This book review is reprinted with the permission of the American Institute of Homeopathy
925 E. 17th Ave.
Denver, CO 80218

The Collected Works of Arthur Hill Grimmer, M.D.
(Edited by Ahmed N. Currim, Ph.D., M.D.)
ISBN: 3-929271-05-2, 1996
890 pages, ppk, 6" x 8.25"
Published by Hahnemann International Institute for Homeopathic Documentation
148 E. Avenue, Ste 1-L - Norwalk, CT 06851
$140.00 [Editor's note: As of May 1997 Minimum Price Books' price is $100.00]
Reviewed by Jay Yasgur, R.Ph., M.Sc.

So much of our work in the homeopathic field is detective work. Whether it is taking the case or repertorizing or researching historical material or learning the materia medica, homeopathy is one long search and exploration.

With the nine hundred page volume which Dr. Currim has pieced together, such effort is even more poignant. This book is as much a tribute to Dr. Grimmer as it is to Dr. Currim's dedication, scholarship, and perseverance in getting this material assembled and out (he remarks, that it took him 22 years and I don't doubt that). At the same time, Ahmed came out with this book, he also penned another much needed reference book, Guide to Kent's Repertory. I will talk briefly about that work, but the bulk of this review will concentrate on the former piece of scholarship.

It took me several moments of reflection before deciding that the best way to review this immense treasure was to present as many of its jewels as possible. I did this so that the reader will be informed before making a purchase decision and so that one might gain insight into the massive breadth of Grimmer's work. So let me start by describing the chapter "Clinical Novelties." In these few pages Grimmer discusses Scrophularia nodosa, Parthenium (Escoba amaraga, Bitter-broom), Solanum integri and Oxydendron arboreum. Oxydendron arb, is the curative remedy in the following interesting case:

"My experience with this remedy was in the case of a young married man, 23 years of age who came to my office November 19, 1942 suffering with acute diffuse nephritis which followed the extraction of a large number of infected teeth; extremities were badly swollen with considerable ascites. The only thing complained of was many dizzy headaches; blood pressure 160/ 90; heart sounds weak and fast but regular; urine albuminous and loaded with granular and hyaline casts. The general health had always been good. The patient had been treated several months before I saw him by regular physicians of the old school. There were no therapeutic symptoms, only common and diagnostic symptoms were present for the selection of the remedy. Aur-iod. 10M, Merc-sulph. 10M, and Kali-ars. 10M were given within an interval of about ten days apart. After each remedy the patient grew worse, becoming more bloated with fluid and gradually finding it harder to get his breath. After a month he was a pitiable sight, distended to abnormal proportions and unable to lie down, and found it almost impossible to move.

Apparently this was an incurable case, but in desperation the patient consented to a test of his blood for remedy selection. Oxydendron was the only remedy in several hundred of the polarity group to which his blood belonged to come through. It was given in the two hundredth potency with most amazing and rapid improvement in the patient's symptoms and well being. The potency was repeated in 3 weeks and later several doses of the 10M were given at month intervals, followed by the 50M and CM potencies to complete the cure in about 6 months when the patient returned to his work as a truck driver, and has remained on the job until the present time. Some three years have elapsed with the patient remaining strong and well but still considerably under weight, (135 lbs.) for his height (6 feet).

From this brief review of the little known drug we could expect much greater things from its use by a complete homeopathic proving."
Grimmer, p. 124,5.

Another case of interest concerns the little known Solanum integri:

"Several years ago, while visiting there (Florida), I procured one of the plants with their fruit and sent it to our able pharmacist and good friend Mr. Ehrhart of Chicago for identification and preparation of tincture and potencies of this plant, having first tested the whole plant and fruit for its polarity and vibratory rates of disease contained there-in.

It belongs to the positive group and corresponds to rates of malignant disease of various types such as tuberculosis and degenerative types of disease. In the past this remedy [was given] in potency only, 30th and higher by means of testing it over the patients blood to ascertain its homeopathic relation to each specific case tested. The results in a great number of seriously ill cases have been uniformly good. The most outstanding cases were those of chronic bronchial asthma.

