Press Reviews

BOWEL CONTINENCE NURSING
Edited by Prof. Christine Norton and Sonya Chelvanayagam

This book is to be welcomed as it gives a comprehensive overview of the complexities involved in caring for and supporting patients with bowel continence problems.  As the authors state, patients with a bowel disorder frequently report difficulty in discussing their symptoms, and as a result can feel misunderstood by the professionals responsible for their treatment.  There are useful examples of patient assessment questionnaires and teaching tools, and extensive references for further reading after each topic.  Patient stories are used to illustrate the need for physical and psychological approaches to symptom management.  The specialisation and developments in stoma care, colorectal and gastroenterology nursing are excellent, but increase the risk of fragmented care if each specialist concentrates on their own area of concern. The book offers an invaluable resource to nurses in any setting, and at all levels of experience, who encounter patients with bowel continence problems.                            Nursing Standard

The editors of this excellent book have brought together a formidable array of multidisciplinary contributors to help make Bowel Continence Nursing accessible and readable to a range of professions. There are 23 chapters on topics including understanding normal bowel function, disordered bowel patterns, how to do a full assessment on patients with faecal incontinence, and what further investigations and treatment options are available. Conservative treatment of faecal incontinence is included as well as surgical interventions. There is a chapter on constipation and another on psychosocial aspects for patients with faecal incontinence. The subjects are wide-ranging and comprehensively covered, and the book is well laid out and easy to read. There are numerous diagrams, illustrations and photographs, and the text is well referenced. Appendix II contains useful addresses and websites. This book is an excellent resource. I highly recommend it to physiotherapists and students working in women's health, and of course, nurses, as the title suggests.         
                     Journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health

The main aim of this text is to provide an evidence base for teaching and practice related to care of people with bowel problems and, more specifically, faecal incontinence. Professor Christine Norton, who will be well known to readers of this journal, has worked in the area of continence since 1979 and was the first Director of the Continence Foundation in the United Kingdom. She practises as a nurse consultant (bowel control) at St Mark's Hospital in London and is an honorary Professor of Nursing in the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, King's College, London. Her co-editor, Sonya Chelvanayagam, qualified first as a registered mental health nurse and subsequently as a registered general nurse. She worked for several years with patients with faecal incontinence as a research assistant to Professor Norton, and is currently a senior lecturer in mental health at the University of Hertfordshire.
    The editors have brought together an impressive group of nursing, medical and allied health authors who provide a basis for a detailed understanding of normal as well as disordered bowel function, including constipation and faecal incontinence.
    There are 23 chapters on topics including the physiology of defecation and continence, the epidemiology and causes of faecal incontinence, rectal bleeding, common ano-rectal conditions, health assessment and diagnostics, and treatment options (conservative, pharmacological and surgical). There are also several chapters that address the assessment and treatment options for specific groups of people with bowel dysfunction such as those with neurological disorders, children, older people and people with an intellectual disability. A major strength in the book is the chapter that addresses the psychological and social impact of faecal incontinence, which is enriched by the use of personal narratives of people with experience of this condition. The themes developed in this chapter are revisited throughout the book and remind us of the complexities involved in caring for and supporting people with bowel continence problems.
    The book is well laid out and easy to read, with a detailed index. Each chapter is comprehensive and has an extensive and up-to-date reference list. There are numerous tables, diagrams, illustrations and photographs, as well as useful examples of patient assessment questionnaires and teaching tools. Where relevant, each chapter identifies the current evidence on a particular topic and makes recommendations for further research.
    The book is written largely from the perspective of the UK (although there are three Australian authors) and the website and other resources listed in an appendix are all from the UK. However, the content is readily applicable to Australian and New Zealand practice settings.
    This book is an excellent resource. Focusing specifically on the bowel, it addresses issues that are frequently inadequately addressed in general continence texts. I highly recommend it to nurses, physiotherapists and other health professionals at all levels of experience (including students) who work with people who have bowel dysfunction or faecal incontinence.
                                              Australian and New Zealand Continence Journal

BOWEL CONTROL: Information and Practical Advice
Prof. Christine Norton and Prof. Michael A. Kamm

Refreshing guidance on an all too common problem …
This is a very welcome and much needed book written by two well known experts in the field of coloproctology from St Mark’s Hospital in Harrow, Middlesex. It is intended mainly for the public and patients with faecal leakage or incontinence, but it is also an excellent book for nurses and GPs wishing to pick up tips to advise their patients. The text offers advice about how to explain the problem of faecal incontinence in lay terms.
    It is a small softbacked book which nevertheless manages to cover comprehensively issues such as normal bowel function and the causes, tests and treatment for bowel leakage, including dietary advice, drug therapy, exercise, complementary therapies and how to deal with skin soreness, wind and smells. The glossary of terms, association addresses and further reading is indispensable.
    Easy to read with colourful illustrations to break up the text, this book will be affordable for most people. One of its most appealing aspects is that it is written to allow someone with this problem to think that they are not alone, that there is nothing to be embarrassed about and that there many things which can be done to help or even to completely overcome the problem.
    Faecal incontinence is not uncommon and it is likely that there are many people suffering who are too embarrassed or frightened to tell anyone. This book gives the patient the knowledge and confidence to seek advice from their GP or practice nurse in the first instance. There have been many books written about urinary incontinence, so it is refreshing to see this informative, practical and easy-to-read book on the subject of bowel leakage.                                                                                                                             Nursing Standard

The loss of bowel control, also known as faecal incontinence, can be a devastating problem. There can be few things more embarrassing than a bowel accident that other people notice, and few conditions that create so much anxiety.
    A new book – written by two specialists from St Mark’s Hospital, London – gives helpful advice about this difficult problem.
    Faecal incontinence affects men and women of all ages. Many people go untreated because they are too embarrassed to ask for help. This is a pity because there are many effective treatments available. There is no right answer to the question of how often the bowel should be emptied – some people open their bowels every day, others only every few days. Faecal incontinence is much more common than most people realise because it is rarely discussed – even among close friends.
    Always seek help – your doctor will have seen many similar cases!  Many surgeries employ a continence nurse who will be able to advise you.
    For more help, contact The Continence Foundation, 307 Hatton Square, 16 Baldwins Gardens, London EC1N 7RJ. Talk to a specialist nurse on their helpline, open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm, on 0845 345 0165.
                                                                                                                             Yours

