Aphorism 46

Aphorism 46

Cure by similar diseases in nature

 Previously, many instances were shown in nature to occur when two dissimilar diseases meet together in an organism. Similarly, examples of cure by natural diseases are mentioned in this aphorism.

 

 In mentioning instances in nature in which a stronger similar disease cures weaker similar one, Dr. Hahnemann confined himself to only those diseases which are of a fixed character and give similar manifestation, so merit a distinct name; as -

 1. By inoculation of small pox Dezoteux and Leroy cured a chronic ophthalmia permanently, as small pox produces violent opthalmia which may even lead to blindness. 

2. According to Klein, an amaurosis of two years' duration, consequent on suppressed scald head, was perfectly cured by small pox. 

3. J. Fr. Closs observed that on reaching at its zenith deafness and dyspnoea are both cured by small pox, as small pox produces deafness and dyspnoea.

4. A large hard swelling of the testicle, due to bruise was cured by small pox, which is a frequent symptom of small- pox, and on this account it was enabled, as Klein observed, to cure, by virtue of its similarity. 

5. Among the troublesome symptoms of small-pox is a dysenteric state of bowel; and it subdued, as Fr. Wendt observed, a case of dysentery, as a similar morbific agent. 

6. Small pox coming on after vaccination removes cow pox entirely, whereas when cow pox is near maturity diminishes the supervening small pox and make it milder as Murphy and many others testify. 

7. Inoculated cow pox besides as protective lymph possesses a miasma of such a character that it produces a general cutaeneous eruption of small dry itching pimples which are found on a red areola and joined with red circumscribed patches. This eruption is less frequently found before vaccination but more frequently after vaccination. This eruption is healed leaving small dry hard spots. Those children who possess similar eruption prior to vaccination in them, that previously existing pimple is cured by accessory miasm which enters into the human organism along with protective lymph of cow pox. (Lymph of cow pox is the main drug miasm and impurity present along with it is the accessory miasm.) 

8. Vaccination of cow pox produces tumefaction or swelling of the vaccinated arm, on the basis of this symptom similarity it cured swollen half paralyzed arm. 

9. J. Hunter observed, that two fevers (similar diseases) cannot co-exist in the same body. So, fever accompanying cow-pox, which occurs at the time of the production of red areola, cured homoeopathically intermittent fever in two individuals, as reported by younger Hardege. 

10. Measles resembles whooping cough in its nature in producing cough and fever, in an epidemic where both diseases prevailed at same time, Bosquillon noticed that those who are attacked by measles escapes attack of whooping cough. If whooping cough also had the symptom of rashes then in all subsequent epidemics measles would have prevented whooping cough.

11. Kortum observed that chronic herpetic eruption was entirely and permanently (homoeopathically) cured by the breaking out of the measles. 

12. An excessively burning miliary rash on the face, neck, and arms, that had lasted six years, and was aggravated by every change of weather, on invasion of measles assumed the form of a swelling of the surface of skin; after the measles had run its course exanthema was cured, and returned no more. 

In footnote reason for disappearance in virulency of small pox epidemic is mentioned due to cow pox vaccination of Jenner as cow pox cures small pox. 

Dr. Hahnemann mentioned in footnote some two centuries back, whose refined part we read in today's medicine that "Small pox is eradicated".