|
There is no doubt that Vajpayee has several sterling qualities.
Whether he qualifies to be counted among India’s all-time
greats is something that only history will decide. Nonetheless
an interesting book for the Vajpayee aficionados.
21st Century
Homoeopathic Materia-Medica
compiled by Dr. S.P. Singh. Pages viii+175. Rs 200 ($50).
 Samuel Hanemann, a
German doctor, developed the system of homoeopathy in the late
18th century. In order to cure a patient quickly a
reliable and enduring alternative to the mainstream medicine was
needed. Hanemann’s holistic medication offered this option. A
disease can be acute and/or chronic. The acute form of ailment
can temporarily disable a patient; it can be overcome eventually
with proper treatment. Chronic conditions result due to a
succession of acute occurrences that seriously enfeeble a
person. Therefore, homoeopaths should be fully conversant with
the disease’s etiology, pathology, prognosis and diagnosis.
They should have thorough knowledge of the power of drugs and
the ability to relate these to a patient’s condition. In case
there are psychological, emotional or physiological obstacles
that prevent a patient’s restoration to health, it is
imperative for the doctor to anticipate and remove such
obstacles.
While deciding on
treatment homoeopaths factor in the vital natural force present
in a patient’s body. Homoeopathy works on four laws: the Law
of ‘Similars’ or "like cures like" wherein the
drug that produces the symptoms of a disease in a healthy person
will cure a person who has the disease. The Law of Potentiation
that stresses upon quality instead of quantity of dosage. It
holds that high doses intensify a disease’s symptoms while
small doses strengthen body’s defense mechanism. The Law of
Cure states that healing occurs from the core to the periphery,
and in the reverse order of the symptoms. The fourth law is
referred to as Single Remedy Medication; it advocates
administering one pure drug at a time and does not recommend
mixtures or compounds, as these could be harmful to the patient.
Dr. S.P. Singh
elucidates symptoms of various ailments and prescriptions in a
lucid and systematic manner. The current volume is a valuable
edition to the literature on homoeopathy. This is evident from
the fact that the region’s widely respected homoeopath, Dr.
J.B. D’ Castro, who was once the author’s teacher, in his
foreword has written approvingly of this book.
A Guy’s
Guide to Pregnancy
by Frank Mungeam. Indus,
Delhi. Pages 160. Rs 140.
 Does pregnancy
affect only expectant mothers? What about fathers-in-suspense?
Men are apparently not immune to the pregnancy blues, says
Mungeam. Procreation is a vital function of sex. And pregnancy
brings with it joy, suspense, fears and hopes. In fact, both the
partners experience the entire spectrum of emotions. The
"expectant" dad’s top ten fears might relate to his
pregnant partner’s physical and mental health, her appearance
during pregnancy as well as after the delivery, his own ability
to remain in control of his senses during the delivery, and the
baby’s health etc.
The author has, in
different chapters, described the various changes that expectant
parents undergo, and also their emotional experiences. The
author not only explains changes in mood, sympathy pains et
al but also suggests various ways and means to deal with
such symptoms.
The narrative is
breezy, insightful and eminently readable. There is a lot in
this book that provides useful information to young couples.
|