One very unusual case of a doctor, who has suffered for almost a lifetime and had tried all forms of medication for relief including good homeopathic prescribing with only occasional slight relief. One month after one dose of the 30th potency of Solanium integri the patient reported being almost entirely free of asthma and felt better than ever before in his life. The patient is still improving after 6 months and is now on the ten thousandth potency of the remedy.

Surely here is another remedy that, when proved homeopathically, will be a mighty weapon in the hands of the physician to relieve and cure one of the most intractable and terrible diseases; asthma."
Grimmer, p. 126,7

I chose these two cases not just because of their amazing amelioration, but because Dr. Grimmer used radionics as a source of information about the potential curative properties of the remedy and to help him cure the case. I'll talk more about this in a bit.

Dr. Currim's treatise is divided into nine sections (approximate number of pages are in parenthesis): Materia medica (150), Prophylaxis (40), Philosophy (180), Clinical Cases (60), Special Diseases (60), Essays (I 83), Electronic Reactions of Abrams (50), Cancer (150), and Repertory Rubrics for Kent's Repertory from Grimmer (20).

In the Materia Medica section there are a number of papers; for instance, "Characteristics and Differentiations of the Kali Salts" discusses virtually all of the Kali's, namely Kali aceticum / arsenicosum / bichromicum / bromatum / carbonicum / chloricum / chlorosum / citricum / cyanatum / ferrocyanatum / iodatum / muriaticum / nitricum / oxalicum / permanganicum / phosphoricum / picricum / sulphuratum / Sulphuricum / tartaricum / telluricum. Another paper deals with the "Characteristics and Differentiations of the Natrum Remedies," namely Natrum arsenicosum / cacodylicum / carbonicum / hypochlorosum / iodatum / lacticum / muriaticum / nitricum / nitrosum / phosphoricum / salicylicum. Another deals with "The Spider Poisons": Aranea diadema, Aranearium tela (tela), Aranea scinencia, Latrodectus katipo, Latrodectus mactans, Mygale, Scorpio, Scolopendra, Tarentula hispanica, Tarentula cubensis, and Theridion.

About 50 papers makeup the Philosophy section. A few of the titles are: "Essentials of Homeopathic Philosophy," "The Power of Infinitesimals," "The Sphere of the Repertory," "Things that Interfere with the Homeopathic Prescription," "Things that Prevent the Curative Action of Well Selected Remedies," "Materia Medica Study," "The Law of Similars and Empiricism," "Flashes of Medical Wisdom," "50 Millesimal Potencies," and "Gems of Homeopathic Thought From the Masters."

Under the section Clinical Cases one finds papers with the following titles: "Epilepsy," "Congenital Malformation of Intestines...... Blindness from Eye Injury...... Eczema," "Two Cases of Facial Neuralgia or Tic Douloureux," "Cancer," "Bronchial Asthma," "Weak Heart and Epilepsy," and "Typical Clinical Versus Atypical Cases." In this last paper Grimmer presents several cases where the well chosen remedy failed to cure, requiring the use of "lesser" remedies to clean-up or clear the case or act in an intercurrent fashion.

"In chronic troubles the physician's work is beset with many difficult problems requiring study and patience and unlimited faith, in the power of the similimum; and these are the cases where we rarely find the typical expression of one proving; they are always more or less atypical. In recent years chronic disease has been deeply complicated and confused by the universal abuse of the numerous and ever-increasing coal tar and antibiotic drugs that deluge the human race today.... All these afflictions have increased in a most alarming way during the past ten years. To the disastrous effects of universal drugging is added the deleterious action of processed and adulterated foods; vegetables and fruits contaminated with poison sprays, drinking water everywhere polluted with harmful chemicals, cooking utensils made of aluminium which slowly but surely build up a pathological residue in the organism that results in many forms of degenerative disease. All these destructive elements not only depress life forces but inhibit the action of homeopathic remedies. Hence the increased obstacles in the way of successful homeopathic prescribing."
Grimmer, 414

These comments were made 45 years ago! They are still applicable today. By the way, Grimmer said that the toxemia created by aluminum could be re- moved by Cadmium metallicum. Currim suggests Cadmium oxide as well. Grimmer also spoke out against the fluoridation of water and vaccinations.

