vm WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY? BY ISAAC COLBY, M. D. ,r"-a"^.x s BOSTON: OTIS CLAPP, SCHOOL STREET: J. P. JEAVETT, SALEM. WILLIAM RADDE, NEAV YORK: C. L. RADEMACHER, PHILADELPHIA. 1846. \S4k CONTENTS. Pngo. The Fundamental Principle of Homoeopathy.......3 Theory of Homoeopathic Doses............5 Homaaopathy Exact and Discriminating.........8 Homoeopathic Treatment of Diseases of Children......10 Objections to Homaaopathy.............H Failure of Alloeopathy to Satisfy the Demands of the Age ... 17 Homoeopathy and Alloeopathy Compared........21 HALLWURTII, PR1.V1 Ell, 8 Congress Street, Boston. WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY? THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF HOMCEOPATHY. Homoeopathy is the philosophical science of medicine, having for its basis, experimental facts. Its fundamen- tal principle is, that every valuable medicine will pro- duce, in a healthy individual, symptoms more or less similar to those of the disease Avhich it is capable of curing. A familiar example of this is found in capsi- cum, which produces a burning sensation in the throat and stomach, and is a popular remedy in sore throat, some forms of quinsy, and in that affection called the heartburn. Balsam copaiva causes irritation of the urinary passages, and even stranguary, and is used as a remedy for the same affections, Avhen the consequence of disease. These are, therefore homoeopathic medi- cines. Belladonna is another. The American Dispensatory describes it, as producing " dryness and stricture in the fauces (throat,) and neighboring parts ; the face becom- ing red and tumid, and the mouth and jaAvs spasmodi- ally affected." In large doses it causes a bright scarlet redness over Ihe whole surface of the body. These symptoms would point it out as a homoeopathic remedy in scarlet feaver. And so it is. Even the old system, or alloeopathy, has recently adopted it, without hoAvever recognizing the principle on Avhich it acts, as its most efficient remedy, both as a preventative and cure for that disease. Mercury is also a homoeopathic medicine in those cases Avherc it is most signally useful as a remedy, pro- ducing the same symptoms which it is given to cure. Hence, in some cases, it has always been a puzzle to the physician, to determine whether his patient is labor- ing under the evil effects of his remedy, or requires more to effect a cure. Vaccination is another illustration of the doctrine of homoeopathy. It is the producing of an artificial dis- ease, whose symptoms are mild, but have a resemblance 4 to those of the small pox, for which it is the substitute, oecupvim? the same vital organization, and rendering it unsusceptible to any subsequent attack, the same as though the true disease had been endured. Homceopathv differs from alhropathy in the discov- ery, that this is the true principle of all judicious med- ical practice; that, in the words of Uahneman, "to cure in a mild, prompt, safe and durable manner, il is necessa- ry to choose in each ease, a medicine that will excite an affection similar to that against which it is employed; " —it is, in fact, the substitution of a set of artificial symptoms, mild in their character—often impercepti- ble, but sullicient to take possession of the vital organi- zation of the part affected, and displace the symptoms which constitute the disease. The difference in the principles on Avhich homoeopa- thy and alloeopathy are founded, may be illustrated by a well known result of practice. A person inordinately exposed to severe cold, freezes his extremities, and on the established principle's of homoeopathy, applies a rem- edy Avhose symptoms resemble those of the disease— plunges the part in ice cold Avater or envelopes it in snoAv, and the frost is imperceptibly Avithdrawn, vitality returns and the functions of the part resume their accustomed activity. This is a homoeopathic cure—natural, speedy, and Avhen conducted Avell, perfect. Allelopathy, should it follow the practice it has adopted in other cases, of meeting diseases Avith medicines of opposite symptoms. would plunge the part in warm water, or envelope it in Avarm flannel; and mortificalion and a long tedious sloughing or death would be the inevitable result. But no man of common sense and observation Avould do so, because, in this case, the effect is so strongly marked and Avell knoAvn. The treatment of burns is also an illustration of the same point. Let the burn be retained in a heat nearly as great as is compatible Avith the life of the part, and the pain Avill gradually diminish; and if the organ- ization has not been destroyed, vitality will return, and health be restored. This is also a homoeopathic cure— the symptoms of the remedy resembling those of the disease. If the burn be destructive to organization, local dressings of a Avarm stimulant character, Avith ele- 5 vated temperature, must take the place of the dry heat, to favor the granulating process, that it may repair the injury. But if, instead of heat, cooling applications be made, on the principles alloeopathy adopts in other cases, it Avill give more instant relief it is true, but the parts that are injured Avill lose their vitality, sloughing or painful reaction Avill take place, and the injury be far more severe. THEORY OF HOMOEOPATHIC DOSES. Life may be denominated that immaterial principle, or dynamic power, Avhich presides over vital organiza- tion, adapting it to the purposes of animal existence ;— and health, an easy, natural performance of all the func- tions of life. And as our material existence is the con- trolling power, it is evident that disease is, primarily, an affection of that power, modifying its mode of action and feeling, and in this Avay deranging the harmony of vitality, and producing a class of symptoms Avhich we call disease. And consequent upon this, there may or may not follow a derangement of the physical organi- zation—a swelling induration, or Avasting. It is the province of homoeopathic medicine to oblit- erate these symptoms, in a natural, easy, and durable manner, Avilhout prostrating the poAversof life, or in any Avay interfering Avith the functions yet unassailed by dis- ease. To accomplish this, the first object of the physi- cian is, thoroughly to investigate the case, and get a per- fect picture of all the symptoms fully impressed upon his mind; and then to select a remedy, the totality of whose symptoms has been found, Avhen administered to a healthy individual, to bear the nearest resemblance to those of the disease. Every true medicine, in its