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Presidential address elementary work on some electro-physical phenomena
The British Homceopathic Journal A Quarterly Record of Scientific Therapeutics, General Medicine and Surgery
I f circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre.
VOL. X L I I I
J A N U A R Y 1953
No. 1
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ELEMENTARY
WORK By W.
ON
SOME
RITCmE
ELECTRO-PHYSICAL McC~E,
PHENOMENA
M.B., F.F.Hom.
BY the year 1939, a constant study of electro-physical phenomena had been in progress for fifteen years, here, in London. In that year, it was decided to see what possible developments could be made, if all sources of static charges could be eliminated within the screening cage. I t has always been necessary to make use of a normal healthy h u m a n subject, who stands inside the close mesh copper gauze cage. No degree of emphasis is too strong, to insist on the very essential precautions which must always be taken, to make sure t h a t this cage is quite intact, and t h a t all parts have metal to metal contact in order to ensure t h a t it is a complete cell. The copper cloth sleeves, which fit closely on to the arms of the operator when he thrusts his arms through the panel for percussion on the subject's abdomen, require to be inspected daily, because the friction and vibration of percussion is very apt to damage the fibres of the cloth. You will remember, also, t h a t in the lay-out of the Emanometer, there was a tuning unit inside t h e cage, which was controlled by the subject. I n this year of 1939, I considered t h a t static charges were interfering with the accuracy of m y drug selection. I thought t h a t the movements of the subject, when operating the tuning unit, were responsible for these interferences. This deduction was probably quite wrong at the time, but it was a fortunate deduction all the same, as it opened up a new and fascinating asl~ct in the most elementary manner. I removed the tuning unit altogether, and carried out a long series of experiments, to see if it was possible to arrive at an accurate choice of remedy b y any other means. You will remember t h a t there is a case, which is attached to the side of the gauze cage. The specimen of a n y uncontaminated fluid, which is taken from a patient on a sterilized slip of filter paper, is placed on a movable carrier inside this case. When the specimen was moved towards the end-plate of the tuning unit various reactions could be detected on the subject's abdomen b y observing the changes of note in different areas when the operator percussed the subject's abdomen. The measurement Of the air-gap over which a reaction could pass from the specimen to the end plate became recognized as the intensity of t h a t reaction,
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I n place of the tuning unit, and at that end of the intensity case where it joins the gauze cage, I placed a diaphragm of thin brass foil. This was punctured in its centre, and the puncture hole was gradually enlarged. When the size of the hole allowed me to obtain the same air-gap of several selected reactions as that obtained when using the tuning unit, I constructed a permanent diaphragm with this aperture as m y standard. I t has a measurement of approximately 5 mm. diameter. This arrangement allows one to work with absolutely no frictional movement of the subject. I t does not permit a detailed study of individual reactions, because it is no longer possible to pick out isolated reactions for selective examination, such as is possible through the use of Boyd's tuning unit. I t is possible to detect a general pattern on the subject's abdomen as distinct from a precise and selective analysis. In m y opinion, I believe that this arrangement reduces an electro-physical survey to its very simplest aspect. I t was, of course, fortunate that I had the accumulated experience and knowledge from the previous fifteen years' work, because I was familiar with the positions and shapes of m a n y of the commoner reactions encountered on the subject's abdomen. I n order to make sure that the set-up is free from any extraneous influence, and that the screening is intact, a cover slides across the aperture in the diaphragm. I f the percussion note is then constantly resonant over a prolonged period, say for one hundred beats of percussion, conditions inside the cage a r e good. I f the note remains the same when the slide is removed from the diaphragm, the conditions inside the intensity case are also good. A specimen is now placed on the movable carrier in the intensity case, and it is drawn in to 20 cm. from the diaphragm. The percussion note is still constant but it will be of a duller (flat) note. This dull note will be found all over the subject's abdomen, and it is due to the mass of energy which comes off the specimen to influence the subject's reactions. This mass of generalized dullness appears to have an interesting significance in the measurement of its intensity. When the specimen is withdrawn from the diaphragm this generalized dullness disappears suddenly at an air-gap of between 28 and 30 cm. I n patients with sub-acute conditions the air-gap intensity is often as great as 31 to 33 cm. I n serious illness it m a y be as great as 35 cm. or more. At the point where the generalized dullness disappears, it is now possible to pick out isolated patches of dullness in different areas of the abdomen. These correspond to the disease reactions described b y Boyd, to which he can tune for detailed study by means of his calibrated movable coil and variable condensers. The different intensities of these isolated patches vary greatly. They m a y extend to 45 cm. in intensity. We now turn to the study of the influence of potentized medicines on the patient's specimens. I had a series of cells attached to the outside of the intensity case. By operating a lever with the foot it is possible to move a valve so t h a t the drug placed in a cell m a y be exposed to influence the emanations from the specimen on the carrier. One series of cells contain representatives of different groups. Whilst percussing, a group drug is exposed. I f the note varies it will be found to have a regular variability. I t will give 8 beats of percussion which are resonant and 8 beats dull. This is a regular variability and will continue thus, all the time of percussion. It means that the drug and the specimen are out of tune, i.e. the drug is from a group which is different from the specimen. Whilst percussion continues, each grouping drug is exposed in turn, until it is found that one drug will influence the reactions, so that the note is constant and unchanging over a long period--for as much as 60 beats of percussion at least. This length of time is important because of a curious discovery. At one time I was getting disappointing results in treatment. Patients would respond in a manner which made it obvious that m y treatment was influencing them. The responses were often erratic and disturbing. Through the course of time I found that, in such cases, where I thought that I had selected t h e correct group, a
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critical e x a m i n a t i o n o f m y t e c h n i q u e showed t h a t drugs from t h a t g r o u p allowed m e t o o b t a i n a c o n s t a n t n o t e o f dullness for a b o u t 56 beats, a n d t h e n a series o f r e s o n a n t b e a t s for 20 beats. As t i m e w e n t on, i t was a p p a r e n t t h a t t h i s s t r a n g e p h e n o m e n o n could be recognized as being elicited from w h a t m a y be t e r m e d r e l a t e d g r o u p s . I t was noted, for e x a m p l e , t h a t i f t h e p a t i e n t ' s t r u e g r o u p was t h e 8th group, t h e n this p h e n o m e n o n m i g h t be p r o d u c e d f r o m d r u g s o f t h e 4 t h g r o u p (or p e r h a p s t h e 5 t h ) - - n e v e r from d r u g s of t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g 7th or 9 t h groups. Again, i f t h e p a t i e n t ' s t r u e g r o u p was t h e 6th, t h e n t h i s p h e n o m e n o n would be elicited from drugs of t h e 1st or 10th groups. T h e r e is a n a d d e d i n t e r e s t t o this discovery, because i t is a n a d d i t i o n t o our p r e v i o u s l y n o t e d observations, which led us to recognize t h e i n t i m a c y which doe's c e r t a i n l y e x i s t b e t w e e n t h e v a r i o u s group series. I f m y o b s e r v a t i o n s are a c c u r a t e , i t is n o w possible to s a y t h a t , where g r o u p r e l a t i o n s h i p s are concerned, t h e m o s t f r e q u e n t l y r e c u r r i n g are as follows : Patient's true group. Related group. Remarks. This 1, 6, 10 series o f g r o u p r e l a t i o n s h i p a. G r o u p 1. G r o u p s 6 or 10. b. ,, 6. ,, 1 or 10. is r e m a r k a b l y consistent. e. ,, 10. ,, 1 or 6. d. e. f.
,, ,, ,,
8. 8. 8.
G r o u p 4. ,, 5. ,, 11.
Most frequent. Less frequent. A r a r e relationship.
g. h. i.
,, ,, ,,
5. 5. 5.
,, 11. ,, 8. ,, 10.
Most frequent. Less frequent. A r a r e relationship.
k. 1. m.
,, ,, ,,
4. . . . 8. 4. ,, 11. 4. ,, 7.
Most frequent. Less frequent. A r a r e relationship.