This easy-to-read and informative booklet aims to give information about possible causes and treatments for bowel incontinence and provide ideas on practical self-help measures. The contents include information about how to seek help for the problem, available management options, and what to expect from treatment.                                                                         Newsletter, National Association for Continence, USA

This book is long overdue and is most welcome to all Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) sufferers with lack of bowel control. As well as describing the complexity of symptoms associated with faecal incontinence, it contains extensive practical advice. Well laid out chapters with clear headings and illustrations make it easy to read and to understand. A description of normal bowel function is followed by an explanation of the causes of bowel leakage as well as the difference between leakage and total lack of control.
    A common problem with lack of bowel control is soreness and irritation of the skin. This subject is dealt with sensitively. Probably the most useful tip in the book was one of the simplest. This is to take a couple of clothes pegs wherever one goes as they may help to keep clothes out of the way in the event of cleaning up after an ‘accident’. In conclusion, this book should be made available as soon as possible to all IBD patients with a bowel control problem.
                                                                                                                        NACC News

Written by a continence nurse and a consultant gastroenterologist, on thick glossy paper with liberal colour illustrations, this is a patients’ information booklet. It starts with descriptions of the mechanics of bowel function, works through ways of curing or improving faecal incontinence, and progresses to dealing with soreness and flatulence, and protective clothing for leakage and soiling. There are lists of useful addresses and suggestions for further reading.
   Like many booklets for patients, its strengths include providing clear explanations for which some readers cannot ask, and assuring them that they are not alone in their affliction – many people have the same problem (one person in 50 has difficulty with bowel control, with a bias towards women and elderly people).
    The authors show obvious empathy with sufferers and make it clear that they understand their main cause of anxiety is not frequency or volume of incontinence, but the fact that it can happen at all.  
                                                                                                                      Physiotherapy
                                                                                                           Top Find out more about the book


CLASSICAL HOMOEOPATHY
Dr Margery Blackie
It is an essential book for all those with a genuine interest and belief in homoeopathy, for it reveals so clearly Dr Blackie's incomparable style of practice and knowledge of materia medica. However, the complete beginner will be swamped with so much fact, and would be wise to delay purchase for a short time until they have gained a working knowledge of homoeopathy. Thereafter, the book will be invaluable.      Homoeopathy   Top
Find out more about the book

COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA
Dr E.F. Candegabe
What a welcome publication -- finally Candegabe's Comparative Materia Medica is available in English.   Eugenio Candegabe is a contemporary Argentinian medical homoeopath trained in the excellent tradition of the South American Schools.  He studied homoeopathy under his great mentor Dr Tomas Paschero, with whom he worked closely.
    In this comparative study, Candegabe focuses on the mind symptoms of six polychrest medicines and one nosode, each dealt with in a separate chapter: Lycopodium, Silicea, Thuja, Medorrhinum, Nat. Mur., Kali Carb. and Lachesis.  Calc. Sulph., Sepia and Sulphur are studied in less detail.  Around the hub of the seven closely detailed studies, a total of thirty-seven remedies are compared, like spokes meeting in the centre of the wheel with common characteristic symptoms, going out into the periphery with the individual characteristics of each.
    The chapters open with a detailed description of the drug, drawing on rubrics form Kent's Repertory, encompassing dreams, delusions and sensations as well as generals for some drugs.  Candegabe then synthesises and summarises the key features of each, referring to rubrics from Kent.  These key symptoms are further synthesised and condensed to form the Minimum Characteristic syndrome -- a small close-knit group of symptoms which provide a clear characteristic definition of the drug, encompassing not less than five and not more than ten symptoms.  This is illustrated in a schematic diagram with the Minimum Characteristic Syndrome in the centre and interrelated rubrics grouped according to common themes around this circle.
    ... Clearly this publication is a success. Not only does it enhance our understanding of widely used polychrests - more valuable is the inspiration it gives the reader. Candegabe give the tools to access and study materia medica in a deeply satisfying way. He has accomplished what he set out to do, making a contribution that enables the homoeopath to understand what is curative in the medicament to restore health. His love for homoeopathy and his deep understanding of Hahnemann and Kent shine through his writing.                 British Homoeopathic JournalTop
Find out more about the book


THE EARLY DAYS OF GRIEVING
Revd Derek Nuttall
The author has drawn on his long experience to provide bereaved people with the information they need for coping with the practical problems that arise after a death, to explain and reassure people about the frightening emotions and bodily symptoms that they are likely to suffer, and to direct those who need it to other sources of help. He does this without becoming sentimental, mawkish or doctrinaire.
Find out more about the book                                                                                    British Medical JournalTop


EVERYDAY HOMOEOPATHY Second Edition
Dr David Gemmell (revised for this edition by Dr Janet Gray)
The late Dr Gemmell was a man with a profound knowledge of both conventional and homoeopathic medicine and very practical common sense, both of which are reflected in this concise and useful guide to self-help homoeopathy. This book is surprisingly comprehensive, and even as a homoeopath of 30 years standing I found some useful reminders of homoeopathic preparations that I had either neglected or forgotten. ... The references and indexes are sensibly set out and easy to use, and I am particularly impressed with the basic materia medica at the end of the book, which encapsulates the medicine concisely and neatly. I shall certainly recommend my patients to keep it in the house.
Find out more about the book                                                       British Homoeopathic Journal