adaptedness to the physical laAvs of the animal economy, has specific functions, over which, in its milder operations, it exerts a control in preference to all others,—but, Avhen taken in large doses, it is not restricted by its primitive affinities, but over- whelms the Avhole vital organization in a general tumult- uous action. "When any considerable impression is made on animal 1* 6 life, it quiellv yields itself, for a time, to the impression, and al'lerward"an effort at reaction follows, proportion- ate to the impression fiat lias been made. If 1 plunge mv hand in ice water for a moment, a healthy glow is all 1 shall feel,—but if it remain there a much longer time, a most painful reaction Avill be the result. II 1 take a powerful stimulant, as ardent spirit, the subsequent depresMon will be in proportion to the previous excite- ment. Or if I produce an unnatural impression of any kind, I have interrupted the vital harmony, and excited the irritability of the nervous system, which always re- acts upon the disturbing influence in an opposite direc- tion. And the amount and character of this reaction is beyond my control. This is true of the impressions* made by medicines in the ordinary doses. If the med- icine is rightly chosen, a certain amount only is necessa- ry to meet the symptoms of the disease, and all that is given over, causes but a destructive Avasle of the pow- ers of life. And here we have the great stumbling block of liomiropathic medicine—its doses. And truly at first thought, it does seem incompatible with common sense, and a belief in it a just subject of rid- icule, so widely different are they from the doses we have been accustomed to. And some of the noblest sciences too, in their infancy, encountered the same opposition that homa-opathy now does, because so different from all previous experience and theories. But the opposers of homoeopathy are either those avIio have; had no op- portunity to examine its claims, or those; Avho have de- liberately closed their eyes against the science itself, and against all facts that go to sustain it. Common observation proves that medicines have a greater affinity Avith the powers of life, than the noxious principles or miasms have, because the former act Avith certainty, AAiiile the latter but occasionally affect those exposed to their influence. If a person take a dose of medicine, he knows it will make an impression on his vitality ; but if he be exposed to contagion, the poAvers of life resist its effects, and it is more doubtful Avhat will be the result. Medicines, therefore have a nearer rela- tion to the vital principle than the noxious agents have, and Avhen given Avith strict regard to the similarity of their pathogenetic symptoms, (symptoms on a healthy 7 person,) to the symptoms of the disease, it requires but a very minute dose to take possession of the vital or- ganization and displace the disease. This is the philos- ophy of homoeopathic doses. As it is the object of homoeopathic medicine to neu- tralise the symptoms of disease, it selects its remedy Avith that object only in vieAv ; and there must be a similarity of the symptoms of the medicine, ascertained by exper- iments on healthy individuals, to those of the disease— and the more exact this is, the more perfect will be the cure. The dose is then so arranged in quantity, as just to meet the symptoms and displace them, Avilhout ex- pending its energies in prostrating or deranging the poAv- ers of life. But it often happens, that there is no one medicine yet discovered, AArhose pathogenetic symptoms form a perfect picture of those of the disease. The medicine then the nearest to it, and which meets the most important symptoms, must be taken first. And Avhen these symptoms are annihilated, another must be selected to meet other symptoms. And Avhen all the symptoms are gone, it is a truth self evident, that the disease cannot remain. In every curable case, the first dose of the appropri- ate medicine Avill be sure to make an impression on the vitality of the part diseased, which, if not interrupted by too frequent repetitions, nor counteracted by other medicinal substances in the form of diet, &c, will con- tinue its operation a longer or a shorter time, according as the disease is in a passi\'e or active state. In a pas- sive state the effect of this impression is, to obliterate the disease, and then the vital energies come into play, and restore a healthy action. Sometimes one dose is suf- ficient to obtain a complete victory over a disease of long standing. It establishes its control, and the condition es- sential to disease ceases, but it may require several weeks for the full establishment of health. And some of the homoeopathic medicines continue their operation with- out being repeated, that length of time. But in acute diseases it is different. The vitality being assailed with so much more energy, the impression of the medicine, instead of neutralizing the symptoms, is soon itself over- come, and must be often repeated till it fully establishes its influence. s ll.micropathic medicines, following the analogy of nature, are all specifics;—a definite object with a defi- nite silent, whose effect is directed solely to the labor it has to perforin, Avith power only for its accomplishment. Hut, laying aside the idea of a specific, and adopting the allceopathic practice of opposites,— V person lias pain—its opposite (opium,) is given—the pain is not Mibdued, but stilled by stupor, and will break out again with renewed violence, whenever the effect of the opi- um is over, and will require augmented doses at every subsequent return, llommopathy, on the contrary, se- lects a medicine of like symptoms, (that is, capable of producing the same pain,) and its affinity to the vital organism directs it to the part affected ; and the dose being so reduced that its simple primitive operation only is produced, the pain is annihilated instead of con- cealed, and the cure perfect. If there be eostivencss, and evacuations are forced by medicines of opposito symptoms, (cathartics,) they have no tendency to cure the habit ; but the medicine must be repealed in in- creasing doses, and a more inveterate condition of the disease is the consequence. Or if there be diarrhua, the treatment is only 1o be reversed and the result is (ho same. But in these cases, homoeopathy chooses medi- cines having like symptoms with those it is to cure, in doses barely sufficient to neutralize the disease, without making any other impression, and the cure is natural und perfect. HOMCEOPATHY EXACT AND DISCRIMINATING. Homoeopathy, in the discovery of the principle on which the efficacy of remedies depends, has introduced to the science of medicine a neAv era, and placed it under the dominion of fixed laAvs, as the other sciences are. Instead of relying on precarious accident, or vague tra- dition, or the more uncertain results of experiments on the sick and dying for its knowledge, the properties of medicines are investigated, and neAv discoveries made in the private apartment of the physician. The medicine is taken by a person in perfect health, and every unnat- ural impression or feeling it produces is accurately noted. 