This book review is reprinted from The Homoeopath with permission from Nick Churchill of The Society of Homoeopaths.
Selected Lectures 1984-90, by Vassilis Ghegas.
Athens, 2000, thread-sewn paperback, nine vols, 205 Euros (including index).
Reviewed by Nick Hewes I remember once seeing, on TV, a black American runner win the 100 metres. As he crossed the line, he strode menacingly towards the camera, and with a wild and crazed look in his eye, he stamped violently on the ground, shrieking, 'This is what it's about!'The meaning was obvious: after all the theories have been thought, and all the speeches have been spoken, what really matters is... RESULTS! In homeopathy, we refer to the study of results as 'therapeutics', that is, homeopathy as it actually works in clinical practice (as distinct from the study of provings or philosophy).
As an exposition of the homeopathic bottom-line, this nine-volume collection of Vassilis's lectures, from 1984-90, represents homeopathic therapeutics at its best. He's been working as a homeopath since 1974, and these lectures reflect, on every page, the accumulated wisdom he has gathered, as result upon result has been sifted and compared, confirmed or rejected. The books are full of clinical information, often minutely observed, whose sole purpose is to assist us in our search for the curative remedy. As an example, Vassilis observes that 'Natrum muriaticum often has a fine line along the lower eyelid' (Vol A: 1 5); having read this, on the following day a new patient duly arrived at my house, with a blatantly synchronistic line along lower eyelid. Her narrative described how her ex-husband had run off with her ex-best-friend; Natrum muriaticum was duly despatched. Maybe it really is this simple!
Vassilis has a definite liking for the application of percentages to homeopathic prescribing. For example:
'45% of babies and children need Calcarea' (B:107). '60% of right-sided trigeminal neuralgia is cured by Magnesium phosphoricum' (B:89). '40% of M.S. patients need Natrum muriaticum' (C: 1 35). 'You will be able to help 95% of babies suffering from colic with these four remedies: Chamomilla, Colocynthis, Dioscorea, and Lycopodium' (B: 111).
Such information is strangely comforting in the eyes of this working homeopath!
Another very useful aspect of Vassilis's therapeutic approach is his frequent recourse to differential diagnosis, for example: 'in an acute left-sided tonsillitis, Mercurius iodatus ruber works better than Lachesis, unless you need Lachesis constitutionally'. This kind of information can save you a lot of sweat! In similar vein, Vassilis examines distinctions which we all take for granted, and yet which often confound us, e.g.: 'The constitutional information of Natrum muriaticum can resemble Phosphorus very much if Natrum muriaticum appears more open, or if Phosphorus is not very open... it can be very difficult to make a diagnosis'. Any day-one student will tell you (and they do!) that Phosphorus and Natrum muriaticum are as different as chalk and cheese, and yet in practice it can be almost impossible to tell them apart, to distinguish what is open from what is shut (it sometimes feels as if the patient's sole intention is to lie and lie, until you don't know who you are any more, let alone who they are!) So it's marvellous to hear a world master, with a quarter of a century of prescribing behind him, candidly admit to being similarly confused. Vassilis's differentiation between the two remedies is subtle and delicate, and yet is built on the firm ground of experience (complete with four angles of ninety degrees).
On reading these volumes one feels a slight culpability, in the certain knowledge that homeopathy would be a deeper, richer and more fruitful discipline, if we had all examined our results in the same way that Vassilis has done. If a patient has a beautiful reaction to a minor or little-known remedy, one tends to inwardly utter: 'alhamdu li-'Ilah' (Thanks be to God!), then enjoy a brief moment of gratitude and well-being, before consigning the notes to the appro- priate drawer of the filing cabinet. But for homeopathy to really grow, we need to extend ourselves, to examine our cured cases, in order to understand why, for example, Helonias initiated a brilliant cure after Sepia had done nothing, when the patient concerned had exhibited every Sepia symptom in the book. Only by doing this kind of work will it be possible to recognise the lesser-known portraits in our homeopathic gallery.
Some of Vassilis's best clinical advice is cautionary, eg if, in a small child, 'tonsillitis evolves quickly to a Bryonia state, you can be sure that the child has pneumonia... The baby doesn't move any more, and wants to be left in peace give Bryonia 1 OM' (B: 113). This kind of advice is priceless.
In terms of presentation, the lectures have been faultlessly translated, with not a spelling mistake in sight. The paper is of high quality, and the binding is excellent, being of the sort where the pages have been folded into leaves (as in a newspaper), rather than being gummed together in a massive block. This means that when the glue perishes the books will still hold together, and not shed their pages like confetti.
