A Selection and Compilation of the thoughts, practices, prescriptions, philosophy, materia medica, debates, lectures, articles, book reviews and humour.
What you have in your hands is a book that reflects the experience of an internationally recognized contributor to the growth of homeopathy since the 1980s. The title My Journey in Homeopathy ~Much Ado About Nothing~ reflects Fran’s sense of humour – this book is his invitation to travel through the challenges of homeopathic living and being. It is an opportunity to benefit from the observations, contemplation and meaning-making of an accomplished homeopath who nurtured the flame of homeopathy in a world continuously challenged by the very notion of its existence.
The book seems like a novel where the author is talking to us, sharing his nuances and experiences and some brilliant works done worldwide-
-One chapter ‘Getting Stoned was not Fun’ is a very interesting one where he shares his battle with kidney stones and how on taking the medicine Calculus renalis (medicine prepared from E.P Anshutz own kidney stone and how after continuing the medicine for 3 months he had not suffered from it till now. This medicine can also be used for stones of salivary gland.
– A chapter on Elizabeth W. Hubbard (a student of Pierre Schmidt and a well known American Homeopath) presents the biographical elements of the physician, such as that for 3 years she edited the magazine ‘The Homeopathic Recorder’., she made house calls in her convertible Rolls Royce. She had the privilege of being taught by Boger, Roberts, Gladwin, ML Tyler, JH Clarke and many more.
– A chapter on ‘The Rabies Miasm’ is written who himself keeps Lyssin 200 in his first aid kit. Here Francis has shared Hahnemannian’s approach along with Tafel’s. More elightment on rabies miasm is given by Dr SP Dey’s experience while treating cases. Some rubrics from Complete Repertory regarding the miasm are also mentioned in the chapter.
Keeping up with this, the book has many other intriguing and informative chapters.
Moreover this book captures the innovation and creativity that ensured that future, in the context of the challenges many of us faced and continue to face in practicing, teaching and promoting a wonderful loving medicine. The book is a collation of interviews, articles, histories, characters, cases, remedies, practice audits, discussions and book reviews published by the author in a valuable single document. It is a unique book in the annals of homeopathic publishing, a record of part of one homeopath’s output.
You’ll unearth insights on how this inspirational and resourceful homeopath made a difference with clinics in the National Health Service and 25 years of acute and primary care telephone prescribing on the Homeopathy Helpline.
Title: My Journey in Homeopathy
Author: Francis Treuherz
ISBN: 9788131923801
Imprint: B Jain Regular
Pages: 308
Format: Hard Cover
Language: English
The book is a success in that it is reflective of the life of someone who is passionate about his subject. The chapter discussing his time with the NHS and his abject disappointment when he was forced to leave his position “I wept…” shows how connected and entrenched he was in his work; one can feel his disappointment and grief at the situation. Similarly, The Homeopathic Helpline is featured, a popular homeopathic consultation phone line for acute problems that attracts patients from around the UK, where Francis assisted his friend and colleague David Needleman the founder; the chapter discusses its provenance and how invaluable it continues to be.
I learnt a lot about both homeopathy and Francis in this book.
It is varied in its content, touching on homeopathic history, case reports, book reviews, miasms, remedies and much more. It culminates in a chapter called ‘Fran’s indefatigable humour’ followed by ‘Toilet humour as only Fran can’ which echoes an important part of his personality; his quick wit! I would describe it as a comprehensive collection of all aspects of life as a homeopath, the challenges, successes and the rich web of interactions we all experience. On completion, we are aware of Fran’s important role as a leader in our field and his vast contribution to our profession over the years.”
Reviewed by Laura Sholtz, PhD, RSHom(NA), CCH, FBIH
“This book is considered to be an autobiography, but it is much more than that. It is “…a collation of interviews, articles, histories, characters, cases, remedies, practice audits, discussions and book reviews published…in a valuable single document.” (Publisher’s Note)
To mark his eightieth birthday in 2021, Francis Treuherz decided to write a book on his life with homeopathy. I have not yet had the pleasure of studying with him, but after reading this very appealing book I would dearly love to do so. His writing is enjoyable, entertaining, and overflowing with homeopathic knowledge. In addition to teaching, writing, and taking cases, everywhere he travels Treuherz loves to collect books on homeopathy. Apparently it is a long-lived passion. “I have the Organon in 32 languages and many more editions old and new. My collection now comprises some 12,500 volumes, all catalogued.” (Page 2) Imagine having thousands of books on homeopathy in one’s own personal library!
Four illuminating interview transcripts are included almost verbatim in this book including a discussion focusing on “What about the Potency?” (Page 37) All are educational, and thoroughly enjoyable to read, allowing the reader a further glimpse into the rather amazing life of Treuherz. Affectionately known as FT, we will refer to him as such throughout the rest of this review.