9 If it be a neAv medicine, it is repeated by the same and other individuals, till it is certain Avhat are its true and unilorm effects. Then the physician enters the sick cham- ber with full confidence in his remedy, though it may be the first time it has ever been prescribed, because the dy- namic laAvs by which he has tested it, always prove them- selves true. He may mistake the exact character of the symptoms of the disease, but if he is correct here, and they correspond with those of the medicine, and it is given in the appropriate dose, he is sure of its effect; it cannot fail to remove the symptoms, if curable at all. The homoeopathic physician, if he Avould expect suc- cess, instead of casting his eye over the patient, feeling the pulse, looking at the tongue, and asking a feAv gen- eral questions, must go into a critical examination of the former habits of disease, the present condition of all the functions, the secretions, excretions, respiration, sleep. intellect, &c, and impress upon his mind a picture of the Avhole, and seek for its counterpart among the rem- edies. His skill consists mainly, in getting a clear and definite understanding of the disease. And if he is satisfied on this point, he knoAvs AA-hether he has reme- dies that will meet the case, and can anticipate, with a good degree of certainty, Avhat will be the result of his prescriptions. Homoeopathy has no general remedies, Avhich an indo- lent physician can use without study or consideration— none which, by making a general impression, it is hoped will hit the disease. They are all specific and definite, each having its OAvn symptoms, over Avhich it has con- trol, and all symptoms have their appropriate medicines. But in every disease, there is more or less an associa- tion of symptoms—-a particular state of the vital organ- ization, Avhich modifies the prominent indiAridual symp- toms, and this state, ascertained by all the symptoms collected, must be taken into vieAv in the selection of the remedy, or a failure may be expected. For illus- tration—take pain in the head. It may be accompanied Avith heat, coldness, throbbing, sick stomach, costive- ness, or a great variety of other symptoms, any one of which shoAvs some modification in the character of the disease, and must have an influence in the selection of the remedy. And it is this nicety of discrimination, 10 that constitutes the difficulty in the practice of homoe- opathic medicine. HOMCEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF CHILDREN. The human being, at birth, is committed to parents endowed Avith reasoning faculties, and abundant re- sources for the comfort, and safety of its progeny; and yet the mortality of children is fearfully out of propor- tion to that of the young of any of tin; lower animals. Nearly one third part of all that are born are consigned to the grave during the first five years of their exist- ence ; and three fifths of these die in their first year. Of all deaths under sixteen, seven eighths are before five years old, the deaths being in an inverse geometri- cal ratio from birth to puberty, Avhen the ratio ceases. Over so many untimely graves, philanthropy weeps, and asks, can this Avaste of human life, just as it is en- tering into existence, be the decree of that Being Avho has, Avith such umvearied care, guarded the safety of inferior animals ? No. He has made Avise and salu- tary laAvs for all his creatures. But mankind have dis- regarded these laAvs, and, in civilized communities especially, have created for themselves unnatural appe- tites and habits, and in gratifying them, have vitiated the laAvs of their nature, and transmitted to their off- spring enfeebled constitutions ; and the seeds of disease are accumulating from generation to generation. And this effect falls Avith most severity on the tender age of childhood. And there is no remedy that Avill fully meet the case, but a return to a life more in accordance Avith the simplicity of nature. One great source of this fatality, may be found in the unnatural custom of dressing infants Avith the arms naked to the body. God has taken care of the young of other animals, by himself providing their covering; but has committed infants of our race to the care of a mother; and she leaves that part naked, Avhich of all others needs covering most. The arms being small and feeble, and at a distance from the centre of the circula- tion, easily become cold, and the blood coursing its Avay down through the cold flesh, is reduced in temperature beloAV the standard o( health, and returning to the heart 11 cold, spreads a chill through the system, and predis- poses to lung fever, croup and diarrhoea, besides many chronic ailments. But—it is the fashion ! While sickness does and Avill prevail, it is the pro- vince of medicine to render it as mild and harmless as possible. And here Ave have the tAvo leading systems of practice presented in contrast; the one or the other to be our guide. The little sufferer has just embarked on the stormy Avaves of life, in all its frailties and heredi- tary infirmities, Avith sensibilities tremblingly alive—the nervous fibrils projecting at eArery pore; and every agent, even touch, making an inordinate impression on the irritability of the nervous system, and more or less disposing to disease. This being the state of excitabil- ity, its vital organization is too delicately constituted to endure but a slight impression, Avithout sinking under it. And the lining membrane of the stomach and boAvels being the centre of excitability, impressions show their effects there. Slight irregularities in diet, exposure to heat or cold, strong mental emotions, &c, produce diarrhoea; and irritation of this membrane constitutes the most dangerous symptoms in a majority of the dis- eases of children. And yet with all these facts in vieAv, it is mainly through a strong impression on this mem- brane, by medicines, whose only operation is to irritate, that alloeopathy seeks to