Homoeopathy as Art and Science
Language
English
Type
Paperback
Publisher
Beaconsfield
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Dr Elizabeth Wright Hubbard was one of the most brilliant homoeopaths of the twentieth century. This book represents a large part of her teaching and writing, setting before the reader her great gift of being able to describe homoeopathy in a way that imprinted itself in the minds of all who studied with her.
She begins by examining the nature and philosophy of homoeopathy and its relationship with conventional medicine. This is followed by a valuable discussion on the use of the repertory and then by a major section on remedies, in which she displays her wide-ranging and often intuitive mastery of the materia medica. There is a further major section on cases, demonstrating the skill with which she was able to match the symptom picture of the patient to the proved indications of the relevant remedy. The final section of the book comprises the famous 'Brief Study Course in Homoeopathy'. Here she explains in expanded detail how the homoeopath proceeds in the evaluation and management of the individual case.
'What a treasure trove this book is, a posthumous collection of essays from one of the most brilliant homeopaths of the twentieth century. ...They are perhaps the most pleasurable way for someone schooled in allopathic thinking to grasp the essence of the homeopathic mind. They illustrate the idea of the simillimum, the minimum dose, and the single remedy in a way which mentioning these principles here does nothing to convey. ...They are essentially anecdotal evidence and they are essential reading. When the inadmissible evidence has been disclosed we have learned the truth.'
edited by Dr Maesimund B. Panos and Della DesRosiers, Homeopathy Today (USA)
| ISBN | 9780906584262 |
|---|---|
| Author | Elizabeth Wright Hubbard |
| Type | Paperback |
| Language | English |
| Publication date | 1990-02 |
| Pages | 340 |
| Publisher | Beaconsfield |
| Review | This book review is reprinted from the British Homoeopathic Journal Volume 79, Number 3, July 1990, with permission from Peter Fisher, Editor. Dr Elizabeth Wright Hubbard of New York, NY, was one of the great women homoeopathic physicians of the twentieth century. (Others include Dr Margaret Tyler, Drs Cecile Dubost and Lea de Mattos of Paris and Dr Margery Blackie.) Homoeopathy is a discipline particularly suited to the feminine intuitive intellect, where it demonstrates a quality found also in famous women novelists-the capacity to observe another human being with all six senses, and then reproduce a perfect similimum. After qualifying in medicine in 1921, and completing her interneships, Dr Hubbard studied homoeopathy for two years under Dr Pierre Schmidt of Geneva. On returning to the United States she became a homoeopathic general practitioner and was the first woman to be elected President of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, of whose journal she was Editor at the time of her death. Previously she had edited the Homoeopathic Recorder. She had a world-wide reputation for informative, witty, pithy articles and editorials and her drug pictures and case histories were famous. This book is a collection from amongst them. The first section is concerned with the philosophy of homoeopathy. Elizabeth Wright Hubbard was a committed Kentian, but she did not scorn other approaches: 'One must master the techniques of those with whom one disagrees, welcoming successes by their methods.' She believed that orthodox medicine would be infiltrated by homoeopathy, by a sort of osmotic process; and that it was therefore the duty of all homoeopaths to maintain pressure in this direction. The chapter entitled 'A Programme of Research for Modern Homoeopathy' lists twelve areas of exhaustive enquiry. Evidently computers had not yet become important at this time. What Dr Hubbard would have made of them is suggested by the Editors on page 50. After some reflections, serious and lighthearted, on the place of homoeopathy in society, there is a section on the Homoeopathic Repertory. Dr Hubbard's admiration and preference for Kent's Repertory did not prevent her from suggesting ways of improving and abridging-in her own word, revamping-it, and also comparing and combining it with Boenninghausen's Repertory. For her, the preparation of a case for repertorization was all-important, and the examples she gives will bring new insights on the use of repertory to all readers. The middle half of the book is devoted to Remedies and Cases, presented at lectures, or taken from the Homoeopathic Recorder and the Journal of the American Institute of Homoeopathy. They are remarkable for clarity and acute observation, and for the unexpected turn of phrase which etches them into the memory. Dr Hubbard must have practised medicine for about 15 years before the appearance of the first 'wonder drug' (sulphonamide) and for up to 30 years after that. She was therefore skilful in the use of homoeopathy in acute conditions, particularly infections, as well as in chronic cases. But it is strange that antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids and tranquillizers are barely mentioned in the text, except in one chapter, as a cause of suppression. They cannot be ignored, because of their universal application, and they materially affect the drug pictures arising in many patients who come for homoeopathic treatment. The last quarter of the book is entitled 'A Brief Study Course in Homoeopathy', and it would be worth buying the book for this section alone, even if the rest were not so informative and entertaining. Here are all the answers to the questions that a student of any degree of experience might ask, concerning case-taking, repertorization, prescribing, dosage, potency, repetition, and management. There is a chapter on The Dangers of Homoeopathic Prescribing. Even doctors who do not adhere to the strictly Kentian principles of the single remedy, single dose, and liberal use of Sac. lac. will find much for consideration here. This is the perfect bedside book for homoeopathic doctors. It assumes in the reader a knowledge of conventional medicine as well as of homoeopathy. There is no instruction for domestic self-medication, and some patients might take issue with how they are to be 'managed'. Lay homoeopaths are not mentioned at all. The editors and publisher are to be congratulated on creating a coherent whole from a collection of brilliant fragments, but I am sorry that there is no indication of the date when each was written, as it would have been interesting to follow the development of the Author's thought. MARIANNE HARLING British Homoeopathic Journal
