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The Scope of Homeopathy -- Stuart Close |
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Looking over the armamentarium of the therapeutist for the agents not excluded, one class is found, namely: those agents which affect the organism as to health in ways not governed by chemistry, mechanics, or hygiene, but those capable of producing ailments similar to those found in the sick.” In regard to Dake’s third proposition it can and will be shown that, inasmuch as the development and support of the organism when in health depends upon the principle of assimilation, as demonstrated by Fincke, the principle of similia does relate to these processes; for assimilation depends upon mutual action, upon action and reaction, and this is the fundamental principle of homoeopathy. To the foregoing propositions as formulated by Dake one more should be added. 5) The homoeopathic law relates to no agents or drugs administered for their direct or so-called physiological effects. Circumstances arise occasionally which make it necessary, temporarily, for the homoeopathic physician to use drugs in “Physiological” (really, pathogenic) doses for their palliative effect. Although the ruling principle of his medical life is cure by symptom-similarity, and that end is always held in view as an ideal, he is not thereby forbidden the use of palliative measures in cases where they are appropriate and necessary. Hahnemann, after showing the futility of antipathic medication as a curative method, and pointing out the dangers incidental to its use, admits the utility and necessity of restoring to palliation in certain emergencies. In a note in Paragraph 67, he says: “ Only in the most urgent case, where danger to life and imminent death allow no time for the action of the homoeopathic remedy--- not hours, sometimes even quarter hours and scarcely minutes--- in sudden accidents occurring to previously healthy individuals --- for example, in asphyxia and suspended animation from lightening, from suffocation, freezing, drowning etc--- it is admissible and judicious at all events as a preliminary measure, to stimulate the irritability and sensibility (the physical life), with a palliative, as for instance, with gentle electric shocks, with clysters of strong coffee, with a stimulating odor, gradual application of heat, etc. When this stimulation is effected, the play of vital organs goes on again in its former healthy manner, for there is here no disease to be removed, but merely an obstruction and suppression of the healthy vital force. To this category belong various antidotes to sudden poisoning; alkalies for mineral acids, hepar sulphuris for metallic poisons, coffee and camphor (and ipecacuanha) for poisoning by opium, etc.” The principle of palliation is here recognized and a few illustrations given by its legitimate application in one class of cases. If it is noted that all these illustrative cases are categorized by shock, or collapse, it will be seen that the principle has a some what wider application than appears on first consideration of the cases enumerated by Hahnemann. It may fairly be extended, for example, to cover certain cases where sudden and unendurable pain occurs and collapse is threatened by such semi-mechanical conditions as the presence or passage of rental calculi and gravel, or biliary concretions. In exceptional cases of these and similar conditions, analgesics may be used temporarily as anaesthetics are used in surgical and dental operations, and for the same purpose, that is, to prevent or relieve shock. When all has been said and the scope of homoeopathy has been defined as clearly as possible, it is evident that there is a borderland between homoeopathy and its related sciences around which it is impossible to draw sharp lines of demarcation. In this region each physician must be governed by his own individual judgement and the circumstances of the case. It follows that there will always be differences of opinion between individual physicians and such circumstances. The physician who is imbued with the spirit of homoeopathy endeavors always to keep his mind open and free from prejudice. While striving always to perfect his knowledge of homoeoapthic technic in order that he may meet any emergency and extend the borders of his art to the farthest limits, he never forgets that the necessities and the welfare of his patient are first. He will not allow either pride or prejudice to obscure his sense of his own limitations, nor those of his art. Circumstances sometimes arise when the strongest man and ablest prescriber, by reason of the great mortal pressure brought to bear upon him by the peculiarities of his patient, of the environment, or from lack of time, will be compelled to tide over a period of unendurable suffering by the use of analgesics, or of some other measure to meet extraordinary emergencies. He does this as a charitable concession to the weakness of human nature, his own perhaps as well as others, without in the least degree lowering his standards, or bringing discredit upon himself or his art. He does this knowing, perhaps, that if he had time and the circumstances permitted, he could do better. But time and circumstances are sometimes, at least temporarily, beyond his control. It is possible to violate the spirit by adhering too closely to the letter of the law. Victory is sometimes gained by appearing to yield, which is quite in accord with the principle of Similia, a sort of moral homoeopathy. A strategic retreat to another line of defense in war often gives a stronger base from which to launch a successful attack. In case of rental or hepatic colic, for example; If the physician is firm and calm as well as skillful, and possesses the entire confidence of the patient and his family and friends, he may be able to alleviate the agonizing pain and carry such cases through to a happy termination by the use of homoeopathic remedies alone. It has often been done and, when possible, is the ideal way. But the physician may have been newly called to the case or family and not have had time to gain their complete confidence by the results of his work and teaching. Patients have to be educated in the principles and methods of homoeopathy by discussion, instruction and demonstration, and this requires time. When they have felt or witnessed the results of competent homoeopathic prescribing they acquire confidence. Some become enthusiastic advocates and propagandists of homoeopathy, and are always ready to uphold and cooperate with their physician in demonstrating its methods even in the gravest emergencies. Others are interested only in quick results, caring little or nothing about how they are obtained. The latter are very difficult to hold in such cases and some of them will not continue with the conscientious homoeopathician, no matter what he does. Between these two classes exists a third, the members of which can be interested to homoeopathy to a degree that will enable the practitioner to hold them as patients and retain their confidence and cooperation in homoeopathic treatment in all but extreme cases. It is in such cases that the pressure referred to will be brought to bear upon him, and he may be compelled to restore temporarily to palliation to gain time and strengthen his position. Unless he can do this there is but one honorable course left for him to pursue--- resign the case and withdraw. In pursuing either of those courses the conscientious practitioner is beyond the criticism of all fair-minded persons. But he is always open and frequently subjected to the attacks of prejudice, bigotry and jealousy, and to these the best defense is silence and a clear conscience. |
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