Book Review
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 2004 Mar / Apr VOL VI NO 2.
Reviewed by
Dr (Mrs) Rajni K Gwalani.
Title: Rheumatoid Arthritis - It's Curability In Homoeopathy
Author: Dr Subhas Singh
Publisher: Dr I Manish, Homoeopathic Publications,Calcutta-9
Edited By: Indian Homoeo Recorder
Price: Rs.30/-
Edition:1st March 2000
Pages: 100
This book on Rheumatoid Arthritis is the 5th
in the series of Dr Subhas Singh’s writings.
In the Introductory Chapter, Dr Subhas Singh rightly says, that the Homoeopathy
approach to the treatment of RA is not different from the Hom approach to any
other Chronic and Constitutional disease. RA has been branded as ‘not
permanently curable’ in the allopathic system, but not so in homoeopathy.
However, like any other chronic disease, the desired cure depends upon the
skill, knowledge, patience and observation of the physician. The best and the
ideal way is to treat by giving Anti-miasmatic Constitutional remedy.
In Acute Stage, when the patient is in pain, the physician should relieve his
pain by one or two acute remedies in hand or allopathic drugs and the best time
for application of Constitutional remedies is when acute suffering has subsided.
Like any other science, Homoeopathy also has its limitations depending upon
stage of the disease and deformities, where then Palliation may be the solution.
The author has very briefly and precisely written in
Section I-in following sub-headings: Background of the disease, Definitions,
Predisposition, Onset, Pathology, Localized and Generalized features,
Deformities, Rheumatoid Nodules, Various Systemic Changes, etc.
Investigations like RA factor, CRP, ESR and X-Ray of the joint involved and
American Rheumatism Association Criteria for diagnosing RA.
Section II-Management of RA.
Drugs used in Allopathy like NSAIDS, Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressive drugs
and DMARDS (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs).
Stresses on Rest, Splinting and Change of position frequently, Exercises - Isometric
and Isotonic and about trying to avoid Iso Kinetic Exercises. Focus on Life
Style Modification and Family Counseling and Psycho-Social treatment to
preserving the function and prevention of disability & deformities.
Section III-Approach to a case of RA: Point’s to ask while taking history.
Section IV-Miasmatic Study of RA.
Section V-Constitutional Remedies. He describes various remedies with differential diagnosis. Remedies like Ars-alb; Aur-met; Bryonia; Calc-carb; Causticum; Colchicum; Conium; Iodium; Kali-bichrom; Kali-iod; Ledum-pal; Lycopodium; Lithium-carb; Medorrhium; Naja; Nux-vom; Phosphorus; Pulsatilla; Radium-br; Rhus-tox; Sang-can; Sulphur; Syphilinum; Thuja; and others like Antim-crud; Kali-carb; Sepia; Tuberculinum and X-Ray are touched upon as Constitutional remedies.
Section VI- Symptomatic Remedies like Aconite; Cimcifuga; Actea-spicata; Agaricus; Ammon-carb; Anacardium; Apis-mel; Arnica; Belladonna; Benzoic-acid; Berberis-vulgaris; Cactus; Calc-flour; Calc-phos; Caulophyllum; Chamomilla; China; China-sulph; Cobaltum; Drosera; Dulcamara; Eupat-perf; Gelsemium; Guaicum; Mag-carb; Manganum; Nux-moichata; Petroleum; Ran-bulb; Ruta; Sabina; Spigelia; Veratrum-alb; Zincum etc.
In last Section VII - Some Pallalitive Remedies, newer ones like Derris-pinatta, Bellis-per, Ginseng, etc.
I congratulate Dr Subhas Singh for presenting such a vast subject of RA in a nutshell. It’s a simple and easy reference book for a homoeopath while treating a case of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Editor: A readyimade, already written Review of this book had come to NJH in 2001, but without the book. NJH does not publish printed reviews, so it asked for the book. It has taken the author 4 yrs to send it! But we are happy to review it.
