More Signs of the Times. We have just received the announcement and program of the thirty-fifth annual convention of The National Society of Physical Therapeutics, which is to be held in New York City. The program contains many varied and interesting subjects for consideration and discussion and of the essayists who will present papers or discuss them, practically all are homoeopathic physicians, some of prominence in the homoeopathic school, whose names are well known to all of us.
It is of course, a fact to be somewhat proud of, that homoeopaths have distinguished themselves in collateral fields of medicine, not directly concerned with their own fundamental therapeutic principles; there is no good reason why they should not do so; such catholicism of choice reflects the broader outlook, now becoming more and more universal and breaking the creaking bonds of outworn sectarianism and intolerance.
At the same time and to this thought we wish to call attention, as the activities of homoeopaths with extra-homoeopathic subjects increase, their practical interest in homoeopathy decreases, with the natural and inevitable result, that homoeopathy itself must suffer. This is exactly what has happened in our United States and the process has gained pace with every year. Where formerly we had able homoeopathic physicians whose homoeopathy came first, today we either have none at all or nominal, homoeopaths, whose practice is a sort of therapeutic melange of most gaudy hue.
Who will dies hinaus? Where is this decadence to stop, or will it stop at all? Unquestionably one very important reason why homoeopaths have branched out into specialties of all kinds, is the patent fact that the monetary rewards are greater; the very simplicity of homoeopathy is its own worst enemy and broadly speaking, makes of it a poor money-getter. After all, homoeopathy appeals to the intelligentsia only; the semi-morons, with which the world is largely filled, are satisfied to take whatever is momentarily most loudly trumpeted; for in spite of all the newspaper and magazine publicity regarding medicine, the ignorance and credulity of the great public is simply appalling.
Many years will undoubtedly be required, before the fundamental philosophy of homoeopathy has been finally incorporated with the basic principles of established medicine and when this has taken place, we will hear no more of homoeopathy; the name will have become absolute and of historical interest only. In the meantime, those of us who feel, that upon ourselves rests the duty of carrying on and safeguarding the precious truths of our science and art, must struggle on as best we can.
Treatment of Constipation.- “In Sanders opinion, the last measure to be considered in the treatment of constipation is the administration of drugs. The enema habit is also condemned. There are, however, definite indications for drug therapy in all cases in which correction of faulty habits and removal of the cause has not restored the function to normal. The treatment is, first the removal of the cause; second, the re-establishment of the normal intestinal peristalsis by regulation of habits, diet, exercise and by discontinuing catharsis; third, the use of drugs which are nonirritating, chiefly liquid petroleum combined with agar, and, in obstinate cases, the temporary addition of cascara or magnesia.
In the atonic type of stasis Sanders prescribes a simple fruit mixture. It consists of: Cooked prunes (seeded), 1 pound; dried figs, 1 pound; dates (seeded), 1 pound; agar agar, 2 ounces; senna leaves, 2 ounces. This mixture is run through a meat chopper several times until it is thoroughly mixed and pulverized, and then made into a cake, which is in turn cut into blocks one inch square, The dose is one block taken at bedtime.” -J.A.M.A.
Constipation is one of our national evils and one difficult to overcome. Homoeopathic prescribing for the patient, when characteristic symptoms are present, is often sufficient in itself, but many cases will require additional temporary aid, such as suggested by some of the above recommendations.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. “Richardson reports a case of carbon monoxide poisoning in a man who had bought a new automobile of the sedan type, with an exhaust heater in the back. The heater had caused considerable trouble by getting hot even when the valve was turned off. Furthermore, there were wide cracks in the floor boards through which had come the strong smell of exhaust fumes.
The patient drove this car largely in traffic for 10 miles or more every morning and evening and often much farther. He would feel well on getting up, but at about moontime lassitude began coming on, until at night he felt absolutely worn out. This feeling was soon accompanied by a severe, upper half headache. The patient was advised to put away the new car for one week. By the end of the third day the symptoms had entirely disappeared, and he was feeling as well as ever.”- J.A.M.A.
American Homeopathy Doctor.
Rabe graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College and trained under Timothy Field Allen and William Tod Helmuth.
Rabe was President of the International Hahnemannian Association, editor in chief of the Homeopathic Recorder, and he wrote Medical Therapeutics for daily reference. Rabe was Dean and Professor of Homeopathic Therapeutics at the New York Homeopathic Medical College.