Of t h e o t h e r groups, viz. 2, 3, 9 a n d 12, t h e i r i n f r e q u e n t a p p e a r a n c e leaves t h e m still in d o u b t r e g a r d i n g t h e i r relationships. This r e m a i n s especially t r u e o f g r o u p s 3, 9 a n d 12. I n t h e course o f a b u s y year, one m i g h t come across t h e 9th g r o u p p a t i e n t t w o or t h r e e times. I h a v e n o t ever been c e r t a i n of finding a 3rd g r o u p p a t i e n t , a n d c e r t a i n l y n e v e r a 12th g r o u p p a t i e n t . T h e 2 n d g r o u p p a t i e n t i s f o u n d w i t h some frequency. This is u s u a l l y a female. I a l w a y s m a k e a p o i n t of searching for h e r r e l a t e d group, to t r y to find some r e g u l a r i t y in t h e changes, b u t i t is o n l y possible to s a y t h a t , so far as m e n o p a u s a l p a t i e n t s are concerned, t h e r e is a b s o l u t e l y no r e g u l a r i t y . Occasionally one m a y find a p a t i e n t who a p p e a r s to belong to t h e 2nd group as a n o r m a l c o n s t i t u t i o n a l position. These p a t i e n t s are m o s t f r e q u e n t l y r e l a t e d to t h e 6 t h group. Less f r e q u e n t l y t h e y a r e r e l a t e d to t h e 4th. F r o m t h i s s u r v e y of g r o u p findings, it is possible to s a y t h a t t h e r e are t w o d i s t i n c t g r o u p series. One is t h e 1, 6, 10 g r o u p series a n d t h e o t h e r is t h e 5, 11, 8, 4 g r o u p series. I t will be n o t e d t h a t this second series is n u m b e r e d i r r e g u l a r l y . The reason for doing so, is to e m p h a s i z e t h e r e m a r k a b l e f a c t t h a t f r o m t h e e l e c t r o - p h y s i c a l - c h a n g e r e l a t i o n s h i p t h e r e is no connection b e t w e e n one g r o u p a n d its n e i g h b o u r i n g group. I n o t h e r words, a p a t i e n t n e v e r changes from one g r o u p d i r e c t l y into t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g group. This does n o t m e a n to s a y t h a t a 5th g r o u p p a t i e n t will n o t ever change to t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g 4 t h group. I n o r d e r to do so he will first m o v e to t h e 8th (less often t o t h e l l t h group) before changing to t h e 4th. This m e t h o d of changing is f o u n d quite often in p a t i e n t s suffering from t h e c o m m o n cold. W h e n a 5 t h group p a t i e n t c o n t r a c t s t h e infection, he will soon m o v e to t h e 8th group. I f he receives n o t r e a t m e n t , or i f t h e t r e a t m e n t has been unsuccessful, he will t h e n m o v e t o t h e 4th group.
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This is quite a peculiar thing--this antipathy which one group has tO its neighbour. We see its disturbing character when we study the cases of patients who have had a series of medicines. I f the medicine selected is from the patient's neighbouring group, the clinical condition of the patient will suffer; and if this practice is persisted in, there will be a very decided aggravation, which will continue so long as medicines from the neighbouring group are administered, We do not see this very often in patients of the 8th group simply because the 7th and 9th groups are so small and therefore so seldom used. We find it occasionally when Kali carb. is given to an 8th group patient, and this is probably the reason why Kent has uttered such a strong warning about administering that drug without care. We see the disturbance much more frequently in patients of the 5th group, simply because the neighbouring 6th group has such a wide choice of possible medicines, and the neighbour on the other side the 4th group--has also m a n y commonly indicated remedies. I n these cases where several disturbing medicines have been administered, we find quite a startling appearance in the electro-physical survey. At first sight we notice that the generalized dullness on the abdomen has an intensity o f alarming dimensions. I t m a y be as great as 50 cm. A careful examination of this shows that it is composed of two parts. There is a generalized dullness o f about 25 cm. Then we find that, for the space of about 1 cm., there is a generalized resonance, and beyond that resonance gap the generalized dulIness reappears and remains until the limit of its intensity. From this observation we m a y deduce that the extremely great intensity of generalized dullness is due to excess of stray potency energy presented in the patient's secretions. When this state of affairs is found the symptom picture presented by the patient is quite confused. I t is found invariably in patients who have recently had a series of potentized medicines. I t is always found in patients who have got into the habit of looking for their own symptoms, and treating them from their own private supply of potencies, I n these cases, the search for the appropriate antidote is very often a tiresome, long problem. I t would seem that such patients are highly sensitized, and have usually disturbed themselves with m a n y of the usual drugs, so that these are no longer applicable for any useful purpose. Once found, this antidote will sometimes allow the patient to improve well, and for a usefully long spell. More often, the response appears to be almost negative, but when a further test is done, in two or three weeks, the mass of excess potency energy has been neutralized, a less confused symptom picture i s found, and the true remedy elicits the desired result. A great help has been the addition of the battery of cells fixed to the surface of the intensity case. Levers are connected to the cells, so t h a t their valves can be opened by foot, in order to allow the potency energy from the medicines placed in the cells, to influence the subject inside the cage. This means that the subject can stand motionless, whilst the operator keeps up a constant percussion and, as he moves the cell levers b y foot, he can easily observe the effect of each drug as it becomes exposed. I t is so deplorably easy to alter the percussion note unconsciously, hence this method of being able to keep up a constant self-criticism by uninterrupted percussion as the drug is being exposed, has solved a great difficulty. A summary of the procedure is as follows. The patient is examined. The symptoms are taken. A test is collected most carefully. I now use a drop of lachrymal secretion, as this is found to be less liable to contamination than any other secretion. This is collected on a sterilized segment of filter paper held in sterilized forceps. I t is placed on the carrier inside the intensity case. Percussion is commenced on the subject's abdomen and the group is chosen by exposing one after the other of a series of cells, each with a representative potency of its own group. Care is taken to make sure it is not a related group. Then a series of drugs is selected from the correct group. These are chosen as far as possible with reference to the symptom picture of the patient, The bottles are handled with
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sterile forceps and placed in the different cells. Each cell is closed from the outside with its close fitting cap, and, when percussion is resumed, each medicine is exposed in turn, and examined for accuracy. The accurate remedy, when exposed, will give that desired generalized resonance on the abdominal wall about which I have already spoken. This resonance is demonstrable when the specimen is at the extreme limit of the intensity scale, i.e. when it is withdrawn to 67 cm. from the 5 mm. aperture on the diaphragm. The resonance is also demonstrable all the way from 67 cm. air-gap until the specimen is drawn in to about 1 cm. from the diaphragm. I arrived at a stage of criticism about the precise measurement of this very small air-gap, where the note changed from resonance to dullness, because I found it so very difficult m a n y times to be sure of whether it disappeared at 1, or slightly more than 1 cm., and I found that sometimes I could select several medicines, and could not be certain which was the ideal one. I therefore constructed a variable aperture on my diaphragm so as to be able to allow a much greater exposure of the changes taking place in the intensity case. This has solved the problem t o m y present satisfaction, because it is now possible to examine the effect of the accurate remedy from one extremity of the intensity scale to the other, and obtain generalized resonance all the way. I believe that it is only that one accurate remedy from the correct group which will allow such an ideal condition to show itself. I n the case of a patient who has had no previous treatment with potentized medicines, and who presents a clear drug picture, it is often easy to arrive at the accurate remedy quite soon. I t is a very different proposition when the patient has had much treatment, and, in addition, when he belongs to a large group. We begin by searching through the common remedies relating to his condition. Then we study the unusual symptoms and select drugs of the correct group from the rubrics. We may have to consider the old history of his complaint and look for drugs related to that, and eventually bring out the unproved drugs in our collection before our task is complete. This bears out the common experience in homceopathic therapeutics, that the first prescription gives a very useful response often, but that the longer treatment has to be given, the more difficult it becomes to succeed. This special problem, which leads us far and wide in our search, is one which shows what a great deal of knowledge still awaits our detailed study of more and more therapeutic agents. I t also brings to light many interesting details which have escaped being emphasized in many of the medicines we are well familiar with. As an instance of this last remark, a female patient aged 45 years, admitted last month with some unexplained malaise, and a daily rise of temperature to 101 ~ responded promptly to Eupatorium perfoliatum. There were none of the classical pains of this drug. She just felt thoroughly tired, and attributed it to being overworked. The point of correspondence between the patient and the remedy was the regular daily rise of temperature so similar to malaria. Another is a man, very old at 65 years, who was also admitted last month, with a steady rise of temperature to 100 ~ and complaining bitterly of general pains and 10st appetite. The last several years had been spent in and out of a neighbouring hospital. He had so m a n y symptoms about which he could speak that it was not surprising to receive a great dossier of notes from his previous hospital records. He received a dose of Ptelea because he was in the 1st group and that was the only accurate match for him. His temperature did not rise again after that. His appetite returned; the correspondence between him and his remedy became obvious because of the state of his liver, and its response to his long alcoholic indulgences in the catering trade. So m a n y surprising experiences come to us in this work, that the technique helps us to find a use for a drug in conditions which were not revealed in the provings. We know very well what a great width of action there is in m a n y of our well proved medicines. I t is only natural to expect that, in m a n y of our