Grimmer offers several examples of atypical cases, such as...

"An infant boy, eighteen months old, suffering from nasal blocking and large inflamed tonsils with rattling of loose mucus in bronchial tubes. Wakened from sleep suffocating and gasping and cyanotic. Neither LACHESIS nor Opium was not (sic) given (KR pg. 763R) Why? Because during sleep his skin was dry, and soon after waking he was bathed in profuse sweat. (KR pg. 1293R) Sambucus Nigra soon relieved and saved that child's life, my own son who is now a hardy six footer of twenty." (KR refers to Kent's Repertory, R refers to the right column ... jy)
Grimmer, 415,6

Another paper in this chapter concerns an individual suffering from cholecystitis:

"The following is a typical one (referring to troubles of the gall bladder ... jy); but from homeopathic therapeutics it is quite atypical, having only common symptoms of the disease to prescribe on.

August 17, 195 1, J.R. age 46. Has had recurring gall stones and colic since January last. X-ray shows stones. Appetite poor and easily satisfied. Bowel elimination fair without drugs; good general health, but complexion is jaundiced. Had bronchitis in 1927. Operated from appendicitis a year ago. Now on a fat-free diet. Teeth are in good condition and cared for. No vomiting with attacks but has a bitter taste. Not affected by weather changes. Not thirsty. Often belches before attack. Uses no tobacco or alcohol, drinks one cup of coffee per day. Sleep varies, good at times. Although only common symptoms make up the study, the easy satiety, bitter taste and tendency to belch, with thirstlessness, jaundice not marked and no marked sensitiveness to cold are best covered by Lycopodium, and that remedy was given in the 10M potency.

Sept. 17, 1951. A month later patient reported having more gas and broken sleep. Lyc. 10M.

Oct. 10, 1951. Had a headache for 3 days (old symptoms), otherwise feeling better; the remedy was continued.

October 24, 1951. Better. Remedy continued (means no remedy given or Sac. lac.-ac)

November 29, 1951. Better until recently. Lyc. 50M.

January 9, 1952. Had a light attack. Lyc. 50M.

February 1, 1952. Better every way. Remedy continued.

February 20, 1952. Had a severe headache and took an aspirin. Lyc. 50M.

April 17, 1952. Better but some jaundice remains. Lyc. CM.

May 7, 1952. The patient feels he is well, and all jaundice and symptoms are gone. We have advised another X-ray be taken of the gall bladder to note what changes, if any, there are in the stones. But it looks like this patient is well without surgical intervention.
Grimmer, 416,7

"Mental Diseases Cured by Homeopathy," "Homeopathic Psychosomatic Medicine," and "A New Medical Approach in the Treatment of Alcoholism" are just three of about 15 papers in the section devoted to Special Diseases. The last paper is especially interesting and focuses on the use of about twenty remedies in the treatment of alcoholism.

Homeopathic prophylaxis is discussed in the section Prophylaxis. It includes a gem of a paper entitled "Prevention and Cure of Heart Disease by Homeopathy." Aconite, Latrodectus mactans, Cenchris contortrix, Naja, Lachesis, Cactus grandiflorus, Digitalis, Crataegus oxyacantha, and .Carbo vegetabilis are compared.

The Essay section, some 180 pages in length, is composed of a vast number of papers. From "An Autobiography" to "World's Need of Homeopathy," from his address at the "All Pakistan Homeopathic Conference in 1952," to an essay on "James Tyler Kent," to "Homeopathy's Contribution to the World of Medicine," A.H. treats us to some fine reading.

The Cancer section is no less marvelous and can be read a number of times before one would tire. He relates many cases and discusses nearly eighty remedies, from Acalypha indica to Thuja, all of which have cured the sufferer of cancer.

