Pathology is also important but we must be careful also not to make this the principal thing as I tired to point out in the beginning of my paper I wanted to say that a remedy is useful practically only in a certain pathological condition, and to limit the use of that remedy. As the doctor suggested pathology may be important and often is, when it is of a peculiar nature and different from pathologies in similar cases or similar diseases.
We cannot expect every physician to think the same as every other one, or to prescribe in the same manner. Each one will do it naturally, according to his own mind.
For instances, you will note that provings in the potencies will often show pathology that is exactly the same as the chemical or even the escharotic action of a drug. Kali bichromicum will produce round, punched-out ulcers. Arsenicum will produce flat, shallow ulcers. Argentum nitricum will produce ulcers that go no deeper than the surface of the mucus membrane, and so on.
We do not know all there is to know about our materia medica and I brought these cases forward because I thought that they were unusual and contained certain things that were not to be found in the materia medica. I might have taken the time to point out those things that are not to be found in the books but I have left this to you, and AEsculus is not used as often as it should be.
I have passed over numerous cases of follicular tonsillitis, mentioning diagnosis and sore throats and colds that cannot be given any special name which AEsculus will cure promptly and completely. I have passed over many other conditions such as lumbago, haemorrhoids (Which I merely mentioned); rheumatism I did not emphasize but it is a useful remedy of course in that connection.
Whenever I get a case that is peculiar and has unusual symptoms, sometimes apparently trivial, I dig around in the unusual remedies and sometimes get great enlightenment.
Several years ago a woman came to me from Pittsburgh. She had been under the care of two different homoeopathic physicians. Each one of them had insulted her almost as she claimed by telling her that she was neurasthenic; there was nothing the matter with her. She had a long range of most striking and I might say “high fault in” complaints. A careful study showed they were all contained under the remedy Agaricus, and that cured her, made a new woman out of her.
I think that is all I have to say, except in regard to favorite remedies. In that connection I would just like to say that when you find you are prescribing a remedy too often get busy and study it.
