twenty-second international homœopathic congress, 1958

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TWENTY-SECOND INTERNATIONAL HOM(EOPATHIC CONGRESS, 1958 President: DR. KOLLITSCH, Paris Tins Congress was held in September, 8th-12th, in the beautiful city of SMzburg and as we entered the large modern building of the Congress House we found inspiration, ff it were needed, in the fine statue of Paracelsus that sixteenth- century physician who, like Hahnemann, was not content with the practice of medicine as he found it, and devoted his life to research. The keynote of the Congress was enthusiasm, typified by the early start at 8.30 a.m., by the energy and zeal of Dr. Seitschek, of Vienna, the organizer of the Congress, and by the large attendance of Austrian and German doctors. Representatives were also there from Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Switzerland and America. It is perhaps not generally known that in Austria, State doctors may not prescribe homceopathic remedies. If they wish to practise Homoeopathy they must do so privately, so that only private patients can receive the benefits of homoeopathic treatment. Dr. Seitschek fervently hoped that the very presence of this large Congress in Salzburg, and the publicity which it received in the press, would do much to persuade their Government to allow doctors to practise Homceopathy in the State Medical Service. This alone would surely make the 1958 Congress worth while if it could be achieved. As there were over 50 papers given with discussion following them, it is not possible to mention all of them. Many of the papers given in the first two days were on a high]y philosophical plane, and not always easy to follow, but the general conclusion was that the practice of Homceopathy was a science, though Dr. Benjamin reminded us that it was also an art--the art of healing. As the theme of the Congress was "Homeeopathy and Science", it was natural that many speakers should pay tribute to the highly scientific work of the late Dr. W. E. Boyd of Glasgow, who proved so conclusively the action of homceo- pathic potencies. Four papers were given by our British colleagues: Dr. Benjamin--"Homceopathy and Science". Dr. Bodman--"Homceopathy and Modern Scientific Standards". Dr. Boyd, Glasgow--"Observations on potency energy and the importance of succussion". Dr. Leeser A paper was read on "Teaching Itomceopathy". Some papers of great practical interest were given: (1) Dr. Mfinch (Germany)--"Differential therapy in Isehias from Homceo- pathic points of view". He gave an interesting classification of the different types of patients with sciatica and different modMities. Dr. Miinch said that Colocynth was used more than any other remedy for sciatica in Berlin, and warned us that the abdominal reflex should always be taken to make sure that no spinal sclerosis was present. (2) Dr. Kabisch (Germany)--"ttormones, Science and Homceopathy", discussed the use of Graphites, Sep., and Sep. 3D and Ac. sulph, alternately. 150

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Page 1: Twenty-Second International Homœopathic Congress, 1958

TWENTY-SECOND INTERNATIONAL HOM(EOPATHIC CONGRESS, 1958

President: DR. KOLLITSCH, Paris

Tins Congress was held in September, 8th-12th, in the beautiful city of SMzburg and as we entered the large modern building of the Congress House we found inspiration, ff it were needed, in the fine statue of Paracelsus that sixteenth- century physician who, like Hahnemann, was not content with the practice of medicine as he found it, and devoted his life to research.

The keynote of the Congress was enthusiasm, typified by the early start at 8.30 a.m., by the energy and zeal of Dr. Seitschek, of Vienna, the organizer of the Congress, and by the large attendance of Austrian and German doctors. Representatives were also there from Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Switzerland and America.

I t is perhaps not generally known that in Austria, State doctors may not prescribe homceopathic remedies. I f they wish to practise Homoeopathy they must do so privately, so that only private patients can receive the benefits of homoeopathic treatment.

Dr. Seitschek fervently hoped that the very presence of this large Congress in Salzburg, and the publicity which it received in the press, would do much to persuade their Government to allow doctors to practise Homceopathy in the State Medical Service. This alone would surely make the 1958 Congress worth while if it could be achieved.

As there were over 50 papers given with discussion following them, it is not possible to mention all of them.

Many of the papers given in the first two days were on a high]y philosophical plane, and not always easy to follow, but the general conclusion was that the practice of Homceopathy was a science, though Dr. Benjamin reminded us tha t it was also an a r t - - the art of healing.

As the theme of the Congress was "Homeeopathy and Science", it was natural that many speakers should pay tribute to the highly scientific work of the late Dr. W. E. Boyd of Glasgow, who proved so conclusively the action of homceo- pathic potencies.

Four papers were given by our British colleagues: Dr. Benjamin--"Homceopathy and Science". Dr. Bodman--"Homceopathy and Modern Scientific Standards". Dr. Boyd, Glasgow--"Observations on potency energy and the importance

of succussion". Dr. Leeser A paper was read on "Teaching Itomceopathy".

Some papers of great practical interest were given: (1) Dr. Mfinch (Germany)--"Differential therapy in Isehias from Homceo-

pathic points of view". He gave an interesting classification of the different types of patients with sciatica and different modMities. Dr. Miinch said that Colocynth was used more than any other remedy for sciatica in Berlin, and warned us that the abdominal reflex should always be taken to make sure that no spinal sclerosis was present.

