintervals,orisdelayed beyondthepropertime,howmanydaysitlasts,whetheritsflowiscontinuousorinterrupted,whatisits general quality, how dark is its color, whether there is leucorrhoea before its appearance or after its termination,butespeciallybywhatbodilyormentalailments,whatsensationsandpains,itispreceded, accompaniedorfollowed;ifthereisleucorrhoea,whatisitsnature,whatsensationsattenditsflow,inwhat quantityitis,andwhataretheconditionsandoccasionsunderwhichitoccurs?

95 Inchronicdiseasetheinvestigationofthesignsofdiseaseabovementioned,andofallothers,mustbepursued ascarefullyandcircumstantiallyaspossible,andthemostminutepeculiaritiesmustbeattendedto,partly becauseinthesediseasestheyarethemostcharacteristicandleastresemblethoseofacutediseases,andifa cureistobeaffectedtheycannotbetooaccuratelynoted;partlybecausethepatientsbecomesousedtotheir longsufferingsthattheypaylittleornoheedtothelesseraccessorysymptoms,whichareoftenverypregnant

withmeaning(characteristic)oftenveryusefulindeterminingthechoiceoftheremedyandregardthem almostasanecessarypartoftheircondition,almostashealth,therealfeelingofwhichtheyhavewellnigh forgotteninthesometimesfifteenortwentyyearsofsuffering,andtheycanscarcelybringthemselvesto believethattheseaccessorysymptoms,thesegreaterorlessdeviationsfromthehealthystate,canhaveany connectionwiththeirprincipalmalady.

96 Besidesthis, patientsthemselvesdifferso muchintheirdispositions, thatsome,especiallythesocalled hypochondriacsandotherpersonsofgreatsensitivenessandimpatientofsuffering,portraytheirsymptomsin too vivid colors and, in order to induce the physician to give them relief, describe their ailments in exaggeratedexpression.1
1

Apurefabricationofsymptomsandsufferingswillneverbemetwithinhypochondriacs,eveninthemost impatientofthemacomparisonofthesufferingstheycomplainofatvarioustimeswhenthephysiciangives themnothingatall,orsomethingquiteunmedical,provesthisplainly;butwemustdeductsomethingfrom theirexaggeration,atalleventsascribethestrongcharacteroftheirexpressionstotheirexpressionswhen talkingoftheirailmentsbecomesofitselfanimportantsymptominthelistoffeaturesofwhichtheportraitof thediseaseiscomposed.Thecaseisdifferentwithinsanepersonsandrascallyfeignersofdisease.

97 Otherindividualsofanoppositecharacter,however,partlyfromindolence,partlyfromfalsemodesty,partly fromakindofmildnessofdispositionorweaknessofmind,refrainfrommentioninganumberoftheir symptoms,describetheminvagueterms,orallegesomeofthemtobeofnoconsequence.

98 Now,ascertainlyasweshouldlistenparticularlytothepatientsdescriptionofhissufferingsandsensations, andattachcredenceespeciallytohisownexpressionswherewithheendeavorstomakeusunderstandhis ailmentsbecauseinthemouthsofhisfriendsandattendantstheyareusuallyalteredanderroneouslystated, socertainly,ontheotherhand,inalldiseases,butespeciallyinthechronicones,theinvestigationofthe true, complete picture and its peculiarities demands especial circumspection, tact, knowledge of human nature,cautioninconductingtheinquiryandpatienceinaneminentdegree.

99 Onthewhole,theinvestigationofacutediseases,orofsuchashaveexistedbutashorttime,ismuchthe easiestforthephysician,becauseallthephenomenaanddeviationsfromthehealththathasbeenputrecently lostarestillfreshinthememoryofthepatientandhisfriends,stillcontinuetobenovelandstriking.The physiciancertainlyrequirestoknoweverythinginsuchcasesalso;buthehasmuchlesstoinquireinto;they areforthemostpartspontaneouslydetailedtohim.

100 Ininvestigatingthetotalityofthesymptomsofepidemicandsporadicdiseasesitisquiteimmaterialwhether

ornotsomethingsimilarhaseverappearedintheworldbeforeunderthesameoranyothername.Thenovelty orpeculiarityofadiseaseofthatkindmakesnodifferenceeitherinthemodeofexaminingoroftreatingit,as thephysicianmustanywayregardtopurepictureofeveryprevailingdiseaseasifitweresomethingnewand unknown,andinvestigateitthoroughlyforitself,ifhedesiretopracticemedicineinarealandradicalmanner, neversubstitutingconjectureforactualobservation,nevertakingforgrantedthatthecaseofdiseasebefore himisalreadywhollyorpartiallyknown,butalwayscarefullyexaminingitinallitsphases;andthismodeof procedureisallthemorerequisiteinsuchcases,asacarefulexaminationwillshowthateveryprevailing diseaseisinmanyrespectsaphenomenonofauniquecharacter,differingvastlyfromallpreviousepidemics, towhichcertainnameshavebeenfalselyappliedwiththeexceptionofthoseepidemicsresultingfroma contagiousprinciplethatalwaysremainsthesame,suchassmallpox,measles,etc.

101 Itmayeasilyhappenthatinthefirstcaseofanepidemicdiseasethatpresentsitselftothephysiciansnotice hedoesnotatonceobtainaknowledgeofitscompletepicture,asitisonlybyacloseobservationofseveral cases of every such collective disease that he can become conversant with the totality of its signs and symptoms.Thecarefullyobservingphysiciancan,however,fromtheexaminationofeventhefirstandsecond patients,oftenarrivesonearlyataknowledgeofthetruestateastohaveinhismindacharacteristicportrait ofit,andeventosucceedinfindingasuitable,homoeopathicallyadaptedremedyforit.

102 Inthecourseofwritingdownthesymptomsofseveralcasesofthiskindthesketchofthediseasepicture becomes ever more and more complete, not more spun out and verbose, but more significant (more characteristic),andincludingmoreofthepeculiaritiesofthiscollectivedisease;ontheonehand,thegeneral symptoms(e.g.,lossofappetite,sleeplessness,etc.)becomepreciselydefinedastotheirpeculiarities;andon the other, the more marked and special symptoms which are peculiar to but few diseases and of rarer occurrence,atleastinthesamecombination,becomeprominentandconstitutewhatischaracteristicofthis malady.1Allthoseaffectedwiththediseaseprevailingatagiventimehavecertainlycontracteditfromone andthesamesourceandhencearesufferingfromthesamedisease;butthewholeextentofsuchanepidemic diseaseandthetotalityofitssymptoms(theknowledgewhereof,whichisessentialforenablingustochoose themostsuitablehomoeopathicremedyforthisarrayofsymptoms,isobtainedbyacompletesurveyofthe morbidpicture)cannotbelearnedfromonesinglepatient,butisonlytobeperfectlydeduced(abstracted)and ascertainedfromthesufferingsofseveralpatientsofdifferentconstitutions.
1

Thephysicianwhohasalready,inthefirst cases,beenabletochoosearemedyapproximating tothe homoeopathicspecific,will,fromthesubsequencecases,beenabledeithertoverifythesuitablenessofthe medicinechosen,ortodiscoveramoreappropriate,themostappropriatehomoeopathicremedy.

103 Inthesamemannerashasherebeentaughtrelativetotheepidemicdisease,whicharegenerallyofanacute character,themiasmaticchronicmaladies,which,asIhaveshown,alwaysremainthesameintheiressential nature,especiallythepsora,mustbeinvestigated,astothewholesphereoftheirsymptoms,inamuchmore minutemannerthanhaseverbeendonebefore,forinthemalsoonepatientonlyexhibitsaportionoftheir symptoms,asecond,athird,andsoon,presentsomeothersymptoms,whichalsoarebuta(dissevered,asit

were),portionofthetotalityofthesymptomswhichconstitutetheentireextentofthismalady,sothatthe wholearrayofthesymptomsbelongingtosuchamiasmatic,chronicdisease,andespeciallytothepsora,can onlybeascertainedfromtheobservationofverymanysinglepatientsaffectedwithsuchachronicdisease, andwithoutacompletesurveyandcollectivepictureofthesesymptomsthemedicinescapableofcuringthe wholemaladyhomoeopathically(towit,theantipsorics)cannotbediscovered;andthesemedicinesare,atthe sametime,thetrueremediesoftheseveralpatientssufferingfromsuchchronicaffections.

104 Whenthetotalityofthesymptomsthatspeciallymarkanddistinguishthecaseofdiseaseor,inotherwords, whenthepictureofthedisease,whateverbeitskind,isonceaccuratelysketched,1themostdifficultpartof thetaskisaccomplished.Thephysicianhasthenthepictureofthedisease,especiallyifitbeachronicone, alwaysbeforehimtoguidehiminhistreatment;hecaninvestigateitinallitspartsandcanpickoutthe characteristicsymptoms,inordertoopposetothese,thatistosay,tothewholemaladyitself,averysimilar artificialmorbificforce,intheshapeofahomoeopathicallychosenmedicinalsubstance,selectedfromthe listsofsymptoms ofallthemedicineswhosepureeffectshavebeenascertained.Andwhen,duringthe treatment,hewishestoascertainwhathasbeentheeffectofthemedicine,andwhatchangehastakenplacein thepatientsstate,atthisfreshexaminationofthepatientheonlyneedstostrikeoutofthelistofthe symptomsnoteddownatthefirstvisitthosethathavebecomeameliorated,tomarkwhatstillremain,andadd anynewsymptomsthatmayhavesupervened.
1

Theoldschoolphysiciangavehimselfverylittletroubleinthismatterinhismodeoftreatment.Hewould notlistentoanyminutedetailofallthecircumstancesofhiscasebythepatient;indeed,hefrequentlycuthim short in his relationofhis sufferings, in orderthathe might not be delayedin therapidwriting ofhis prescription, composed of a variety of ingredients unknown to him in their true effects. No allopathic physician,ashasbeensaid,soughttolearnallthecircumstancesofthepatientscase,andstilllessdidhe makeanoteinwritingofthem.Onseeingthepatientagainseveraldaysafterwardsherecollectednothing concerningthefewdetailshehadheardatthefirstvisit(havinginthemeantimeseensomanyotherpatients laboringunderdifferentaffections);hehadallowedeverythingtogoinatoneearandoutattheother.At subsequentvisitsheonlyaskedafewgeneralquestions,wentthroughtheceremonyoffeelingthepulseatthe wrist, looked at the tongue, and at the same moment wrote another prescription, on equally irrational principles,ororderedthefirstonetobecontinued(inconsiderablequantitiesseveraltimesaday),and,witha gracefulbow,hehurriedofftothefiftiethorsixtiethpatienthehadtovisit,inthisthoughtlessway,inthe course of that forenoon. The profession which of all others requires actually the most reflection, a conscientious,carefulexaminationofthestateofeachindividualpatientandaspecialtreatmentfounded thereon,wasconductedinthismannerbypersonswhocalledthemselvesphysicians,rationalpractitioners. Theresult,asmightnaturallybeexpected,wasalmostinvariablybad;andyetpatientshadtogotothemfor advise,partlybecausetherewerenonebettertobehad,partlyforfashionssake.

105 Thesecondpointofthebusinessofatruephysicianrelatedtoacquiringaknowledgeoftheinstruments intendedforthecureofthenaturaldiseases,investigatingthepathogeneticpowerofthemedicines,inorder, whencalledontocure,tobeabletoselectfromamongthemone,fromthelistofwhosesymptomsan artificialdiseasemaybeconstructed,assimilaraspossibletothetotalityoftheprincipalsymptomsofthe naturaldiseasesoughttobecured.

106 The whole pathogenetic effect of the several medicines must be known; that is to say, all the morbid symptomsandalterationsinthehealththateachofthemisspeciallycapableofdevelopinginthehealthy individualmustfirsthavebeenobservedasfaraspossible,beforewecanhopetobeabletofindamongthem, andtoselect,suitablehomoeopathicremediesformostofthenaturaldisease.

107 If,inordertoascertainthis,medicinesbegivento sick personsonly,eventhoughtheybeadministered singlyandalone,thenlittleornothingpreciseisseenoftheirtrueeffects,asthosepeculiaralterationsofthe healthtobeexpectedfromthemedicinearemixedupwiththesymptomsofthediseaseandcanseldombe distinctlyobserved.

108 There is, therefore, no other possible way in which the peculiar effects of medicines on the health of individualscanbeaccuratelyascertainedthereisnosure,nomorenaturalwayofaccomplishingthisobject, thantoadministertheseveralmedicinesexperimentally,inmoderatedoses,tohealthypersons,inorderto ascertainwhatchanges,symptomsandsignsoftheirinfluenceeachindividuallyproducesonthehealthofthe bodyandofthemind;thatistosay,whatdiseaseelementstheyareableandtendtoproduce1,since,ashas beendemonstrated(2427),allthecurativepowerofmedicinesliesinthispowertheypossessofchanging thestateofmanshealth,andisrevealedbyobservationofthelatter.
1

Notonesinglephysician,asfarasIknow,duringtheprevioustwothousandfivehundredyears,thoughtof thissonatural,soabsolutelynecessaryandonlygenuinemodeoftestingmedicinesfortheirpureandpeculiar effectsinderangingthehealthofman,inordertolearnwhatmorbidstateeachmedicineiscapableofcuring, exceptthegreatandimmoralAlbrechtvonHaller.Healone,besidesmyself,sawthenecessityofthis(vide thePrefacetothePharmacopoeiaHelvet,Basil,1771,fol.,p.12);Nempeprimumincorporesanomedela tentandaest,sineperegrinaullamiscela;odorequeetsaporeejusexploratis,exiguailliudosisingerendaetad ommes, quae inde contingunt, affectiones, quis pulsus, qui calor, quae respiratia, quaenam excretiones, attendum.Indeadductumphaenomenorum,insanoobviorum,transeasadexperimentaincorporeaegroro, etc.Butnoone,notasinglephysician,attendedtoorfollowedupthisinvaluablehint.

109 Iwasthefirstthatopenedupthispath,whichIhavepursuedwithaperseverancethatcouldonlyariseandbe keptupbyaperfectconvictionofthegreattruth,fraughtwithsuchblessingstohumanity,thatitisonlybythe homoeopathicemploymentofmedicines1thatthecertaincureofhumanmaladiesispossible.2

1

Itisimpossiblethattherecanbeanothertrue,bestmethodofcuringdynamicdiseases(i.e.,alldiseasesnot strictlysurgical)besideshomoeopathy,justasitisimpossibletodrawmorethanonestraightlinebetwixttwo given points. He who imagines that there are other modes of curing diseases besides it could not have appreciatedhomoeopathyfundamentallynorpractiseditwithsufficientcare,norcouldheeverhaveseenor readcasesofproperlyperformedhomoeopathiccures;nor,ontheotherhand,couldhehavediscernedthe

baselessnessofallallopathicmodesoftreatingdiseasesandtheirbadorevendreadfuleffects,if,withsuch laxindifference,heplacestheonlytruehealingartonanequalitywiththosehurtfulmethodsoftreatment,or allegesthelattertobeauxiliariestohomoeopathywhichitcouldnotdowithout!Mytrue,conscientious followers,thepurehomoeopathists,withtheirsuccessful,almostneverfailingtreatment,mightteachthese personsbetter.

2

Thefirstfruitsoftheselabors,asperfectastheycouldbeatthattime,IrecordedintheFragmentadeviribus medicamentorumpositivis,siveinsanocorporehumanoobservatis,pts.I,ii,Lipsiae,8,1805,ap.J.A.Barth; themorematurefruitsintheReineArzneimittellebre,ITh.,dritteAusg.;IITh.,dritteAusg.,1833;IIITh., zweiteAusg.,1825;IVTh.,zw.Ausg.,1827(Englishtranslation,MateriaMedicaPura,volsIandii);andin thesecond,third,andfourthpartsofDiechronischenKrankheiten,1828,1830,DresdenbeiArnold(2ndedit., withafifthpart,DusseldorfbeiSchaub,1835,1839).

110 I saw, moreover, that the morbid lesions which previous authors had observed to result from medicinal substanceswhentakenintothestomachofhealthypersons,eitherinlargedosesgivenbymistakeorinorder toproducedeathinthemselvesorothers,orunderothercircumstances,accordedverymuchwithmyown observationswhenexperimentingwiththesamesubstancesonmyselfandotherhealthyindividuals.These authorsgivedetailsofwhatoccurredashistoriesofpoisoningandasproofsoftheperniciouseffectsofthese powerfulsubstances,chieflyinordertowarnothersfromtheiruse;partlyalsoforthesakeofexaltingtheir ownskill,when,undertheuseoftheremediestheyemployedtocombatthesedangerousaccidents,health graduallyreturned;butpartlyalso,whenthepersonssoaffecteddiedundertheirtreatment,inordertoseek theirownjustificationinthedangerouscharacterofthesesubstances,whichtheythentermedpoisons.None of these observers ever dreamed that the symptoms they recorded merely as proofs of the noxious and poisonous character ofthese substanceswere surerevelationsof the power of these drugs to extinguish curatively similar symptoms occurring in natural disease, that these their pathogenetic phenomena were intimationsoftheirhomoeopathiccurativeaction,andthattheonlypossiblewaytoascertaintheirmedicinal powersistoobservethosechangesofhealthmedicinesarecapableofproducinginthehealthyorganism;for thepure,peculiarpowersofmedicinesavailableforthecureofdiseasearetobelearnedneitherbyany ingeniousapriorispeculations,norbythesmell,tasteorappearanceofthedrugs,norbytheirchemical analysis,noryetbytheemploymentofseveralofthematonetimeinamixture(prescription)indiseases;it wasneversuspectedthatthesehistoriesofmedicinaldiseaseswouldonedayfurnishthefirstrudimentsofthe true,puremateriamedica,whichfromtheearliesttimesuntilnowhasconsistedsolelyoffalseconjectures andfictionsoftheimaginationthatistosay,didnotexistatall.1
1

SeewhatIhavesaidonthissubjectintheExaminationoftheSourcesoftheOrdinaryMateriaMedica, prefixedtothethirdpartofmyReineArzneimittellebre(translatedintheMateriaMedicaPura,vol.ii).

111 Theagreementofmyobservationsonthepureeffectsofmedicineswiththeseolderonesalthoughtheywere recordedwithoutreferencetoanytherapeuticobject,andtheveryconcordanceoftheseaccountswithothers ofthesamekindbydifferentauthorsmusteasilyconvinceusthatmedicinalsubstancesactinthemorbid changestheyproduceinthehealthyhumanbodyaccordingtofixed,eternallawsofnature,andbyvirtueof theseareenabledtoproducecertain,reliablediseasesymptomseachaccordingtoitsownpeculiarcharacter.

112 Inthoseolderprescriptionsoftheoftendangerouseffectsofmedicinesingestedinexcessivelylargedoseswe noticecertainstatesthatwereproduced,notatthecommencement,buttowardstheterminationofthesesad events,andwhichwereofanexactlyoppositenaturetothosethatfirstappeared.Thesesymptoms,thevery reverseoftheprimaryaction(63)orproperactionofthemedicinesonthevitalforcearethereactionofthe vitalforceoftheorganism,itssecondaryaction(6267),ofwhich,however,thereisseldomorhardlyever theleasttracefromexperimentswithmoderatedosesonhealthybodies,andfromsmalldosesnonewhatever. Inthehomoeopathiccurativeoperationthelivingorganismreactsfromtheseonlysomuchasisrequisiteto raisethehealthagaintothenormalhealthystate(67).

113 Theonlyexceptionstothisarethenarcoticmedicines.Asthey,intheirprimaryaction,takeawaysometimes thesensibilityandsensation,sometimestheirritability,itfrequentlyhappensthatintheirsecondaryaction, evenfrommoderateexperimentaldosesonhealthybodies,anincreasedsensibility(andagreaterirritability) isobservable.

114 Withtheexceptionofthesenarcoticsubstances,inexperimentswithmoderatedosesofmedicineonhealthy bodies,weobserveonlytheirprimaryaction,i.e.,thosesymptomswherewiththemedicinederangesthe healthofthehumanbeinganddevelopsinhimamorbidstateoflongerorshorterduration.

115 Amongthesesymptoms,thereoccurinthecaseofsomemedicinesnotafewwhicharepartially,orunder certainconditions,directlyoppositetoothersymptomsthathavepreviouslyorsubsequentlyappeared,but whicharenotthereforetoberegardedasactualsecondaryactionorthemerereactionofthevitalforce,but whichonlyrepresentthealternatingstateofthevariousparoxysmsoftheprimaryaction;theyaretermed alternatingactions.

116 Somesymptomsareproducedbythemedicinesmorefrequentlythatistosay,inmanyindividuals,others morerarelyorinfewpersons,someonlyinveryfewhealthybodies.

117 Tothelattercategorybelongthesocalledidiosyncrasies,bywhicharemeantpeculiarcorporealconstitutions which,althoughotherwisehealthy,possessadispositiontobebroughtintoamoreorlessmorbidstateby certainthingswhichseemtoproducenoimpressionandnochangeinmanyotherindividuals. 1 Butthis inability to make an impression on every one is only apparent. For as two things are required for the productionoftheseaswellasallothermorbidalterationsinthehealthofmantowit.,theinherentpowerof theinfluencingsubstance,andthecapabilityofthevitalforcethatanimatestheorganismtobeinfluencedby

ittheobviousderangementsofhealthinthesocalledidiosyncrasiescannotbelaidtotheaccountofthese peculiarconstitutionsalone,buttheymustalsobeascribedtothesethingsthatproducethem,inwhichmust liethepowerofmakingthesameimpressionsonallhumanbodies,yetinsuchamannerthatbutasmall numberofhealthyconstitutionshaveatendencytoallowthemselvestobebroughtintosuchanobvious morbidconditionbythem.Thattheseagentsdoactuallymakethisimpressiononeveryhealthybodyisshown bythis,thatwhenemployedasremediestheyrendereffectualhomoeopathicservice2toallsickpersonsfor morbid symptoms similartothosetheyseemtobe onlycapable ofproducingin socalled idiosyncratic individuals.
1

Somefewpersonsareapttofaintfromthesmellofrosesandtofallintomanyothermorbid,andsometimes dangerousstatesfrompartakingofmussels,crabsortheroeofthebarbel,fromtouchingtheleavesofsome kindsofsumach,etc.

2

ThusthePrincessMariaPorphyroghnitarestoredherbrother,theEmperorAlexius, whosufferedfrom faintings,bysprinklinghimwithrosewaterinthepresenceofhisauntEudoxia(Hist.byz.Alexias,lib.xv,p. 503,ed.Posser);andHorstius(Oper.,iii,p.59)sawgreatbenefitfromrosevinegarincasesofsyncope.

118 Everymedicineexhibitspeculiaractionsonthehumanframe,whicharenotproducedinexactlythesame mannerbyanyothermedicinalsubstanceofadifferentkind.1

1

ThisfactwasalsoperceivedbytheestimableA.v.Haller,whosays(PrefacetohisHist.stirp.helv.):Latet immensa virium diversitas in iis ipsis plantis, quarum facies externas dudum novimus, animas quasi et quodcunquecaelestiushabent,nondumperspeximus.

119 Ascertainlyaseveryspeciesofplantdiffersinitsexternalform,modeoflifeandgrowth,initstasteand smellfromeveryotherspeciesandgenusofplant,ascertainlyaseverymineralandsaltdiffersfromall others, in its external as well as its internal physical and chemical properties (which alone should have sufficedtopreventanyconfoundingofonewithanother),socertainlydotheyalldifferanddivergeamong themselvesintheirpathogeneticconsequentlyalsointheirtherapeuticeffects.1Eachofthesesubstances producesalterationsinthehealthofhumanbeingsinapeculiar,different,yetdeterminatemanner,soasto precludethepossibilityofconfoundingonewithanother.2
1

Anyonewhohasathoroughknowledgeof,andcanappreciatetheremarkabledifferenceof,effectsonthe healthofmanofeverysinglesubstancefromthoseofeveryother,willreadilyperceivethatamongthemthere canbe,inamedicalpointofview,noequivalentremedieswhatever,nosurrogates.Onlythosewhodonot knowthepure,positiveeffectsofthedifferentmedicinescanbesofoolishastotrytopersuadeusthatone canserveinthesteadoftheother,andcaninthesamediseaseprovejustasserviceableastheother.Thusdo ignorantchildrenconfoundthemostessentialdifferentthings,becausetheyscarcelyknowtheirexternal appearances,farlesstheirrealvalue,theirtrueimportanceandtheirverydissimilarinherentproperties.

2

Ifthisbepuretruth,asitundoubtedlyis,thennophysicianwhowouldnotberegardedasdevoidofreason, andwhowouldnotactcontrarytothedictatesofhisconscience,thesolearbiterofrealworth,canemployin

thetreatmentofdiseasesanymedicinalsubstancebutonewithwhoserealsignificanceheisthoroughlyand perfectlyconversant,i.e.,whosepositiveactiononthehealthofhealthyindividualshehassoaccuratelytested thatheknowsforcertainthatitiscapableofproducingaverysimilarmorbidstate,moresimilarthanany othermedicinewithwhichheisperfectlyacquainted,tothatpresentedbythecaseofdiseaseheintendsto curebymeansofit;for,ashasbeenshownabove,neitherman,normightyNatureherself,caneffectaperfect, rapidandpermanentcureotherwisethanwithahomoeopathicremedy.Henceforthnotruephysiciancan abstainfrommakingsuchexperiment,inordertoobtainthismostnecessaryandonlyknowledgeofthe medicinesthatareessentialtocure,thisknowledgewhichhashithertobeenneglectedbythephysiciansinall ages.Inallformeragesposteritywillscarcelybelieveitphysicianshavehithertocontentedthemselveswith blindly prescribing for diseases medicines whose value was unknown, and which had never been tested relativetotheirhighlyimportant,veryvarious,puredynamicactiononthehealthofman;and,moreover,they mingledseveraloftheseunknownmedicinesthatdifferedsovastlyamongeachotherinoneformula,andleft ittochancetodeterminewhateffectsshouldtherebybeproducedonthepatient.Thisisjustasifamadman shouldforcehiswayintotheworkshopofanartisan,seizeuponhandfulsofverydifferenttools,withtheuses ofallofwhichheisquiteunacquainted,inorder,asheimagines,toworkattheobjectsofartheseesaround him.Ineedhardlyremarkthatthesewouldbedestroyed,Imaysayutterlyruined,byhissenselessoperations.

120 Thereforemedicines,onwhichdependmanslifeanddeath,diseaseandhealth,mustbethoroughlyandmost carefullydistinguishedfromoneanother,andforthispurposetestedbycareful,pureexperimentsonthe healthybodyforthepurposeofascertainingtheirpowersandrealeffects,inordertoobtainanaccurate knowledgeofthem,andtoenableustoavoidanymistakeintheiremploymentindiseases,foritisonlyby correctselectionofthemthatthegreatestofallearthlyblessings,thehealthofthebodyandofthemind,can berapidlyandpermanentlyrestored.

121 Inprovingmedicinestoascertaintheireffectsonthehealthybody,itmustbeborneinmindthatthestrong, heroicsubstances,astheyaretermed,areliableeveninsmalldosestoproducechangesinthehealthevenof robustpersons.Thoseofmilderpowermustbegivenfortheseexperimentsinmoreconsiderablequantities;in ordertoobservetheactionoftheveryweakest,however,thesubjectsofexperimentshouldbepersonsfree fromdisease,andwhoaredelicate,irritableandsensitive.

122 Intheseexperimentsonwhichdependstheexactitudeofthewholemedicalart,andthewealofallfuture generationsofmankindnoothermedicinesshouldbeemployedexceptsuchasareperfectlywellknown,and ofwhosepurity,genuinenessandenergywearethoroughlyassured.

123 Eachofthesemedicinesmustbetakeninaperfectlysimple,unadulteratedform;theindigenousplantsinthe formoffreshlyexpressedjuice,mixedwithalittlealcoholtopreventitspoiling;exoticvegetablesubstances, however,intheformofpowder,ortincturepreparedwithalcoholwhentheywereinthefreshstateand afterwardsmingledwithacertainproportionofwater;saltsandgums,however,shouldbedissolvedinwater

justbeforebeingtaken.Iftheplantcanonlybeprocuredinitsdrystate,andifitspowersarenaturallyweak, inthatcasetheremaybeusedfortheexperimentaninfusionofit,madebycuttingtheherbintosmallpieces andpouringboilingwateronit,soastoextractitsmedicinalparts;immediatelyafteritspreparationitmust beswallowedwhilestillwarm,asallexpressedvegetablejuicesandallaqueousinfusionsofherbs,without theadditionofspirit,passrapidlyintofermentationanddecomposition,wherebyalltheirmedicinalproperties arelost.

124 Fortheseexperimentseverymedicinalsubstancemustbeemployedquitealoneandperfectlypure,without theadmixtureofanyforeignsubstance,andwithouttakinganythingelseofamedicinalnaturethesameday, noryetonthesubsequentdays,norduringallthetimewewishtoobservetheeffectsofthemedicine.

125 Duringallthetimetheexperimentlaststhedietmustbestrictlyregulated;itshouldbeasmuchaspossible destituteofspices,ofapurelynutritiousandsimplecharacter,greenvegetables,1rootsandallsaladsandherb soups(which,evenwhenmostcarefullyprepared,possesssomedisturbingmedicinalqualities)shouldbe avoided.Thedrinksaretobethoseusuallypartakenof,aslittlestimulatingaspossible.2

1

Younggreenpeas,greenFrenchbeans(boiledpotatoesintheSixthEdition)andinallcasescarrotsare allowable,astheleastmedicinalvegetables.
2

Thesubjectofexperimentmusteitherbenotinthehabitoftakingpurewine,brandy,coffeeortea,orhe musthavetotallyabstainedforaconsiderabletimepreviouslyfromtheuseoftheseinjuriousbeverages,some ofwhicharestimulating,othersmedicinal.

126FifthEdition Thepersonwhoisprovingthemedicinemustduringthewholetimeoftheexperimentavoidalloverexertion ofmindandbody,allsortsofdissipationanddisturbingpassions;heshouldhavenourgentbusinessto distract his attention; he must devote himself to careful selfobservation and not be disturbed while so engaged;hisbodymustbeinwhatisforhimagoodstateofhealth,andhemustpossessasufficientamount ofintelligencetobeabletoexpressanddescribehissensationsinaccurateterms. 126SixthEdition Thepersonwhoisprovingthemedicinemustbepreeminentlytrustworthyandconscientiousandduringthe wholetimeoftheexperimentavoidalloverexertionofmindandbody,allsortsofdissipationanddisturbing passions;heshouldhavenourgentbusinesstodistracthisattention;hemustdevotehimselftocarefulself observationandnotbedisturbedwhilesoengaged;hisbodymustbeinwhatisforhimagoodstateofhealth, andhemustpossessasufficientamountofintelligencetobeabletoexpressanddescribehissensationsin accurateterms.

127 Themedicinesmustbetestedonbothmalesandfemales,inorderalsotorevealthealterationsofthehealth

theyproduceinthesexualsphere.

128FifthEdition Themostrecentobservationshaveshownthatmedicinalsubstances,whentakenintheircrudestatebythe experimenterforthepurposeoftestingtheirpeculiareffects,donotexhibitnearlythefullamountofthe powersthatliehiddeninthemwhichtheydowhentheyaretakenforthesameobjectinhighdilutions potentizedbypropertriturationandsuccussion,bywhichsimpleoperationsthepowerswhichintheircrude statelayhidden,and,asitwere,dormant,aredevelopedandrousedintoactivitytoanincredibleextent.Inthis mannerwenowfinditbesttoinvestigatethemedicinalpowersevenofsuchsubstancesasaredeemedweak, andtheplanweadoptistogivetotheexperimenter,onanemptystomach,dailyfromfourtosixverysmall globulesofthethirtiethpotentizeddilutionofsuchasubstance,moistenedwithalittlewater,andlethim continuethisforseveraldays. 128SixthEdition Themostrecentobservationshaveshownthatmedicinalsubstances,whentakenintheircrudestatebythe experimenterforthepurposeoftestingtheirpeculiareffects,donotexhibitnearlythefullamountofthe powersthatliehiddeninthemwhichtheydowhentheyaretakenforthesameobjectinhighdilutions potentizedbypropertriturationandsuccussion,bywhichsimpleoperationsthepowerswhichintheircrude statelayhidden,and,asitwere,dormant,aredevelopedandrousedintoactivitytoanincredibleextent.Inthis mannerwenowfinditbesttoinvestigatethemedicinalpowersevenofsuchsubstancesasaredeemedweak, andtheplanweadoptistogivetotheexperimenter,onanemptystomach,dailyfromfourtosixverysmall globulesofthethirtiethpotencyofsuchasubstance,moistenedwithalittlewaterordissolvedinmoreorless waterandthoroughlymixed,andlethimcontinuethisforseveraldays.

129 Iftheeffectsthatresultfromsuchadosearebutslight,afewmoreglobulesmaybetakendaily,untilthey becomemoredistinctandstrongerandthealterationsofthehealthmoreconspicuous;forallpersonsarenot effectedbyamedicineinanequallygreatdegree;onthecontrary,thereisavastvarietyinthisrespect,sothat sometimesanapparentlyweakindividualmaybyscarcelyatallaffectedbymoderatedosesofamedicine knowntobeofapowerfulcharacter,whileheisstronglyenoughactedonbyothersofamuchweakerkind. And,ontheotherhand,thereareveryrobustpersonswhoexperienceveryconsiderablemorbidsymptoms fromanapparentlymildmedicine,andonlyslightersymptomsfromstrongerdrugs.Now,asthiscannotbe knownbeforehand,itisadvisabletocommenceineveryinstancewithasmalldoseofthedrugand,where suitableandrequisite,toincreasethedosemoreandmorefromdaytoday.

