The principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy by HERBERT A. ROBERTS, M.D.

The principles and Art of Cure by Homśopathy

by HERBERT A. ROBERTS, M.D.
Presented by

CHAPTER IV
VITAL FORCE AS EXPRESSED IN FUNCTIONS: IN HEALTH, IN DISEASE, IN
RECOVERY, IN CURE

     The life and composition of cells is of a
complex nature. The composition of animal protoplasm is capable of analysis, yet there is in
each cell and its life function that which is beyond our comprehension and defied analysis.
We cannot as yet fathom the reason why a human ovum takes on growth and development only
when the spermatozoa imbeds itself deep in its innermost nuclei. We only know that it
possesses some hidden vital function that compels it to develop and grow. The power of each
life to develop from the single ovum into its own ego, unfolding and expressing itself for
ever in its own way and individuality, never varying from the ideal that is once stamped, to
carry out to its perfection all the powers of adult life, distinguishing it from all other
created species, is a marvel until we comprehend the principle of the vital force or energy
permeating all creating things. That power, although defying analysis, nevertheless
continues all through life as a mysterious manifestation of the vital functions. It is the
close study of these vital functions that becomes the chief study of the physician.

     In order to obtain a thorough knowledge of
these vital functions we must study them in their manifestations during health. From the
earliest period of its existence growth is manifest from within the cell out; it is never
observed growing from without in. The one point most vital to observe is the course and
direction of its expression-always from within outward. This is true in the embryonic state
and is always maintained as long as life exists. This is equally true in the specialization
of functions. The especial organs are developed and their functions maintained by the
expression of the vital energy as the life-giving principle. All expression of the mind are
such manifestations. Indeed, it is the expression of the vital force in and through the mind
and intellect that has a very great influence in the functioning of all life and of the
special organs.

     In health all expressions of vital force
may be expressed by perfect functioning of all parts of the body and by a sense of general
well-being.

     In disease this expression is vastly
changed. There is a sense of discomfort. The mental expressions are vastly altered according
to the degree of disturbance. Physical signs and symptoms appear; and all because the vital
functions are disturbed either from external impressions having a depressing effect, and the
consequent reaction of the vital force, or from some hidden miasm coming into its full
expression in its impress on the vital force. External impressions having a profound effect
upon the vital force are such circumstances as the shock of sudden news, either bad news or
joyful news; or severe fright, such as the “shell-shock” we see with our soldiers;
long mental and physical strains; and various other reactions. All of these external forces,
when in conjunction with an already disturbed vital force, have very profound effects upon
the vital functions and they are manifested in a trail of symptoms which are expressed in
different ways in varying individuals.

     Likewise the vital function in its
manifestations often shows the effect of inherited miasms and dyscrasias, where the
protozoan has become vitiated by disease processes in the antecedents and its perfect form
and possibilities of development are thereby impaired. The process of development may go on
until such time as some disturbing element, as excessive joy, fright or anger, or some of
the zymotic diseases, come in contact with the disturbed vital energy, when it bursts forth
into volcanic action and we see the manifestations of what we call acute disease.

     Sometimes this comes as the first outward
and visible sign of a disturbed vital energy. It is analogous to the disturbance that takes
place in waters, ponds, and reservoirs, when they suddenly begin to heave, seemingly without
cause, and throw upward their pathogenetic formations, becoming exceedingly oily, to spend
their efforts on this saprolytic action and so set in motion a clarifying process. So it is
with these manifestations in miasmatic conditions; a blooming or explosion of these acute
diseases is Nature’s method of attempting to rid the system of these fundamental miasms that
have been long buried. These manifestations offer to the homśopathic physician a unique
opportunity to learn of the indicated remedy, because at the close of the acute
manifestations Nature cried out most loudly and points the direction most clearly, because
at this time symptoms are produced that are of inestimable value in the selection of the
constitutional remedy. These diseased states-or disturbed states of the vital
function-present very extensive and exceedingly variable external manifestations, and the
homśopathic physician must devote much time to their study.

     The vital force is always attempting to
recover from diseased states. In the acute manifestations the vital functions are often
restored to complete harmony by and through their own power, and it is noteworthy to observe
the disappearance of symptoms in the reverse order of their appearance. This is well
illustrated by the course of the appearance of symptoms in such manifestations as eruptive
fevers-the rash appearing last is the first symptom to appear, is the last to disappear.
This order is always maintained in invasion and recession of symptoms when the vital force
is able to establish complete restoration of normal vital functions.

     Acute diseases may take on various forms.
The assault may be so great as to destroy life in a short time. The vital force may be so
overcome as to be unable to strive successfully against the combination of outward and
inward assaults, and be completely destroyed. On the other hand, it may be able to overcome
the disease conditions, without outside help, by crisis; but when this happens, there is
such a drain on the vital energy that it is a decided injury to the life-giving forces.
Because of the sacrifice of fluids when crisis takes place, there is a lowering of the
physical powers of the patient, and here again his very life is in danger.

     When the vital force is not of itself able
to make a complete recovery, either due to a hidden miasm or an especially violent assault
on the vital energy, the vital force often resorts to methods of bringing about a partial
recovery. Thus the vital force pushes the invader out en masse by taking the inner trenches
of the citadel and pushing the enemy to the outskirts of the country by establishing a
semi-chronic skin manifestation; or there may be establishment of a catarrhal disturbance on
some one or more of the mucous surfaces, or the establishment of pus abscesses, with the
expectation and hope of throwing out the enemy. Unfortunately the emptying of such abscesses
may be into an organ or organs where complete expulsion from the body is not possible, as in
pyothorax or pustular appendices.