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lesser known medicines, there is still much to be divulged. Of course we are always very conscious of the limits to which we can push a p r o v i n g - - o n ordinary humanitarian grounds. One of m y surprises was in an adult 4th group patient who suffered from insomnia. I t was accompanied by "extreme nervous tension" concentrated at the epigastrium, with a feeling of great irritability. At these times, he developed a curious coal-black coating to his tongue. Strophanthus hispidus was his effective remedy. In many ways this study shows us that our limited knowledge of the lesser known medicines calls on us, with great fascination in store, to extend our labours and to persevere with our provings. A good instance of this was shown with @uebracho (or Aspidospermin), of the 1 lth group. I t has a reputation in cardiac asthma, and has proved of great value in that condition, since discovering its group position during the past year. Because it belongs to this small but very important group, it is sure to have m a n y calls for its valued use. I found it was indicated in a postal test sent from a colleague in Wales. The patient was a schoolmaster with disseminated sclerosis, and it brought him good relief from a state of great depression, exhaustion, and loss of mental concentration. Another spectacular instance of the fascination which comes from this elementary study, was the case of a very fat charlady, admitted to hospital early this year. She was deeply unconscious with hemiplegia. From her congested appearance Belladonna was a simple selection and brought her out of immediate danger. Within a month her speech became intelligible, but the loss of power in the right side was complete, and showed no signs of improvement. This was a great sorrow to the hospital porters, as I was informed, because it was reported that one after the other had gone sick with sprained wrists through helping to move this flaccid mass of 20 stone for nursing purposes! Her symptom picture was quite negative, for she complained of nothing apart from the paralysis. When her response to Belladonna ended, she remained in the 4th group. After a long and critical search, we found that Ammi visnaga satisfied the conditions. This was a stroke of good fortune, as it was a very recent acquisition--potentized from the seeds of this Eastern Mediterranean plant. She was given this for a week in the 4th potency twice daily, and each day she showed remarkable speed of recovery to the grip of the right hand. I t was not m a n y days before she was able to assist the nurses to move her, for her leg followed with useful recovery too. She soon moved to the l l t h group, where she remained for m a n y weeks. Eventually she settled in the 1st group, and ~'ucus vesiculosus helped to complete her recovery. She went home last month, when she was able to go up and down the hospital stairs safely and confidently. There was great credit due to the physio-therapy department for her splendid recovery. When we make a study of the comparison of different medicines in different groups, we are sometimes struck with tones of symptoms in one, which resemble similar tones in the other. I f we take vertigo as an example, we will see that in each group certain selected medicines have similar types of vertigo. This is not a very good instance to use, as vertigo is so common to so m a n y medicines, but it is the type of vertigo, and its concomitants, which is interesting and arresting. We have the types of Aconite and Glonoin of the 1st group, and the similar ones of Conium and Belladonna of the 4th group and so on. The vertigo of Arnica o f the 10th group is well known, but that of Vinca minor, which is less well known, is worth studying. This spring an old man was admitted after collapsing in the street with what he described as "a whirling in the head". I t was at a time when many cases oflabyrinthitis were reported in the medical press. (It was a puzzling condition and usually took m a n y days to recover from.) He was in the 10th group and Vinca minor gave him immediate relief. He had his remedy in the 30th potency and, after a good night's sleep, there was no remnant of his trouble. As well as a similarity between medicines of different groups, there is also a very strong similarity between medicines within their own group, as is to be expected, especially in the larger groups. This is indicated quite definitely when
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we find several medicines competing for accuracy in our electro-physical search. A fortunate experience happened in early September to illustrate the poir~t. A very gentle old lady was admitted seriously fll with pneumonia. She did not want to be a nuisance to anyone and she would be quite all right if no one bothered themselves about her. She just felt a bit tired. When she was left alone she fell into a low delirium. She lifted one or other hand about the bed, using the opposite hand to do so, as though trying to arrange herself, in a restless manner and was altogether very confused. Her mouth was very dryl but when a glass of water was brought to her mouth her tongue would push it away as if she did not know what to do. My laboratory subject had been called to national service, and I knew there would be a day's delay in carrying out a test for her. The m a t t e r was urgent. We gave her a few doses of Baptisia. Next d a y she was rational, but her temperature remained high. She was obviously in a dangerous state. An electro-physical examination showed t h a t she was in the 6th group. Baptisia was a nearly accurate remedy but Aralia racemosa was the true remedy. Her temperature became normal over night, and did not rise again. She developed a few herpes labialis and continued her sweet way, full of charming gratitude, to rejoice the staff with a good recovery. This close resemblance between different medicines in the same group is something which has interested me for a long time. As I have already explained, when searching through a series of drugs to arrive at the accurate one, it is nearly always seen t h a t several drugs are close competitors for the patient. I t is v e r y certain that this indicates the possibility of being able to choose medicines which are not accurate in every possible degree. By choosing nearly accurate medicines one might readily modify a dangerous clinical condition. Once t h a t has been achieved, the improvement which results m a y be so good t h a t the natural recuperative forces will take the patient slowly forward to a good recovery. I n other cases such a preliminary h a p p y result can turn into something quite different. I t happens this way. A nearly accurate medicine is given to an acutely ill patient. The result appears to be satisfactory. The patient feels better because some of the alarming symptoms have disappeared. I f this same medicine is continued to be administered, or if the common homceopathic practice is a d o p t e d - - t o stop the medicine whilst improvement continues--some dangerous undercurrent becomes intensely active, and a new, and probably a more dangerous, condition supervenes. I t is a vivid demonstration of the t r u t h in the fundamental principles laid down b y Samuel Hahnemann, t h a t the only true remedy is t h a t one which has the complete totality of the patient's symptoms. The true and accurate remedy in potency will so alter the electro-physical state of the body t h a t it becomes adjusted to a state of ideal balance, i.e. all the elements known to be associated with disease are completely and uniformly neutralized. This balance is maintained for as long as the natural defences can cope with the invading disease forces. I n acute diseases it m a y be as long as days. I n sub-acute diseases it m a y be as long as weeks, and in ordinary minor disturbances this ideal balance is often maintained for more than two months. During this period of neutralization the patient is conscious of a sense of continuously increasing good health. To translate this statement into the elementary electro-physical phenomena: I will remind you of the generalized dullness of 28-30 cm. intensity which we detect from specimens of ordinary normal health. When responding to the accurate remedy this generalized dullness is reduced to neutrality and has an intensity of less than 2 cm., and it is this low intensity which is demonstrated for all the length of time during which the patient is improving in health. I consider this to be one of the most important findings from the homceopathic aspect which is revealed through the great researches initiated b y Boyd. No other method of therapeutics has been found which can bring about this ideal balance. I n this demonstration of the perfection of Homceopathy, we have a science of therapeutics which stands supreme.
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I n the type of work which we do now, and in the methods employed, we are ever aware of the tendency to make false interpretations. I t entails unremitting vigilance to be on guard against deception, which we can so easily create in our own work. Nevertheless, the astonishing voIume of this delicate power at our command never ceases to fascinate us. You have learned of the intensity case which is attached to the gauze cage. The capacity of this intensity case m a y be as great as 2,000 cubic inches. The capacity of the gauze cage m a y be as great as 80 cubic feet. The subject who stands as detector inside the gauze cage is influenced by the electro-physical properties, and these influences originate from that astonishing quality which comes from the potentized medicine. When we compare the origin of the influence in all its minute degree with the volume of space, we can only be filled with wonder. The fact that it is there and although our present methods of detection are so tantalizingly inept, this obvious truth must surely reach fruition for a wider application when the march of science advances far enough to relieve us of our present groping in the half light. I feel sure that, since we have been able to detect the ability of potentized medicines to bring about an electro-physical balance of such beneficial qualities, the advance of physical science will reveal other equally important methods of preserving good health. We know that all living matter, including the vegetable kingdom, possesses an electro-physical property which surely has its valued position in the universe. I believe that the present phase of experimentation in the realm of vitamins, is related to the problems associated with those natural vital balances in nature. Mankind has passed through very strange phases in his efforts to experiment with all kinds of herbs and chemicals. Until Hahnemann arrived to show that an attempt should be made to place all these elements in their true perspective, by means of scientific observation on their influence in health and disease, the field of therapeutics was quite chaotic. I n his original provings, and in m a n y other provings since then, it has been a significant fact that, at one time or other, the health of the provers was benefited to a pronounced degree by the agent being proved. Putting all our known facts together, then, is it not a logical conclusion to believe that by the selection of an accurate dietary regime or some selected food to suit the individual person, perhaps at intervals in the year, one could maintain a constant state of perfect health? I put forward this suggestion because I believe that we still have a great deal to learn. Our knowledge about that relation which must exist between the physical and the dynamic (or electro-physical) elements of life is very scanty. We have been given the privilege of understanding a little of this relationship by our responses to potentized medicines. Through their use, we see that daily infusion of renewed life where it was ebbing. All the same, that quality which is present in highly potentized medicines m a y not enter into any scheme of nature. We have to discover if it does or if it does not. I am inclined to think that it does not. I f it does not, then we may make greater and more accurate advances in our researches if we develop our science along lines which are more in keeping with the resources of nature at our easy command. These resources are there for our use. So far, we can do something which can often restore great good health. We have to learn how to maintain that wonderful state. We are still deplorably ignorant of all the benefits which await our earnest endeavours, but the gift which lies in our hands here and now is a priceless active treasure, which we can go on using for the great development of medicine. The following list of drugs is amended and presented for the use of the physicians who find them of value in their routine work. Acknowledgement is due to Dr. W. E. Boyd for his great labour in compiling these groups and for his patience in checking and cross checking all the drugs mentioned in the main list. The subsidiary list contains m a n y drugs which, because of the rarity of their application, no doubt require to have much more clinical proof of their accurate position before they graduate to the main list.
