THE SECOND PRESCRIPTION

by

It is quite possible that in making a second prescription we may find the *simillimum to be complementary to the first. This is particularly well illustrated in the sickness of child life. There are often repeated tendencies for colds. The patient seems to be getting colds all the while, and a remedy like *Belladonna may seem to be indicated and will cure the acute condition promptly. We may do this two or three times before we realize that these recurrences are an acute exacerbation of a chronic condition, and while *Belladonna acts promptly and effectively, it is only because it is a complementary remedy to the underlying chronic *Calcarea state. *Pulsatilla may be as effective in acute manifestations while the constitutional condition calls for *Silica. It is so with many remedies.

Then we may find constitutional conditions that require, for a complete cure, a succession of remedies, one remedy following another to good advantage. This may be a process of zigzagging a case to a cure because of lack of knowledge of our remedies or because the case does not unfold before us when we first consider

it.

There is another possible reason for the successful succession of remedies. The first prescription may remove all the symptoms of one miasmatic condition, when suddenly a condition will arise which shows a basic condition of one of the other miasms. One miasm may have been submerged under another, and after the first has been removed by the *simillimum, the second shows, and the plan of attack must be changed to include as weapons another group of stigmatic remedies. We cannot expect to eradicate any stigma with a single dose of any remedy, but we may so improve the manifestations that the underlying condition may show itself, perhaps later to return to the first miasm again.

In these chronic conditions, no prescription, either first or second, can be made without careful, thorough study of the case and the sequence of symptoms. It is only by working out the case with the repertories that we are able to see clearly the indicated constitutional remedy in the light of the symptoms that have been cured or relieved. It is only then that we can administer another remedy intelligently and with confidence.

Related posts:

  1. Second Prescription Evaluation of the patient after first prescription. Kent's advise what should be kept in mind before making a second prescription?......
  2. The Second Prescription The second prescription may be a repetition of the first, or it may be an antidote or a complement; but none of these things can be considered, unless the first examination, and all the things that have since arisen, have been carefully restudied.......
  3. EXAMPLE OF HOMOEOPATHIC PRESCRIPTION IN CHRONIC CHOLECYSTITIS These remedies are also given according to their time modalities. Bryonia seems often to act in this case after meals at night, time of amelioration. Ricinus communis given after noon relieves nausea and dyspeptic troubles.......
  4. Gall Stone or Kidney Colic Discussion Gall Stone or Kidney Colic Discussion. The constitutional remedy is the best thing for the patient. It will set the kidneys to manufacturing healthy urine.......
H.A. Roberts
Dr. H.A.Roberts (1868-1950) attended New York Homoeopathic Medical College and set up practrice in Brattleboro of Vermont (U.S.). He eventually moved to Connecticut where he practiced almost 50 years. Elected president of the Connecticut Homoeopathic Medical Society and subsequently President of The International Hahnemannian Association. His writings include Sensation As If and The Principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy.
Pages: 1 2