OUT OF PRINT: Homeopathy in General Practice

Review

This book review is reprinted from the British Homoeopathic Journal Vol 87, July 1998, with permission from Peter Fisher, Editor.

Reviewed by M Cannell

There are other books on Homeopathy and General Practice such as Downey's and Leckridge's 'Homeopathy and Primary Care' but Alastair Jack's new book really fills a gap. It focuses on management of complex cases and is filled with very challenging patient histories as well as a compilation of Dr Jack's life's work. It is a significant contribution to the growing homeopathic literature. Its subtitle: 'anecdotal but significant' is entirely appropriate, while the main title is an understatement of the treasures to be found in this book, and probably reflects Dr Jack's modesty! I believe that all those practising homeopathy would find this book useful as it contains a remarkable distillation of a unique career. Dr Jack worked as a General Practitioner in Bromsgrove, outside Birmingham for over 40y, until he retired from the NHS in 1980. He managed to achieve an integration of homeopathy and general practice, which can appear daunting.

The beginner in homeopathy might find this book a challenge. However, it will be most useful to all homeopathic doctors, whether they are General Practitioners, working in hospital or in private practice. Post-MFHom practitioners will find it most useful in terms of complex case management. I found it a struggle to make that jump from simple to complex cases and this book is an invaluable guide. It features a wonderful collection of 129 cases organised by systems of the body, illustrating Dr Jack's method of using Homeopathy in General Practice. It shows 'good old fashioned classical homeopathy' at its best, which appears effortless when a prescriber has the in depth knowledge of the homeopathic materia medica and repertory of Dr Jack.

I have never met Dr Jack but was delighted to be asked to review this book as I had the privilege of several telephone conversations with him which were of great value in the early years of my training in homeopathy. I found his understanding of the Christian faith helpful, as today some Christians sadly cannot accept homeopathy. He does not mention his Christian faith in this book but his enthusiasm for homeopathy and the wan-nth that he showed to his patients shines through. Many will remember his lectures at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital and the courses organised in the Birmingham area. After I began working in the medical department of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, I discovered his earlier publications in the British Homeopathic Journal on the homeopathic management of Crohn's Disease. I found these very useful and had hoped that he would write a book! At last he has.

There are many other clinical gems to be found in this book such as the 'use of Chenopodium in Meniere's Disease, his treatment of a child with tuberous sclerosis using Artemisia, the management of an adult with transverse myelitis, the use of Antimonium crudum in sun sensitivity (Dr Jack mentions this came from Boericke's materia medica which clearly I must read again!). Other cases include a child with Congenital Adrenal HyperplasiaX,did you know that Secale is often useful in hypothermia in the elderly? and so I could go on! The case histories are interspersed with discussion including many valuable clinical tips. There are also some fascinating facts. For instance when discussing the use of Arsenicum album in skin diseases; Dr Jack mentions 'arsenic eaters in the Tyrol who conditioned themselves by gradually increasing the dose of white arsenic as they maintained that it imparted a sense of invigoration and enabled them to cover immense loads up steep mountain passes!'

Jack's treatment strategies are very flexible; he changes easily from miasms and bowel nosodes, constitutional and local remedies and isopathy within the cases he describes and from high potencies to pathological prescribing of low potencies. I know myself how, early in one's career it is so easy for prescribers to get 'stuck' with certain approaches. He also describes the use of his famous 'home remedies' list that he gave to all new mothers in his practice.

The whole book is a challenge to all homeopathic doctors. I believe the cost of L-20 represents excellent value and continues the high calibre of homeopathic books in the Beaconsfield tradition.

This review was reprinted from the October 2002 edition of Homeopathy in Practice with permission from the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths.

Reviewed by: Dr Colin B. Lessell

Essentially a detailed extraction and discussion of 129 cases from the records of this eminent practitioner, this is certainly one of the most pleasing and illuminating books I have seen on homeopathy in the last few years. The application of remedies to a wide range of clinical entities in general medical practice is described, both in place of and in conjunction with orthodox medicines. Although the cases are largely classified in relation to the systems of the body (cardiovascular, neurological etc.), proper homeopathic criteria for prescription are discussed appropriately. For example, four cases (Nos. 75-78) of Crohn's are described at some length in the chapter 'Gastrointestinal disease', but they are concisely and pointedly prefaced by a general dissertation on the homeopathic treatment of this condition, including how such therapy should be instituted in those already on orthodox medication (valuable comments, indeed, for those who wish to avoid disaster and medico-legal confrontation!). Here we learn that the author's experience suggests that the most effective constitutional remedies are Phosphorus, Phosphoricum acidum, Nux vomica, Lycopodium and Pulsatilla; whilst the most effective 'local' [sic] medicines are Podophyllum and Aloe.

Additionally, there are some fairly useful general introductory chapters on 'getting started' and first aid, whilst the final one is essentially a tribute to Hahnemann. This book is certainly going to be a winner with those new to homeopathy, whether they be physicians or otherwise - and, quite frankly, it is also a good read for most of us who might consider ourselves reasonably competent. The editors must be complimented on doing such a fine job. The price of £20.00 is quite reasonable for the distillation of a life's work and study, and nobody should ask to borrow my copy!