Preparation of Homoeopathic Medicines. These are
supplied in two forms, namely in globules or pilules and in
tinctures, the latter form beingconsidered preferable. Soluble
drugs are prepared homoeopathically by what is termed suc-
cussion or shaking, that is to say a mode of treatment^ which
effects the dispersion of a drug through liquid, generally
alcohol, until the drug is equally diffused through the whole
of the liquid; and insoluble drugs by trituration, or rubbing
up in some vehicle, generally sugar of milk, until the whole
of the vehicle used is equally and thoroughly permeated by
it. Thus it is that every individual globule or drop in medi-
cine homoeopathically prepared is of equal strength with its
fellows. The potency of such minute subdivisions is as-
cribed to the extension of surface brought about by succus-
sion or trituration, as the case may be. It is argued that the
active power of any drug is enormously increased by this so
called extension of surface, and as a piece of gold leaf one
inch square may be hammered out into a thinner leaf ten
348 The Family Doctor
inches square, its surface being thus increased a hundred-
fold, so mercury which may be taken in large quantities
almost with impunity, because in too great bulk to be active
in proportion to its bulk, has its active properties marvel-
ously increased by rubbing it up with some vehicle so as to
procure its equal subdivision, or, in other words, extension
of surface. It is then from this extension of surface
that homoeopathic medicines derive their power and
active properties. Evidence of this is obtained from the
fact that the nutritive properties of the soil are brought into
a better condition for their receptive assimilation as plantfood
by plants, by the action of the frost — God's plow— which breaks
up the clods into minute pieces, setting free its various con-
stituents by subdivision of matter. Now what is this but
increasing the active properties of the soil by extension of
surface ?
Advantages of Homoeopathy. Broadly stated, all-
opathists for the most part give copious doses of nauseous
drugs which disgust the adult patient and terrify children,
and by severity of action often tend to reduce bodily strength.
Homoeopathists, on the contrary, give medicines which,
although they are sufficiently powerful to produce the effect
that is desired are in no way calculated to induce weakness
or interfere with any susceptibility peculiar to the patient, and
have the merit of being perfectly tasteless. Surely these are
good points, sufficient to induce every parent who has viewed
with pain and sorrow the prolonged reluctance of children
to swallow ordinary medicine, and every one who has any
respect for his own palate and sense of taste, to give the
system a fair trial.
Diet. In homoeopathy strict attention to diet is required,
and unquestionably this is most helpful in the treatment of
all diseases, and in some ailments of a minor kind sufificient
to effect a cure, although this is denied by homoeopathic
The Family Doctor 349
Page 197
Presented as published in 1894. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Preparation of Homoeopathic Medicines. These are supplied in two forms, namely in globules or pilules and in tinctures, the latter form being considered preferable. Soluble drugs are prepared homoeopathically by what is termed succussion or shaking, that is to say a mode of treatment which effects the dispersion of a drug through liquid, generally alcohol, until the drug is equally diffused through the whole of the liquid; and insoluble drugs by trituration, or rubbing up in some vehicle, generally sugar of milk, until the whole of the vehicle used is equally and thoroughly permeated by it. Thus it is that every individual globule or drop in medicine homoeopathically prepared is of equal strength with its fellows. The potency of such minute subdivisions is ascribed to the extension of surface brought about by succussion or trituration, as the case may be. It is argued that the active power of any drug is enormously increased by this so called extension of surface, and as a piece of gold leaf one inch square may be hammered out into a thinner leaf ten
348 The Family Doctor
inches square, its surface being thus increased a hundredfold, so mercury which may be taken in large quantities almost with impunity, because in too great bulk to be active in proportion to its bulk, has its active properties marvelously increased by rubbing it up with some vehicle so as to procure its equal subdivision, or, in other words, extension of surface. It is then from this extension of surface that homoeopathic medicines derive their power and active properties. Evidence of this is obtained from the fact that the nutritive properties of the soil are brought into a better condition for their receptive assimilation as plantfood by plants, by the action of the frost — God's plow— which breaks up the clods into minute pieces, setting free its various constituents by subdivision of matter. Now what is this but increasing the active properties of the soil by extension of surface ?
Advantages of Homoeopathy. Broadly stated, allopathists for the most part give copious doses of nauseous drugs which disgust the adult patient and terrify children, and by severity of action often tend to reduce bodily strength. Homoeopathists, on the contrary, give medicines which, although they are sufficiently powerful to produce the effect that is desired are in no way calculated to induce weakness or interfere with any susceptibility peculiar to the patient, and have the merit of being perfectly tasteless. Surely these are good points, sufficient to induce every parent who has viewed with pain and sorrow the prolonged reluctance of children to swallow ordinary medicine, and every one who has any respect for his own palate and sense of taste, to give the system a fair trial.
Diet. In homoeopathy strict attention to diet is required, and unquestionably this is most helpful in the treatment of all diseases, and in some ailments of a minor kind sufificient to effect a cure, although this is denied by homoeopathic
The Family Doctor 349