This book review is reprinted from Volume 101, Number 1 Spring 2008 edition, with permission from American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine.

801 N Fairfax Sreet, Suite 306
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA

The Integrity of Homeopathy

By Sheilagh Creasy
Verlag Peter Irl. Publishers
267 pages. Paperback. 2007
ISBN-13:978-3-933666-19-2

Reviewed by George Guess, MD, DHt

This reviewer is grateful for the many books that have been published recently about miasms, especially since my earlier homeopathic education was deficient in that area. I can now increasingly see the utility of analyzing cases miasmatically and establishing a blueprint for initial and subsequent treatment.

Ms. Creasy's contribution to this body of literature is equally appreciated. Terse is the first adjective that comes to mind as I think of this book; the bulk of the information is provided in somewhat of an outlined form, with few complete sentences. This economy of words contains a wealth of in formation, however, as it details very succinctly the symptomatic characteristics of the psoric, sycotic, syphilitic and tubercular miasms. After each introduction to a miasm, materia medica highlights of many of the principle remedies in each miasm are provided, complete with a miasmatic analysis (called a "miasmatic reading" - example below) of the remedy (i.e., which symptoms of the remedy correspond to which miasm). Illustrative cases follow, demonstrating miasmatic treatment. Remedy relationships are also emphasized.

Here is an example of a Miasmatic Reading of Dulcamara:

Dulcamara Miasmatic Reading
Psoric; Sycotic; Syphilitic; Tubercular _

Sycotic
Rages
Catarrhal discharges. Snuffles. < Cold, damp.
< cold, damp conditions = diarrhea.
Rheumatic pains and aches < cold, damp> MOTION
Neuralgic pains. Suppressed catarrhs.
Warts on hands, fingers, face.
Coryza > MOTION.
Loquacity (extreme).

Tubercular
Hayfever in autumn - 3 miasms
Tubercular -- Ringworm of scalp
Bright's Disease
Respiratory tendencies
Taking cold easily.

Psoric
Various herpetic eruptions
< cold. > Warm, dry weather
Tendency for colds and coughs
Coryza < cold air
Moaning. Groaning Loquacity
Boils
Eczema of infants

Syphilitic
Skin ulcerations
Necrosis, especially tibia
Phagedenic ulcers

"According to Allen and Kent, Dulc. is a deeper tri-miasmatic remedy than was originally thought. It belongs to the same family SOLANUM (NIGRUM - Dulcamara) as Stram. And Hyos.

Kent states first attack looks like Bell.; Bry.; Ferr-p. Treat the underlying constitution, the change which takes place in this patient. Sensitive to cold, damp.

We must observe the time of year hayfever comes on: < Spring or < Autumn."

The book offers a level of detail of miasmatic characteristics that many will have forgotten or, perhaps, not even been exposed to, since the current trend is to focus solely on apparent central trends of the psyche or highly generalized disease themes; eg, deficiency, overproduction or excess, destructiveness.

The most impressive section of the book is that covering the tubercular miasm, the contents of which are basically Creasy's accumulated notes gleaned from her study of the subject. The content is extensive and incredibly thorough and replete with detailed guidelines for the treatment of actual tuberculosis (something few of us in the western world will be faced with, but interesting nonetheless). I wonder how many of us know the distinguishing characteristics of Tuberculinum bovinum versus Bacillinum, or of Tuberculinum residium or Tuberculinum aviare or Tuberculinum Koch?

I had the good fortune quite a while back to review some of this information from Ms. Creasy, courtesy of Catherine Coulter. It helped me on an asthma case once when, after Tuberculinum bovinum proved incomplete to the case, Tuberculinum aviare finished the cure.

The book, minimally indexed at present, would benefit from an expansion of the index. Certainly, a bit less condensed expression in this book would have been appreciated; greater exposition would have added to the readability of the text and enhanced the reader's enjoyment and interest. Yet, it is enough as it is - a comprehensive and highly practical handbook of miasmatic prescribing. It should serve well as a study and reference source. I recommend it!

About the Reviewer: George Guess, MD, DHt, practices homeopathy in Charlottesville, Virginia. His is editor of the American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine and Vice-President of the American Board of Homeotherapeutics.