Homoeopathic therapeutics of haemorrhoids guernsey- a review

Dr Jalpa P. Atri
Dr Jaimin R. Chotaliya

INTRODUCTION:
 “Homoeopathic therapeutics”- a word well known in Practical Homoeopathy. Homoeopathic therapeutics gives important to Nosological terms in practical field as well as totality of symptoms according to law of cure. This is best way to explore the success of Homoeopathic treatment in front of modern medicine which believes in Nosological terms for measurement of success. Homoeopathic therapeutic is not a new venture in field of Homoeopathy but an old treasure from our pioneers. Various books and treatise on Homoeopathic Therapeutics give us good scope to learn and improve our practical skills. Among this old Treasure of Homoeopathic Literature, Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Haemorrhoids leads the list for treatment for Piles and Fistula in Homoeopathy. So, let’s explore this Hidden Treasure to get some light on the management of cases of Piles.

• Name of Book: The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Haemorrhoids by W. M. Jefferson Guernsey, M.D.
• Edition: Revised and enlarged, Second edition
• Total Page no.: 142 (in IBP Publication -152 Pg. numbers)
• Publishers: Boericke & Tafel, Philadelphia 1892
• Availability of Book: From Publishers – Indian Books & Periodicals Syndicate 

ABOUT AUTHOR:
Full name – William Jefferson Guernsey. (2/15/1854 • 3/27/1935). W.M. Guernsey was born in Frankford, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) in 1854. He was son of William Fuller Guernsey, M.D., and Adilene R. Eastman, his Wife. His Paternal Grandmother was a Jefferson and of a relative of the President of that name. In 1875 he graduated M.D. from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia. He was strict follower of Principles of Homoeopathy laid down by Dr. Hahnemann. In 1897 he conceived the idea of combining predigested meat with concentrated malt as a food for invalids and infants, and placed upon the market, in small way a Preparation containing both the best peptones and malt then Obtainable. Dr. Guernsey Married, in 1878, Marrion M. Morgan, by whom he has two daughters, Grace K. and Helen R. Guernsey.

Contributions:

1. 1876 – “Traveler’s Medical Repertory”, intended for the laity.
2. 1877 – Repertory on Menstruation.
3. 1882 – Repertory under the title “The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Haemorrhoids”.
4. 1883 – Repertory of Desires and Aversions.
5. 1889 – Guernsey’s Boenninghausen slip – a Reproduction of famous Boenninghausen Repertory, in form of Adjustable slips, which was sold only on Subscription, the entire edition being ordered before publication.
6. 1890 – Repertory on Location and Direction of Pains in the Head.
7. 1892 – Repertory on Diphtheria, The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Haemorrhoids- revised and enlarged second edition.
8. For fifteen years he has been at work at intervals upon a repertory on skin diseases, to which he has given particular study, but which is not yet ready for Publication.

PLAN & CONSTRUCTION OF BOOK

Book is divided into following parts –

1. Preface by Dr.  W. J. Guernsey
2. The Remedies and their indications
3. Repertory
4. Index

1. Preface –

In the preface of this book, Dr. Guernsey mentioned about the Proving of Homoeopathic system in context of Principles and Symptoms. Further he mentioned about the various conditions like Fistula, Prolapse and Haemorrhoids and their cure with Homoeopathic medicines. He also mentioned about the various treatment modalities and emphasis on the totality of symptoms. He said, “Totality of symptoms” does not refer to the drug, but to the patient; and that it must not be expected that a case will present all the symptoms of any medicine; on the other hand, the remedy should contain all the prominent indications of the patient.”

Later he gave brief idea about the construction of book and logical reasoning behind all sections. His advice regarding the search of symptoms is golden one to remember. “Remedies occurring under names that appeared synonymous are also brought together under one name which fairly well represent the symptoms. Too much attention is sometimes paid to the exact wording when we forget that ours is a law of “similars” and not one of the sameness. For instance, it does not matter whether the drug has produced a sensation of Warmth, heat, burning or scalding; the similarity is apparent and the difference is one of degree rather than of kind. This scheme will not only obviate the unpleasant task of searching through several synonymous names, but will be of great use to the student who desires to make additions to the text.”

1. The Remedies and their Indication :In this section, various Homoeopathic medicines with their indications regarding the Haemorrhoids are mentioned.

• Total number of medicines: 143 medicines
• Arrangement:  Medicines present under the following headings:
  • Medicine name: Medicinal name in CAPITAL BOLD with left side corresponding abbreviation and right-side common name.
  • Symptoms arranged under headings like subjective, objective, Aggravation (in some remedies), concomitants, with aggravation and amelioration in corresponding signs (<,>) whenever mentioned under subjective and objective headings. Some peculiar characteristics are given in Bold typography. (These suggest his deep conscientiousness about the Materia Medica and skillful arrangement technique. It also indicates his ardent believe in concepts of Hahnemann and Boenninghausen)

For example:

Medicinal abbreviation – Bart. (Bartfelder water from Bartfelder springs)

Subjective

Aching, Painful < walking.