cure diseases. Let the disease be diarrhoea—calomel, opium, and castor oil are the principal remedies. The calomel and oil as cathartic, and the opium to moderate its opera- tion and allay irritation. But Avhere is the philosophy of the cathartic, Avhen the boAvels are already excited to the utmost extent of endurance, every particle of their contents is expelled, and it would almost seem, that the inner coats themselves were coming away ? It is hoped that, by making a stronger impression, and of a somewhat different character from that already ex- isting a change of action will take place, and the dis- ease^ disappear. And sometimes it does, if there is strength to endure the operation. But it is at best an uncertain and hazardous experiment; and no one can foretell its results ; and when it fails, it but Aveakens the patient, and renders the case more hopeless. But ho- inceopathic medicine has no such hazardous effects. If 12 the disease is curable, it directly displaces the symptoms without additional loss of strength ; and if it fail, the patient is none the Avorsc for having taken it. Again—suppose the disease should be croup or lung feA'er. In the alkropathic praclice, tartar emetic and ealomel are the leading remedies in common use, (both medicines heroic enough to satisfy any constitution,) under the operation of which, the most sturdy adults feel deadly sick, and groAv faint and pale. And yet these are the medicines for infants; and to them are sometimes added blood-letting or leeching and blisters. And Avhen the child dies, no one can ever say how much the treatment hastened the fatal termination ; and sometimes, Avhelher it is- dying of the disease or the remedies. In the homoeopathic treatment, there is an entire con- trast in all the circumstances connected Avith the case. Croup, left to itself, often runs into a fatal termination with great rapidity; and while to arrest its progress, alloeopathy must push its remedies to the fullest extent of personal safety, and even life itself may be their sacrifice, homoeopathy deliberately adapts them to the symptoms individually. " It first selects a medicine, having a controlling influ- ence over that high state of excitement of the blood- Aressels and nervous system, Avhich so peculiarly marks this disease, and after a feAV doses, these symptoms abate. Then if the harsh croupy sound remain in the cough and respiration, another medicine is selected, having a specific effect on that, and it shortly disap- pears. And then the copious mucous secretion that often folloAvs the croup, choaking up the air passages, is removed by another medicine adapted to the purpose. This all looks very simple and easy. And it is because it so nearly folloAvs the laAvs of nature, Avhich are al- ways simple. The disease is primarily an affection of the spiritual existence, or vital power, or the attack could not be so sudden. It is. therefore, not necessary to break down the physical organization by evacuants, to relieve a disease of the vital power, but. simply to use such remedies as are capable of acting on that poAver in the right direction, and the symptoms Avill disappear ; and if there be inflammation/that too will 13 pass off, because the vital nervous principle is restored to its healthy action. In vieAV of the philosophy of homoeopathic principles, and the definiteness of its practice, it might be predicted that it Avould be pre-eminently successful in this most formidable disease. And so it is ; and the same exact, safe and philosophical principles are involved in the treatment of lung fever that have been alluded to in that of croup, and Avith like success. Scarlet fever has long been a most deadly scourge to the infantile portion of our race. And allceopathic medicine has too often failed, even to mitigate its re- lentless ravages. Different plans of treatment have had a short-lived popularity, but not being founded on phi- losophical principles, and having no rules of adaptation to varied circumstances in the disease, all have at length failed to ansAver expectations, and each in its turn has been laid aside. And no plan has inspired any general confidence of success, till recently, alloeopathy has bor- roAved from the discoveries of homoeopathy, a remedy, (Belladonna,) Avhich it uses with considerable effect, both as a prophylactic to guard against the attack, and a remedy to cure the disease. But homoeopathy has far the advantage, in having discriminating rules in pre- scribing this medicine, and in having other specific remedies for particular symptoms as they occur, accu- rately adapted to all the varied circumstances that may attend the disease; Avhile alloeopathy prescribes it on general principles only, because it has found it useful in ?carlet fever, and not because it has poAver to remove particular symptoms. Hence, it is relied on, Avhether these symptoms, or others requiring other remedies, are the prominent ones of the disease. And a^aiu, homoeopathy has the advantage ot adapt- in^ the magnitude of its dose, so as just barely and quietly to neutralize the symptoms without diverting its primitive action from them, as large doses would, by making a strong impression on the Avhole system. Homoeopathy has still another advantage of no ordi- nary magnitude. The state of the mind and moral feelings has great influence in the result of the medical treatment. And there is no disease Avhatever, in which the ordinary prescriptions are opposed Avith such deter- 2 It mined and persevering resistance, as that of scarlet fever. It is often necessary, at every dose, to pry open the mouth and stop the breath, till an urgent sense of suffocation compels the patient to swallow. And he is constantly kept in a state of perturbation and dread of the next dose. But homoeopathic medicine, having no perceptible taste, can be given unperceived in a little eold Avater, Avhich the child is always fond of taking. And still another. Homoeopathy, professing to be a cure for suffering and pain, and being so pleasant to take, comes to the child as an unmingled good, and the physician as a friend and benefactor, and his little heart kindles Avith emotions of gratitude, ever afterward, Avhen he thinks of the kindness manifested in his cure. But allelopathy is often looked upon as his most deadly enemy, because such nauseous and repulsive doses have been so violently forced upon him. OBJECTIONS TO HOMCEOPATHY. " Oh ! it is all in the diet—there is nothing in homoe- opathy but the diet; and its rules for that arc good." But homoeopathy has no rules for diet, and lays no rig- id