BOOK REVIEW
Book Name: EXPANDED WORKS OF NASH
Author: Dr. E.B. NASH
Pages: 962 pages
Publisher: BJain publishers
Editions:
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A physician was asked “when was proper time to begin with treatment of tuberculosis” Dr Nash answered with Grand parents
About author- E.B. Nash was one of America’s leading 19th-century homeopath, Nash graduated from Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College in 1874. He served as Professor of Materia Medica in the New York Homeopathic Medical College, and also taught at the Homoeopathic Hospital of London.In 1903 he became president of the International Hahnemannian Association (IHA).He is best known as an author of books on homeopathy. E.B.Nash is contemporary of Dr J.T.Kent & he spread Homoeopathy in U.S in 19th century
Parts of book: Book is divided into 3 parts
I Part- Materia Medica containing more than 250 drugs
II Part-Repertory of chest & respiration system along with case studies which includes chapter chest, cough, expertoration, respiration, nasal symptoms
III Part- Respiratory disease & methods of case taking which include diseases like catarrah, laryngitis, croup, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis
In Preface Dr Nash himself said that he don’t claim this book to be perfect & offers critism to himself
Objectives of book:
- Good prescribing in uncomplicated cases by use of characterstics symptoms
- Every symptoms has its pathological significance & sufficient reason for prescribing on that symptom.
- Concept of dose is variable & vary patient to patient, physician to physician, if they fail must blame themselves not author.
- Condemn abuse of drugs both in old school & ours
- Sound head , honest heart led to give Homoeopathy largest place in physician’s confidence and practice
Salient features of book:
After contents therapeutic index is given where indicated drugs written in front of clinical conditions
Abortion- Vib, Acon, Sabina
Deafness- Kali.Mur, Phos, Caust, Arnica, Phos
Later in materia medica keynotes given from Abrotanum to Zingiber
Example- Acalypha Indica– cough with expectoration of bright blood in the morning, dark in the evening
Acetic acid– passes large quantity pale urine with intense thirst, dry skin
Apart from that comparative materia medica is given , being fever remedies aconite has dry hot skin, no sweat ; Belladona has greater surface heat but sweat on covered parts, aconite toss in agony , belladonna stupor jerks, twitches
Weak area of Aconite is head, where as in bellladona everything settles in head.
Aconite has fear of death unlike belladonna has imagination & delirium.
Respiratory therapeutics of the drug given along with comparative materia medica which is written in bold; example-
Catarrah of aconite-
Acute bronchitis-
At last resume of drug given which includes pointers what we learnt about remedy, in some drugs therapeutic modalities also given. Example-
After stool- followed by comparative material medica
Part- II
Repertory of chest, cough, expectoration, larynx & trachea, nasal symptoms, whooping cough, respiration
CHEST
Abscess- Axilla (clinical condition, location given)
Lungs
Mammae
ANXIETY – in general remedies
Time modality given
Mental modality given
Side modality given
Rubrics like PAIN, are given
Part III
Comments on various disease & remedies, cause, symptoms, diagnosis of disease is given. Diseases like catarrah, laryngitis, croup, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, given along with miasmatic cleavage, therapeutic & homoeopathic approach to the condition is explained
One of my favourite parts is “how to take a case & find simillimum, importance of observation, family history & locations in clinical practice along with examples.
Dr Nash elaborated about constitution, temperament & how inevitable they are in totality of case, he praised Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket book as well.
A very interesting section where patients language converted into rubrics like effort to think made mind seems blink- aggravated by mental exertion, not just mental but particulars too example stomach get sour- sour eructation
Finally in summary he advocated necessity of thorough case taking & case working out, skillfull application of remedy relationship, how important simillia similibus curantur is in prescribing and homoeopathy is valuable in line of prophylaxis.
Review by:
Dr Anum
Zaheer
B.H.M.S., MD (Hom), PGDEMS
Gold Medalist
Homoeopathy Heals, Pune