There is a separate index, which covers all nine volumes. This a real bonus, since it means that one is able to access, very quickly, the wide diversity of information held within the lectures. Because the books follow the chronological order of Vassilis's lectures over six years, there is often a lack of editorial coherence, in that you may find a remedy essence, followed by a section on eczema, followed by a lecture on the second prescription, followed by another essence. This random presentation is, however, largel redeemed by the index, a fact which transforms the lectures into an excellent work of reference; for example, look for 'tonsillitis' in the index, and in ten seconds you will be looking at Vassilis's differential diagnosis of the various remedies he has found especially useful in that condition. It'll save us a lot of sweat, and what's more, it's reassuring to know that one can still function without having to click on a mouse!
This work will be especially useful to students, for two main reasons: firstly, Vassilis's work is essentially a faithful modernization of Kent - he takes the work of that master from a nineteenth-century to a late twentieth century context. As Margaret Tyler said, if you based your entire practice on the writings of Kent, and Kent only, you would be an extremely effective homeopath. On that basis, these lectures are a great aid to study.
Secondly, almost every single symptom is followed, in brackets, by a reference to the appropriate section and rubric in Kent's repertory. Thus, one's knowledge of the repertory is constantly refreshed and augmented, as you read through the lectures.
There is only one criticism, and that is one of unfortunate timing: If the lectures had been published at the end of the eighties, they would be, unquestionably, straight out of the top drawer. But coming as they do now, they follow a whole decade of unparalleled creativity: for example, Jeremy Sherr's profound alchemical correspondences; the genius behind Jan Scholten's vision of the Periodic Table as a vast psychic map; Sankaran's synthesising, card-sharp brilliance; plus well-researched provings from all over the world. As a result, homeopathy has been transformed beyond all recognition in the last ten years. This hectic, tubercular pace shows no signs of slowing, as it now behoves every homeopath to know not just the kingdom, but also the species, the genus, and the family of each and every remedy he or she prescribes. As a result, Vassilis's faithful adherence to the Vithoulkian model of classical homeopathy sometimes leads one to ask more questions than are answered.
An example is a paper case of a patient who was cured of her arthritis by Guaiacum (B: 1 81). Vassilis tells us that the remedy was indicated 'because she has arthritis in the small joints; there is an aggravation at night; and she is very warm-blooded'. But it is still a mystery to me how on earth the author came across that particular remedy, given the paucity of information he provides. If, on the other hand, one delves into the inner nature of the remedy, it suddenly takes on a real identity: ie Guaiacum prompted dreams of riots; it is a syphilitic remedy from South America, whose wood was so hard and heavy it was used to make truncheons in the nineteenth century; the mental symptoms include ,audacity', 'contemptuous', 'defiant', 'disobedience', and ,mocking'. All of which explains why Guaiacum is a great remedy for arthritis of the hands - these people are rebels who have taken a beating! In this way, one can build up an essence, which brings so much more colour to one's practice than is allowed for through the old- fashioned rote-learning of mundane general symptoms.
Another example concerns a successful prescription of Camphor, where the only symptom is 'eruptions from exposure to the sun'. A great cure, as well as a learning experience, but it would have been so much more interesting if Vassilis had written 'Camphor is the main remedy for the prince of darkness, so of course we must not be surprised if he gets a physical aggravation from sunlight!'
When all is said and done, however, 'points mean prizes': If one finds the correct remedy for the patient, who's going to give a damn how you got there? Certainly not the patient, that's for sure! So maybe we shouldn't criticise Vassilis for not theorizing enough!
What really comes through in the lectures is an impression of dedication, simplicity and generosity. It is these virtues which have enabled Vassilis to inspire hundreds, perhaps thousands of homeopaths. These human qualities are often overlooked in our soulless pursuit of technical excellence. (An example of his generosity was given by a friend, who, having studied with him in Greece, heard at the last minute that Vassilis was teaching at the Faculty of Homeopathy. He raced to London but he was not allowed to attend because it was strictly 'doctors only'. Being of shameless character, however, he lurked around the entrance of the Faculty until. Vassilis appeared. The latter instantly recognised his erstwhile student, and he welcomed him warmly, saying'Simon, three nights ago I have a dream, and in my dream you were coming to my lecture. And so, I think, today you will be my guest!'At this, he took my friend's arm and ushered him into the lecture-theatre with conspiratorial enthusiasm!)
It is Vassilis's kindly approach to homeopathy which has enabled him to avoid the rancorous atmosphere surrounding his mentor, and which shows that you don't have to be a Taoist to know the Way! For example: 'The best thing is to achieve good results in as many patients as possible. It is highly questionable whether recognition by the establishment or by the public health system will help the homeopathic movement' E: 1 50). In a way, he's telling us that everything is alright as it is, if we just do our work properly.
The Homeopath
Winter 2001, Number 80