restraints on the appetite of its patients, but to refrain from such articles as are in themselves medicinal; be- cause these interfere Avith and neutralize the effect of the medicine given. The principal articles of diet in common use prohibited, are—All alkalies, as sal aratus, &c. ; all spices and aromatics; certain kinds of fish Avithout scales, because they contain train oil, Avhich is a medicine ; smoked meat, because of its kreosote; food long kept in salt, because it becomes impregnated Avith chloric acid; coffee and green tea; and tobacco also is a great obstacle to the success of homoeopathic medi- cines. Homoeopathy has no confidence in any nega- tive temporising plan of abstinence in diet as a remedy for diseases ; but has a more efficient purpose in view— that of attacking the disease itself through its symp- toms, by specific medicines that have poAver to annihi- late the symptoms. And a Avholesome nutricious diet of such food as is agreeable to the appetite, to giAre en- ergy to the system, is essential to a successful treatment, especially of chronic diseases. 15 There cannot be anything in homoeopathy—it is imr possible ^ that such infinitesimal doses can have any ef- tect. The tjme nas been when impossibility could be inscribed on almost any subject, and arrest inquiry. But it is too late thus summarily to close up investigation, and in this Avay put a stop to the progress of the physi- cal sciences. There are no impossibilities acknoAvledg- ed but such as can be proved so by experiments, be- cause they conflict Avith the operation of the laws of na- ture. Truths rest on the evidence their own facts pre- sent. And homoeopathy cannot be made an exception, and prejudged till it has had an opportunity to present its evidences. It asks the most rigid investigation. And Avhen it claims principles so definite and philoso- phical, and yet so simple as no other system of practice ever has, it is but reasonable it should be examined be- fore it is rejected, though it may differ from all previ- ous theories. " What could the homoeopathic doses do," it is tri- umphantly asked, " tOAvards procuring evacuations in a violent case of bilious colic ?" As the object is to cure the disease in the most simple, safe and expedi- tious manner, and forcing evacuations is not among the leading indications, the physician Avould not be very solicitous about that. Colic consists in spasmodic stric- ture—the healthy peristaltic motion of the intestinal ca- nal is interrupted, and the circular fibres contract and close up the caliber, and the part above becomes dis- tended Avith flatus, and painful. It is the object of ho- moeopathy to neutralize the spasm ; and a medicine is selected Avhose symptoms on a healthy person point it out as the remedy—it being capable of producing the same affection. The dose is then graduated so small that it will have no effect on the vital organization generally, its whole energy being directed to the part diseased, be- cause in its primary operation its dynamic affinity is on- ly with the disease. The medicine noAV occupies the vitality of the part, and its effect is just sufficient to an- nihilate the stricture—and this being removed, the peri- staltic motion regains its integrity, and any offending matter that may be present in the alimentary canal, spon- taneously passes off. Pneumonia, croup, scarlet fever, cholera morbus, &c. 16 —the diseases that run their course rapidly,—arc par- ticularly under the control of homoeopathic remedies, because these act promptly and specifically on tin" symp- toms only, directly displacing them, _ while the vital principle is not called upon to endure the enervating op- eration of a poAverful medicine, superadded to the pros- trating effect of a disease, which of itself, is already making too fearful inroads on the powers of lib'. " There can't be anything in homo'opathy, because somebody took a Avliole package of poAvders at once, designed to last a patient three weeks, and felt no effect from it." And popular lecturers also make themselves merry with amusing and ludicrous anecdotes about ho- moeopathic medicines, and think they have annihilated the science. But, admitting all to be true, it proves nothing but what is freely granted. The medicines are exceedingly feeble in their operation, compared Avith the drug shop standard of activity. In the extreme di- lutions in which they are prepared in the small globules, the stomach Avould hardly be capacious enough to con- tain sufficient to make a sensible impression on the feel- ings of a healthy individual. And it requires less medi- cine to impress a function laboring under disease, Avcak- ened by it, and having a dynamic affinity between it and the medicine, than Avould be necessary to affect it in a healthy state. Again—" Somebody has been taken Avorse after the use of homoeopathic medicines—and it is a dangerous system of practice." If the medicine had any agency in making the patient Avorse, it only shoAA's unskillful practice—a failure to adapt the medicines to the symp- toms, or a too strong impression on the-diseased vitality. Homoeopathic medicines, when judiciously administer- ed, never produce a new diseased sensation—it is im- possible they should. Every medicine has its peculiar symptoms, Avhich it is capable of meeting, and neutral- izing if present. If its symptoms are not present, it should not be given. Sometimes it is difficult so ex- actly to graduate the dose that, in displacing the symp- toms of the disease and establishing its own artificial symptoms in its place, it will not appear, for a little time, to aggravate the case ; and the person Avill fee} somewhat Avorse—but in reality is no worse. The medi- 17 cine has established an artificial sensation of a higher grade than the natural pain, but it is of the same charac- ter, and Avill soon pass off; and it is the presage of-a favorable issue. Once more. Some one has been sick for months, or years, and having exhausted the resources of the ordina- ry profession, without effect, resorts to homoeopathy, and soon finds himself better. "Brit, O! it can't be the medicine—he must not have the credulity to think it. It Avas a natural crisis. The disease was just then ready to get Avell of itself." Be it so. But it seems very extraordinary that a crisis should so uniformly oc- cur, as it does, Avhenever homoeopathic medicine is giv- en, if it has nothing to do Avith it. It is this kind of crisis it is calculated to produce, in Avhich the symptoms silently disappear one after another, Avithout any formal parade of violent impressions or