This is why each case must be individualized and studied, for no two patients are exactly alike in their disease manifestations.
Fagopyrum esculentum, no doubt better known to the layman when served in the form of delectable buckwheat cakes, presumably and especially when made by our old colored friend, the faithful Aunt Jemima. This remedy, in potentized form of course, is often indicated in itching skin eruptions as well as in itching of the skin in old people: there are individuals who are sensitive to buckwheat and such persons can be freed from their allergy by a high potency of buckwheat. The deciding modality is the relief of the itching by bathing in cold water, a symptom which has been verified and particularly so in poisoning by the primrose plant, Primula obconica.
Fragaria vesca, the wood strawberry, is mentioned by Allen in a brief proving and has produced an urticaria-like eruption on the ski, with the usual maddening itching. Allen mentions the symptom, “swelling of the whole body” which is of course, indicative of a possible giant urticaria. People who cannot eat strawberries may frequently be cured of this allergy by taking a single dose of a high potency of Fragaria.
Magnetis polus australis, the south pole of the magnet, is mentioned by Jahr in his Symptomen Codex, volume 1, a symptomatology which has excited the visibilities of many homoeopathic physicians; nevertheless, facts are stubborn obstacles to overcome and must prevail over ignorance and prejudice. Curiously enough, this remedy, as well as the north pole of the magnet, is mentioned by Hahnemann in his Chronic Diseases though he gives us no information concerning its proving, hence we do now know just how this proving was conducted. The symptoms apparently produced are many, but the only one ever spoken of is that relating to the large toe of which Hahnemann states, “soreness of the inner side of the nail of the big toe in the flesh, as if the nail had grown into the flesh on one side; very painful, even when slightly touched.” Of course, this statement obviously suggests the presence of an ingrowing toe nail, a condition brought about by too narrow and tightly fitting shoes. Magnetis polus australis, given in high potency, has been known to cure this unhappy state. Hahnemann includes under the term “Imponderabilia”, Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetismus, Magnetis Polus Arcticus, the north pole of the magnet and Magnetis Polus Australis. the south pole of the magnet. Concerning Magnetismus he states that its “duration of action is from 10 days to a fortnight” and attached to the symptomatology of the south pole of the magnet is his note, evidently referring to a proving, “This female held the south pole, touching at the same time the middle of the bar.
The south pole appears to excite haemorrhage, and especially from the uterus, as its primary effect; the north pole seems to act in the contrary manner. These observations of the “Imponderabilia” may seem to us moderns archiac and quaint, but we must remember that Hahnemann was a scientist and spoke the language of his day. Modern research alone can verify or disprove his statements. Experimentation and observations upon the sick, are needed.
To mention another endocrine gland, a few remarks upon the pituitary may be of interest. This important gland is situated at the base of the brain in a cradle-like bony structure, known as the sella turcica. Wolf, in the second edition of his valuable work, Endocrinology in Modern Practice, under the heading “Physiology” states: “The pituitary has been aptly called the general headquarters for the endocrine system, since through its secretions it influences the rate of the cycle of the various activities of every ductless gland. In addition, it regulates certain metabolic and stimulative processes which are of profound importance in any discussion of humans physiology. All the influences are exerted by means of hormones which are the secretory products of the cellular activity of the glands.” Pituitary hormones raise the blood the blood pressure; conversely, given in a potentized form, such as the 200th or higher, Pituitary, in cases of hypertension due to arteriosclerosis, will reduce the pressure and relieve the headaches caused by blood-pressure. Potencies of the anterior portion of this gland appear to be the most efficacious. We cannot cure arteriosclerosis, but we can greatly modify its effects through the use of our well-selected remedies and among these, provings of the endocrines are most desirable.
Phleum pratense, or timothy, in the early summer when the farmer is watching his fields to determine the best time for cutting his timothy hay, should be thought of as a homoeopathic palliative of hay-fever when the acute symptoms predominate and the underlying, constitutional symptoms are held in abeyance. Potencies from 12X to the 30th and higher, frequently modify the severity of the attack and shorten its duration.
Some people are sensitive to golden-rod and come down with hay-fever in the middle of September when this beautiful wild flower begins to exhibit its golden sprays; there are very many species of the golden-rod family, but the one commonly used and described in the homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia is known as Solidago virga-aurea. In potency it also, as with Phleum pratense, palliates fall attacks.
Vipera torva, the German viper, furnishes us with another snake poison, described by Jahr in his valuable work, the Symptomen Codex. Its range of therapeutic action is limited, though valuable in the treatment of varicose veins, especially those of the legs; in such cases the indication is a sensation as though the veins would burst, when the legs are hanging down. This symptom has been verified many times.
Gnaphalium polycephalum, known as the common ever-lasting, is a very valuable remedy in the treatment of sciatica when the pain is worse when the sufferer is lying down, from motion, but, oddly enough, better while sitting on the affected thigh. There are numerous remedies homoeopathic to the symptoms of sciatica, but this modest plant, first proved by Dr. William Banks many years ago, fills its own peculiar place. At times its symptoms are accompanied by a sensation of numbness.
In this brief essay twenty-two remedies, most of them seldom used, have been touched upon; they are remedies which on occasion, serve a most useful purpose in relieving certain, often troublesome, acute or subacute ailments. When prescribed, they are not, as a rule, fundamentally curative remedies; the latter belong in the categories of the antipsoric, antisycotic and antisyphilitic remedies, selected carefully and often with difficulty for chronic diseases and prescribed upon the symptom- totality of the patient. Patients under homoeopathic treatment gradually develop an increased resistance to acute diseases and at the same time their chronic ailments are greatly modified and often entirely cured. Such cures take time, which is one reason why homoeopathic treatment is frequently criticized as being too slow.
It is unquestionably true that patients under homoeopathic treatment, provided this is genuinely Hahnemannian in character, have a better chance to grow old than do those who prefer to entrust themselves to the ministrations o orthodox physicians. The practice of medicine is yearly becoming more and more specialized and, although no intelligent person denies the importance of skillful specialists when their services are really needed, it still remains a fact that much specialism, especially that which is surgical in nature, is capable of doing great harm. Too frequently in this day and age, meddlesome surgery exacts a tragically high price.
Homoeopathy needs development through research and also through some method of making remedy selection easier. Perhaps the future, through men who are now at work, may solve our problem.
MORRISTOWN, N.J.
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.