(2) Dr. Kabisch (Germany)--"t tormones, Science and Homceopathy", discussed the use of Graphites, Sep., and Sep. 3D and Ac. sulph, alternately.

150

Page 2: Twenty-Second International Homœopathic Congress, 1958

TWENTY-SECOND INTERNATIONAL HOM{EOPATIilC CONGRESS, 1958 151

(3) Dr. de Mattos (France)--"Homceopathy and the Vasomotor troubles of the Climacteric Period". Discussing Sulph., Ac. Maw., Ac. Sulph., and the use of C~ron when the hot flushes come every hour.

(4) Dr. Tetau (France)--"Scientific Galenic and Pharmacological Study of Calendula o ~ i ~ l ~ Mother Tincture". He pointed out that in the treatment of wounds the tincture has no effect on the germs but it is valuable for its cicatriz- ing power. This takes place in the early, not later stages, of healing and so should be applied at once to wounds, and by its strong haemostatic control shorten the duration of healing. He pointed out that there must be 60 per cent. alcohol for haemostatic control. He used 30th potency where there was nausea felt in the chest or abdomen, in one-sided coryza and in deafness, worse riding in a vehicle.

(5) Dr. Daynez (France)--"Natrum muriaticum---Regulator of Glyc~emia-- Results of Biological Research".

(6) Dr. Imh~user (Germany) gave a most interesting paper on "The Shock Symptoms in the Practice of P~ediatry", in which she mentioned the case of a child who after a fright would not eat. After giving Opium the child was able to eat. Sometimes the child becomes constipated after a fright--again give Opium. I f the child has blue-red face give Opium. If the child has vivid red face BeUa- donna. In laryngeal stridor caused by fright, Ignatia should give a quick result. In fear of long duration she gives Argentum nit.--sometimes Thuja and Cina. Opium---ff the child shows fright at vaccination. Thuja, ff the child shows no fright at vaccination but shows fright afterwards.

Dr. Pierre Schmidt and Dr. Foubister took part in the discussion which followed.

Dr. Schmidt said that in sexual shocks when the fear is hidden and the child will not reveal it, you will find that the pupil of the right eye is flat in its upper part . Give the appropriate remedy-- i t may be Aconite, Borax, or Stramonium, and the pupil becomes round again. In the jealousy of brothers, sisters and fellow pupils, he uses Lach., Puls., or Hyosc. For nightmares he gives Nux yore. or one dose of Tub. 10M.

Dr. Foubister, after thanl~ing Dr. Imh~user for her excellent paper, said that he antidoted the effects of acute fright and acute infection during gestation. In children's operation for tonsils and adenoids he gave Am. before and Rhus fox. afterwards. (Dr. Imh~user gives Cuprum 200 before the operation.) I f the child was afraid before the operation he gave Phos. 200.

(7) Dr. Dorcsi (Austria)--"Prognostics as a Scientific Argument for Homeo- pathy" . He discussed cases where the choosing of a constitutional remedy, suggested a possible organ illness and this proved to be of value in the ultimate prognosis. He thought more might be done with this method to help in diagnosis and prognosis.

(8) Dr. Fernandez (Spain)--This paper dealt with the dangers of Tonsillec- t omy and described a method for massage and washing of the tonsils with a special cup, also the use of a protein and starch diet, cleansing of the mouth. An associated remedy was given, e.g. Baryta. carb., Belladonna, Hepar subph., Apis. Some remedies were used for washing the tonsils by a suction apparatus. This, he claimed, reduced the need for tonsillectomy.

(9) Dr. Auster (Germany) gave a paper on "Rauwolfia as a Homceopathic Remedy". This remedy is prepared from total extracts and is of great use in paranoid psychosis. Outstanding symptoms, excitability, depression, lack of concentration, irritation, wakes early, dreams, high blood pressure, congestion. Headache like a band, better in the open air, tired, suicidal. Bradycardia,

Page 3: Twenty-Second International Homœopathic Congress, 1958

152 T H E B R I T I S H H O ~ I ( E O P A T H I C J O U R N A L

increased gastric secretion and motility, increased appetite and weight, and blockage of the nose. Parkinson's syndrome.

(10) Dr. Pfister (Switzerland)--"Is the choice of Homoeopathic Medicaments objectively controllable?" This paper with its description of the Voll instrument created a great deal of interest.

The social side of the Congress was most enjoyable and friendly. There was an excursion by bus to the famous White Horse Inn at St. Woffgang, via the Lakes of the Salzkammergut. Another excursion took us to the Salt Mines of Hallein, where the ascent of the mountain was made by gondola lift and then there followed the exciting tour of the salt mines, the descent being made in the mines by a series of steep chutes.

There were two musical evenings, one by invitation of the Union of I-Iomoeo- pathic Physicians of Austria, to the Castle of Mirabell, where we enjoyed a concert of folk songs, dances and orchestral folk music. The following evening, by invitation of the Governor and the Mayor of Salzburg, we enjoyed a concert of Mozart's music played by the Mozarteum Orchestra in the salon of the Residence.

The Congress ended on 12th September with a banquet in the Stigl-Br~u Keller, accompanied by Austrian music from the orchestra. Afterwards there was dancing--a very happy evening.

I.M.C.