DIVISION ELEVENTH. 



HOMEOPATHY. 



BY W. E. REED, M. D., EDITOR OP The Medical Current. 



INTRODUCTORY RULES. 



To those unacquainted with the homeopathic system of med- 

 icine, a few words of explanation will not be out of place. The 

 theory or law of homeopathic prescribing is founded on the prin- 

 ciple " Similia Similibus Curantur " (like cures like); or in other 

 words, a medicine that will produce in the healthy, when given in 

 material doses, certain symptoms, will cure those or similar symp- 

 toms produced by some other cause in the sick. Opium produces 

 constipation when taken by a person in health, and will cure a 

 similar condition when produced by disease; but it will cure only a 

 similar condition to that produced by the drug. It will not cure 

 every case of constipation, and will not cure the condition caused by 

 the drug itself. Hence the necessity of making a careful selection 

 of the remedy, and when this is done, the results are most certain to 

 be satisfactory. 



Selecting the Remedy As homeopaths never prescribe 

 for diseases by names, and only by symptoms, the selection of the 

 remedy becomes more difficult than it otherwise would be, if one 

 were to say such a remedy is good for such a disease; but there are a 

 few general rules which may be of aid-. The premonitory symptom 

 of all acute fevers is a chill, and of many conditions of inflammation 

 also. Aconite stands nearest to the specific for this condition, and 

 where there is a chill, it is safe to begin the treatment with Aconite. 

 If the disease progresses and is not arrested by the Aconite, and 

 becomes defined, then seek the remedy among those under the head- 

 ing of whatever symptom the disease develops. With the exception 

 of scarlet fever, this rule holds good. In this disease Belladonna 

 will be the nearest to the specific and will correspond to the throat 

 symptoms more closely. Belladonna will act as a preventive during 

 epidemics. 



It is safe to begin the treatment of all acute diseases with 

 Aconite. Relief should follow in twelve hours at the most. 



Study Symptoms Carefully During this time, if the 

 symptoms point to any disease, study the indications for the rem- 



455 



