HENRY TURNER & CO., 77, FLEET STREET, E.C., AND 41, PICCADILLY, MANCHESTER. 1873. Price One Shilling. Copies may be had for distribution at special reduced rates, according to quantity. PREFACE. THE Annual Congress of medical men practising homœopathy in Great Britain was held at Leamington on September 11th, 1873. The papers that were read are now republished in a separate form, for distribution to the members; the discussions upon them will be found in the October number of the Monthly Homœopathic Review. It was decided by a large majority that the next Congress should be held in LONDON during the month of June, 1874, and that the precise day should be arranged by the Executive Committee, in concert with the Council of the British Homœopathic Society, so that the annual meeting of the latter may not be interfered with. On the following page is given the list of officers elected for the direction of the next meeting. (Signed) J. GIBBS BLAKE, Honorary November 1873. President-R. E. DUDGEON, M.D. Vice-President-Dr. YELDHAM. Treasurer-E. FRASER, Esq. General Secretary-J. GIBBS BLAKE, M.D., Birmingham. Executive Committee-The present Officers, together with the Vice-President-J. GIBBS BLAKE, M.D. Treasurer-E. FRASER, Esq. Hon. Secretaries-Dr. GIBBS BLAKE and Dr. COLLINS. Executive Committee. Dr. Drysdale, Dr. BLACK, Dr. SHARP, Dr. GIBBS BLAKE, Dr. COLLINS, E. FRASER, Esq., and Dr. W. THOMAS. Members. Dr. SHARP (Rugby); Dr. Massy (Brighton); Dr. Kennedy (Newcastleon-Tyne); Dr. HALE (London); Dr. RAMSBOTHAM (Leeds); Dr. SMART (Tunbridge Wells); Mr. HARRIS (London); Dr. DUDGEON (London); Dr. R. HUGHES (Brighton); Dr. YELDHAM (London); Dr. COLLINS (Leamington); Mr. ENGALL (London); Dr. G. CLIFTON (Leicester); Dr. BURWOOD (Ealing); Dr. DRYSDALE (Liverpool); Dr. DRURY (London); Dr. Ryan (London); Dr. FERNIE (Malvern); Mr. MABERLEY (Leamington); Mr. CLIFTON (Northampton); Dr. HAYWARD (Liverpool); Mr. PROCTOR (Liverpool); Dr. RUDDOCK (London); Dr. CRAIG (Scarborough); Dr. CHALMERS (Sheffield); Mr. A. C. POPE (London); Dr. H. NANKIVELL (Bournemouth); Dr. J. THOMPSON (Leamington); Dr. GIBBS BLAKE (Birmingham); Mr. H. TURNER (London); Mr. FRASER (Hull); Dr. J. PYBURN (Hull); Dr. EMERSON (Leicester); Dr. CRAIG (Birmingham); Dr. WYNN THOMAS (Birmingham); Dr. CRAIG (Stoke-on-Trent). THE KIND OF ACTION OF DRUGS. THE ACTION OF SMALL DOSES. A LAW FOR THE DOSE. By WILLIAM SHARP, M.D., F.R.S. "I wish you to get into the habit of contemplating the whole science of medicine under its simplest and plainest form." SIR THOMAS WATSON. A KNOWLEDGE of the action of drugs is certainly one part of the science of medicine. Let us try to follow the advice of Sir Thomas Watson, and seek this knowledge in "its simplest and plainest form." The use of drugs as remedies in disease is so ancient, that the history of its origin has faded away from the human memory: it is a subject which, on account of this antiquity, claims to be approached with respect. The use of such medicines is co-extensive with the families of mankind: the subject deserves, on this account, to be handled with care. Above all, the use of drugs as remedies is needed only during human suffering, and in man's last agony on earth: it demands, therefore, to be discussed with seriousness. Let us, to-day, approach this subject with respect; let us handle it with care, and discuss it with seriousness; and let us hope that a blessing from God will rest upon our endeavours. The first thought which arises in the mind is a question which cannot be asked without surprise: how is it that, after so many centuries of the use of drugs, the knowledge of the right manner of using them is yet to be sought for? What is the answer? With reference to all knowledge men are ignorant from two conditions: in one of these knowledge is placed; in the other, men themselves. The condition in which knowledge is placed is, that much of it is shrouded in darkness. God is light, and there is no darkness in Him; but he has seen fit to surround much knowledge with a darkness which is impenetrable by the eyes of men. |