I have seen many books which purport to offer the average person useful advice about self-treatment using homeopathy.  Most of them are not written by doctors, and it shows.  Some of them even contain advice which is downright dangerous.  This book by Dr David Gemmell shows how it should be done, and the reader does not need any prior knowledge of homeopathy.
    The first section is about Accidents and First Aid with clear and helpful flowcharts about what to do in the event of a head injury, burn or whatever, which helps the reader to know when to seek help and when it's safe to treat yourself.  These guidelines are the best example I have ever seen of clear safe advice about the homeopathic treatment of accidents and injuries.
    There then follows a large number of common conditions with consistently good advice.  Every condition is treated to a two-page spread with general guidelines on the left page and keynote prescribing indication for commonly useful remedies on the right.
    The general guidelines are good common sense, as you would expect from an experienced GP, and the remedies selected are easily obtainable.  In all, some 116 common ailments or injuries are dealt with, collected into three main sections after the Accidents and First Aid sections.  These are listed alphabetically in the contents pages which makes it very easy to find what you are looking for.
    The information about each remedy is focused and brief.  Only leading keynotes or prescribing features are given.  At a self-treatment level this is highly appropriate.  It is just too difficult for someone to try to treat themselves with homeopathy for chronic and complex problems.
    If I were to recommend one self-treatment book to a patient, this would be it.
                                                                                Health and HomeopathyTop


EVERYDAY HOMEOPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Francis Hunter, MRCVS,VetFFHom
The main value of this book is to help you to treat your own animals.  There is a huge section on problems which affect all animals, divided into accidents and emergencies, general conditions and reproduction.  Then another section on particular animals and their problems.  The list is comprehensive. Finally a long section of materia medica, plus the usual references to international resources, reading and index.  All of this is thorough and well written. ... the strength of the book is that the author has been a veterinarian for 50 years, and a homeopath for half that time, so he is very experienced.  He knows what to expect, and knows when you should not try and treat your own animal, and need a professional. ... The editorial and publication standards are as high as we have come to expect from Beaconsfield.  However you look at it, even if you know a great deal about animals, this is the best new book to help you to treat your own.                                                                                       Homeopathic Links

This is a fascinating guide to treating animals.  Dr Hunter is rigorous throughout in identifying the circumstances where the owner must seek veterinary advice and not attempt to treat a condition on their own.  Vets and pet owners will find this book of use.  It provides homeopathic help for a child's pet rabbit with diarrhea, or a dog grieving for a dead companion, or a litter of kittens clearly fading fast.  so if your guinea pig has halitosis, or your sheep have mastitis, this is definitely the book for you.                                                                              American Homeopath

This is an excellent book and is thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in the subject of homeopathy in animals.  It includes information on its use in a wide range of species: the horse, food producing livestock, dogs and cats, small domestic pets, fish, hedgehogs and tortoises, amongst others.  The author, a veterinary surgeon, is an expert in his field, and he includes a wide range of information on both the clinical signs associated with many diseases and the suggested homeopathic treatment for them.
    So much information is presented that in many books the reader would be overwhelmed, and find it difficult to follow and track down what they were looking for.  But in this one the information is so well presented, indexed and cross-referenced that finding information quickly is easy.  This is helped even more by the author’s introduction, which gives information on what homeopathy is, together with a section on how best to use the book.
    The author states clearly in the introduction that homeopathy is complementary to, and does not take the place of, conventional medicine and that it should be used in conjunction with any conventional treatment prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.
    The book is a must for every veterinary practice library – even if homeopathy is not practised there – as very many owners are interested in the subject and often appear to know a great deal about it.  Owners too will find this book useful reading.                        Veterinary Times

This is a good basic book for animal owners of all kinds -- from the beginner who hasn't used homeopathic remedies before, to the more experienced owner who needs a reference book for the most common ailments in animals.  As the cover suggests, this book is also for owners of animals of any kind -- from the more traditional cats and dogs, horses, cows, goats and sheep, to the more exotic such as chinchillas, ferrets, gerbils, tortoises and hedgehogs.
    Throughout the book the author is very careful to explain when a condition might need or definitely need professional attention. The owner is warned not to use homeopathic remedies solely in these conditions or if the animal is in distress (unless during the waiting time when the vet has been called out).
    Much expertise has gone into writing this book and I see it as being useful to owners who want to treat their animals for minor injuries and ailments.  The more experienced homeopath could use it for a quick reference guide or suggestion of remedies for the more exotic species they might not have experience with.
                 Journal of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons

British vets use homeopathy routinely in their practices.  Although a few alternative vets here in the US are using homeopathy at least part of the time, the same paradigm that dominates our human medicine has taken over veterinary medicine as well.
    Veterinary bills have risen accordingly, with many new drugs and procedures.  With a little practice, the cost of curing (not treating, curing) your dog’s ear infection for pennies will open up many new options for you and your pets.
    The author notes the increasing number of people who are interested in complementary therapies and interested in alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs with their serious side effects.  Even people who use homeopathy for themselves will be surprised at how effective it is in animals.  (So much for the placebo effect!)
    This 479-page resource covers not only dogs and cats and horses, but also pigs, goats, cattle, sheep, birds, fish, rabbits and rodents.  British homeopaths use homeopathy on farm animals as well as pets, and this provides a much wider view of the many applications of this medicine.
    Beginning with Accidents, Emergencies & First aid, the book then goes to General Conditions, and Reproduction.  The first section discusses conditions which are general across the whole range of animals, while the second section covers individual species and their likely conditions.
    Francis Hunter provides adequate background on the history and use of homeopathy and a clear explanation of the Law of Similars.  Homeopathy can also be used in conjunction with orthodox medication when this is necessary.
    Everyday Homeopathy for Animals includes a Primary Materia Medica of the most useful remedies, with an extensive list of indications.  Between this list and the indications for the individual species, one could probably come up the right remedy, even as a neophyte.  For people who love their animals, this book can be a new resource for healthier pets.                                                       Letter for Doctors and Patients (USA)

This is the most comprehensive book on homeopathy for animals that I have come across.  It covers just about all domestic animals that you can think of, from farm animals such as cattle and sheep right through to the smallest household pets such as rats, mice, fish ... and everything in between.  There is also useful information about each animal at the beginning of each species-specific section as regards general care and gestation period.  For the small animals, data is provided in respect of average bodyweight, lifespan, body temperature, heart rate, and so on.
    It is an ideal book for someone working or living with a whole range of animals who also wants to explore the possibilities of homeopathy.  There are very clear instructions on potency, repetition and duration of the prescription, and so it can used easily by anyone who has no prior knowledge of homeopathy.
    All in all, a well thought out, easy to use reference book for anyone who deals with animals, from veterinary surgeons and farmers to pet owners.             Homeopathy in PracticeTop