PRESIDENTIAL GRouP 1. heonitum napellus Bromine Ccdron Chlorine Cobalt Cyclamen Ferrum metallicum Glonoin Guaiacum Linum usitatissimum Mancinella Oleander Sepia Veratrum alb. Veratrum viride
GROUP 4---cont. Thyroid Viburnum opulus
ADDRESS
G~o'uP 6. Allium cepa Allexan Anacardium GRouP 5. Anthraeinum Aranea diadema Aloe Antimcnium Alumen arsenicosum Apis melUflca Antimonium crudum Argentum metallicum Antimonium Argentum nitricum tartaricum Arum triphyllum Arsenicum album Asafoetida Arsenicum metallicum Barium muriaticum Baptisia Benzoic acid Bismuth Bovista Cactus grandiflorus Cadmium phos. Cadmium arsenicosum GRouP 2. Cadmium silicate Cadmium metallicum Calcium phos. Cadmium sulph. Aurum brom. Cannabis indica Calcarea arsenica Aurum metallicum Cannabis sativa Capsicum Aurum muriaticum Carbolic acid Caustieum Aurum n a t r u m mur. Caulophyllum Cocculus Bothrops lanciolatus Ceanothus Corralum rubrum Cenchris contortrix Cimicifuga racemesa Crataegus oxyacantha Elaps corallinus Cina Crocus sativa Heloderma Cinchona oflicinalis Curare Hura brasUiensis Cinchona muriatlcum Echinacea Hyoscyamus Clematis erecta Euphrasia Lachesis Coccus cacti Ferrum arsenlcum Murcx Cuprum metaUicum Gelsemium Naja tripudians Elaterium Graphites Syzygium Ferrum phos. Hypericum Toxicophis Iris versicoler Kali muriaticum Trombidium Kalmia latifolia Kali nitricum Vipera torva Lapis albus Lithium carbonicum Lactic acid Malaria officinalis GROUP 3. Lac caninum Natrum arsenicum Allalfa Lcdum pailustris Sanguinaria Tri-nitro-toluine Lillium tigrinum Sambucus Lobelia inflata Spongia tosta GRovP 4. Leptandra Sticta pulmonalis Aesculus Lycopodium Tarentula cubensis hippocastanum Magnesium Tarentula hispanica Aethusa cynapium muriaticum Teucrium m a r u m Ammonium carb. Magnesium phos. Theridion Barium carb. Muriatic acid Viola odorata Belladonna Natrum carl). Viola tricolor Bryonia aiba Natrum muriaticum Calcium carb. Natrum salicyl. GRoUP 7. Calcium fluoricum Natrum silicate Calcium Nux moschata ChimaphUa hypophosphoricum Oxalic acid Kali arsenitum Calcium ovi testis Phosphorus Kali carb. Carduus marianus Phosphoric acid Syphilinum (old stock) Conium Phytclacca Digitalis Plumbum metallicum G~o~T 8. Dulcamara Ranunculus bulbosus Agaricus muscarius Equisetum Raphanus Ambra grisea Eupatorium Rubia tinctoria Arsenicum iodatum perioliatum Sabadilla Bach's intestinal Eupatorium Salicylic acid nosodes purpureum Scirrhinum BacUlinum Fluoric acid Secale cornutum Berberis vulgaris Ignatia SiUcea Bufo Millelolium Spigelia Camphora Moschus Staphisagria Cantharis Myosotis Strontium carb. Carbo animalis Onosmodium Tabacum Carbo vegetabilis Passiflora incarnata Timothy grass Carbon. sulphuratum Podophyllum Vespa Chamomilla Sarsaparilla Wyethia Chelidonium
9 GROUP 8---cont. Chininum sulph. Cinnabaris Coffea cruda Colchicum Colocynthis Drosera rotundifolia Gnaphalium Hamamelis Hydrastis Iodum Ipecacuanha Kali bichromicum Kali bromatum KaU hydriodicum Kali phos. Kali sulphuratum Kreosotum Magnesia carbonica Magnesia sulphurica Medorrhinum Mercurius cyanatus Mercurius corrosivus Mercurius dulcis Mercurius iodatus flavus Mercurius iodatus rubrus Mercurius solubilis Nitric acid Nux vomica Natrum sulphuricum (Enanthe crocata Opium Petroleum Petroselinum Platinum metallicum Prunus spinosa Psorinum Pulsatilla Pyrogeuium Radium bromatum Radium sulph. Ranunculus scleratus Rhododendron Rhus toxicodendron Rumcx crispus Ruta graveolens Selenium S.S.C. Stannum metallicum Stramonium Strophanthus sarmentosus Streptococcin Sulphur Sulphur iodatum Sycotic Co. (Paterson) Taraxacum Tellurium Terebinthina Urtica urens Zincum metallicum Zincum sulphuricum GRoUP 9. Gambogia Sabina GRovP 10. Arnica montana Calcarea sulphurica
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GROUP lO--cont. Chininum arsenicosum Helleborus niger Hepar sulphuris Laurocerasus Oleum animalis
G R O U PlO--cont. Plantago Rheum Senega Symphytum Tuberculinum bovinum
G R O U PlO---cont. Uranium nltrlcum GRouP 11. Calotropis Solanum nlgrum Stillingia
G R O U Pl l - - c o n t . Thallium aceflsum Thallium metallicum Thuya G~ov-P 12. Valeriana
T h e f o l l o w i n g is a s u b s i d i a r y l i s t o f g r o u p i n g s w h i c h a w a i t s f u l l e r c h e c k i n g for accurate confirmation. GROUP 1. Auguilla Asteriu rubens Fucus vesiculosus Jaborandi Ptelia Rhus venenata Xanthoxylum GROUP 2. Aunun iodatum Boiga Guaco Hydrocotyle Vacininum Vipera redi Vipera rus~llii Zizia GRoUP 3. Mitcbella GROUP 4.
Amrni visnaga Boracic acid s
GROUP4--cont. Citric acid Copiava Cortisone Paris quadrflolia Ricini Strophanthns hispidns Tamns Verbascum GRoUP 5. Adonis vernalis Cascarilla Collinsonia Cypripedium Geranium maculatum Iridium Krameria Piper methysficum Senecio aureus Senna Spiranthes Zinc phos.
GROUP6---cont. Asclepias tuberosa Coca Convallaria Fraxinns americanus Ginseng Guarea Indium Medusa Physostiga Populns candicans Squilla Trillium Viscum album GROUP 7. Aletris f~inosa Calcium acetate Tanacetmn
GROUP 8. Arctium lappa Fagopyrum GRoUP 6. Ferrum sulphuricum Antimonium sulphuratum ~acaranda caroba auratmn J'alapa
GROUP8---eo~t. Lueficum (Nelson) Manganum carbonicum Scrophularia Thlaspi bursa pastoris Triosetum Vanadium Yucca GRoUP 9. Gallium GROUP 10. Arsenicum sulphuratum flavum Arsenicum sulphuratum rubrum Latrodectus mactans Scutellaria Tuberculinum Koch GRoUP i i .
Satropha Quebracho (Aspidospermin) Uva ursi
I f circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre.