     Remedies will assist in these acute
diseases and very, very often save the sacrifice of the crisis, and thereby the loss of
physical power. It will always remain unknown how this power works in conjunction with the
homśopathic remedy, to assist in conquering the assaults of the vital force, but that it
does so and lowers very markedly the mortality rate in the acute diseases we know to be
true. In acute diseases only is it ever possible for the vital force to rectify the
conditions without assistance. In chronic conditions this can never be done. The
homśopathic remedy assists in the cure because it represents a superior force; no cure can
take place unless a superior force is exhibited. The most potent force in the world of
medicine is the potentized remedy, more potent by far than is the diseased condition.

     Under a cure, the symptoms of a deranged
vital function always disappear in the reverse order of their appearance. This is true in
acute as well as chronic disturbances. Because this order is always maintained it is a vital
point of observation in taking the case to note the sequence of symptoms in invasion, so
that the physician can know of the progress of the case under the selected remedy. In very
serious cases, when we are so anxious to know what improvement is taking place, we can be
assured by watching the order of the disappearance of the symptoms. In this way we can learn
the action of the remedy in its assistance to the vital force, and can give an accurate
prognosis. This is equally true in acute or chronic states.

     Too much stress cannot be laid upon the
importance of the law of direction of cure of diseased states. Every physician should have
this thoroughly ingrained into his consciousness. By cure we mean the complete eradication
of diseased states and consequently the complete eradication of the symptoms, and a return
to a condition of normal, vigorous health. The vital force must first be set in order by the
indicated remedy, and the understanding of this great law of cure has proven of inestimable
value in this process, in that we can know definitely whether we are proceeding in the
manner that will lead to ultimate cure of the patient, or whether we are merely palliating
or suppressing conditions.

     IMPROVEMENT AND CURE COME FROM WITHIN
OUTWARD. Just as no growth and development can take place from outside inward, so no hope of
cure can be held that moves in a contrary direction. Growth and development and cure are
centrifugal and never centripetal.

     SYMPTOMS DISAPPEAR FROM ABOVE DOWNWARD;
COMPLAINTS GO FROM AN IMPORTANT ORGAN TO A LESS IMPORTANT ORGAN; SYMPTOMS DISAPPEAR IN THE
REVERSE ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE.

     One of the best illustrations is the
rheumatic fever manifestation. This is a case where the joints of the extremities are first
attacked, next the joints nearer the body, and presently we find the heart involved. This is
the natural order of the onset of the symptoms. Now if we relieve the symptoms appearing in
the extremities, are we approaching a cure? Consider the vital organs that are in danger, if
they are not already attacked. But under the exhibition of the carefully selected homśopathic
remedy the more important organs are the first to be freed (being the last organs to be
attacked) and gradually the manifestations recede to the extremities, the first to be
attacked.

     It is absolutely necessary that these
axioms be thoroughly grounded in our minds; then it is a pleasure to feel the security that
develops from our sure knowledge in the progress of any given case.

     This pertains also to the artificial
disease condition that we get from the drug proving. The onslaught of these symptoms is the
same as in natural disease. They come on from below and move upward, or appear first in a
superficial organ and then later move to a deeper organ. When a proving is wearing off, the
symptoms recede in the reverse order, just as natural disease symptoms recede. This once
more shows the relationship between the natural disease symptoms arising from a disturbed
vital energy and the artificial disease symptoms as produced by a drug. This explains also
the reason why the potentized drug is so effective in disease conditions; the action of the
remedy must follow the same cycle of action, under the same laws, as the natural action of
the disturbed vital energy.

     In chronic conditions this law is just as
sure as in acute conditions, but in chronic conditions we are often faced with a seeming
confusion. We have carefully taken the symptoms as reported by the patient, and have made
our prescription. After a certain progress the patient comes to us with a new set of
symptoms. Careful reference to the symptomatology show no apparent relation to the present
symptom-picture. Are we progressing in the right direction? Is this a new condition that has
arisen? Let us proceed carefully. By cautious questioning we shall probably find that this
is a return of old symptoms in the reverse order of appearance, and that it has been long
covered up and forgotten because of the later unfolding of symptoms. Then as the later
symptoms have disappeared, this older group has again come to the surface. Now we may know
that we are proceeding in the proper direction. Right here great care must be taken not to
mix the case. If the remedy is doing this work, let it proceed without interference, and the
patient will lose these symptoms and a still order, more deeply buried group will presently
come to the surface.

     The necessity of constant study of the
philosophy that underlies homśopathy becomes more and more apparent if we would be masters
of our work; and not only study, but a certain degree of patience to wait the course of
events. However, if we can know that we are proceeding in the right direction, it gives us
the patience and the courage to wait events, knowing that the prognosis is favorable and our
work is effective.

     To what do we attribute the growth and
development of the individual?

     What is the direction of growth?

     What is health?

     What is disease?

     What do we mean by miasms or dyscrasias,
and what is their effect on the development of the individual?

     How do we regard acute diseases?

     What conditions do we speak of as
self-curative?

     How do we regard such conditions as
semi-chronic or chronic skin manifestations, discharges, etc.?

     What is the order of cure?

     In taking a case, why do we consider the
sequence of symptoms in their onset to be an important point?

>>>>>