In the chapter called Familial Homeopathy… “Francis Treuherz, known as the FT index for his in-depth knowledge of all things homeopathic…talks about his own experience of having Covid-19.” (Page 69) This is a long and intense journey, but he recovers and heals using primarily homeopathic remedies. In this same chapter FT also shares his very personal experiences with kidney stones, with atrial fibrillation, and with type 2 diabetes, all helped by using homeopathy recommended by his own homeopath. For his atrial fibrillation, he states that, “Whenever I feel the onset…I take Iberis amara mother tincture…This remedy has not stopped the unpredictable occasional recurrences, so it has not cured. But it has rarely failed to stop the atrial fibrillation quickly on each occasion…. I am also under the ongoing care of an excellent homeopath who treats me on a holistic level, as needed, so there is always hope that constitutional homeopathic treatment could reduce or stop the occurrences altogether.” (Page 80)
The section on “Philosophy, People and Places” (Page 91) includes information on such stellar homeopaths as James Tyler Kent, Elizabeth Wright Hubbard, John Henry Clarke, James Compton Burnett, as well as some lesser-known homeopaths from the early- to mid-1800s. One compelling story FT relates in this section is about Jack the Ripper, and perhaps why he suddenly stopped his killing spree on November 9th, 1888. Apparently, James Maybrick was the main suspect in these murders, and in that November he changed doctors, possibly unknowingly choosing a homeopath, Dr John Drysdale. In Drysdale’s treatment of Maybrick there was, as expected, gradual improvement to the point “…that James Maybrick slowly lost interest in further killings, feeling considerable remorse before his death…. So did Drysdale’s treatment take away a thirst for murder?” (Page 95) As evidenced by this and thousands upon thousands of our own cases, homeopathy is indeed a powerful healing modality, one deserving of our ultimate respect.
In the sub-section on “Liverpool’s Grand Homeopathic History” (page 93) I wonder if a connection can be made between FT’s research into the advent of the Liverpool Homeopathic Dispensary, and his acknowledging the rather dire state of health in Great Britain before FT “…made a difference with clinics in the National Health Service and 25 years of acute and primary care telephone prescribing on the Homeopathy Helpline.” (page vi) This is a suggestion purely of my own. One day I might ask him about this.
Another sub-section, “Homeopathy through the Looking Glass,” (page 217) is a too short chapter of mini case pictures of such personages as Picasso and Santa Claus. Here’s Santa: “Red nose from alcohol, staggering gait…obese; laughter & 140 THE AMERICAN HOMEOPATH n 2024
mirth. Incorrect judge of size, imagines body parts are smaller and a small hole is a chasm. Why does Santa Claus get stuck in the chimney? Agaricus. Reindeer love the Amanita mushroom that grows in Santa’s Lapland!” (Pages 217-218) This is delightful reading!
There are several more wonderful chapters in this book, including one of his clinical cases, which takes us from FT’s first patient through to cases of Bell’s Palsy, Alzheimer’s, a salmonella outbreak, to mumps, to rabies, and more. All FT’s cases are engaging, always educational, and include long-term follow-ups. One sub-section here is titled “Hello, this is the Homeopathic Helpline… On call 365 days a year…Advice for singers, travelers, mums-to-be…and everyone in between!” (Page 281) The Homeopathic Helpline opened “…in the spring of 1996…Since then, we have dealt with more than 165,000 calls.” (Page 281) This helpline has become a very popular service, and one that FT still supports totally. “We receive calls from around the whole of the UK…I split my time between the Homeopathic Helpline and my regular homeopathic practice, doing both from my home.” (Page 286) Such, at age 80, is FT’s commitment and continuing gift to homeopathy.
The last chapter in My Journey in Homeopathy consists of book reviews, most, happily (for the reader) written by FT, although the others are reviews of FT’s own published books. The very last sub-section is on “Flushing: A comedic material medica…” (page 501), keynote sketches of “Toilet Humour as Only Fran Can.” (Page 501) What other homeopath would be secure enough to choose to end his autobiography with bathroom humor, or to subtitle it Much Ado About Nothing? This is a great book, of a great homeopath, the modest presentation of a life well lived at its best. Francis Treuherz is humble, spiritual, exceptionally knowledgeable, the homeopath I would ultimately want to take my case. Buy this book. I predict that you will thoroughly enjoy it and delight in getting to know him and his life’s work.”
Reviewer
Laura Sholtz, PhD, RSHom(NA), CCH, FBIH, immediately resonated with homeopathy after first learning about it over 35 years ago. She has served on the NASH Board of Directors since 2003, has been the Registrar for NASH since 2004 and the Book Review Editor since 2010. Laura has expanded her primary northern New England practice to include international teaching and clients, taught several classes in homeopathy at the University of Maine in the 90s and is a former teacher for the British Institute of Homeopathy. Laura can be contacted at [email protected].
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