This book review is reprinted with permission from Homeopathic Links.
The Homoeopathic
Treatment of Eczema
Robin Logan, FSHom
Reviewed by Bharati Ankalgi,
B.H.M.S., Nepal
Eczema is notoriously difficult to treat. Many homecopaths experience this difficulty. In this book 'The Homoeopathic Treatment of Eczema', Robin Logan provides us a detailed approach for the treatment of eczema.
In his introduction, Logan tells us that his book is based on classical homoeopathy and his approach to the cases is a holistic approach. He attempts to achieve a cure by applying a comprehensive knowledge of materia medica.
This book consists of six chapters along with an appendix, general index, remedy index and rubric index. The examples of twenty two cases are very interesting and useful in understanding the chapters more clearly.
In the first chapter 'Dermatology', Logan starts with the quote from James Tyler Kent in 'New Remedies and Lesser Writing'. 'If you do not know the sickness you are apt to think all things strange and unique.' In this chapter, Logan gives detailed ideas about the allopathic and homoeopathic approaches to dermatology, along with brief description of various skin conditions. Each dermatological condition is explained together with repertorial language rubrics.
For example: Eczema varicosum.
Also called hypostatic eczema or gravitational eczema, arising from impaired venous return.
Rubrics
Extremities; Eruption; ankle; eczema;
varicosum
Extremities; Itching; Lower limb; varices
Extremities; Varices; leg; Itching
Generalities; Veins; Varicose; distended,
engorged, plethoric, itching
(Page 8).
Logan mentions allopathic treatment, complications, other skin conditions that resemble eczema, definition of relevant terms (ex. Aroela reddish ring around the skin lesion). The importance of collaboration with the patient's general practitioner is also discussed in this chapter.
Further chapters are about taking the case of an eczema patient, case analysis, reasons for failure, aggravations, case management and materia medica.
The section on case taking offers us informative guidelines for the eczema patient and important things to keep in mind about case taking for various age groups. In this section there is also a comparative study of symptoms reported during case taking and various remedies and rubrics of repertories. This is very useful, especially for the student and new practitioner in homoeopathy.
In the chapter 'Case Analysis', there is a discussion and analysis of seventeen very interesting cases. This section is based on homoeopathic knowledge of the 'Organon' and the importance of it while treating the skin. After going through these cases, we are able to learn what skin symptoms are useful, not only as a part of the totality, but to recognise that these often hold the key to resolving some very difficult and different situations.
In the section 'Reason for failure' the author covers the important areas where we might fail while treating the eczema cases. It is quite important to educate the patient and gain the confidence of the patient, to have knowledge of the effect of suppression, the importance of lifestyle and diet. Also covered are: the elusive simillimum, what is the result of 'going to deep', being too shallow in a case. This section is illustrated with two good cases.
In the chapter 'Aggravation and case management', three good illustrating cases are presented. Further discussion is about the most suitable potencies, repetition of doses, management of aggravations, response of patient towards aggravations, dealing with the layers, treating aggravations, how to deal with deteriorating cases, use of topical ointment, dietary advice, the role of nutritional supplements and their action during the treatment. These topics become very clear after reading this section.
The last chapter is materia medica. This consists of 42 remedies with the most important general keynotes of each remedy, based on a combination of the author's experience, repertory study and previously recorded symptoms by the masters. Each remedy is explained with its characteristic symptoms, nature of itch with modalities, characteristic mental symptoms and useful general symptoms. This section is very valuable, as it contains various information on polycrests and small remedies.
In the appendix section, the importance of essence and doctrine of signatures are presented. This concerns the artistic side of homoeopathy while dealing the cases. Here Logan tells us more about how to study the remedies.
The new practitioner, students and experienced practitioners will find this a most useful book while dealing with cases of eczema. What I missed is the presentation of the essence of the remedies especially in the materia medica section which would contain valuable information. Various skin conditions are mentioned very well in this book but if pictorial representation would have been included, the book would be perfect. The language of this book is very simple and easy to understand.
The physical aspect of this book, binding, paper, etc., are excellent. The book is very handy. It is a very useful book. Everybody will benefit from it by re-verifying previous eczema cases and also in dealing with new cases.
This book will help every physician and student to find a deeper understanding in cases of eczema.
Homoeopathic Links
Volume 12 (3)
Autumn 1999