Ограничения и возможности гомеопатии в биологии и психических заболеваниях

PREFACE

DR. FORTIER BERNOVILLE was the director of L'HOMOEOPATHIE MODERNE, a bi - monthly homoeopathic review, which was published so far as I know up to the year 1939. From the year 1932,1 regularly received this periodical and I have the translated many articles from this periodical and have published them in English, in Hahnemannian Gleanings and in bengali in "Hahnemann" and "Homoeopathic Chikitsa" Some of my article were also published in the

Hahnemannian" and in other periodicals of India

The first article of DR. FORTIER BERNOVILLE is a new translation which I have included in this book, with another article by the same author. The second article was published in "Hahnemannian Gleanings.

I hope that these two articles will be read by the homoeopathic professionals with interest.

Lastly, I must say that nothing as regards science and its application remains concealed. So medicine is also on the way of constant evolution. Hahnemann has given us the skeleton of his "similia similibus curentur" and "infinitesimal dose". It is our duty to develop them with flesh and blood.

Rajkumar Mukerji

Chandan Nagar,

March, 1983.

INTRODUCTION

Whatever we may say about the Hahnemannian method of treatment, we must admit that only by this method of treatment we cannot cover the whole field of morbid conditions. Dr. Bernoville has very clearly shown in these two articles, the limits and possibilities of homoeopathy or the law of similitude and its corollary, the use of micro - dose.

The fact remains true that since about sixty years, medicine has gone through a deep and important evolution. The Mechanical and materialistic view about therapeutics has now become bankrupt. It has not been able to reach its goal.

The theory of Pasteur has received a rude blow. The microbian specificity has exploded out of the field of individual therapeutics. The idea of immunity that this theory preached, has proved to be wrong in consideration of the variation of individual receptivity. The genesis and evolution of diseases have proved more important than the presence of microbes. The ground has become much more important. I has become necessary to rehabilitate the individuality of the organism and its dynamism with the many unknown factors. It has become necessary to fall back on the vital force and give it a place in the pathological phenomenon, relating to many organs, to every function, including the mind.

After the last great war, the life of an individual has become so complex that it has become almost out of gear. Ambulatory sedentarism, speed, paradox of pleasure, etc. have made the human organism pathological, as regards the body and the mind. In modern therapeutics the mind has become much more important in the pathological field of diseases. As a result, numerous cases of obvious diagnosis cannot be easily cured without the basis of mental pathology. Numerous diseases are now subconsciously created by the individual according to his own advantage on different parts of the organism and on different organs. As for an example, the right hand of an individual may become paralysed as a metastasis of his morbid mind; he may burn his right hand as a result of subconscious intention, though apparently is seems to be an accident. It is for this reason the psychosomatic medicine says that, "Accidents are not accidental", they are intentional. I have seen at least two cases of repeated abortions; in both the cases it was forced in consideration of the critical condition of the patient. When these two cases were analysed, it was revealed that at the basis of these abortions there were guilty feelings which resulted out of pregnancy before marriage. Such are not rare now. Such cases are but substitutions by the he of which the subconscious mind is relieved of its own morbidity. Regarding physical diseases, we homoeopaths are aware of such substitutions, in chronic and also sometimes in acute cases. Hahnemann has very clearly said that one disease is generally cured by another new disease, if it is more powerful. It has now been proved that such substation may happen between the mind and the body. You may call it "cure of an illness by another illness". This is also what we do in homoeopathy according to the law of similitude. The famous Belgian biologist Connan also says, "The cause that has created the disturbance is itself the cause to cure it."

Instinct in human being has so long been neglected. In this regard we are indebted to Pavlov, who has reintegrated psychism in the study of the phenomenon of life. Starting from the simple facts with evident results, he has proved the value of the psychic element and though his reflexology has not clarified anything of psychic nature, has at least proved the activity of the instinct and of the mind with a blinding clarity and has traced its frontiers. After him Metalnikov of Pasteur Institute has shown that the humoral reactions are governed by the psychic factor, while studying the immunity. It has also been proved after rigorous experiments that the psychic factor alone can produce on the body, modifications of the nature of phlyctens, paralysis, etc. Thus mind always steps in the organic sphere.

The conscious part of the mind is a minute part of the iceberg which can be seen on the ocean of unconsciousness. Thus, studying the world of instinct, psychoanalysis has shown the psycho - organic connection of the subconscious.

One of the instincts of any living being is the "sense of self - preservation". It is one of the most complex and most tenacious apparatus of psychological registration. It is supersensitive like a photograph film and marks all the deviations, which are not of normal nature as regards vitality, under the influence of destructive and creative forces which ceaselessly drags the mind to opposite directions.

In a normal individual the multiple influence collaborate with the sense of self - preservation and help to keep the balance of the nervous system, thus helping the individual to become what HE IS TO BECOME in the future. The experiences that the individual carries in its cells are kept veiled and the individual projects himself towards his proper becoming. SOCIALLY, a heredity, racial, familial, professional, healthy, and above all a conscientious education harmonise themselves with these past experiences and help the individual to proceed towards the future and towards his material realisation.

Individually the human being is always trying to adapt himself to the outward influences with the dynamism of his self - control. But he must have for that at least, the minimum of his inward well - being which is indispensable for realising his aims. The sense of minimum well - being makes a man in agreement with himself. When by the outward influences, are created different problems in the individual life and when the individual is at a loss to find the right solution out of his hereditary documents, received from his father and forefathers, he becomes unrestful i. e. he is no more in agreement with himself. The unrest leads to unreason. The individual loses his feeling of inward well - be - ing and self -reliance. He becomes physically and mentally ill, and is thrown out of his luminous party of self - realisation and healthy progress. In such cases, the instinct of self - preservation depends on its proper resources and becomes forcibly perturbed and mentally he suffers from anxiety which creates a tension in him physically and mentally. This tension is reflected on the different organic spheres and create tension or stress diseases such as arteriosclerosis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, colitis, duodenal ulcer, eczema, and several other organic diseases. As long as these diseases are functional, the individual has every chance of being cured by proper therapeutics. But when these diseases become lesional, the individual has very little chance of being cured, even with the help of surgery. And this is perhaps the limit where all the fundamentals of medical science fail. But, if such diseases are only physio - pathological, they may be cured by proper treatment. If they are psycho - pathological, the hope of cure becomes very remote. Psychotherapy aided by physiotherapy may, to a certain extent ameliorate them.

The anxiety for self - preservation leads to inexpressible illnesses up to atrocious apprehension of imminent death and to suicide. This state of apprehension may produce many physical symptoms, it may attack the visceras, the outlets, etc. as I have said before. But there may also not be any somatic expression of this imbalance. The imbalance will be diffused in the cerebral centres via the psyche, actively or passively.

In the neuro - motor system it will show itself as SPASMS, in the psycho - motor system as ANGER and this anger is nothing but the expression of defense by the help of which the mind tries to neutralise the anxiety of death or the failure to adapt.

The exactly opposite state is also true. The complete resignation, the recoiling of self within itself.

These two states may be called HYPERSTHENIA and HYPOSTHENIA. By the hyposthenic method, the disease becomes rooted in the psyche which creates some vicious circles or accelerates vicious evolution. However, hypersthenia exteriorises the mental imbalance.

These two states sometimes integrate themselves and one may be substituted by the other, thanks to the force of imaged exteriorization. Thus there results a symbolisation of which the strangeness, deformations, complications often defies the generalisation and analysis. BY the help of what we have said above we may classify the mental polychrests into two groups according to the hypersthenia and hyposthenia.

Predominantly hypersthenic are: Sulphur, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Natrium muriaticum, lodium, Calcarea phosphorica, Aurum metallicum, Platinum metallicum, Nux vomica. Cimicifuqa, Petroleum Predominantly hyposthenic are: Calcarea carbonica. Thuja Sepia. Natrium sulphuricum Mercurius, Calcarea fluorica. Argentum metallicum, Palladium, Iqnatia amara, Gelsemium, Graphites.

These remedies are to be studied relating the principal psychic character with their somatic expression, or physiopathological expression. This is not an unhomoeopathic method because according to Hahnemann such deviations are the substitutions of an organic deviation. Thus, we may say that homoeopathy is somato - psychic. I have already explained how this substitution takes place in the case of psycho - somatic diseases. For substitution or morbid states between body and mind, we can cure these psychic deviations by well manipulated use of our great polychrests. In cases of somato - psychic diseases we may easily discern the remedy by studying its pathogenesis if it is complete, while in this second case our criterion is less evident and should be abandoned to the field of psychiatry. In this connection I must refer to the works of Gallavardin translated by me and published by B. Jain publishers. But I must say that the method of psychoanalysis and that of homoeopathy are not really different. A simple eczema is sometimes very difficult to cure by some properly selected homoeopathic medicine until and unless we probe into the deep past of the patient and find out the root cause, the tubercular diathesis. In such a case, a single dose of the high dilution of Tuberculinum will cure the eczema within a short period. When the same eczema is a substitution of the morbid subconscious mind, the psychoanalyst like a homoeopathic, probes into the past of an individual and flats the root cause which is in the subconscious mind, up into the field of conscious and proves to the individual that his eczema is nothing but a substitution of a long, forgotten guilt. Thus, the individual is cured of his eczema.