debilitating evacuations; and the person soon finds himself better, he knoAvs not Iioav, but knoAvs the fact. FAILURE OF ALLOEOPATHY TO SATISFY THE DEMANDS OF THE AGE. Harmony and design prevail throughout the universe —a perfect adaptedness of everything to the object for AAdiich it Avas designed. The an Ave breathe, the food that sustains our groAvth and strength—every blessing a bountiful Providence has provided for us, is perfectly- adapted to our use, and affords pleasure in its reception. Each seems to have been prepared expressly for the want it supplies. And Avhy should the remedies for our sicknesses and pains be so entirely an exception ? The science of medicine had its origin in the dark a«-es of the human intellect, and was in harmony Avith the learning that then prevailed. But a great change has come over all departments of literature. The sci- ences have been remodelled and placed on different bases. Astronomy, geology, chemistry, &c. now re- luctantly acknoAvledge relationship to the sciences of that period, bearing their names. And no one can shut his eyes to the evidences daily accumulating, that the science of medicine is becoming antiquated, and fails to 2* 18 satisfy the wants of the community—that there is a lack of confidence in it, and a desire for something d.llerent, manifested in the charlatanism and profusion ol nos- trums that inundate the country. And tins dissatislae- tion is not confined to a few restless, disallected indi- viduals, but pervades the more intelligent and influen- tial portions of society. It cannot be believed that the All-wise Creator has so established the relation between our diseases and the remedies he has so bountifully provided, that the pre- sent system of practice is the best the remedies admit of. Who can think that He ever designed enormous doses of poison, so repugnant to all our senses, so pain- ful and prostrating in their operation, and so uncertain in their effect, as the most appropriate rem dies? While we are crushed under the Aveight of disease, avo arc; called upon to take as a remedy, a dose we are sure will sink us still lower, and Ave Ioioav not but Avill extinguish the last lingering spark of life! There is clearly seen a want of harmony belAveen this and that goodness that has so carefully adapted our blessings to the promotion of our enjoyments. Sickness and pain are doubtless Avisely intended to guard against the abuse of the huvs of our nature, in the reception of the bounties of Providence. And the remedies are kindly give* as a blessing, to mitigate and control their effects. And our Bountiful Benefactor sends no equivocal blessings, the reception of which may or may not prove our ruin. lie has given us remedies, as He has provided materials for all our Avants, in their crude state, and left it to us to prepare and appropriate them according to the intelligence I ie has given us. And judging from the analogy of I lis Avorks, it must be that the remedies will harmonize with our natures, and be adapted to our diseases, and therefore unmingled bless- ings. If Ave do not find them so, it shows a deficiency in the preparation and use of them. Again—What progress toAvard the accomplishment of the great objects of the healing art has it made in the two thousand five hundred years it has been cultivated ? True—it has discovered many remedies, and greatly enlarged its literature and resources. But a successful application of these resources is the great desideratum 19 still. While the laws of matter are successfully inves- tigated, and the powers of nature are brought into sub- serviency to the Avill of man, and the arts and sciences in general are advancing to a high state of perfection, the physician fails to elevate his profession to an equal standard. The success of the healing art has not kept pace Avith the progress of the human mind, nor Avith its oavii accumulating resources, nor yet Avith the expecta- tions of this enlightened age. With all its progress in science and learning, its best efforts are still attended with nearly the same disappointments and uncertainty they Avere ages ago. These facts strongly argue a defect in the fundamen- tal principles of the profession—a defect Avhich the num- berless theories Avhich have been devised for its im- provement, have never reached, and never can till it is remodelled and founded on philosophical principles, and the remedies adapted to diseases more in accord- ance Avith the natural laAvs. No system has yet been devised so much in accord- ance with these laws as the homoeopathic. Discarding all scheming, and accidental discoveries, it relies simply on experiments, for a knowledge of its remedies, and has discovered a principle that seems destined to become the foundation of all medical practice—that medicines Avill produce the same symjSoms in a healthy person, Avhich they arc capable of curing Avhen the result of dis- ease. Hence the experiments are performed, and the virtues of medicines ascertained on persons in health. This places it in the power of every physician to prove the efficacy of his remedies, and make it sure, before he administers to the sick. Or, if he has any doubt of the foundation principle, lie can subject that to Ihe same test of experiment. This gives the profession of medicine a capacity of improvement, because it has a starting point, and certain facts which never disappoint. The practice will be uniform, and every new discovery will be equally the property of all; for, being based on the fundamental law, it can be used by all. Homoeopathy has another principle, which brings it m beautiful alliance with the laws of nature—that of adapting its doses to the object it has to accomplish. Here avc are again reminded of the harmony of the uni- 20 verse—no Avaste poAver—cause unseen, imperceptible— effect powerful, majestic. In homoeopathy, the medicine adapted to the symp- toms of the disease being selected, the close is so reduc- ed as simply to occupy the functions affected, and dis- place the disease, Avithout making any sensible impres- sion on the vital organization in general. Here the ef- fect is simple and natural, Avith no debilitating operation to retard or lessen the prospect of recovery. But those accustomed to alloeopathic prescriptions, find it difficult to conceive Iioav medicines so exceeding- ly diluted can have any effect at all. The minute divis- ion they undergo in the process of trituration and agita- tion doubtless greatly exalt their power; and there are dynamic relations existing between them and the vital principle independent of quantity. The