Re[2]: constitutional during operation

[Fran Sheffield]

Hello Joy and all,

Adding my thoughts here. I appreciate where you are coming from, Joy.
I think every situation of prophylactics needs to be approached on a
case by case basis.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005, 6:51:11 PM, you wrote:

JL> A question - if this is prophylactic prescribing what exactly is being
JL> prescribed for and how can it be either Staphysagria and/or Arnica and
JL> possibly neither.

I guess the prescription is being made for the characteristic symptoms
of Arnica or Staphysagria that frequently occur following surgery. So
yes, the state could be "either Staphysagria and/or Arnica and
possibly neither". Whether or not it is a wise thing to do is another
question.

JL> Does this person need a rx before the operation? Why not wait for a sx
JL> picture to emerge and then prescribe more confidently. If this person
JL> doesn't have a positive sx similarity to either of these rx then why
JL> give either of them?

Some footballers in this country take Arnica prophylactically before
going onto the playing field. They know they come off the field a lot
less sore if they do this. It is not feasible for them to stop
mid-game to take their Arnica.

Another situation - would I prophylactically mass treat third world
children with homeopathy against meningococcal disease? You bet I
would because the alternative and possibly better options are not
available or possible. I have had to learn that sometimes being
philosophically pure has to give way to pragmatism.

On the otherhand, before I became a homeopath, my husband who can be
sensitive to remedies was prescribed Arnica pre and post-op in a
routinist manner. He literally bruised from neck to knee for an
abdominal op and his wound was slow to heal. His anaethetist expressed
surprise at how difficult he was to anaethetise - something that had
not been a problem in previous lead-up ops. Being a homeopath now, do
I ever prescribe Arnica routinely before surgery? No, not unless I
know the person's sensitivity to it and circumstances make it
necessary.

I think prophylactics is an area we need to make rational and
considered decisions in lest we become rigid, either for or against.

Regards,

Fran Sheffield.