326 
MR. HAYCOCK ON HOMOEOPATHY. 
both induce convulsions, and should therefore, according to 
the tenets* of the new system be equally suitable for the cure 
of convulsions. 
I have been much astonished by the immense number of 
totally dissimilar diseases for which Homoeopathists prescribe 
similar doses of the same medicine. Mr. Haycock, for ex- 
ample, recommends arsenic in forty-two of the sixty- six 
diseases of horses enumerated in his “ Elements of Veterinary 
Homoeopathy.” If, however, there be any truth in the doc- 
trine of Hahnemann, there must of course be “ an accurate 
similarity” (Organon, p. 127) between the symptoms pro- 
duced by large doses of arsenic, and those exhibited by each, 
and all of the forty-two diseases in which it is said to be 
serviceable. Nay, more, Hahnemann expressly states, as one 
of his “ indubitable truths,” that “the sum of all the symp- 
toms in each individual case of disease must be the sole 
indication, the sole guide to direct us in the choice of a cura- 
tive remedy” (Organon, p. 120); and if the “totality of the 
symptoms” in each of the forty-two cases mentioned indi- 
cates arsenic as a remedy, then surely one would expect to 
find some similarity in the symptoms of these different dis- 
eases, Yet who is there, Homoeopath or Allopath, who can 
discover any similarity in the symptoms of such diseases as 
mange, bronchitis, enteritis, diabetes, tetanus, strangles, 
rheumatism, ophthalmia, poll-evil, and glanders, — all of which 
are said to be appropriately treated by arsenic. Nux vomica, 
according to Mr. Haycock, is serviceable in eruptions, 
catarrh, broken-w ind, colic, tetanus, rheumatism, ophthalmia, 
poll-evil and glanders, with fifteen other equine diseases. 
What similarity, in the name of wonder, subsists amongst the 
symptoms of these diseases, or w 7 hat similarity can almost 
any of their symptoms claim w ith those induced by large doses 
of nux vomica? Following up this inexplicable principle, 
sulphur is prescribed in tw r enty-six diseases, most of them 
as unlike as can be ; belladonna in tw r enty-nine diseases, most 
of them so w ell marked as to be easily distinguishable by the 
veriest tyro ; and aconite in thirty-tw T o diseases, beginning 
w 7 ith papular eruptions, including most affections of the re- 
spiratory and digestive organs, and ending w 7 ith ophthalmia 
and glanders. If the “ eternal,” “ universal,” “ immutable” 
law 7 of Homoeopathy, as embodied in the axiom similia simili- 
bus curantur , and expounded by Mr. Haycock or any one else, 
can be brought to explain these several conflicting circum- 
stances, I shall cheerfully admit that it is possessed of pro- 
perties of expansion, adaptation, and application, of a most 
extraordinary and incredible kind. 