VOL. X L I I I
J A N U A R Y 1953
No. 1
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ELEMENTARY
WORK By W.
ON
SOME
RITCmE
ELECTRO-PHYSICAL McC~E,
PHENOMENA
M.B., F.F.Hom.
BY the year 1939, a constant study of electro-physical phenomena had been in progress for fifteen years, here, in London. In that year, it was decided to see what possible developments could be made, if all sources of static charges could be eliminated within the screening cage. I t has always been necessary to make use of a normal healthy h u m a n subject, who stands inside the close mesh copper gauze cage. No degree of emphasis is too strong, to insist on the very essential precautions which must always be taken, to make sure t h a t this cage is quite intact, and t h a t all parts have metal to metal contact in order to ensure t h a t it is a complete cell. The copper cloth sleeves, which fit closely on to the arms of the operator when he thrusts his arms through the panel for percussion on the subject's abdomen, require to be inspected daily, because the friction and vibration of percussion is very apt to damage the fibres of the cloth. You will remember, also, t h a t in the lay-out of the Emanometer, there was a tuning unit inside t h e cage, which was controlled by the subject. I n this year of 1939, I considered t h a t static charges were interfering with the accuracy of m y drug selection. I thought t h a t the movements of the subject, when operating the tuning unit, were responsible for these interferences. This deduction was probably quite wrong at the time, but it was a fortunate deduction all the same, as it opened up a new and fascinating asl~ct in the most elementary manner. I removed the tuning unit altogether, and carried out a long series of experiments, to see if it was possible to arrive at an accurate choice of remedy b y any other means. You will remember t h a t there is a case, which is attached to the side of the gauze cage. The specimen of a n y uncontaminated fluid, which is taken from a patient on a sterilized slip of filter paper, is placed on a movable carrier inside this case. When the specimen was moved towards the end-plate of the tuning unit various reactions could be detected on the subject's abdomen b y observing the changes of note in different areas when the operator percussed the subject's abdomen. The measurement Of the air-gap over which a reaction could pass from the specimen to the end plate became recognized as the intensity of t h a t reaction,
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I n place of the tuning unit, and at that end of the intensity case where it joins the gauze cage, I placed a diaphragm of thin brass foil. This was punctured in its centre, and the puncture hole was gradually enlarged. When the size of the hole allowed me to obtain the same air-gap of several selected reactions as that obtained when using the tuning unit, I constructed a permanent diaphragm with this aperture as m y standard. I t has a measurement of approximately 5 mm. diameter. This arrangement allows one to work with absolutely no frictional movement of the subject. I t does not permit a detailed study of individual reactions, because it is no longer possible to pick out isolated reactions for selective examination, such as is possible through the use of Boyd's tuning unit. I t is possible to detect a general pattern on the subject's abdomen as distinct from a precise and selective analysis. In m y opinion, I believe that this arrangement reduces an electro-physical survey to its very simplest aspect. I t was, of course, fortunate that I had the accumulated experience and knowledge from the previous fifteen years' work, because I was familiar with the positions and shapes of m a n y of the commoner reactions encountered on the subject's abdomen. I n order to make sure that the set-up is free from any extraneous influence, and that the screening is intact, a cover slides across the aperture in the diaphragm. I f the percussion note is then constantly resonant over a prolonged period, say for one hundred beats of percussion, conditions inside the cage a r e good. I f the note remains the same when the slide is removed from the diaphragm, the conditions inside the intensity case are also good. A specimen is now placed on the movable carrier in the intensity case, and it is drawn in to 20 cm. from the diaphragm. The percussion note is still constant but it will be of a duller (flat) note. This dull note will be found all over the subject's abdomen, and it is due to the mass of energy which comes off the specimen to influence the subject's reactions. This mass of generalized dullness appears to have an interesting significance in the measurement of its intensity. When the specimen is withdrawn from the diaphragm this generalized dullness disappears suddenly at an air-gap of between 28 and 30 cm. I n patients with sub-acute conditions the air-gap intensity is often as great as 31 to 33 cm. I n serious illness it m a y be as great as 35 cm. or more. At the point where the generalized dullness disappears, it is now possible to pick out isolated patches of dullness in different areas of the abdomen. These correspond to the disease reactions described b y Boyd, to which he can tune for detailed study by means of his calibrated movable coil and variable condensers. The different intensities of these isolated patches vary greatly. They m a y extend to 45 cm. in intensity. We now turn to the study of the influence of potentized medicines on the patient's specimens. I had a series of cells attached to the outside of the intensity case. By operating a lever with the foot it is possible to move a valve so t h a t the drug placed in a cell m a y be exposed to influence the emanations from the specimen on the carrier. One series of cells contain representatives of different groups. Whilst percussing, a group drug is exposed. I f the note varies it will be found to have a regular variability. I t will give 8 beats of percussion which are resonant and 8 beats dull. This is a regular variability and will continue thus, all the time of percussion. It means that the drug and the specimen are out of tune, i.e. the drug is from a group which is different from the specimen. Whilst percussion continues, each grouping drug is exposed in turn, until it is found that one drug will influence the reactions, so that the note is constant and unchanging over a long period--for as much as 60 beats of percussion at least. This length of time is important because of a curious discovery. At one time I was getting disappointing results in treatment. Patients would respond in a manner which made it obvious that m y treatment was influencing them. The responses were often erratic and disturbing. Through the course of time I found that, in such cases, where I thought that I had selected t h e correct group, a
PRESIDENTIAL
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3
critical e x a m i n a t i o n o f m y t e c h n i q u e showed t h a t drugs from t h a t g r o u p allowed m e t o o b t a i n a c o n s t a n t n o t e o f dullness for a b o u t 56 beats, a n d t h e n a series o f r e s o n a n t b e a t s for 20 beats. As t i m e w e n t on, i t was a p p a r e n t t h a t t h i s s t r a n g e p h e n o m e n o n could be recognized as being elicited from w h a t m a y be t e r m e d r e l a t e d g r o u p s . I t was noted, for e x a m p l e , t h a t i f t h e p a t i e n t ' s t r u e g r o u p was t h e 8th group, t h e n this p h e n o m e n o n m i g h t be p r o d u c e d f r o m d r u g s o f t h e 4 t h g r o u p (or p e r h a p s t h e 5 t h ) - - n e v e r from d r u g s of t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g 7th or 9 t h groups. Again, i f t h e p a t i e n t ' s t r u e g r o u p was t h e 6th, t h e n t h i s p h e n o m e n o n would be elicited from drugs of t h e 1st or 10th groups. T h e r e is a n a d d e d i n t e r e s t t o this discovery, because i t is a n a d d i t i o n t o our p r e v i o u s l y n o t e d observations, which led us to recognize t h e i n t i m a c y which doe's c e r t a i n l y e x i s t b e t w e e n t h e v a r i o u s group series. I f m y o b s e r v a t i o n s are a c c u r a t e , i t is n o w possible to s a y t h a t , where g r o u p r e l a t i o n s h i p s are concerned, t h e m o s t f r e q u e n t l y r e c u r r i n g are as follows : Patient's true group. Related group. Remarks. This 1, 6, 10 series o f g r o u p r e l a t i o n s h i p a. G r o u p 1. G r o u p s 6 or 10. b. ,, 6. ,, 1 or 10. is r e m a r k a b l y consistent. e. ,, 10. ,, 1 or 6. d. e. f.
,, ,, ,,
8. 8. 8.
G r o u p 4. ,, 5. ,, 11.
Most frequent. Less frequent. A r a r e relationship.
g. h. i.
,, ,, ,,
5. 5. 5.
,, 11. ,, 8. ,, 10.
Most frequent. Less frequent. A r a r e relationship.
k. 1. m.
,, ,, ,,
4. . . . 8. 4. ,, 11. 4. ,, 7.
Most frequent. Less frequent. A r a r e relationship.
