Book Review
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1997 Jan / Feb VOL VI NO 1.
Reviewed by
Dr Nina Doshi
Title: The Amazing power of Homoeopathy. [A record of 201 difficult cases]
Compiled by: Dr S M Gunvante and Dr [Mrs] Shraddha Dutt
Publishers: : B Jain Publishers [p] ltd. 1921, Street No 10, China Mandi, Paharganj, New Delhi 110055
Edition: 1st Edition 1998
Pages: 225
Price: Rs 80/-
It is indeed a pleasure for me to review one more novel experience in learning and mastering Homoeopathy from the desk of our very own respected Shri Gunvante.
A collection of such serious cases will certainly widen the horizons of every Homoeopath. The 2 cases cited below are an example of what a storehouse of cases this compilation is. A "must read" for serious as also for the neophytes by carrying out the exercise of finding the right remedy, before going to the section where the name of the remedy appears along with the explanation of why it was the correct remedy.
Case: The "Ungrateful" Heart patient- Ms L aged 30 years, was convinced she had heart disease. She had grasping pains with a feeling of all her blood rushing to her heart and causing palpitation. Inspite of completely negative tests, she retired to bed. Her relations persuaded me to get a psychiatrist as their life was impossible. She lay in bed in a fever of planning and they had to do her bidding all day long. The psychiatrist did not help at all, so I asked Dr Borland to come and see her and I listened spellbound. She told him with rage what we had done. He replied most sympathetically that he could quite understand her feelings; he would have felt exactly the same if a psychiatrist had been brought to see him. From then on she scarcely paused to draw breath. She was sure he had understood; no one else did that; she who had always managed the affairs of the family - they could not do a thing without her advice, even while she lay in bed feeling so ill. She still had to plan everything. How monstrous that she could be asked to see a psychiatrist. Would she be lying in bed month after month, wasting time when she had such a promising career before her, if there weren't something wrong with her, and so on & on.
The facts were that she had been trained for a stage career and had been an utter failure. By retiring to bed and being the centre of the house, with her future and success dimly on the horizon, she was able to get some of the kick she had hoped for on the stage. I did not recognize the drug, but Dr Borland said as he went out, "typical..............."
Remedy:
Lilium Tigrinum -Phatak's Materia Medica describes this remedy: "sits alone and broods over imaginary troubles [all her tests were negative] Fruitless activity [she thinks she has to do everything for the family form her sick bed] Dread of being incurable. Very timid and indifferent to anything done for her. [She resents calling the psychiatrist, in view of her 'illness' inspite negative tests]
[Dr Margery G Blackie MD H.H. 8/1989 P379]
Case 2: Diphtheria, last stage- I was called one evening to a patient in the country, with a ten mile horse back ride before me through muddy roads. Therefore, it was late when I arrived, 11 pm. The priest had already been there and departed , having given the unconscious man the last sacrament. A dead child lay on a pallet on the floor. Another child, about 12, was still breathing- diphtheria. The mother sat on a chair in a corner dazed and helpless. It was the saddest picture in my experience, all living in a two room prairie shack. They were Bohemians and I could not understand the language. I had no one to interpret for me. The man who came to my office asking me to go on this visit said, "In two days they all get sick and die." Symptoms were scarce . Sudden rapid prostration - I made a guess of ----------and gave both patients [father and child] 500 potency [B&T] in water and by pointing to the clock made the mother understand to give a teaspoonful every 15 minutes, leaving just enough for eight doses each.
The next morning I returned to find quite a commotion. The neighbours were there from miles around, for the priest had been there again and one of my patients, the husband, greeted him at the door. The good Father threw up his hands, so I was told, and exploded , "a miracle, a miracle has been performed, when they told him what had happened , that the sugar doctor was there the night before.
Remedy: Arsenicum- This remedy is well known for sudden rapid prostration. Read Phatak's Materia Medica: The prostration seems to be out of proportion to the rest of his illness... Sudden intense effects.." Dr Schwartz says: The dead child had been given Antitoxin. If you know Materia Medica you will despise antitoxin. But let me assure you that when I am hunting big game, I want a high power rifle and not a shotgun. I also want to warn the hunter of dangerous game that if he is not a crack shot, he better stay out of the bush, at least until he has mastered the use of his weapon. Don't shoot until you are sure of your remedy when treating Diphtheria. Better wait even 36 hours until the symptoms are clear rather than spoil your case.
[Dr William Henry Schwartz, MD H.H 1/1980 -35]
Editor Adds : AMAZING - a small word for his memory.At the ripe age of 5 he remembers hall mark cases of every Homoeopath. He contacted me asked for my IHD cases! IHD was the turning point of my IHD omoeopathic life. It set me on the path of treating 100 cases of IHD. 15 years later Dr Gunavante remembered and asked me for that first case to be included in his new compliation.
