By the very nature of the case the true homoeopathist detects the very earliest signs of discord in the vital economy, this is as you know the very essence of success in the case of the pregnant woman, for the remedy which is then indicated will most likely be the only one needed during that whole period and will do easily, what at other times, is often most difficult. There are, however, times when the doctor will be suddenly thrown into the breach and be compelled to take care of conditions over which he has had no previous control. In these crises, he must of necessity have a good grasp of our Materia medica or fail most ingloriously, for the measures or the old school are often the worst makeshifts if not entirely nugatory.
Whether the prescriber has plenty of time to survey his field or be suddenly called upon to face a critical situation, the fact remains that the pregnant state so profoundly affects the mental sphere that it furnishes the most reliable indications of all and it is his bounden duty to scrutinize the mind with the utmost care. This cannot be overlooked.
If it be persistent morning sickness, the symptom complex will often point to Sepia, which has all the elements of such a condition, including great sensitiveness to odors, just like Colchicum and in just as an intense a degree. If reaction at this stage seams imperfect and the case looks stubborn, Medorrhinum should be carefully looked into for this is very frequently a sycotic manifestation with the symptoms pointing to this or some other antisycotic.
Miscarriage is often a badly managed affair from the homoeopathic standpoint and curettement is restored to when the correct prescription is really all that is needed to do speedier and much better work. The old guard resorted to Sabina almost empirically for this condition but it does not and cannot fill the whole bill because it is not always indicated, for Viburnum is needed just as often if not a little more frequently, although, as you know, neither one may be the remedy.
It is worth nothing that Viburnum has more bright red hemorrhage at this time than any other remedy This is so pronounced that it is the custom of many men to pack thoroughly, give Viburnum and leave the rest to nature. I do not mention this with entire approval, but rather to point out a power of the drug which has not been emphasized enough. The fact that most Viburnum cases also have a large nervous element and sometimes polyuria as accompaniment should not be forgotten. The giving of Arnica after confinement is as old as homoeopathy, but just to state that I do not always consider this to be good practice for the reason that in a majority of cases no remedy whatever is either needed or indicated and when one is called for it is not always Arnica by any means. If we have reason to think that the deeper tissues have suffered most, a single drop of tinct. Bellis perenis will do much more than Arnica and give you a pleasant surprise in the results that follow.
Eclampsia is a condition that most of us would rather not face, nevertheless in Strychnia we have the prince of remedies of spastic fixalis of the thorax marks each spasm, a symptom that is generally present. Then again this drug corresponds to the whole disease picture cause and all, as we understand it. If elimination is perfect and metabolism approximately normal it is doubtful if eclampsia can occur. Strychnia covers closely both of these spheres of action. It is perhaps indulging in commonplace remarks to say anything about Phytolacca and the mammae but let me tell you that the woman who needs this remedy either before, during or after pregnancy and fails to get it, will never be well until she does. She will have indications of some sort, goitre, fibroids, etc. or will be affected with rheumatoid symptoms that refuse to yield to ordinary remedies. Only by taking the whole of her past history along with the present state and forming a complete picture will the proper indications come out, and the Phytolacca constitution be evident.
Born in Western Pennsylvania, he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and subsequently Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia. He moved to Parkersburg, W. Va., in 1888, practicing there, but also consulting worldwide. He gave lectures at the Pulte Medical College in Cincinnati and taught philosophy, materia medica, and repertory at the American Foundation for Homoeopathy Postgraduate School. Boger brought BÅ“nninghausen's Characteristics and Repertory into the English Language in 1905. His publications include :
Boenninghausen's Characteristics and Repertory
Boenninghausen's Antipsorics
Boger's Diphtheria, (The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of)
A Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica, 1915
General Analysis with Card Index, 1931
Samarskite-A Proving
The Times Which Characterize the Appearance and Aggravation of the Symptoms and their Remedies