This book review is reprinted from The Homoeopath with permission from Nick Churchill of The Society of Homoeopaths. reviewed by Amanda Bingley This is a very exciting and long awaited publication of selected writings by the American homoeopath, Elizabeth Wright Hubbard MD, who died in 1967. A pupil of Pierre Schmidt, this extraordinary woman is reputedly 'homoeopathy's strongest pillar and most brilliant flame of this century' to quote from the preface by Della DesRosiers, who goes on to outline some of Dr Hubbard's achievements; one of the first women to train at Columbia University Medical School, President of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, editor of its journal, teacher, wife, practitioner and other, AND she found time to write, research and inspire. This selection has been chosen from her articles and teachings. The bulk of the book covers her ideas and notes on a variety of topics from philosophy, notes on remedies and a section called 'Visions' to some intriguing and well argued case studies and repertory work. She has a fund of insights into materia medica, all delightfully presented with humour and meticulous attention to detail, see the sections 'Mental Portraits of Remedies Familiar and Unfamiliar', 'Cough and Company', and a piece 'To the Patient's Surprise', where all she has given 'mini' pictures of Calcarea carbonica and Petroleum and a fascinating case of a man with active TB successfully treated with classic constitutional prescribing. Following 79 of these short writings the final part of this book is taken up with the only lengthy work she completed, A Brief Study Course in Homoeopathy. A paradox perhaps but as Lucy Swanton Clark MD says in her review of this section it may only be... 'the briefest of courses'... but... This is well deserved praise for a book which so clearly and simply outlines the basic principles of homoeopathic philosophy and practice. Throughout this collection of works one is struck by her great diversity of knowledge and depth of understanding. One can dip into this book over and over again, emerging with some new insight which may be usefull to both oneself and one's practice or widen the scope of useful remedies etc. There is some item which will surely interest everyone, student, practitioner and the lay reader alike. However, inherent in the fact that this is a collection of odd papers, essays etc. is the sadness that Dr Hubbard never concentrated on an area in order to develop it into a book form. I found each article tantalizingly short, just beginning as it ends. The editors have attempted to overcome the resulting 'bitty' effect by putting subjects under clearly defined headings and and this does allow for continuity, but apart from one solitary article ('The Simillimum as Psychiatrist', p.249) they have omitted all references to sources and chronology, so one has no guide as to how Wright Hubbard developed her themes and in what context. A frustrating omission from both a general interest and a research viewpoint. Perhaps, encouraged by the success of this venture the editors may include references in future editions, and even add further material, as in a few cases the discussion section has been left out, and there may be some useful tips in everything! A book of many inspirations, it is guaranteed to be of lasting value and delight for many years. The Homoeopath Vol.10 No.4 1990 This book review is reprinted with the permission of the International Foundation for Homeopathy This book presents one with an array of oddities, ideas, and homeopathic pearls. Unfortunately, the first 100 pages or so of the book reveal no new information. The reading falls into several headings: "Whimsy" (which contains sub-chapters on poems of various remedies); "Philosophy," "Editorials," and "Visions." The latter are less fanciful but, due to the rather extreme brevity of the sub-chapters (two to five pages), their earnest discussions of the vital force, high and low potencies, the constitutional remedy, etc., lack any true depth. There are no new insights presented here. However, once the book begins the sections on "Remedies" and "Cases," new and very worthwhile information is garnered, especially on many little-known and infrequently used remedies. I was impressed by how intimately familiar Dr. Hubbard was with these small remedies (e.g. Magnetis polis arcticus, Oleum animale, Laurocerasus, etc.) as well as the nosodes. Many of the individual subchapters are still only two to five pages long, but they are filled with plenty of excellent information and fascinating case synopses. Various health topics which are highlighted in the book include: endocrine problems in children; mental pictures of familiar and unfamiliar remedies; remedies in backache; and unusual uses for the nosodes, including their use in acute disease. The editors end the book with useful and important general chapters on the art of homeopathy. There are many wonderful essays on the direction of cure, casetaking, making operations unnecessary by treating with homeopathy, the evaluation of symptoms, repertorizing, remedy relationships, and many more. Altogether, this is an extremely valuable and instructive book on homeopathy, after the first 100 pages. RESONANCE JULY-AUGUST 1990 |
Review
This book review is reprinted from the British Homoeopathic Journal Volume 79, Number 3, July 1990, with permission from Peter Fisher, Editor.