laws Avhich govern their action may be analagous to those which control the virus of small pox, hydrophobia, and other malignant diseases. Of those, it is avcII known, that an exceedingly minute amount, totally imperceptible to the senses, is sufficient to bring thesyslem fully under its in- fluence and develope the disease, and a larger amount can do no more. Again—We may imagine that the manipulations in the preparation, impart a magnetic influence, on which each medicine impresses ijf w^wwtifec/character, and the magnetism being exalted at each dilution, gives the higher developments their peculiar potency and effect as remedies. But whatever may be the theory, the facts Avhich ho- moeopathic medicines present, arc; incontrovertible. They do possess a power and a certainty in the treatment of diseases Avhich no other system can claim. In proof of thi-, let croup, scarlet hver, lung fever, erysipelas, scro- fula, and other diseases testily,—and let* the progress that homoeopathic practice though in its infancy, is mak- ing in the confidence and affections of the Avell informed portions of community testily. And if it is still thought the doses are inadequate to the effect, let it be remem- bered, that, on disputed points, it is a mark of a mag- nanimous and philosophic mind, before passing unmit- igated condemnation, to make a fair investigation of the subject, patiently listening to its claims and evidences. 21 HOMOEOPATHY AND ALLOEOPATHY COMPARED. Does the effect of medicines bear any relation to the diseases they cure, by which it can be knoAvn they are then remedies ? Observation and common sense an- swer in the affirmative; and all parties in some sense re- spond. But while the old, or allceopathic system has founded its practice, so far as it has fixed principle, on the doctrine of applying to the disease, medicines of op- posite symptoms; homoeopathy takes the ground that the symptoms of medicines must be similar to those of the disease—that a medicine producing a certain set of symp- toms on a person in health, Avill always be the appro- priate medicine for like symptoms*Avhen they occur in disease, and will quietly and permanently remove them. This being a fundamental principle, it is made the basis of all experiments to discover the virtues of medicines. And these experiments are simple, easy and safe, be- cause performed on persons in health ; and very certain in their result, because the person being in health, has no other symptoms to conflict with, and render uncertain those of the medicine; and great exactness is obtained. Homoeopathic treatment is necessarily discriminating. Its medicines being administered in doses so minute, they must be adapted to the symptoms with great accuracy, so as to make an impression, or it will be readily seen they have had no effect; for they are designed to make no impression but on the symptoms. And these being obliterated, the disease itself must necessarily cease. If the medicines do good at all, their effect is soon mani- fest on the symptoms; at first, it may be, by a slight cxascerbation__the symptoms of the medicine talcing possesion of the organism occupied by the disease with greater energy. _ . But no such discrimination in the alloeopatliic system. It has no medicines adapted to symptoms, or groups of symptoms, and no fixed rules for testing their virtues, or adapting them to diseases, but general experience, under all the disadvantages attending that experience. The first discovery of the medicines Avas from accident, or some presumptuous experiment on the sick, the result of which no finite mind could have predicted, because founded on no philosophical principles on aa hich to cal- »)') eulate. And having been discovered as remedies, there is still no way of correcting and enlarging the knowledge already possessed, but the same means by which they were discovered. And the sick chamber, with all its confusion, anxiety and pain, is not the place to obtain accurate results. * No attempt is made there, to trace out the intimate connection the medicine has with the symp- toms of the disease. The patient may recover, but no one can say it Avas from any agency of ihe medicine. But very different is the nicely adapted honuropathy, when the symptoms Avhich constitute the disease, being aimed at specifically, are seen to melt away before the potency of its remedies, just according to their ascer- tained poAver. Alloeopathy sIioavs by its practice, a Avant of discrim- inating knoAvledgc of its remedies, or a want of confi- dence in their powers. Its prescriptions seldom trust to one medicine alone ; but different articles are grouped together in the same dose. This is evidence that no once is known to be exactly fitted to the case ; and several are therefore mixed logether, hoping that if one fail, another may succeed; or all acting together may pro- duce a favorable result. This makes their operation but indefinite. If two or more medicines be combined in the same prescription, it cannot be known Avhat Avill be the effect as a remedy ; for no one can tell the influence each may have on others in modifying their action. But homoeopathy has no combinations of medicines. Each one having a definite specific action of its own, is admin- istered alone. No tAvo can act together without neutral- izing each other just so far as they differ. Alloeopathy having no Avay of improving its skill but by practice on the sick, its progress must be slow and uncertain. And the physician, Avith no rules for accu- rate discrimination, must practice on general principles only. An epidemic appears—he reads Avith diligence the records of past experience, but finds his skill fails and patients die; he goes through Avith the various plans, prudently devised, Avitli no better success, and is at length induced to enter the mazy Avilds of speculation, Avhich he feels himself called upon to pursue, Avith a boldness commensurate Avith the malignity of the disease. But suppose he discovers a remedy that stays the progress 23 of the disease; no principle has been established—the remedy Avas one of chance—no patient analysis has dis- covered its relation to the symptoms; and Avhen the epi- demic makes its next appearance, it comes with some shade of difference, and the successful remedy shares the fate of others previously discarded, and he finds himself involved in the same labyrinth of uncertainty as before, because the profession itself, in Avhich he is en- gaged, lacks rules of science. It is a general maxim, which every physician of experience knoAA's to be true, that an epidemic