Of t h e o t h e r groups, viz. 2, 3, 9 a n d 12, t h e i r i n f r e q u e n t a p p e a r a n c e leaves t h e m still in d o u b t r e g a r d i n g t h e i r relationships. This r e m a i n s especially t r u e o f g r o u p s 3, 9 a n d 12. I n t h e course o f a b u s y year, one m i g h t come across t h e 9th g r o u p p a t i e n t t w o or t h r e e times. I h a v e n o t ever been c e r t a i n of finding a 3rd g r o u p p a t i e n t , a n d c e r t a i n l y n e v e r a 12th g r o u p p a t i e n t . T h e 2 n d g r o u p p a t i e n t i s f o u n d w i t h some frequency. This is u s u a l l y a female. I a l w a y s m a k e a p o i n t of searching for h e r r e l a t e d group, to t r y to find some r e g u l a r i t y in t h e changes, b u t i t is o n l y possible to s a y t h a t , so far as m e n o p a u s a l p a t i e n t s are concerned, t h e r e is a b s o l u t e l y no r e g u l a r i t y . Occasionally one m a y find a p a t i e n t who a p p e a r s to belong to t h e 2nd group as a n o r m a l c o n s t i t u t i o n a l position. These p a t i e n t s are m o s t f r e q u e n t l y r e l a t e d to t h e 6 t h group. Less f r e q u e n t l y t h e y a r e r e l a t e d to t h e 4th. F r o m t h i s s u r v e y of g r o u p findings, it is possible to s a y t h a t t h e r e are t w o d i s t i n c t g r o u p series. One is t h e 1, 6, 10 g r o u p series a n d t h e o t h e r is t h e 5, 11, 8, 4 g r o u p series. I t will be n o t e d t h a t this second series is n u m b e r e d i r r e g u l a r l y . The reason for doing so, is to e m p h a s i z e t h e r e m a r k a b l e f a c t t h a t f r o m t h e e l e c t r o - p h y s i c a l - c h a n g e r e l a t i o n s h i p t h e r e is no connection b e t w e e n one g r o u p a n d its n e i g h b o u r i n g group. I n o t h e r words, a p a t i e n t n e v e r changes from one g r o u p d i r e c t l y into t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g group. This does n o t m e a n to s a y t h a t a 5th g r o u p p a t i e n t will n o t ever change to t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g 4 t h group. I n o r d e r to do so he will first m o v e to t h e 8th (less often t o t h e l l t h group) before changing to t h e 4th. This m e t h o d of changing is f o u n d quite often in p a t i e n t s suffering from t h e c o m m o n cold. W h e n a 5 t h group p a t i e n t c o n t r a c t s t h e infection, he will soon m o v e to t h e 8th group. I f he receives n o t r e a t m e n t , or i f t h e t r e a t m e n t has been unsuccessful, he will t h e n m o v e t o t h e 4th group.
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This is quite a peculiar thing--this antipathy which one group has tO its neighbour. We see its disturbing character when we study the cases of patients who have had a series of medicines. I f the medicine selected is from the patient's neighbouring group, the clinical condition of the patient will suffer; and if this practice is persisted in, there will be a very decided aggravation, which will continue so long as medicines from the neighbouring group are administered, We do not see this very often in patients of the 8th group simply because the 7th and 9th groups are so small and therefore so seldom used. We find it occasionally when Kali carb. is given to an 8th group patient, and this is probably the reason why Kent has uttered such a strong warning about administering that drug without care. We see the disturbance much more frequently in patients of the 5th group, simply because the neighbouring 6th group has such a wide choice of possible medicines, and the neighbour on the other side the 4th group--has also m a n y commonly indicated remedies. I n these cases where several disturbing medicines have been administered, we find quite a startling appearance in the electro-physical survey. At first sight we notice that the generalized dullness on the abdomen has an intensity o f alarming dimensions. I t m a y be as great as 50 cm. A careful examination of this shows that it is composed of two parts. There is a generalized dullness o f about 25 cm. Then we find that, for the space of about 1 cm., there is a generalized resonance, and beyond that resonance gap the generalized dulIness reappears and remains until the limit of its intensity. From this observation we m a y deduce that the extremely great intensity of generalized dullness is due to excess of stray potency energy presented in the patient's secretions. When this state of affairs is found the symptom picture presented by the patient is quite confused. I t is found invariably in patients who have recently had a series of potentized medicines. I t is always found in patients who have got into the habit of looking for their own symptoms, and treating them from their own private supply of potencies, I n these cases, the search for the appropriate antidote is very often a tiresome, long problem. I t would seem that such patients are highly sensitized, and have usually disturbed themselves with m a n y of the usual drugs, so that these are no longer applicable for any useful purpose. Once found, this antidote will sometimes allow the patient to improve well, and for a usefully long spell. More often, the response appears to be almost negative, but when a further test is done, in two or three weeks, the mass of excess potency energy has been neutralized, a less confused symptom picture i s found, and the true remedy elicits the desired result. A great help has been the addition of the battery of cells fixed to the surface of the intensity case. Levers are connected to the cells, so t h a t their valves can be opened by foot, in order to allow the potency energy from the medicines placed in the cells, to influence the subject inside the cage. This means that the subject can stand motionless, whilst the operator keeps up a constant percussion and, as he moves the cell levers b y foot, he can easily observe the effect of each drug as it becomes exposed. I t is so deplorably easy to alter the percussion note unconsciously, hence this method of being able to keep up a constant self-criticism by uninterrupted percussion as the drug is being exposed, has solved a great difficulty. A summary of the procedure is as follows. The patient is examined. The symptoms are taken. A test is collected most carefully. I now use a drop of lachrymal secretion, as this is found to be less liable to contamination than any other secretion. This is collected on a sterilized segment of filter paper held in sterilized forceps. I t is placed on the carrier inside the intensity case. Percussion is commenced on the subject's abdomen and the group is chosen by exposing one after the other of a series of cells, each with a representative potency of its own group. Care is taken to make sure it is not a related group. Then a series of drugs is selected from the correct group. These are chosen as far as possible with reference to the symptom picture of the patient, The bottles are handled with
PRESIDENTIAL
ADDRESS
5
sterile forceps and placed in the different cells. Each cell is closed from the outside with its close fitting cap, and, when percussion is resumed, each medicine is exposed in turn, and examined for accuracy. The accurate remedy, when exposed, will give that desired generalized resonance on the abdominal wall about which I have already spoken. This resonance is demonstrable when the specimen is at the extreme limit of the intensity scale, i.e. when it is withdrawn to 67 cm. from the 5 mm. aperture on the diaphragm. The resonance is also demonstrable all the way from 67 cm. air-gap until the specimen is drawn in to about 1 cm. from the diaphragm. I arrived at a stage of criticism about the precise measurement of this very small air-gap, where the note changed from resonance to dullness, because I found it so very difficult m a n y times to be sure of whether it disappeared at 1, or slightly more than 1 cm., and I found that sometimes I could select several medicines, and could not be certain which was the ideal one. I therefore constructed a variable aperture on my diaphragm so as to be able to allow a much greater exposure of the changes taking place in the intensity case. This has solved the problem t o m y present satisfaction, because it is now possible to examine the effect of the accurate remedy from one extremity of the intensity scale to the other, and obtain generalized resonance all the way. I believe that it is only that one accurate remedy from the correct group which will allow such an ideal condition to show itself. I n the case of a patient who has had no previous treatment with potentized medicines, and who presents a clear drug picture, it is often easy to arrive at the accurate remedy quite soon. I t is a very different proposition when the patient has had much treatment, and, in addition, when he belongs to a large group. We begin by searching through the common remedies relating to his condition. Then we study the unusual symptoms and select drugs of the correct group from the rubrics. We may have to consider the old history of his complaint and look for drugs related to that, and eventually bring out the unproved drugs in our collection before our task is complete. This bears out the common experience in homceopathic therapeutics, that the first prescription gives a very useful response often, but that the longer treatment has to be given, the more difficult it becomes to succeed. This special problem, which leads us far and wide in our search, is one which shows what a great deal of knowledge still awaits our detailed study of more and more therapeutic agents. I t also brings to light many interesting details which have escaped being emphasized in many of the medicines we are well familiar with. As an instance of this last remark, a female patient aged 45 years, admitted last month with some unexplained malaise, and a daily rise of temperature to 101 ~ responded promptly to Eupatorium perfoliatum. There were none of the classical pains of this drug. She just felt thoroughly tired, and attributed it to being overworked. The point of correspondence between the patient and the remedy was the regular daily rise of temperature so similar to malaria. Another is a man, very old at 65 years, who was also admitted last month, with a steady rise of temperature to 100 ~ and complaining bitterly of general pains and 10st appetite. The last several years had been spent in and out of a neighbouring hospital. He had so m a n y symptoms about which he could speak that it was not surprising to receive a great dossier of notes from his previous hospital records. He received a dose of Ptelea because he was in the 1st group and that was the only accurate match for him. His temperature did not rise again after that. His appetite returned; the correspondence between him and his remedy became obvious because of the state of his liver, and its response to his long alcoholic indulgences in the catering trade. So m a n y surprising experiences come to us in this work, that the technique helps us to find a use for a drug in conditions which were not revealed in the provings. We know very well what a great width of action there is in m a n y of our well proved medicines. I t is only natural to expect that, in m a n y of our
