THE ACID TEST


How many of us today dare heed Hahnemanns injunction to put homoeopathy to the test and publish the failures to the world? Is not our greatest reason for not heeding that injunction: We are afraid because it would either show up our ignorance of homoeopathy or our deceit toward it? In order to hide this ignorance we find it easier to take the course of least resistance and condemn that which we do not have the ability to disprove.


On September 13 there marched in the largest, most magnificent and most impressive Knights Templar parade Toledoans have ever seen a Sir Knight who had what O. S. men diagnosed as “incurable hip disease,” cured by Silicea. Did that prove the failure of the indicated remedy?. Warts.

These three cases had no particular group of symptoms; they had been treated by all kinds of applications, hoodoos and incantations, but without results. Case I. Girl, dark complexioned, well in every respect, except that she did not feel as full of life when the weather was cold and damp; her palms were covered with flat warts. Dulc. 30x. three times daily for one week, cleared up the whole case in four weeks. Case 2. Young lady 22 years, a typical Calc. subject, covered with fine, almost transparent warts.

Only two symptoms elicited were too frequent, too profuse menses and cold, damp feet. Calc. cc. once daily for one week, then once a week for seven weeks cleared the skin and relieved all other symptoms. Case 3. Boy, 14 years of age; backs of hands covered with large, ugly warts, looking like backs of horned toads. Could not keep hands clean. Natr. s. cc. sent the boy to school with hands smooth and clean. “Vociferous exponents” of homoeopathy laid failed in those cases. Constipation-Piles.

Mr. K, 45 years, contractor, sandy complexioned, medium build, once a hard drinker, developed piles. O. S. treatment of purgatives and strong drugs had so paralyzed the rectum that stool was only possible by manual aid. He said that had he had a revolver during his last stool, prior to consulting me, he would have shot himself, the operation was so painful and difficult. These manual stools put me vividly in mind of Sel. I studied it and, sure enough, it covered all his symptoms entirely. I gave it, 30x, one week, but without results. Being positive that it was indicated, I gave one dose 10m with placebo. Result: At end of week one unassisted movement.

Repeated. Result: At end of second week, three normal movements during week. Repeated. Result: Daily movements. This case came to me June 8, and September 30 he dropped in to tell me he “never felt better in his life, bowels moving daily”.

The Genus Epidemicus.

I enjoyed reading Dr. C. M. Bogers article under the above caption in the September issue of THE RECORDER. My experience has taught me that if we pin our faith not to the genus epidemicus, but to the indicated remedy, we will have no post-mortem regrets. In my early days I lost two cases of pneumonia, each over 75 years of age. Have been through numerous epidemics and up to date my slate in clear of deaths from small-pox, chicken-pox, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, pleurisy and the so-called “flu,” for which I treated over 400 cases during the last epidemic. I rely diphtheria during an epidemic by Ars., while at the time the genus epidemicus had been Ignatia.

Neuritis-Renal Colic.

On Labor Day I visited my son, who is interned at Pittsburgh. While there I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Calhoun, who dined us at The Schenley, took us to his beautiful home, showed us his wonderful library, then gave us the most wonderful ride of our lives around Pittsburgh and Allegheny. At lunch the talk naturally drifted into “Is homoeopathy equal to the present day demands?” “What could homoeopathy do in severe cases?” This brought to my mind two of the most severe cases I had ever seen. Case. 1. Retired farmer, 60 years of age, small stature, subject to Col. colics. Always treated by a self- confessed homoeopath.

Was taken suddenly with pain beginning at crest of right illium, extending in a fine line to navel, cutting in character, increasing in intensity as it approached the navel. This had been going on for two days and two nights without rest or sleep. He was taking seven different crude remedies in rotation, morphine to make him sleep and cathartics to keep his bowels open. Some homoeopathic prescriptions, dont you think? I was called at 4. A. M. The case was a new one on me.

I threw all his remedies away, left a placebo and said I would return later. Went to my office, locked the door, took down my Materia Medica and it was 10 A. M. before I emerged with Ox. ac. Put seven drops in one-third glass of water, gave two teaspoonfuls, waited twenty minutes, gave two more; ten minutes later he fell into a quiet, peaceful sleep. I left word to be called as soon as he awoke. I was not called. I was sure I had lost out. At 9 A. M., next day, just as I was about to make a call, who should walk in but my R.F. Said he never woke up till 6 A. M. Got up, dressed, ate his breakfast and had come over to pay his bill. Said he took another dose of the remedy just for luck. Saw him ten years later; told me there had been no return.