"The homeopathic approach to chronic disease and cancer differs from the approach of traditional medicine. Homeopathy takes cognizance of the intangible forces operating in and around us; these forces are related to causes and work on the unseen planes of nature ... Before any change takes place in the cells or tissues of the body there a is a change in the life force and chemistry of the body; these changes are first observed in the blood stream which carries all nourishment to the remotest parts of the organism .... the homeopathic scientist concerns himself less with the presence of pathology and attacks it by seeking to correct its cause, which is faulty physiology or impaired life force. When the life force is restored to normality, the chemistry and tissues of the organism take on normal function and repair to attain a normal cell growth."
Grimmer, p. 745

There are numerous citations of cancer cases from Grimmer's files:

"June 8th, 1927. Five months prior to this date, this woman was in robust health, weighing 168 pounds. She was now reduced to 80 pounds, more than half her body had gone, in a very short time. She was jaundiced and cachectic; spots of ecchymosis covered her limbs; she was in a constant tremor; her heart was weak and irregular in action; she could not take the slightest bit of food or drink without soon vomiting it. She had a small vascular goitre. Her liver was enlarged and nodular, and a distinct mass, indurated and tender, was palpable in the epigastric region.

At this time Plumb-iod. 10M was given and the patient put on a diet of diluted apple juice, an ounce every two hours. There was a steady slight gain in strength and ability to retain fluids until July II, 1927, when there was a return of the nausea and vomiting of tough, stringy, blood-streaked mucus. Kali- bi. 10M was given for this with no relief and on July 13, 1927 the patient was weaker, with sinking sensation at the epigastrium; cold sweats, and vomiting even of a teaspoonful of water. At this low ebb-tide of life forces, Cad-phos. 30 was given, with a slow, but steady uninterrupted gain of strength and a gradual decrease of all alarming symptoms, so that after a few days a little strained vegetable broth was added to the apple and pear juices as nourishment. The gain was maintained with no further medication until January 7, 1928 when symptoms of nausea returned. The patient now weighed 100 pounds and was living on a soft diet of fruits and vegetables with a little cereal and cream. The second dose of Cad-phos. 30 was given now. From this time on the patient gained rapidly in weight and strength. Whole-wheat bread and butter and cheese were added to her diet. No more medicine was given this patient until September, 1928, when a dose of Cad- phos. 10M was administered. She now weighed 130 pounds, her strength and color had returned, her liver was normal in size and the abdominal mass was gone. At this date (September 1929, ac) this patient remains vigorously well, attends to all her duties, administering to the needs of a large family. She has almost regained her, complete body weight, now 160 pounds, and looks more like a woman of 40 than the 54 years she is."
Grimmer, 812,3

Grimmer estimates that he treated several thousand cases of cancer during his career. He says that between 1925 and 1929 about 150 biopsy-diagnosed cancers were cured by his treatment. During this same five year period another 75 cases were palliated for 7- 15 years, with excellent quality of life. These 75 were cases in which extensive allopathic treatment had been administered.

Grimmer skillfully turns to "electronic homeopathy" in order to bring about homeopathic cures, especially with cancer. Though controversial, I would be remiss if I did not discuss this aspect of healing as Grimmer sought to cure his patients with any means he could. With this and his tremendous grasp of homeopathy in mind, he blended the latest theories concerning bodily polarity disturbances as proposed by George W. Crile, M.D. (A Bipolar Theory of' Living Processes, 1926), Archie Jones, M.D. (The Behavior of the Blood Colloids in Health and Disease), Maud Slye, M.D. (authored 42 papers on cancer), and Albert Abrams, M.D. (Spondylotherapy, 1910, The Electronic Reactions of Albert Abrams, 1922). Grimmer became quite familiar with the method of Abrams and employed that methodology in his medical practice.