Now let us see for example how we can study of the above remedies:

Calcarea carbonica: Calcium is one of the mineralisers of the living albumin of the protoplasm, indispensable for the fixation of water, the primary element and solvent inseparable from every vital exchange.

Under some pathological influence, the power of fixation of calcium and absorption by the colloidal micella of water is weakened. As a result, the cells become charged with water as reaction of defence. So we see that calcium carbonate or Calcarea Carbonica is a remedy with hydric retention. Such a constitution is called a hydrogenoid constitution.

We may call it a sycotic condition. The main characteristic of this condition is the sluggishness of the defence mechanism as a result of the torpidity of reticulo - endothelial system. Everything is sluggish in this constitution, physically as well as mentally. Consequently, we may find in this remedy a deep atony of the mental activity, which is expressed by the depressive reaction of fear in the field of the sense of self - preservation. As a consequence, Calcarea carbonica has the fear of becoming ill, fear of contagious diseases and fear of becoming mad.

Calcarea carbonica is therefore a deficient more than abnormal. His mind is sluggish but not perverted. Calcarea carbonica will therefore suit a deficient person and not to a schizoid or to a paranoid type or to a hypochondriac type.

In the group of remedies, classed under hyposthenia, we find that most of the remedies are of the hydrogenoid type. The characteristic of a hydrogenoid type is the sluggishness of the mind and body. Fear is the key in all these medicines.

If Calcarea is a remedy for mental atony, Sulphur being its complementary is hypersthenic and an extravert. The psychic condition of the fat Sulphur (false oxygenoid) is that of a personality of 'unfruitful exaltation¹, who lives on himself and for himself, and hides under his apparent overactivity which is incoherent, his real deficiency and his progressive failures.

So in the second group of medicine, incoherent exaltations is the key.

I think, that in this connection it is necessary to say a few lines regarding characterology. What is character ?Rene Le Sene defines the character as, "The whole of congenital dispositions which build up the mental skeleton of a man". From this definition it results that timidity, avarice, etc. are not always pathogenetic. Timidity may be normal in a man. But due to some pathological conditions this normal character may aggravate. In such a case, if we apply a medicine according to the physical and mental totality of symptoms, we can ameliorate the aggravated condition of his mind and bring it to normal, but we cannot cure it. As for example, timidity, avarice and pride are the characteristics of high value. They, when seen in a patient, may lead to Lycopodium, if the other symptoms are found. Lycopodium will cure the со-relating symptoms but it will only ameliorate the aggravated condition of the character, and will bring it to normal.

Rajkumar Mukerji.

THE VALUE AND LIMITS OF APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMILITUDE IN BIOLOGY AND IN THERAPEUTICS.

Here, it is the question to study the value of the principle of similitude in therapeutics and biology. It is necessary to study the theory and the technique of application in order to define:

• 1. ITS FIELD, i. e., to day its sphere of action in the human or animal organisms.
• 2. ITS POSSIBILITY, in extension, intensity and duration
• 3. ITS LIMITS, which is to be precise in each well defined case.

The therapeutics is not yet considered as a science. Pathology has the right to that title and even the clinic which is the science of individual pathology.

Therapeutics is not yet a science and it cannot become a complete science, only when it is built on some laws and general unquestionable principles will it become a science. At present it is only an art, which consists in the application of some systems or formulas, variable according to the diseases.

We propose to show that the principle of similitude should be one of the most important basis to edify the science of therapeutics.

Hippocrates has researched and defined the laws of healthy based on hygiene, diet and appropriate climates. In different times Paracelsus, then Van Helmont, Stahl and others rallied themselves to the law of similars, which was for a long time neglected, although very often applied by tradition, by sorcerers and the empirics of all times and of all countries. Samuel Hahnemann had the genius to make of the principle of similitude a universal law and some of his disciples proved themselves more intrasigeants than their master who made places for palliative medicine, to other methods. In practice, the use of dynamised micro doses (wrongly called infinitesimal) was a necessary corollary, though neither universal nor absolute, of the principle of similitude. But we must first of all give an exact definition of this principle and its is there where lies the essential of the problem. If we at first take into consideration the action of the material substances taken out of the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdom, used as remedies on the human organism, a definition of this kind is proposed to us:

EVERY SUBSTANCE WHICH, IN GROSS DOSES, TOXIC OR PHYSIOLOGIC, ARE CAPABLE TO PROVOKE IN A HEALTHY SUBJECT, A GIVEN SYMPTOMATIC PICTURE, MAY ALSO CAUSE THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SIMILAR SYMPTOMS, IF IT IS PRESCRIBED IN SMALL DOSES.

It seems essential to modify that definition in the following manner:

THE SUBSTANCES, WHICH IN GROSS DOSES, TOXIC OR PHYSIOLOGIC, ARE CAPABLE OF PROVOKING IN A SUBJECT, APPARENTLY HEALTHY, But Sensitive A GIVEN SYMPTOMATIC PICTURE MAY ALSO in numerous cases, and in other subjects who are ill and sensitive, CAUSE THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SOME SIMILAR SYMPTOMS IF THEY ARE PRESCRIBED IN SMALL DOSES, (it is Dr. Nebel of Lausanne who proposed to add the word 'sensitive').

Numerous facts show that the experiments give some different results according to the sensitiveness of the subjects who were even apparently healthy. There are all possible cases of anaphylaxis, idiosyncrasy and mithridatisation. An infinitesimal dose will be powerful in sensible subject whereas strong dose will be useless in a subject who is accustomed" (Prof. Loeper). Why these modifications ?

Because the patient should be in a state of receptivity i order to react to the remedy called similar, and that, state of receptivity depends on his SENSIBILITY DIRECTED IN A SENSE. This sensibility depends on the biological specificity which DOMINAES THE PARTICULAR RELATION OF AN ORGANISM WITH THE EXTERIOR MILIEU" and that may be defined according to Dr. Martiny "AS BEING THE POWER OF A LIVING MATER TO APPROPRIATE ITS REACTION TO THE EXCITING NATURE'.

There is no rule without an exception, there is no law without undefined sphere in biology as well as in physics.

But there are some facts to show that sensibility may vary. Thus the experiment of regretted Billard, who was the professor of physiology at Clermont Ferrand. Let us mention here the statement of the professor regarding PROPHYLAXY. Some neurotoxins, such as the serpent venoms, the tetanotoxin, the typhotoxin, the diptherotoxin may no more act even in mortal doses if the organism is already under the influence of another neurotoxin such as spartein. The impregnation of the nerve cells by that substance checks another impregnation, even in triple orquadruple doses will not be able to attack the organism which is already protected by a hypotoxic dose of a substance similarly neurotropic. From these facts we may compare the action of homoeopathic medicines such as, belladonna as a preventive of Scarlatina according to the founder of homoeopathy.

And the action of local tropism of certain substances for certain tissues and certain organs is itself a characteristic of that biological specificity which is the basis for the application of the law of similitude.

It is curious to observe that during the last fifty years, the paths followed by the official school and homoeopathy have been parallel, that is, to say they were nearer, without allowing to meet each other. Besides the directions were inverse for the two schools.

The convergence began to take place only a short time ago, thanks to the neo - Hippocratic movement.

Homoeopathy is based:

1. On the principle of similitude, of which,

2. The corollary is the use of microdose.

But it is the corollary, which is generally admitted by all the officials, the action of micro doses in the form of hormones, diastase, vitamins, amino bases, metal colloids, antigens, vaccines, toxins, catalytic substances, etc. As regards the principle of similitude it is well admitted by the officials that it may be used in many cases, but it is not even now accepted in order to give it a general sense. It is for us, homoeopaths, to show that the principle of similitude is one of the always of therapeutics.

Professor Loeper expressed himself in this way to the Society of Comparative Pathology in December, 1936.

"The utilisation of vaccines, the reactogens of all kinds, serve as examples and proofs. They have atleast established some striking analogies. The classical therapeutics do not hesitate now to use the infinitesimal doses of histamin in urticaria and asthma, that it does not hesitate to use the typhoid vaccine, it hopes even for the ground of injection and also some combinations which give birth to new products, more personal, more adapted and more specific.

"We are gland to see that we are no more on the antipodes, the one from the others and we can attribute to Galien and Hippocrates, the contraries and the similars."