Case 2. Dentist, 75 years of age, light complexioned, rather stout, subject to gravel (renal), rather uncivil in disposition. Always had O. S. treatment, which meant morphine. On this occasion he had loaded to the limit, but it had no more effect than cold water. He was beside himself. His wife and myself to dinner. He went into a rage as soon as he saw me and asked what in hell was in that water you gave me? It did not stop the pain entirely, but it made it bearable. At 2 A. M. I felt the gravel drop into the bladder and I immediately fell into a peaceful sleep. When I awoke this morning I felt rested and refreshed, something I had never experienced before.” The remedy was Cham. Those two cases were severe and amply demonstrated that the properly chosen homoeopathic remedy is amply equal to the task imposed. The Potency Question.

Alexander Pope aptly said in his “Essay on Criticism” that “It is with our judgment as with our watches, none go just alike, yet each believe his own.” The potency question has perhaps created more bitter dissension than any other. For the good and maintainence of homoeopathy it matters little whether one gives the septillionth part of a drop or a wash boiler full of the tincture so long as he finds the remedy indicated by the totality of the symptoms. Each man must fight it out for himself, for none of us can use the other fellows brain.

It is far safer to trust to a high potency of the indicated remedy than to trust to a low potency and far less injurious. I have found that low potencies and crude drugs will often damp up a disease for a long time and bring about what seems to be an apparent cure, but they are only apparent. Yet if the prescriber is satisfied with apparent results we have no quarrel with him. All that can be asked of him is that he prescribe homoeopathically. Allopathic Cures.

Case 1. Mr. P., 40 years. Piles cured by operation costing Dollar 200. Result, haemorrhoidal sore-throat. Consulted various throat specialists without result. Dryness of throat, enlarged veins of throat, faintness at 11 A. M., burning soles, suppressed piles, etc., all pointed so strongly to Sulp. that it was given. Piles returned, throat cleared, finally piles disappeared. None of the symptoms had returned up to fifteen years later. Case 2. Mrs. B., brunette, rather fleshy. Had aphonia every winter. Throat specialists had all failed. The only thing revealed by a careful examination was a large scar at the cervix uteri.

On questioning found she had ulceration healed by applications of Arg. n. Her recounting of her symptoms prior to the cure (?) so strongly pointed to Arg. n. that it was given cc. with the result that the aphonia left, the ulcer returned, then finally disappeared. To date she talks all the year round. Case 3. Mrs. S., tall, slim, dark complexioned, age 60 years. Case diagnosed by O. S. men as cancer uteri. Severe burning pains and foul discharges from uterus surely looked like it.

Was to be operated on the day following her visit to my office but to date the operation has been indefinitely postponed. In brief, the lady had a typical Rhus rheumatism “cured” by liniments. Rhus cc. restored, then cured the rheumatism; the rest of the symptoms, including the cancer, evaporated. I heard eight years later she had not been so well for years. “Dare to be a Daniel”.

With apologies to that good old hymn as above-

“Dare to be a homoeopath, dare to stand alone;

Dare to have a purpose true, and dare to make it known”.

How many of us today dare heed Hahnemanns injunction to put homoeopathy to the test and publish the failures to the world? Is not our greatest reason for not heeding that injunction: We are afraid because it would either show up our ignorance of homoeopathy or our deceit toward it? In order to hide this ignorance we find it easier to take the course of least resistance and condemn that which we do not have the ability to disprove. I would consider it the disgrace of my life to lay down my homoeopathic rifle at the sight of a pair of allopathic fists.

Alfred Pulford
Alfred Pulford, M.D., M.H.S., F.A.C.T.S. 1863-1948 – American Homeopath and author who carried out provings of new remedies. Author of Key to the Homeopathic Materia Medica, Repertoroy of the Symptoms of Rheumatism, Sciatica etc., Homeopathic Materia Medica of Graphic Drug Pictures.