Physician Maud Slye of the University of Chicago did extensive experiments on rats. She bred thousands of families (many generations) and succeeded in establishing the fact that cancer is inheritable. She further proved that by selecting cancer free parents, cancer could be bred out of the population. Basically she proved the inherited soil theory of' cancer. Crile, Abrams, and Jones maintained that before any chemical or pathological change takes place in the cells there is a preceding change in the electrical polarity. If this polarity is not changed - brought back within normal limits - disease was sure to set in, particularly cancer. Crile suggested that the normal bipolar state of healthy cells becomes positively charged when the cells become cancerous. Abrams said the same thing but earlier in the century. As the normal bipolar activity becomes positive, the chemical and physical properties of the cell changes. Abrams tested the blood and found that when blood registers positive, a remedy in the negative polarity class is needed. Furthermore, not all negative remedies will restore health, but only that negative remedy whose "vibratory rate" is similar to the patient's. The proper remedy is found by placing the remedy in circuit with the patients blood and noting the resulting action. This action is measured by a rheostat and if the resistance (measured in ohms) is within normal limits, then no remedy need be given. If abnormal, the remedy which most closely matches the patient's "vibratory pattern" is given.

"This vibratory and electromagnetic method of remedy finding is a boon to the hard working homeopathic prescriber because it combines accuracy with much time saving, providing the prescriber is well grounded in homeopathic Philosophy and the homeopathic materia medica. First he must take his case history carefully and completely as outlined in the Organon. Then the personal and family history together with the high grade generals with rare and peculiar symptoms by repertory study will reduce the vast materia medica to a dozen or so remedies. When the patient's blood polarity is obtained or known three fourths of the remedies may be put aside as the similium (sic) will be found in the proper polarity group only. The few remedies needed for further study can yield the one most appropriate when placed in the circuit with the blood. It is a mistake to infer that one can successfully employ this method without a good knowledge of the Homeopathic Philosophy and an assiduous study of the Materia Medica. Without the coordination of these elements success will be infrequent and failure a common experience."
Grimmer, p. 690

Grimmer treated many with the Cadmium salts, yet I could not find out how he stumbled upon Cadmium as being such a wonderful remedy.

"In the last two years since my study and application of the Cadmium salts my losses have been greatly reduced. I believe that any advanced case of carcinoma will need Cadmium in some form, dependent on the symptoms of the individual before a cure can be effected.

Other remedies are sometimes needed after Cadmium to complement and complete the cure. Sometimes other remedies must precede the use of Cadmium. I frequently find cancer of the liver yielding to Catc-ars. in every way but the tendency to relapse, when frequently a single dose of Cadmium (usually Cad-sulph .... ac) in high potency will render the cure permanent. In the early stages of cancer, especially of the skin, when many guiding therapeutic symptoms still are present, any one of our deep constitutional remedies may be sufficient to cure. Our literature abounds in reports of hundreds of beautiful cures.

I believe a study of the Cadmium salts and their use early in every case, on strictly homeopathic lines, will enable the homeopathic physician to make many more cures of cancer than are being made at the present time.

... I submit, briefly, the records of a few cases to illustrate the action of Cadmium on cancer conditions."
Grimmer, p. 811.

There are more than a "few" cases. Many, but space permits just a few:

"Aug. 6, 1927. Splenic cancer, with weakness and the usual blood findings. Caladium given with slight benefit. Oct. 7, 1928, Rad-chl. 10M. Patient became much worse, and went to another doctor, who put him in a hospital, made all the tests to confirm a certain diagnosis of cancer, and then advised a splenic operation, which was refused. On Nov. 24, 1928, I again saw the patient and gave Cadm-met 10M, with no more medicine to the present date. A complete metamorphosis has been wrought; the blood findings are almost normal, the spleen is reduced, and the weight, color, strength and comfort of the patient are wonderfully good for a man 69 years of age."

