Treat the.../was Digest Number 361

[Eric Leventhal]

At 01:36 PM 12/28/01, Andrew wrote:

You're right that this expression is probably too shortened, since it is
not clear
what "disease" is being referred to. When I see the expression, I agree
with it,
because I internally translate it to something like:

"Treat the person [and their current mistunement and individual symptoms],
NOT the disease [name or generalization of the disease across all people]!"

I think most people would agree with that as a very homeopathic approach.

But it seems to me, that a possible alternate reading of the statement is:
"Treat [some conceptual underlying state of] the person,
NOT the disease [that is currently causing all those annoying symptoms]!"

Then I would certainly agree with you, Andrew, that a reading like this is not
supported by Hahnemann, although perhaps some people try to practice that way.

Eric
------
Eric Leventhal Arthen
ericla@ultranet.com