130 If,attheverycommencement,thefirstdoseadministeredshallhavebeensufficientlystrong,thisadvantageis gained,thattheexperimenterlearnstheorderofsuccessionofthesymptomsandcannotedownaccurately theperiodatwhicheachoccurs,whichisveryusefulinleadingtoaknowledgeofthegeniusofthemedicine, forthentheorderoftheprimaryactions,asalsothatofthealternatingactions,isobservedinthemost unambiguous manner. A very moderate dose, even,often suffices for theexperiment, providedonlythe experimenterisendowedwithsufficientlydelicatesensitiveness,andisveryattentivetohissensations.The durationoftheactionofadrugcanonlybeascertainedbyacomparisonofseveralexperiments.

131 If,however,inordertoascertainanythingatall,thesamemedicinemustbegiventothesamepersontotest forseveralsuccessivedaysineverincreasingdoses,wetherebylearn,nodoubt,thevariousmorbidstatesthis medicineiscapableofproducinginageneralmanner,butwedonotascertaintheirorderofsuccession;and thesubsequentdoseoftenremoves,curatively,someoneorotherofthesymptomscausedbytheprevious dose,ordevelopsinitssteadanoppositestate;suchsymptomsshouldbeenclosedinbrackets,tomarktheir ambiguity, until subsequent purer experiments show whether they are the reaction of the organism and secondaryactionoranalternatingactionofthismedicine.

132 Butwhentheobjectis,withoutreferencetothesequentialorderofthephenomenaandthedurationofthe action of the drug, only to ascertain the symptoms themselves, especially those of a weak medicinal substance,inthatcasethepreferablecoursetopursueistogiveitforseveralsuccessivedays,increasingthe doseeveryday.In this mannerthe actionofan unknown medicine,evenofthe mildest nature,will be revealed,especiallyiftestedonsensitivepersons.

133 On experiencing any particular sensation from the medicine, it is useful, indeed necessary, in order to determinetheexactcharacterofthesymptom,toassumevariouspositionswhileitlasts,andtoobserve whether,bymovingthepartaffected,bywalkingintheroomortheopenair,bystanding,sittingorlyingthe symptomisincreased,diminishedorremoved,andwhetheritreturnsonagainassumingthepositioninwhich itwasfirstobserved,whetheritisalteredbyeatingordrinking,orbyanyothercondition,orbyspeaking, coughing,sneezingoranyotheractionofthebody,andatthesametimetonoteatwhattimeofthedayor nightitusuallyoccursinthemostmarkedmanner,wherebywhatispeculiartoandcharacteristicofeach symptomwillbecomeapparent.

134 Allexternalinfluences,andmoreespeciallymedicines,possessthepropertyofproducinginthehealthofthe livingorganismaparticularkindofalterationpeculiartothemselves;butallthesymptomspeculiartoa medicinedonotappearinoneperson,norallatonce,norinthesameexperiment,butsomeoccurinone personchieflyatonetime,othersagainduringasecondorthirdtrail;inanotherpersonsomeothersymptoms appear,butinsuchamannerthatprobablysomeofthephenomenaareobservedinthefourth,eighthortenth personwhichhadalreadyappearedinthesecond,sixthorninthperson,andsoforth;moreover,theymaynot recuratthesamehour.

135 Thewholeoftheelementsofdiseaseamedicineiscapableofproducingcanonlybebroughttoanythinglike completenessbynumerousobservationsonsuitablepersonsofbothsexesandofvariousconstitutions.We canonlybeassuredthatamedicinehasbeenthoroughlyprovedinregardtothemorbidstatesitcanproduce thatistosay,inregardtoitspurepowersofalteringthehealthofmanwhensubsequentexperimenterscan

noticelittleofanovelcharacterfromitsaction,andalmostalwaysonlythesamesymptomsashadbeen alreadyobservedbyothers.

136 Although,ashasbeensaid,amedicine,onbeingprovedonhealthysubjects,cannotdevelopinonepersonall thealterationsofhealthitiscapableofcausing,butcanonlydothiswhengiventomanydifferentindividuals, varyingintheircorporealandmentalconstitution,yetthetendencytoexciteallthesesymptomsinevery humanbeingexistsinit(117),accordingtoaneternalandimmutablelawofnature,byvirtueofwhichallits effects,eventhosethatarebutrarelydevelopedinthehealthyperson,arebroughtintooperationinthecaseof everyindividualifadministeredtohimwhenheisinamorbidstatepresentingsimilarsymptoms;itthen, eveninthesmallestdose,beinghomoeopathicallyselected,silentlyproducesinthepatientanartificialstate closelyresemblingthenaturaldisease,whichrapidlyandpermanently(homoeopathically)freesandcures himofhisoriginalmalady.

137 Themoremoderate,withincertainlimits,thedosesofthemedicineusedforsuchexperimentsareprovided weendeavortofacilitatetheobservationbytheselectionofapersonwhoisaloveroftruth,temperateinall respects,ofdelicatefeelings,andwhocandirectthemostminuteattentiontohissensationsomuchthe moredistinctlyaretheprimaryeffectsdeveloped,andonlythese,whicharemostworthknowing,occur withoutanyadmixtureofsecondaryeffectsorreactionsofthevitalforce.When,however,excessivelylarge dosesareusedthereoccuratthesametimenotonlyanumberofsecondaryeffectsamongthesymptoms,but theprimaryeffectsdeveloped,andonlythese,whicharemostworthknowing,occurwithoutanyadmixtureof secondaryeffectsorreactionsofthevitalforce.When,however,excessivelylargedosesareusedthereoccur atthesametimenotonlyanumberofsecondaryeffectsamongthesymptoms,buttheprimaryeffectsalso comeoninsuchhurriedconfusionandwithsuchimpetuositythatnothingcanbeaccuratelyobserved;let alonethedangerattendingthem,whichnoonewhohasanyregardforhisfellowcreatures,andwholookson themeanestofmankindashisbrother,willdeemanindifferentmanner.

138 Allthesufferings,accidentsandchangesofthehealthoftheexperimenterduringtheactionofamedicine (providedtheabovecondition[124127]essentialtoagoodandpureexperimentarecompliedwith)are solely derived from this medicine, and must be regarded and registered as belonging peculiarly to this medicine,assymptomsofthismedicine,eventhoughtheexperimenterhadobserved,aconsiderabletime previously,thespontaneousoccurrenceofsimilarphenomenainhimself.Thereappearanceoftheseduring thetrialofthemedicineonlyshowsthatthisindividualis,byvirtueofhispeculiarconstitution,particularly disposedtohavesuchsymptomsexcitedinhim.Inthiscasetheyaretheeffectofthemedicine;thesymptoms donotarisespontaneouslywhilethemedicinethathasbeentakenisexercisinganinfluenceoverthehealthof thewholesystem,butareproducedbythemedicine.

139 Whenthephysiciandoesnotmakethetrialofthemedicineonhimself,butgivesittoanotherperson,the lattermustnotedowndistinctlythesensations,sufferings,accidentsandchangesofhealthheexperiencesat

thetimeoftheiroccurrence,mentioningthetimeaftertheingestionofthedrugwheneachsymptomarose and,ifitlastslong,theperiodofitsduration.Thephysicianlooksoverthereportinthepresenceofthe experimenterimmediatelyaftertheexperimentisconcluded,orifthetriallastsseveraldayshedoesthisevery day,inorder,whileeverythingisstillfreshinhismemory,toquestionhimabouttheexactnatureofeveryone ofthesecircumstances,andtowritedownthemoreprecisedetailssoelicited,ortomakesuchalterationsas theexperimentermaysuggest.1

1

Hewhomakesknowntothemedicalworldtheresultsofsuchexperimentsbecomestherebyresponsiblefor thetrustworthinessofthepersonexperimentedonandhisstatements,andjustlyso,asthewealofsuffering humanityishereatstake.

140 Ifthepersoncannotwrite,thephysicianmustbeinformedbyhimeverydayofwhathasoccurredtohim,and howittookplace.Whatisnoteddownasauthenticinformationonthispoint,however,mustbechieflythe voluntarynarrationofthepersonwhomakestheexperiment,nothingconjecturalandaslittleaspossible derivedfromanswerstoleadingquestionsshouldbeadmitted;everythingmustbeascertainedwiththesame cautionasIhavecounselledabove(8499)fortheinvestigationofthephenomenaandfortracingthe pictureofnaturaldiseases.

141 Butthebestprovingsofthepureeffectsofsimplemedicinesinalteringthehumanhealth,andoftheartificial diseasesandsymptomstheyarecapableofdevelopinginthehealthyindividual,arethosewhichthehealthy, unprejudicedandsensitivephysicianinstitutesonhimselfwithallthecautionandcarehereenjoined.He knowswiththegreatestcertaintythethingshehasexperiencedinhisownperson.1

1

Thosetrialsmadebythephysicianonhimselfhaveforhimotherandinestimableadvantages.Inthefirst place,thegreattruththatthemedicinalvirtueofalldrugs,whereondependstheircurativepower,liesinthe changesofhealthhehashimselfundergonefromthemedicineshehasproved,andthemorbidstateshehas himself experienced from them, becomes for him an incontrovertible fact. Again by such noteworthy observationsonhimselfhewillbebroughttounderstandhisownsensations,hismodeofthinkingandhis disposition(thefoundationofalltruewisdom),andhewillbealsotrainedtobe,whateveryphysician oughttobe,agoodobserver.Allourobservationsonothersarenotnearlysointerestingasthosemadeon ourselves.Theobserverofothersmustalwaysdreadlesttheexperimenterdidnotfeelexactlywhathesaid,or lesthedidnotdescribehissensationswiththemostappropriateexpressions.Hemustalwaysremainindoubt whetherhehasnotbeendeceived,atleasttosomeextent.Theseobstaclestotheknowledgeofthetruth, whichcanneverbethoroughlysurmountedinourinvestigationsoftheartificialmorbidsymptomsthatoccur inothersfromtheingestionofmedicines,ceaseentirelywhenwemakethetrialsonourselves.Hewhomakes thesetrialsonhimselfknowsforcertainwhathehasfelt,andeachtrialisanewinducementforhimto investigatethepowersofothermedicines.Hethusbecomesmoreandmorepractisedintheartofobserving, ofsuchimportancetothephysician,bycontinuingtoobservehimself,theoneonwhomhecanmostrelyand whowillneverdeceivehim;andthishewilldoallthemorezealouslyastheseexperimentsonhimself promisetogivehimareliableknowledgeofthetruevalueandsignificanceoftheinstrumentsofcurethatare stilltoagreatdegreeunknowntoourart.Letitnotbeimaginedthatsuchslightindispositionscausedby takingmedicinesforthepurposeofprovingthemcanbeinthemaininjurioustothehealth.Experienceshows

onthecontrary,thattheorganismoftheproverbecomes,bythesefrequentattacksonhishealth,allthemore expertinrepellingallexternalinfluencesinimicaltohisframeandallartificialandnaturalmorbificnoxious agents,andbecomesmorehardenedtoresisteverythingofaninjuriouscharacter,bymeansofthesemoderate experimentsonhisownpersonwithmedicines.Hishealthbecomesmoreunalterable;hebecomesmore robust,asallexperienceshows.

But howsomesymptoms ofthesimplemedicineemployedforacurativepurposecanbedistinguished amongstthesymptomsoftheoriginalmalady,evenindiseases,especiallyinthoseofachroniccharacterthat usuallyremainunaltered,isasubjectappertainingtothehigherartofjudgement,andmustbeleftexclusively tomastersinobservation.

1

142

Symptomswhich,duringthewholecourseofthedisease,mighthavebeenobservedonlyalongtime previously,orneverbefore,consequentlynewones,belongingtothemedicine.

143 Ifwehavethustestedonthehealthyindividualaconsiderablenumberofsimplemedicinesandcarefullyand faithfully registered all the disease elements and symptoms they are capable of developing as artificial diseaseproducers,thenonlyhaveweatruemateriamedicaacollectionofreal,pure,reliable1 modesof actionofsimplemedicinalsubstances,avolumeofthebookofnature,whereinisrecordedaconsiderable arrayofthepeculiarchangesofthehealthandsymptomsascertainedtobelongtoeachofthepowerful medicines,astheywererevealedtotheattentionoftheobserver,inwhichthelikenessofthe(homoeopathic) diseaseelementsofmanynaturaldiseasestobehereaftercuredbythemarepresent,which,inaword,contain artificialmorbidstates,thatfurnishforthesimilarnaturalmorbidstatestheonlytrue,homoeopathic,thatisto say,specific,therapeuticinstrumentsforeffectingtheircertainandpermanentcure.
1

Latterlyithasbeenthehabittoentrusttheprovingofmedicinestounknownpersonsatadistance,whowere paidfortheirwork,andtheformationsoobtainedwasprinted.Butbysodoing,theworkwhichisofall othersthemostimportant,whichistoformthebasisoftheonlytruehealingart,andwhichdemandsthe greatestmoralcertaintyandtrustworthinessseemstome,Iregrettosay,tobecomedoubtfulanduncertainin itsresultsandtoloseallvalue.

144 Fromsuchamateriamedicaeverythingthatisconjectural,allthatismereassertionorimaginaryshouldbe strictlyexcluded;everythingshouldbethepurelanguageofnaturecarefullyandhonestlyinterrogated.

145FifthEdition Ofatruth,itisonlybyaveryconsiderablestoreofmedicinesaccuratelyknowninrespectofthesetheirpure modesofactioninalteringthehealthofman,thatwecanbeplacedinapositiontodiscoverahomoeopathic remedy,asuitableartificial(curative)morbificanalogueforeachoftheinfinitelynumerousmorbidstatesin nature,foreverymaladyintheworld.1Inthemeantime,evennowthankstothetruthfulcharacterofthe symptoms,andtotheabundanceofdiseaseelementswhicheveryoneofthepowerfulmedicinalsubstances

hasalreadyshowninitsactiononthehealthybodybutfewdiseaseremain,forwhichatolerablysuitable homoeopathicremedymaynotbemetwithamongthosenowprovedastotheirpureaction,2which,without muchdisturbance,restoreshealthinagentle,sureandpermanentmannerinfinitelymoresurelyandsafely thancanbeeffectedbyallthegeneralandspecialtherapeuticsoftheoldallopathicmedicalartwithits unknowncompositeremedies,whichdobutalterandaggravatebutcannotcurechronicdiseases,andrather retardthanpromoterecoveryfromacutediseases.

1

Atfirst,Iwastheonlypersonwhomadetheprovingsofthepurepowdersofmedicinesthemostimportant ofhisoccupations.SincethenIhavebeenassistedinthisbysomeyoungmen,whoinstitutedexperimentson themselves,andwhoseobservationsIhavecriticallyrevised.Followingthesesomegenuineworkofthiskind wasdonebyafewothers.Butwhatshallwenotbeabletoeffectinthewayofcuringinthewholeextentof the infinitely large domain of disease, when numbers of accurate and trustworthy observers shall have renderedtheirservicesinenrichingthis,theonlytruemateriamedica,bycarefulexperimentsonthemselves! Thehealingartwillthencomenearthemathematicalsciencesincertainty.
2

Seethesecondnoteto109.

145SixthEdition Ofatruth,itisonlybyaveryconsiderablestoreofmedicinesaccuratelyknowninrespectofthesetheirpure modesofactioninalteringthehealthofman,thatwecanbeplacedinapositiontodiscoverahomoeopathic remedy,asuitableartificial(curative)morbificanalogueforeachoftheinfinitelynumerousmorbidstatesin nature,foreverymaladyintheworld. 1 Inthemeantime,evennowthankstothetruthfulcharacterofthe symptoms,andtotheabundanceofdiseaseelementswhicheveryoneofthepowerfulmedicinalsubstances hasalreadyshowninitsactiononthehealthybodybutfewdiseaseremain,forwhichatolerablysuitable homoeopathicremedymaynotbemetwithamongthosenowprovedastotheirpureaction,2which,without muchdisturbance,restoreshealthinagentle,sureandpermanentmannerinfinitelymoresurelyandsafely thancanbeeffectedbyallthegeneralandspecialtherapeuticsoftheoldallopathicmedicalartwithits unknowncompositeremedies,whichdobutalterandaggravatebutcannotcurechronicdiseases,andrather retardthanpromoterecoveryfromacutediseasesandfrequentlyendangerlife.
1

Atfirst,aboutforty yearsago,Iwastheonlypersonwhomadetheprovings ofthepurepowdersof medicinesthemostimportantofhisoccupations.SincethenIhavebeenassistedinthisbysomeyoungmen, whoinstitutedexperimentsonthemselves,andwhoseobservationsIhavecriticallyrevised.Followingthese somegenuineworkofthiskindwasdonebyafewothers.Butwhatshallwenotbeabletoeffectinthewayof curinginthewholeextentoftheinfinitelylargedomainofdisease,whennumbersofaccurateandtrustworthy observers shall have rendered their services in enriching this, the only true materia medica, by careful experimentsonthemselves!Thehealingartwillthencomenearthemathematicalsciencesincertainty.
2

Seethesecondnoteto109.

146 The third point of the business of a true physician relates to the judicious employment of the artificial morbificagents(medicines)thathavebeenprovedonhealthyindividualstoascertaintheirpureactionin ordertoeffectthehomoeopathiccureofnaturaldiseases.

147 Whicheverofthesemedicinesthathavebeeninvestigatedastotheirpowerofalteringmanshealthwefind tocontaininthesymptomsobservedfromitsusethegreatestsimilaritytothetotalityofthesymptomsofa given natural disease, this medicine will and must be the most suitable, the most certain homoeopathic remedyforthedisease;initisfoundthespecificremedyofthiscaseofdisease.

148FifthEdition Amedicineselectedinthismanner,whichhasthepowerandthetendencytoproducesymptomsthemost similarpossibletothediseasetobecured,consequentlyasimilarartificialdisease,giveninasuitabledose, affects,initsdynamicactiononthemorbidlyderangedvitalforceoftheindividual,thoseverypartsand pointsintheorganismnowsufferingfromthenaturaldisease,andproducesinthemitsownartificialdisease, which, on account of its great similarity and prepondering strength, occupies precisely the seat hitherto occupiedbythenaturalmorbidderangement,sothattheinstinctive,automaticvitalforceisfromthattime forwardnolongeraffectedbythenaturaldiseasebutsolelybythestronger,similarmedicinaldisease;which in its turn, on account of the small dose of the remedy, being, like every moderate medicinal disease, overcomebytheincreasedenergyofthevitalforce,soonspontaneouslydisappears,leavingthebodyfree fromalldisease,thatistosay,healthyandpermanentlycured. 148SixthEdition Thenaturaldiseaseisnevertobeconsideredasanoxiousmaterialsituatedsomewherewithintheinterioror exteriorofman(1113)butasoneproducedbyaninimicalspiritlike(conceptual)agencywhich,likeakind ofinfection(noteto11)disturbsinitsinstinctiveexistenceofthespiritlike(conceptual)principleoflife withintheorganismtorturingitasanevilspiritandcompellingittoproducecertainailmentsanddisordersin theregularcourseofitslife.Theseareknownassymptoms(disease).If,now,theinfluenceofthisinimical agencythatnotonlycausedbutstrivestocontinuethisdisorder,betakenawayasisdonewhenthephysician administers an artificial potency, capable of altering the life principle in the most similar manner (a homoeopathicmedicine)whichexceedsinenergyeveninthesmallestdosethesimilarnaturaldisease(33, 279),thentheinfluenceoftheoriginalnoxiousmorbidagentonthelifeprincipleislostduringtheactionof thisstrongersimilarartificialdisease.Thencetheevilnolongerexistsforthelifeprincipleitisdestroyed.If, ashasbeensaid,theselectedhomoeopathicremedyisadministeredproperly,thentheacutenaturaldisease whichistobeoverruledifrecentlydeveloped,willdisappearimperceptiblyinafewhours. Anolder,morechronicdiseasewillyieldsomewhatlatertogetherwithalltracesofdiscomfort,bytheuseof severaldosesofthesamemorehighlypotentizedremedyoraftercarefulselection 1ofoneoranothermore similarhomoeopathicmedicine.Health,recovery,followinimperceptible,oftenrapidtransitions.Thelife principleisfreedagainandcapableofresumingthelifeoftheorganisminhealthasbeforeandstrength returns.
1

Butthislaborious,sometimesverylaborious,searchforandselectionofthehomoeopathicremedymost suitableineveryrespecttoeachmorbidstate,isanoperationwhich,notwithstandingalltheadmirablebooks forfacilitatingit,stilldemandsthestudyoftheoriginalsourcesthemselves,andatthesametimeagreat amountofcircumspectionandseriousdeliberation,whichhavetheirbestrewardsintheconsciousnessof havingfaithfullydischargedourduty.Howcouldhislaborious,caredemandingtask,bywhichalonethebest wayofcuringdiseasesisrenderedpossible,pleasethegentlemenofthenewmongrelsect,whoassumethe honorable name of homoeopathists, and even seem to employ medicines in form and appearance

homoeopathic, but determined upon by them anyhow (quidquid in buccam venit), and who, when the unsuitableremedy doesnot immediatelygiverelief,in placeoflaying the blameontheir unpardonable ignoranceandlaxityinperformingthemostandimportantandseriousofallhumanaffairs,ascribeitto homoeopathy,whichtheyaccuseofgreatimperfection(ifthetruthbetold,itsimperfectionconsistsinthis, thatthemostsuitablehomoeopathicremedyforeachmorbidconditiondoesnotspontaneouslyflyintotheir mouthslikeroastedpigeons,withoutanytroubleontheirownpart).Theyknow,however,fromfrequent practice,howtomakeupfortheinefficiencyofthescarcelyhalfhomoeopathicremedybytheemploymentof allopathicmeans,thatcomemuchmorehandytothem,amongwhichoneormoredozensofleechesapplied to the affected part, or little harmless venesections to the extent of eight ounces, and so forth, play an importantpart;andshouldthepatient,inspiteofallthis,recover,theyextoltheirvenesections,leeches,etc., allegingthat,haditnotbeenforthese,thepatientwouldnothavebeenpulledthrough,andtheygiveusto understand,innodoubtfullanguage,thattheseoperations,derivedwithoutmuchexerciseofgeniusfromthe perniciousroutineoftheoldschool,inrealitycontributedthebestsharetowardsthecure.Butifthepatient dieunderthetreatment,asnotunfrequentlyhappens,theyseektoconsolethefriendsbysayingthatthey themselveswerewitnessesthateverythingconceivablehadbeendoneforthelamenteddeceased.Who woulddothisfrivolousandpernicioustribethehonourtocallthem,afterthenameoftheverylaboriousbut salutaryart,homoeopathicphysicians?Maythejustrecompenseawaitthem,that,whentakenill,theymaybe treatedinthesamemanner!

149FifthEdition Whenthesuitablehomoeopathicremedyhasbeenthusselectedandrightlyemployed,theacutediseasewe wishtocure,eventhoughitbeofagravecharacterandattendedbymanysufferingssubsidesinsensibly,ina fewhoursifitbeofrecentdate,inafewdaysifitbeofasomewhatlongerstanding,alongwithalltracesof indisposition, and nothing or almost nothing more of the artificial medicinal disease is perceived; there occurs,byrapid,imperceptibletransitions,notingbutrestoredhealth,recovery.Diseaseoflongstanding(and especiallysuchasareofacomplicatedcharacter)requirefortheircureaproportionatelylongertime.More especiallydothechronicmedicinaldyscrasiasooftenproducedbyallopathicbungling,alongwiththenatural diseaseleftuncuredbyit,requireamuchlongertimefortheirrecovery;often,indeed,aretheyincurable,in consequenceoftheshamefulrobberyofthepatientsstrengthandjuices,theprincipalfeatperformedby allopathyinitssocalledmethodsoftreatment. 149SixthEdition Diseasesoflongstanding(andespeciallysuchasareofacomplicatedcharacter)requirefortheircurea proportionately longer time. More especially do the chronic medicinal dyscrasia so often produced by allopathicbunglingalongwiththenaturaldiseaseleftuncuredbyit,requireamuchlongertimefortheir recovery;often,indeed,aretheyincurable,inconsequenceoftheshamefulrobberyofthepatientsstrength andjuices(venesections,purgatives,etc.),onaccountoflongcontinueduseoflargedosesofviolentlyacting remediesgivenonthebasisofempty,falsetheoriesforallegedusefulnessincasesofdiseaseappearing similar,alsoinprescribingunsuitablemineralbaths,etc.,theprincipalfeatperformedbyallopathyinitsso calledmethodsoftreatment.

150 Ifapatientcomplainofoneormoretrivialsymptoms,thathavebeenonlyobservedashorttimepreviously, thephysicianshouldnotregardthisasafullydevelopeddiseasebutrequiresseriousmedicalaid.Aslight

alterationinthedietandregimenwillusuallysufficetodispelsuchanindisposition.

151 Butifthepatientcomplainofafewviolentsufferings,thephysicianwillusuallyfind,oninvestigation,several othersymptomsbesides,althoughofaslightercharacter,whichfurnishacompletepictureofthedisease.

152 Theworseoftheacutediseaseis,ofsomuchthemorenumerousandstrikingsymptomsisitgenerally composed,butwithsomuchthemorecertainlymayasuitableremedyforitbefound,iftherebeasufficient number of medicines known, with respect to their positive action, to choose from. Among the lists of symptomsofmanymedicinesitwillnotbedifficulttofindonefromwhoseseparatediseaseelementsan antitypeofcurativeartificialdisease,verylikethetotalityofthesymptomsofthenaturaldisease,maybe constructed,andsuchamedicineisthedesiredremedy.

153FifthEdition In this search for a homoeopathic specific remedy, that is to say, in this comparison of the collective symptomsofthenaturaldiseasewiththelistofsymptomsofknownmedicines,inordertofindamongthese anartificialmorbificagentcorrespondingbysimilaritytothediseasetobecured,themorestriking,singular, uncommonandpeculiar(characteristic)signsandsymptoms1 ofthecaseofdiseasearechieflyandmost solelytobekeptinview;foritismoreparticularlythesethatverysimilaronesinthelistofsymptomsofthe selectedmedicinemustcorrespondto,inordertoconstituteitthemostsuitableforeffectingthecure.The moregeneralandundefinedsymptoms:lossofappetite,headache,debility,restlesssleep,discomfort,andso forth, demand but little attention when of that vague and indefinite character, if they cannot be more accuratelydescribed,assymptomsofsuchageneralnatureareobservedinalmosteverydiseaseandfrom almosteverydrug.
1

Dr.vonBonninghausen,whohasalreadydistinguishedhimselfbyhislaboursinconnectionwiththenew systemofmedicine,haslatelyincreasedourobligationtohimbythepublicationofhisimportantlittlebook settingforththecharacteristicsymptoms,moreparticularlyoftheantipsoricmedicines,entitledUebersicht der HauptwirkungsSphure der antips. Arz., Munster, bei Coppenrath, 1883, and the appendix thereto (containing the antisyphilitic and the antisycotic medicines) at the end of the second edition of his SystematischalphabetischesRepertoriumderantipsorischenArzneien,beiCoppenrathinMunster. 153SixthEdition In this search for a homoeopathic specific remedy, that is to say, in this comparison of the collective symptomsofthenaturaldiseasewiththelistofsymptomsofknownmedicines,inordertofindamongthese anartificialmorbificagentcorrespondingbysimilaritytothediseasetobecured,themorestriking,singular, uncommonandpeculiar(characteristic)signsandsymptoms1 ofthecaseofdiseasearechieflyandmost solelytobekeptinview;foritismoreparticularlythesethatverysimilaronesinthelistofsymptomsofthe selectedmedicinemustcorrespondto,inordertoconstituteitthemostsuitableforeffectingthecure.The moregeneralandundefinedsymptoms:lossofappetite,headache,debility,restlesssleep,discomfort,andso forth, demand but little attention when of that vague and indefinite character, if they cannot be more accuratelydescribed,assymptomsofsuchageneralnatureareobservedinalmosteverydiseaseandfrom

almosteverydrug.
1

Dr.vonBonninghausen,bythepublicationofthecharacteristicsymptomsofhomoeopathicmedicinesand hisrepertoryhasrenderedagreatservicetoHomoeopathyaswellasDr.J.H.G.Jahrinhishandbookof principalsymptoms.

154 Iftheantitypeconstructedfromthelistofsymptomsofthemostsuitablemedicinecontainthosepeculiar, uncommon,singularanddistinguishing(characteristic)symptoms,whicharetobemetwithinthediseaseto be cured in the greatest number and in the greatest similarity, this medicine is the most appropriate homoeopathicspecificremedyforthismorbidstate;thedisease,ifitbenotoneofverylongstanding,will generallyberemovedandextinguishedbythefirstdoseofit,withoutanyconsiderabledisturbance.

155FifthEdition Isaywithoutanyconsiderabledisturbance.Forintheemploymentofthismostappropriatehomoeopathic remedyitisonlythesymptomsofthemedicinethatcorrespondtothesymptomsofthediseasethatarecalled intoplay,theformeroccupyingtheplaceofthelatter(weaker)intheorganism,andtherebyannihilatingthem by overpowering them; but the other symptoms of the homoeopathic medicine, which are often very numerous,beinginnowayapplicabletothecaseofdiseaseinquestion,arenotcalledintoplayatall.The patient, growing hourly better, feels almost nothing of them at all, because the excessively minute dose requisiteforhomoeopathicuseismuchtooweaktoproducetheothersymptomsofthemedicinethatarenot homoeopathictothecase,inthosepartsofthebodythatarefreefromdisease,andconsequentlycanallow onlythehomoeopathicsymptomstoactonthepartsoftheorganismthatarealreadymostirritatedand excitedbythesimilarsymptomsofthedisease,thuschangingthemorbidaffectionofthevitalforceintoa similarbutstrongermedicinaldisease,wherebytheoriginalmaladyisextinguished. 155SixthEdition Isaywithoutanyconsiderabledisturbance.Forintheemploymentofthismostappropriatehomoeopathic remedyitisonlythesymptomsofthemedicinethatcorrespondtothesymptomsofthediseasethatarecalled intoplay,theformeroccupyingtheplaceofthelatter(weaker)intheorganism,i.e.,inthesensationofthelife principle,andtherebyannihilatingthembyoverpoweringthem;buttheothersymptomsofthehomoeopathic medicine,whichareoftenverynumerous,beinginnowayapplicabletothecaseofdiseaseinquestion,are notcalledintoplayatall.Thepatient,growinghourlybetter,feelsalmostnothingofthematall,becausethe excessivelyminutedoserequisiteforhomoeopathicuseismuchtooweaktoproducetheothersymptomsof themedicinethatarenothomoeopathictothecase,inthosepartsofthebodythatarefreefromdisease,and consequentlycanallowonlythehomoeopathicsymptomstoactonthepartsoftheorganismthatarealready mostirritatedandexcitedbythesimilarsymptomsofthedisease,inorderthatthesicklifeprinciplemayreact onlytoasimilarbutstrongermedicinaldisease,wherebytheoriginalmaladyisextinguished.

156 Thereis,however,almostnohomoeopathicmedicine,beiteversosuitablychosen,that,especiallyifitshould begiveninaninsufficientlyminutedose,willnotproduce,inveryirritableandsensitivepatients,atleastone trifling,unusualdisturbance,someslightnewsymptomwhileitsactionlasts;foritisnexttoimpossiblethat

medicineanddiseaseshouldcoveroneanothersymptomaticallyasexactlyastwotriangleswithequalsides andequalangles.Butthis(inordinarycircumstances)unimportantdifferencewillbeeasilydoneawaywith bythepotentialactivity(energy)ofthelivingorganism,andisnotperceptiblebypatientsnotexcessively delicate;therestorationgoesforward,notwithstanding,tothegoalofperfectrecovery,ifitbenotprevented bytheactionofheterogeneousmedicinalinfluencesuponthepatient,byerrorsofregimenorbyexcitementof thepassions.

157FifthEdition Butthoughitiscertainthatahomoeopathicallyselectedremedydoes,byreasonofitsappropriatenessand the minuteness of the dose, gently remove and annihilate the acute disease analogous to it, without manifesting its other unhomoeopathic symptoms, that is to say, without the production of new, serious disturbances,yetitusually,immediatelyafteringestionforthefirsthour,orforafewhourscausesakindof slight aggravation(wherethedosehasbeensomewhattoolarge,however,foraconsiderablenumberof hours),whichhassomuchresemblancetotheoriginaldiseasethatitseemstothepatienttobeanaggravation ofhisowndisease.Butitis,inreality,nothingmorethananextremelysimilarmedicinaldisease,somewhat exceedinginstrengththeoriginalaffection. 157SixthEdition Butthoughitiscertainthatahomoeopathicallyselectedremedydoes,byreasonofitsappropriatenessand the minuteness of the dose, gently remove and annihilate the acute disease analogous to it, without manifesting its other unhomoeopathic symptoms, that is to say, without the production of new, serious disturbances,yetitusually,immediatelyafteringestionforthefirsthour,orforafewhourscausesakindof slightaggravationwhenthedosehasnotbeensufficientlysmalland(wherethedosehasbeensomewhattoo large,however,foraconsiderablenumberofhours),whichhassomuchresemblancetotheoriginaldisease thatitseemstothepatienttobeanaggravationofhisowndisease.Butitis,inreality,nothingmorethanan extremelysimilarmedicinaldisease,somewhatexceedinginstrengththeoriginalaffection.

158 Thisslighthomoeopathicaggravationduringthefirsthoursaverygoodprognosticthattheacutedisease willmostprobablyyieldtothefirstdoseisquiteasitoughttobe,asthemedicinaldiseasemustnaturallybe somewhatstrongerthanthemaladytobecuredifitistooverpowerandextinguishthelatter,justasanatural diseasecanremoveandannihilateanotheronesimilartoitonlywhenitisstrongerthanthelatter(4348).