Dr Elizabeth Wright Hubbard of New York, NY, was one of the great women homoeopathic physicians of the twentieth century. (Others include Dr Margaret Tyler, Drs Cecile Dubost and Lea de Mattos of Paris and Dr Margery Blackie.) Homoeopathy is a discipline particularly suited to the feminine intuitive intellect, where it demonstrates a quality found also in famous women novelists-the capacity to observe another human being with all six senses, and then reproduce a perfect similimum.
After qualifying in medicine in 1921, and completing her interneships, Dr Hubbard studied homoeopathy for two years under Dr Pierre Schmidt of Geneva. On returning to the United States she became a homoeopathic general practitioner and was the first woman to be elected President of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, of whose journal she was Editor at the time of her death. Previously she had edited the Homoeopathic Recorder. She had a world-wide reputation for informative, witty, pithy articles and editorials and her drug pictures and case histories were famous. This book is a collection from amongst them.
The first section is concerned with the philosophy of homoeopathy. Elizabeth Wright Hubbard was a committed Kentian, but she did not scorn other approaches: 'One must master the techniques of those with whom one disagrees, welcoming successes by their methods.' She believed that orthodox medicine would be infiltrated by homoeopathy, by a sort of osmotic process; and that it was therefore the duty of all homoeopaths to maintain pressure in this direction. The chapter entitled 'A Programme of Research for Modern Homoeopathy' lists twelve areas of exhaustive enquiry. Evidently computers had not yet become important at this time. What Dr Hubbard would have made of them is suggested by the Editors on page 50.
After some reflections, serious and lighthearted, on the place of homoeopathy in society, there is a section on the Homoeopathic Repertory. Dr Hubbard's admiration and preference for Kent's Repertory did not prevent her from suggesting ways of improving and abridging-in her own word, revamping-it, and also comparing and combining it with Boenninghausen's Repertory. For her, the preparation of a case for repertorization was all-important, and the examples she gives will bring new insights on the use of repertory to all readers.
The middle half of the book is devoted to Remedies and Cases, presented at lectures, or taken from the Homoeopathic Recorder and the Journal of the American Institute of Homoeopathy. They are remarkable for clarity and acute observation, and for the unexpected turn of phrase which etches them into the memory.
Dr Hubbard must have practised medicine for about 15 years before the appearance of the first 'wonder drug' (sulphonamide) and for up to 30 years after that. She was therefore skilful in the use of homoeopathy in acute conditions, particularly infections, as well as in chronic cases. But it is strange that antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids and tranquillizers are barely mentioned in the text, except in one chapter, as a cause of suppression. They cannot be ignored, because of their universal application, and they materially affect the drug pictures arising in many patients who come for homoeopathic treatment.
The last quarter of the book is entitled 'A Brief Study Course in Homoeopathy', and it would be worth buying the book for this section alone, even if the rest were not so informative and entertaining. Here are all the answers to the questions that a student of any degree of experience might ask, concerning case-taking, repertorization, prescribing, dosage, potency, repetition, and management. There is a chapter on The Dangers of Homoeopathic Prescribing. Even doctors who do not adhere to the strictly Kentian principles of the single remedy, single dose, and liberal use of Sac. lac. will find much for consideration here.
This is the perfect bedside book for homoeopathic doctors. It assumes in the reader a knowledge of conventional medicine as well as of homoeopathy. There is no instruction for domestic self-medication, and some patients might take issue with how they are to be 'managed'. Lay homoeopaths are not mentioned at all.
The editors and publisher are to be congratulated on creating a coherent whole from a collection of brilliant fragments, but I am sorry that there is no indication of the date when each was written, as it would have been interesting to follow the development of the Author's thought.
MARIANNE HARLING
British Homoeopathic Journal
Volume 79, Number 3, July 1990
This book review is reprinted from The Homoeopath with permission from Nick Churchill of The Society of Homoeopaths.