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lesser known medicines, there is still much to be divulged. Of course we are always very conscious of the limits to which we can push a p r o v i n g - - o n ordinary humanitarian grounds. One of m y surprises was in an adult 4th group patient who suffered from insomnia. I t was accompanied by "extreme nervous tension" concentrated at the epigastrium, with a feeling of great irritability. At these times, he developed a curious coal-black coating to his tongue. Strophanthus hispidus was his effective remedy. In many ways this study shows us that our limited knowledge of the lesser known medicines calls on us, with great fascination in store, to extend our labours and to persevere with our provings. A good instance of this was shown with @uebracho (or Aspidospermin), of the 1 lth group. I t has a reputation in cardiac asthma, and has proved of great value in that condition, since discovering its group position during the past year. Because it belongs to this small but very important group, it is sure to have m a n y calls for its valued use. I found it was indicated in a postal test sent from a colleague in Wales. The patient was a schoolmaster with disseminated sclerosis, and it brought him good relief from a state of great depression, exhaustion, and loss of mental concentration. Another spectacular instance of the fascination which comes from this elementary study, was the case of a very fat charlady, admitted to hospital early this year. She was deeply unconscious with hemiplegia. From her congested appearance Belladonna was a simple selection and brought her out of immediate danger. Within a month her speech became intelligible, but the loss of power in the right side was complete, and showed no signs of improvement. This was a great sorrow to the hospital porters, as I was informed, because it was reported that one after the other had gone sick with sprained wrists through helping to move this flaccid mass of 20 stone for nursing purposes! Her symptom picture was quite negative, for she complained of nothing apart from the paralysis. When her response to Belladonna ended, she remained in the 4th group. After a long and critical search, we found that Ammi visnaga satisfied the conditions. This was a stroke of good fortune, as it was a very recent acquisition--potentized from the seeds of this Eastern Mediterranean plant. She was given this for a week in the 4th potency twice daily, and each day she showed remarkable speed of recovery to the grip of the right hand. I t was not m a n y days before she was able to assist the nurses to move her, for her leg followed with useful recovery too. She soon moved to the l l t h group, where she remained for m a n y weeks. Eventually she settled in the 1st group, and ~'ucus vesiculosus helped to complete her recovery. She went home last month, when she was able to go up and down the hospital stairs safely and confidently. There was great credit due to the physio-therapy department for her splendid recovery. When we make a study of the comparison of different medicines in different groups, we are sometimes struck with tones of symptoms in one, which resemble similar tones in the other. I f we take vertigo as an example, we will see that in each group certain selected medicines have similar types of vertigo. This is not a very good instance to use, as vertigo is so common to so m a n y medicines, but it is the type of vertigo, and its concomitants, which is interesting and arresting. We have the types of Aconite and Glonoin of the 1st group, and the similar ones of Conium and Belladonna of the 4th group and so on. The vertigo of Arnica o f the 10th group is well known, but that of Vinca minor, which is less well known, is worth studying. This spring an old man was admitted after collapsing in the street with what he described as "a whirling in the head". I t was at a time when many cases oflabyrinthitis were reported in the medical press. (It was a puzzling condition and usually took m a n y days to recover from.) He was in the 10th group and Vinca minor gave him immediate relief. He had his remedy in the 30th potency and, after a good night's sleep, there was no remnant of his trouble. As well as a similarity between medicines of different groups, there is also a very strong similarity between medicines within their own group, as is to be expected, especially in the larger groups. This is indicated quite definitely when
PRESIDENTIAL
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7
we find several medicines competing for accuracy in our electro-physical search. A fortunate experience happened in early September to illustrate the poir~t. A very gentle old lady was admitted seriously fll with pneumonia. She did not want to be a nuisance to anyone and she would be quite all right if no one bothered themselves about her. She just felt a bit tired. When she was left alone she fell into a low delirium. She lifted one or other hand about the bed, using the opposite hand to do so, as though trying to arrange herself, in a restless manner and was altogether very confused. Her mouth was very dryl but when a glass of water was brought to her mouth her tongue would push it away as if she did not know what to do. My laboratory subject had been called to national service, and I knew there would be a day's delay in carrying out a test for her. The m a t t e r was urgent. We gave her a few doses of Baptisia. Next d a y she was rational, but her temperature remained high. She was obviously in a dangerous state. An electro-physical examination showed t h a t she was in the 6th group. Baptisia was a nearly accurate remedy but Aralia racemosa was the true remedy. Her temperature became normal over night, and did not rise again. She developed a few herpes labialis and continued her sweet way, full of charming gratitude, to rejoice the staff with a good recovery. This close resemblance between different medicines in the same group is something which has interested me for a long time. As I have already explained, when searching through a series of drugs to arrive at the accurate one, it is nearly always seen t h a t several drugs are close competitors for the patient. I t is v e r y certain that this indicates the possibility of being able to choose medicines which are not accurate in every possible degree. By choosing nearly accurate medicines one might readily modify a dangerous clinical condition. Once t h a t has been achieved, the improvement which results m a y be so good t h a t the natural recuperative forces will take the patient slowly forward to a good recovery. I n other cases such a preliminary h a p p y result can turn into something quite different. I t happens this way. A nearly accurate medicine is given to an acutely ill patient. The result appears to be satisfactory. The patient feels better because some of the alarming symptoms have disappeared. I f this same medicine is continued to be administered, or if the common homceopathic practice is a d o p t e d - - t o stop the medicine whilst improvement continues--some dangerous undercurrent becomes intensely active, and a new, and probably a more dangerous, condition supervenes. I t is a vivid demonstration of the t r u t h in the fundamental principles laid down b y Samuel Hahnemann, t h a t the only true remedy is t h a t one which has the complete totality of the patient's symptoms. The true and accurate remedy in potency will so alter the electro-physical state of the body t h a t it becomes adjusted to a state of ideal balance, i.e. all the elements known to be associated with disease are completely and uniformly neutralized. This balance is maintained for as long as the natural defences can cope with the invading disease forces. I n acute diseases it m a y be as long as days. I n sub-acute diseases it m a y be as long as weeks, and in ordinary minor disturbances this ideal balance is often maintained for more than two months. During this period of neutralization the patient is conscious of a sense of continuously increasing good health. To translate this statement into the elementary electro-physical phenomena: I will remind you of the generalized dullness of 28-30 cm. intensity which we detect from specimens of ordinary normal health. When responding to the accurate remedy this generalized dullness is reduced to neutrality and has an intensity of less than 2 cm., and it is this low intensity which is demonstrated for all the length of time during which the patient is improving in health. I consider this to be one of the most important findings from the homceopathic aspect which is revealed through the great researches initiated b y Boyd. No other method of therapeutics has been found which can bring about this ideal balance. I n this demonstration of the perfection of Homceopathy, we have a science of therapeutics which stands supreme.
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BRITISH
HOMGEOPATHIC
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I n the type of work which we do now, and in the methods employed, we are ever aware of the tendency to make false interpretations. I t entails unremitting vigilance to be on guard against deception, which we can so easily create in our own work. Nevertheless, the astonishing voIume of this delicate power at our command never ceases to fascinate us. You have learned of the intensity case which is attached to the gauze cage. The capacity of this intensity case m a y be as great as 2,000 cubic inches. The capacity of the gauze cage m a y be as great as 80 cubic feet. The subject who stands as detector inside the gauze cage is influenced by the electro-physical properties, and these influences originate from that astonishing quality which comes from the potentized medicine. When we compare the origin of the influence in all its minute degree with the volume of space, we can only be filled with wonder. The fact that it is there and although our present methods of detection are so tantalizingly inept, this obvious truth must surely reach fruition for a wider application when the march of science advances far enough to relieve us of our present groping in the half light. I feel sure that, since we have been able to detect the ability of potentized medicines to bring about an electro-physical balance of such beneficial qualities, the advance of physical science will reveal other equally important methods of preserving good health. We know that all living matter, including the vegetable kingdom, possesses an electro-physical property which surely has its valued position in the universe. I believe that the present phase of experimentation in the realm of vitamins, is related to the problems associated with those natural vital balances in nature. Mankind has passed through very strange phases in his efforts to experiment with all kinds of herbs and chemicals. Until Hahnemann arrived to show that an attempt should be made to place all these elements in their true perspective, by means of scientific observation on their influence in health and disease, the field of therapeutics was quite chaotic. I n his original provings, and in m a n y other provings since then, it has been a significant fact that, at one time or other, the health of the provers was benefited to a pronounced degree by the agent being proved. Putting all our known facts together, then, is it not a logical conclusion to believe that by the selection of an accurate dietary regime or some selected food to suit the individual person, perhaps at intervals in the year, one could maintain a constant state of perfect health? I put forward this suggestion because I believe that we still have a great deal to learn. Our knowledge about that relation which must exist between the physical and the dynamic (or electro-physical) elements of life is very scanty. We have been given the privilege of understanding a little of this relationship by our responses to potentized medicines. Through their use, we see that daily infusion of renewed life where it was ebbing. All the same, that quality which is present in highly potentized medicines m a y not enter into any scheme of nature. We have to discover if it does or if it does not. I am inclined to think that it does not. I f it does not, then we may make greater and more accurate advances in our researches if we develop our science along lines which are more in keeping with the resources of nature at our easy command. These resources are there for our use. So far, we can do something which can often restore great good health. We have to learn how to maintain that wonderful state. We are still deplorably ignorant of all the benefits which await our earnest endeavours, but the gift which lies in our hands here and now is a priceless active treasure, which we can go on using for the great development of medicine. The following list of drugs is amended and presented for the use of the physicians who find them of value in their routine work. Acknowledgement is due to Dr. W. E. Boyd for his great labour in compiling these groups and for his patience in checking and cross checking all the drugs mentioned in the main list. The subsidiary list contains m a n y drugs which, because of the rarity of their application, no doubt require to have much more clinical proof of their accurate position before they graduate to the main list.