We rejoice to catch a glimpse of the possibility of the use of a chemical body in minimum doses to fight the diseases, which will be produced in the organism by the higher doses of a similar substance.

Let us call it, if you like, the chemical vaccination and let us accept that it is similar to a microbe vaccine rather than to the biological vaccination, which proceeds from an analogous principle and which arrives at the same end.

Thus we help and we will help still the slow rediscovery of the principle of similitude to outrun the official therapeutists. Before defining the sphere, possibilities and limits for the application of the principle of similitude, we are going at first, through a new sphere of this principle, which is due to the latest discovery of biology.

THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMILITUDE: ITS NEW APPLICATIONS ACCORDING TO THE RICENT BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH.

Here are some examples on the application of the principle of similitude in biology.

Hormones

We will find them at first in the uses of small doses of hormones and of the products of endocrine secretion.

• 1. Adrenaline

Adrenaline is hypertensive in gross doses, which is know to all. But the minimum doses, studied by Danielopolu and Carniol then by Petzetakis, have been proved capable of causing arterial hypotension. "1/350, 000 milligram to 1/30, 000 milligram, the hypertension is preceded by a phase of hypotension as much important and as much durable as the dose injected is small" (Prof. Lemaire). Lian and his students have obtained a lowering down of the arterial pressure of persons suffering from hypertension with a dose of 1/700, 000 milligram, a dose to which a normal subject does not react. Thus the action of adrenaline is inversed according to the dose injected. But there are some variations to note according to the rapidity of the injection, dilution, solution and more or less, pathological state of the subject.

• 2. Acetylcholine

By intra - venous injections, some strong doses of acetylcholine cause the arterial tension to fall, vasodilation of the peripheries, bradycardia and some trouble in cardiac conductivity. On the contrary, Prof. Lemaire has observed amelioration in women suffering from chronic hypertensive nephritis, who had a brutal attack of angina with a brutal tensional downfall and agonising pains. The electrocardiogram showed the inversion of the p wave and the unwedging of the isoelectric line in the T - S interval. The intravenous injection of acetylcholine temporarily relieved the unwedging of the T - S interval and the P wave became positive.

• 3. Insulin

Insulin is used in gross doses for the cure of emaciation, Inversely, M. Martiny has observed some notable diminutions of weight in obese subjects by prescribing Insulinum in 30.

• 4. The Genital hormones - the folliculines, the luteine and the testosterone

The folliculine was isolated in the crystallised state by Doisy, Butenardt, Laqueur, Gerard. It may now be measured, no more in units but in ponderable units, each representing 1/10, 000 of a milligram. Chemically it belongs to the family of cholesterol, and is a derivate of Phenanthrene. It is known that in gross doses in female mammiferas it causes hypervascularisation of the uterus ending in hemorrhages; it arguments the contractility of the uterus, hypertophises the mammary glands, but it has no action on the ovaries. In males, it may atrophy the testicles. It also hypertrophies the breasts.

Dr. Pouliot has proposed to use the folliculine in homoeopathic doses in hemorrhages of uterine origin, and since then many homoeopaths have obtained some certain results. In gross doses, folliculine is used in amenorrhea and hypomenorrhea. Its indications are inversed according to the principle of similitude, in homoeopathic doses.

Similarly it is necessary to try, in homoeopathic doses the male hormone or testosterone (when its action is well known) for the treatment of hypergenitalism, priapism, or mental problems of sexual origin.

On the other hand the genital hormones, folliculine, luteine and testosterone are chemically related to carburates (cancerigenous). Lacassagne has been able to provoke the appearance of cancer mammae in rats by saturating some rats with it for some months. It would then be interesting to try the genitals hormones in homoeopathic doses for the treatment of cancer.

• 5. Thyroid, thyroxine and thyroid hormones

Let us recall, that the microdose of thyroid or of thyroxin are used not only by homoeopaths but also by the officials. Thus did Lepold Levy. The posology of thyroid homoeopathic doses in the treatment of Basedow's disease has been indicated by Drs. Martiny and Berishac.

THE VITAMINS.

The isolation of vitamins has definitively fixed the quantities of these products which are necessary, at least for the animal organism (rat, cobaye).

Vitamin A: Formula - C20 H30 (Karrer), may be had from carotene (yellow of eggs, carrots etc...) Euler).

Vitamin B1: C12 H18 ON4S (Windaus), C12 H18 02 N4S (Jansen), C12 H20 02 N4 S (Vanveen) compound of a derivate of pyridine and ofthiazol.

Vitamin B2: C17 H20 N3 06 (Kuhn) or lactoflavine.

Vitamin C: C6 H6 06 (Szent Gyorgy), acid hexuronic or scorbutic.

Vitamin D (calciferol): C28 H44 О (Windaus, Bourdillon), derivate of ergosterol.

Vitamin E: C20 H49 O, tocopherol, recently isolated by Evans, Emerson & Emerson.

Let us determine the order of importance of the activity of these substances.

The daily dose of vitamin A, sufficient to check or to cure avitaminosis in a rat of 50 - 60 grs is 4 to 6g.

The dose of vitamin B1, sufficient to check avitaminosis is about 10 g in a rate of 50 - 100 grs, the dose offalvine is 6g a day.

The dose of vitamin C sufficient for preventing the scorbutic diseases in a cobaye of 200 - 400 grs is 0. 5 to 2 g a day.

The daily dose of vitamin D sufficient for preventing or curing rachitis in a rat of 40 - 50 grs is 0. 1 g.

The daily dose of vitamin E sufficient for preventing or curing avitaminosis is of the order of 10th of a milligram in the rat of 100 grs.

Really speaking, inspite of their effects in very small doses and in a way which seems catalytic, the vitamins bring often a confirmation, not of the principle of similitude, but of the possibilities of action in microdoses.

Their absence causes some problems which disappear immediately when the wanting vitamins are supplied to the organisms in quantitatively small doses but in proportion to the mass of the individual.

On the contrary, there is enough ground to try some infinite doses of vitamins diluted in cases of hypervitaminosis, which is however very rare in pathology.

AMINO BASES

While the aminoacids are, like vitamins, some exogenous products, we are therefore, hardly interested i them as regards the principle of similitude, on the contrary, the amino bases like the hormones, are some endogenous products.

• 1. Histamine

It is the product of decarboxylation of histidine. In gross doses it acts on the soft fibres and on the digestive glands of the mammiferous tubules, dilatation of the capillaries and fine arterioles, constrictions of veins with exudation of blood plasma from the surface of dilated capillaries. In the carnivorous, there is, besides a sanguin stasis on the surface of the liver and of splanchnic vessels, a vaso constriction of the coronaries with a sudden fall in arterial pressure, as if from shock. The action on the soft fibres is manifested specially on the surface of the uterus as hypertonia and spasms; on the surface of bronchioles as spasms; on the surface of bronchioles as spasms. Similarly, sometimes for the gall bladder and constantly for the soft fibres of the stomach and intestine resulting in spasms, vomitings and diarrhoea.

There is, besides myosis, augmentation and then diminution of glycemia; hypersecretion of the glands of the stomach, salivary glands, pancreas, intestine, liver and bronchi.

Its formation in the organism is of multiple origin alimentary (smoked and conserved foods which contain some imidezols) but rather it is formed in all th tissues, on the liver and on the lungs. On the other hand, it may be formed in the intestines under the influence of numerous bacilli capable of decarboxylating the histidine.

Besides, it is a real hormone of the tissues which may be liberated after cutaneous excitation by physical agents, traumatisms and interiorly by the rictuses or even by simple excitations of peripheral nerves.

Intra - arterial injection of histamine may cause some hemorrhagic lesions of the gastric or intestinal mucosas. In many diseases, there is exaggeration in the formation or liberation of histamine; digestive infections (typhoid, enteritis, dysentery), diseases of the liver and kidneys (edema, ascites), some cardi - renal affections (asystole, nephritis), some headaches and glaucomas. Also, histamine is used in gross doses in that treatment of myalgias, neuralgias and arthralgias.

On the other hand "it is curious to note that histamine may, in minimum doses, serve in the treatment of pruritis, urticaria, migraine and asthma. In strong doses, histamine may provoke all these diseases" (prof. Rene Hazard).

It is generally used intra - dermally in varying doses of. 0005 grs. up to 1/100, 0000 mg.

In homoeopathy, I have tried some high dilutions of histamine orally, without any important result. On the contrary, by subcutaneous or intra - dermal injections, the results are more appreciable. It is necessary to continue the experiments, using highly diluted histamine in all the problems similar to that it can provoke.

• 2. Substance of Oriel

Same is the case with the substance of Oriel, which is perhaps a kind of histamine. It is interesting to use this in homoeopathic doses in the treatment of urticaria, pruritis and migrains (Clement Simon). But intra - dermic and sub -cutaneous injections are preferable than by mouth, even in micro doses.

