***IMPROVEMENT AND CURE COME FROM WITHIN OUTWARD. Just as no growth and development can take place from outside inward, so no hope of cure can be held that moves in a contrary direction. Growth and development and cure are centrifugal and never centripetal.
***SYMPTOMS DISAPPEAR FROM ABOVE DOWNWARD; COMPLAINTS GO FROM AN IMPORTANT ORGAN TO A LESS IMPORTANT ORGAN; SYMPTOMS DISAPPEAR IN THE REVERSE ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE.
One of the best illustrations is the rheumatic fever manifestation. This is a case where the joints of the extremities are first attacked, next the joints nearer the body, and presently we find the heart involved. This is the natural order of the onset of the symptoms. Now if we relieve the symptoms appearing in the extremities, are we approaching a cure? Consider the vital organs that are in danger, if they are not already attacked. But under the exhibition of the carefully selected homoeopathic remedy the more important organs are the first to be freed (being the last organs to be attacked) and gradually the manifestations recede to the extremities, the first to be attacked.
It is absolutely necessary that these axioms be thoroughly grounded in our minds; then it is a pleasure to feel the security that develops from our sure knowledge in the progress of any given case.
This pertains also to the artificial disease condition that we get from the drug proving. The onslaught of these symptoms is the same as in natural disease.
They come on from below and more upward, or appear first in a superficial organ and then later move to a deeper organ. When a proving is wearing off, the symptoms recede in the reverse order, just as natural disease symptoms recede. This once more shows the relationship between the natural disease symptoms arising from a disturbed vital energy and the artificial disease symptoms as produced by a drug. This explains also the reason why the potentized drug is so effective in disease conditions; the action of the remedy must follow the same cycle of action, under the same laws, as the natural action of the disturbed vital energy.
In chronic conditions this law is just as sure as in acute conditions, but in chronic conditions we are often faced with a seeming confusion. We have carefully taken the symptoms as reported by the patient, and have made our prescription. After a certain progress the patient comes to us with a new set of symptoms. Careful reference to the symptomatology shows no apparent relation to the present symptom-picture. Are we progressing in the right direction? Is this a new condition that has arisen? Let us proceed carefully. By cautious questioning we shall probably find that this is a return of old symptoms in the reverse order of appearance, and that it has been long covered up and forgotten because of the latter unfolding of symptoms. Then as the later symptoms have disappeared, this older group has again come to the surface. Now we may know that we are proceeding in the proper direction. Right here great care must be taken not to mix the case. If the remedy is doing this work, let it proceed without interference, and the patient will lose these symptoms and a still older, more deeply buried group will presently come to the surface.
The necessity of constant study of the philosophy that underlies homoeopathy becomes more and more apparent if we would be masters of our work; and not only study, but a certain degree of patience to wait the course of events. However, if we can know that we are proceeding in the right direction, it gives us the patience and the courage to wait events, knowing that the prognosis is favourable and our work is effective.
To what do we attribute the growth and development of the individual?
What is the direction of growth?
What is health?
What is disease?
What do we mean by miasms or dyscrasias, and what is their effect on the development of the individual?
How do we regard acute diseases?
What conditions do we speak of as self-curative?
How do we regard such conditions as semi-chronic or chronic skin manifestations, discharges, etc.?
What is the order of cure?
In taking a case, why do we consider the sequence of symptoms in their onset to be an important point.
