Homoeopathy : What is it? : A statement and review of its doctrines and practices / A. B. Palmer.

  • Alonzo Benjamin Palmer
Date:
[1881], ©1881
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Homoeopathy : What is it? : A statement and review of its doctrines and practices / A. B. Palmer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    proper emetic doses, followed b)^ warm water; and after the vomiting is over, a cup of black coffee to restore the tone of the stomach. Coffee, he thinks, has a good effect in slowness of digestion; but frankly confesses, The action is not homcjeopathic, but it is Enanthiopathic, in accordance with the principal 'contraria contrariis.' I mention this, he says, by way of advice to those who coiiJemn every kind of antipathic trcatinciit without rhyme or reason. On p. 141, he recommends cathartics in constipation of the bowels. He relates cases where homoeopathic remedies had failed, but where a cathartic, as of castor oil, had cured the patient! On p. 143, he says: The object of treatment with the partisans of every school and system is to neutralize a morbid action by establishing a contrary influence. Speaking of the principle ''contraria (f6'////77.'-//.f .s7z«(7//c/(;];, and the methods of treatment in accord- ance with-it, he says: These rules have been followed for three thousand years, sometimes with great success. This must be admitted. He then, to be sure, goes on to mention objec- tions to the plan of large doses, giving examples of enormous ones which any of us would condemn; and relates remedies which he regards as having acted homoeopathically, a specimen of which is, Opium has frequently been employed with great success for incarcerated Hernia and lUius. Is that Homoeo- pathic? The opium in such a case is given to allay the severe pain, overcome spasmodic action, and diminish inflammation. Does any one imagine that opium will produce, however given. Hernia or Illius, or any similar effects? Such a position would be simply preposterous. On p. 151, he says: The living organism possesses the power to oppose and neutralize noxious influences, and when the morbid influence is weakened the organism cures itself.'' On p. 156-7, in debility, adynamic conditions, he says: So-called corroborants and stimulants have frequently been of great use. Page 177, The deriva- tive method has enjoyed great repute for several thousand years past, and, with much evil, has done some little good. It is not my intention to defend cathartics, moxse, setons, etc. I confess, however, that I never hesitate to avail myself of all the means at my command to relieve the patient; and