• 3. Tyramine

Tyramine is obtained by decarboxylation of tyrosine in the course of hydrolysis or out of the putrefaction of albumin. It is also found in ergot, mistletoes and in the saliva of some cephalopods (R. Hazard). It is also formed in the intestines of man and animals under the influence of microbian fermentations (B. Coli, B. putrificus and some Pyocyanic. Tyramine is an excitant of the sympathetic system. Its physiological action is compared with those of adrenaline and is opposite of histamine, which is related in its action to acetylcholine. Tyramine causes hyperthermia and thus the waking up of hibernating animals. It accelerates the metamorphosis of a tadpole. Experimentally, it causes arterial hypertension and later on arteriosclerosis. Normally, it is the liver which should oxidise it and disseminate it. Also, in cases of liver problems, it may persist in excess in the organism. On the uterus, the action of tyramine may be annihilated by the presence of histamine. Tyramine and histamine are antagonistics; the first one augments the elimination of nitrogenous residues and causes the elevation of arterial tension; the second one does the opposite, diminishes the elimination and causes hypotension. It is, therefore, interesting to try homoeopathic doses of tyramine in the treatment of hypertension and arteriosclerosis, using in the research, all the possible ways of introduction.

Bodies with guanidic nucleus: creatine, creatinine and agmatine.

Creatine and creatinine enter into the metabolism of protides and glucides, as well as in the phenomena of muscular contractions. Creatine arguments the effect of hypocalcemia caused by insulin.

Arginine, guanidine argument the effects of adrenalin on the arterial pressure.

Tо the homoeopaths, it would be necessary to base themselves on the recent works observing the physiological effects of the excess of guanidic nucleus to use it afterwards in homoeopathic doses.

Similarly for choline and acetylcholine, which are also some amino bases.

MINERALS, METALS AND METALLOIDS

Examples are numerous. It is necessary to collect them together by and by and it is a necessary work for the edification of a medicine really scientific, based on the principle of similitude. Here are some short examples:

It is accepted that potassium is necessary in weak doses for the contraction of the myocardia, while in strong does it depresses it. This justifies the homoeopathic use of Kalium carbonicum. It is known that Hydrocyanicum acidum excites, in feeble doses the centre of bulbar respiration while it inhibits it in strong doses. This justifies the use of homoeopathic doses in case of goitre or in Basedow's disease.

It is accepted that the rarefied doses of lodium are necessary for the prophylaxis and treatment of goitre, whereas hyperthyroidism is related to the excess of iodine. This explains that lodium may be used in homoeopathic doses in cases of goitre or in Basedow's disease.

On the other hand, Fremont for the water of Vichy, Amblard for the water of Vittel have shown that the effects of the hydromineral cure are inverse according to the doses used. P. Ferreyrolles had already shown that this phenomenon may be considered a general for all mineral waters.

RADIO - ACTIVE SUBSTANCES

Recall for memory that the action of X - ray and radium is inhibiting and stimulating regarding cancer.

VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES

Alkaloids: It is admitted that Aconitine provokes formication, that is to say excitation of nerves, which it benumbs in strong dose. This is one of the application of the law of Arndt Schulz and is confirmed by the homoeopathic use of Aconitum napellus and Aconitine in microdoses.

Strychninum, in homoeopathic doses, is a remedy of great value of which the indications are limited than that of Ignatia and of Nux vomica. Similar is the case with Cocaine and Coca. Recently quinidine, obtained from quinine has been proved in homoeopathic doses to be an excellent remedy for cardiac troubles of tachyarrhythmia by auricular fibrillation or of tachycardia by hyperthyroidism, problems that may be caused by strong, gross doses of the same product.

PHYSICAL AGENTS

I will not speak anything on this chapter, but it has been proved by Dr. Mondain that the therapeutic use of electric currents may be used according to the law of similitude.

Even the massage, the reflexotherapy of all kinds may give us confirmation of the principle of similitude, if one takes into account at the same time the necessity to individualise and for each individual his velocity and his reactional capacity.

THE SPHERE, THE POSSIBILITIES AND THE ACTUAL LIMITS OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMILITUDE IN THERAPEUTICS.

Now we must show what is precisely the real value of the application of the great principle of similitude in therapeutics, defining its sphere, its possibility and its limits.

1. The sphere of the principle of similitude

In practice, very few patients do not react according to the principle of similitude, either because they are in a state of a very old disease or very advanced (some agonies), or for some personal reasons. Among the latter, which are sometimes very difficult to precise, there is one which is very well known; the alimentary intoxications, immoderate and prolonged use of coffee, chamomilla some medical substances as for example the menthol may hamper the patient to react according to the law of similar is. These facts are to be compared with that of prophylaxis as described by Billard.

Action in space: The field of action of substances prescribed according to the law of similitude is very wide. Let us consider it at first, regards space, then as regards time.

All the apparatuses, organs, tissues, etc. of man may be influenced in their functions, and even in their structure by substances called similar. In this case the local elective actions of these substances should be considered in relation to the effect on the tropism of tissues and of organs.

Some substances seem to have a specific action on a gland or on an organ. As for example, the remedy of vegetable origin, Ceanothus is for the spleen.

Other substances act electively on some tissues. Thus, Phosphorus acts on the nerve cells and parenchymas, Silicea on neuroglia, conjunctive tissue and on the web of the tissues or of an organ.

Finally, there are other substances that have a topographic action. Thus, Chelidonium acts on the posterior and inferior part of the thorax (that is to say the right lobe of the liver, the base of the right lung and the cul - de - sac below the pleura.

Hieratic action: But it is very important to define the hierarchy, intensity, of the substances called similar, on the different parts of the human organism.

We may admit that there exists in the organism the possibility to group the symptoms according to the seven successive planes, according to the most subtle up to the most material. These are the following:

• 1. The psychic plane.
• 2. The central nervous system.
• 3. Vegetative of sympathetic system.
• 4. The endocrines to which it is closely related.
• 5. Humoral plane, zone of phenomenon, physico - chemical of the blood and humors.
• 6. The viscera.
• 7. Finally the mechanical plane, which are the outlets of eliminations, in the form of secretions and excretions through natural outlets.

According to confirmed experiences, it is evident that the substances prescribed according to the principle of similitude act specially on the morbid problems of the superior planes and still more on the intermediate planes; sympathetic, endocrinal and humoral.

2. Action in time. Functional troubles and lesions.

It is for this reason, that the principle of similitude is more applicable IN THE STAGE OF FUNCTIONAL TROUBLES.

In this remarkable lectures (inaugural) in the course of medical pathology. Prof. Abrami has recently shown the importance of functional troubles, a problem of which "the solution is interesting not only for the conception of what we must do about the morbid troubles, but also our process of examining the patient and our methods of treatment.". He said that there are some cases of FUNCTIONAL DEATH, without lesion. One may die out of emotion. "And more than half the affections from which man suffers are purely functional". "Besides, in every affection with organic lesion, some functional problems are added, which create the symptomatology and commands the evolution." It is the problem of the functions that gives rise to the affections of the organs some different pictures. There are some permanent lesions with intermittent symptoms. There are even some cases in which the functional trouble is intricated with symptoms of organicity to such a point that in some cases it constitutes the essential of the disease. Well, these muscular contractions, arterial spasms, vaso - motor troubles, secretory or tensional troubles, etc., are essentially of the sphere of the principle of similitude. The reaction of the organism in a specific sense is the rule in these cases.

When there is no resorption of the toxins, one may even find that some lesions disappear.

Now arises a problem here, when and in what cases, an organic lesion should be considered as fixed and definitive ? Is there a ditch so deep as one believes between the lesions and the simple functional troubles ?One may think so, because some troublesome facts are there, personally we have seen several times the beginnings of dry gangrene disappear with Secale given in small homoeopathic doses. Similarly, some cheloids with the fluoro hydric acid; and also some onyxis, important deformations of nails are treated only by Anantherum.

THE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE IS TO GUARD ALL THE OUTLETS OF ELIMINATION AND TO USE THEM WELL BECAUSE IT IS NECESSARY NOT ONLY TO ELIMINATE THE TOXINS. IT IS AT FIRST NECESSARY TO DEGRADE AND DISCHARGE THE MATERIAL SUPPORTS OF THE MORBID ENERGY THAT THEY CONTAIN.

3. Action according to the age and space

If we compare the effects of medicinal substances called similar in animals, inspite of the few facts reported on this fact, we may find some differences in relation to the biological specificity. M. Dutems, the veterinary doctor at Montargis, has observed that dogs and bovides are very sensitive to the homoeopathic remedies and it is easy to treat them by this method. Thus, very often some cures are obtained in the infectious icterus of dogs with Phosphorus in small doses, whereas this disease is so often mortal if its is treated by th habitual methods. On the contrary, horses do not react well to the remedies prescribed according to the principle of similitude. In the horse the therapeutic by shock would be very often more useful.

