Aphorism 56

Aphorism 56 Explanation

Basis of palliative treatment. 

Having crowned palliation to be reason for existence of allopathy, in this section Dr. Hahnemann gives basis of this palliative treatment- 

1. Introduced as per teachings of Galen. 

2. Galen's basis was 'Contraria Contraris' - he meant to oppose disease by antagonistic means so as to neutralize its effect. 

Commenting on this palliative mode of treatment Dr. Hahnemann says that by observing result of such treatment it can be known that it is harmful and disease runs its rapid course. Although, it provides instant relief as relation of disease and therapeutic agent is exactly opposite to that is required making mockery of the patient suffering from chronic disease. 

In footnote Dr. Hahnemann mentions isopathy to be third mode of employing medicine (other two being - antipathy and homoeopathy, allopathy have no distinct theory of its own, which at times use homoeopathy and other times use antipathy empirically.) whose features are -

 1. Founded by Mr. Lux. 

 2. It is method of curing disease by the same contagious principle that produces it. But, in this mode the virus is given in highly potentized form, consequently cure is affected by opposing similimum to similimum.

 It contradicts all understanding to treat diseases by its morbid product, as in every case the morbid product cannot be isolated. For instance in case of discharge per ear morbid product can be isolated; but, in case of cephalgia no morbid product could be isolated. But, those who thought of its benefit saw benefit received from Cow pox vaccination, although cow pox and small pox are two entirely different diseases.

 Homoeopathy is based on therapeutic law of nature in which similar symptom producing agent is employed for cure of diseases. So, Dr. Hahnemann gives hint that products of diseases present in animal and plant kingdom can be used as medicines in treatment of human ailments i.e. - nosodes; but he puts a question mark on using the morbid product of itch in human diseases especially itch, as the origin is homologous so it could only produce trouble and aggravation. 

Using Carcinoşin, Tuberculinum or other nosodes basing on the history of carcinoma, tuberculosis etc. leaving aside peculiarities of patient, his totality, is isopathy not homoeopathy.

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