Although there is an increasing interest in veterinary homeopathy – not least because of the determination of many owners to provide an effective and caring therapy for their companion animals, and the boom in advice on all sides – there is still a great need for really competent texts in this field.  Therefore it is a particular pleasure that two equally valuable books (see also 'Textbook of Veterinary Homeopathy', below) should have been published in England, both of which could well strike a chord here for German speakers.
    Anyone who is looking for advice on the care of tortoises, guinea pigs, fishes, hedgehogs, donkeys, cats, birds, dogs and large animals will refer with pleasure to Hunter’s ‘Everyday Homeopathy for Animals’.  The book is addressed to interested lay people, veterinary surgeons, and homeopaths interested in animal care.  The author gives clear advice on when treatment by an unqualified owner is out of the question, which remedies can be used to bridge the time before getting veterinary help, and which symptoms must always receive professional attention.
    The book is clearly structured.  On the left-hand page there is a brief description of a particular illness or condition and its principal symptoms, and on the opposite side are the differential prescribing indications.  Hunter does not hesitate to recommend complex remedies where no clear symptoms are to be had.  Many readers may object to his application of cold water on burns; here however is no ideologue, but rather a person whose affection for animals shines out.
                                                   Allgemeine Homoeopathische Zeitung (translation)

It was with great pleasure that I received and read through different chapters of this reference book for those practitioners interested in homeopathy.  The book comes from the United Kingdom, where homeopathy is extremely well accepted and routinely used in veterinary as well as in human medicine.  It is written with the goal of providing a simple and straightforward method for finding specific remedies in a short period of time.  I feel that this goal has been well met by the author.
    The book has a soft cover, and as such is easy to flip through and lightweight to carry around.  The introduction helps the reader to understand how to use the information given in the main text, in terms of dosing and choosing appropriate remedies.  The first chapter allows the practitioner to treat emergencies and trauma using homeopathy as a complement to conventional therapies.  After this section there are chapters on general conditions, followed by individual chapters for large and small animals, including horses, ponies, donkeys, cattle, goats, dogs, cats, birds, exotics of all types, and even hedgehogs and tortoises.  The text ends with a materia medica and multiple references for further reading.
    This book will prove useful for veterinarians interested in introducing homeopathy as a complement to their conventional practices.  It is easy to quickly find the remedy required, and then to understand how to use it.  To sum up, it will be a useful addition to the veterinary reference library.                                      Canadian Veterinary Journal

This is a useful addition to the veterinary literature.  The path between the rock of the 'cookery book' style of owner's manual and the hard place of a fully-fledged textbook has been so skilfully negotiated that it will appeal to a wide range of readers.  It is a book that will find constant employment, and the presentation is such as to ensure that it will be equal to that.  So many modern publications fail to live up to their early promise by falling apart under the strain of constant usage.  This, I am sure, will not happen here.  The presentation is as attractive as it is robust.  A must for any serious homeopathic library.
                            Health and Homeopathy

HOMOEOPATHIC PRESCRIBING
Dr Noel Pratt
"Dr Pratt has written a very useful vademecum for those with a good working knowledge of homoeopathy. The way the book is set out makes for clarity and ease of access to the appropriate information."
                                                                                                         Homoeopathy Today (UK)Top
Find out more about the book


THE HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF BEEF AND DAIRY CATTLE
Christopher Day, MRCVS,VetFFHom
This scholarly treatise is needed and timely in an age when consumers are extremely concerned about drug and chemical residues in the food supply. The author provides viable alternative holistic practices regarding animal welfare on the farm, management of a farm with particular attention to factors for mastitis prevention, and homeopathic recommendations for specific disease syndromes.
    Dr Day begins by giving a concise yet thorough explanation of homeopathic medicines and their history.  He continues with explanations and definitions of terms used by homeopathic practitioners that would not necessarily be in common usage in conventional veterinary medicine.  This should enable readers to begin to understand the difference between the allopathic approach to disease, in which the emphasis is on counteracting the symptoms, and the homeopathic approach of treating the patient to augment or increase its vitality and resistance to disease.
    Practioners who have organic or biodynamic farmers as their client base should have this book as a reference.  Even if a practitioner chooses not to incorporate homeotherapeutics into their armamentarium, they can become familiar with these over-the-counter medications, and therefore be respectful of a client's choice to use them instead of steroids or chemical drugs in any given situation.   Communications between clients and veterinarians can be maintained.  The conclusion of the text provides lists of holistic organizations and postgraduate veterinary homeopathic courses.
Find out more about the book                                 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Top

THE HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF ECZEMA
Robin Logan, FSHom
Robin Logan has set an exemplary standard for homeopathic textbooks with The Homoeopathic Treatment of Eczema.
    He begins this work with a listing of a variety of eczema diagnoses and repertory rubrics that correspond to the pathological findings in each, then lists various skin conditions that may resemble eczema.  Chapter 2 thoroughly delineates the essentials of casetaking in eczema cases, from the minute details of the skin eruption to the nuances of constitutional inquiry.  Chapter 3 emphasizes the flexibility required in deciphering many eczema cases.  Using numerous case examples as illustrations, Mr Logan describes multiple case analysis strategies.  Some cases are solved solely by attending to the particulars of the eczematous rash, others by complex constitutional, emotional and physical characteristics, still others by combinations of the two, and so on.  The chapter is a masterful rendering of the homeopathic approach, regardless of the disease entity being entertained.  Several of the cases given, which are solved by attention to the details of the eruption, are very illustrative of the often overlooked necessity of attending to every striking detail of a case, lest critical information be overlooked.
    Chapter 4 very thoroughly reviews both practitioner and patient shortcomings that lead to disappointing results.  Chapter 5 admirably discusses eczema aggravations after treatment and their management, potency selection and prescription timing, and topical applications, dietary and nutritional measures.  Again, throughout the first five chapters numerous and illuminating case histories are provided.  The last part of the book is reserved for materia medica written specifically with the skin and eczema in mind.  All of the characteristic eczema remedies are listed;  additionally, mental and general keynotes are included to provide ready reference to confirmatory symptoms.  The book is well indexed.
    The book is must reading for any homeopathic physician, novice or old hand, who endeavors to treat eczema patients.                                                                           Journal of the American Institute of HomeopathyTop
Find out more about the book

