Page:Quackery Unmasked.djvu/31

Rh of the disease he wished to cure; because, according to his doctrine, whatever would make a well man sick, would cure one sick and having the same symptoms. His theory of cure was this: "The medicine (he says) sets up in the suffering part of the organism an artificial, but somewhat stronger disease, which on account of its great similarity and preponderating influence, takes the place of the original disease, and the organism from that time forth is influenced only by the artificial complaint; and as soon as the temporary effect of the medicine passes off, the patient is cured." This is the rationale of his theory. Now let us examine its workings. Take a case of epistaxis, which in common language is bleeding at the nose. Hahnemann's remedy is charcoal, which, according to his theory, sets up in the system of the patient an artificial action somewhat stronger than the original disease—or, to use his own language, "slightly aggravates the disease," and when the effect of the medicine passes off, the patient is to be cured. But how long must the patient continue to bleed faster than before, in order to be cured?