159FifthEdition Thesmallerthedoseofthehomoeopathicremedyis,somuchtheslighterandshorteristheapparentincrease ofthediseaseduringthefirsthours. 159SixthEdition Thesmallerthedoseofthehomoeopathicremedyisinthetreatmentofacutediseasessomuchtheslighter andshorteristheapparentincreaseofthediseaseduringthefirsthours.

160

Butasthedoseofahomoeopathicremedycanscarcelyeverbemadesosmallthatitshallnotbeableto relieve, overpower, indeed completely cure and annihilate the uncomplicated natural disease of not long standingthatisanalogoustoit(249,note),wecanunderstandwhyadoesofanappropriatehomoeopathic medicine,nottheverysmallestpossible,doesalways,duringthefirsthourafteritsingestion,producea perceptiblehomoeopathicaggravationofthiskind.1
1

Thisexaltationofthemedicinalsymptomsoverthosediseasesymptomsanalogoustothem,whichlookslike anaggravation,hasbeenobservedbyotherphysiciansalso,whenbyaccidenttheyemployedahomoeopathic remedy. When a patient suffering from itch complains of an increase of the eruption after sulphur, his physicianwhoknowsnotthecauseofthis,consoleshimwiththeassurancethattheitchmustfirstcomeout properlybeforeitcanbecured;heknowsnot,however,thatthisisasulphureruption,thatassumesthe appearanceofanincreaseoftheitch. Thefacialeruptionwhichtheviolatricolorcuredwasaggravatedbyitatthecommencementofitsaction, Leroytellsus(Heilk,furMutter,p.406),butheknewnotthattheapparentaggravationwasowingtothe somewhattoolargedoseoftheremedy,whichinthisinstancewastoacertainextenthomoeopathic.Lysons says(Med.Transact.,volii,London,1772),Thebarkoftheelmcuresmostcertainlythoseskindiseases whichitincreasesatthebeginningofitsaction.Hadhenotgiventhebarkinthemonstrousdosesusualin theallopathicsystem,butinthequitesmalldosesrequisitewhenthemedicineshowssimilarityofsymptoms, thatistosay,whenitisusedhomoeopathically,hewouldhaveeffectedacurewithout,oralmostwithout, seeingthisapparentincreaseofthedisease(homoeopathicaggravation).

161FifthEdition WhenIherelimitthesocalledhomoeopathicaggravation,orrathertheprimaryactionofthehomoeopathic medicinethatseemstoincreasesomewhatthesymptomsoftheoriginaldisease,tothefirstorfewhours,this iscertainlytruewithrespecttodiseasesofamoreacutecharacterandofrecentorigin,butwheremedicines of long action have to combat a malady of, considerable or of very long standing, where one dose, consequently,mustcontinuetoactformanydays,wethenoccasionallysee,duringthefirstsix,eightorten days,theoccurrenceofsomesuchprimaryactions,ofthemedicine,somesuchapparentincreaseofthe symptoms of the original disease (lasting for one or several hours), while in the intervening hours ameliorationofthewholemaladyisperceptible.Afterthelapseofthesefewdaystheameliorationresulting fromsuchprimaryactionofthemedicineproceedsalmostuninterruptedlyforseveraldayslonger. 161SixthEdition WhenIherelimitthesocalledhomoeopathicaggravation,orrathertheprimaryactionofthehomoeopathic medicinethatseemstoincreasesomewhatthesymptomsoftheoriginaldisease,tothefirstorfewhours,this iscertainlytruewithrespecttodiseasesofamoreacutecharacterandofrecentorigin,butwheremedicines oflongactionhavetocombatamaladyof,considerableorofverylongstanding,wherenosuchapparent increaseoftheoriginaldiseaseoughttoappearduringtreatmentanditdoesnotsoappeariftheaccurately chosenmedicinewasgiveninpropersmall,graduallyhigherdoses,eachsomewhatmodifiedwithrenewed dynamization(247).Suchincreaseoftheoriginalsymptomsofachronicdiseasecanappearonlyattheend oftreatmentwhenthecureisalmostorquitefinished.

162 Sometimeshappens,owingtothemoderatenumberofmedicinesyetknownwithrespecttotheirtrue,pure

action,thatbutaportionofthesymptomsofthediseaseundertreatmentaretobemetwithinthelistof symptomsofthemostappropriatemedicine,consequentlythisimperfectmedicinalmorbificagentmustbe employedforlackofamoreperfectone.

163 Inthiscasewecannotindeedexpectfromthismedicineacomplete,untroubledcure;forduringitsusesome symptoms appear which were not previously observable in the disease, accessory symptoms of the not perfectlyappropriateremedy.Thisdoesbynomeanspreventaconsiderablepartofthedisease(thesymptoms of the disease that resemble those of the medicine) from being eradicated by this medicine, thereby establishing afaircommencementofthecure,butstillthis doesnottakeplacewithout thoseaccessory symptoms,whichare,however,alwaysmoderatewhenthedoseofthemedicineissufficientlyminute.

164 Thesmallnumberofhomoeopathicsymptomspresentinthebestselectedmedicineisnoobstacletothecure incaseswherethesefewmedicinalsymptomsarechieflyofanuncommonkindandsuchasarepeculiarly distinctive(characteristic)ofthedisease;thecuretakesplaceundersuchcircumstanceswithoutanyparticular disturbance.

165 If, however, among the symptoms of the remedy selected, there be none that accurately resemble the distinctive (characteristic), peculiar, uncommon symptoms of the case of disease, and if the remedy correspondtothediseaseonlyinthegeneral,vaguelydescribed,indefinitestates(nausea,debility,headache, andsoforth),andiftherebeamongtheknownmedicinesnonemorehomoeopathicallyappropriate,inthat case the physician cannot promise himself any immediate favorable result from the employment of this unhomoeopathicmedicine.

166 Suchacaseis,however,veryrare,owingtotheincreasednumberofmedicineswhosepureeffectsarenow known,andthebadeffectsresultingfromit,whentheydooccur,arediminishedwheneverasubsequent medicine,ofmoreaccurateresemblance,canbeselected.

167 Thus if there occur, during the use of this imperfectly homoeopathic remedy first employed, accessory symptomsofsomemoment,then,inthecaseofacutediseases,wedonotallowthisfirstdosetoexhaustits action,norleavethepatienttothefulldurationoftheactionoftheremedy,butweinvestigateafreshthe morbidstateinitsnowalteredcondition,andaddtheremainderoftheoriginalsymptomstothosenewly developedintracinganewpictureofthedisease.

168 Weshallthenbeablemuchmorereadilytodiscover,amongtheknownmedicines,ananaloguetothemorbid

statebeforeus,asingledoseofwhich,ifitdonotentirelydestroythedisease,willadvanceitconsiderablyon thewaytobecured.Andthuswegoon,ifeventhismedicinebenotquitesufficienttoeffecttherestoration of health, examining again and again the morbid state that still remains, and selecting a homoeopathic medicineassuitableaspossibleforit,untilourobject,namely,puttingthepatientinthepossessionofperfect health,isaccomplished.

169fifthEdition If,onthefirstexaminationofadiseaseandthefirstselectionofamedicine,weshouldfindthatthetotalityof thesymptomsofthediseasewouldnotbeeffectuallycoveredbythediseaseelementsofasinglemedicine owingtotheinsufficientnumberofknownmedicines,butthattwomedicinescontendforthepreferencein pointofappropriateness,oneofwhichismorehomoeopathicallysuitableforonepart,theotherforanother partofthesymptomsofthedisease,itisnotadvisable,aftertheemploymentofthemoresuitableofthetwo medicines,toadministertheotherwithoutfreshexamination,forthemedicinethatseemedtobethenextbest wouldnot,underthechangeofcircumstancesthathasinthemeantimetakenplace,besuitablefortherestof thesymptomsthatthenremain;inwhichcase,consequently,amoreappropriatehomoeopathicremedymust beselectedinplaceofthesecondmedicineforthesetofsymptomsastheyappearonanewinspection. 169SixthEdition If,onthefirstexaminationofadiseaseandthefirstselectionofamedicine,weshouldfindthatthetotalityof thesymptomsofthediseasewouldnotbeeffectuallycoveredbythediseaseelementsofasinglemedicine owingtotheinsufficientnumberofknownmedicines,butthattwomedicinescontendforthepreferencein pointofappropriateness,oneofwhichismorehomoeopathicallysuitableforonepart,theotherforanother partofthesymptomsofthedisease,itisnotadvisable,aftertheemploymentofthemoresuitableofthetwo medicines,toadministertheotherwithoutfreshexamination,andmuchlesstogivebothtogether(272, note)forthemedicinethatseemedtobethenextbestwouldnot,underthechangeofcircumstancesthathas in the meantime taken place, be suitable for the rest of the symptoms that thenremain; in which case, consequently,amoreappropriatehomoeopathicremedymustbeselectedinplaceofthesecondmedicinefor thesetofsymptomsastheyappearonanewinspection.

170 Henceinthisasineverycasewhereachangeofthemorbidstatehasoccurred,theremainingsetofsymptoms nowpresentmustbeinquiredinto,and(withoutpayinganyattentiontothemedicinewhichatfirstappeared tobethenextinpointofsuitableness)anotherhomoeopathicmedicine,asappropriateaspossibletothenew statenowbeforeus,mustbeselected.Ifitshouldsohappen,asisnotoftenthecase,thatthemedicinewhich atfirstappearedtobethenextbestseemsstilltobewelladaptedforthemorbidstatethatremains,somuch themorewillitmeritourconfidence,anddeservetobeemployedinpreferencetoanother.

171FifthEdition Innonvenerealchronicdisease,those,therefore,thatarisefrompsora,weoftenrequire,inordertoeffecta cure,togiveseveralantipsoricremediesinsuccession,everysuccessiveonebeinghomoeopathicallychosen inconsonancewiththegroupofsymptomsremainingaftertheexpiryoftheactionofthepreviousremedy (whichmayhavebeenemployedinasingledoseorinseveralsuccessivedoses).

171SixthEdition Innonvenerealchronicdisease,those,therefore,thatarisefrompsora,weoftenrequire,inordertoeffecta cure,togiveseveralantipsoricremediesinsuccession,everysuccessiveonebeinghomoeopathicallychosen inconsonancewiththegroupofsymptomsremainingaftercompletionoftheactionofthepreviousremedy.

172 Asimilar difficulty in the wayof thecureoccurs fromthe symptoms ofthe disease beingtoofewa circumstancesthatdeservesourcarefulattention,forbyitsremovalalmostallthedifficultiesthatcanliein the way of this most perfect of all possible modes of treatment (except that its apparatus of known homoeopathicmedicinesisstillincomplete)areremoved.

173 Theonlydiseasesthatseemtohavebutfewsymptoms,andonthataccounttobelessamenabletocure,are thosewhichmaybetermedonesided,becausetheydisplayonlyoneortwoprincipalsymptomswhich obscurealmostalltheothers.Theybelongchieflytotheclassofchronicdiseases.

174 Theirprincipalsymptommaybeeitheraninternalcomplaint(e.g.aheadacheofmanyyearsduration,a diarrhoeaoflongstanding,anancientcardialgia,etc.),oritmaybeanaffectionmoreofanexternalkind. Diseasesofthelattercharacteraregenerallydistinguishedbythenameoflocalmaladies.

175 In onesided diseases of the first kind it is often to be attributed to the medical observers want of discernment that he does not fully discover the symptoms actually present which would enable him to completethesketchoftheportraitofthedisease.

176 Thereare,however,stillafewdiseases,which,afterthemostcarefulinitialexamination(8498),present butoneortwosevere,violentsymptoms,whilealltheothersarebutindistinctlyperceptible.

177 Inordertomeetmostsuccessfullysuchacaseasthis,whichisofveryrareoccurrence,weareinthefirst place to select, guided by these few symptoms, the medicine which in our judgment is the most homoeopathicallyindicated.

178 Itwill,nodoubt,sometimeshappenthatthismedicine,selectedinstrictobservanceofthehomoeopathiclaw, furnishesthesimilarartificialdiseasesuitedfortheannihilationofthemaladypresent;andthisismuchmore likelytohappenwhenthesefewmorbidsymptomsareverystriking,decided,uncommonandpeculiarly

distinctive(characteristic).

179 Morefrequently,however,themedicinefirstchoseninsuchacasewillbeonlypartially,thatistosay,not exactlysuitable,astherewasnoconsiderablenumberofsymptomstoguidetoanaccurateselection.

180 Inthiscasethemedicine,whichhasbeenchosenaswellaswaspossible,butwhich,forthereasonabove stated,isonlyimperfectlyhomoeopathic,will,initsactionuponthediseasethatisonlypartiallyanalogousto itjustasinthecasementionedabove(162,etseq.)wherethelimitednumberofhomoeopathicremedies renderstheselectionimperfectproduceaccessorysymptoms,andseveralphenomenafromitsownarrayof symptomsaremixedupwiththepatientsstateofhealth,whichare,however,atthesametime,symptomsof thediseaseitself,althoughtheymayhavebeenhithertoneverorveryrarelyperceived;somesymptomswhich thepatienthadneverpreviouslyexperiencedappear,orothershehadonlyfeltindistinctlybecomemore pronounced.

181 Letisnotbeobjectedthattheaccessoryphenomenaandnewsymptomsofthisdiseasethatnowappear shouldbelaidtotheaccountofthemedicamentjustemployed.Theyowetheirorigintoit 1certainly,butthey arealwaysonlysymptomsofsuchanatureasthisdiseasewasitselfcapableofproducinginthisorganism, andwhichweresummonedforthandinducedtomaketheirappearancebythemedicinegiven,owingtoits powertocausesimilarsymptoms.Inaword,wehavetoregardthewholecollectionofsymptoms now perceptible as belonging to the disease itself, as the actual existing condition, and to direct our further treatmentaccordingly.
1

Whentheywerenotcausedbyanimportanterrorinregimen,aviolentemotion,oratumultuousrevolution intheorganism,suchastheoccurrenceorcessationofthemenses,conception,childbirth,andsoforth.

182 Thustheimperfectselectionofthemedicament,whichwasinthiscasealmostinevitableowingtothetoo limitednumberofthesymptomspresent,servestocompletethedisplayofthesymptomsofthedisease,and inthiswayfacilitatesthediscoveryofasecond,moreaccuratelysuitable,homoeopathicmedicine.

183 Whenever,therefore,thedoseofthefirstmedicineceasestohaveabeneficialeffect(ifthenewlydeveloped symptomsdonot,byreasonoftheirgravity,demandmorespeedyaidwhich,however,fromtheminuteness ofthedoseofhomoeopathicmedicine,andinverychronicdiseases,isexcessivelyrare),anewexaminationof thediseasemustbeinstituted,thestatusmorbiasitnowismustbenoteddown,andasecondhomoeopathic remedyselectedinaccordancewithit,whichshallexactlysuitthepresentstate,andonewhichshallbeallthe moreappropriatecanthenbefound,asthegroupofsymptomshasbecomelargerandmorecomplete.1

Incaseswherethepatient(which,however,happensexcessivelyseldominchronic,butnotinfrequentlyin acute,diseases)feelsveryill,althoughhissymptomsareveryindistinct,sothatthisstatemaybeattributed moretothebenumbedstateofthenerves,whichdoesnotpermitthepatientspainsandsufferingstobe distinctlyperceived,thistorporoftheinternalsensibilityisremovedbyopium,andinitssecondaryactionthe symptomsofthediseasebecomedistinctlyapparent.

184FifthEdition Inlikemanner,aftereachnewdoseofmedicinehasexhausteditsaction,thestateofthediseasethatstill remainsistobenotedanewwithrespecttoitsremainingsymptoms,andanotherhomoeopathicremedy soughtfor,assuitableaspossibleforthegroupofsymptomsnowobserved,andsoonuntiltherecoveryis complete. 184SixthEdition Inlikemanner,aftereachnewdoseofmedicinehasexhausteditsaction,whenitisnolongersuitableand helpful,thestateofthediseasethatstillremainsistobenotedanewwithrespecttoitsremainingsymptoms, and another homoeopathic remedy sought for, as suitable as possible for the group of symptoms now observed,andsoonuntiltherecoveryiscomplete.

185 Amongtheonesideddiseaseanimportantplaceisoccupiedbythesocalledlocalmaladies,bywhichtermis signifiedthosechangesandailmentsthatappearontheexternalpartsofthebody.Tillnowtheideaprevalent in the schools wasthat these parts were alone morbidly affected, and thatthe rest of the bodydid not participate in the disease a theoretical, absurd doctrine, which has led to the most disastrous medical treatment.

186FifthEdition Thosesocalledlocalmaladieswhichhavebeenproducedashorttimepreviously,solelybyanexternallesion, stillappearatfirstsighttodeservethenameoflocaldisease.Butthenthelesionmustbeverytrivial,andin thatcaseitwouldbeofnogreatmoment.Forinthecaseofinjuriesaccruingtothebodyfromwithout,ifthey beatallsevere,thewholelivingorganismsympathizes;thereoccurfever,etc.Thetreatmentofsuchdiseases isrelegatedtosurgery;butthisisrightonlyinsofarastheaffectedpartsrequiremechanicalaid,wherebythe externalobstaclestothecure,whichcanonlybeexpectedtotakeplacebytheagencyofthevitalforce,may beremovedbymechanicalmeans,e.g.,bythereductionofdislocations,bybandagestobringtogetherthelips ofwounds,bytheextractionofforeignbodiesthathavepenetratedintothelivingparts,bymakinganopening intoacavityofthebodyinordertoremoveanirritatingsubstanceortoprocuretheevacuationofeffusionsor collectionsoffluids,bybringingintoappositionthebrokenextremitiesofafracturedboneandretainingthem inexactcontactbyanappropriatebandage,etc.Butwheninsuchinjuriesthewholelivingorganismrequires, asitalwaysdoes,activedynamicaidtoputitinapositiontoaccomplishtheworkofhealing,e.g.whenthe violentfeverresultingfromextensivecontusions,laceratedmuscles,tendonsandbloodvesselsrequirestobe removed by medicine given internally, or when the external pain of scalded or burnt parts needs to be homoeopathicallysubdued,thentheservicesofthedynamicphysicianandhishelpfulhomoeopathycome intorequisition.

186SixthEdition Thosesocalledlocalmaladieswhichhavebeenproducedashorttimepreviously,solelybyanexternallesion, stillappearatfirstsighttodeservethenameoflocaldisease.Butthenthelesionmustbeverytrivial,andin thatcaseitwouldbeofnogreatmoment.Forinthecaseofinjuriesaccruingtothebodyfromwithout,ifthey beatallsevere,thewholelivingorganismsympathizes;thereoccurfever,etc.Thetreatmentofsuchdiseases isrelegatedtosurgery;butthisisrightonlyinsofarastheaffectedpartsrequiremechanicalaid,wherebythe externalobstaclestothecure,whichcanonlybeexpectedtotakeplacebytheagencyofthevitalforce,may beremovedbymechanicalmeans,e.g.,bythereductionofdislocations,byneedlesandbandagestobring togetherthelipsofwounds,bymechanicalpressuretostilltheflowofbloodfromopenarteries,bythe extractionofforeignbodiesthathavepenetratedintothelivingparts,bymakinganopeningintoacavityof thebodyinordertoremoveanirritatingsubstanceortoprocuretheevacuationofeffusionsorcollectionsof fluids,bybringingintoappositionthebrokenextremitiesofafracturedboneandretainingtheminexact contactbyanappropriatebandage,etc.Butwheninsuchinjuriesthewholelivingorganismrequires,asit alwaysdoes,activedynamicaidtoputitinapositiontoaccomplishtheworkofhealing,e.g.whentheviolent fever resulting from extensive contusions, lacerated muscles, tendons and bloodvessels requires to be removed by medicine given internally, or when the external pain of scalded or burnt parts needs to be homoeopathicallysubdued,thentheservicesofthedynamicphysicianandhishelpfulhomoeopathycome intorequisition.

187 Butthoseaffections,alterationsandailmentsappearingontheexternalparts,thatdonotarisefromany externalinjuryorthathaveonlysomeslightexternalwoundfortheirimmediateexcitingcause,areproduced inquiteanothermanner;theirsourceliesinsomeinternalmalady.Toconsiderthemasmerelocalaffections, andatthesametimetotreatthemonly,oralmostonly,asitweresurgically,withtopicalapplicationsasthe oldschoolhavedonefromtheremotestagesisasabsurdasitisperniciousinitsresults.

188 Theseaffectionswereconsideredtobemerelytopical,andwerethereforecalledlocaldiseases,asiftheywere maladiesexclusivelylimitedtothosepartswhereintheorganismtooklittleornopart,oraffectionsofthese particularvisiblepartsofwhichtherestofthelivingorganism,sotospeak,knewnothing.1

1

Oneofthemanygreatandperniciousblundersoftheoldschool.

189 Andyetverylittlereflectionwillsufficetoconvinceusthatnoexternalmalady(notoccasionedbysome importantinjuryfromwithout)canarise,persistorevengrowworsewithoutsomeinternalcause,withoutthe cooperationofthewholeorganism,whichmustconsequentlybeinadiseasedstate.Itcouldnotmakeits appearanceatallwithouttheconsentofthewholeoftherestofthehealth,andwithouttheparticipationof therestofthelivingwhole(ofthevitalforcethatpervadesalltheothersensitiveandirritablepartsofthe organism); indeed, it is impossible to conceive its production without the instrumentality of the whole (deranged)life;sointimatelyareallpartsoftheorganismconnectedtogethertoformanindivisiblewholein sensationandfunctions.Noeruptiononthelips,nowhitlowcanoccurwithoutpreviousandsimultaneous internalillhealth.

190 Alltruemedicaltreatmentofadiseaseontheexternalpartsofthebodythathasoccurredfromlittleorno injuryfromwithoutmust,therefore,bedirectedagainstthewhole,musteffecttheannihilationandcureofthe generalmaladybymeansofinternalremedies,ifitiswishedthatthetreatmentshouldbejudicious,sure, efficaciousandradical.

191 This is confirmedin themost unambiguous mannerbyexperience,whichshows in all casesthatevery powerfulinternalmedicineimmediatelyafteritsingestioncausesimportantchangesinthegeneralhealthof suchapatient,andparticularlyintheaffectedexternalparts(whichtheordinarymedicalschoolregardsas quiteisolated),eveninasocalledlocaldiseaseofthemostexternalpartsofthebody,andthechangeit producesismostsalutary,beingtherestorationtohealthoftheentirebody,alongwiththedisappearanceof theexternalaffection(withouttheaidofanyexternalremedy),providedtheinternalremedydirectedtowards thewholestatewassuitablechoseninahomoeopathicsense.

192 Thisisbesteffectedwhen,intheinvestigationofthecaseofdisease,alongwiththeexactcharacterofthe localaffection,allthechanges,sufferingsandsymptomsobservableinthepatientshealth,andwhichmay havebeenpreviouslynoticedwhennomedicineshadbeenused,aretakeninconjunctiontoformacomplete pictureofthediseasebeforesearchingamongthemedicines,whosepeculiarpathogeneticeffectsareknown, foraremedycorrespondingtothetotalityofthesymptoms,sothattheselectionmaybetrulyhomoeopathic.

193 Bymeansofthismedicine,employedonlyinternally(and,ifthediseasebebutofrecentorigin,oftenbythe veryfirstdoseofit),thegeneralmorbidstateofthebodyisremovedalongwiththelocalaffection,andthe latteriscuredatthesametimeastheformer,provingthatthelocalaffectiondependedsolelyonadiseaseof therestofthebody,andshouldonlyberegardedasaninseparablepartofthewhole,asoneofthemost considerableandstrikingsymptomsofthewholedisease.

194 Itisnotuseful,eitherinacutelocaldiseasesofrecentoriginorinlocalaffectionsthathavealreadyexisteda longtime,torubinorapplyexternallytothespotanexternalremedy,eventhoughitbethespecificand, whenusedinternally,salutarybyreasonofitshomoeopathicity,evenalthoughitshouldbeatthesametime administeredinternally;fortheacutetopicalaffections(e.g.,inflammationsoftheindividualparts,erysipelas, etc.),whichhavenotbeencausedbyexternalinjuryofproportionateviolence,butbydynamicorinternal causes,yieldmostsurelytointernalremedieshomoeopathicallyadaptedtotheperceptiblestateofthehealth present in the exterior and interior, selected from the general store of proved medicines,1 and generally withoutanyotheraid;butifthesediseasesdonotyieldtothemcompletely,andiftherestillremaininthe affectedspotandinthewholestate,notwithstandinggoodregimen,arelicofdiseasewhichthevitalforceis notcompetenttorestoretothenormalstate,thentheacutediseasewas(asnotinfrequentlyhappens)a

productofpsorawhichhadhithertoremainedlatentintheinterior,buthasnowburstforthandisonthepoint ofdevelopingintoapalpablechronicdisease.
1

FootnoteinFifthEditiononly. As,forinstance,aconite,rhus,belladonna,mercury,etc.

195 Inordertoeffectaradicalcureinsuchcases,whicharebynomeansrare,aftertheacutestatehasprettywell subsided,anappropriateantipsorictreatment(asistaughtinmyworkonChronicDiseases)mustthenbe directed against thesymptoms that still remain andthemorbid stateof healthtowhichthe patientwas previouslysubject.Inchroniclocalmaladiesthatarenotobviouslyvenereal,theantipsoricinternaltreatment is,moreover,alonerequisite.

196 Itmight,indeed,seenasthoughthecureofsuchdiseaseswouldbehastenedbyemployingthemedicinal substancewhichisknowntobetrulyhomoeopathictothetotalityofthesymptoms,notonlyinternally,but alsoexternally,becausetheactionofamedicineappliedtotheseatofthelocalaffectionmighteffectamore rapidchangeinit.

197FifthEdition Thistreatment,however,isquiteinadmissible,notonlyforthelocalsymptomsarisingfromthemiasmof psora,butalsoandespeciallyforthoseoriginatinginthemiasmofsyphilisorsycosis,forthesimultaneous localapplication,alongwiththeinternalemployment,oftheremedyindiseaseswhosechiefsymptomisa constantlocalaffection,hasthisgreatdisadvantage,that,bysuchatopicalapplication,thischiefsymptom (localaffection)1willusuallybeannihilatedsoonerthantheinternaldisease,andweshallnowbedeceivedby thesemblanceofaperfectcure;oratleastitwillbedifficult,andinsomecasesimpossible,todetermine, from the premature disappearance of the local symptom, if the general disease is destroyed by the simultaneousemploymentoftheinternalmedicine.
1

Recentitcheruption,chancre,condylomata.

197SixthEdition Thistreatment,however,isquiteinadmissible,notonlyforthelocalsymptomsarisingfromthemiasmof psora,butalsoandespeciallyforthoseoriginatinginthemiasmofsyphilisorsycosis,forthesimultaneous localapplication,alongwiththeinternalemployment,oftheremedyindiseaseswhosechiefsymptomisa constantlocalaffection,hasthisgreatdisadvantage,that,bysuchatopicalapplication,thischiefsymptom (localaffection)1willusuallybeannihilatedsoonerthantheinternaldisease,andweshallnowbedeceivedby thesemblanceofaperfectcure;oratleastitwillbedifficult,andinsomecasesimpossible,todetermine, from the premature disappearance of the local symptom, if the general disease is destroyed by the simultaneousemploymentoftheinternalmedicine.
1

Recentitcheruption,chancre,condylomata,asIhaveindicatedinmybookofChronicDiseases.

198 Themeretopicalemploymentofmedicines,thatarepowerfulforcurewhengiveninternally,tothelocal symptomsofchronicmiasmaticdiseasesisforthesamereasonquiteinadmissible;forifthelocalaffectionof thechronicdiseasebeonlyremovedlocallyandinaonesidedmanner,theinternaltreatmentindispensable forthecompleterestorationofthehealthremainsindubiousobscurity;thechiefsymptom(thelocalaffection) isgone,andthereremainonlytheother,lessdistinguishablesymptoms,whicharelessconstantandless persistentthanthelocalaffection,andfrequentlynotsufficientlypeculiarandtooslightlycharacteristicto displayafterthat,apictureofthediseaseinclearandpeculiaroutlines.

Iftheremedyperfectlyhomoeopathictothediseasehadnotyetbeendiscovered1atthetimewhenthelocal symptomsweredestroyedbyacorrosiveordesiccativeexternalremedyorbytheknife,thenthecasebecomes muchmoredifficult onaccountofthetooindefinite(uncharacteristic)andinconstantappearanceofthe remainingsymptoms;forwhatmighthavecontributedmosttodeterminetheselectionofthemostsuitable remedy,anditsinternalemploymentuntilthediseaseshouldhavebeencompletelyannihilated,namely,the externalprincipalsymptom,hasbeenremovedfromourobservation.

1

199

Aswas the casebefore mytime withthe remedies forthe condylomatous disease (and theantipsoric medicines).

200FifthEdition Haditstillbeenpresenttoguidetheinternaltreatment,thehomoeopathicremedyforthewholediseasemight have been discovered,and had that been found,the persistence ofthe local affectionduring its internal employmentwouldhaveshownthatthecurewasnotyetcompleted;butwereitcuredonitsseat,thiswould beaconvincingproofthatthediseasewascompletelyeradicated,andthedesiredrecoveryfromtheentire diseasewasfullyaccomplishedaninestimable,indispensableadvantage. 200SixthEdition Haditstillbeenpresenttoguidetheinternaltreatment,thehomoeopathicremedyforthewholediseasemight have been discovered,and had that been found,the persistence ofthe local affectionduring its internal employmentwouldhaveshownthatthecurewasnotyetcompleted;butwereitcuredonitsseat,thiswould beaconvincingproofthatthediseasewascompletelyeradicated,andthedesiredrecoveryfromtheentire diseasewasfullyaccomplishedaninestimable,indispensableadvantagetoreachaperfectcure.

201FifthEdition Itisevidentthatmansvitalforce,whenencumberedwithachronicdiseasewhichitisunabletoovercome byitsownpowers,adoptstheplanofdevelopingalocalmaladyonsomeexternalpart,solelyforthisobject, thatbymakingandkeepinginadiseasedstatethispartwhichisnotindispensabletohumanlife,itmay therebysilencetheinternaldisease,whichotherwisethreatenstodestroythevitalorgans(andtodeprivethe patientoflife),andthatitmaythereby,sotospeak,transfertheinternaldiseasetothevicariouslocalaffection and,asitwere,drawitthither.Thepresenceofthelocalaffectionthussilences,foratime,theinternal disease,thoughwithoutbeingableeithertocureitortodiminishitmaterially.1Thelocalaffection,however,

isneveranythingelsethanapartofthegeneraldisease,butapartofitincreasedallinonedirectionbythe organicvitalforce,andtransferredtoalessdangerous(external)partofthebody,inordertoallaytheinternal ailment.But(ashasbeensaid)bythislocalsymptomthatsilencestheinternaldisease,sofarfromanything beinggainedbythevitalforcetowardsdiminishingorcuringthewholemalady,theinternaldisease,onthe contrary,continues,inspiteofit,graduallytoincreaseandNatureisconstrainedtoenlargeandaggravatethe localsymptomalwaysmoreandmore,inorderthatitmaystillsufficeasasubstitutefortheincreasedinternal diseaseandmaystillkeepitunder.Oldulcersonthelegsgetworseaslongastheinternalpsoraisuncured, thechancreenlargesaslongastheinternalsyphilisremainsuncured,justasthegeneralinternaldisease continuestoincreaseastimegoeson.

1

Theissuesoftheoldschooldosomethingsimilar;asartificialulcersonexternalparts,theysilencesome internalchronicdiseases,butonlyforashorttime,withoutbeingabletocurethem;but,ontheotherhand, theyweakenanddestroythegeneralhealthmuchmorethanisdonebymostofthemetastaseseffectedbythe instinctivevitalforce. 201SixthEdition Itisevidentthatmansvitalforce,whenencumberedwithachronicdiseasewhichitisunabletoovercome byitsownpowersinstinctively,adoptstheplanofdevelopingalocalmaladyonsomeexternalpart,solelyfor thisobject,thatbymakingandkeepinginadiseasedstatethispartwhichisnotindispensabletohumanlife,it maytherebysilencetheinternaldisease,whichotherwisethreatenstodestroythevitalorgans(andtodeprive thepatientoflife),andthatitmaythereby,sotospeak,transfertheinternaldiseasetothevicariouslocal affectionand,asitwere,drawitthither.Thepresenceofthelocalaffectionthussilences,foratime,the internaldisease,thoughwithoutbeingableeithertocureitortodiminishitmaterially. 1Thelocalaffection, however,isneveranythingelsethanapartofthegeneraldisease,butapartofitincreasedallinonedirection bytheorganicvitalforce,andtransferredtoalessdangerous(external)partofthebody,inordertoallaythe internalailment.But(ashasbeensaid)bythislocalsymptomthatsilencestheinternaldisease,sofarfrom anythingbeinggainedbythevitalforcetowardsdiminishingorcuringthewholemalady,theinternaldisease, onthecontrary,continues,in spite of it, graduallytoincreaseand Nature is constrainedtoenlarge and aggravatethelocalsymptomalwaysmoreandmore,inorderthatitmaystillsufficeasasubstituteforthe increasedinternaldiseaseandmaystillkeepitunder.Oldulcersonthelegsgetworseaslongastheinternal psoraisuncured,thechancreenlargesaslongastheinternalsyphilisremainsuncured,thefigwartsincreased andgrowwhilethesycosisisnotcuredwherebythelatterisrenderedmoreandmoredifficulttocure,justas thegeneralinternaldiseasecontinuestoincreaseastimegoeson.
1

Theissuesoftheoldschooldosomethingsimilar;asartificialulcersonexternalparts,theysilencesome internalchronicdiseases,butonlyforashorttime,aslongastheycauseapainfulirritationtowhichthesick organismisnotused,withoutbeingabletocurethem;but,ontheotherhand,theyweakenanddestroythe generalhealthmuchmorethanisdonebymostofthemetastaseseffectedbytheinstinctivevitalforce.