HOMOEOPATHY
Dr Tomas Pablo Paschero, edited by Dr Patricia Haas
Knowledge, in all its aspects, brings our understanding to the fore. However you define excellence in prescribing, knowledge is always an essential ingredient. Who we are as a person is the most important factor in how we live our life, and thus also in how we practise as a homeopath. Paschero’s ‘Homoeopathy’, a superb collection of his essays, weaves these insights, among many others, into the fabric of what homeopathy is, how it works and what it means to be a homeopath.
    I have always looked only to Hahnemann’s ‘Organon’ and Kent’s ‘Lectures’ as that masterwork, whenever I needed to reinforce my footing in the ideas of homeopathy. The clarity of thought and uncompromising adherence to the principles of homeopathy in these books are always a sufficient and unswerving guide. I am delighted to say that now, after all these years, I have found another book to add to that duo – Paschero’s ‘Homoeopathy’.
    ... One basic principle discussed in many different ways is that of our grasp of the holistic perspective. ‘The physician, no matter what therapeutics he employs, must be aware that every symptom is a part of the patient’s life context. Each symptom has a meaning to be unlocked, once a complete understanding has been gained of the pathological expression and behaviour of a unique and untold human life.’ If this seems self-evident, just recall how many homeopaths prescribe on isolated symptoms or give more than one remedy at a time. Paschero addresses the issue in his chapter ‘Unicism and Pluralism’. If there was ever a doubt in your mind on the matter, this will clarify the case for single remedy prescribing for you. ‘Hahnemann established as a basic clinical principle the unity of the patient’s reaction, that is, the totality of symptoms that reflect the dynamic derangement. This very personal total symptom picture can never be the expression of an affected isolated organ or a disturbed localised function.’
    Furthermore, Paschero has the courage to state that prescribing on isolated symptoms rather than the dynamic totality, in addition to violating the fundamental tenets of homeopathy, can be suppressive and can cause great harm. Few single-remedy, constitutional prescribers take that logical step, despite its being so self-evident from the philosophy of homeopathy in the writings of Hahnemann.
    Another of the many topics on which Paschero sheds light is his discussion on the deep, holistic, constitutional understanding of the patient. He states the issue beautifully: ‘The unconscious tension we call instinct is the psychic expression of that emotional will, transmitting the requirements of cellular activity to the conscious awareness. That is why the organic will – the deep necessity that appears in the conscious ego as a motivation to act – is what best defines the nature of being and best summarises an individual’s symptom picture’, and ‘We all live the unconscious reality of our innermost being and this determines not only the complex mechanism of our will but also the energetic quality of the vital force that regulates our bodily functions.’
    There is the brilliant insight that the symptoms report that the patient gives us is clouded by the very illness we are trying to cure. ‘The homeopath works with the symptoms that the patient translates though a compromised ego (self), "falsified" by those very compromises destined to defend it from his instincts. More than just hearing them, the homeopath must try to "see" them and interpret them through, and in spite of, the patient’s ego.’ How can we bypass these distracting and illusionary symptoms and feelings to get to the real essence of the vital force’s morbid disorder? The first step is to understand the workings of the personality, psyche and the healing process. Once more, the theme of knowledge and deep understanding is emphasised. Fortunately, much of that knowledge can be gained in this book.
    The essays on materia medica deal mainly with some of the mental and general symptoms that he has found most interesting. Although these discussions are not as complete as in the fuller materia medicas, they draw on his vast experience and are therefore worthy of note. What I found particularly helpful, however, are the philosophical comments woven into these remedy discussions - for example, ‘Localised reactions express the vital intention of the whole person.’ This reminds us of what Paschero so frequently emphasises in the earlier sections – that physical symptoms are expressing exactly the same message as the mental state.
    I have limited my comments to just a few samples of the author’s writings to give you the flavour of this amazing book. It has been difficult to choose between the hundreds of quotable passages, wonderful insights and eloquent turns of phrase. Needless to add, I highly recommend it and expect that once you have read it you will find yourself rereading it over and over again like the other important classic works. Lastly, as a bibliophile, I would like to comment on the quality of the publication itself. As is customary from Beaconsfield Publishers, the book is beautiful and of high quality. The binding is solid, the paper is first-rate and the font is clear and easy on the eye to read.
Find out more about the book                                                                                                                          Homeopathic Links Top

HOMOEOPATHY AS ART AND SCIENCE
Dr Elizabeth Wright Hubbard, edited by Dr Maesimund B. Panos and Della DesRosiers.
What a treasure trove this book is, a posthumous collection of essays from one of the most brilliant homeopaths of the twentieth century. ...They are perhaps the most pleasurable way for someone schooled in allopathic thinking to grasp the essence of the homeopathic mind. They illustrate the idea of the simillimum, the minimum dose, and the single remedy in a way which mentioning these principles here does nothing to convey. ...They are essentially anecdotal evidence and they are essential reading. When the inadmissible evidence has been disclosed we have learned the truth.
Find out more about the book                                                                                 Homeopathy Today (USA) Top