Burning, < during bath.

Crawling, in rectum.

Objective

External, < during stool, < walking.

Strangulated, on walking.

Aggravation

Bath, during (burning).

Stool, during (external)

Walking (Aching, External, Strangulated).

Concomitant
Prostration; so weak he can scarcely rise for sleepiness, in the forenoon; yawning very much; weakness of knees. Hoarseness. 

1. Repertory section:

                          Repertory is divided into 3 sections – subjective symptoms, objective symptoms, Aggravation and Amelioration.

• Rubrics Arrangement –
  • Arrangement: Alphabetical arrangement 
  • Typography: Rubrics are given in bold roman with explanation of some rubrics with corresponding rubrics in simple roman letters.)
  • Sub-rubrics – Given in Simple Roman and characteristic one given in bold   Roman.  Repetition of corresponding rubric word in Sub – rubrics given with (“) sign.
  • Cross reference: present as “See” for example- Tightness- See Tension.
  • Gradation: 3 gradation – 3 marks – Bold roman, 2 marks – Italics, 1 mark – Roman
  • Modalities: Aggravation and Amelioration are given as sign (<,>). Time Modalities with hours (E.g., 3’o clock) also presented.

1. Index: contain all headings of books (preface, remedies and their indications-with 134 remedies and corresponding page number, Repertory with its headings like subjective symptoms, objective symptoms and Aggravation and Amelioration.

SPECIAL NOTE: In presently available edition by Indian Books and Periodical Syndicate, book contains extra more 2 sections named Appendix I (Comparative Therapeutics) and Appendix II (External Therapeutics)

1. Appendix I- Comparative therapeutics indications contain 32 medicines along with its Comparison with other medicines. This section helps physician for Individualization in selection of Most Suitable Remedies. 
2. Appendix II- Here information regarding the Medicated Ointment/external Application and some other auxiliary modalities are given.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF WORK

Scopes:

1. Helps to Prescribe in cases where therapeutic approach for Haemorrhoids is suitable.
2. Due to very clear Presentation of Symptoms, it is very easy to understand the Action of remedies with their Peculiar Indications.
3. Instead of anatomical Presentation, Presentation of Symptoms in a way like Subjective, Objective, Modality and Concomitant will help students to understand the Observation and get a better idea about the concept and use of concomitant.
4. Repertory section helps Physician to choose medicine quickly as well as gives a good idea to understand the various synonyms as this section is rich in synonyms.
5. Comparative section helps in study of comparative Materia Medica related to Gastro-intestinal system.
6. Section related to Auxiliary measures and External Ointment will help us to manage case very well.

Limitations:

1. Less number of Remedies in book as compare to other general Repertories.
2. Time modalities in hour presentation are given but very less in number as compare to other general repertories.
3. Less number of mental symptoms are given in Therapeutic sensation. (except few in concomitants)
4. Less number of time modalities are presented in repertory.
5. One has to be skillful in understanding of various sensations and its synonyms used in case analysis while using this therapeutic book.
6. Rubrics related to food articles are very few in repertory section of book.

CONCLUSION: These types of therapeutic books not only help Physicians but also a good gift for a Homoeopathic students and neophytes in Practice who are deeply interested to learn the Practical Homoeopathy. This work is intended to prepare for those who wish to explore the precious therapeutics hints from our Stalwarts.

REFERENCES:

1. Guernsey, W.M.J, The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Haemorrhoids, 2^nd edition, Philadelphia; Boericke & Tafel, 1982. (Digitalized edition from internet Archive)
2. Guernsey, W.M.J, The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Haemorrhoids with Appendices- comparative and external Therapeutics, New Delhi; Indian books and Periodicals Syndicate, New Delhi-5.
3. Cazalet. S, History of Homoeopathy Biographies; Copy right © Sylvain Cazalet 2003; Homeoint.org.   

Authors: –

1. Dr. Jalpa P. Atri M.D. (Hom.) (Asst. Professor in Dept. of Surgery, L. R. Shah, Homoeopathic medical college, Rajkot)
2. Dr. Jaimin R. Chotaliya M.D. (Hom.) (Asst. Professor in Dept. of Repertory, Swami Vivekanand Homeopathic medical college and Research Centre, Bhavnagar)

Emails: –

1. Atrijappi4494@gmail.com
2. jaiminchotaliya@gmail.com