20 years ago: The British Homoeopathic Journal, January 1988

Anecdotal but significant

In a lecture given to the Faculty, with the above title, RAF Jack presented four case studies, to all of which he considered that description to apply. He was modest in his claims, saying only that “the improvement that followed taking homoeopathic medicines would not have been expected”; but there were factors which made the results quite impressive. These included duration of the condition before homeopathic treatment; speed of improvement; complete change of normal bodily response; and some acknowledgement, if tacit, of the effectiveness of the treatment by the orthodox physicians.

Case one was a 6-year-old boy who had developed a viral infection 3 years before, followed by hemiplegia and persistent fitting. He had rather a complex history, but his father requested homeopathic treatment when he had five to six major fits daily for the previous 6 weeks. He was treated with Nux vomica 30; a week later he had not had a single fit since his first dose. He was not losing his balance as previously, was more alert, and not tired by the end of the week as before. His teacher noted a remarkable improvement, and the grandparents were surprised at the change (they were not told about treatment, as bitterly opposed to homeopathy). In a paediatrician's letter it was stated “He has recently been seen by a homoeopathic doctor and has gone 3 weeks without further attacks. This is certainly unusual for him”. A year later, in spite of ups and downs, during which Nux was replaced by Strychninum for a week, the parents felt they could cope perfectly well, and he was no longer a trial to them.

Case two, a 48-year-old man, had suffered from chilblains and poor circulation all his life, and his condition had deteriorated steadily over the past 15 years. As an electrician, who had to manipulate wiring, often in cold, unoccupied buildings, he had to stop work in a cold spell. He was taking Bradilan, which he thought “helped a little”. He was treated with Silica 30 fortnightly, as constitutional, and Calc. phos.3 bd as he had certain Calc. phos. features. On presenting 2 months later, in January, he reported “I have not felt frozen in this cold weather, my whole body feels warmer”. Bradilan was stopped, and Proteus 12 tds for 1 day was added to the others remedies. He kept working during the following 4-week freeze up, described officially as “the coldest February in England for 80 years”. Treatment was continued as before, but with the one dose of Proteus in 10 M. In June he reported “I was able to go shooting in the morning in the coldest of weather” and “I have had no chilblains since I started taking homoeopathic medicines”. In the discussion, the author pointed out that Secale was not prescribed, as it was not indicated here.

Case three was a 12-year-old epileptic girl, who was subnormal, retarded, mute, dribbling, could not walk, and was incontinent of urine. Despite multiple anticonvulsive therapy, she was having about 50 major fits a day, “in and out of fits all the time, more in than out”; she had recently required paraldehyde for staus epilepticus. Treatment was Baryta carb.10 M monthly; Nux vomica 200 as granules, placed on tongue during an attack; and Equisetum 3 to reduce nocturnal incontinence. Five months later, she was not incontinent (for the first time in her life); the number of fits had fallen to 1–2 per day, and were much less severe; dribbling had stopped; she could feed herself with help; and she was beginning to make noises, which was quite unusual for her. On hearing of the treatment, the Consultant Paediatrician had said “I can’t argue against it; the improvement is so obvious”. Five years later, although she had 4–5 petit mals daily, and an occasional grand mal if upset, she could walk for about 20 min in the park if someone held her hand. Her mother was delighted with her progress, and continued with Baryta carb.10 M at about 3 monthly intervals.

Case 4 was a 5-year-old hydrocephalic girl, who had a meningocele closed on the first day of life, and a shunt performed for the hydrocephalus at 1 month. This had constantly become infected with Staphylococcus albus, and had been replaced nearly 30 times. The house surgeon of her neurosurgeon requested homeopathic help when the shunt again blocked and she developed septicaemia. This was the first intractable case the neurosurgeon had met, and he had discussed the problem at conferences. The author gave his prescription by letter: Tuberculinum 10 M (because of her ethnic origin); Staphylococcus albus 30; and Phosphorus 30(constitutional); all to be reviewed after one month. There was no word for the next 4 months (apart from initial acknowledgement); then a reply to Jack's reminder about the need for review “This child has enjoyed very good health since commencing your medicine, although there is still a tendency for scab formation over the scalp incision”. Two months later, his letter to the GP stated “Despite the scabbing the child remains well, and I am reluctant to do any more …… I am sending a copy of this letter to Dr Jack, as I believe the homoeopathic medicine can now be stopped”.[ ¹ ]

• References

• 1 Jack R.A.F. Anecdotal but significant. Br Hom J 1988; 77: 4-11.
• 2 Clover A. First International Congress for Veterinary Homoeopathy (report). Br Hom J 1988; 77: 11.
• 3 Shuttleworth VS. Systemic contagious pustular dermatitis or orf. Br Hom J 77: 12–16.
• 4 Fisher P. A tribute to Profesor Ian Boyd. Br Hom J 1988; 77: 46.
• 5 Boyd I. IA Homoepathy through the eyes of a physiologist. Br Hom J; 77: 38–46.
• 6 Campbell A. Mesmer and Hahnemann: a comparison. Br Hom J; 77: 34-37.