HOMOEOPATHY IN GENERAL PRACTICE
Dr Alastair Jack
There are other books on homeopathy and general practice but Alastair Jack's new book really fills a gap. It focuses on management of complex cases and is filled with very challenging patient histories as well as a compilation of Dr Jack's life's work. It is a significant contribution to the growing homeopathic literature. Its subtitle: 'Anecdotal but Significant' is entirely appropriate, while the main title is an understatement of the treasures to be found in this book, and probably reflects Dr Jack's modesty! I believe that all those practising homeopathy would find this book useful, as it contains a remarkable distillation of a unique career. Dr Jack worked as a general practitioner in Bromsgrove, outside Birmingham, for over 40 years, until he retired from the NHS in 1980. He managed to achieve an integration of homeopathy and general practice which can appear daunting.
... I found it a struggle to make that jump from simple to complex cases and this book is an invaluable guide. It features a wonderful collection of 129 cases organised by systems of the body, illustrating Dr Jack's method of using homeopathy in general practice. It shows 'good old fashioned classical homeopathy' at its best, which appears effortless when a prescriber has the in-depth knowledge of the homeopathic materia medica and repertory of Dr Jack.
... After I began working in the medical department of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, I discovered his earlier publications in the British Homeopathic Journal on the homeopathic management of Crohn' s disease. I found these very useful and had hoped that he would write a book! At last he has. There are many other clinical gems to be found in this book such as the 'use of Chenopodium in Meniere's disease, his treatment of a child with tuberous sclerosis using Artemisia, the management of an adult with transverse myelitis, the use of Antimonium crudum in sun sensitivity. Other cases include a child with congenital adrenal hyperplasia -- did you know that Secale is often useful in hypothermia in the elderly? and so I could go on!
... The case histories are interspersed with discussion including many valuable clinical tips. Jack's treatment strategies are very flexible; he changes easily from miasms and bowel nosodes, constitutional and local remedies and isopathy within the cases he describes and from high potencies to pathological prescribing of low potencies. I know myself how, early in one's career, it is so easy for prescribers to get 'stuck' with certain approaches. He also describes the use of his famous 'home remedies' list that he gave to all new mothers in his practice. The whole book is a challenge to all homeopathic doctors. I believe the cost of £20 represents excellent value and continues the high calibre of homeopathic books in the Beaconsfield tradition.                      Homoeopathic Journal Top

Essentially a detailed extraction and discussion of 129 cases from the records of this eminent practitioner, this is certainly one of the most pleasing and illuminating books I have seen on homeopathy in the last few years. The application of remedies to a wide range of clinical entities in general medical practice is described, both in place of and in conjunction with orthodox medicines. 
    Although the cases are largely classified in relation to the systems of the body (cardiovascular, neurological etc.) proper homeopathic criteria for prescription are discussed appropriately. For example, four cases of Crohn's are described at some length in the chapter 'Gastrointestinal Disease', but they are concisely and pointedly prefaced by a general dissertation on the homeopathic treatment of this condition, including how such therapy should be instituted in those already on orthodox medication (valuable comments, indeed, for those who wish to avoid disaster and medico-legal confrontation).
    Additionally, there are some fairly useful general introductory chapters for beginners on 'getting started' and first aid, whilst the final one is essentially a tribute to Hahnemann. This book is certainly going to be a winner with those new to homeopathy, whether they be physicians or otherwise -- and, quite frankly, it is a good read for most of us who might consider ourselves reasonably competent. The editors must be complimented on doing such a fine job. The price of £20 is quite reasonable for the distillation of a life's work and study.
                                                                                                               Homeopathy in PracticeTop

I always welcome an encounter with a book like that of Dr Jack's, which represents the pure essence of the whole lifetime of a great homeopathic practitioner.  This book brings to a wide audience the treasures of knowledge from fifty years of everyday homeopathic practice.  The 129 cases are thoroughly written up and organised into chapters that follow the logic of conventional diagnostics.  As such, it may well not satisfy the views of a classically trained homeopath at first glance.  However, imagine the surgery of a general practitioner, overwhelmed on a gloomy winter morning by several dozen ill-tempered patients with hardly five minutes per case at his or her disposal, yet having the full responsibility for the primary care of each of them.  Homeopathy which survives with success under such stressful circumstances is where this therapy is tested under the most stringent conditions.   The lifetime of experience concentrated in this books brings much inspiration.                             Homoeopathic Links

 HOMOEOPATHY IN PRACTICE
Dr Douglas Borland
The book comprises some fourteen chapters, nine devoted to a study of various clinical conditions, and five to studies and comparisons of remedies. Even when the conditions are common and we all have to deal with them daily, the treatment is fresh and there are unusual angles on well known remedies and interesting comparisons on smaller remedies.
Find out more about the book                                                                                               The HomoeopathTop


HOMOEOPATHY FOR SPORTS, EXERCISE AND DANCE
Emlyn Thomas, RSHom, DPhysEd
This is an excellent, well-written 322-page paperback written by an author who understands the rigours of sport and now practises as a non-medical professional homeopath.
    Its safe, practical ‘cookbook’ approach to injuries and medical conditions is sandwiched between a basic outline of homeopathy and a short but useful materia medica. The final section on the advanced uses of homeopathy highlights the author’s preferred constitutional prescribing. Its credibility in this age of evidence-based medicine would be greatly enhanced by applying the science of sports psychology to many of his observations and statements. Although the last chapter on other complementary therapies seemed a little redundant, the three appendices with a remedy and general index make this one of the most useful sports homeopathy books I have seen so far.
    The chapters on overuse injuries and susceptibility to injury are particularly well written, although homeopathic doctors should look to other more detailed texts if they want to understand more of allopathic sports medicine. However, allopathic sports physicians would do well to turn to this book as an introductory textbook to homeopathy. The author has also admirably met the needs of all those engaged in sport and dance in a book that is easy to read and understand.  Find out more about the book                                                                                          Homeopathic JournalTop
 

HYSTERECTOMY, VAGINAL REPAIR, AND SURGERY FOR STRESS INCONTINENCE,  5th Edition
Sally Haslett, RGN,RHV,RM,  Molly Jennings MCSP,RSP, Hilary Walsgrove RGN,DPSN,BSc and Wendy Weathritt MCSP,SRP
This booklet has proved its worth over and over again. It will give you all the information you want to tone up before and after your operation.
Woman's Realm
                                                                                                           