In man the similar remedies act well in all ages, still more better in young ages. An old man or only a man in a ripe age want sometimes some reaction to these similar remedies. Or rather, they have a first negative phase of aggravation. But the case is not similar in cases of children for whom the microdoses may be used with much less precaution. There effects are more sure and rapid. However I must make a remark; in the babies, it is good to stick to the analogous remedies, and to abstain from giving some specific remedies such as nosodes, isopathics, serums, etc. Babies to dot produce antibodies and a very rigorously specific action may be dangerous. Same is the case with high dilutions of medicines for temperament.

THE POSSIBILITIES OF ACTION OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS PRESCRIBED ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMILITUDE.

They have three extensions. Let us fix them.

Effects of the intra - cellular space.

It is the same in biology as in physics. The phenomenon observable are the functions of the plane in which it is found. The laws of capillarity or of superficial tension are applicable only to a certain order of greatness. Similar is the case with colloids, same phenomena of osmosis. THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMILITUDE IMPLIES THE USE OF MICRODOSES OBLIGATORILY IN MOST OF THE CASES. We must act on the plane of intracellular phenomena. We must use the dose corresponding to the order of the importance of morbid phenomenon. We must insist now on a series of facts that seem very important to us:

• 1. THE INVERSE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCES CALLED SIMILAR, ACCORDING TO THE DOSES THEY ARE PRESCRIBED. It is not only the question of variations in individuals due to a variable sensitivity of a subject and another. It is not even the question of physiological effects, easy to measure and generally constant But when one has gone beyond while using microdoses, the minimum threshold of physiological doses, one arrives at a zone, rather at a series of zones, from the hypophysiological up to the infinitesimal doses, of the order of an astounding smallness. AND ONE FINDS FOR MANY SUBSTANCES SOME INVERSE EFFECTS ACCORDING TO THE DILUTIONS OF THE SAME REMEDY.

Thus, the hypophysiological doses of Ipecac are still expectorant, like that of the habitual physiological doses; while smaller doses are antispasmodic and stops expectoration. We will see further on that this fact has been proved by Arndt Schulz.

• 2. THE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCES CALLED SIMILAR ON THE SENSITIVE PATIENTS ARE OFTEN OF AN ASTOUNDING POWER AND OF A GREAT RAPIDITY. Thus it is observed that quinine in homoeopathic doses may stop some hemorrhages, continued and abundant within a few minutes; that in 24 to 48 hours the ingestion of Sulphur in homoeopathic doses may either aggravate or cure an acute eczema; that some minimum doses of Pareira brave are capable of checking the pains caused by an acute attack of renal lithiasis etc. But there is besides, another INDIVIDUAL FACTOR, which is that from one subject to another the rapidity, the intensity, the duration of effects vary; the disappearance of symptoms more or less complete and accelerated or retarded, according to the reaction of the organism.
• 3. THE DURATION OF ACTION OF SUBSTANCES CALLED SIMILAR IS VARIABLE, BUT IT IS RATHER PROPORTIONAL TO THE ELEVATION OF RATE OF DILUTIONS. Professor Loeper expressed thus, in his lecture on the therapeutic of the functions by small doses, in December 1936, for the society of comparative pathology. It has been spoken about the "notice" and in fact the organism has often the need of that notice in order to act. It is even said that the medicines taken in grams act within 12 hours, and the remedies that are taken in milligrams act in three days. What will become of the delay for certain infinitesimal doses."

And it is precisely there, where lies an important problem, THAT OF CONCENTRATION AND OF ITS RELATIONS NOT ONLY WITH THE FIRST MOMENT OF ACTION OF REMEDIES, BUT WITH THE DURATION OF THEIR THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS.

The homoeopaths have discovered the solution of this problem whereas except the homoeopaths, others are not preoccupied about the duration of the action of remedies, and they have very often the habit in medicine to repeat the dose before the first does has completed its action. It is for this reason they have sometimes some disastrous effects, intoxications and weakening of the resistance of the organism very frequently solicited.

In cases of substances called similar prescribed in infinitesimal doses, the law is following:

THE HIGH DILUTIONS ACT SLOWLY, DEEPLY FOR A LONG TIME, THE LOWER DILUTIONS ACT SOON, SUPERFICIALLY AND FOR A SHORT TIME.

The high dilutions excite the reaction of the Organism on the higher planes mental, nervous system, central and sympathetic. The lower dilutions act specially on the lower planes, the digestive system and the outlets. Their action may be compared with the action of the physiological doses.

IN OTHER WORDS THE REACTION OF THE ORGANISM INCREASES AND LASTS PROPORTIONALLY OF THE DECONCENTRATION OF MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES.

And the more there are physiological effects, less there are reactions of the organism, and inversely. It is thanks to the different effects of different minimum doses and researches on the optimal doses for reach remedy which we have been able to find out with Dr. Nebel, a scale and a gamut of these doses and of these remedies allow:

• (a) To treat the temperament with high dilutions.
• (b) To cause the disappearance of the functional troubles with the medium dilutions.
• (c) To obtain a proper drainage on the outlets with lower dilutions.

THE LIMITS OF THE SPHERE OF THE THERAPEUTIC AGENTS PRESCRIBED ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF SIMILARS.

There are some general and theoretical limits and some partial limits or some practical limits:

General and theoretical limits

They are excellently expressed by M. Martiny, who has studied the biological problem of homoeopathy (Le Monde Medical, December, 1935). The law of Arndt Schulz, gives a justification to the use of small doses and in the limit of that homoeopathic law and allopathically where small doses join together (Prof. Agr. De'lore, Review of compared pathology, January, 1937).

According to that law:

Small excitations provoke the vital activity;

The medium arguments the excitations;

The strong excitations depress it; The very strong excitations abolish it.

M. Martiny has shown that, "when a cell is submitted to an exterior chemical action, three modalities may be produced.

• 1. The cell is killed, the albumins are coagulated by the exterior substance, the colloidal chemistry of its compound is broken up. The brutal action without subtility, specificity, having the only interest relative to the homoeopathic pathogenesis. This destructive action may be local by a direct action on the tissue or on the contrary elective by attack in two times. There is between the organ attacked and the toxic product, a biochemical affinity a syntony, which is called sexy.

"Macroscopic or microscopic pathological anatomy, that important basis on which the medicine reposed fifty years ago, help to note in a rough manner but very apparently, the experimental pathogenesis.

• 2. The cell is affected by a toxic dose but not mortal; its sufferings are translated by a functional symptomatology. The physio - pathology shows essentially the quality of the first action and thus the pathogenetic picture of the toxicity.
• 3. WHILE THESE TWO AGGRESSIVE MODALITIES OF THE REMEDY BELONG TO THE SPHERE OF PHARMACODYNAMICS AND WILL ALWAYS GIVE SOME SUCCESS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF EXPERIMENT, ALLOWING TO CERTAIN ALLOPATHS TO SAY THAT IT IS TRUE IN THIS FIELD, there exists a third method by utilising only for experiment some hypophysiological doses or even infinitesimal. "Thus every brutal shock to the organism being avoided, the cellular reaction seems more pure and more complete."

"The physiological doses or lightly hyperphysiological or even infinitesimal help us to register the primary effect of the exterior agent followed by a delay more or less long, some secondary effects, very often inverse of the primary symptoms."

"The hypophysiological doses and infinitesimal doses help to register the primary effects in an absolutely clear way in patients, particularly sensitive or sensibilised. But the reaction is, on the contrary, terribly variable in its intensity, according to the balanced state more or less perfect of living cell at the moment of the medical shock."

"It is for this reason difficult to realise experimental homoeopathy. The latter is not alone the pharmadynamic test of a medicinal substance, toxic in infinitesimal dose. It is also a research of the specific reaction of a cell to the minimum action (toxic or not) of a substance foreign to the tissue or to the humors on an organism prepared by analogy or identity to be infinitely sensitive against the substance.

However, it is the experiment which, in future will set better the limits of the use of the substances in minimum doses, WHICH DOES NOT ACT CLEARLY BUT ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMILITUDE. There is therefore, a theoretical limit for the application of the law of similars, which resides in the doses used. The toxic doses which kill the cell is to be rejected. The physiological does are of the sphere of the classical medicine. There remains the minimum doses which are so often of the sphere of similitude.

"The action of these doses is of catalytic order, provoking such an excitement, a specific reaction" (M. Martiny).

AS REGARDS THE PRACTICAL OR PARTIAL LIMITS OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF SIMILARS, they are related to the perfection of the technique of homoeopathy.