202 Ifthe oldschool physician should nowdestroythe localsymptom bythe topicalapplication ofexternal remedies,underthebeliefthathetherebycuresthewholedisease,Naturemakesupforitslossbyrousingthe internalmaladyandtheothersymptomsthatpreviouslyexistedinalatentstatesidebysidewiththelocal affection; that is to say, she increases the internal disease. When this occurs it is usual to say, though incorrectlythatthelocalaffectionhasbeendrivenbackintothesystemoruponthenervesbytheexternal

remedies.

203 Everyexternaltreatmentofsuchlocalsymptoms,theobjectofwhichistoremovethemfromthesurfaceof thebody,whiletheinternalmiasmaticdiseaseisleftuncured,as,forinstance,drivingofftheskinthepsoric eruptionbyallsortsofointments,burningawaythechancrebycausticsanddestroyingthecondylomataon theirseatbytheknife,theligatureortheactualcautery;thisperniciousexternalmodeoftreatment,hitherto souniversallypractised,hasbeenthemostprolificsourceofalltheinnumerablenamedorunnamedchronic maladiesunderwhichmankindgroans;itisoneofthemostcriminalproceduresthemedicalworldcanbe guiltyof,andyetithashithertobeentheonegenerallyadopted,andtaughtfromtheprofessionalchairsasthe onlyone.1

1

Foranymedicinesthatmightatthesametimebegiveninternallyservedbuttoaggravatethemalady,as theseremediespossessednospecificpowerofcuringthewholedisease,butassailedtheorganism,weakened itandinflictedonit,inaddition,otherchronicmedicinaldiseases.

204FifthEdition Ifwedeductallchronicaffections,ailmentsanddiseasesthatdependonapersistentunhealthymodeof living,(77)asalsothoseinnumerablemedicinalmaladies(v.74)causedbytheirrational,persistent, harassingandpernicioustreatmentofdiseasesoftenonlyoftrivialcharacterbyphysiciansoftheoldschool, alltheremainder,withoutexception,resultfromthedevelopmentofthesethreechronicmiasms,internal syphilis,internalsycosis,butchieflyandininfinitelygreaterproportion,internalpsora,eachofwhichwas alreadyinpossessionofthewholeorganism,andhadpenetrateditinalldirectionsbeforetheappearanceof theprimary,vicariouslocalsymptomofeachofthem(inthecaseofpsorathescabiouseruption,insyphilis thechancreorthebubo,andinsycosisthecondylomata)thatpreventedtheiroutburst;andthesechronic miasmaticdiseases,ifdeprivedoftheirlocalsymptom,areinevitablydestinedbymightyNaturesooneror latertobecomedevelopedandtoburstforth,andtherebypropagateallthenamelessmisery,theincredible numberofchronicdiseaseswhichhaveplaguedmankindforhundredsandthousandsofyears,noneofwhich wouldsofrequentlyhavecomeintoexistencehadphysiciansstriveninarationalmannertocureradicallyand toextinguishintheorganismthesethreemiasmsbytheinternalhomoeopathicmedicinessuitedforeachof them,withoutemployingtopicalremediesfortheirexternalsymptoms.(Seenoteto282). 204SixthEdition Ifwedeductallchronicaffections,ailmentsanddiseasesthatdependonapersistentunhealthymodeof living,(77)asalsothoseinnumerablemedicinalmaladies(v.74)causedbytheirrational,persistent, harassingandpernicioustreatmentofdiseasesoftenonlyoftrivialcharacterbyphysiciansoftheoldschool, mosttheremainderofchronicdiseasesresultfromthedevelopmentofthesethreechronicmiasms,internal syphilis,internalsycosis,butchieflyandininfinitelygreaterproportion,internalpsora,eachofwhichwas alreadyinpossessionofthewholeorganism,andhadpenetrateditinalldirectionsbeforetheappearanceof theprimary,vicariouslocalsymptomofeachofthem(inthecaseofpsorathescabiouseruption,insyphilis thechancreorthebubo,andinsycosisthecondylomata)thatpreventedtheiroutburst;andthesechronic miasmaticdiseases,ifdeprivedoftheirlocalsymptom,areinevitablydestinedbymightyNaturesooneror latertobecomedevelopedandtoburstforth,andtherebypropagateallthenamelessmisery,theincredible numberofchronicdiseaseswhichhaveplaguedmankindforhundredsandthousandsofyears,noneofwhich

wouldsofrequentlyhavecomeintoexistencehadphysiciansstriveninarationalmannertocureradicallyand toextinguishintheorganismthesethreemiasmsbytheinternalhomoeopathicmedicinessuitedforeachof them,withoutemployingtopicalremediesfortheirexternalsymptoms.(Seenoteto282).

205FifthEdition Thehomoeopathicphysiciannevertreatsoneoftheseprimarysymptomsofchronicmiasms,noryetoneof theirsecondaryaffectionsthatresultfromtheirfurtherdevelopment,bylocalremedies(neitherbythose externalagentsthatactdynamically,1noryetbythosethatactmechanically),buthecures,incaseswherethe oneortheotherappears,onlythegreatmiasmonwhichtheydepend,whereuponitsprimary,asalsoits secondary symptoms disappear spontaneously; but as this was not the mode pursued by the oldschool practitionerswhoprecededhiminthetreatmentofthecase,thehomoeopathicphysiciangenerally,alas!,finds thattheprimarysymptoms2havealreadybeendestroyedbythembymeansofexternalremedies,andthathe has now to do more with the secondary ones, i.e., the affections resulting from the breaking forth and developmentoftheseinherentmiasms,butespeciallywiththechronicdiseaseevolvedfrominternalpsora,the internal treatment of which, as far as a single physician can elucidate it by many years of reflection, observationandexperience,IhaveendeavoredtopointoutinmyworkonChronicDiseases,towhichImust referthereader.
1

Icannotthereforeadvise,forinstance,thelocalextirpationofthesocalledcancerofthelipsandfaceby meansofthearsenicalremedyofFrereCosme,notonlybecauseitisexcessivelypainfulandoftenfails,but moreforthisreason,because,ifthisdynamicremedyshouldindeedsucceedinfreeingtheaffectedpartofthe body from the malignant ulcer locally, the basic malady is thereby not diminished in the slightest, the preservingvitalforceisthereforenecessitatedtotransferthefieldofoperationofthegreatinternalmaladyto somemoreimportantpart(asitdoesineverycaseofmetastasis),andtheconsequenceisblindness,deafness, insanity,suffocativeasthma,dropsy,apoplexy,etc.Butthisambiguouslocalliberationofthepartfromthe malignantulcerbythetopicalarsenicalremedyonlysucceeds,afterall,inthosecaseswheretheulcerhasnot yetattainedanygreatsize,andwhenthevitalforceisstillveryenergetic;butitisjustinsuchastateofthings thatthecompleteinternalcureofthewholeoriginaldiseaseisalsostillpracticable. Theresultisthesamewithoutpreviouscureoftheinnermiasmwhencancerofthefaceorbreastisremoved bytheknifealoneandwhenencystedtumorsareenucleated;somethingworseensues,oratanyratedeathis hastened.Thishasbeenthecasetimeswithoutnumber,buttheoldschoolstillgoesblindlyoninthesame wayineverynewcase,withthesamedisastrousresults.
2

Itcheruption,chancre(bubo),condylomata.

205SixthEdition Thehomoeopathicphysiciannevertreatsoneoftheseprimarysymptomsofchronicmiasms,noryetoneof theirsecondaryaffectionsthatresultfromtheirfurtherdevelopment,bylocalremedies(neitherbythose externalagentsthatactdynamically,1noryetbythosethatactmechanically),buthecures,incaseswherethe oneortheotherappears,onlythegreatmiasmonwhichtheydepend,whereuponitsprimary,asalsoits secondary symptoms disappear spontaneously; but as this was not the mode pursued by the oldschool practitionerswhoprecededhiminthetreatmentofthecase,thehomoeopathicphysiciangenerally,alas!,finds thattheprimarysymptoms2havealreadybeendestroyedbythembymeansofexternalremedies,andthathe has now to do more with the secondary ones, i.e., the affections resulting from the breaking forth and developmentoftheseinherentmiasms,butespeciallywiththechronicdiseaseevolvedfrominternalpsora,the

internal treatment of which, as far as a single physician can elucidate it by many years of reflection, observationandexperience,IhaveendeavoredtopointoutinmyworkonChronicDiseases,towhichImust referthereader.
1

Icannotthereforeadvise,forinstance,thelocalextirpationofthesocalledcancerofthelipsandface(the productofhighlydevelopedpsora,notinfrequentlyinconjunctionwithsyphilis)bymeansofthearsenical remedyofFrereCosme,notonlybecauseitisexcessivelypainfulandoftenfails,butmoreforthisreason, because,ifthisdynamicremedyshouldindeedsucceedinfreeingtheaffectedpartofthebodyfromthe malignantulcerlocally,thebasicmaladyistherebynotdiminishedintheslightest,thepreservingvitalforce isthereforenecessitatedtotransferthefieldofoperationofthegreatinternalmaladytosomemoreimportant part(asitdoesineverycaseofmetastasis),andtheconsequenceisblindness,deafness,insanity,suffocative asthma,dropsy,apoplexy,etc.Butthisambiguouslocalliberationofthepartfromthemalignantulcerbythe topicalarsenicalremedyonlysucceeds,afterall,inthosecaseswheretheulcerhasnotyetattainedanygreat size,andwhenthevitalforceisstillveryenergetic;butitisjustinsuchastateofthingsthatthecomplete internalcureofthewholeoriginaldiseaseisalsostillpracticable. Theresultisthesamewithoutpreviouscureoftheinnermiasmwhencancerofthefaceorbreastisremoved bytheknifealoneandwhenencystedtumorsareenucleated;somethingworseensues,oratanyratedeathis hastened.Thishasbeenthecasetimeswithoutnumber,buttheoldschoolstillgoesblindlyoninthesame wayineverynewcase,withthesamedisastrousresults.
2

Itcheruption,chancre(bubo),condylomata.

Beforecommencingthetreatmentofachronicdisease,itisnecessarytomakethemostcarefulinvestigation 1 astowhetherthepatienthashadavenerealinfection(oraninfectionwithcondylomatousgonorrhoea);for thenthetreatment must bedirectedtowardsthis alone,when onlythesigns ofsyphilis (orof therarer condylomatousdisease)arepresent,butthisdiseaseisveryseldommetwithalonenowadays.Ifsuchinfection havepreviouslyoccurred,thismustalsobeborneinmindinthetreatmentofthosecasesinwhichpsorais present,becauseinthemthelatteriscomplicatedwiththeformer,asisalwaysthecasewhenthesymptoms arenotthoseofpuresyphilis;forwhenthephysicianthinkshehasacaseofoldvenerealdiseasebeforehim, hehasalways,oralmostalways,totreatasyphiliticaffectionaccompaniedmostlyby(complicatedwith) psora,fortheinternalitchdyscrasia(thepsora)isfarthemostfrequent(mostcertain)fundamentalcauseof chronic diseases,either united (complicated) withsyphilis (or withsycosis), ifthe latter infections have avowedlyoccurred;or,asismuchmorefrequentlythecase,psoraisthesolefundamentalcauseofallother chronic maladies, whatever names theymay bear, whichare,moreover, so often bungled, increased and disfiguredtoamonstrousextentbyallopathicunskillfulness.
1

206FifthEdition

Ininvestigationsofthisnaturewemustnotallowourselvestobedeceivedbytheassertionsofthepatientsof theirfriends,whofrequentlyassignasthecauseofchronic,evenoftheseverestandmostinveteratediseases, eitheracoldcaught(athoroughwetting,drinkingcoldwaterafterbeingheated)manyyearsago,oraformer fright,asprain,avexation(sometimesevenabewitchment),etc.Thesecausesaremuchtooinsignificantto developachronicdiseaseinahealthybody,tokeepitupforyears,andtoaggravateityearbyyear,asisthe casewithallchronicdiseasesfromdevelopedpsora.Causesofamuchmoreimportantcharacterthanthose rememberednoxiousinfluencesmustlieattherootoftheinitiationandprogressofaserious,obstinate diseaseoflongstanding;theassignedcausescouldonlyrouseintoactivitythelatentchronicmiasm.

Beforecommencingthetreatmentofachronicdisease,itisnecessarytomakethemostcarefulinvestigation 1 astowhetherthepatienthashadavenerealinfection(oraninfectionwithcondylomatousgonorrhoea);for thenthetreatment must bedirectedtowardsthis alone,when onlythesigns ofsyphilis (orof therarer condylomatousdisease)arepresent,butthisdiseaseisveryseldommetwithalonenowadays.Ifsuchinfection havepreviouslyoccurred,thismustalsobeborneinmindinthetreatmentofthosecasesinwhichpsorais present,becauseinthemthelatteriscomplicatedwiththeformer,asisalwaysthecasewhenthesymptoms arenotthoseofpuresyphilis;forwhenthephysicianthinkshehasacaseofoldvenerealdiseasebeforehim, hehasalways,oralmostalways,totreatasyphiliticaffectionaccompaniedmostlyby(complicatedwith) psora,fortheinternalitchdyscrasia(thepsora)isfarthemostfrequentfundamentalcauseofchronicdiseases. Attimes,bothmiasmsmaybecomplicatedalsowithsycosisinchronicallydiseasedorganisms,or,asismuch morefrequentlythecase,psoraisthesolefundamentalcauseofallotherchronicmaladies,whatevernames theymaybear,whichare,moreover,sooftenbungled,increasedanddisfiguredtoamonstrousextentby allopathicunskillfulness.
1

206SixthEdition

Ininvestigationsofthisnaturewemustnotallowourselvestobedeceivedbytheassertionsofthepatientsof theirfriends,whofrequentlyassignasthecauseofchronic,evenoftheseverestandmostinveteratediseases, eitheracoldcaught(athoroughwetting,drinkingcoldwaterafterbeingheated)manyyearsago,oraformer fright,asprain,avexation(sometimesevenabewitchment),etc.Thesecausesaremuchtooinsignificantto developachronicdiseaseinahealthybody,tokeepitupforyears,andtoaggravateityearbyyear,asisthe casewithallchronicdiseasesfromdevelopedpsora.Causesofamuchmoreimportantcharacterthanthose rememberednoxiousinfluencesmustlieattherootoftheinitiationandprogressofaserious,obstinate diseaseoflongstanding;theassignedcausescouldonlyrouseintoactivitythelatentchronicmiasm.

207 Whentheaboveinformationhasbeengained,itstillremainsforthehomoeopathicphysiciantoascertainwhat kinds of allopathic treatment had up to that date been adopted for the chronic disease, what perturbing medicineshadbeenchieflyandmostfrequentlyemployed,alsowhatmineralbathshadbeenusedandwhat effectsthesehadproduced,inordertounderstandinsomemeasurethedegenerationofthediseasefromits originalstate,and,wherepossible,tocorrectinparttheseperniciousartificialoperations,ortoenablehimto avoidtheemploymentofmedicinesthathavealreadybeenimproperlyused.

208 Theageofthepatient,hismodeoflivinganddiet,hisoccupation,hisdomesticposition,hissocialrelation andsoforth,mustnextbetakenintoconsideration,inordertoascertainwhetherthesethingshavetendedto increasehismalady,orinhowfartheymayfavororhinderthetreatment.Inlikemannerthestateofhis dispositionandmindmustbeattendedto,tolearnwhetherthatpresentsanyobstaclestothetreatment,or requirestobedirectedencouragedormodified.

209 Afterthisisdone,thephysicianshouldendeavorinrepeatedconversationswiththepatienttotracethepicture ofhis diseaseascompletelyaspossible,accordingtothedirectionsgivenabove,inordertobeableto

elucidatethemoststrikingandpeculiar(characteristic)symptoms,inaccordancewithwhichheselectsthe firstantipsoricorotherremedyhavingthegreatestsymptomaticresemblance,forthecommencementofthe treatment,andsoforth.

210 OfpsoricoriginarealmostallthosediseasesthatIhaveabovetermedonesided,whichappeartobemore difficulttocureinconsequenceofthisonesidedness,alltheirothermorbidsymptomsdisappearing,asit were,beforethesingle,great,prominentsymptom.Ofthischaracterarewhataretermedmentaldiseases. They donot, however,constitute a class of disease the condition ofthe disposition and mind is always altered;1 andinallcasesofdiseasewearecalledontocurethestateofthepatientsdispositionistobe particularlynoted,alongwiththetotalityofthesymptoms,ifwewouldtraceanaccuratepictureofthe disease,inordertobeabletherefromtotreatithomoeopathicallywithsuccess.
1

Howoften,forinstance,dowenotmeetwithamild,softdispositioninpatientswhohaveforyearsbeen afflictedwiththemostpainfuldiseases,sothatthephysicianfeelsconstrainedtoesteemandcompassionate the sufferer! But if he subdue the disease and restore the patient to health as is frequently done in homoeopathicpracticeheisoftenastonishedandhorrifiedatthefrightfulalterationinhisdisposition.He oftenwitnessestheoccurrenceofingratitude,cruelty,refinedmaliceandpropensitiesmostdisgracefuland degradingtohumanity,whichwerepreciselythequalitiespossessedbythepatientbeforehegrewill. Thosewhowerepatientwhenwelloftenbecomeobstinate,violent,hasty,orevenintolerantandcapricious,or impatientordispondingwhenill;thoseformerlychasteandmodestoftenfrequentlybecomelasciviousand shameless.Aclearheadedpersonnotinfrequentlybecomesobtuseofintellect,whileoneordinarilyweak mindedbecomesmoreprudentandthoughtful;andamanslowtomakeuphismindsometimesacquiresgreat presenceofmindandquicknessofresolve,etc.

211 Thisholdsgoodtosuchanextent,thatthestateofthedispositionofthepatientoftenchieflydeterminesthe selectionofthehomoeopathicremedy,asbeingadecidedlycharacteristicsymptomwhichcanleastofall remainconcealedfromtheaccuratelyobservingphysician.

212 TheCreatoroftherapeuticagentshasalsohadparticularregardtothismainfeatureofalldiseases,thealtered stateofthedispositionandmind,forthereisnopowerfulmedicinalsubstanceintheworldwhichdoesnot verynotablyalterthestateofthedispositionandmindinthehealthyindividualwhotestsit,andevery medicinedoessoinadifferentmanner.

213 Weshall,therefore,neverbeabletocureconformablytonaturethatistosay,homoeopathicallyifwedo not,ineverycaseofdisease,eveninsuchasareacute,observe,alongwiththeothersymptoms,thoserelating tothechangesinthestateofthemindanddisposition,andifwedonotselect,forthepatientsrelief,from amongthemedicinesadiseaseforcewhich,inadditiontothesimilarityofitsothersymptomstothoseofthe disease,isalsocapableofproducingasimilarstateofthedispositionandmind.1

Thusaconitewillseldomornevereffectarapidorpermanentcureinapatientofaquiet,calm,equable disposition;andjustaslittlewillnuxvomicabeserviceablewherethedispositionismildandphlegmatic, pulsatillawhereitishappy,gayandobstinate,orignatiawhereitisimperturbableanddisposedneithertobe frightenednorvexed.

214 TheinstructionsIhavetogiverelativetothecureofmentaldiseasesmaybeconfinedtoaveryfewremarks, astheyaretobecuredinthesamewayasallotherdiseases,namely,byaremedywhichshows,bythe symptomsitcausesinthebodyandmindofahealthyindividual,apowerofproducingamorbidstateas similaraspossibletothecaseofdiseasebeforeus,andinnootherwaycantheybecured.

215 Almostallthesocalledmentalandemotionaldiseasesarenothingmorethancorporealdiseasesinwhichthe symptom of derangement of the mind and disposition peculiar to each of them is increased, while the corporealsymptomsdecline(moreorlessrapidly),tillitalengthattainsthemoststrikingonesidedness, almostasthoughitwerealocaldiseaseintheinvisiblesubtleorganofthemindordisposition.

216 Thecasesarenotrareinwhichasocalledcorporealdiseasethatthreatenstobefatalasuppurationofthe lungs,orthedeteriorationofsomeotherimportantviscus,orsomeotherdiseaseofacutecharacter,e.g.,in childbed, etc. becomes transformed into insanity,into a kind of melancholia or into mania by a rapid increaseofthepsychicalsymptomsthatwerepreviouslypresent,whereuponthecorporealsymptomsloseall theirdanger;theselatterimprovealmosttoperfecthealth,orrathertheydecreasetosuchadegreethattheir obscured presence can only be detected by the observation of a physician gifted with perseverance and penetration.Inthismannertheybecometransformedintoaonesidedand,asitwere,alocaldisease,inwhich thesymptomofthementaldisturbance,whichwasatfirstbutslight,increasessoastobethechiefsymptom, andinagreatmeasureoccupiestheplaceoftheother(corporeal)symptoms,whoseintensityitsubduesina palliative manner, so that, in short, the affections of the grosser corporeal organs become, as it were, transferredandconductedtothealmostspiritual,mentalandemotionalorgans,whichtheanatomisthasnever yetandneverwillreachwithhisscalpel.

217 Inthesediseaseswemustbeverycarefultomakeourselvesacquaintedwiththewholeofthephenomena, boththosebelongingtothecorporealsymptoms,andalso,andindeedparticularly,thoseappertainingtothe accurate apprehension of the precise character of the chief symptom, of the peculiar and always predominatingstateofthemindanddisposition,inordertodiscover,forthepurposeofextinguishingthe entiredisease,amongtheremedieswhosepureeffectsareknown,ahomoeopathicmedicinalpathogenetic forcethatistosay,aremedywhichinitslistofsymptomsdisplays,withthegreatestpossiblesimilarity,not onlythecorporealmorbidsymptomspresentinthecaseofdiseasebeforeus,butalsoespeciallythismental andemotionalstate.

218 Tothiscollectionofsymptomsbelongsinthefirstplacetoaccuratedescriptionofallthephenomenaofthe previoussocalledcorporealdisease,beforeitdegeneratedintoaonesidedincreaseofthephysicalsymptom, andbecameadiseaseofthemindanddisposition.Thismaybelearnedfromthereportofthepatients friends.

219 Acomparisonoftheseprevioussymptomsofthecorporealdiseasewiththetracesofthemthatstillremain, thoughtheyhavebecomelessperceptible(butwhichevennowsometimesbecomeprominent,whenalucid intervalandatransientalleviationofthepsychicaldiseaseoccurs),willservetoprovethemtobestillpresent, thoughobscured.

220 Byaddingtothisthestateofthemindanddispositionaccuratelyobservedbythepatientsfriendsandbythe physicianhimself,wehavethusconstructedthecompletepictureofthedisease,forwhichinordertoeffect thehomoeopathiccureofthedisease,amedicinecapableofproducingstrikinglysimilarsymptoms,and especially an analogous disorderof the mind, must be sought foramong the antipsoric remedies, if the physicaldiseasehavealreadylastedsometime.

221 If,however,insanityormania(causedbyfright,vexation,theabuseofspirituousliquors,etc.)havesuddenly brokenoutasanacutediseaseinthepatientsordinarycalmstate,althoughitalmostalwaysarisesfrom internalpsora,likeaflameburstingforthfromit,yetwhenitoccursinthisacutemanneritshouldnotbe immediatelytreatedwithantipsoric,butinthefirstplacewithremediesindicatedforitoutoftheorderclass of proved medicaments (e.g., aconite, belladonna, stramonium, hyoscyamus, mercury, etc.) in highly potentized,minute,homoeopathicdoses,inordertosubdueitsofarthatthepsorashallforthetimerevertto itsformerlatentstate,whereinthepatientappearsasifquitewell.

222 Butsuchapatient,whohasrecoveredfromanacutementaloremotionaldiseasebytheuseofthesenon antipsoricmedicines,shouldneverberegardedascured;onthecontrary,notimeshouldbelostinattempting tofreehimcompletely,1bymeansofaprolongedantipsorictreatment,fromthechronicmiasmofthepsora, which,itistrue,hasnowbecomeoncemorelatentbutisquitereadytobreakoutanew;ifthisbedone,there isnofearofanothersimilarattack,ifheattendfaithfullytothedietandregimenprescribedforhim.

1

Itveryrarelyhappensthatamentaloremotionaldiseaseoflongstandingceasesspontaneously(forthe internaldyscrasiatransfersitselfagaintothegrossercorporealorgans);sucharethefewcasesmetwithnow andthen,whereaformerinmateofamadhousehasbeendismissedapparentlyrecovered.Hitherto,moreover, allmadhouseshavecontinuedtobechokefull,sothatthemultitudeofotherinsanepersonswhoseekfor admissionintosuchinstitutionscouldscarcelyfindroominthemunlesssomeoftheinsaneinthehousedied. Not oneis everreallyand permanentlycuredin them!Aconvincing proof, amongmanyothers,ofthe

completenullityofthenonhealingarthithertopractised,whichhasbeenridiculouslyhonoredbyallopathic ostentationwiththetitleofrationalmedicine.Howoften,ontheotherhand,hasnotthetruehealingart, genuinepurehomoeopathy,beenabletorestoresuchunfortunatebeingstothepossessionoftheirmentaland corporealhealth,andsogivethembackagaintotheirdelightedfriendsandtotheworld!

223 Butiftheantipsorictreatmentbeomitted,thenwemayalmostassuredlyexpect,fromamuchslightercause thanbroughtonthefirstattackoftheinsanity,thespeedyoccurrenceofanewandmorelastingtheseverefit, duringwhichthepsorausuallydevelopsitselfcompletely,andpassesintoeitheraperiodicorcontinued mentalderangement,whichisthenmoredifficulttobecuredbyantipsorics.

224 Ifthementaldiseasebenotquitedeveloped,andifitbestillsomewhatdoubtfulwhetheritreallyarosefroma corporealaffection,ordidnotratherresultfromfaultsofeducation,badpractices,corruptmorals,neglectof themind,superstitionorignorance;themodeofdecidingthispointwillbe,thatifitproceedfromoneor otherofthelattercausesitwilldiminishandbeimprovedbysensiblefriendlyexhortations,consolatory arguments,seriousrepresentationsandsensibleadvice,whereasarealmoralormentalmalady,dependingon bodilydisease,wouldbespeedilyaggravatedbysuchacourse,themelancholicwouldbecomestillmore dejected, querulous, inconsolable and reserved, the spiteful maniac would thereby become still more exasperated,andthechatteringfoolwouldbecomemanifestlymorefoolish.1
1

Itwouldseemasthoughthemind,inthesecases,feltwithuneasinessandgriefthetruthoftheserational representationsandacteduponthebodyasitwishedtorestorethelostharmony,butthatthebody,bymeans ofitsdisease,reactedupontheorgansofthemindanddispositionandputtheminstillgreaterdisorderbya freshtransferenceofitssufferingsontothem.

225 Thereare,however,ashasjustbeenstated,certainlyafewemotionaldiseaseswhichhavenotmerelybeen developedintothatformoutofcorporealdiseases,butwhich,inaninversemanner,thebodybeingbut slightlyindisposed,originateandarekeptupbyemotionalcauses,suchascontinuedanxiety,worry,vexation, wrongsandthefrequentoccurrenceofgreatfearandfright.Thiskindofemotionaldiseasesintimedestroys thecorporealhealth,oftentoagreatdegree.

226 Itisonlysuchemotionaldiseasesasthese,whichwerefirstengenderedandsubsequentlykeptupbythemind itself,that,whiletheyareyetrecentandbeforetheyhavemadeverygreatinroadsonthecorporealstate,may, bymeansofpsychicalremedies,suchasadisplayofconfidence,friendlyexhortations,sensibleadvice,and oftenbyawelldisguiseddeception,berapidlychangedintoahealthystateofthemind(andwithappropriate dietandregimen,seeminglyintoahealthystateofthebodyalso.)

227

Butthefundamentalcauseinthesecasesalsoisapsoricmiasm,whichwasonlynotyetquitenearitsfull development,andforsecurityssake,theseeminglycuredpatientshouldbesubjectedtoaradical,antipsoric treatment,inorderthathemaynotagain,asmighteasilyoccur,fallintoasimilarstateofmentaldisease.

228 In mental and emotional diseases resulting from corporeal maladies, which can only be cured by homoeopathicantipsoricmedicineconjoinedwithcarefullyregulatedmodeoflife,anappropriatepsychical behavior towards the patient on the part of those about him and of the physician must be scrupulously observed,bywayofanauxiliarymentalregimen.Tofuriousmaniawemustopposeclamintrepidityandcool, firmresolutiontodoleful,querulouslamentation,amutedisplayofcommiserationinlooksandgesturesto senseless chattering, a silence not wholly inattentive to disgusting and abominable conduct and to conversationofasimilarcharacter,totalinattention.Wemustmerelyendeavortopreventthedestructionand injuryofsurroundingobjects,withoutreproachingthepatientforhisacts,andeverythingmustbearrangedin suchawaythatthenecessityforanycorporealpunishmentsandtortures 1whatevermaybeavoided.Thisisso muchthemoreeasilyeffected,becauseintheadministrationofthemedicinetheonlycircumstanceinwhich theemploymentofcoercioncouldbejustifiedinthehomoeopathicsystemthesmalldosesoftheappropriate medicineneveroffendthetaste,andmayconsequentlybegiventothepatientwithouthisknowledgeinhis drink,sothatallcompulsionisunnecessary.
1

It is impossible to marvel at the hardheartedness and indiscretion of the medical men in many establishmentsforpatientsofthiskind,who,withoutattemptingtodiscoverthetrueandonlyefficacious modeofcuringsuchdisease,whichisbyhomoeopathicmedicinal(antipsoric)means,contentthemselves withtorturingthesemostpitiableofallhumanbeingswiththemostviolentblowsandotherpainfultorments. Bythisunconscientiousandrevoltingproceduretheydebasethemselvesbeneaththeleveloftheturnkeysina houseofcorrection,forthelatterinflictsuchchastisementasthedutydevolvingontheiroffice,andon criminalsonly,whilsttheformerappear,fromahumiliatingconsciousnessoftheiruselessnessasphysicians, onlytoventtheirspiteatthesupposedincurabilityofmentaldiseasesinharshnesstowardsthepitiable, innocentsufferers,fortheyaretooignoranttobeofanyuseandtooindolenttoadoptajudiciousmodeof treatment.

229 Ontheotherhand,contradiction,eagerexplanations,rudecorrectionsandinvectives,asalsoweak,timorous yielding,arequiteoutofplacewithsuchpatients;theyareequallyperniciousmodesoftreatingmentaland emotional maladies. But such patients are most of all exasperated and their complaint aggravated by contumely,fraud,anddeceptionsthattheycandetect.Thephysicianandkeepermust always pretendto believethemtobepossessedofreason. Allkindsofexternaldisturbinginfluencesontheirsensesanddispositionshouldbeifpossibleremoved;there arenoamusementsfortheircloudedspirit,nosalutarydistractions,nomeansofinstruction,nosoothing effectsfromconversation,booksorotherthingsforthesoulthatpinesorfretsinthechainsofthediseased body,noinvigorationforit,butthecare;itisonlywhenthebodilyhealthischangedforthebetterthat tranquillityandcomfortagainbeamupontheirmind.1
1

FootnoteinSixthEditiononly. Thetreatmentoftheviolentinsanemanicandmelancholiccantakeplaceonlyinaninstitutionspecially

arrangedfortheirtreatmentbutnotwithinthefamilycircleofthepatient.

230 Iftheantipsoricremediesselectedforeachparticularcaseofmentaloremotionaldisease(thereareincredibly numerousvarietiesofthem)bequitehomoeopathicallysuitedforthefaithfullytracedpictureofthemorbid state,which,iftherebeasufficientnumberofthiskindofmedicinesknowninrespectoftheirpureeffects,is ascertainedbyanindefatigablesearchforthemostappropriatehomoeopathicremedyallthemoreeasily,as theemotionalandmentalstate,constitutingtheprincipalsymptomofsuchapatient,issounmistakably perceptible,thenthemoststrikingimprovementinnoverylongtime,whichcouldnotbebroughtaboutby physicking the patient to death with the largest oft repeated doses of all other unsuitable (allopathic) medicines. Indeed, I can confidently assert, from great experience, that the vast superiority of the homoeopathicsystemoverallotherconceivablemethodsofthetreatmentisnowheredisplayedinamore triumphant light than in mental and emotional diseases of long standing, which originally sprang from corporealmaladiesorweredevelopedsimultaneouslywiththem.

231 Theintermittentdiseasedeserveaspecialconsideration,aswellthosethatrecuratcertainperiodslikethe great number of intermittent fevers, and the apparently nonfebrile affections that recur at intervals like intermittentfeversasalsothoseinwhichcertainmorbidstatesalternateatuncertainintervalswithmorbid statesofadifferentkind.

Theselatter,alternatingdiseases,arealsoverynumerous,1butallbelongtotheclassofchronicdiseases;they aregenerallyamanifestationofdevelopedpsoraalone,sometimes,butseldom,complicatedwithasyphilitic miasm,andthereforeintheformercasemaybecuredbyantipsoricmedicines;inthelatter,however,in alternationwithantisyphiliticsastaughtinmyworkontheChronicDiseases.

