Some time summer a gentleman came into my office asking if I could determine, by any means,whether or not his dog had hookworm. I replied that there was nothing easier than making a microscopical faecal examination and once and for all clearing up all doubt about it. I have him a specimen bottle and in due course of time he mailed me a specimen. Examination proved negative and was so reported, and I heard nothing more until October 6th, when he walked in my office with the dog just as I was closing. AS it was late I told him he had better leave the dog with me and I would look him over in the morning at home.
He replied that he brought him in to have him chloroformed. He certain was a terrible specimen to gaze upon. Her was aware- haired for terror, three years old, and had won quite frequently;y at various shows. He had a most captivating personality much as he was and he certainly was a sick dog. The wonder plainly showed that he was passing fond of his pet and the thought in regard to the lethal chamber had been arrived at only after having run the gamut of all the allopathic small animal hospitals and veterinaries in general. the man told me that he dog had been literally “wormed to death”, as he put it and thE pup surely looked near the grave.
I said that I would rather take him home with me and make a careful examination and if I thought that it was an incurable case I would frankly say so and would mercifully put the little fellow chap along with me in my car and put him to bed for the night.
In the morning upon close examination I noted,besides the extreme emaciation that I have already spoken, of marked dyspnoea, eyes sunken mall visible mucous membranes pallid, and polyuria. A urine analysis showed nothing, no albumen, sugar or casts. On account of the emaciation the spleen could be easily felt, and, in fact, was so enormously hypertrophied that a bulging was present. There seemed to be no doubt in my mind that the spleen was the organ that was at the bottom of the whole thing. I told the owner that it he cared to take a sporting chance I would do my best., To this he agreed, much to my delight, as I had been most anxious to find out for myself whether or no Ceanothus americana had in reality all the glowing virtues of which I had read in Burnetts , Hales and Clarkes work.
I Put the dog on this remedy, using the first dilution, ten drops three times daily in a week there was a noticeable improvement and the wonder cane out and was much pleased, but he saw that the patient would have to stay with me for some time. From then on improvement was Somewhat slower and on talking the case over with Dr.W.W.Sherwood he told me that changed to that and at once saw marked improvement.
This improvement continued,and all the symptoms gaudily abated. the mucous membranes took on a normal hue,and the dog gained weight. He stayed with me until just after the new year, most of he time as a boarder and at the time of writing is holding his weight and is fit for the show ring at any time, This particular case caused a great deal of comment among my friends and clients as the dog was around the office most of the time. They all thought that he should be chloroformed he was in such poor condition, but I thought differently and the result has demonstrated,once again,the great power of homoeopathy.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD
In general, however,the tyro in homoeopathy cannot too earnestly take to heart the caution to avoid the great error of regarding a large numerical quantity of symptoms that are general in their character and that do not individualize the case, as a sufficient guide in the choice of the remedy. The keen perception and appreciation of those symptoms which, at the same time, correspond to the nature of the disease,and also designate that remedy which is exclusively or at least most decidedly indicated-this alone betokens the master mind. for it is easier very much easier-to select the right remedy after a picture of the e disease, complete in every respect and fully meeting all requirements, has been drawn up, than, oneself, to obtain the materials for such a picture and to construct it-BOENNINGHAUSEN.