Since a long period of time, some very enthusiastic minds, sometimes wanting in critical sense, limited themselves to apply in all cases the subjective rule of the principle of similitude, without being occupied themselves with the clinic. This method has pushed to the maximum, the study of pathogenesis. But we think that it has not helped the practitioners to discern exactly the cases in which the sideration of the organism or any other cause could hamper the reaction of the cells in relation to the substance applied according to the law of similars, in small doses. The study of the materia medica has been pushed very for but its therapeutic application does not suffice. ONE SHOULD NEVER DIG AN ABYSS BETWEEN THE CLINIC AND THE THERAPEUTIC. One may say that the diseases may be labelled and that one should treat only the patient. However it is very necessary, for doing the duty of a doctor, to base the therapeutics on the deep knowledge of the pathology and of the clinic.

It is for these reasons, in the last years, some modern homoeopaths, socially in our country, reacting against these ideas, are forced to fix the value and the limits of the application of the principle of similitude for each of the chapters of pathology. For each disease, for each patient that we wish to treat, out duty is to compare all the methods, all kind of medication in order to select the best one.

Each case is individual, to be sure, and contrarily what think the traditionalists, there exists some "case - type" to which is used the "treatment types". Thus we have been able in these last years, to propose a treatment - type for certain cases of cholecystitis, migrains, renal calculus and still others, by fixing the value and limits of the application of these methods and their counter - indications.

THE UTILISATION OF PRACTICAL LIMITS for the application of the principle of similitude are very far from being well known in their integrity, and THEY WILL STILL VERY IN THE FUTURE FOLLOWING, THE INCESSANT COMPARISON THAT WE WILL DO IN GOOD FAITH BETWEEN THE METHOD OF THE TREATMENT BY SIMILAR SUBSTANCES AND THE OTHER THERAPEUTICS. The field of action which, from now seem to be the appendage of the principle of similitude is very vast as that we do not search to aggrandize it at the expense of the other methods.

In the future one will surely find out some applications more and more sure of the therapeutics by the similars and will discover other laws.

From now, the principle of similitude should be considered as one of the most important basis of the scientific therapeutics and of biological phenomena.

THE LIMITS AND POSSIBILITIES OF HOMOEOPATHY AS THERAPEUTIC AID IN MENTAL DISORDERS.

1. For what reasons every homoeopath should know the limits and possibilities of homoeopathy in mental disorders ?

It is necessary and also easy to all homoeopaths than the adepts of any other therapeutics, to discuss this question because IN EVERY PRESCRIPTION, whatever may be the cause of the disease, functional troubles or lesions localised to whatever part of the body, we must take into account the mental symptoms. The POLYCHRESTS and all the ground remedies of temperaments and constitutions posses in their pathogenesis a very rich symptomatology in the chapter of MENTALITY. One rule is, therefore, certain; THE NECESSITY OF PRESCRIBING ON THE TOTALITY OF SYMPTOMS KEEPING OUR EYES SPECIALLY ON MENTAL SYMPTOMS. 2. The second fact is that THE MENTAL SYMPTOMS ARE OF THE GREATEST VALUE, and in the hierarchy of symptoms they often step into physical symptoms. Let us recall the principle of Kent, "Search out the strange or bizarre symptoms that individualise such a patient as X, and not his or her disease. These strange symptoms are almost always subjective; sensations, ideas impressions, etc. They are of psychic sphere.

3. It follows from these two rules universally accepted in the Hahnemannian method of treatment that in practice we must carefully interrogate every patient on his character, sentiments, humors and emotions, sensations and impressions, etc. without forgetting his sleep and, his dreams that give precious information. We may say that in all cases it is necessary to make two divisions in psychism; first, what is obtained from the mental constitution of the patient and which interests us but indirectly from the therapeutical point of view and the second, very important, that constitutes the psychic change of the patient under the influence of his morbid state, of whatever nature it may be. This last one constitutes a true association of metal syndrome of the disease or of the stated troubles. Thus we will take into account even the irritability from head to foot in order to discover the "simillimum" and the "similar" remedy. It will be still better, in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis if we try to discover the remedy of temperament according to the mental symptoms (the repugnance and the aggravations by consolation as for example in a subject of Nitricum muriaticum)

And since the homoeopathic treatment ought to take into account before anything, the mentality of the patient to which it is destined, LET US TRY TO BE PRECISE IN THE METHOD TO FOLLOW IN THE INTERROGATORY DESTINED TO PENETRATE INTO THE SUBJECTIVE OF THE PATIENT. This is how I proceed; at first the patient naturally declines to give his name, address, profession then he replied to the "synthetic and perambulatory" why have you come to consult ?Then the antecedents, habits, the mode of life and general modalities, habits, the mode of life and general modalities. And when it is the question of beginning the detailed interrogation on symptoms, organ by organ, the patient is questioned at first of his sleep and dreams. It is the first excursion on his mental process as do the psycho - analysts, and on the other hand as far as homoeopathic medicines are concerned it is found that the symptoms of sleep are specially "precise" and "fecund" to single out the treatment. It is not only the question of the object of dreams, their persistence, character, joyful or of stand mood of the subject while he sleeps and wakes up, but also of pains and symptoms that manifest at night, their time and their modalities. 1 Thus, making an indirect research at first of all the symptoms that depend, some on the troubled rhythm, and some on mental nervous system, we will proceed to analytical interrogatory, beginning from the affected organ (for example, the respiratory system if the patient complains of cough). At last, at the end of this interrogation or even after the complete examination of the patients, it is good to return to the nervous system and to the mental structure, guiding ourselves by the symptoms gathered. Thus the patient and even the practitioner will often be surprised to see the rapidity of precision with which we will guess the character of the patient, his mood and dominant traces of this mental personality more or less troubled by the concomitant morbid change.

1 Here are some examples:

- Dreams of winding sheet, of cemetery, of one's own death: Lachesis. - Dreams of fire, of murder: Hepar sulphuris.

- Dreams of hemorrhage: Phosphorus.

- Dreams of serpents: Argentum nitricum.

- Dreams of black animals, dogs, cats; Opium

- Dreams of rape and station: Sepia.

The explanation is simple, the trouble of respiratory rhythm in Lachesis in the state of hypoxia always aggravates the during the vagotonia of sleep, when the respiratory movement becomes more slow. He dreams that he is suffocated, he has the fear of death, believes that he is in a coffin box or under a winding cloth, specially if the cover is up to his neck.

The violent character of Hepar sulphuris causes the dreams of fire or of murder. The subconscious play in the subject of Phosphorus who dreams of hemorrhage and this remedy is one of the most important remedy of hemorrhage because of fragility of the vascular walls. It is difficult to explain the dreams of Opium and of Argentum nitricum but the passive congestion of Sepia and its tendency to prolapsus or its subjective sensation of prolapsus makes evident her dreams of cohabitation and rape. Hundreds of such examples may be found in the materia medicas and in the repertories.

In many other cases it is also necessary to find out the moral cause of the physical disease, because one never sufficiently think of it; emotions, multiple and repeated cares and above all sorrows or mourning. The psychology should then be developed in parallel with the medical art to understand the etiology of some organic disequilibrium of which one cannot see at a first glance but the psychical structure, but there also exists in these cases a psychical structure, more or less important to consider as do the Hippocratists and particularly our friend Dr. Cowdias of London.

The necessity of knowing well the metal structure has led us personally to apply since few years an excellent system, which was already used by the great Trousseau and which the doctors often neglect; WRITTEN INTERROGATION, that the patient fills up at first with that which they have come to consult, four pages of questions that they reply in different manners. It enables to obtain from each patient some previous information of psychological order (manner of reply, degree of elucidation, education and culture, intelligence and attention, care of precision and of details, etc.) 2

2. After deep research in the antecedents is found very often the key to the causes of the diseases. One should not only think to prescribe Syphilinum. Medorrhinum and Tuberculinum in cases of syphilitic, gonococcic, tuberculosis or

tuberculinics, neither Thuja occ. in case of repeated vaccinations or gonorrhea. How many times it becomes necessary to give Silicea in cases of old overwork with voluntary diminution of sleep; finally Iqnatia. Phosphoric acid, Lachesis

must, for the troubles resulting out of deep sorrow; Ignatia in cases of repeated cares and emotions, Coffea, troubles caused by an unforeseen joy etc.

4. Then we must note that IN MOST OF THE CHRONIC PATIENTS IT IS THE SUBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS THAT DIMINISH OR DISAPPEAR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT LONG BEFORE THE OBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS.

That explains to a certain extent the actions of the diluted and dynamised remedies that act at first on the finer and energetic sphere of the patient before spreading their effects on the semi - material sphere and on the visceras (microscopic sphere, mechanical effects, action on the outlets). Very often amongst these subjective symptoms the first touched upon are the mental symptoms and the sleep changes; the patient sleeps well, he is calm, he feels better, though he is ill; still his liver functions, the functions of his intestines and spleen, etc. are always troubled.