2 Artizan Road, Northampton NN1 4HU, United Kingdom.
reviewed by Amanda Bingley
This is a very exciting and long awaited publication of selected writings by the American homoeopath, Elizabeth Wright Hubbard MD, who died in 1967. A pupil of Pierre Schmidt, this extraordinary woman is reputedly 'homoeopathy's strongest pillar and most brilliant flame of this century' to quote from the preface by Della DesRosiers, who goes on to outline some of Dr Hubbard's achievements; one of the first women to train at Columbia University Medical School, President of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, editor of its journal, teacher, wife, practitioner and other, AND she found time to write, research and inspire. This selection has been chosen from her articles and teachings.
The bulk of the book covers her ideas and notes on a variety of topics from philosophy, notes on remedies and a section called 'Visions' to some intriguing and well argued case studies and repertory work. She has a fund of insights into materia medica, all delightfully presented with humour and meticulous attention to detail, see the sections 'Mental Portraits of Remedies Familiar and Unfamiliar', 'Cough and Company', and a piece 'To the Patient's Surprise', where all she has given 'mini' pictures of Calcarea carbonica and Petroleum and a fascinating case of a man with active TB successfully treated with classic constitutional prescribing.
Following 79 of these short writings the final part of this book is taken up with the only lengthy work she completed, A Brief Study Course in Homoeopathy. A paradox perhaps but as Lucy Swanton Clark MD says in her review of this section it may only be...
'the briefest of courses'... but...
"Each of the chapters is full of gems not to be skipped. They bring to the reader those rare qualities of human understanding, which along with a gift in the use of words, were characteristic of Dr Hubbard. Once having met and heard her lecture, or watched her interview and prescribe for a patient, one became aware of an artist and a perfectionist in her work. She can never be replaced. This small work preserves her essence'.
This is well deserved praise for a book which so clearly and simply outlines the basic principles of homoeopathic philosophy and practice.
Throughout this collection of works one is struck by her great diversity of knowledge and depth of understanding. One can dip into this book over and over again, emerging with some new insight which may be usefull to both oneself and one's practice or widen the scope of useful remedies etc. There is some item which will surely interest everyone, student, practitioner and the lay reader alike.
However, inherent in the fact that this is a collection of odd papers, essays etc. is the sadness that Dr Hubbard never concentrated on an area in order to develop it into a book form. I found each article tantalizingly short, just beginning as it ends. The editors have attempted to overcome the resulting 'bitty' effect by putting subjects under clearly defined headings and and this does allow for continuity, but apart from one solitary article ('The Simillimum as Psychiatrist', p.249) they have omitted all references to sources and chronology, so one has no guide as to how Wright Hubbard developed her themes and in what context. A frustrating omission from both a general interest and a research viewpoint. Perhaps, encouraged by the success of this venture the editors may include references in future editions, and even add further material, as in a few cases the discussion section has been left out, and there may be some useful tips in everything!
A book of many inspirations, it is guaranteed to be of lasting value and delight for many years.
The Homoeopath Vol.10 No.4 1990
This book review is reprinted with the permission of the International Foundation for Homeopathy
Reveiwed by Mona Morstein, ND
This book presents one with an array of oddities, ideas, and homeopathic pearls. Unfortunately, the first 100 pages or so of the book reveal no new information. The reading falls into several headings: "Whimsy" (which contains sub-chapters on poems of various remedies); "Philosophy," "Editorials," and "Visions." The latter are less fanciful but, due to the rather extreme brevity of the sub-chapters (two to five pages), their earnest discussions of the vital force, high and low potencies, the constitutional remedy, etc., lack any true depth. There are no new insights presented here.
However, once the book begins the sections on "Remedies" and "Cases," new and very worthwhile information is garnered, especially on many little-known and infrequently used remedies. I was impressed by how intimately familiar Dr. Hubbard was with these small remedies (e.g. Magnetis polis arcticus, Oleum animale, Laurocerasus, etc.) as well as the nosodes. Many of the individual subchapters are still only two to five pages long, but they are filled with plenty of excellent information and fascinating case synopses. Various health topics which are highlighted in the book include: endocrine problems in children; mental pictures of familiar and unfamiliar remedies; remedies in backache; and unusual uses for the nosodes, including their use in acute disease.
The editors end the book with useful and important general chapters on the art of homeopathy. There are many wonderful essays on the direction of cure, casetaking, making operations unnecessary by treating with homeopathy, the evaluation of symptoms, repertorizing, remedy relationships, and many more.
Altogether, this is an extremely valuable and instructive book on homeopathy, after the first 100 pages.
RESONANCE JULY-AUGUST 1990
