Aphorism 67

Aphorism 67 Explanation

Beneficial use of antipathy in emergency. Dr. Hahnemann says that observation and experience of physicians have shown beneficial action of homoeopathic treatment along with harm done by allopathic and palliative modes of treatment.

 In footnote Dr. Hahnemann says that in emergency condition when there is imminent danger to life, allowing no time for action of homoeopathic medicines to act, in such cases it is necessary to stimulate irritability and sensibility of physical life with palliatives. On stimulating, vital organs again resume their functions as there is no disease, rather an obstruction and suppression of healthy vital force as seen in 

1. Asphyxia. - 

2. Suspended animation (Suspended animation is physical derangement not dynamic, so; physical or material agency is required to bring out a person from it.) from lightening, suffocation, freezing, drowning etc. 

3. Poisoning.

 Palliatives used in time of Dr. Hahnemann were - 

1. Gentle electric shock, 

2. Clysters of strong coffee, 

3. Stimulating odour, 

4. Gradual application of heat, etc., 

5. Alkali in poisoning from mineral acids, 6. Hepar sulph for metallic poison, 

7. Coffee, Camphora, Ipecacuanha for poisoning by Opium.

 And many more. Dr. Hahnemann further defends homoeopathy by saying that although homoeopathy does not work in above mentioned cases due to scarcity of time, it does not mean that homoeopathic medicine has been ill selected as some of the me licinal symptoms are only antipathic to the less important and minor symptoms of the disease, rather if the characteristics of the case are covered by the medicine then the other lesser important symptoms gradually fade on expiry of medicinal action, without retarding cure in the least.

 In sub footnote Dr. Hahnemann comments regarding new sect, who mixes the two systems by taking it an excuse to the general rule in disease in justifying their convenient employment of allopathic palliatives and not taking pain for selecting homoeopathic medicine for each case; although they call themselves homoeopath, but they are corrupting and are at par with the system.