PRESIDENTIAL GRouP 1. heonitum napellus Bromine Ccdron Chlorine Cobalt Cyclamen Ferrum metallicum Glonoin Guaiacum Linum usitatissimum Mancinella Oleander Sepia Veratrum alb. Veratrum viride
GROUP 4---cont. Thyroid Viburnum opulus
ADDRESS
G~o'uP 6. Allium cepa Allexan Anacardium GRouP 5. Anthraeinum Aranea diadema Aloe Antimcnium Alumen arsenicosum Apis melUflca Antimonium crudum Argentum metallicum Antimonium Argentum nitricum tartaricum Arum triphyllum Arsenicum album Asafoetida Arsenicum metallicum Barium muriaticum Baptisia Benzoic acid Bismuth Bovista Cactus grandiflorus Cadmium phos. Cadmium arsenicosum GRouP 2. Cadmium silicate Cadmium metallicum Calcium phos. Cadmium sulph. Aurum brom. Cannabis indica Calcarea arsenica Aurum metallicum Cannabis sativa Capsicum Aurum muriaticum Carbolic acid Caustieum Aurum n a t r u m mur. Caulophyllum Cocculus Bothrops lanciolatus Ceanothus Corralum rubrum Cenchris contortrix Cimicifuga racemesa Crataegus oxyacantha Elaps corallinus Cina Crocus sativa Heloderma Cinchona oflicinalis Curare Hura brasUiensis Cinchona muriatlcum Echinacea Hyoscyamus Clematis erecta Euphrasia Lachesis Coccus cacti Ferrum arsenlcum Murcx Cuprum metaUicum Gelsemium Naja tripudians Elaterium Graphites Syzygium Ferrum phos. Hypericum Toxicophis Iris versicoler Kali muriaticum Trombidium Kalmia latifolia Kali nitricum Vipera torva Lapis albus Lithium carbonicum Lactic acid Malaria officinalis GROUP 3. Lac caninum Natrum arsenicum Allalfa Lcdum pailustris Sanguinaria Tri-nitro-toluine Lillium tigrinum Sambucus Lobelia inflata Spongia tosta GRovP 4. Leptandra Sticta pulmonalis Aesculus Lycopodium Tarentula cubensis hippocastanum Magnesium Tarentula hispanica Aethusa cynapium muriaticum Teucrium m a r u m Ammonium carb. Magnesium phos. Theridion Barium carb. Muriatic acid Viola odorata Belladonna Natrum carl). Viola tricolor Bryonia aiba Natrum muriaticum Calcium carb. Natrum salicyl. GRoUP 7. Calcium fluoricum Natrum silicate Calcium Nux moschata ChimaphUa hypophosphoricum Oxalic acid Kali arsenitum Calcium ovi testis Phosphorus Kali carb. Carduus marianus Phosphoric acid Syphilinum (old stock) Conium Phytclacca Digitalis Plumbum metallicum G~o~T 8. Dulcamara Ranunculus bulbosus Agaricus muscarius Equisetum Raphanus Ambra grisea Eupatorium Rubia tinctoria Arsenicum iodatum perioliatum Sabadilla Bach's intestinal Eupatorium Salicylic acid nosodes purpureum Scirrhinum BacUlinum Fluoric acid Secale cornutum Berberis vulgaris Ignatia SiUcea Bufo Millelolium Spigelia Camphora Moschus Staphisagria Cantharis Myosotis Strontium carb. Carbo animalis Onosmodium Tabacum Carbo vegetabilis Passiflora incarnata Timothy grass Carbon. sulphuratum Podophyllum Vespa Chamomilla Sarsaparilla Wyethia Chelidonium
9 GROUP 8---cont. Chininum sulph. Cinnabaris Coffea cruda Colchicum Colocynthis Drosera rotundifolia Gnaphalium Hamamelis Hydrastis Iodum Ipecacuanha Kali bichromicum Kali bromatum KaU hydriodicum Kali phos. Kali sulphuratum Kreosotum Magnesia carbonica Magnesia sulphurica Medorrhinum Mercurius cyanatus Mercurius corrosivus Mercurius dulcis Mercurius iodatus flavus Mercurius iodatus rubrus Mercurius solubilis Nitric acid Nux vomica Natrum sulphuricum (Enanthe crocata Opium Petroleum Petroselinum Platinum metallicum Prunus spinosa Psorinum Pulsatilla Pyrogeuium Radium bromatum Radium sulph. Ranunculus scleratus Rhododendron Rhus toxicodendron Rumcx crispus Ruta graveolens Selenium S.S.C. Stannum metallicum Stramonium Strophanthus sarmentosus Streptococcin Sulphur Sulphur iodatum Sycotic Co. (Paterson) Taraxacum Tellurium Terebinthina Urtica urens Zincum metallicum Zincum sulphuricum GRoUP 9. Gambogia Sabina GRovP 10. Arnica montana Calcarea sulphurica
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GROUP lO--cont. Chininum arsenicosum Helleborus niger Hepar sulphuris Laurocerasus Oleum animalis
G R O U PlO--cont. Plantago Rheum Senega Symphytum Tuberculinum bovinum
G R O U PlO---cont. Uranium nltrlcum GRouP 11. Calotropis Solanum nlgrum Stillingia
G R O U Pl l - - c o n t . Thallium aceflsum Thallium metallicum Thuya G~ov-P 12. Valeriana
T h e f o l l o w i n g is a s u b s i d i a r y l i s t o f g r o u p i n g s w h i c h a w a i t s f u l l e r c h e c k i n g for accurate confirmation. GROUP 1. Auguilla Asteriu rubens Fucus vesiculosus Jaborandi Ptelia Rhus venenata Xanthoxylum GROUP 2. Aunun iodatum Boiga Guaco Hydrocotyle Vacininum Vipera redi Vipera rus~llii Zizia GRoUP 3. Mitcbella GROUP 4.
Amrni visnaga Boracic acid s
GROUP4--cont. Citric acid Copiava Cortisone Paris quadrflolia Ricini Strophanthns hispidns Tamns Verbascum GRoUP 5. Adonis vernalis Cascarilla Collinsonia Cypripedium Geranium maculatum Iridium Krameria Piper methysficum Senecio aureus Senna Spiranthes Zinc phos.
GROUP6---cont. Asclepias tuberosa Coca Convallaria Fraxinns americanus Ginseng Guarea Indium Medusa Physostiga Populns candicans Squilla Trillium Viscum album GROUP 7. Aletris f~inosa Calcium acetate Tanacetmn
GROUP 8. Arctium lappa Fagopyrum GRoUP 6. Ferrum sulphuricum Antimonium sulphuratum ~acaranda caroba auratmn J'alapa
GROUP8---eo~t. Lueficum (Nelson) Manganum carbonicum Scrophularia Thlaspi bursa pastoris Triosetum Vanadium Yucca GRoUP 9. Gallium GROUP 10. Arsenicum sulphuratum flavum Arsenicum sulphuratum rubrum Latrodectus mactans Scutellaria Tuberculinum Koch GRoUP i i .
Satropha Quebracho (Aspidospermin) Uva ursi