The inclusion of Surgery for Stress Incontinence in the title may be helpful for patients in distinguishing between procedures designed purely to correct prolapse and those which aim to prevent involuntary urine loss. ... It is eminently readable, provides valuable information for women undergoing gynaecological surgery and the text is accompanied by clear illustrations of the various activities.  It is to be highly recommended as a valuable resource for both patients and health professionals.
Journal of the  Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health                              

This new version updates the previous one in several beneficial ways. The optimal preparation for a patient about to undergo a hysterectomy, or surgery for prolapse or incontinence, can be challenging for the physiotherapist. The pre-, peri- and post-operative care requires a broad perspective and the compilation of much practical and clinically-based information on the part of the physiotherapist. This booklet has assembled all of that in an easy-to-read, clearly illustrated format, written in a language that will appeal to patients and therapists.
    Therapists working in this area will know that significant variations in pre- and post-operative protocols exist between surgeons, hospitals, locations, and differ due to individual patient needs and therapist availability. Therefore some therapists will find the advice offered differs from their own practice, or that of the surgeons whom they work with. However the breadth, thoroughness and practicality of advice contained in the book is welcome, as there is a lack of both evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines in this area. In addition to the information provided in the book, therapists could supplement their patient advice with information from up-to-date professional text books, and outcomes from clinical trials and evidence, where it exists. A trickle of information from clinical research in this area is starting to appear, and should provide evidence-based support to the practical advice provided in this booklet. Knowledge in some areas of health care is expanding rapidly, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of those. The treating physiotherapist may wish to flag to patients that the advice in this booklet may need to be verified with their medical care-giver, in order to ensure the most relevant and up-to-date advice is being followed.
    There are a few minor items in this booklet related to post-operative advice which some therapists may vary from. While traditionally taught, post-operative coughing to clear secretions may not sit comfortably with all clinicians following pelvic repair surgery. Huffing is preferred by some therapists, unless a strong indication of retained secretions is present. A minor detail perhaps, but I prefer the title “the pelvic floor muscle exercise” to “the pelvic floor exercise” when referring to the title of what is being taught. From then, it may be easier to use the shorter phrase, once this is clear what the exercise is. Five to six sessions of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises per day may be a challenge in the early post-operative days / weeks for some patients, so this may need to be individually tailored. Long-term, and even short-term compliance with PFM exercises can be an issue for many patients. The treating therapist may like to supplement the booklet with some suggested strategies to increase adherence to desired exercise levels. Advice to avoid stop-start of flow when voiding could be added to the “bladder care” section. While extremely useful, the patient (and therapist) resources listed at the completion of the book are specific for U.K. readers. No doubt Australian readers would welcome a short list of local resources which they could access. Perhaps the treating physiotherapist could supply a loose leaf sheet to add to this book for her own patients.
    The number of Australian women who undergo hysterectomy or have surgery for prolapse or incontinence each year is high. Opportunities for patients to consult a women’s health physiotherapist can be extremely limited in parts of Australia, including large metropolitan hospitals. Access to an inexpensive, useful booklet would be a bonus to the many women who would not otherwise receive any women’s health physiotherapy input.
    Overall, this is an excellent, comprehensive booklet, the best I have read in this area. My recommendation is to have a copy of this booklet in your practice / department / ward, as well as order forms for patients to purchase their own copy, to assist in their preparation for and recovery from their surgical episode.
Newsletter of the Continence and Women’s Health Group, Australian Physiotherapy Association

This booklet is highly relevant to women, and their families, facing this type of surgery.  It will address many of the issues that patients may have failed to ask about in clinics when faced with the prospect of surgery.  Whilst a professional may think that they are aware of all the issues covered, reading this booklet helps to focus the consultation and provide practical information the patient requires.  Patients would find this an excellent and well thought out reference point, which will promote their long-term mental and physical wellbeing post-operatively.  Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care

Everything you ever wanted to know about hysterectomy or vaginal repair has been skilfully compressed into this superb booklet.  Sally Haslett is a nurse, midwife and health visitor, and Molly Jennings is a physiotherapist in obstetrics and gynaecology, and their booklet is the result of considerable experience at St Thomas' Hospital, London, working with women who are having these operations.  The booklet is packed with the answers to such questions as: Will I put on weight or suffer from depression?  Will I still have periods or need contraception?  Will it affect my sex life?  Considerable attention is paid to exercises and activities that will speed the return to normal life, and lots of diagrams and photographs help to explain it all really lucidly.
 WomanTop
Find out more about the book

IN SEARCH OF THE LATER HAHNEMANN
Rima Handley, DPhil
Handley is a historian by training and her general approach creates a feeling of confidence in the reader that she has got her facts right. ... I have long been convinced that it is impossible to understand homoeopathy in depth unless one does make the effort to come to grips with its historical foundations. I should therefore say that this book will be essential reading for any serious student of the subject. Handley is to be congratulated on making this material available in a scholarly but readable form. Find out more about the book
British Homoeopathic Journal Top

INSIGHTS INTO HOMOEOPATHY
Dr Frank Bodman, edited by Dr Anita Davies and Dr Robin Pinsent.
The possibility of achieving a lasting cure is squarely counterpoised to the palliative aim of much orthodox drugging. ...It is clear that the author has not just read, but studied and considered carefully the meaning of Hahnemann's writings.                           The Homoeopath
Find out more about the book                                                                                               Top

INTRODUCTION TO HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE, 2nd Edition
Dr Hamish Boyd
The book is clearly laid out and well presented. The material is divided into clearly defined chapters which make it easy to dip into. I felt it succeeds well as an introduction to homoeopathic medicine, presenting the material simply, but at the same time leaving nothing out. I liked particularly the way in which Dr Boyd expressed the importance of utilising the best of homoeopathic medicine and the best of orthodox medicine. He got the balance just right.
Find out more about the book                                                                                               The HomoeopathTop

