Contents
Studies in the Philosophy of Healing
and others writing including The study of materia medica and taking the case
C. M. BOGER
POINTS IN OBSTETRICAL THERAPEUTICS
By the very nature of the case the true homoeopathist detects the
very earliest signs of discord in the vital economy, this is as you know the very essence
of success in the case of the pregnant woman, for the remedy which is then indicated will
most likely be the only one needed during that whole period and will do easily, what at
other times, is often most difficult. there are, however, times when the doctor will be
suddenly thrown into the breach and be compelled to take care of conditions over which he
has had no previous control. In these crises, he must of necessity have a good grasp of
our materia medica or fail most ingloriously, for the measures of the old school are often
the worst makeshifts if not entirely nugatory.Whether the prescriber has plenty of time to survey his field or be
suddenly called upon to face a critical situation. The fact remains that the pregnant
state so profoundly affects the mental sphere that it furnishes the most reliable
indications of all and it is his bounden duty to scrutinize the mind with the utmost care.
This cannot be overlooked.If it be persistent morning sickness, the symptom complex will often
point to Sepia, which has all the elements of such a condition, including great
sensitiveness to odors, just like Colchicum and in just as an intense degree. If reaction
at this stage seems imperfect and the case looks stubborn, Medorrhinum should be carefully
looked into for this is very frequently a sycotic manifestation with the symptoms pointing
to this or some other antisycotic.Miscarriage is often a badly managed affair from the homoeopathic
standpoint and curettement is resorted to when the correct prescription is really all that
is needed to do speedier and much better work. The old guard resorted to Sabina almost
empirically for this condition but it does not and cannot fill the whole bill because it
is not always indicated, for Viburnum is needed just as often if not a little more
frequently, although, as you know, neither one may be the remedy. It is worth noting that
Viburnum has more bright red hemorrhage at this time than any other remedy. This is so
pronounced that it is the custom of many men to pack thoroughly, give Viburnum and leave
the rest to nature. I do not mention this with entire approval, but rather to point out a
power of the drug which has not been emphasized enough. The fact that most Viburnum cases
also have a large nervous element and sometimes polyuria as accompaniments should not be
forgotten. The giving of Arnica after confinement is as old as homoeopathy, but just t
state that I do not always consider this to be good practice for the reason that in a
majority of cases no remedy whatever is either needed or indicated and when one is called
for it is not always Arnica by any means. If we have reason to think that the deeper
tissues have suffered most, a single drop of tinct. Bellis perenis will do much more than
Arnica and give you a pleasant surprise in the results that follow.Eclampsia is a condition that most of us would rather not face,
nevertheless in Strychnia we have the prince of remedies if spastic fixalis of the thorax
marks each spasm, a symptom that is generally present. Then again this drug corresponds to
the whole disease picture cause and all, as we understand it. If elimination is perfect
and metabolism approximately normal it is doubtful if eclampsia can occur. Strychnia
covers closely both of these spheres of action. It is perhaps indulging in commonplace
remarks to say anything about Phytolacca and the mammae but let me tell you that the woman
who needs this remedy either before, during or after pregnancy and fails to get it, will
never be well until she does. She will have indications of some sort, goitre, fibroids,
etc. or will be affected with rheumatoid symptoms that refuse to yield to ordinary
remedies. Only by taking the whole of her past history along with the present state and
forming a complete picture will the proper indications come out, and the Phytolacca
constitution be evident.