Preface to Part II

In this part of the work the primary use of drugs is considered. As the reader will notice, most of them are in dilutions and triturations, although a few are in tincture form, in which case this fact is mentioned.

The homeopathic dilutions and triturations are the best to use, especially in the higher potencies.

Those who desire to make their own lower dilutions and triturations, will find full particulars in regard to that in part I of this work, under the heading "Forms of Medicine."

In becoming familiar with the basic indications for a drug in its primary form, it should be remembered that one prominent indication does not always show that it is the particular drug to use. It is often better to look further; and if there are two or three prominent indications for it you will not be disappointed. When the indicated remedy aggravates the symptoms it is a sign that it is given in too large or too frequent doses. In such cases it is well to reduce the dose to one-half or less and give at longer intervals. A mistake easily made in the use of drugs in their primary form is to give medicine in too large doses and too often, some of the high potencies especially. Of course, in emergencies and in severe acute cases, frequently repeated doses are necessary until the danger is past.

If the indicated remedies fail to act do not condemn them, as further investigation will prove that there is a cause for it. There may be constitutional syphilis, suppressed gonorrhea, suppressed eruptions, or constitutional conditions the result of accident or vaccination. These conditions removed or corrected by the proper remedies, the result will be prompt response to your indicated remedies. If there is constitutional syphilis mercurius vivus 30d should be given. If this trouble has been treated with large doses of mercury in its secondary form, nitric acid 3d is the remedy to use.

If there is a condition of psora we think of such remedies as sulphur 6x; graphites 6x or higher; psorium 30 or causticum 12d as may be indicated.

In sycosis we think of nitric acid 3d; thuja 6d to 30d: staphisagria 3d to 12d; and in some cases sabina 6d.

Suppressed eruption is often the reason that the indicated remedies will not act. Get the history of the case, and if you can trace it give the proper remedies to reestablish the same. For this we find sulphur 6x; graphites 6x to 12x; arsenicum album 12x or higher; causticum 12d to 30d, or psorium 30d are useful remedies

As stated before in severe acute cases, often repeated doses must be given until the condition improves when medicine should be given in smaller doses and at longer intervals. In emergency cases such as hemorrhages, croup, convulsions, cholera, collapse, etc., medicines may be administered even as often as every 3 to 15 minutes as the case demands.

In chronic cases, we often find that two or three doses a day act better than if given oftener. In these conditions the doses should be decreased and medicines given at longer intervals when the trouble subsides. When fully corrected it is best to discontinue or take an occasional dose for a short time only.

The reader will notice in this part of the work that quite a number of remedies are mentioned, without giving their special indications in certain conditions, and at that particular place. This does not mean that any of the remedies or all should be used for such conditions; but it is simply meant to serve as a guide to what drugs to use in certain conditions; thus making it easier to reach the specially indicated remedy.

The Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics, 1905, was written by Fred J. Petersen, M.D.