"Jan. 15, 1929. Mrs. T. Always had pain and swelling of the breasts with her menses. A lump in the right breast was removed a year ago, and pronounced cancer, after a microscopic examination. She is pale, emaciated, weak and cachectic. The left breast is now indurated and sore with retracted nipples, pains worse at period. Cadm-met. 10M has been given at intervals; single doses, Jan. 15, 1929; March 19, 1929; May 22, 1929. The breast is well and the patient much improved every way."
Grimmer, p. 815

I could continue to launch salvo upon salvo of clinical cases and many more gems of wisdom and inspiring insights, but space constraints beg restraint. However, let me beg your indulgence as I offer an interesting case from the files of Dr. Currim.

"...(I treated) a patient with prostate cancer. This 65 year old white male had been originally diagnosed and treated for about 18 months with Thuja in ascending potencies with a disappearance of the tumor. He then decided to discontinue treatment despite my advice because of a cancer specialist's treatment. The cancer eventually returned (with local metastases, the prostate becoming very large and very hard), and was partially resected. However some time after this surgery the patient was unable to urinate without the use of a catheter. Remembering this discussion (a previous paper in this book, jy) and reviewing the bladder symptoms of Kati cyanatum in Clarke's dictionary prompted me to give this patient one dose of Kali cyanatum 50M (the only bottle I could find and in fact the vial originally belonging to Dr. Grimmer). The results were outstanding: Soon after the patient could void on his own without the catheter and physical exam of the prostate three weeks later by myself revealed a prostate that was no longer as hard. The patient continues to do well. He has had three doses of Kali cyanatum 50M in about two or three months. On February 17, 1996 this patient had a celebration of his 70th year birthday party and entertained his 100 guests with his wonderful performance of drums. He continues to work very actively in a professional orchestra as a percussionist...."
Grimmer, p. 867

Grimmer was certainly opinionated and eclectic in his interests. One may gain insight into his personality by just reading some of the titles: "The Occult Side of Homeopathic Philosophy," "Medical Astrology," "Remarks on Fluoridation of Water," "Alumina Still Poisons the Multitude ... .. Occult Causes and Material Effects ..... Astro-Physics and Homeopathy," and "Homeopathic War Remedies" are quite interesting, as is the fifty page section, Electronic Reactions of Abrams. He brings forth many odd remedies as well: Bomhenia, Paeonia, Kali thiocyanatum, Ocimum canum, Erythrinus, Congo red, Tilia, Toxicophis, Merc-iod cum Kali-iod, which should keep you going for a while, but if your interest wanes look to Methylene Blue, Cholesterinum, Curare, Condurango, Erodium, The Euphorbias, Galium, Jequiri, Lapis albus, Oleum animale, Oxygenium, Sarsaparilla, and Sol.

Before I conclude my "investigative duties" I need to treat you to a short biographical sketch of this homeopathic giant. This information was also gleaned from Dr. Currim's compilation.

It has been said that physicians are not made but born, and this certainly applies to this Titan of homeopathy, but I don't think A.H. Grimmer (1874-1967) dreamed of becoming a physician or wondered what the life of a person caring for others would be like.

Dr. Grimmer did not have a care-free childhood, and that troubled beginning evolved into a dedicated and engrossing medical career which mirrored his work-filled younger years.

He was the oldest of nine children and, though he had a fairly normal early childhood, that all changed when the family moved from San Francisco to a 160 acre parcel of land in the north of California.

"The twelve years that followed were rugged and adventuresome and beset with many difficulties and tribulations. Money and rations were scant and poor, but game was abundant and wild fruits and berries were plentiful. With a little flour, corn meal, coffee, and sugar we were able to survive the first few years of real hardship and privation and were able to procure some chickens and other poultry together with a few hogs and cattle. We learned to cope with the elements and vicissitudes of the changing seasons."
Grimmer, p. v.

After the second year on the farm his father suffered a terrible accident which left him an invalid, and it was up to Dr. Grimmer to provide for the large family. At 14 the future homeopathic doctor was forced to leave the farm to seek outside employment. He worked on a ranch and in a mining camp. In the latter he brought in eight dollars a month plus his room and board.