THE POSSIBILITY OF HOMOEOPATHY IN MENTAL DISEASES, SOME PERSONAL CASES.

The homoeopaths are not always interested in the diseases of mind, though they follow master Samuel Hahnemann who, we should not forget, largely and specially studies the cases of follies. His numerous disciples also, applied to maniacs, the principles of similitude and the law of infinitesimal doses. Particularly, in the United States of America, some health houses and some asylums have been reserved for the homoeopathic treatment of these states, some valuable books have been written at the end of the last century, particularly of Butler (Mental Diseases) and of Hart and Royal. In France, we are greatly indebted to an author, who specially studied the mental syndromes and their homoeopathic treatment. He is Father Gallavardin whose works are to be read with interest.

Unfortunately, in ever country the homoeopathic clinic is at variance with the therapeutics, excepting in France; past few years we are trying to untie in our instructions these two branches of medicine. In a general way, either the doctors are specialists and clinicians, in this case they neglect homoeopathy of which they have only a superficial knowledge or it is the therapeutists, faithful to Hahnemannians, who neglect the science of pathology and the diagnostic precision.

It is time to build a branch of medicine a durable homoeopathic work without sectarism. We will come to it when we will have among us sufficient elements of quality and specialists knowing the depth of their technique, who are capable enough to understand and to teach the materia medica. Fortunately the repertories and the pathogenesis contain sufficiently, symptoms of psychic order for which it is possible to apply homoeopathy in many cases; small mental syndromes associated or not to a vago - sympathetic disequilibrium, psycho - neurosis, and even psychopathies.

• A. AS FAR AS SMALL MENTAL SYNDROMES ASSOCIATED OR NOT TO A VAGO - SYMPATHETIC DISEQUILIBRIUM ARE CONCERNED, they are easily ameliorated by a well conducted homoeopathic treatment by a well conducted homoeopathic treatment, on such condition it is well individual from the clinical point of view. I will say nothing about the services that I owe to the excellent work of M. Laignel Lavestine, that has given me a very clear view of these states as well as on psychoneurosis. How sure and easy it is to treat well the patient, not only after having sought for the simillimum, but rather after having understood and classified his conditions in pathological order.

IN PRACTICE, THE REMEDY OF CONSTITUTION OR OF MORBID TREATMENT IS THAT WHICH HABITUALLY COVERS THE MENTAL SYMPTOMS, the satellite, the functional remedies or the remedies of drainage will have for their actions to fix by their local elective action of the effects of the constitutional medicines or better canalise these effects, according to the fortunate experience of Dr. A. Nebel or rather to DEGRADE THE INTERNAL MORBID ENERGY, to drain on the energetic as well as on the material sphere.

One can observe unceasingly these numerous patients in series, in or times of tormented and restless activity.

Anxious - The Aconitum type, which has an indescribable fear, fear of death during the least disease.

Agitated - Type of Argentum nitricum, who is in an unceasing hate, who is always afraid of being late, time passes very slowly for him.

Spasmodics - Type of Cimicifuqa, who has cramps of all sort, and spasms (specially of long muscles), who has a sensation of mist around his head that confuses his ideas, as if micelants or small animals were walking over his body, or the type of Moschus. whose spasms are extreme and violent.

Nervous - Gelsemium. Students in course of their examinations, singers, actors, lecturers, etc.

Irritable - Nux vomica. Iqnatia amara. Lycopodium, etc.

Choleric - This type is suitable to Colocynthis or Chamomilla or Stramonium

Capricious - Chamomilla.

Wicked and haranguous - Cina with worm symptoms, Stramonium a seeker of doing wrongs.

Sexual excess - Type of Lachesis and Hyoscyamus.

Sulky - Sepia I remember how Sepia has cured a husband, who periodically pouted at his wife and children remaining during three weeks in a scowling mood and mute. A dose of Sepia that the patient took without his knowledge in a pot of milk, stopped the access in two or three days.

For all these mental syndromes, the materia medica is rich with gems that have shown their utility. The difficulties lie in the doses to chose and their repetition (thus Aconitum napellus in low potencies does not act in chronic cases but 30th centesimal of Korsakov and higher are effective). In most of the chronic cases it is necessary to give high potencies. On the contrary, it is necessary to give lower potencies repeatedly in the acute cases.

Another difficulty to solve, on which we have never dawn attention, and that personally we have often REMARKED, IS THAT WE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SENSE OF ACTION OF THE REMEDY. There are some centrifugal remedies and other centripetal, and most of them act in these two senses according to the selected potencies. Thus in an anxious patient Iqnatia amara is centrifugal and ameliorates the psychical condition but aggravates sometimes the mental conditions in high dilutions, while Aconitum napellus and Causticum are centripetal and calm the mind. Cimicifuqa is the most important of the remedies in spasms. It diminishes in all dilutions, which Iqnatia amara of Lachesis often aggravate.

Another rule that I have formulated in my practice is this: FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE MIND AND IN THE ORDER OF NERVOUS AND SYMPATHETIC TROUBLES IT IS GOOD TO PRESCRIBE AT FIRST one or more "simili", before the "simillimum" that may aggravate greatly and with out durable benefit. This is one of the corollaries of the laws of drainage as formulated by A. Nebel.

• B. PSYCHONEUROSIS: The homoeopathic treatment is easy to fix and seems to give very god results. I will repeat once more that on this ground one will find easily the relations between the materia medica and the clinic using the excellent book of M. Laignel Lavestine and his schema of method. It is derived out of this schema what I apply on different spheres for the classifications of symptoms into seven divisions; mental, nervous, sympathetic, humoral, endocrinal, visceral spheres and in the last, the sphere of outlets and of microscopic mechanical effects.
• 1. Hysteria: A good psychotherapy, the PERSUATION is the best treatment of hysteria or of pithiatism, for which one does no more apply the dangerous hypnotic method. One will take into account the habitual factor of MYTHOMANIA brought into light by Dr. Dupre' But the homoeopathic remedies are capable of acting i association with psychotherapy in order to modify the ground and calm down the exacerbation of the vago - sympathetic system.

Iqnatia amara. Moschus Platinum metallicum and Asafoetida are classics. One should add to them Cimicifuqa. Aconitum napellus. Hyoscyamus niqer., according to the case, and for sexual excitement. Murex purpurea. Origanum, Staphysaqria. One should not forget the medicines that act on the ovaries Palladium: Apis (Right), Platinum metallicum., Ovi qallinae pellicula. Vespa crabo.

• 2. Neurasthenia: It requires a treatment of psychic and physical order habitually mixed together. It is much more than we think physically; it seems to us that the "tubercular" and neurotropic toxins or colibacilli are frequently the basis of these neurasthenic conditions. In these cases the constant digestive troubles will be ameliorated by Thuja and Nux vomica.

On the other hand, psychotherapy, climatology and mental hygiene are necessary, but by the help of homoeopathy we may get ameliorations or cures more rapid with some remedies such as Natrium muriaticum, Gelsemium. Sepia. Aurum metallicum, and above all Calcarea carbonica which possesses in its pathogenesis some symptoms such as indecision, indolence, symptoms that one may find in acute neurasthenia.

• 3. Psychasthenia: The cases of "psychasthenia" are the most deceiving and the most obstinate of all psychoneurosis. It is the question of a person apparently healthy and well doing who pretends that he can do no work. He thinks and is in fact, incapable of all occupations. His entourage is divided into two opinions; the one which is the greatest in number, makes him believe that he is idle, and advises him not to hear and not to move, others who have for him a tender affection, the mother and the wife, pity him, and persuade him to lead an idle life, of parasital order compatible with some sure material resources. It should be admitted on seeing a case of psychasthenia that a whole career - the whole life depends on the cure or on the failure of the treatment. But the classical treatment is almost futile and it is the most simple mental hygiene, or all sorts of psychotherapy that can cure him.

Personally, I have had the good luck to obtain some ameliorations and even cures with Serum Anticolibacillary of Vincent in homoeopathic doses, in the 30th to 1000th dilutions of Korsakov. The ground remedies are Thuja. Natrium muriaticum and Silicea: very often Silicea has seemed to me the remedy of a patient whose psychasthenic stage begins after a long and profound overwork at the end of secondary and in the beginning of the higher studies, as it is very often seen. I am convinced that in these cases, after overwork and bad physical and mental hygiene, the tubercular miasma exists making room for the colibacillosis, of which the evolution is torpid. It is, therefore, necessary to act deeply to desensitise the patient to tuberculine and collibacilline with serum of Marmoreck, Spengler, T. K. Denys, Vaudremere and anticolibacillary serum. It is again necessary to remineralise the patient with the three Calcareas. Silicea and some extracts diluted or in gross form.