at every subsequent return, must be studied as a neAv disease, that is, it must be experiment- ed on till a successful method of cure is discovered. But homoeopathy, adapting its remedies to symptoms, mstead of diseases, traces out these symptoms, and, Avherever found, applies the remedy directly for their re- moval. In the alloeopathie practice, it is often difficult to knoAV the progress the patient is making under the treatment, Avhether favorable or adverse. A person, for instance, has headache Avith sick stomach. Under the despotic practice of the old system, no gentle remedy is thought of to act on the vital poAver, to neutralize the symp- toms, and quietly restore harmony of action in the place of disease. But a strong impression is indiscriminately made by evacuants—the whole system is thrown into violent commotion, and under the deadly operation of an emetic and drastic purge, the patient forgets the mag- nitude of the original malady, and thankful for respite from feelings so deathlike, it Avould be strange if he did not think himself better. It may be his first symptoms are mitigated, or transferred into some other form of sickness ; but he has undergone a shock, from which, it Avill require time to recover. The alloeopathic medicines, as usually giAren, possess great power over the vital actions of the system to prostrate, pervert or destroy. But, contrary to common opinion, the poAver of a medicine to control diseases, when rightly selected, is found to be nearly in the in- verse ratio to its action on the system generally, because, if it cure in the natural and only sure Avay, it is by a di- rect action on their symptoms. What does the violent operation of drastic medicines do, toAvards arresting ty- 24 phus fewer or any malignant disease ? They only pros- trate the poAvers of life, and render it less able to sus- tain itself under the effect of the disease. The action of an ewer dose, may, and often does, so nearly assimi- late itself to the disease, or join in harmony with it, that the practitioner, losing sight of the original state of his palient, is no longer able to decide Avhelher he is dying of the effects of the disease or the remedies. Even the most enlightened in the profession, have too many sad recollections, in looking back on pasl experience, and always must have, while medicines are gixenin doses that may hasten a fatal termination, should ihe condition of ihe patient be a little different from Avhat was sup- posed. The gradation in the profession, from the lofti- est intellect, improA'ed by a long and careful experience, doAvn to consummate ignorance and quackery, is so slight and easy, and the success of all so nearly on a level, the dillerence is hardly perceived by the commu- nity in general. And though this is ofien thought in- consistent with the Avisdom of a discriminating public, on a subject especially, irf%iey have so deep an interest as the preservation of life and health; yet it must nev- ertheless be admitted, that talents and experience do not give a physician that superiority of skill and. success over ignorance, they inevitably would, Averc there any thing definite and fundamental connected with the sys- tem of practice. But the medical profession, having done the best they could with a system so incompatible Avith the laws of nature and destitute of fixed principles, are congratu- lated on the discovery of homoeopathy. To a critical investigation of its principles and pradice all are most cordially invited to come, and should they approve, to apply to its advancement and perfection, all their abun- dant resources and ample science. It does indeed, in its daily practice, require more laborious discriminating investigation, but at the same time, relieves from those dread uncertainties to which the practitioner in alloeopa- thy must ever be subjected. And the faithful scientific physician will fincf^ts results, a satisfactory reward for the most unremitting devotion of all his powers to this most noble science. WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY? KY ISAAC COLBY, M. D.- BOSTON: OTIS (LAPP, SCHOOL STREET: J. P. JKAVETT, SALKM. WILLIAM RADDE, NEW A OKK: i . I.. KADKAIACHER, lMULADLLI'UI \. 1846. HOMOEOPATHIC BOOKS AM) MEDICINES. No. l'i School Sucet, (up stairs,) Dostoo, Keeps roimtnntl} on ham), and for sale, an ast>ortnient of llumcropalliie Hooks. *n I Mediciue Chests, Cases, and Single Remedies. • AMONG THE BOOKS AKE J»hr'» Sew Mannnl of Homoeopathic Practice. Kdited, with \ limi- tations, by A. <:. Hull, M. I)., New York. Vol. I. contain* the Matkiiu Ah n- ica, and Vol. U. n Repertory of Symptomatology, with Clinical Remarks. Bound, $6 OC; in paper, $5 00. •Tithr's Manual. First F.dition. 1vol. $150. Jiihr's New Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia und Posology. *:i 00. Hahneman's Or|(aiion of Homoeopathic Medicines, si no. llahncmnn'.s materia lUedica. Volume I. S I 50. Malinemaa'8 Chronic Disease*. Vols. 1. to IV. si 50. Knoll" s Repertory of Homoeopathic Medicines, nosologic*!!) arranged. Ttanslal- ed froiii the e.ennun by Dr. A. 11. Okie. With additions'mid improvements l.\ Or. Humphrey, s-J 00. Jcnne's Practice of Medicine. $3 00. Herring's Domestic Physician. #2 00. I.pps'ii Domestic Homoeopathy. SO 75. Laurie's Domestic Homoeopathy. $075. DtmsforU's Practical Advantages, tec. %1 00. Hnrtmann's Practical Observations on some Homoeopathic Ilemedien. Ttai «lnii-d by Dr. Okie. First and Second Series. Ijkl 00 each. Iloscnsleiu's Theory and Practice of Homoeopath). SO 75. iMtorrill'a Manual of Homoeopathy. &U 50. I'pp's Diseases of Women. $0 50. K.pps' Diseases of the Head. $0 H2J. F.ppa' Principles of Homoeopathy. IjtO 75. KppV Epilepsy. §0 75. K.pps' Rejected Cases. $0 88. Hpps' Constipation Curable. $0 38. Kpps on the use of Arnica Montana, for llniiscs, Sprains, Count Des Guidi's Letter to the Physicians of France on Homoeopathy, sri 20. Family Guide to the Administration of Homteopathic Remedies. #0 V~>. Dr. Okie's, Dr. Wcssclha ft's and Dr. Neidhard's replies to Dr. O. Wlloliin- SiO 12j each. Bo-uiiinghauseu's En=a\ on Intermittent Fevers £0 Jk. Dr. Hemple's Eclecticism in Medicine. ftO 25. Dr. Holt's Views of Homoeopathy. fj<0 lb. Pric-miu Water Cure, so C2J. Also for sale—Tinctures, Triturations, Dilutions, Label.-, I)i*t Papers, Sugar <>i Milk, Globuleb, Amis, Corks, &-e. Cases of Medicine for Physicians' und Domestic use. varying in »i/.t and price nam s:) 00 to 850 00, among which are Pocket Coses in neut Moioeio. Cases of any pattern made to order. O. 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