Fortunately, his father was an educated man having a large library which Dr. Grimmer readily partook of. His father, perhaps more fortunately, was a believer in homeopathy and with sixty polychrests and Johnson's Family Guide he managed to sustain his family during times of illness. This was fortuitous for young Dr. Grimmer as...

"By the time I was seven, I knew most of the indications of those 60 remedies by heart and at that early age I had the urge to be a homeopathic doctor." (Dr. Grimmer actually cured several people at the age of eight years).
Grimmer, p. vi

So as you can see, he had a fine foundation and a headstart in homeopathic therapeutics.

During his teenage years in the mountains he met Dr. J.E. Hoffman, who was to become his mentor and preceptor. Dr. Hoffman saw great aptitude in the young lad and guided him to his eventual graduation from Hering Medical College in 1906 at the age of 32. While in medical. school, he studied under Kent, becoming a favored pupil and then associate.

"By the time I reached my junior year, I had made such headway in materia medica, case taking, repertory study and philosophy that the doctor appointed me his quiz master, a place held during the rest of my college course. Kent's lectures were given to both juniors and seniors, and my quiz work was accepted in a rather unusual way, much to my gratification and surprise. At this time Dr. Kent was in failing health; he had taken a severe toll from his life energy in the building of the repertory, teaching and carrying on an exhaustive practice at the same time.

His quiz work and part of his lectures together with a large Saturday afternoon clinic in the Hahnemann College of Chicago were turned over to me to do the best I could with it, a real job and a supreme test for a junior student to undertake. The job was done to the satisfaction of Dr. Kent, the college faculty and the student body."
Grimmer, p. 517

Dr. Grimmer, upon graduation, put his "shingle" up and spent over 50 years in Chicago practicing and researching and teaching his beloved homeopathy. He was active in organization work and served as president of the American Institute for Homoeopathy in 1953.

With this book, I cannot find too much to fault. The physical aspects, binding, paper quality, layout, chosen fonts, etc. are well done. Probably the major disappointment is the lack of an index. A book of this breadth would surely have benefited by a detailed index, and the reader is left with no simple way to rapidly access material. This is unfortunate. The manner in which remedies are presented is not standardized. Rarely are remedies printed in italics which is now the preferred way to indicate homeopathicity. Often, the entire remedy name is capitalized and at other times remedies look like the rest of the text, thus fading into the page.

Some of the papers and essays aren't referenced, which probably means they were from Grimmer's unpublished materials, yet this needs to be stated. Curiously, there are numerous spelling errors, not just the occasional typo. A nice touch would've been the inclusion of an historical time-line of Grimmer's life.

Though some consider Grimmer a practitioner of bastardized homeopathy, that is not quite a fair appraisal of his life. Much of the negative feelings surrounding Grimmer come from his association and involvement with radionics. I do not know enough about this complex subject, but it does warrant a lengthy historical and investigative treatise. Perhaps someone will step forth and do that; it would be a massive task indeed. But let me say that we can not really judge another human being unless we have walked in his boots, and this is especially hard to do when the person we are speaking about is dead. Grimmer lived during a dark period of homeopathy, and we must not forget that. He must have felt isolated. He worked when homeopathy was evolving into a vestige of its former self. Whether he was wrong to use radionics is a judgment we can not and should not make. What we must do, as in all situations, is look, read, and examine what the man did and then take what each of us feels is helpful to us. Those are my feelings, and thus this volume comes with my recommendation.

There is much to be learned from this large figure of 20th century homeopathy, and what better way to end this review than by offering a quote, the final paragraph, from one of Dr. Grimmer's essays, "Fifty Seven Years in the Practice of Homeopathic Medicine":

"Finally, let me end with a plea to you, my beloved colleagues and devoted students, and numerous friends, who have known the benefits of Homeopathic medicine, for your support of the ideals and principles of the Homeopathic philosophy, that all the future may be blessed with the gentle, safe, and sure power inherent in the similimum empowered to cure a sick world, by the Grace of God. And may His choicest blessing be with you, my friends, as I bid you a fond farewell."
Grimmer, p. 516

JAIH Spring 1997, Vol. 90, No. 1