1

232

Twoorthreestatesmayalternatewithoneanother.Thus,forinstance,inthecaseofdoublealternating diseases,certainpainsmayoccurpersistentlyinthelegs,etc.,immediatelyonthedisappearanceofakindof ophthalmia,whichlatteragainappearsassoonasthepaininthelimbshasgoneoffforthetimeconvulsions andspasmsmayalternateimmediatelywithanyotheraffectionofthebodyorsomepartofitinacaseof threefoldalternatingstatesinacommonindisposition,periodsofapparentincreaseofhealthandunusual exaltationofthecorporealandmentalpowers(extravagantgaiety,extraordinaryactivityofthebody,excessof comfortable feeling, inordinate appetite, etc.) may occur, after which, and quite unexpectedly, gloomy, melancholyhumor,intolerablehypochondriacalderangementofthedisposition,withdisorderofseveralof thevitaloperations,thedigestion,sleep,etc.,appear,whichagain,andjustassuddenly,giveplacetothe habitualmoderateillhealth;andsoalsoseveralandveryvariousalternatingstates.Whenthenewstatemakes itsappearance,thereisoftennoperceptibletraceoftheformerone.Inothercasesonlyslighttracesofthe formeralternatingstateremainwhenthenewoneoccurs;fewofthesymptomsofthefirststateremainonthe appearanceandduringthecontinuanceofthesecond.Sometimesthemorbidalternatingstatesarequiteof oppositenatures,asforinstance,melancholyperiodicallyalternatingwithgayinsanityorfrenzy.

233 Thetypicalintermittentdiseasearethosewhereamorbidstateofunvaryingcharacterreturnsatatolerably fixedperiod,whilethepatientisapparentlyingoodhealth,andtakesitsdepartureatanequallyfixedperiod; thisisobservedinthoseapparentlynonfebrilemorbidstatesthatcomeandgoinaperiodicalmanner(at certaintimes),aswellasinthoseofafebrilecharacter,towit,thenumerousvarietiesofintermittentfevers.

234 Thoseapparentlynonfebrile,typical,periodicallyrecurringmorbidstatesjustalludedtoobservedinone singlepatientatatime(theydonotusuallyappearsporadicallyorepidemically)alwaysbelongtothechronic diseases,mostlytothosethatarepurelypsoric,arebutseldomcomplicatedwithsyphilis,andaresuccessfully treatedbythesamemeans;yetitissometimesnecessarytoemployasanintermediateremedyasmalldoseof apotentizedsolutionofcinchonabark,inordertoextinguishcompletelytheirintermittenttype.

Withregardto the intermittent fevers, thatprevail sporadicallyor epidemically(not those endemically locatedinmarshydistricts),weoftenfindeveryparoxysmlikewisecomposedoftwooppositealternating states(cold,heatheat,cold),morefrequentlystillofthree(cold,heat,sweat).Thereforetheremedyselected forthemfromthegeneralclassofproved(common,notantipsoric)medicinesmusteither(andremediesof thissortarethesurest)beablelikewisetoproduceinthehealthybodytwo(orallthree)similaralternating states,orelsemustcorrespondbysimilarityofsymptoms,inthemosthomoeopathicmannerpossible,tothe strongest,bestmarked,andmostpeculiaralternatingstate(eithertothecoldstage,ortothehotstage,orto thesweatingstate,eachwithitsaccessorysymptoms,accordingastheoneorotheralternatingstateisthe strongestandmostpeculiar);butthesymptomsofthepatientshealthduringtheintervalswhenheisfree fromfevermustbethechiefguidetothemostappropriatehomoeopathicremedy.2
1

235

Thepathologyhithertoinvogue,whichisstillinthestageofirrationalinfancy,recognizesbutonesingle intermittentfever,whichitlikewisetermedague,andadmitsofnovarietiesbutsuchasareconstitutedbythe differentintervalsatwhichtheparoxysmsrecur,quotidian,tertian,quartanetc.Buttherearemuchmore important differences among them than what are marked by the periods of their recurrence; there are innumerablevarietiesofthesefevers,someofwhichcannotevenbedenominatedague,astheirfitsconsist solelyofheat;others,again,arecharacterisedbycoldalone,withorwithoutsubsequentperspiration;yet otherswhichexhibitgeneralcoldnessofthesurface,withasensationonthepatientspart,orwhilstthebody feelsexternallyhot,thepatientfeelscold;others,again,inwhichoneparoxysmconsistsentirelyofarigoror simplechillinessfollowedbyanintervalofhealth,whilethenextconsistsofheatalone,followedornotby perspiration;others,again,inwhichtheheatcomesfirstandthecoldstagenottillthatisgone;others,again, whereinafteracoldorhotstageapyrexiaensues,andthenperspirationcomesonlikeasecondfit,oftenmany hourssubsequently;others,again,inwhichnoperspirationatallcomeson,andyetothersinwhichthewhole attackconsistsofperspirationalone,withoutanycoldorhotstage,orinwhichtheperspirationisonlypresent duringtheheat;andthereareinnumerableotherdifferences,especiallyinregardtotheaccessorysymptoms, suchasheadacheofapeculiarkind,badtasteofthemouth,nausea,vomiting,diarrhoea,wantoforexcessive thirst,peculiarpainsinthebodyorlimbs,disturbedsleep,deliria,alterationsoftemper,spasms,etc.,before, duringorafterthesweatingstage,andcountlessothervarieties.Allthesearemanifestlyintermittentfeversof very different kinds, each of which, as might naturally be supposed, requires a special (homoeopathic) treatment.Itmustbeconfessedthattheycanalmostallbesuppressed(asisoftendone)byenormousdosesof

barkandofitspharmaceuticalpreparation,thesulphateofquinine;thatistosay,theirperiodicalrecurrence (theirtypus)maybeextinguishedbyit,butthepatientswhosufferedfromintermittentfeversforwhich cinchonabarkisnotsuitable,asisthecasewithallthoseepidemicintermittentfeversthattraversewhole countriesandevenmountainousdistricts,arenotrestoredtohealthbytheextinctionofthetypus;onthe contrary,theynowremainillinanothermanner,andworse,oftenmuchworse,thanbefore;theyareaffected bypeculiar,chronicbarkdyscrasias,andcanscarcelyberestoredtohealthevenbyaprolongedtreatmentby thetruesystemofmedicineandyetthatiswhatiscalledcuring,forsooth!

2

Dr.vonBonninghausen,whohasrenderedmoreservicestoourbeneficentsystemofmedicinethanany otherofmydisciples,hasbestelucidatedthissubject,whichdemandssomuchcare,andhasfacilitatedthe choice of the efficient remedy for the various epidemics of fever, in his work entitled Versuch einer homoopathischenTherapiederWechselfieber,1833,MusterbiRegensberg.

236 Themostappropriateandefficacioustimeforadministeringthemedicineinthesecasesisimmediatelyor verysoonaftertheterminationoftheparoxysm,assoonasthepatienthasinsomedegreerecoveredfromits effects;ithasthentimetoeffectallthechangesintheorganismrequisitefortherestorationofhealth,without anygreatdisturbanceorviolentcommotion;whereastheactionofamedicine,beiteversospecifically appropriate,ifgivenimmediatelybeforetheparoxysm,coincideswiththenaturalrecurrenceofthedisease andcausessuchareactionintheorganism,suchaviolentcontention,thatanattackofthatnatureproducesat theveryleastagreatlossofstrength,ifitdonotendangerlife.1Butifthemedicinebegivenimmediately aftertheterminationofthefit,thatistosay,attheperiodwhentheapyreticintervalhascommencedanda longtimebeforethereareanypreparationsforthenextparoxysm,thenthevitalforceoftheorganismisinthe bestpossibleconditiontoallowitselftobequietlyalteredbytheremedy,andthusrestoredtothehealthy state.
1

Thisisobservedinthefatalcases,bynomeansrare,inwhichamoderatedoseofopiumgivenduringthe coldstagequicklydeprivedthepatientsoflife.

237 Butifthestageofapyrexiabeveryshort,ashappensinsomeverybadfevers,orifitbedisturbedbysomeof theaftersufferingsofthepreviousparoxysm,thedoseofthehomoeopathicmedicineshouldbeadministered whentheperspirationbeginstoabate,ortheothersubsequentphenomenaoftheexpiringparoxysmbeginto diminish.

238FifthEdition Itisonlywhenthesuitablemedicinehaswithasingledosedestroyedseveralfitsandmanifesthealthand ensued,butaftersometimeindicationsofanewparoxysmappear,onlythencanandmustthesamemedicine begivenagain,providedalwaysthetotalityofthesymptomsisstillthesame.Thisrecurrenceofthesame feverafteranintervalofhealthis,however,onlypossiblewhenthenoxiousinfluencethatfirstexcitedthe intermittentfeverstillcontinuestoactupontheconvalescent,ashappensinmarshydistricts;inwhichcasea permanentcureisoftenonlypossiblebytheremovalofthisexcitingcause(as,forinstance,aresidenceina mountainouscountryifthecasewasoneofmarshintermittentfever).

238SixthEdition Notinfrequently,thesuitablemedicinehaswithasingledosedestroyedseveralattacksandbroughtaboutthe returnofhealth,butinthemajorityofcases,anotherdosemustbeadministeredaftersuchattack.Betterstill, however,whenthecharacterofthesymptomshasnotchanged,dosesofthesamemedicinegivenaccordingto thenewerdiscoveryofrepetitionofdoses(seenoteto270),maybegivenwithoutdifficultyindynamizing eachsuccessivedosewith1012succussionsofthevialcontainingthemedicinalsubstance.Nevertheless, thereareattimescases,thoughseldom,wheretheintermittentfeverreturnsafterseveraldayswellbeing. Thisreturnofthesamefeverafterahealthyintervalisonlypossiblewhenthenoxiousprinciplethatfirst causedthefever,isstillactingupontheconvalescent,asisthecaseinmarshyregions.Hereapermanent restorationcanoftentakeplaceonlybygettingawayfromthiscausativefactor,asispossiblebyseekinga mountainousretreat,ifthecausewasamarshyfever.

239 Asalmosteverymedicinecausesinitspureactionaspecial,peculiarfeverandevenakindofintermittent fever with its alternating states, differing from all other fevers that are caused by other medicines, homoeopathicremediesmaybefoundintheextensivedomainofmedicinesforallthenumerousvarietiesof naturalintermittentfeversand,foragreatmanyofsuchfevers,eveninthemoderatecollectionofmedicines alreadyprovedonthehealthyindividual.

240 Butiftheremedyfoundtobethehomoeopathicspecificforaprevalentepidemicofintermittentfeverdonot effectaperfectcureinsomeoneorotherpatient,ifitbenottheinfluenceofamarshydistrictthatprevents thecure,itmustalwaysbethepsoricmiasminthebackground,inwhichcaseantipsoricmedicinesmustbe employeduntilcompletereliefisobtained.

241 Epidemicsofintermittentfever,insituationswherenoneareendemic,areofthenatureofchronicdiseases, composedofsingleacuteparoxysms;eachsingleepidemicisofapeculiar,uniformcharactercommontoall theindividualsattacked,andwhenthischaracterisfoundinthetotalityofthesymptomscommontoall,it guidesustothediscoveryofthehomoeopathic(specific)remedysuitableforallthecases,whichisalmost universallyserviceableinthosepatientswhoenjoyedtolerablehealthbeforetheoccurrenceoftheepidemic, thatistosay,whowerenotchronicsufferersfromdevelopedpsora.

242 If,however,in suchanepidemicintermittent feverthefirst paroxysms havebeenleft uncured,orifthe patientshavebeenweakenedbyimproperallopathictreatment;thentheinherentpsorathatexists,alas!inso manypersons,althoughinalatentstate,becomesdeveloped,takesonthetypeoftheintermittentfever,andto allappearancecontinuestoplaythepartoftheepidemicintermittentfever,sothatthemedicine,whichwould havebeenusefulinthefirstparoxysms(rarelyanantipsoric),isnownolongersuitableandcannotbeofany service.Wehavenowtodowithapsoricintermittentfeveronly,andthiswillgenerallybesubduedbyminute andrarelyrepeateddosesofsulphurorheparsulphurisinahighpotency.

243 Inthoseoftenveryperniciousintermittentfeverswhichattackasingleperson,notresidinginamarshy district,wemustalsoatfirst,asinthecaseofacutediseasesgenerally,whichtheyresembleinrespecttotheir psoricorigin,employforsomedays,torenderwhatserviceitmay,ahomoeopathicremedyselectedforthe specialcasefromtheotherclassofproved(notantipsoric)medicines;butif,notwithstandingthisprocedure, therecoveryisdeferred,weknowthatwehavepsoraonthepointofitsdevelopment,andthatinthiscase antipsoricmedicinesalonecaneffectaradicalcure.

244FifthEdition Theintermittentfeversendemicinmarshydistrictsandtractsofcountryfrequentlyexposedtoinundations, giveagreatdealofworktophysiciansoftheoldschool,andyetahealthymanmayinhisyouthbecome habituatedeventomarshydistrictsandremainingoodhealth,providedhepreservesafaultlessregimenand hissystemisnotloweredbywant,fatigueorperniciouspassions.Theintermittentfeversendemictherewould atthemostonlyattackhimonhisfirstarrival;butoneortwoverysmalldosesofahighlypotentizedsolution ofcinchonabarkwould,conjointlywiththewellregulatedmodeoflivingjustalludedto,speedilyfreehim fromthedisease.Butpersonswho,whiletakingsufficientcorporealexerciseandpursuingahealthysystem ofintellectualoccupationsandbodilyregimen,cannotbecuredofmarshintermittentfeverbyoneorafewof suchsmalldosesofcinchonainsuchpersonspsora,strivingtodevelopitself,alwaysliesattherootoftheir malady,andtheirintermittentfevercannotbecuredinthemarshydistrictwithoutantipsorictreatment. 1 It sometimeshappensthatwhenthesepatientsexchange,withoutdelay,themarshydistrictforonethatisdry andmountainous,recoveryapparentlyensues(thefeverleavesthem)iftheybenotyetdeeplysunkindisease, thatistosay,ifthepsorawasnotcompletelydevelopedinthemandcanconsequentlyreturntoitslatentstate; buttheywillneverregainperfecthealthwithoutantipsorictreatment.
1

Large,oftrepeateddosesofcinchonabark,asalsoconcentratedcinchonaremedies,suchasthesulphateof quinine,havecertainlythepoweroffreeingsuchpatientsfromtheperiodicalfitsofthemarshague;butthose thusdeceivedintothebeliefthattheyarecuredremaindiseasedinanotherway. 244SixthEdition Theintermittentfeversendemicinmarshydistrictsandtractsofcountryfrequentlyexposedtoinundations, giveagreatdealofworktophysiciansoftheoldschool,andyetahealthymanmayinhisyouthbecome habituatedeventomarshydistrictsandremainingoodhealth,providedhepreservesafaultlessregimenand hissystemisnotloweredbywant,fatigueorperniciouspassions.Theintermittentfeversendemictherewould atthemostonlyattackhimonhisfirstarrival;butoneortwoverysmalldosesofahighlypotentizedsolution ofcinchonabarkwould,conjointlywiththewellregulatedmodeoflivingjustalludedto,speedilyfreehim fromthedisease.Butpersonswho,whiletakingsufficientcorporealexerciseandpursuingahealthysystem ofintellectualoccupationsandbodilyregimen,cannotbecuredofmarshintermittentfeverbyoneorafewof suchsmalldosesofcinchonainsuchpersonspsora,strivingtodevelopitself,alwaysliesattherootoftheir malady,andtheirintermittentfevercannotbecuredinthemarshydistrictwithoutantipsorictreatment. 1 It sometimeshappensthatwhenthesepatientsexchange,withoutdelay,themarshydistrictforonethatisdry andmountainous,recoveryapparentlyensues(thefeverleavesthem)iftheybenotyetdeeplysunkindisease, thatistosay,ifthepsorawasnotcompletelydevelopedinthemandcanconsequentlyreturntoitslatentstate; buttheywillneverregainperfecthealthwithoutantipsorictreatment.

Large,oftrepeateddosesofcinchonabark,asalsoconcentratedcinchonaremedies,suchasthesulphateof quinine,havecertainlythepoweroffreeingsuchpatientsfromtheperiodicalfitsofthemarshague;butthose thusdeceivedintothebeliefthattheyarecuredremaindiseasedinanotherway,frequentlywithanincurable Quininintoxication(see276note.)

245FifthEdition Havingthusseenwhatattentionshould,inthehomoeopathictreatment,bepaidtothechiefvarietiesof diseasesandtothepeculiarcircumstancesconnectedwiththem,wenowpassontowhatwehavetosay respectingtheremediesandthemodeofemployingthem,togetherwiththedietandregimentobeobserved duringtheiruse. 245SixthEdition Havingthusseenwhatattentionshould,inthehomoeopathictreatment,bepaidtothechiefvarietiesof diseasesandtothepeculiarcircumstancesconnectedwiththem,wenowpassontowhatwehavetosay respectingtheremediesandthemodeofemployingthem,togetherwiththedietandregimentobeobserved duringtheiruse. Every perceptibly progressive and strikingly increasing amelioration in a transient (acute) or persistent (chronic) disease, is a condition which, as long as it lasts, completely precludes every repetition of the administrationofanymedicinewhatsoever,becauseallthegoodthemedicinetakencontinuestoeffectisnew hastening towards its completion. Every new dose of any medicine whatsoever, even of the one last administered,thathashithertoshownitselftobesalutary,wouldinthiscasedisturbtheworkofamelioration.

246FifthEdition Ontheotherhand,theslowlyprogressiveameliorationconsequentonaveryminutedose,whoseselectionhas beenaccuratelyhomoeopathic,whenithasmetwithnohindrancetothedurationofitsaction,sometimes accomplishesallthegoodtheremedyinquestioniscapablefromitsnatureofperforminginagivencase,in periodsofforty,fiftyorahundreddays.Thisis,however,butrarelythecase;andbesides,itmustbeamatter ofgreatimportancetothephysicianaswellastothepatientthatwereitpossible,thisperiodshouldbe diminishedtoonehalf,onequarter,andevenstillless,sothatamuchmorerapidcuremightbeobtained. Andthismaybeveryhappilyaffected,asrecentandoftrepeatedobservations haveshown,underthree conditions:firstly,ifthemedicineselectedwiththeutmostcarewasperfectlyhomoeopathic;secondly,ifit wasgivenintheminutestdose,soastoproducetheleastpossibleexcitationofthevitalforce,andyet sufficienttoeffectthenecessarychangeinit;andthirdly,ifthisminutestyetpowerfuldoseofthebest selectedmedicineberepeatedatsuitableintervals,1 whichexperienceshallhavepronouncedtobethebest adaptedforaccelerating the curetothe utmost extent, yetwithout the vital force,whichit is sought to influencetotheproductionofasimilarmedicinaldisease,beingabletofeelitselfexcitedandrousedto adversereactions.
1

IntheformereditionsoftheOrganonIhaveadvisedthatasingledoseofawellselectedhomoeopathic medicineshouldalwaysbeallowedfirstfullytoexpenditsactionbeforeanewmedicineisgivenorthesame onerepeatedadoctrinewhichwastheresultofthepositiveexperiencethatneitherbyalargerdoseofthe remedy,whichmayhavebeenwellchosen(ashasbeenagainrecentlyproposed,butwhichwouldbeverylike aretrogrademovement),nor,whatamountstothesamething,byseveraldosesofitgiveninquicksuccession,

canthegreatestpossiblegoodbeeffectedinthetreatmentofdiseases,moreespeciallyofchronicones;and thereasonofthisis,thatbysuchaprocedurethevitalforcedosenotquietlyadaptitselftothetransitionfrom thenaturaldiseasetothesimilarmedicinaldisease,butisusuallysoviolentlyexcitedanddisturbedbyalarger dose,orbysmallerdosesofevenahomoeopathicallychosenremedygivenrapidlyoneaftertheother,thatin mostcasesitsreactionwillbeanythingbutsalutaryandwilldomoreharmthangood.Aslongasnomore efficaciousmodeofproceedingthanthatthentaughtbymewasdiscovered,thesafephilanthropicmaximof sinnonjuvat,modonenoceat,rendereditimperativeforthehomoeopathicpractitioner,forwhomthewealof hisfellowcreatureswasthehighestobject,toallow,asageneralruleindiseases,butasingledoseatatime, andthattheverysmallest,ofthecarefullyselectedremedytoactuponthepatientand,moreover,toexhaust itsaction.Theverysmallest,Irepeat,foritholdsgoodandwillcontinuetoholdgoodasahomoeopathic therapeuticmaxim not toberefutedbyanyexperienceintheworld,thatthebest dosesoftheproperly selectedremedyisalwaystheverysmallestoninoneofthehighpotencies(X),aswellforchronicasfor acuteasforacutediseasesatruththatistheinestimablepropertyofpurehomoeopathyandwhichaslongas allopathyandthenewmongrelsect,whosetreatmentisamixtureofallopathicandhomoeopathicprocessesis notmuchbettercontinuestognawlikeacanceratthelifeofsickhumanbeings,andtoruinthembylargeand ever larger doses of drugs, will keep pure homoeopathy separated from these spurious arts as by an impassablegulf. Ontheotherhand,however,practiceshowsusthatthoughasingleoneofthesesmalldosesmaysufficeto accomplishalmostallthatitwaspossibleforthismedicinetodounderthecircumstances,insome,and especiallyinslightcasesofdisease,particularlyinthoseofyoungchildrenandverydelicateandexcitable adults,yetthatinmany,indeedinmostcases,notonlyofverychronicdiseasesthathavealreadymadegreat progressandhavefrequentlybeenaggravatedbyapreviousemploymentofinappropriatemedicines,butalso of serious acute diseases, one such smallest dose of medicine in our highly potentized dynamization is evidentlyinsufficienttoeffectallthecurativeactionthatmightbeexpectedfromthatmedicine,foritmay unquestionablyberequisitetoadministerseveralofthem,inorderthatthevitalforcemaybepathogenetically alteredbythemtosuchadegreeanditssalutaryreactionstimulatedtosuchaheight,astoenableitto completelyextinguish,byitsreaction,thewholeofthatportionoftheoriginaldiseasethatitlayinthepower ofthewellselectedhomoeopathicremedytoeradicate;thebestchosenmedicineinsuchasmalldose,given butonce,mightcertainlybeofsomeservice,butwouldnotbenearlysufficient. Butthecarefulhomoeopathicphysicianwouldnotventuresoontorepeatthesamedoseofthesameremedy again,asfromsuchapracticehehasfrequentlyexperiencednoadvantage,butmostfrequently,onclose observation,decideddisadvantage.Hegenerallywitnessedaggravation,fromeventhesmallestdoseofthe mostsuitableremedy,whichhehasgivenoneday,whenherepeatedthenextdayandthenext. Now,incaseswherehewasconvincedofthecorrectnessofhischoiceofthehomoeopathicmedicine,inorder toobtainmorebenefitforthepatientthanhewasabletogethithertofromprescribingasinglesmalldose,the ideaoftennaturallystruckhimtoincreasethedose,since,forthereasongivenabove,onesingledoseonly shouldbegiven;an,forinstance,inplaceofgivingasingleveryminuteglobulemoistenedwiththemedicine inthehighestdynamization,toadministersix,sevenoreightofthematonce,andevenahalforawholedrop. Buttheresultwasalmostalwayslessfavourablethanitshouldhavebeen;itwasoftenactuallyunfavourable, oftenevenverybadaninjurythat,inapatientsotreated,isdifficulttorepair. Thedifficultyinthiscaseisnotsolvedbygiving,instead,lowerdynamizationsoftheremedyinalargedose. Thus,increasingthestrengthofthesingledosesofthehomoeopathicmedicinewiththeviewofeffectingthe degreeofpathogenicexcitationofthevitalforcenecessarytoproducesatisfactorysalutaryreaction,fails altogether,asexperienceteaches,toaccomplishthedesiredobject.Thisvitalforceistherebytooviolentand toosuddenlyassailedandexcitedtoallowittimetoexerciseagradualequable,salutaryreaction,toadapt itselftothemodificationeffectedinit;henceitstrivestorepel,asifitwereanenemy,themedicineattacking itinexcessiveforce,bymeansofvomiting,diarrhoea,fever,perspiration,andsoforth,andthusinagreat

measureitdivertsandrendersnugatorytheaimoftheincautiousphysicianlittleornogoodtowardscuring thediseasewillbetherebyaccomplished;onthecontrary,thepatientwillbetherebyperceptiblyweakened and,foralongtime,theadministrationofeventhesmallestdoseofthesameremedymustnotbethoughtofif wewouldnotwishittoinjurethepatient. Butithappens,moreover,thatanumberofthesmallestdosesgivenforthesameobjectinquicksuccession accumulateintheorganismintoakindofexcessivelylargedose,with(afewcasesexcepted)similarbad results;inthiscasethevitalforce,notbeingabletorecoveritselfbetwixteverydose,thoughitbebutsmall, becomes oppressed and overwhelmed, and thus being incapable of reacting in a salutary manner, it is necessitatedpassivelytoallowinvoluntarythecontinuanceoftheoverstrongmedicinaldiseasethathasthus beenforceduponit,justinthesamemanneraswemayeverydayobservefromtheallopathicabuseoflarge cumulativedosesofoneandthesamemedicine,tothelastinginjuryofthepatient. Now,therefore,inorder,whilstavoidingtheerroneousmethodIhaveherepointedout,toattainthedesired objectmorecertainlythanhitherto,andtoadministerthemedicineselectedinsuchamannerthatitmust exerciseallitsefficacywithoutinjurytothepatient,thatitmayeffectallthegooditiscapableofperforming inagivencaseofdisease,Ihavelatelyadoptedaparticularmethod. Iperceivedthat,inordertodiscoverthistruemiddlepath,wemustbeguidedaswellbythenatureofthe differentmedicinalsubstances,asalsobythecorporealconstitutionofthepatientandthemagnitudeofthe disease,sothattogiveanexamplefromtheuseofsulphurinchronic(psoric)diseasesthesmallestdoseof it(tinct,sulph.X)canseldomberepeatedwithadvantage,seeninthemostrobustpatientsandinfully developedpsora,oftenerthaneverysevendays,aperiodoftimewhichmustbeproportionallylengthened whenwehavetotreatweakerandmoreexcitablepatientsofthiskind;insuchcaseswewoulddowelltogive suchadoseonlyeverynine,twelve,orfourteendays,andcontinuetorepeatthemedicineuntilitceasestobe ofservice.Wethusfind(toabidebytheinstanceofsulphur)thatinsporicdiseasesseldomfewerthanfour, oftenhowever,six,eightandeventendoses(tinct.sulph.X)arerequiredtobesuccessivelyadministeredat theseintervalsforthecompleteannihilationofthewholeportionofthechronicdiseasethatiseradicatedby sulphurprovidedalwaystherehadbeennopreviousallopathicabuseofsulphurinthecase.Thusevena (primary)scabiouseruptionofrecentorigin,thoughitmayhavespreadalloverthebody,maybeperfectly cured,inpersonswhoarenottooweakly,byadoseoftinctsulph.Xgiveneverysevendays,inthecourseof fromtentotwelveweeks(accordinglywithtenortwelvesuchglobules),sothatitwillseldombenecessaryto aidthecurewithafewdosesofcarb.veg.X(alsogivenattherateofonedoseperweek)withoutthe slightestexternaltreatmentbesidesfrequentchangesoflinenandgoodregimen. Whenforotherseriouschronicdiseasesalsowemayconsideritrequisite,asfaraswecancalculate,togive eight,nineortendosesoftinct.sulph.(atX)itisyetmoreexpedientinsuchcases,insteadofgivingthemin uninterruptedsuccession,tointerposeafterevery,oreverysecondorthirddose,adoseofanothermedicine, whichinthiscaseisnextinpointofhomoeopathicsuitablenesstosulphur(usuallyhep.sulph.)andtoallow thislikewisetoactforeight,nine,twelveorfourteendaysbeforeagaincommencingacourseofthreedosesof sulphur. Butitnotinfrequentlyhappensthatthevitalforcerefusestopermitseveraldosesofsulphur,eventhoughthey maybeessentialforthecureofthechronicmaladyandaregivenattheintervalsmentionedabove,toact quietlyonitself;thisrefusalitrevealsbysome,thoughmoderate,sulphursymptoms,whichitallowstoappear inthepatientduringthetreatment.Insuchcasesitissometimesadvisabletoadministerasmalldoseofnux vom.X,allowingittoactforeightortendays,inordertodisposethesystemagaintoallowsucceeding dosesofthesulphurtoactquietlyandeffectuallyuponit.Inthosecasesforwhichitisadapted,puls.Xis preferable. Butthevitalforceshowsthegreatestresistancetothesalutaryactionuponitselfofthestronglyindicated sulphur,andevenexhibitsmanifestaggravationofthechronicdisease,thoughthesulphurbegiveninthevery smallestdose,thoughonlyaglobuleofthesizeofamustardseedmoistenedwithtinct.sulphXbesmelt,if

thesulphurhaveformerly(itmaybeyearssince)beenimproperlygivenallopathicallyinlargedoses.Thisis onelamentablecircumstancethatrendersthebestmedicaltreatmentofchronicdiseasealmostimpossible amongthemanythattheordinarybunglingtreatmentofchronicdiseasesbytheoldschoolwouldleaveus nothingtodobuttodeplore,weretherenotsomemodeofgettingoverthedifficulty. Insuchcaseswehaveonlytoletthepatientsmellasingletimestronglyataglobulethesizeofamustardseed moistenedwithmercurmetall.X,andallowthisolfactiontoactforaboutninedays,inordertomakethevital forceagaindisposedtopermitthesulphur(atleasttheolfactionoftinct.sulph.X)toexerciseabeneficial influenceonitselfadiscoveryforwhichweareindeptedtoDr.Griesselich,ofCarlsruhe. 246SixthEdition Everyperceptiblyprogressiveandstrikinglyincreasingameliorationduringtreatmentisaconditionwhich,as long asit lasts, completelyprecludesevery repetition oftheadministrationofanymedicinewhatsoever, becauseallthegoodthemedicinetakencontinuestoeffectisnowhasteningtowardsitscompletion.Thisis notinfrequentlythecauseinacutediseases,butinmorechronicdiseases,ontheotherhand,asingledoseof anappropriatelyselectedhomoeopathicremedy will attimes complete evenwithbut slowlyprogressive improvementandgivethehelpwhichsucharemedyinsuchacasecanaccomplishnaturallywithin40,50, 60,100days.Thisis,however,butrarelythecase;andbesides,itmustbeamatterofgreatimportancetothe physicianaswellastothepatientthatwereitpossible,thisperiodshouldbediminishedtoonehalf,one quarter,andevenstillless,sothatamuchmorerapidcuremightbeobtained.Andthismaybeveryhappily affected,asrecentandoftrepeatedobservationshavetaughtmeunderthefollowingconditions:firstly,ifthe medicine selected withthe utmost care wasperfectly homoeopathic; secondly, if it is highly potentized, dissolvedinwaterandgiveninpropersmalldosethatexperiencehastaughtasthemostsuitableindefinite intervalsforthequickestaccomplishmentofthecurebutwiththeprecaution,thatthedegreeofeverydose deviatesomewhatfromtheprecedingandfollowinginorderthatthevitalprinciplewhichistobealteredtoa similar medicinal disease be not aroused to untoward reactions and revolt as is always the case 1 with unmodifiedandespeciallyrapidlyrepeateddoses.
1

WhatIsaidinthefiftheditionoftheorganon,inalongnotetothisparagraphinordertopreventthese undesirablereactionsofthevitalenergy,wasalltheexperienceIthenhadjustified.Butduringthelastfouror fiveyears,however,allthesedifficultiesarewhollysolvedbymynewalteredbutperfectedmethod.Thesame carefullyselectedmedicinemaynowbegivendailyandformonths,ifnecessaryinthisway,namely,afterthe lowerdegreeofpotencyhasbeenusedforoneortwoweeksinthetreatmentofchronicdisease,advanceis madeinthesamewaytohigherdegrees,(beginningaccordingtothenewdynamizationmethod,taught herewithwiththeuseofthelowestdegrees).

247FifthEdition Undertheseconditions,thesmallestdosesofthebestselectedhomoeopathicmedicinemayberepeatedwith thebest,oftenwithincredibleresults,atintervalsoffourteen,twelve,ten,eight,sevendays,and,where rapidityisrequisite,inchronicdiseasesresemblingcasesofacutedisease,atstillshorterintervals,butin acutediseasesatverymuchshorterperiodseverytwentyfour,twelve,eight,fourhours,intheveryacutest everyhour,uptoasoftenaseveryfiveminutes,inevercaseinproportiontothemoreorlessrapidcourseof thediseasesandoftheactionofthemedicineemployed,asismoredistinctlyexplainedinthelastnote. 247SixthEdition Itisimpracticaltorepeatthesameunchangeddoseofaremedyonce,nottomentionitsfrequentrepetition

(andatshortintervalsinordernottodelaythecure).Thevitalprincipledoesnotacceptsuchunchanged doseswithoutresistance,thatis,withoutothersymptomsofthemedicinetomanifestthemselvesthanthose similartothediseasetobecured,becausetheformerdosehasalreadyaccomplishedtheexpectedchangein thevitalprincipleandaseconddynamicallywhollysimilar,unchangeddoseofthesamemedicinenolonger finds,therefore,thesameconditionsofthevitalforce.Thepatientmayindeedbemadesickinanotherwayby receivingothersuchunchangeddoses,evensickerthanhewas,fornowonlythosesymptomsofthegiven remedyremainactivewhichwerenothomoeopathictotheoriginaldisease,hencenosteptowardscurecan follow,onlyatrueaggravationoftheconditionofthepatient.Butifthesucceedingdoseischangedslightly everytime,namelypotentizedsomewhathigher(269270)thenthevitalprinciplemaybealteredwithout difficultybythesamemedicine(thesensationofnaturaldiseasediminishing)andthusthecurebrought nearer.1
1

Weoughtnotevenwiththebestchosenhomoeopathicmedicine,forinstanceonepelletofthesamepotency thatwasbeneficialatfirst,toletthepatienthaveasecondorthirddose,takendry.Inthesameway,ifthe medicinewasdissolvedinwaterandthefirstdoseprovedbeneficial,asecondorthirdandevensmallerdose fromthebottlestandingundisturbed,eveninintervalsofafewdays,wouldprovenolongerbeneficial,even thoughtheoriginalpreparationhadbeenpotentizedwithtensuccussionsorasIsuggestedlaterwithbuttwo succussions in order to obviate this disadvantage and this according to above reasons. But through modificationofeverydoseinitsdynamiztiondegree,asIherewithteach,thereexistsnooffence,evenifthe dosesberepeatedmorefrequently,evenifthemedicinebeeversohighlypotentizedwitheversomany succussions.Italmostseemsasifthebest selectedhomoeopathicremedycouldbest extractthemorbid disorderfromthevitalforceandinchronicdiseasetoextinguishthesameonlyifappliedinseveraldifferent forms.

