Book Review on Physiological Materia Medica by Dr Madhusree Dutta

Introduction 

The enormously scattered information of drugs had hindered a major portion of our profession in the past to acquire a complete knowledge of our drugs, especially pertaining to their pathophysiological actions and in order to suffice the need Dr William Henry Burt designed a much awaited materia medica where one readily find a drug with its source, medicine use, its action upon the tissues, the quantity of drug requires to produce that effect, last but not the least it’s characteristic features or therapeutic individuality. Critical analysis of this book There are certain special and unique features of this book which are worthy enough to analyse critically and are as follows:- Inclusion of Pharmacology Animal experimentation External application Injections Post mortem findings Information regarding prophylaxis Explanation Of The pathophysiological phenomenon Particular potency for particular condition Inclusion of Pharmacology It is not only the quantity but also the quality of the medicine that matters. A physician must provide the patients genuine, unadulterated medicine which he should be able to prepare if necessity arises. Dr Burt asserted that no students should get their degree without having proper knowledge of Pharmacology. Medicines which are not prepared properly or not collected properly from a genuine source will not yield desirable results. 

Merits:- 

This book is a mammoth task which attempts to unite pharmacology, pathophysiology and therapeutics together under one roof which was the need of the hour. 

Demerits:- It increases the bulk of the book and makes it more voluminous. Animal experimentation Animal experimentation is one of the most  difficult conundrums for the entire world of homoeopathy which is because a lot of studies on animals are conducted and their genuine results do not have proper acceptance. This book contains much information which speaks in favour of animal experimentation and the sources of these experiments are also given in this book. In animal experimentation, the exhibition of Aconite in sufficient doses yields similar results. In cats and dogs, there is a steady sinking of the arterial pressure and the results are similar in other mammals. Digitalis, which is considered as an animal poison that acts through the medium of vagus nerve was concluded by Traube through an experimentation on frogs and the result is applicable for humans as well. The mechanism of action of Arsenicum album, tested upon the frogs after giving poisonous doses, is by the loss of sensation due to its action on the spinal cord. 

Merits :- This is a unique feature of this book that provides information about animal experimentation or laboratory studies and should be shared with students to encourage more research in homoeopathy. 

External application 

This book contains information obtained from all the other schools of medicine where the external application was not a bar and some of these are included in the therapeutics part. Dr Hughes has mentioned that this medicine is used locally for acne in plethoric young females. The children who cannot nurse properly due to the painful aphthous inflammation of the mouth can apply the dry powder in the mouth. Borax has been much employed as a cosmetic to remove freckles and discolorations of the skin ; half a drachm to half an ounce of water. Dr. Carson finds that a piece of Borax the size of a pea, dissolved in the mouth, acts magically in restoring the voice. 

Merits :- This part of the book is non-homoeopathic application of the drug. 

Demerits :- 

Borax after the process of potentization acquires some medicinal properties which are very different from its crude form. So, including crude drug substances and applications in the therapeutics part is not a very good choice. 

Injections 

Dr. R.T Smith has mentioned 2 brilliant cures done with Belladonna injections which are as follows:- In exophthalmic goitre, we should try it hypodermically. To relieve neuralgia in any part of the body, Atropia locally, by injections under the skin over the pain, or given internally, is of great value. 

Merits :- This part of the book is non-homoeopathic application of the drug. 

Demerits :- 

Some of the symptoms of this book are taken from the allopathic school of medicine so including injections in the therapeutics part is not a very good choice. Post mortem findings Some post mortem findings are also included in this book. Arsenicum album is one of the few remedies that acts upon all the tissues of the body. It is a protoplasmic poison, destroying the functional activity, first of the central nervous system, second of the nerves, third and last, of the muscles. Autopsies show that the spinal marrow is always affected, especially the lower part of it, and through the nerves of the extremities. Merits :- It helps to study the effect of the drugs on tissues or organs of the body which helps in research and pharmacovigilance as well. It also helps to throw some light on the mechanism of action of the drugs. 

Information regarding prophylaxis

 The immortal Hahnemann has the honor of introducing Belladonna as a prophylactic against scarlatina, in this textbook a very new fact is mentioned that says milk diet is the true prophylaxis of scarlatina. It was repeatedly observed that people who consumed a milk diet didn’t have scarlet fever even after sleeping, kissing or taking care of patients with scarlet fever. 

Scientific reason behind it

In the blood of scarlatina patients, there is always an excess of fibrin and lactic acid present in milk that inhibits or lessens this excess of fibrin, thereby acting as a prophylactic. 

Merits:- This is a new and additional fact which can help the suffering humanity and also in disease prevention. Confirmation of this fact requires Cohort studies to check the association between milk diet and scarlet fever. 

Explanation Of The pathophysiological phenomenon

In calendula, in case of injures we get union by first intention without suppuration. The reason with proper scientific explanation is given in this book.

Particular potency for particular condition

 The first book where a particular scale is mentioned for a particular condition which is not found in any other text books of materia medica till date. Example: Calcarea carb for spermatorrhoea- CM potency. 

CONCLUSION 

After critical analysis of this book, the reader must be glad to get a materia medica which they needed, wanted and deserved. There are very few materia medica where the pathophysiological explanation of the symptoms are given and Dr Hughes said that it is the pathology which has to be treated which is absolutely true. Students of the new generation must have this book to find vivid scientific explanations of the pathophysiological action of drugs. According to Dr Burt, the first thing to learn about a drug is its pathophysiological action upon healthy human organisms. The knowledge of this localised action gives us the key to its therapeutics; for a reflex symptom is far less valuable than primary or idiopathic one. Due to the presence of these unique features, this book finds a place in the top drawer of materia medica.