A PROTEST


Hospitals do not want them; but endeavor to relieve them temporarily, and them record them as “cured.” “It requires study to cure chronic patients,” and Dr. Underhill might have added, “And then you cannot always do it.” The old school are waking up; may be they will realize after a time, that the microscope has only revealed the results of a long pending disease.


Thoughtfully aroused by the appreciation of Dr. Eugene Underhill in his attitude toward the beginnings of chronic disease, or disturbances, as stated in the October number of THE HOMOEOPATHIC RECORDER, I wish particularly to emphasize the necessity, between homoeopathic physicians, of understanding the histories of cases for which they are called upon to prescribe which have been long under careful treatment by other homoeopaths who have been trying to guide to the best possible solution, conditions, perhaps not entirely curable, but which might be made reasonably comfortable for many years. If the consultant in the case knows the history, progress or lack of progress, the basic prescriptions and the results, why should there not be comfort and continued progress instead of interruption to the cure?.

This was one of the contentions of Dr. Kent, in cases which came under his care from other physicians-that we should know the previous history and prescriptions, so that we might work in harmony and to the advantage of the patient, and not interfere with or interrupt his progress.

How many physicians do I find, who makes these inquiries in chronic cases, or who reply to my questions when the patients come under my care?.

To illustrate: A patient of many years, with conditions both inherited and acquired, showed at one time a peculiar sensitiveness to potencies in an apparent poisoning by a high potency of a drug element. Sometimes later, she exhibited what proved to be a threat of a tuberculous joint. This was relieved by the indicated remedy; a few years later, a serious exposure resulted in a cancerous ulceration, both of the muscles and bone and was again promptly cured by the indicated remedy.

Later: A new development in the form of attacks of Grippe each winter appeared for two or three years, exhausting her and requiring a physician near at hand. Now if he knew the history of this case, would he not follow a prescription of the usual remedies such as Puls., Rhus., Nux., etc with that remedy which would help to eradicate or throw off this incubus, or unbalance, as noted by Dr. Underhill?.

When such a case is reported to the physician in charge, does he give attention to the peculiar history, sensitiveness, etc., or does he proceed upon his own meager history and thus lose the keynote?.

Can such a case ever be cured, i.e., without further manifestations of such a serious nature? Possibly not, but the patient can be kept in a comfortable state where she may enjoy the life which is left to her.

Why dont we get together and watch out? Our present position of advantage will be taken from us, if we do not. The State Medical Society, which met in S. …. during the past week was quoted as saying, in session, “It is a direct reproach to the medical profession that there are so many chronic cases of disease.” To me, the study of chronic diseases, is the most interesting thing I have to do.

Hospitals do not want them; but endeavor to relieve them temporarily, and them record them as “cured.” “It requires study to cure chronic patients,” and Dr. Underhill might have added, “And then you cannot always do it.” The old school are waking up; may be they will realize after a time, that the microscope has only revealed the results of a long pending disease.

S. L. Guild-Leggett