248FifthEdition Thedoseofthesamemedicinemayberepeatedseveraltimesaccordingtocircumstances,butonlysolongas untileitherrecoveryensues,orthesameremedyceasestodogoodandtherestofthedisease,presentinga differentgroupofsymptoms,demandsadifferenthomoeopathicremedy. 248SixthEdition

Forthispurpose,wepotentizeanewthemedicinalsolution1(withperhaps8,10,12succussions)fromwhich wegivethepatientoneor(increasingly)severalteaspoonfuldoses,inlonglastingdiseasesdailyorevery secondday,inacutediseaseseverytwotosixhoursandinveryurgentcaseseveryhouroroftener.Thusin chronicdiseases,everycorrectlychosenhomoeopathicmedicine,eventhosewhoseactionisoflongduration, mayberepeateddailyformonthswitheverincreasingsuccess.Ifthesolutionisusedup(inseventofifteen days)itisnecessarytoaddtothenextsolutionofthesamemedicineifstillindicatedoneor(thoughrarely) severalpelletsofahigherpotencywithwhichwecontinuesolongasthepatientexperiencescontinued improvementwithoutencounteringoneoranothercomplaintthatheneverhadbeforeinhislife.Forifthis happens, if the balance of the disease appears in a group of altered symptoms then another, one more homoeopathicallyrelatedmedicinemustbechoseninplaceofthelastandadministeredinthesamerepeated doses,mindful,however,ofmodifyingthesolutionofeverydosewiththoroughvigoroussuccussions,thus changingitsdegreeofpotencyandincreasingitsomewhat.Ontheotherhand,shouldthereappearduring almostdailyrepetitionofthewellindicatedhomoeopathicremedy,towardstheendofthetreatmentofa chronicdisease,socalled(161)homoeopathicaggravationsbywhichthebalanceofthemorbidsymptoms seem to again increase somewhat (the medicinal disease, similar to the original, now alone persistently

manifestsitself).Thedosesinthatcasemustthenbereducedstillfurtherandrepeatedinlongerintervalsand possiblystoppedseveraldays,inordertoseeiftheconvalescenceneednofurthermedicinalaid.Theapparent symptoms(ScheinSymptome)causedbytheexcessofthehomoeopathicmedicinewillsoondisappearand leaveundisturbedhealthinitswake.Ifonlyasmallvialsayadramofdilutealcoholisusedinthetreatment, inwhichiscontainedanddissolvedthroughsuccussiononeglobuleofthemedicinewhichistobeusedby olfactioneverytwo,threeorfourdays,thisalsomustbethoroughlysuccussedeighttotentimesbeforeeach olfaction.

1

Madein40,30,20,15or8tablespoonsofwaterwiththeadditionofsomealcoholorapieceofcharcoalin ordertopreserveit.Ifcharcoalisused,itissuspendedbymeansofathreadinthevialandistakenoutwhen thevialissuccussed.Thesolutionofthemedicinalglobule(anditisrarelynecessarytousemorethanone globule)ofathoroughlypotentizedmedicineinalargequantityofwatercanbeobviatedbymakingasolution inonly78tablespoonsofwaterandafterthoroughsuccussionofthevialtakefromitonetablespoonandput itinaglassofwater(containingabout7to8spoonfuls),thisstirredthoroughlyandthengivenadosetothe patient.Ifheisunusuallyexcitedandsensitive,ateaspoonofthissolutionmaybeputinasecondglassof water,thoroughlystirredandteaspoonfuldosesormorebegiven.Therearepatientsofsogreatsensitiveness thatathirdorfourthglass,similarlyprepared,maybenecessary.Eachsuchpreparedglassmustbemadefresh daily.theglobuleofthehighpotencyisbestcrushedinafewgrainsofsugarofmilkwhichthepatientcanput inthevialandbedissolvedintherequisitequantityofwater.

249 Every medicine prescribed for a case of disease which, in the course of its action, produces new and troublesome symptoms not appertaining to the disease to be cured, is not capable of effecting real improvement,1 and cannot be considered as homoeopathically selected; it must, therefore, either, if the aggravationbeconsiderable,befirstpartiallyneutralizedassoonaspossiblebyanantidotebeforegivingthe nextremedychosenmoreaccuratelyaccordingtosimilarityofaction;orifthetroublesomesymptomsbenot veryviolent,thenextremedymustbegivenimmediately,inordertotaketheplaceoftheimproperlyselected one.2
1

As all experience shows that the dose of the specially suited homoeopathic medicine can scarcely be preparedtoosmalltoeffectperceptibleameliorationinthediseaseforwhichitisappropriate(275278), weshouldactinjudiciouslyandhurtfullywerewewhennoimprovement,orsome,thoughitbeevenslight, aggravationensues,torepeatorevenincreasethedoseofthesamemedicine,asisdoneintheoldsystem, underthedelusionthatitwasnotefficaciousonaccountofitssmallquantity(itstoosmalldose).Every aggravationbytheproductionofnewsymptomswhennothinguntowardhasoccurredinthementalor physicalregimeninvariablyprovesunsuitablenessonthepartofthemedicineformerlygiveninthecaseof diseasebeforeus,butneverindicatesthatthedosehasbeentooweak.
2

Thewellinformedandconscientiouslycarefulphysicianwillneverbeinapositiontorequireanantidotein hispracticeifhewillbegin,asheshould,togivetheselectedmedicineinthesmallestpossibledose.Like minutedosesofabetterchosenremedywillreestablishorderthroughout.

250 When,totheobservantpractitionerwhoaccuratelyinvestigatesthestateofthedisease,itisevident,inurgent

casesafterthelapseofonlysix,eightortwelvehours,thathehasmadeabadselectioninthemedicinelast given,inthatthepatientsstateisgrowingperceptibly,howeverslightly,worsefromhourtohour,bythe occurrenceofnewsymptomsandsufferings,itisnotonlyallowableforhim,butitishisdutytoremedyhis mistake,bytheselectionandadministrationofahomoeopathicmedicinenotmerelytolerablysuitable,butthe mostappropriatepossiblefortheexistingstateofthedisease(167).

251 Therearesomemedicines(e.g.,ignatia,alsobryoniaandrhus,andsometimesbelladonna)whosepowerof alteringmanshealthconsistschieflyinalternatingactionsakindofprimaryactionsymptomsthatarein part opposed to each other. Should the practitioner find, on prescribing one of these, selected on strict homoeopathicprinciples,thatnoimprovementfollows,hewillinmostcasessooneffecthisobjectbygiving (inacutediseases,evenwithinafewhours)afreshandequallysmalldoseofthesamemedicine.1
1

AsIhavemoreparticularlydescribedintheintroductiontoIgnatia(inthefirstvolumeoftheMateria MedicaPura).

252 Butshouldwefind,duringtheemploymentoftheothermedicinesinchronic(psoric)diseases,thatthebest selectedhomoeopathic(antipsoric)medicineinthesuitable(minutest)dosedoesnoteffectanimprovement, thisisasuresignthatthecausethatkeepsupthediseasestillpersists,andthatthereissomecircumstancesin themodeoflifeofthepatientorinthesituationinwhichheisplaced,thatmustberemovedinorderthata permanentcuremayensue.

253 Amongthesignsthat,inalldiseases,especiallyinsuchasareofanacutenature,informusofaslight commencementofameliorationoraggravationthatisnotperceptibletoeveryone,thestateofmindandthe whole demeanor of the patient are the most certain and instructive. In the case of ever so slight an improvementweobserveagreaterdegreeofcomfort,increasedcalmnessandfreedomofthemind,higher spiritsakindofreturnofthenaturalstate.Inthecaseofeversosmallacommencementofaggravationwe have,onthecontrary,theexactoppositeofthis:aconstrainedhelpless,pitiablestateofthedisposition,ofthe mind,ofthewholedemeanor,andofallgestures,posturesandactions,whichmaybeeasilyperceivedon closeobservation,butcannotbedescribedinwords.1
1

Thesigns ofimprovementin thedisposition andmind,however,maybeexpectedonlysoon afterthe medicine has been taken when the dose has been sufficiently minute (i.e., as small as possible), an unnecessary large dose of even the most suitable homoeopathic medicine acts tooviolently, andat first producestoogreatandtoolastingadisturbanceofthemindanddispositiontoallowussoontoperceivethe improvementinthem.Imusthereobservethatthissoessentialruleischieflytransgressedbypresumptuous tryosinhomoeopathy,andbyphysicianswhoareconvertedtohomoeopathyfromtheranksoftheoldschool. Fromoldprejudicesthesepersonsabhorthesmallestdosesofthelowestdilutionsofmedicineinsuchcases, andhencetheyfailtoexperiencethegreatadvantagesandblessingsofthatmodeofproceedingwhicha thousandfoldexperiencehasshowntobethemostsalutary;theycannoteffectallthathomoeopathyiscapable ofdoing,andhencetheyhavenoclaimtobeconsidereditsadherents.

254 Theotherneworincreasedsymptomsor,onthecontrary,thediminutionoftheoriginaloneswithoutany additionofnewones,willsoondispelalldoubtsfromthemindoftheattentivelyobservingandinvestigating practitionerwithregardtotheaggravationoramelioration;thoughthereareamongpatientspersonswhoare eitherincapableofgivinganaccountofthisameliorationoraggravation,orareunwillingtoconfessit.

255FifthEdition Butevenwithsuchindividualswemayconvinceourselvesonthispointbygoingwiththemthroughallthe symptomsenumeratedinournotesofthediseaseonebyone,andfindingthattheycomplainofnonew unusualsymptomsinadditiontothese,andthatnoneoftheoldsymptomsareworse.Ifthisbethecase,andif animprovementinthedispositionandmindhavealreadybeenobserved,themedicinemusthaveeffected positivediminutionofthedisease,or,ifsufficienttimehavenotyetelapsedforthis,itwillsooneffectit. Now, supposing the remedy is perfectly appropriate, if the improvement delay too long in making its appearance,thisdependseitheronsomeerrorofconductonthepartofthepatient,oronthehomoeopathic aggravationproducedbymedicinelastingtoolong(157),consequentlyonthedosenotbeingsmallenough. 255SixthEdition Butevenwithsuchindividualswemayconvinceourselvesonthispointbygoingwiththemthroughallthe symptomsenumeratedinournotesofthediseaseonebyone,andfindingthattheycomplainofnonew unusualsymptomsinadditiontothese,andthatnoneoftheoldsymptomsareworse.Ifthisbethecase,andif animprovementinthedispositionandmindhavealreadybeenobserved,themedicinemusthaveeffected positivediminutionofthedisease,or,ifsufficienttimehavenotyetelapsedforthis,itwillsooneffectit. Now, supposing the remedy is perfectly appropriate, if the improvement delay too long in making its appearance,thisdependseitheronsomeerrorofconductonthepartofthepatient,oronotherinterfering circumstances.

256FifthEdition Ontheotherhand,ifthepatientmentiontheoccurrenceofsomefreshaccidentsandsymptomsofimportance signsthatthemedicinechosenhasnotbeenstrictlyhomoeopathiceventhoughheshouldgoodnaturedly assureusthathefeelsbetter,wemustnotbelievethisassurance,butregardhisstateasaggravatedasitwill soonbeperfectlyapparentitis. 256SixthEdition Ontheotherhand,ifthepatientmentiontheoccurrenceofsomefreshaccidentsandsymptomsofimportance signsthatthemedicinechosenhasnotbeenstrictlyhomoeopathiceventhoughheshouldgoodnaturedly assureusthathefeelsbetter,asisnotinfrequentlythecaseinphthisicalpatientswithlungabscess,wemust notbelievethisassurance,butregardhisstateasaggravatedasitwillsoonbeperfectlyapparentitis.

257 Thetruephysicianwilltakecaretoavoidmakingfavoriteremediesofmedicines,theemploymentofwhichhe has,bychance,perhapsfoundoftenuseful,andwhichhehashadopportunitiesofusingwithgoodeffect.If

hedoso,someremediesorrareruse,whichwouldhavebeenmorehomoeopathicallysuitable,consequently moreserviceable,willoftenbeneglected.

258 Thetruepractitioner,moreover,willnotinhispracticewithmistrustfulweaknessneglecttheemploymentof thoseremediesthathemaynowandthenhaveemployedwithbadeffects,owingtoanerroneousselection (fromhisownfault,therefore),oravoidthemforother(false)reasons,asthattheywereunhomoeopathicfor thecaseofdiseasebeforehim; hemustbearinmind thetruth,that ofmedicinalagentsthatonealone invariablydeservesthepreferenceineverycaseofdiseasewhichcorrespondmostaccuratelybysimilarityto thetotalityofthecharacteristicsymptoms,andthatnopaltryprejudicesshouldinterferewiththisserious choice.

259 Consideringtheminutenessofthedosesnecessaryandproperinhomoeopathictreatment,wecaneasily understandthatduringthetreatmenteverythingmustberemovedfromthedietandregimenwhichcanhave anymedicinalaction,inorderthatthesmalldosemaynotbeoverwhelmedandextinguishedordisturbedby anyforeignmedicinalirritant.1

1

Thesoftesttonesofadistantflutethatinthestillmidnighthourswouldinspireatenderheartwithexalted feelingsanddissolveitinreligiousecstasy,areinaudibleandpowerlessamiddiscordantcriesandthenoiseof day.

260FifthEdition Hencethecarefulinvestigationintosuchobstaclestocureissomuchthemorenecessaryinthecaseof patientsaffectedbychronicdiseases,astheirdiseasesareusuallyaggravatedbysuchnoxiousinfluencesand otherdiseasecausingerrorsinthedietandregimen,whichoftenpassunnoticed.1

1

Coffee;fineChineseandotherherbteas;beerpreparedwithmedicinalvegetablesubstancesunsuitablefor thepatientsstate;socalledfineliquorsmadewithmedicinalspices;allkindsofpunch;spicedchocolate; odorouswatersandperfumesofmanykinds;strongscentedflowersintheapartment;toothpowdersand essencesandperfumedsachetscompoundedofdrugs;highlyspiceddishesandsauces;spicedcakesandices; crude medicinal vegetables for soups; dishes of herbs, roots and stalks of plants possessing medicinal qualities;oldcheese,andmeatsthatareinastateofdecomposition,orthatpassesmedicinalproperties(asthe fleshandfatofpork,ducksandgeese,orvealthatistooyoungandsourviands),oughtjustascertainlytobe keptfrompatientsastheyshouldavoidallexcessesinfood,andintheuseofsugarandsalt,asalsospirituous drinks,heatedrooms,woollenclothingnexttheskin,asedentarylifeincloseapartments,orthefrequent indulgenceinmerepassiveexercise(suchasriding,drivingorswinging),prolongedsuckling,takingalong siestainarecumbentpostureinbed,sittinguplongatnight,uncleanliness,unnaturaldebauchery,enervation byreadingobscenebooks,subjectsofanger,grieforvexation,apassionforplay,overexertionofthemindor body,especiallyaftermeals,dwellinginmarshydistricts,damprooms,penuriousliving,etc.Allthesethings mustbeasfaraspossibleavoidedorremoved,inorderthatthecuremaynotbeobstructedorrendered impossible.Someofmydisciplesseemneedlesslytoincreasethedifficultiesofthepatientsdietaryby forbiddingtheuseofmanymore,tolerablyindifferentthings,whichisnottobecommended.

260SixthEdition Hencethecarefulinvestigationintosuchobstaclestocureissomuchthemorenecessaryinthecaseof patientsaffectedbychronicdiseases,astheirdiseasesareusuallyaggravatedbysuchnoxiousinfluencesand otherdiseasecausingerrorsinthedietandregimen,whichoftenpassunnoticed.1

1

Coffee;fineChineseandotherherbteas;beerpreparedwithmedicinalvegetablesubstancesunsuitablefor thepatientsstate;socalledfineliquorsmadewithmedicinalspices;allkindsofpunch;spicedchocolate; odorouswatersandperfumesofmanykinds;strongscentedflowersintheapartment;toothpowdersand essencesandperfumedsachetscompoundedofdrugs;highlyspiceddishesandsauces;spicedcakesandices; crude medicinal vegetables for soups; dishes of herbs, roots and stalks of plants possessing medicinal qualities;asparaguswithlonggreentips,hops,andallvegetablespossessingmedicinalproperties,celery, onions;oldcheese,andmeatsthatareinastateofdecomposition,orthatpassesmedicinalproperties(asthe fleshandfatofpork,ducksandgeese,orvealthatistooyoungandsourviands),oughtjustascertainlytobe keptfrompatientsastheyshouldavoidallexcessesinfood,andintheuseofsugarandsalt,asalsospirituous drinks, undiluted with water, heated rooms, woollen clothing next the skin, a sedentary life in close apartments, or the frequent indulgence in mere passive exercise (such as riding, driving or swinging), prolongedsuckling,takingalongsiestainarecumbentpostureinbed,sittinguplongatnight,uncleanliness, unnaturaldebauchery,enervationbyreadingobscenebooks,readingwhilelyingdown,Onanismorimperfect orsuppressedintercourseinordertopreventconception,subjectsofanger,grieforvexation,apassionfor play,overexertionofthemindorbody,especiallyaftermeals,dwellinginmarshydistricts,damprooms, penuriousliving,etc.Allthesethingsmustbeasfaraspossibleavoidedorremoved,inorderthatthecure may not be obstructed or rendered impossible. Some of my disciples seem needlessly to increase the difficultiesofthepatientsdietarybyforbiddingtheuseofmanymore,tolerablyindifferentthings,whichis nottobecommended.

261 Themostappropriateregimenduringtheemploymentofmedicineinchronicdiseasesconsistsintheremoval ofsuchobstaclestorecovery,andinsupplyingwherenecessarythereverse:innocentmoralandintellectual recreation,activeexerciseintheopenairinalmostallkindsofweather(dailywalks,slightmanuallabor), suitable,nutritious,unmedicinalfoodanddrink,etc.

262 Inacutediseases,ontheotherhandexceptincasesofmentalalienationthesubtle,unerringinternalsense oftheawakenedlifepreservingfacultydeterminessoclearlyandprecisely,thatthephysicianonlyrequiresto counselthefriendsandattendantstoputnoobstaclesinthewayofthisvoiceofnaturebyrefusinganything thepatienturgentlydesiresinthewayoffood,orbytryingtopersuadehimtopartakeofanythinginjurious.

263 Thedesireofthepatientaffectedbyanacutediseasewithregardtofoodanddrinkiscertainlychieflyfor thingsthatgivepalliativerelief:theyare,however,notstrictlyspeakingofamedicinalcharacter,andmerely supplyasortofwant.Theslighthindrancesthatthegratificationofthisdesire,withinmoderatebounds, couldopposetotheradicalremovalofthedisease1willbeamplycounteractedandovercomebythepowerof

thehomoeopathicallysuitedmedicineandthevitalforcesetfreebyit,asalsobytherefreshmentthatfollows fromtakingwhathasbeensoardentlylongedfor.Inlikemanner,inacutediseasesthetemperatureofthe roomandtheheatorcoolnessofthebedcoveringsmustalsobearrangedentirelyinconformitywiththe patientswish.Hemustbekeptfreefromalloverexertionofmindandexcitingemotions.

1

Thisis,however,rare.Thus,forinstance,inpureinflammatorydiseases,whereaconiteissoindispensable, whoseactionwouldbedestroyedbypartakingofvegetableacids,thedesireofthepatientisalmostalwaysfor purecoldwateronly.

264 Thetruephysicianmustbeprovidedwithgenuinemedicinesofunimpairedstrength,sothathemaybeableto relyupontheirtherapeuticpowers;hemustbeable,himself,tojudgeoftheirgenuineness.

265FifthEdition Itshouldbeamatterofconsciencewithhimtobethoroughlyconvincedineverycasethatthepatientalways takestherightmedicine. 265SixthEdition Itshouldbeamatterofconsciencewithhimtobethoroughlyconvincedineverycasethatthepatientalways takes the right medicine andtherefore he must give the patient thecorrectlychosen medicine prepared, moreover,byhimself.

266 Substancesbelongingtotheanimalandvegetablekingdomspossesstheirmedicinalqualitiesmostperfectly intheirrawstate.1

1

Allcrudeanimalandvegetablesubstanceshaveagreaterorlessamountofmedicinalpower,andarecapable of altering mans health, each in its own peculiar way. Those plants and animals used by the most enlightenednationsasfoodhavethisadvantageoverallothers,thattheycontainalargeramountofnutritious constituents;andtheydifferfromtheothersinthisthattheirmedicinalpowersintheirrawstateareeithernot verygreatinthemselves,orarediminishedbytheculinaryprocessestheyaresubjectedtoincookingfor domestic use, by the expression of the pernicious juice (like the cassava root of South America), by fermentation(oftheryeflourinthedoughformakingbread,sourcroutpreparedwithoutvinegarandpickled gherkins),bysmokingandbytheactionofheat(inboiling,stewing,toasting,roasting,baking),wherebythe medicinalpartsofmanyofthesesubstancesareinpartdestroyedanddissipated.Bytheadditionofsalt (pickling)andvinegar(sauces,salads)animalandvegetablesubstancescertainlylosemuchoftheirinjurious medicinalqualities,butotherdisadvantagesresultfromtheseadditions. Buteventhoseplantsthatpossessmostmedicinalpowerlosethatinpartorcompletelybysuchprocesses.By perfectdesiccationalltherootsofthevariouskindsofiris,ofthehorseradish,ofthedifferentspeciesorarum andthepeonieslosealmostalltheirmedicinalvirtue.Thejuiceofthemostvirulentplantsoftenbecomes inert,pitchlikemass,fromtheheatemployedinpreparingtheordinaryextracts.Bymerelystandingalong time,theexpressedjuiceofthemostdeadlyplantsbecomesquitepowerless;evenatmoderateatmospheric temperatureitrapidlytakesonthevinousfermentation(andtherebylosesmuchofitsmedicinalpower),and

immediatelythereaftertheacetousandputridfermentation,wherebyitisdeprivedofallpeculiarmedicinal properties;thefeculathatisthendeposited,ifwellwashed,isquiteinnocuous,likeordinarystarch.Bythe transudationthattakesplacewhenanumberofgreenplantsarelaidoneabovetheother,thegreatestpartof theirmedicinalpropertiesislost.

267 Wegainpossessionofthepowersofindigenousplantsandofsuchasmaybehadinafreshstateinthemost completeandcertainmannerbymixingtheirfreshlyexpressedjuiceimmediatelywithequalpartsofspiritsof wineofastrengthsufficienttoburninalamp.Afterthishasstoodadayandanightinaclosestoppered bottle anddeposited thefibrinous andalbuminous matters, the clearsuperincumbentfluid is then tobe decantedoffformedicinaluse.1Allfermentationofthevegetablejuicewillbeatoncecheckedbythespirits ofwinemixedwithitandrenderedimpossibleforthefuture,andtheentiremedicinalpowerofthevegetable juiceisthusretained(perfectanduninjured)foreverbykeepingthepreparationinwellcorkedbottlesand excludedfromthesunslight.2
1

Buchholz(Taschenb.f.Scheidek.u.Apoth.a.d.J.,1815,Weimar,Abth.I,vi)assureshisreaders(andhis reviewerintheLeipzigerLiteraturzeitung,1816,No.82,doesnotcontradicthim)thatforthisexcellentmode ofoperatingmedicineswehavetothankthecampaigninRussia,whenceitwas(in1812)importedinto Germany.AccordingtothenoblepracticeofmanyGermanstobeunjusttowardstheirowncountrymen,he concealsthefactthatthisdiscoveryandthosedirections,whichhequotesinmyverywordsfromthefirst editionoftheOrganonofRationalMedicine,230andnote,proceedfromme,andthatIfirstpublishedthem totheworldtwoyearsbeforetheRussiancampaign(theOrganonappearedin1810).Somefolkswouldrather assigntheoriginofadiscoverytothedesertsofAsiathantoaGermantowhomthehonorbelongs.O tempora!Omores! Alcoholhascertainlybeensometimesbeforethisusedformixingwithvegetablejuices,e.g.,topreservethem sometimebeforemakingextractsofthem,butneverwiththeviewofadministeringtheminthisform.
2

Althoughequalpartsofalcoholandfreshlyexpressedjuiceareusuallythemostsuitableproportionfor affectingthedepositionofthefibrinousandalbuminousmatters,yetforplantsthatcontainmuchthickmucus (e.g.Symphytumofficinale,Violatricolor,etc.),oranexcessofalbumen(e.g.,Aethusacynapium,Solanum nigrum,etc.),adoubleproportionofalcoholisgenerallyrequiredforthisobject.Plantsthatareverydeficient injuice,asOleander,Buxus,Taxus,Ledum,Sabina,etc.,mustfirstbepoundedupaloneintoamoist,fine massandthestirredupwithadoublequantityofalcohol,inorderthatthejuicemaycombinewithit,and beingthusextractedbythealcohol,maybepressedout;theselattermayalsowhendriedbebroughtwith milksugartothemillionfoldtrituration,andthenbefurtherdilutedandpotentized(v.271)

268 The other exotic plants, barks, seeds and roots that cannot be obtained in the fresh state the sensible practitionerwillnevertakeinthepulverizedformontrust,butwillfirstconvincehimselfoftheirgenuineness intheircrude,entirestatebeforemakinganyemploymentofthem.1
1

Inordertopreservethemintheformofpowder,aprecautionisrequisitethathashithertobeenusually neglectedbydruggists,andhencepowders,evenofwelldriedanimalandvegetablesubstancescouldnotbe preserveduninjuredeveninwellcorkedbottles.Theentirecrudevegetablesubstances,thoughperfectlydry,

yetcontain,asanindispensableconditionofthecohesionoftheirtexture,acertainquantityofmoisture, whichdosenotindeedpreventtheunpulverizeddrugfromremaininginasdryastateasisrequisiteto preserve it from corruption, but which is quite too much for the finely pulverized state. The animal or vegetablesubstancewhichinitsentirestatewasperfectlydry,furnishes,therefore,whenfinelypulverized,a somewhatmoistpowder,whichwithoutrapidlybecomingspoiltandmouldy,canyetnotbepreservedin corkedbottlesifnotpreviouslyfreedfromthissuperfluousmoisture.Thisisthebesteffectedbyspreadingout thepowderinaflattinsaucerwitharaisededge,whichfloatsinavesselfullofboilingwater(i.e.awater bath),and,bymeansofstirringitabout,dryingittosuchadegreethatallthesmallatomsofit(nolonger sticktogetherinlumps,but)likedry,finesand,areeasilyseparatedfromeachother,andarereadilyconverted intodust.Inthisdrystatethefinepowdersmaybekeptforeveruninjuredinwellcorkedandsealedbottles,in alltheiroriginalcompletemedicinalpower,withouteverbeinginjuredbymitesormould;andtheyarebest preservedwhenthebottlesarekeptprotectedfromthedaylight(incoveredboxes,chests,cases).Ifnotshutup inairtightvessels,andnotpreservedfromtheaccessofthelightofthesunandday,allanimalandvegetable substancesintimegraduallylosetheirmedicinalpowermoreandmore,evenintheentirestate,butstillmore intheformofpowder.

269FifthEdition Thehomoeopathicsystemofmedicinedevelopsforitsuse,toahithertounheardofdegree,thespiritlike medicinalpowersofthecrudesubstancesbymeansofaprocesspeculiartoitandwhichhashithertonever beentried,wherebyonlytheyallbecomepenetratinglyefficacious1andremedial,eventhosethatinthecrude stategivenoevidenceoftheslightestmedicinalpoweronthehumanbody. 269SixthEdition Thehomoeopathicsystemofmedicinedevelopsforitsspecialuse,toahithertounheardofdegree,theinner medicinalpowersofthecrudesubstancesbymeansofaprocesspeculiartoitandwhichhashithertonever beentried,wherebyonlytheyallbecomeimmeasurablyandpenetratinglyefficacious1 andremedial,even thosethatinthecrudestategivenoevidenceoftheslightestmedicinalpoweronthehumanbody. Thisremarkablechangeinthequalitiesofnaturalbodiesdevelopsthelatent,hitherto unperceived,asif slumbering2 hidden, dynamic(11)powerswhichinfluencethelifeprinciple, changethe wellbeingof animallife.3 Thisiseffectedbymechanicalactionupontheirsmallestparticlesbymeansofrubbingand shakingandthroughtheadditionofanindifferentsubstance,dryoffluid,areseparatedfromeachother.This process is called dynamizing, potentizing (development of medicinal power) and the products are dynamizations4orpotenciesindifferentdegrees.
1

Longbeforethisdiscoveryofmine,experiencehadtaughtseveralchangeswhichcouldbebroughtaboutin differentnaturalsubstancesbymeansoffriction,forinstance,warmth,heat,fire,developmentofodorin odorlessbodies,magnetizationofsteel,andsoforth.Butallthesepropertiesproducedbyfrictionwererelated onlytophysicalandinanimatethings,whereasitisalawofnatureaccordingtowhichphysiologicaland pathogenicchangestakeplaceinthebodysconditionbymeansofforcescapableofchangingthecrude material of drugs, even in such as hadnever shown anymedicinal properties. This is brought about by triturationandsuccussion,butundertheconditionofemployinganindifferentvehicleincertainproportions. thiswonderfulphysicalandespeciallyphysiologicalandpathogeniclawofnaturehadnotbeendiscovered beforemytime.Nowonderthen,thatthepresentstudentsofnatureandphysicians(soforunknowing)cannot have faith in the magical curative powers of the minute doses of medicines prepared according to homoeopathicrules(dynamized).

Thesamethingisseeninabarofironandsteelwhereaslumberingtraceoflatentmagneticforcecannotbut berecognizedintheirinterior.Both,aftertheircompletionbymeansoftheforgestandupright,repulsethe northpoleofamagneticneedlewiththelowerendandattractthesouthpole,whiletheupperendshowsitself asthesouthpoleofthemagneticneedle.Butthisisonlyalatentforce;noteventhefinestironparticlescan bedrawnmagneticallyorheldoneitherendofsuchabar. Onlyafterthisbarofsteelisdynamized,rubbingitwithadullfileinonedirection,willitbecomeatrue activepowerfulmagnet,oneabletoattractironandsteeltoitselfandimparttoanotherbarofsteelbymere contactandevensomedistanceaway,magneticpowerandthisinahigherdegreethemoreithasbeenrubbed. Inthesamewaywilltrituratingamedicinalsubstanceandshakingofitssolution(dynamization,potentation) develop the medicinal powers hidden within and manifest them more and more or if one may say so, spiritualizesthematerialsubstanceitself.
3

Onthisaccountitreferstotheincreaseandstrongerdevelopmentoftheirpowertocausechangesinthe healthofanimalsandmenifthesenaturalsubstancesinthisimprovedstate,arebroughtveryneartothe livingsensitivefibreorcomeincontactwithit(bymeansofintakeorolfaction).Justasamagneticbar especiallyifitsmagneticforceisincreased(dynamized)canshowmagneticpoweronlyinaneedleofsteel whosepoleisnearortouchesit.Thesteelitselfremainsunchangedintheremainingchemicalandphysical propertiesandcanbringaboutnochangesinothermetals(forinstance,inbrass),justaslittleasdynamized medicinescanhaveanyactionuponlifelessthings.

4

Weheardailyhowhomoeopathicmedicinalpotenciesarecalledmeredilutions,whentheyarethevery opposite,i.e.,atrueopeningupofthenaturalsubstancesbringingtolightandrevealingthehiddenspecific medicinal powers contained within and brought forth by rubbing and shaking. The aid of a chosen, unmedicinalmediumofattenuationisbutasecondarycondition. Simpledilution,forinstance,thesolutionofagrainofsaltwillbecomewater,thegrainofsaltwilldisappear inthedilutionwithmuchwaterandwillneverdevelopintomedicinalsaltwhichbymeansofourwell prepareddynamization,israisedtomostmarvellouspower.

