Homoeopathy: the Science and Art of Dynamic Healing

Shaik Rahmathullah
Publisher: Shaik Rahmathullah.: UK, 2006
Price: £29.95, ISBN 978-0953076536

This book gives a basic but sound introduction to homeopathic philosophy. It does not add significant new material to the homeopathic literature on philosophy or principles and practice but it does effectively draw out the thinking of ‘the old masters’ of homeopathy, quoting widely. It could act as a primer for those who wish to know the historic background of the philosophy of homeopathy, without reading the original texts.

For someone, like myself, who learnt their philosophy the hard way, by reading the Organon, Chronic Diseases and Kent's lectures, this book would present a much more straightforward and integrated presentation of the key philosophical principles. Many students would welcome this. Although it would probably have meant I would not have pondered so hard on what was intended in the original texts. As is permissible for an author and compiler of such a book, there are a number of personal asides. On the one hand this contributes towards a thread running through the book and a sense of relationship with the author; on the other hand they are sometimes distracting. In some areas the book ranges outside of classical homeopathy, e.g. presentation of celestial and astrological types.

There are sections on fundamental philosophy and on homeopathic pharmacology and patient management. These include chapters on case taking, different methodologies, remedy reactions and supportive therapies (Bach, drainage, Schüssler, bowel nosodes, etc.). In some areas Rahmathullah's views are at odds with traditional thinking, for the experienced homeopath these are likely to be the most interesting. Unfortunately he gives little explanation or background as to why he holds a divergent view. This book, like others on philosophy, principles and practice faces the dual challenge of honouring the past masters of homeopathy and trying to move the debate on, reflecting the strength of homeopathic roots with the frustrations and difficulty of progressing the science and art of homeopathy in a coherent way.

The book is easy to read and will make a useful foundation text for students of homeopathy. But the more serious student will require reference back to and sometimes extensive reading around subjects in the original texts.