In presenting this second volume of the CHRONIC MIASMS, (SYCOSIS) to the profession, we trust it will receive the same welcome as did Vol. I, PSORA AND PSEUDO-PSORA.
In the production of Volume I, we had the teachings of Hahnemann to aid us and the writings of his many followers to sustain us with their volumes of research and their many established truths, but in the construction of his work, we had but scant data to draw from. Hahnemann has given us but a page or two on the subject SYCOSIS. The literature is meager even in the Regular School of Medicine. That which has been brought forth, deals largely, if not wholly with the primary or gonorrhoeal stage. Many no doubt have realized to some extent, its depth of action and the degree to which this terrible miasm has effected the human race. They have read between the lines in the great book of experience and have seen the profundity of its action, its persistent nature and its progressive movements and in roads upon life force, yet have not brought their knowledge to the light of publicity. They have rather kept it under the proverbial bushel. I trust that my readers, after having read this work, will add to the literature of this subject, a knowledge of which, is of such vital importance to the human race and to the medical profession throughout the world, for what is of interest to the profession and vice versa.
This history of the CHRONIC MIASMS, as being the sum total of the causes of chronic diseases, meets with two strong opposing forces, first from the pathological, material or chemical therapeutist who views life from its material side, and who is looking for finite or material causes in all that disturbs the living organism; secondly, from the therapeutists of symptomatology (the symptom doctor), they have their minds focused upon Section 18 of the Organon, therefore they maintain that the totality of the symptom in a given case, should govern the prescriber in making a selection in every case, independent of any chronic miasm that might lie behind the grouping.
While we maintain these principles of the law of to totality as the only guide in making such a selection, we also insist that the remedy that meets the true requirements of the law governing our therapeutics, should cover the symptoms of the active miasm, and especially is this true in cases of mixed or pseudo miasms. The author has dealt with this subject quite exhaustively and trusts that he has made himself clear to his readers on this important phase of the work.
The sycotic symptoms presented in the different stages of the disease, have been carefully observed and many times verified, so that we feel quite confident they will endure the test of further investigation.
And we know that time and further acquaintance with the nature of sycotic disease, will greatly add to their numbers and value.
In writing the therapeutics of this work, we have endeavored to give the indications of each remedy in as brief and concise a manner as possible, not to burden the prescriber with too many symptoms. The therapeutic index in the back of this work, will greatly assist in making a comparison of the different remedies and in some degrees take the place of a repertory.
THE AUTHOR.
J.H. Allen was a student of H.C. Allen. He was the president of the IHA in 1900. Dr. Allen taught at the Hering Medical College in Chicago. Dr. Allen died August 1, 1925
Books by John Henry Allen:
Diseases and Therapeutics of the Skin 1902
The Chronic Miasms: Psora and Pseudo Psora 1908
The Chronic Miasms: Sycosis 1908