270FifthEdition Thustwodropsofthefreshvegetablejuicemingledwithequalpartsofalcoholaredilutedwithninetyeight dropsofalcoholandpotentizedbymeansoftwosuccussions,wherebythefirstdevelopmentofpoweris formedandthisprocessisrepeatedthroughtwentyninemorephials,eachofwhichisfilledthreequartersfull withninetynine drops of alcohol, and each succeeding phial is tobe provided withone dropfrom the precedingphial(whichhasalreadybeenshakentwice)andisinitsturntwiceshaken,1 andinthesame manneratlastthethirtiethdevelopmentofpower(potentizeddecillionthdilutionX)whichistheonemost generallyused.
1

Inordertomaintainafixedandmeasuredstandardfordevelopingthepowerofliquidmedicines,multiplied experienceandcarefulobservationhaveledmetoadopttwosuccussionsforeachphial,inpreferencetothe greaternumberformerlyemployed(bywhichthemedicinesweretoohighlypotentized).Thereare,however, homoeopathistswhocarryaboutwiththemontheirvisitstopatientshomoeopathicmedicinesinthefluid state,andwhoyetassertthattheydonotbecomemorehighlypotentizedinthecourseoftime,butthey therebyshowtheirwantofabilitytoobservecorrectly.Idiscoveredagrainofsodainhalfanonceofwater mixedwithalcoholinaphial,whichwastherebyfilledtwothirdsfull,andshookthissolutioncontinuously

forhalfanhour,andthisfluidwasinpotencyandenergyequaltothethirtiethdevelopmentofpower. 270SixthEdition Inordertobestobtainthisdevelopmentofpower,asmallpartofthesubstancetobedynamized,sayone grain,istrituratedforthreehourswiththreetimesonehundredgrainssugarofmilkaccordingtothemethod describedbelow1uptotheonemillionthpartinpowderform.Forreasonsgivenbelow(b)onegrainofthis powderisdissolvedin500dropsofamixtureofonepartofalcoholandfourpartsofdistilledwater,ofwhich one drop is put in a vial. To this are added 100 drops of pure alcohol 2 and given one hundred strong succussions with the hand against a hard but elastic body.3 This is the medicine in the first degree of dynamizationwithwhichsmallsugarglobules4maythenbemoistened5andquicklyspreadonblottingpaper todryandkeptinawellcorkedvialwiththesignof(I)degreeofpotency.Onlyone 6globuleofthisistaken forfurtherdynamization,putinasecondnewvial(withadropawaterinordertodissolveit)andthenwith 100powerfulsuccussions. With this alcoholic medicinal fluid globules are again moistened, spread upon blotting paper and dried quickly,putintoawellstopperedvialandprotectedfromheatandsunlightandgiventhesign(II)ofthe secondpotency.Andinthiswaytheprocessiscontinueduntilthetwentyninthisreached.Thenwith100 dropsofalcoholbymeansof100succussions,analcoholicmedicinalfluidisformedwithwhichthethirtieth dynamizationdegreeisgiventoproperlymoistenedanddriedsugarglobules. Bymeansofthismanipulationofcrudedrugsareproducedpreparationswhichonlyinthiswayreachthefull capacitytoforciblyinfluencethesufferingparts ofthesickorganism. Inthis way,bymeansofsimilar artificial morbid affection, the influence of the natural disease on the life principle present within is neutralized.Bymeansofthismechanicalprocedure,provideditiscarriedoutregularlyaccordingtotheabove teaching,achangeiseffectedinthegivendrug,whichinitscrudestateshowsitselfonlyasmaterial,attimes asunmedicinalmaterialbutbymeansofsuchhigherandhigherdynamization,itischangedandsubtlizedat lastintospiritlike7medicinalpower,which,indeed,initselfdoesnotfallwithinoursensesbutforwhichthe medicinallypreparedglobule,dry,butmoresowhendissolvedinwater,becomesthecarrier,andinthis condition,manifeststhehealingpowerofthisinvisibleforceinthesickbody.
1

Onethirdof one hundred grains sugar of milk is put in a glazed porcelainmortar, thebottom dulled previouslybyrubbingitwithfine,moistsand.Uponthispowderisputonegrainofthepowdereddrugtobe triturated(onedropofquicksilver,petroleum,etc.).Thesugarofmilkusedfordynamizationmustbeofthat specialpurequalitythatiscrystallizedonstringsandcomestousintheshapeoflongbars.Foramomentthe medicinesandpowderaremixedwithaporcelainspatulaandtrituratedratherstrongly,sixtosevenminutes, withthepestlerubbeddull,thenthemassisscrapedfromthebottomofthemortarandfromthepestlefor threetofourminutes,inordertomakeithomogeneous.Thisisfollowedbytrituratingitinthesameway67 minuteswithoutaddinganythingmoreandagainscraping34minutesfromwhatadheredtothemortarand pestle.Thesecondthirdofthesugarofmilkisnowadded,mixedwiththespatulaandagaintriturated67 minutes,followedbythescrapingfor34minutesandtriturationwithoutfurtheradditionfor67minutes. Thelastthirdofsugarofmilkisthenadded,mixedwiththespatulaandtrituratedasbefore67minuteswith mostcarefulscrapingtogether.Thepowderthuspreparedisputinavial,wellcorked,protectedfromdirect sunlighttowhichthenameofthesubstanceandthedesignationofthefirstproductmarked/100isgiven.In ordertoraisethisproductto/10000,onegrainofthepowdered/100ismixedwiththethirdpartof100grains ofpowderedsugarofmilkandthenproceedasbefore,buteverythirdmustbecarefullytrituratedtwice thoroughlyeachtimefor67minutesandscrapedtogether34minutesbeforethesecondandlastthirdof sugarofmilkisadded.Aftereachthird,thesameprocedureistaken.Whenallisfinished,thepowderisput inawellcorkedvialandlabelled/10000,i.e.,(I),eachgraincontaining1/1,000,000theoriginalsubstance.

Accordingly,suchatriturationofthethreedegreesrequiressixtimessixtosevenminutesfortrituratingand sixtimes34minutesforscraping,thusonehourforeverydegree.Afteronehoursuchtriturationofthefirst degree,eachgrainwillcontain1/000;ofthesecond1/10,000;andinthethird1/1,000,000ofthedrugused.* Mortarandspatulamustbecleanedwellbeforetheyareusedforanothermedicine.Washedfirstwithwarm wateranddried,bothmortarandpestle,aswellasspatulaarethenputinakettleofboilingwaterforhalfan hour.precautionmightbeusedtosuchanextentastoputtheseutensilsonacoalfireexposedtoaglowing heat. *Thesearethethreedegreesofthedrypowdertrituration,whichifcarriedoutcorrectly,willeffectagood beginningforthedynamizationofthemedicinalsubstance.

2

Thevialusedforpotentizingisfilledtwothirdsfull. Perhapsonaleatherboundbook.

Theyarepreparedundersupervisionbytheconfectionerfromstarchandsugarandthesmallglobulesfreed fromfinedustypartsbypassingthemthroughasieve.Thentheyareputthroughastrainerthatwillpermit only100topassthroughweighingonegrain,themostserviceablesizefortheneedsofahomoeopathic physician.

5

Asmallcylindricalvesselshapedlikeathimble,madeofglass,porcelainorsilver,withasmallopeningat thebottominwhichtheglobulesareputtobemedicated.Theyaremoistenedwithsomeofthedynamized medicinalalcohol,stirredandpouredoutonblottingpaper,inordertodrythemquickly.

6

Accordingtofirstdirections,onedropoftheliquidofalowerpotencywastobetakento100dropsof alcoholforhigherpotentiation.Thisproportionofthemedicineofattenuationtothemedicinethatistobe dynamized(100:1)wasfoundaltogethertoolimitedtodevelopthoroughlyandtoahighdegreethepowerof the medicine by means of a number of such succussions without specially using great force of which wearisomeexperimentshaveconvincedme. Butifonlyonesuchglobulebetaken,ofwhich100weighonegrain,anddynamizeitwith100dropsof alcohol,theproportionof1to50,000andevengreaterwillbehad,for500suchglobulescanhardlyabsorb onedrop,fortheirsaturation.Withthisdisproportionatehigherratiobetweenmedicineanddilutingmedium manysuccessivestrokesofthevialfilledtwothirdswithalcoholcanproduceamuchgreaterdevelopmentof power.Butwithsosmalladilutingmediumas100to1ofthemedicine,ifmanysuccussionsbymeansofa powerfulmachineareforcedintoit,medicinesarethendevelopedwhich,especiallyinthehigherdegreesof dynamization, act almost immediately, but with furious, even dangerous violence, especially in weakly patients,withouthavingalasting,mildreactionofthevitalprinciple.Butthemethoddescribedbyme,onthe contrary,producesmedicinesofhighestdevelopmentofpowerandmildestaction,which,however,ifwell chosen,touchesallsufferingpartscuratively.*Inacutefevers,thesmalldosesofthelowestdynamization degrees of these thus perfected medicinal preparations, even of medicines of long continued action (for instance,belladonna)mayberepeatedinshortintervals.Inthetreatmentofchronicdiseases,itisbestto beginwiththelowestdegreesofdynamizationandwhennecessaryadvancetohigher,evenmorepowerfulbut mildlyactingdegrees. *Inveryrarecases,notwithstandingalmostfullrecoveryofhealthandwithgoodvitalstrength,anold annoyinglocaltroublecontinuingundisturbeditiswhollypermittedandevenindispensablynecessary,to

administerinincreasingdosesthehomoeopathicremedythathasproveditselfefficaciousbutpotenizedtoa veryhighdegreebymeansofmanysuccussionsbyhand.Suchalocaldiseasewilloftenthendisappearina wonderfulway.

7

Thisassertionwillnotappearimprobable,ifoneconsidersthatbymeansofthismethodofdynamization (thepreparationsthusproduced,Ihavefoundaftermanylaboriousexperimentsandcounterexperiments,to bethemostpowerfulandatthesametimemildestinaction,i.e.,asthemostperfected)thematerialpartof themedicineislessenedwitheachdegreeofdynamization50,000timesyetincrediblyincreasedinpower,so thatthefurtherdynamizationof125and18ciphersreachesonlythethirddegreeofdynamization.The thirtieththusprogressivelypreparedwouldgiveafractionalmostimpossibletobeexpressedinnumbers.It becomesuncommonlyevidentthatthematerialpartbymeansofsuchdynamization(developmentofitstrue, innermedicinalessence)willultimatelydissolveintoitsindividualspiritlike,(conceptual)essence.Inits crudestatetherefore,itmaybeconsideredtoconsistreallyonlyofthisunderdevelopedconceptualessence.

271FifthEdition Allothersubstancesadaptedformedicinaluseexceptsulphur,whichhasoflateyearsbeenonlyemployedin theformofahighlydiluted(X)tinctureaspureoroxidizedandsulphurettedmetalsandotherminerals, petroleum,phosphorus,asalsopartsandjuicesofplantsthatcanonlybeobtainedinthedrystate,animal substances,neutralsalts,etc.,allthesearefirsttobepotentizedbytriturationforthreehours,uptothe millionfold pulverulentattenuation,andofthis onegrainis tobedissolved,andbroughttothethirtieth developmentofpowerthroughtwentysevenattenuatingphials,inthesamemannerasthevegetablejuices.1
1

AsisstillmorecircumstantiallydescribedintheprefacestoArsenicandPulsatillaintheMateriaMedica Pura. 271SixthEdition Ifthephysicianprepareshishomoeopathicmedicineshimself,asheshouldreasonablydoinordertosave menfromsickness,1hemayusethefreshplantitself,asbutlittleofthecrudearticleisrequired,ifhedoesnot needtheexpressedjuiceperhapsforpurposesofhealing.Hetakesafewgrainsinamortarandwith100 grainssugarofmilkthreedistincttimesbringsthemtotheonemillionthtrituration(270)beforefurther potentizingofasmallportionofthisbymeansofshakingisundertaken,aproceduretobeobservedalsowith therestofcrudedrugsofeitherdryoroilynature.

1

UntiltheState,inthefuture,afterhavingattainedinsightintotheindispensabilityofperfectlyprepared homoeopathicmedicines,willhavethemmanufacturedbyacompetentimpartialperson,inordertogivethem free of charge to homoeopathic physicians trained in homoeopathic hospitals, who have been examined theoreticallyandpractically,andthuslegallyqualified.Thephysicianmaythenbecomeconvincedofthese divinetoolsforpurposesofhealing,butalsotogivethemfreeofchargetohispatientsrichandpoor.

Innocaseisitrequisitetoadministermorethanonesingle,simplemedicinalsubstanceatonetime.1
1

272FifthEdition

Somehomoeopathistshavemadetheexperiment,incaseswheretheydeemedoneremedyhomoeopathically suitable for one portion of the symptoms of a case of disease, and a second for another portion, of

administeringbothremediesatthesametime;butIearnestlydeprecatesuchahazardousexperiment,which canneverbenecessary,thoughitmaysometimesseemtobeofuse. 272SixthEdition

Suchaglobule, placeddryuponthetongue,isoneofthesmallestdosesforamoderaterecentcaseofillness. Herebutfewnervesaretouchedbythemedicine.Asimilarglobule,crushedwithsomesugarofmilkand dissolvedinagooddealofwater(247)andstirredwellbeforeeveryadministrationwillproduceafarmore powerfulmedicinefortheuseofseveraldays.Everydose,nomatterhowminute,touches,onthecontrary, manynerves.

1

Theseglobules(270)retaintheirmedicinalvirtueformanyyears,ifprotectedagainstsunlightandheat.

273FifthEdition Itisnotconceivablehowtheslightestdubietycouldexistastowhetheritwasmoreconsistentwithnatureand morerationaltoprescribeasinglewellknownmedicineatonetimeinadisease,oramixtureofseveral differentlyactingdrugs. 273SixthEdition Innocaseundertreatmentisitnecessaryandthereforenotpermissibletoadministertoapatientmorethan onesingle,simplemedicinalsubstanceatonetime.Itisinconceivablehowtheslightestdoubtcouldexistas towhetheritwasmoreconsistentwithnatureandmorerationaltoprescribeasingle,simple1medicineatone timeinadiseaseoramixtureofseveraldifferentlyactingdrugs.Itisabsolutelynotallowedinhomoeopathy, the one true, simple and natural art of healing, to give the patient at one time two different medicinal substance.
1

Twosubstances,oppositetoeachother,unitedintoneutralNatrumandmiddlesaltsbychemicalaffinityin unchangeableproportions,aswellassulphuratedmetalsfoundintheearthandthoseproducedbytechnical artinconstantcombiningproportionsofsulphurandalkalinesaltsandearths,forinstance(natrumsulph.and calcareasulph.) as well asthose ethers produced by distillation of alcohol and acids may together with phosphorus be considered as simple medicinal substances by the homoeopathic physician and used for patients.Ontheotherhand,thoseextractsobtainedbymeansofacidsofthesocalledalkaloidsofplants,are exposedtogreatvarietyintheirpreparation(forinstance,chinin,strychnine,morphine),andcan,therefore, not be accepted by the homoeopathic physician as simple medicines, always the same, especially as he possesses,intheplantsthemselves,intheirnaturalstate(Peruvianbark,nuxvomica,opium)everyquality necessaryforhealing.Moreover,thealkaloidsarenottheonlyconstituentsoftheplants.

274 Asthetruephysicianfindsinsimplemedicines,administeredsinglyanduncombined,allthathecanpossibly desire(artificialdiseaseforcewhichareablebyhomoeopathicpowercompletelytooverpower,extinguish, andpermanentlycurenaturaldiseases),hewill,mindfulofthewisemaximthatitiswrongtoattemptto employcomplexmeanswhensimplemeanssuffice,neverthinkofgivingasaremedyanybutasingle, simple medicinal substance; for these reasons also, because even though the simple medicines were thoroughlyprovedwithrespecttotheirpurepeculiareffectsontheunimpairedhealthystateofman,itisyet impossibletoforeseehowtwoandmoremedicinalsubstancesmight,whencompounded,hinderandalter

eachothersactionsonthehumanbody;andbecause,ontheotherhand,asimplemedicinalsubstancewhen usedindiseases,thetotalityofwhosesymptomsisaccuratelyknown,rendersefficientaidbyitselfalone,ifit be homoeopathically selected; and supposing the worst case to happen, that it was not chosen in strict conformitytosimilarityofsymptoms,andthereforedoesnogood,itisyetsofarusefulthatitpromotedour knowledgeoftherapeuticagents,because,bythenewsymptomsexcitedbyitinsuchacase,thosesymptoms whichthismedicinalsubstancehadalreadyshowninexperimentsonthehealthyhumanbodyareconfirmed, anadvantagethatislostbytheemploymentofallcompoundremedies.1
1

Whentherationalphysicianhaschosentheperfectlyhomoeopathicmedicineforthewellconsideredcaseof diseaseandadministereditinternally,hewillleavetoirrationalallopathicroutinethepracticeofgivingdrinks or fomentations of different plants, of injecting medicated glysters and of rubbing in this or the other ointment.

275 Thesuitablenessofamedicineforanygivencaseofdiseasedoesnotdependonitsaccuratehomoeopathic selectionalone,butlikewiseonthepropersize,orrathersmallness,ofthedose.Ifwegivetoostrongadose ofamedicinewhichmayhavebeenevenquitehomoeopathicallychosenforthemorbidstatebeforeus,it must,notwithstandingtheinherentbeneficialcharacterofitsnature,proveinjuriousbyitsmeremagnitude, andbytheunnecessary,toostrongimpressionwhich,byvirtueofitshomoeopathicsimilarityofaction,it makesuponthevitalforcewhichitattacksand,throughthevitalforce,uponthosepartsoftheorganism whicharethemostsensitive,andarealreadymostaffectedbythenaturaldisease.

276FifthEdition Forthisreason,amedicine,eventhoughitmaybehomoeopathicallysuitedtothecaseofdisease,doesharm ineverydosethatistoolarge,themoreharmthelargerthedose,andbythemagnitudeofthedoseitdoes moreharmthegreateritshomoeopathicityandthehigherthepotency1selected,anditdoesmuchmoreinjury thananyequallylargedoseofamedicinethatisunhomoeopathic,andinnorespectadapted(allopathic)tothe morbidstate;forintheformercasethesocalledhomoeopathicaggravation(157160)thatistosay,the veryanalogousmedicinaldiseaseproducedbythevitalforcestirredupbytheexcessivelylargedoseof medicine,inthepartsoftheorganismthataremostsufferingandmostirritatedbytheoriginaldisease whichmedicinaldisease,haditbeenofappropriateintensity,wouldhavegentlyeffectedacurerisestoan injurious height;2 the patient, to be sure, no longer suffers from the original disease, for that has been homoeopathicallyeradicated,but he suffersall themorefromtheexcessive medicinaldiseaseandfrom uselessexhaustionofhisstrength.
1

Thepraisebestowedoflateyearsbysomefewhomoeopathistsonthelargerdosesisowingtothis,either thattheychoselowdynamizationsofthemedicinestobeadministered,asImyselfusedtodotwentyyears ago,fromnotknowinganybetter,orthatthemedicinesselectedwerenotperfectlyhomoeopathic.

2

Seenoteto246

276SixthEdition Forthisreason,amedicine,eventhoughitmaybehomoeopathicallysuitedtothecaseofdisease,doesharm ineverydosethatistoolarge,themoreharmthelargerthedose,andbythemagnitudeofthedoseandin

strongdosesitdoesmoreharmthegreateritshomoeopathicityandthehigherthepotency1selected,andit doesmuchmoreinjurythananyequallylargedoseofamedicinethatisunhomoeopathic,andinnorespect adaptedtothemorbidstate(allopathic). Toolargedosesofanaccuratelychosenhomoeopathicmedicine,andespeciallywhenfrequentlyrepeated, bringaboutmuchtroubleasarule.Theyputthepatientnotseldomindangeroflifeormakethisdisease almostincurable.Theydoindeedextinguishthenaturaldiseasesofarasthesensationofthelifeprincipleis concernedandthepatientnolongersuffersfromtheoriginaldiseasefromthemomentthetoostrongdoseof thehomoeopathicmedicineacteduponhimbutheisinconsequencemoreillwiththesimilarbutmore violentmedicinaldiseasewhichismostdifficulttodestroy.2

1

Thepraisebestowedoflateyearsbysomehomoeopathistsonthelargerdosesisowingtothis,eitherthat theychoselowdynamizationsofthemedicinetobeadministered(asImyselfusedtodotwentyyearsago, fromnorknowinganybetter),orthatthemedicinesselectedwerenothomoeopathicandimperfectlyprepared bytheirmanufacturers.

2

Thus,thecontinuoususeofaggressiveallopathiclargedosesofmercurialsagainstsyphilisdevelopsalmost incurablemaladies,whenyetoneorseveraldosesofamildbutactivemercurialpreparationwouldcertainly haveradicallycuredinafewdaysthewholevenerealdisease,togetherwiththechancre,providedithadnot beendestroyedbyexternalmeasures(asisalwaysdonebyallopathy).Inthesameway,theallopathgives Peruvianbarkandquinineinintermittentfeverdailyinverylargedoses,wheretheyarecorrectlyindicated andwhereoneverysmalldoseofahighlypotentizedChinawouldunfailinglyhelp(inmarshintermittents andeveninpersonswhowerenotaffectedbyanyevidentpsoricdisease).AchronicChinamalady(coupled atthesametimewiththedevelopmentofpsora)isproduced,which,ifitdosenotgraduallykillthepatientby damagingtheinternalimportantvitalorgans,especiallyspleenandliver,willputhim,neverthelesssuffering foryearsinasadstateofhealth.Ahomoeopathicantidoteforsuchamisfortuneproducedbyabuseoflarge dosesofhomoeopathicremediesishardlyconceivable.

277 Forthesamereason,andbecauseamedicine,providedthedoseofitwassufficientlysmall,isallthemore salutaryandalmostmarvellouslyefficaciousthemoreaccuratelyhomoeopathicitsselection hasbeen,a medicinewhoseselectionhasbeenaccuratelyhomoeopathicmustbeallthemoresalutarythemoreitsdoseis reducedtothedegreeofminutenessappropriateforagentleremedialeffect.

278FifthEdition Herethequestionarises,whatisthismostsuitabledegreeofminutenessforsureandgentleremedialeffect; howsmall,inotherwords,mustbethedoseofeachindividualmedicine,homoeopathicallyselectedforacase ofdisease,toeffectthebestcure?Tosolvethisproblem,andtodetermineforeveryparticularmedicine,what doseofitwillsufficeforhomoeopathictherapeuticpurposesandyetbesominutethatthegentlestandmost rapidcuremaybetherebyobtainedtosolvethisproblemis,asmayeasilybeconceived,nottheworkoff theoreticalspeculation;notbyfinespunreasoning,notbyspecioussophistrycanweexpecttoobtainthe solutionofthisproblem.Pureexperiment,carefulobservation,andaccurateexperiencecanalonedetermine this;anditwereabsurdtoadducethelargedosesofunsuitable(allopathic)medicinesoftheoldsystem, whichdonottouchthediseasedsideoftheorganismhomoeopathically,butonlyattackthepartsunaffected by the disease, in opposition to what pure experience pronounces respecting the smallness of the doses

requiredforhomoeopathiccures. 278SixthEdition Herethequestionarises,whatisthismostsuitabledegreeofminutenessforsureandgentleremedialeffect; howsmall,inotherwords,mustbethedoseofeachindividualmedicine,homoeopathicallyselectedforacase ofdisease,toeffectthebestcure?Tosolvethisproblem,andtodetermineforeveryparticularmedicine,what doseofitwillsufficeforhomoeopathictherapeuticpurposesandyetbesominutethatthegentlestandmost rapidcuremaybetherebyobtainedtosolvethisproblemis,asmayeasilybeconceived,nottheworkoff theoreticalspeculation;notbyfinespunreasoning,notbyspecioussophistrycanweexpecttoobtainthe solution of this problem. It is just as impossible as to tabulate in advance all imaginable cases. Pure experiment, careful observation of the sensitiveness of each patient, and accurate experience can alone determinethis;anditwereabsurdtoadducethelargedosesofunsuitable(allopathic)medicinesoftheold system,whichdonottouchthediseasedsideoftheorganismhomoeopathically,butonlyattacktheparts unaffectedbythedisease,inoppositiontowhatpureexperiencepronouncesrespectingthesmallnessofthe dosesrequiredforhomoeopathiccures.

279FifthEdition ThispureexperienceshowsUNIVERSALLY,thatifthediseasedonotmanifestlydependonaconsiderable deteriorationofanimportantviscus(eventhoughitbelongtothechronicandcomplicateddiseases),andif duringthetreatmentallotheralienmedicinalinfluencesarekeptawayfromthepatients,thedoseofthe homoeopathicallyselectedremedycanneverbepreparedsosmallthatitshallnotbestrongerthanthenatural disease,andshallnotbeabletooverpower,extinguishandcureit,atleastinpartaslongasitiscapableof causingsome,thoughbutaslightpreponderanceofitsownsymptomsoverthoseofthediseaseresemblingit (slighthomoeopathicaggravation,(157160)immediatelyafteritsingestion. 279SixthEdition ThispureexperienceshowsUNIVERSALLY,thatifthediseasedonotmanifestlydependonaconsiderable deteriorationofanimportantviscus(eventhoughitbelongtothechronicandcomplicateddiseases),andif duringthetreatmentallotheralienmedicinalinfluencesarekeptawayfromthepatients,thedoseofthe homoeopathicallyselectedandhighlypotentizedremedyforthebeginningoftreatmentofanimportant, especiallychronicdiseasecanneverbepreparedsosmallthatitshallnotbestrongerthanthenaturaldisease andshallnotbeabletooverpowerit,atleastinpartandextinguishitfromthesensationoftheprincipleoflife andthusmakeabeginningofacure.

280FifthEdition This incontrovertible axiom of experience is the standard of measurement by which the doses of all homoeopathicmedicines,withoutexception,aretobereducedtosuchanextentthataftertheiringestion,they shallexciteascarcelyobservablehomoeopathicaggravation,letthediminutionofthedosegoeversofar,and appeareversoincredibletothematerialisticideasofordinaryphysicians; 1theiridledeclamationsmustbefore theverdictofunerringexperience.
1

Letthemlearnfromthemathematicianshowtrueitisthatasubstancedividedintoeversomanypartsmust stillcontaininitssmallestconceivablepartsalwayssomeofthissubstance,andthatthesmallestconceivable partdoesnotceasetobesomeofthissubstanceandcannotpossiblybecomenothing;letthem,iftheyare

capableofbeingtaught,hearfromnaturalphilosophersthatthereareenormously,powerfulthings(forces) whichareperfectlydestituteofweight,as,forexample,caloric,light,etc.,consequentlyinfinitelylighterthan themedicinecontainedinthesmallestdosesusedinhomoeopathy;letthem,iftheycan,weightheirritating wordsthatbringonabiliousfever,orthemournfulintelligencerespectingheronlysonthatkillsthemother; letthemtouch,foraquarterofanhour,amagnetcapableofliftingahundredpoundsweight,andlearnfrom thepainitexcitesthatevenimponderableagenciescanproducethemostviolentmedicinaleffectsuponman; andlettheweakonesamongthemallowthepitofthestomachtobeslightlytouchedbythethumbspointof astrongwilledmesmeriserforafewminutes,andthedisagreeablesensationstheythensufferwillmakethem repentofattemptingtosetlimitstotheboundlessactivityofnature;theweakmindedcreatures! Iftheallopathistwhoistryingthehomoeopathicsystemimaginehecannotbringhimselftogivesuchsmall andprofoundlyattenuateddoses,lethimonlyaskhimselfwhatriskherunsbysodoing?Ifthescepticism whichholdswhatisponderableonlytobereal,andallthatisimponderabletobenothing,beright,nothing worsecouldresultfromadosethatappearstohimtobenothing,thanthatnoeffectwouldensueand consequentlythiswouldbealwaysmuchmoreinnocuousthanwhatmustresultfromhistoolargedosesof allopathicmedicine.Whywillheconsiderhisinexperience,coupledwithprejudice,morereliablethanan experience of many years corroboration by facts? And, moreover, the homoeopathic medicine becomes potentizedateverydivisionanddiminutionbytriturationorsuccussion!adevelopmentoftheinherent powersofmedicinalsubstanceswhichwasneverdreamedofbeforemytime,andwhichisofsopowerfula characterthatoflateIhavebeencompelledbyconvincingexperiencetoreducethetensuccussionsformerly directedtobegivenaftereachattenuation,totwo. 280SixthEdition Thedoseofthemedicinethatcontinuesserviceablewithoutproducingnewtroublesomesymptomsistobe continuedwhilegraduallyascending,solongasthepatientwithgeneralimprovement,beginstofeelinamild degreethereturnofoneorseveraloldoriginalcomplaints.Thisindicatesanapproachingcurethrougha gradualascendingofthemoderatedosesmodifiedeachtimebysuccussion(247).Itindicatesthatthevital principalnolongerneedstobeaffectedbythesimilarmedicinaldiseaseinordertolosethesensationofthe naturaldisease(148).Itindicatesthatthelifeprinciplenowfreefromthenaturaldiseasebeginstosuffer onlysomethingofthemedicinaldiseasehithertoknownashomoeopathicaggravation.

281FifthEdition Everypatientis,especiallyinhisdiseasedpoint,capableofbeinginfluencedinanincredibledegreeby medicinalagentscorrespondingbysimilarityofaction;andthereisnoperson,beheeversorobust,andeven thoughhebeaffectedonlywithachronicorsocalledlocaldisease,whowillnotsoonexperiencethedesired change in the affected part, if he take the salutary, homoeopathically suited medicine in the smallest conceivabledose,who,inaword,willnottherebybemuchmorealteredinhishealththanahealthyinfantof butadayoldwouldbe.Howinsignificantandridiculousismeretheoreticalscepticisminoppositiontothis unerring,infallibleexperimentalproof! 281SixthEdition In orderto be convinced of this, the patient is left without anymedicine for eight, ten of fifteen days, meanwhilegivinghimonlysomepowdersofsugarofmilk.Ifthefewlastcomplaintsareduetothemedicine simulatingtheformeroriginaldiseasesymptoms,thenthesecomplaintswilldisappearinafewdaysorhours. If during these days without medicine, while continuing good hygienic regulations nothing more of the originaldiseaseisseen,heisprobablycured.Butifinthelaterdaystracesoftheformermorbidsymptoms

shouldshowthemselves,theyareremnantsoftheoriginaldiseasenotwhollyextinguished,whichmustbe treatedwithrenewedhigherpotenciesoftheremedyasdirectedbefore.Ifacureistofollow,thefirstsmall dosesmustlikewisebeagaingraduallyraisedhigher,butlessandmoreslowlyinpatientswhereconsiderable irritabilityisevidentthaninthoseoflesssusceptibility,wheretheadvancetohigherdosagemaybemore rapid.Therearepatientswhoseimpressionabilitycomparedtothatoftheinsusceptibleonesisliketheratioas 1000to1.

282FifthEdition The smallest possible dose of homoeopathic medicine capable of producing only the very slightest homoeopathicaggravation,will,becauseithasthepowerofexcitingsymptomsbearingthegreatestpossible resemblancetotheoriginaldisease(butyetstrongerevenintheminutedose),attackprincipallyandalmost solelythepartsintheorganismthatarealreadyaffected,highlyirritated,andrenderedexcessivelysusceptible tosuchasimilarstimulus,andwillalterthevitalforcethatrulesinthemtoastateofverysimilarartificial disease,somewhatgreaterindegreethanthenaturalonewas;thisartificialdiseasewillsubstituteitselfforthe natural(theoriginal)disease,sothatthelivingorganismnowsuffersfromtheartificialmedicinaldisease alone,which,fromitsnatureandowingtotheminutenessofthedose,willsoonbeextinguishedbythevital forcethatisstrivingtoreturntothenormalstate,and(ifthediseasewereonlyanacuteone)thebodyisleft perfectlyfreefromdiseasethatistosay,quitewell. 282SixthEdition Itwouldbeacertainsignthatthedoseswerealtogethertoolarge,ifduringtreatment,especiallyinchronic disease,thefirstdoseshouldbringforthasocalledhomoeopathicaggravation,thatis,amarkedincreaseof theoriginalmorbidsymptomsfirstdiscoveredandinthesamewayeveryrepeateddose(247)however modifiedsomewhatbyshakingbeforeitsadministration(i.e.,morehighlydynamized).1
1

Theruletocommencethehomoeopathictreatmentifchronicdiseaseswiththesmallestpossibledosesand onlygraduallytoaugmentthemissubjecttoanotableexceptioninthetreatmentofthethreegreatmiasms whiletheystilleffloresceontheskin,i.e.,recentlyerupteditch,theuntouchedchancre(onthesexualorgans, labia,mouthorlips,andsoforth),andthefigwarts.Thesenotonlytolerate,butindeedrequire,fromthevery beginninglargedosesoftheirspecificremediesofeverhigherandhigherdegreesofdynamizationdaily (possiblyalsoseveraltimesdaily).Ifthiscoursebepursued,thereisnodangertobefearedasisthecasein thetreatmentofdiseaseshiddenwithin,thattheexcessivedosewhileitextinguishesthedisease,initiatesand bycontinuedusagepossibleproducesachronicmedicinaldisease.Duringexternalmanifestationsofthese threemiasmsthisisnotthecase;forfromthedailyprogressoftheirtreatmentitcanbeobservedandjudged towhatdegreethelargedosewithdrawsthesensationofthediseasefromthevitalprincipledaybyday;for noneofthesethreecanbecuredwithoutgivingthephysiciantheconvictionthroughtheirdisappearancethat thereisnolongeranyfurtherneedofthesemedicines. Sincediseasesingeneralarebutdynamicattacksuponthelifeprincipleandnothingmaterialnomateria peccansastheirbasis(astheoldschoolinitsdelusionhasfabulatedforathousandyearsandtreatedthesick accordinglytotheirruin)thereisalsointhesecasesnothingmaterialtotakeaway,nothingtosmearaway,to burnortieorcutaway,withoutmakingthepatientendlesslysickerandmoreincurable(Chron.Dis.Part1), thanhewasbeforelocaltreatmentofthesethreemiasmswasinstituted.Thedynamic,inimicalprinciple exertingitsinfluenceuponthevitalenergyistheessenceoftheseexternalsignsoftheinnermalignant miasmsthatcanbeextinguishedsolelybytheactionofahomoeopathicmedicineuponthevitalprinciple whichaffectsitinasimilarbutstrongermannerandthusextractsthesensationofinternalandexternalspirit

like(conceptual)diseaseenemyinsuchawaythatitnolongerexistsforthelifeprinciple(fortheorganism) andthusreleasesthepatientofhisillnessandheiscured. Experience,however,teachesthattheitch,plusitsexternalmanifestations,aswellasthechancre,together withtheinnervenerealmiasm,canandmustbecuredonlybymeansofspecificmedicinestakeninternally. Butthefigwarts,iftheyhaveexistedforsometimewithouttreatment,haveneedfortheirperfectcure,the externalapplicationoftheirspecificmedicinesaswellastheirinternaluseatthesametime.