• 4. Emotional psychoneurosis: It is related to these cases by vago - sympathetic disequilibrium that it accompanies and provokes or proceeds. The cases of this type appear very frequently during actually troublesome times. They are often complex. One may find in them excitement as in psychasthenia and rather a vago - sympathetic unstability with emotion, hypersensibility to all impressions, exaggeration of senses and of impressions. There problems may be provoked by physical and moral pain, anger, joy and above all by fear. A very frequent case is this is the question of a woman, who after a violent emotion or a series of emotions, is attacked by a stage of unceasing fear. She cannot remain alone she cannot go but, either alone or even accompanied, without being attacked by an invincible agony, or she cannot go into a cave, or pas into a lobby without a window in it. One treats these patients by steps. These are anxious neurotics such as were found during or even after the war or during revolution. The homoeopathic remedies of this stage are: Lachesis. Iqnatia (with prudence), Moschus. Aconitum napellus Cimicifuqa. Gelsemium. Ambra qrisea (aggravation by music). These conditions of emotional psychoneurosis are more rapidly and easily cured than psychasthenia or true neurasthenia.

C. It remains now to speak of true and confirmed psychopathies for which the precision of homoeopathic treatment is not yet thoroughly studied. Our personal experience is very candid and as for the different authors who speak of cases of this type treated by them with success, we are not bound to accept their sayings but with prudence, because of the want of clinical experiences for which the old fashioned homoeopaths are to be reproached.

We will therefore be satisfied in stating briefly some cases:

A CASE OF MELANCHOLY: It is the case of a worker in bank, married, father of two children, depressed by worldly cares, who seemed to be incapable of doing his work, lived unceasingly with his wife in the house. When going for a walk, he felt an indescribable fear, always hesitating, greatly depressed and wished to end his life. He required immediate action, because the danger of suicide was imminent, the patient ought to have been constantly watched. Amelioration began after a close of Calcarea carbonica 200 and Tuberculinum 200. he cured the patient with Kalium carbonicum 30, Pulsatilla nigricans 30 Avena sativa 3x.

ON THE BORDERLAND OF INSANITY: A young woman, blonde and thin of dry muscular fibres, intelligent and sensitive, suffered from not having any children, because her husband did not have a desire for them. After a depression caused by overwork and repeated cares began the mania. Complete insomnia, exaltation, leucorrhea, continuous taking, access of jealousy, etc. Dr. Morlass advised to put the patient in health home. The family preferred to keep her in the family. Cure began three weeks after a course of Cannabis indica 6 and Hyoscyamus niqer 6 alternated every two hours. Afterwards, the patient has given birth to a girl and is doing as good as possible.

In this maniacal state we should give Lachesis mutus. in high potency.

I have seen several aggravations with this medicine; patient becomes more agitated and still more sensitive.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IN THESE CASES THERE EXISTS AT THE BASIS A TUBERCULAR MIASM ASSOCIATED WITH A MENTAL DISORDER. Prof. Pages insists on the equilibrium of physical and mental states. One may have been seen for example some tuberculous persons becoming psychasthenic when their pulmonary lesions are cured.

Morlaas and Allendy also insist on these metastasis. By a therapeutic of drainage and derivation brining back the menstrual flow obtains some unexpected cures of some mental states wrongly declared incurable.

A CASE OF DELIRIUM TREMENS: A French subject, partly of English origin of Anglo - Saxon type, had an invincible inclination to alcoholic drinks (a Nebel has shown that alcoholism is due to a tubercular miasm and is responsible for a desire for meat in an alcoholic person). This patient had an extreme and violent attack of delirium tremens which I, with my friend Leon Renard have treated. Cure began rapidly with Gelsemium (tremblings), Cimicifuqa (spasms) and Stramonium (violent delirium).

(Here the readers should note the peculiar method of prescribing medicines by the French homoeopaths. At a time they prescribe a series of medicines and administer a number of medicines during twenty - four hours. I do not yet understand why they do this. I have tried this method and to my wonder I have got unquestionably go results. This is perhaps the method of prescribing the "simile" before the "simillimum" - Tr.).

Drainage with spiritus quercus qlandium 1x and Nux vomica 30. For preventive treatment Apocynum cannabinum Q 10 drops every morning to remove the liking for alcohol.

MANY CASES OF DELIRIUM: Acute cases of delirium may often be cured with well conducted homoeopathic treatment.

Stramonium: In furious delirium, of persecutors and persecuted.

Belladonna: In delirium of diseases caused by fever, intention to tear clothes, bite, run out of the bed.

Hyoscyamus: In delirium of sexual order, jealously.

Baptisia: Typhoid state. Thinks to have been cut into pieces.

The materia medica is rich with practical information on this subject. We have just give some examples.

LIMITS OF HOMOEOPATHY AS A THERAPEUTIC AID IN MENTAL DISEASES.

I am not satisfied only in showing the wide field of action reserved for our therapeutics; I will also show its limits. The strength of the Hahnemannian method is not infinite as believed by some homoeopaths, who cry out saying that it is a crime of high treason against Hahnemann every time when we try to judge impartially the success and failure of our doctrine in comparison to other methods. These limits are due to some other causes.

1. Our incompetency, our ignorance debars us from knowing with exactness, what we may expect from homoeopathy in each morbid mental state. As the classical treatments are generally inactive, we have almost always the right to try a treatment with attenuated medicines. We do it but by groin, without any good luck.

2. Medicine must not exclude, hygiene, but must supplement it. As the physical condition in psychotherapy, it is necessary to apply appropriate hygiene and psychotherapic means, acting on the sphere of morbid troubles, so it is necessary to associate the psychotherapy with homoeopathy. But what sort of psychotherapy has to be selected ?

Psychoanalysis ? Method of Vittoz ? System X or Z ? It depends on cases and on our experiences. The most qualified doctors, such as Dr. Allendy with psychoanalysis, Dr. d'Espinay, disciple of Vittoz know how to separate in practice the doctrine of Hahnemann with psychotherapy.

In some cases, homoeopathy will be but an adjuvant and in some other cases it will take the first place according to well precised indications. Incontestably, homoeopathy should cede to other methods, if these prove more efficacious. Limits are variable here. The law of similars is the only law of therapeutics as is believed by the traditional homoeopaths. We do not think so. The most general law, that of equilibrium dominates over it. Equilibrium of all forces include in life biological forces, yet imperfectly enumerated, yet unknown the general effect of which constitutes the VITAL FORCE, of the doctrine of the school of Montpellier. Hahnemann himself has said THAT WHICH PRODUCES MALADIES IS THE DISCORDED VITAL FORCE, Law of similars, law of contraries, law of compensation, law of the least effort, principle of inertia, principle of action and reaction, all these laws may be invoked turn by turn according to the circumstances. There may even be cases in which a toxin plays a beneficial role, by the reactions that it may cause or by all other actions. The "morbid oscillations", the transferences, the morbid metastasis, on which M. R. Allendy, first drew the attention in France after a century of oblivion should be invoked ceaselessly when it is the question of mental diseases. It is for this reason one cannot deny in certain cases the good action of derivation caused by all sorts of system, even the uses of toxins in gross doses.

Finally there is a grave disease in which homoeopathy should absolutely yield place to a new method, inspired to be sure out of the law of similitude, it IS THE GENERAL PROGRESSIVE PARALYSIS which is sometimes completely cured by malaria therapy. Nothing can replace it and in many other cases of cerebral syphilis, at least at present, it is necessary to use the official medicine concurrently with homoeopathy, if one wishes to give to the patient all the chances possible in order to check the lesions of neurological and mental troubles.

Among the other methods, we should not forget the mineral waters, irreplaceable complementaries of a well conducted homoeopathic treatment.

At last to fix the last limit of homoeopathy, applied to mental diseases, we must say still something about constitutions.

It is certain that an important part of the mind cannot be altered, it is a fixed region. It is because homoeopathy cannot modify the characters, but to some extent, sadness, irritability, loss of memory, etc. that are temporary and recent may be cured by homoeopathic remedies. But one cannot modify a constitutional mental state.

Conclusion

Thousands of well equipped and well organised researchers exist in the official school, in every country. There are dozens of diggers of the homoeopathic ground, even in the country where the doctrine of homoeopathy is the most flourishing and widely accepted. Should it be added that the researchers, disciples of Hahnemann, often badly equipped, having no laboratories and hospitals, experience their efforts excessively disparaged by some traditionalist homoeopaths, who believe in the necessity of crystallising once for all the complete work of the master.

However, according to some fruitful attempts of some colleagues though not specialists in psychotherapy we hope for the application of homoeopathy in the mental diseases.

The possibilities are very great. The limits exist, it is true. It is our duty to improve them. But the field hardly explored, is open before the practitioners and researchers, who should known to st up a connecting link between the Hahnemannian therapeutics on the one hand and the knowledge of pathology and clinic on the other.

THE PATH IS NOW DISCOVERED BUT IT REMAINS TO BE EXPLORED.