283FifthEdition Now,in ordertoactreallyinconformitywithnature,thetruephysicianwill prescribehis wellselected homoeopathicmedicineonlyinexactlyassmalladoseaswilljustsufficetooverpowerandannihilatethe disease before him in a dose of such minuteness, that if human fallibility should betray him into administeringaninappropriatemedicine,theinjury,accruingfromitsnaturebeingunsuitedtothedisease willbediminishedtoameretrifle;moreovertheharmdonebythesmallestpossibledoseissoslight,thatit maybeimmediatelyextinguishedandrepairedbythenaturalvitalpowers,andbythespeedyadministration ofaremedymoresuitableselectedaccordingtosimilarityofaction,andgivenalsointhesmallestdose. 283SixthEdition Inordertoworkwhollyaccordingtonature,thetruehealingartistwill prescribetheaccuratelychosen homoeopathicmedicinemostsuitableinallrespectsinsosmalladoseonaccountofthisalone.Forshouldhe bemisledbyhumanweaknesstoemployanunsuitablemedicine,thedisadvantageofitswrongrelationtothe disease would be so small that the patient could through his own vital powers and by means of early opposition (249)ofthecorrectlychosenremedyaccordingtosymptom similarly(andthisalsointhe smallestdose)rapidlyextinguishandrepairit.

284FifthEdition Theactionofadose,moreover,dosenotdiminishinthedirectratioofthequantityofmaterialmedicine containedinthedilutionsusedinhomoeopathicpractice.Eightdropsofthetinctureofamedicinetothedose donotproducefourtimesasmucheffectonthehumanbodyastwodrops,butonlyabouttwicetheeffectthat isproducedbytwodropstothedose.Inlikemanner,onedropofamixtureofadropofthetincturewithten dropsofsomeunmedicinalfluid,whentaken,willnotproducetentimesmoreeffectthanonedropofmixture tentimesmoreattenuated,butonlyabout(scarcely)twiceasstronganeffect,andsoon,inthesameratioso thatadropofthelowestdilutionmust,andreallydoes,displaystillaveryconsiderableaction.1

1

Supposingonedropofamixturethatcontains1/10ofagrainofmedicineproducesaneffect=a;onedrop ofamoredilutedmixturecontaining1/100thofagrainofthemedicinewillonlyproduceaneffect=a/2;ifit contain1/10000thofagrainofmedicine,about=a/4;ifitcontain1/100000000thofagrainofmedicineit willproduceandeffect=a/8;andthusitgoeson,thevolumeofthedosesbeingequal,withevery(perhaps morethan)quadraticdiminutionofthequantityofmedicine,theactiononthehumanbodywillbediminished eachtimetoonlyaboutonehalf.Ihaveveryoftenseenadropofthedecillionfolddilutionoftinctureofnux vomicaproduceprettynearlyjusthalfasmucheffectasadropofthequintillionfolddilution,underthesame circumstancesandinthesameindividual. 284SixthEdition Besides the tongue, mouth and stomach, which are most commonly affected by the administration of

medicine,thenoseandrespiratoryorgansarereceptiveoftheactionofmedicinesinfluidformbymeansof olfactionandinhalationthroughthemouth.Butthewholeremainingskinofthebodyclothedwithepidermis, isadaptedtotheactionofmedicinalsolutions,especiallyiftheinunctionisconnectedwithsimultaneous internaladministration.1

1

Thepowerofmedicinesactingupontheinfantthroughthemilkofthemotherorwetnurseiswonderfully helpful.Everydiseaseinachildyieldstotherightlychosenhomoeopathicmedicinesgiveninmoderatedoses tothenursingmotherandsoadministered,ismoreeasilyandcertainlyutilizedbythesenewworldcitizens thanispossibleinlateryears.Sincemostinfantsusuallyhaveimpartedtothempsorathroughthemilkofthe nurse,iftheydonotalreadypossessitthroughheredityfromthemother,theymaybeatthesametime protectedantipsoricallybymeansofthemilkofthenurserenderedmedicinallyinthismanner.Butthecaseof mothers in their (first) pregnancy by means of a mild antipsoric treatment, especially with sulphur dynamizationspreparedaccordingtothedirectionsinthisedition(270),isindispensableinordertodestroy thepsorathatproducerofmostchronicdiseaseswhichisgiventhemhereditarily;destroyitbothwithin themselvesandinthefoetus,therebyprotectingposterityinadvance.Thisistrueofpregnantwomenthus treated;theyhavegivenbirthtochildrenusuallymorehealthyandstronger,totheastonishmentofeverybody. Anewconfirmationofthegreattruthofthepsoratheorydiscoveredbyme.

285FifthEdition Thediminutionofthedoseessentialforhomoeopathicuse,willalsobepromotedbydiminishingitsvolume, sothat,if,insteadofadropofamedicinaldilution,wetakebutquiteasmallpart 1ofsuchadropforadose, theobjectofdiminishingtheeffectstillfurtherwillbeveryeffectuallyattained;andthatthiswillbethecase maybereadilyconceivedforthisreason,becausewiththesmallervolumeofthedosebutfewnervesofthe livingorganismcanbetouched,wherebythepowerofthemedicineiscertainlyalsocommunicatedtothe wholeorganism,butitisaweakerpower.

1

Forthispurposeitismostconvenienttoemployfinesugarglobulesofthesizeofpoppyseeds,oneofwhich imbibedwiththemedicineandputintothedispensingvehicleconstitutesamedicinaldose,whichcontains aboutthethreehundredthpartofadrop,forthreehundredsuchsmallglobuleswillbeadequatelymoistened byonedropofalcohol.Thedoseisvastlydiminishedbylayingonesuchglobulealoneuponthetongueand givingnothingtodrink.Ifitbenecessary,inthecaseofaverysensitivepatient,toemploythesmallest possibledoseandtobringaboutthemostrapidresult,onesingleolfactionmerelywillsuffice(seenoteto 288). 285SixthEdition Inthisway,thecureofveryolddiseasemaybefurtheredbythephysicianapplyingexternally,rubbingitin theback,arms,extremities,thesamemedicinehegivesinternallyandwhichshoweditselfcuratively.Indoing so,hemustavoidpartssubjecttopainorspasmorskineruption.1
1

From this fact may be explained those marvellous cures, however infrequent, where chronic deformed patients,whoseskinneverthelesswassoundandclean,werecuredquicklyandpermanentlyafterafewbaths whosemedicinalconstituents(by,chance)werehomoeopathicallyrelated.Ontheotherhand,themineral bathsveryoftenbroughtonincreasedinjurywithpatients,whoseeruptionsontheskinweresuppressed. Afterabriefperiodofwellbeing,thelifeprincipleallowedtheinner,uncuredmaladytoappearelsewhere, moreimportantforlifeandhealth.

Attimes,instead,theocularnervewouldbecomeparalyzedandproduceamaurosis,sometimesthecrystalline lenswouldbecomeclouded,hearinglost,maniaorsuffocatingasthmawouldfolloworanapoplexywould endthesufferingsofthedeludedpatient. Afundamentalprincipleofthehomoeopathicphysician(whichdistinguisheshimfromeveryphysicianofall olderschools)isthis,thatheneveremploysforanypatientamedicine,whoseeffectsonthehealthyhuman hasnotpreviouslybeencarefullyprovenandthusmadeknowntohim(20,21).Toprescribeforthesickon mereconjectureofsomepossibleusefulnessforsomesimilardiseaseorfromhearsaythataremedyhas helpedinsuchandsuchadiseasesuchconsciencelessventurethephilanthropichomoeopathistwillleave totheallopath.Agenuinephysicianandpractitionerorourartwillthereforeneversendthesicktoanyofthe numerousmineralbaths,becausealmostallareunknownsofarastheiraccurate,positiveeffectsonthe healthyhumanorganismisconcerned,andwhenmisused,mustbecountedamongthemostviolent and dangerous drugs. In this way, out of a thousand sent to the most celebrated of these baths by ignorant physiciansallopathicallyuncuredandblindlysentthereperhapsoneortwoarecuredbychancemoreoften returnonlyapparentlycuredandthemiracleisproclaimedaloud.Hundreds,meanwhilesneakquietlyaway, moreorlessworseandtherestremaintopreparethemselvesfortheireternalrestingplace,afactthatis verifiedbythepresenceofnumerouswellfilledgraveyardssurroundingthemostcelebratedofthesespas.* *Atruehomoeopathicphysician,onewhoneveractswithoutcorrectfundamentalprinciples,nevergambles withthelifeofthesickentrustedtohimasinalotterywherethewinnerisintheratioof1to500or1000 (blankshereconsistingofaggravationordeath),willneverexposeanyoneofhispatientstosuchdangerand sendhimforgoodlucktoamineralbath,asisdonesofrequentlybyallopathsinordertogetridofthesickin anacceptablemannerspoiledbyhimorothers.

286FifthEdition Forthesamereasontheeffectofahomoeopathicdoseofmedicineincreases,thegreaterthequantityoffluid inwhichitisdissolvedwhenadministeredtothepatient,althoughtheactualamountofmedicineitcontains remainsthesame.Forinthiscase,whenthemedicineistaken,itcomesincontactwithamuchlargersurface ofsensitivenervesresponsivetothemedicinalaction.Althoughtheoristsmayimaginethereshouldbea weakeningoftheactionofdoseofmedicinebyitsdilutionwithalargequantityofliquid,experienceasserts exactlytheopposite,atalleventswhenthemedicinesareemployedhomoeopathically.1

1

Itisonlythemostsimpleofstimulants,wineandalcohol,thathavetheirheatingandintoxicatingaction diminishedbydilutionwithmuchwater. 286SixthEdition The dynamic force of minerals magnets, electricity and galvanism act no less powerfully upon our life principleandtheyarenotlesshomoeopathicthantheproperlysocalledmedicineswhichneutralizedisease bytakingthemthroughthemouth,orbyrubbingthemontheskinorbyolfaction.Theremaybediseases, especiallydiseasesofsensibilityandirritability,abnormalsensations,andinvoluntarymuscularmovements whichmaybecuredbythosemeans.Butthemorecertainwayofapplyingthelasttwoaswellasthatofthe socalledelectromagneticliesstillverymuchinthedarktomakehomoeopathicuseofthem.Sofarboth electricityandGalvanismhavebeenusedonlyforpalliationtothegreatdamageofthesick.Thepositive,pure actionofbothuponthehealthyhumanbodyhaveuntilthepresenttimebeenbutlittletested.

287FifthEdition Butinthisincreaseofactionbythemixtureofthedoseofmedicinewithalargerquantityofliquid(beforeits ingestion),theresultisvastlydifferentwhetherthemixtureofthedoseofmedicinewithacertainquantityof liquidisperformedmerelysuperficiallyandimperfectly,orsouniformlyandintimately1 thatthesmallest portionofthedilutingfluidreceivedthesamequantityofmedicineinproportionasalltherest;forthelatter becomesmuchmoremedicinallypowerfulbythedilutingmixturethantheformer.Fromthiseveryonewill beabletojudgeforhimselfhowtoproceedwiththeregulationofthehomoeopathicmedicinaldoseswhenhe desirestodiminishtheirmedicinalactionasmuchaspossible,inordertomakethemsuitableforthemost sensitivepatients.2
1

BythewordintimatelyImeanthis:thatwhen,forinstance,thedropofamedicinalfluidhasbeenshakenup oncewithonehundreddropsofspiritsofwine;thatistosay,thephialcontainingboth,heldinthehand,has beenrapidlymovedfromabovedownwardswithasinglesmartjerkofthearm,therecertainlyensuesa thoroughmixtureofthewhole,butwithtwo,three,tenandmoresuchstrokes,thismixturebecomesmuch moreintimate;thatistosay,themedicinalpowerbecomesmuchmorepotentized,andthespiritofthis medicine,sotospeak,becomesmuchmoreunfolded,developedandrenderedmuchmorepenetratinginits actiononthenerves.If,then,therequiredobjectwewishtoattainwiththelowdilutionsbethediminutionof thedosesforthepurposeofmoderatingtheirpowersupontheorganism,wewoulddowelltogivenomore thantwosuchsuccussionjerkstoeachofthetwenty,thirty,etc.,dilutionphials,andthustodevelopthe medicinalpoweronlymoderately.Itisalsoadvisable,inattenuatingthemedicineinthestateofdrypowder bytriturationinaporcelainmortar,tokeepwithincertainlimits,and,forexample,totrituratestrongly,forone houronly,onegrainofthecrudeentiremedicalsubstance,mixedwiththefirsthundredgrainsofmilksugar (tothe1/10000thattenuation)likewiseonlyforonehour,andtomakethethirdattenuation(to1/1000000) alsobyonehourofstrongtriturationofonegrainofthepreviousmixturewithonehundredgrainsofmilk sugar,in ordertobring themedicinetosuchan attenuationthatits developmentof powershall remain moderate.AmoreexactdescriptionofthisprocesswillbefoundintheprefacestoArsenicandPulsatillain theMateriaMedicaPura.
2

Thehigherwecarrytheattenuationaccompaniedbydynamization(bytwosuccussionstrokes),withso muchthemorerapidandpenetratingactiondoesthepreparationseemtoaffectthevitalforceandtoalterthe health,withbutslightdiminutionofstrengthevenwhenthisoperationiscarriedveryfar,inplace,asis usual(andgenerallysufficient)toXwhenitiscarrieduptoXX,L,C,andhigher;onlythatthentheaction alwaysappearstolastashortertime. 287SixthEdition Thepowersofthemagnetforhealingpurposescanbeemployedwithmorecertaintyaccordingtothepositive effectsdetailedintheMateriaMedicaPuraundernorthandsouthpoleofapowerfulmagneticbar.Though bothpolesarealikepowerful,theyneverthelessopposeeachotherinthemanneroftheirrespectiveaction. Thedosesmaybemodifiedbythelengthoftimeofcontactwithoneortheotherpole,accordingasthe symptomsofeithernorthorsouthpoleareindicated.Asantidotetoatooviolentactiontheapplicationofa plateofpolishedzincwillsuffice.

Theactionofmedicinesintheliquidfrom uponthelivinghumanbodytakesplaceinsuchapenetrating manner,spreadsoutfromthepointofthesensitivefibersprovidedwithnerveswheretothemedicineisfirst

288FifthEdition

appliedwithsuchinconceivablerapidityandsouniversallythroughallpartsofthelivingbody,thatthis actionofthemedicinemustbedenominatedaspiritlike(adynamic,virtual)action.
1

Itisespeciallyintheformofvapour,byolfactionandinhalationofthemedicinalaurathatisalways emanatingfromaglobuleimpregnatedwithamedicinalfluidinahighdevelopmentofpower,andplaced, dry,inasmallphial,thatthehomoeopathicremediesactmostsurelyandmostpowerfully.Thehomoeopathic physician allows the patient to hold the open mouth of the phial first in one nostril, and in the act of inspirationdrawtheairoutofitintohimselfandthenifhewishedtogiveastrongerdose,smellinthesame mannerwiththeothernostril,moreorlessstrongly,accordingtothestrengthitisintendedthedoseshouldbe, hethencorksupthephialandreplacesitinhispocketcasetopreventanymisuseofit,andunlesshewishesit hehasnooccasionforanapothecarysassistanceinhispractice.Aglobuleofwhichten,twentyorone hundredweighonegrain,impregnatedwiththethirtiethpotentizeddilution,andthendried,retainsforthis purposeallitspowerundiminishedforatleasteighteenortwentyyears(myexperienceextendsthislengthof time),eventhoughthephialbeopenedathousandtimesduringthatperiod,ifitbebutprotectedfromheat andthesunslight.Shouldbothnostrilsbestoppedupbycoryzaorpolypus,thepatientshouldinhalebythe mouth,holdingtheorificeofthephialbetwixthislips.Inlittlechildrenitmaybeappliedclosetotheir nostrilswhilsttheyareasleepwiththecertaintyofproducinganeffect.Themedicinalaurathusinhaled comesincontactwiththenervesinthewallsofthespaciouscavitiesittraverseswithoutobstruction,andthus producesasalutaryinfluenceonthevitalforce,inthemildestyetmostpowerfulmanner,andthisismuch preferable to every other mode of administering the medicament in substance by the mouth. All that homoeopathyiscapableofcuring(andwhatcanitnotcurebeyondthedomainofmeremanualsurgery affections?)amongthemostseverechronicdiseasesthathavenotbeenquiteruinedbyallopathy,asalso amongacutedisease,willbemostsafelyandcertainlycuredbythisolfaction.Icanscarcelynameoneina hundredoutofthemanypatientsthathavesoughttheadviceofmyselfandmyassistantduringthepastyear, whosechronicoracutediseasewehavenottreatedwiththemosthappyresults,solelybymeansofthis olfaction;during thelatterhalfofthis year,moreover,Ihavebecomeconvinced(ofwhatInevercould previouslyhavebelieved)thatbythisolfactionthepowerofthemedicinesisexerciseduponthepatientin,at least,thesamedegreeofstrength,andthatmorequietlyandyetjustaslongaswhenthedoseofmedicineis takenbythemouth,andthat,consequently,theintervalsatwhichtheolfactionshouldberepeatedshouldnot beshorterthanintheingestionofthematerialdosebythemouth. 288SixthEdition Ifindityetnecessarytoalludeheretoanimalmagnetism,asitistermed,orratherMesmerism(asitshould be called in deference to Mesmer, its first founder) which differs so much in its nature from all other therapeuticagents.Thiscurativeforce,oftensostupidlydeniedanddisdainedforacentury,actsindifferent ways.Itisamarvellous,pricelessgift ofGodtomankindbymeansofwhichthestrongwillofawell intentionedpersonuponasickonebycontactandevenwithoutthisandevenatsomedistance,canbringthe vitalenergyofthehealthymesmerizerendowedwiththispowerintoanotherpersondynamically(justasone ofthepolesofapowerfulmagneticroduponabarofsteel). Itactsinpartbyreplacinginthesickwhosevitalforcewithintheorganismisdeficienthereandthere,inpart alsoinotherpartswherethevitalforcehasaccumulatedtoomuchandkeepsupirritatingnervousdisordersit turnsitaside,diminishesanddistributesitequallyandingeneralextinguishesthemorbidconditionofthelife principleofthepatientandsubstitutesinitsplacethenormalofthemesmeristactingpowerfullyuponhim, for instance, old ulcers, amaurosis, paralysis of single organs and so forth. Many rapid apparent cures performedinallages,bymesmerizersendowedwithgreatnaturalpower,belongtothisclass.Theeffectof communicatedhumanpoweruponthewholehumanorganismwasmostbrilliantlyshown,intheresuscitation

ofpersonswhohadlainsometimeapparentlydead,bythemostpowerfulsympatheticwillofamaninfull vigorofvitalenergy,1andofthiskindofresurrectionhistoryrecordsmanyundeniableexamples. Ifthemesmerizingpersonofeithersexcapableatthesametimeofagoodnaturedenthusiasm(evenits degenerationintobigotry,fanaticism,mysticismorphilanthropicdreaming)willbeempoweredallthemore withthisphilanthropicselfsacrificingperformancetodirectexclusivelythepowerofhiscommandinggood willtotherecipientrequiringhishelpandatthesametimetoconcentratethese,hemayattimesperform apparentmiracles.

1

Especially of one of such persons, of whom there are not many, who, along with great kindness of dispositionandperfectbodilypowers,possessesbutaverymoderatedesireforsexualintercourse,whichit wouldgivehimverylittletroublewhollytosuppress,inwhom,consequently,allthefinevitalspiritsthat wouldotherwisebeemployedintheproductionofthesemen,arereadytobecommunicatedtoothers,by touchingthemandpowerfullyexertingthewill.Somepowerfulmesmerisers,withwhomIhavebecome aquatinted,hadallthispeculiarcharacter.

289FifthEdition Everypartofourbodythatpossessesthesenseoftouchisalsocapableofreceivingtheinfluences,andof propagatingtheirpowertoallotherparts.1

1

Apatientevendestituteofthesenseofsmellmayexpectanequallyperfectactionandcurefromthe medicinebyolfaction. 289SixthEdition Alltheabovementionedmethodsofpracticingmesmerismdependuponinfluxofmoreorlessvitalforceinto thepatient,andhencearetermedpositivemesmerism.1Anoppositemodeofemployingmesmerism,however, asitproducesjustthecontraryeffect,deservestobetermednegativemesmerism.Tothisbelongthepasses whichareusedtorousefromthesomnambulicsleep,asalsoallthemanualprocessesknownbythenamesof soothingandventilating.Thisdischargebymeansofnegativemesmerismofthevitalforceaccumulatedto excessinindividualpartsofthesystemofundebilitatedpersonsismostsurelyandsimplyperformedby makingaveryrapidmotionortheflatextendedhand,heldparallelto,andaboutaninchdistantfromthe body,fromthetopoftheheadtothetipsofthetoes.2Themorerapidlythispassismade,somuchthemore effectuallywillthedischargebeeffected.Thus,forinstance,inthecasewhereapreviouslyhealthywoman,3 fromthesuddensuppressionofhercatameniabyaviolentmentalshock,liestoallappearancedead,thevital force which is probably accumulated in the precordial region, will, by such a rapid negative pass, be dischargedanditsequilibriumthroughoutthewholeorganismrestored.Sothattheresuscitationgenerally follows,immediately.4Inlikemanner,agentle,lessrapid,negativepassdiminishestheexcessiverestlessness andsleeplessnessaccompaniedwithanxietysometimesproducedinveryirritablepersonsbyatoopowerful positivepass,etc.
1

WhenIherespeakofthedecidedandcertaincurativepowerofpositivemesmerism,Imostassuredlydonot meanthatabuseofit,where,byrepeatedpassesofthiskind,continuedforhalfanhourorawholehourata time,and,evendayafterday,performedonweak,nervouspatients,thatmonstrousrevolutionofthewhole humansystemiseffectedwhichistermedsomnambulism,whereinthehumanbeingisravishedfromthe worldofsenseandseemstobelongmoretotheworldofspiritsahighlyunnaturalanddangerousstate,by meansofwhichithasnotinfrequentlybeenattemptedtocurechronicdiseases.

Itisawellknownrulethatapersonwhoiseithertobepositivelyornegativelymesmerised,shouldnotwear silkonanypartofthebody.
3

Henceanegativepass,especiallyifitbeveryrapid,isextremelyinjurioustoadelicatepersonaffectedwith achronicailmentanddeficientinvitalforce.
4

Astrongcountrylad,tenyearsofage,receivedinthemorning,onaccountofslightindisposition,froma professedfemalemesmeriser,severalverypowerfulpasseswiththepointsofboththumbs,fromthepitofthe stomachalongtheloweredgeoftheribs,andheinstantlygrewdeathlypale,andfellintosuchastateof unconsciousnessandimmobilitythatnoeffortcouldarousehim,andhewasalmostgivenupfordead.Imade hiseldestbrothergivehimaveryrapidnegativepassfromthecrownoftheheadoverthebodytothefeet,and inoneinstanceherecoveredhisconsciousnessandbecamelivelyandwell.

290FifthEdition* Besidesthestomach,thetongueandthemoutharethepartsmostsusceptibletothemedicinalinfluences;but theinteriorofthenoseismoreespeciallyso,andtherectum,thegenitals,asalsoallparticularlysensitive partsofourbodyarealmostequallycapableofreceivingthemedicinalaction;hencealso,partsthatare destituteofskin,woundedorulceratedspotspermitthepowersofmedicinestoexercisealmostaspenetrating anactionupontheorganismasifthemedicinehadbeentakenbythemouthorstillbetterbyolfactionand inhalation. *290correspondstosomeextentto284oftheSixthEdition. 290SixthEdition Herebelongsalsothesocalledmassageofvigorousgoodnaturedpersongiventoachronicinvalid,who, though cured, still suffers from loss of flesh, weakness of digestion and lack of sleep due to slow convalescence.Themusclesofthelimbs,breastandback,separatelygraspedandmoderatelypressedand kneadedarousethelifeprincipletoreachandrestorethetoneofthemusclesandbloodandlymphvessels. Themesmericinfluencesofthisprocedureisthechieffeatureanditmustnotbeusedtoexcessinpatients stillhypersensitive.

291FifthEdition Eventhoseorganswhichhavelosttheirpeculiarsense,e.g.,atongueandpalatethathavelostthefacultyof tasting,oranosethathaslostthefacultyofsmelling,communicatethepowerofthemedicinethatactsfirst onthemalonenotlessperfectlytoalltheotherorgansofthebody. 291SixthEdition Bathsofpurewaterprovethemselvespartlypalliative,partlyashomoeopathicserviceableaidsinrestoring healthinacutediseasesaswellasinconvalescenceofcuredchronicpatientswithproperconsiderationofthe conditionsoftheconvalescentandthetemperatureofthebath,itsdurationandrepetition.Butevenifwell applied,theymaybringonlyphysicallybeneficialchangesinthesickbody,inthemselvestheyarenotrue medicine.Thelukewarmbathsat25to27servetoarousetheslumberingsensibilityoffibreintheapparent dead(frozen,drowned,suffocated)whichbenumbedthesensationofthenerves.Thoughonlypalliative,still

theyoftenprovethemselvessufficientlyactive,especiallywhengiveninconjunctionwithcoffeeandrubbing withthehands.Theymaygivehomoeopathicaidincaseswheretheirritabilityisveryunevenlydistributed and accumulated too unevenly in some organs as is the case in certain hysteric spasms and infantile convulsions.Inthesameway,coldbaths10to6inpersonscuredmedicallyofchronicdiseasesandwith deficiencyofvitalheat,actasanhomoeopathicaid.Byinstantaneousandlaterwithrepeatedimmersions theyactasapalliativerestorativeofthetoneoftheexhaustedfibre.Forthispurpose,suchbathsaretobeused for more than momentary duration, rather for minutes and of graduallylowered temperature, they are a palliative,which,sinceitactsonlyphysicallyhasnoconnectionwiththedisadvantageofareverseactionto befearedafterwards,astakesplacewithdynamicmedicinalpalliatives.

292FifthEdition Eventheexternalsurfaceofthebody,coveredasitiswithskinandepidermis,isnotinsusceptibleofthe powers of medicines, especially those in a liquid form, but the most sensitive parts are also the most susceptible.1
1

Rubbinginappearstofavourtheactionofthemedicinesonlyinthisway,thatthefrictionmakestheskin moresensitive,andthelivingfibrestherebymorecapableoffeeling,asitwere,themedicinalpowerandof communicatingtothewholeorganismthishealthaffectingsensation.Thepreviousemploymentoffrictionto theinside ofthe thigh makesthemere laying onthemercurial ointment afterwardsquite aspowerfully medicinalasiftheointmentitselfhadbeenrubbeduponthatpart,aprocesswhichistermedrubbingin,butit isverydoubtfulwhetherthementalitselfcanpenetrateinsubstanceintotheinteriorofthebody,orbetaken up by the absorbent vessels by means of this socalled rubbingin. Homoeopathy, however, hardly ever requiresforitscurestherubbinginofanymedication,nordoesitneedanymercurialointment.

293FifthEdition Ifinditnecessarytoalludeheretoanimalmagnetism,asitistermed,orrathermesmerism(asitshouldbe called,out ofgratitudetoMesmer,its firstfounder),whichdifferssomuchinitsnaturefromall other therapeuticagents.Thiscurativepower,oftensostupidlydenied,whichstreamsuponapatientbythecontact ofawellintentionedpersonpowerfullyexertinghiswill,eitheractshomoeopathically,bytheproductionof symptomssimilartothoseofthediseasedstatetobecured;andforthispurposeasinglepassmade,without muchexertionofthewill,withthepalmsofthehandsnottooslowlyfromthetopoftheheaddownwardsover thebodytothetipsofthetoes,1isserviceablein,forinstance,uterinehaemorrhages,eveninthelaststage when death seems approaching; or it is useful by distributing the vital force uniformly throughout the organism,whenitisinabnormalexcessinonepartanddeficientinotherparts,forexample,inrushofblood totheheadandsleepless,anxiousrestlessnessofweaklypersons,etc.,bymeansofasimilar,single,but somewhatstrongerpass;orfortheimmediatecommunicationandrestorationofthevitalforcetosomeone weakenedpartortothewholeorganism,anobjectthatcannotbeattainedsocertainlyandwithsolittle interferencewiththeothermedicinaltreatmentbyanyotheragentbesidesmesmerism.Ifitiswishedto supplyaparticularpart withthevitalforce,thisis effectedbyconcentratingaverypowerfulandwell intentionedwillforthepurpose,andplacingthehandsortipsofthefingersonthechronicallyweakened parts,whitheraninternalchronicdyscrasiahastransferreditsimportantlocalsymptom,as,forexample,in thecaseofoldulcers,amaurosis,paralysisofcertainlimbs,etc.2Manyrapidapparentcuresperformedinall ages,bymesmerizersendowedwithgreatnaturalpower,belongtothisclass.Theeffectofcommunicated humanpoweruponthewholehumanorganismwasmostbrilliantlyshown,intheresuscitationofpersonswho

hadlainsometimeapparentlydead,bythemostpowerfulsympatheticwillofamaninfullvigorofvital force,3andofthiskindofresurrectionhistoryrecordsmanyundeniableexamples.
1

Thesmallesthomoeopathicdose,whichhowever,ofteneffectswonderswhenusedonproperoccasions. Imperfecthomoeopathists,whothinkthemselvesmonstrouslyclever,notinfrequentlydelugetheirpatientsin difficultdiseaseswithdosesofdifferentmedicines,givenrapidlyoneaftertheother,which,althoughthey mayhavebeenhomoeopathicallyselectedandgiveninhighlypotentizedattenuation,bringthepatientsinto suchanoverexcitedstatethatlifeanddeatharestrugglingforthemastery,andtheleastadditionalquantityof medicinewouldinfalliblykillthem.Insuchcasesameregentlemesmericpassandthefrequentapplication, forashorttimeofthehandofawellintentionedpersontothepartthatisparticularlyaffected,producethe harmoniousuniformdistributionofthevitalforcethroughouttheorganism,andtherewithrest,sleepand recovery.

2

Althoughbythisrestorationofthevitalforce,whichoughttoberepeatedfromtimetotime,nopermanent curecanbeeffectedincaseswhere,ashasbeentaughtabove,ageneralinternaldyscrasialiesattherootof theoldlocalaffection,asitalwaysdoes,yetthispositivestrengtheningandimmediatesaturationwiththe vitalforce(whichnomorebelongstothecategoryofpalliativesthandoeseatinganddrinkingwhenhunger andthirstarepresent)isnomeanauxiliarytotheactualtreatmentofthewholediseasebyhomoeopathic medicines.

3

Especially of one of those persons, of whom there are not many who, along with great kindness of dispositionandperfectbodilypowers,possessesbutaverymoderatedesireforsexualintercourse,whichit wouldgivehimverylittletroubletosuppress,inwhom,consequently,allthefinevitalspiritsthatwould otherwisebeemployedinthepreparationofthesemen,arereadytobecommunicatedtoothers,bytouching themandpowerfullyexertingthewill.Somepowerfulmesmerisers,withwhomIhavebecomeacquainted, hasallthispeculiarcharacter.

294FifthEdition* Alltheabovementionedmethodsofpracticingmesmerismdependuponaninfluxofmoreorlessvitalforce intothepatient,andhencearetermedpositivemesmerism. 1 Anoppositemodeofemployingmesmerism, however,asitproducesjustthecontraryeffect,deservestobetermednegativemesmerism.Tothisbelongthe passeswhichareusedtorousefromthesomnambulicsleep,asalsoallthemanualprocessesknownbythe names of soothing and ventilating. This discharge by means of negative mesmerism of the vital force accumulatedtoexcessinindividualpartsofthesystemofundebiliatedpersonsismostsurelyandsimply performedbymakingaveryrapidmotionoftheflatextendedhand,heldparallelto,andaboutaninchdistant fromthebody,fromthetopoftheheadtothetipsofthetoes. 2Themorerapidlythispassismade,somuch themoreeffectuallywillthedischargebeeffected.Thus,forinstance,inthecasewhereapreviouslyhealthy woman,3fromthesuddensuppressionofhercatameniabyaviolentmentalshock,liestoallappearancedead, thevitalforcewhichisprobablyaccumulatedintheprecordialregion,willbysucharapidnegativepass,be dischargedanditsequilibriumthroughoutthewholeorganismrestored,sothattheresuscitationgenerally followsimmediately.4Inlikemanner,agentle,lessrapid,negativepassdiminishestheexcessiverestlessness andsleeplessnessaccompaniedwithanxietysometimesproducedinveryirritablepersonsbyatoopowerful positivepass,etc. *ThisSectioncorrespondsto289oftheSixthEdition.

WhenIherespeakofthedecidedandcertaincurativepowerofpositivemesmerism,Imostassuredlydonot meantheabuseofit,where,byrepeatedpassesofthiskind,continuedforhalfanhourorawholehourata time,and,evendayafterday,performedonweak,nervouspatients,thatmonstrousrevolutionofthewhole humansystemiseffectedwhichistermedsomnambulism,whereinthehumanbeingisravishedfromthe worldofsenseandseemstobelongmoretotheworldofspiritsahighlyunnaturalanddangerousstate,by meansofwhichithasnotinfrequentlybeenattemptedtocurechronicdiseases.

2

Itisawellknownrulethatapersonwhoiseithertobepositivelyornegativelymesmerised,shouldnotwear silkonanypartofthebody.
3

Henceanegativepass,especiallyifitbeveryrapid,isextremelyinjurioustoadelicatepersonaffectedwith achronicailmentanddeficientinvitalforce.
4

Astrongcountrylad,tenyearsofage,receivedinthemorning,onaccountofslightindisposition,froma professedfemalemesmeriser,severalverypowerfulpasseswiththepointsofboththumbs,fromthepitofthe stomach along the lower edge of the ribs, and he instantly grew pale, and fell into such a state of unconsciousnessandimmobilitythatnoeffortcouldarousehim,andhewasalmostgivenupfordead.Imade hiseldestbrothergivehimaveryrapidnegativepassfromthecrownoftheheadoverthebodytothefeet,and inoneinstantherecoveredhisconsciousnessandbecamelivelyandwell.