LYMPHOEDEMA: ADVICE ON TREATMENT, 2nd Edition
Dr Claud Regnard, Caroline Badger RGN, Dr Peter Mortimer
This is the second edition of a booklet written by two doctors and a nurse about the management of lymphoedema.  While this distressing condition cannot be cured, it can be treated.  The aim of treatment is to improve the drainage of the lymph fluid that is constantly present in the tissues under the skin and so to reduce the swelling, tightness and aching experienced.  The aim is to reduce the swelling, tightness and aching experienced.  Detailed advice on a daily routine of self-help is given: how to look after the skin; how and when to wear compression sleeves or stockings; how to improve drainage by positioning and moving the limbs in the right way; what exercises to undertake; and how to do simple self-massage.  Illustrations give help where appropriate. ... This little booklet is a model of a guide to self-help.
Patient Voice

This booklet aims to improve the patient's understanding of the physiology behind lymphoedema, and to give her or him a treatment routine to minimize the problem.  It succeeds admirably in both these aims by drawing together the talents of physiotherapist, lymph drainage specialist and physician to offer information and therefore hope for sufferers.  It points out that no one treatment modality will be sufficient to deal with lymphoedema, so all therapies should be used daily. ... Family doctors advising lymphoedema patients can confidently offer this book as a straightforward account of the condition and how to deal with it as effectively as possible.   
Find out more about the book          Family Practice Top                       

MATERIA MEDICA OF NEW HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Dr O.A. Julian
Dr Julian must be complimented on beginning the reappraisal of the existing materia medica for the late twentieth century, and for introducing in critical fashion so many new remedies.
HomoeopathyTop Find out more about the book                                                                                                                                              

MENTAL SYMPTOMS IN HOMOEOPATHY
Dr Luis Detinis
This book is splendid, partly as a reference work, since the symptoms are in alphabetical order and there is an excellent index, and partly for its descriptions of cases, leading to a better understanding of how to put questions while taking a case history.
Journal of the Swedish Academy of Classical Homoeopathy Top
Find out more about the book

MIASMS AS PRACTICAL TOOLS -- A HOMEOPATHIC APPROACH TO CHRONIC DISEASE
This is a slim book with a hefty content. When I read a book from which I can profit, I have pencil in hand and I underline the sections that are of particular importance to me. In the case of this new book on the chronic miasms, I could have underlined almost the entire text; such is the richness of its material. Every paragraph is pregnant with observation and information; to lapse in concentration for a moment is to miss some important point or nuance. Nonetheless, it is written with clarity and read with ease.
    This book is a welcome, modern presentation of miasmatic theory and practice, lifting both from the sphere of contention and controversy to the central position they deserve in case and remedy analysis, strategy of therapy, case management, and interpretation of response. The concept of miasms is presented as a practical therapeutic tool with which to enhance prescribing skills. The veterinary background of the author in no way reduces the book's relevance for the entire homeopathic profession. The theoretical model postulated is based on principles fundamental to life and all species, and the illustrative, animal case histories, unencumbered by human considerations and complexities, prove ideal vehicles for showing how miasmatic understanding of a case can be applied in practice.
    The author gives an overview of how the concept of miasms arose and how it has developed from Hahnemann's original thinking to the more philosophical interpretations of today. Excellent pictures of the three primary, chronic miasmatic states—psora, sycosis, and syphilis—are provided, with discussion and case histories, and, to refresh our memories, concise clinical pictures of the five miasmatic nosodes, with the addition of Scirrhinum, and useful information regarding the miasmatic relationships of the bowel nosodes. Always, in keeping with the main title of the book, the practical aspects of this knowledge are emphasised. The reader is encouraged to take hold of the theories and facts presented, and to use and develop them further in a clinical context.
    The central theme and theory of the book is based upon the profound influence the three primary miasms, considered as deep-seated predispositions to disease and disease patterns, exert upon the three basic physiological functions: creation or production (sycosis), destruction or removal (syphilis), and maintenance or regulation (psora). This echoes an ancient wisdom that portrays the three aspects of the manifest God as creator, preserver, and destroyer: three fundamental forces, which are present in all facets of the creation. All organs and tissues function within the constraints of these forces. In health there exists a fluctuating and dynamic balance between the three physiological processes, always interacting and adapting to the needs of the moment, and presided over by the vital force of Hahnemann. This balance extends beyond the physical; it encompasses the emotional and mental aspects of being. The mental equivalents of the three functions are given, respectively, as creativity, selectivity and perseverance. The miasms create chronic disease through disturbing this equilibrium, each according to its inner essence. The disturbance of sycosis will change production to excess—overproduction and overreaction; under the influence of syphilis removal of obsolete material becomes destruction and perversion; and disruption of the self-regulatory mechanisms of homeostasis by psora, leads to deficiency.
    On the basis of this premise, the author proposes a model, which illustrates, by means of an equilateral triangle, the balance of the three forces in an ideal state of wellbeing and health. Each side of the triangle represents one of the basic physiological functions. Since the normal balanced state of mental, emotional, and physical health is constantly fluctuating, the triangle is seldom equilateral. However, when the constitution is under acute or chronic challenge, the proportions of the triangle will be markedly changed due to considerable alteration in the ratio between the three functions. In this way the functioning of the body in disease can be visualised. Within the concept of the model it is essential to life that the integrity of the triangle is preserved. Since the three forces are mirrored in all aspects of nature, the same model can be applied to measure and illustrate the predominant action of remedies. Each remedy will present a unique and constant picture, which reflects its antimiasmatic influence. In this representation the functions depicted in the triangle are replaced by their respective miasms. This picture can be logically compared to the similar image of miasmatic activity in the patient, and the one can be compared and matched to the other. Fundamental to this approach is the knowledge that all three functional connections are always there, and likewise, in both patient and remedy, all three primary miasmatic influences are always present in varying degree. Challenges possess inherent miasmatic influence and will therefore provoke a matching miasmatic response in the subject. Repeated or continuous exposure to the same challenge will imprint a miasmatic pattern of disease in the individual and in the community, which may then be transmitted through inheritance.
    In considering the important newer miasms, the Tubercular and the Cancer miasm, the author proposes that these are symptom pictures arising from the way in which the body responds to various challenge situations through the interplay of the three basic forces. These symptom pictures are far more fixed and predictable than the three primary miasms, which create disease by directly disturbing the balance of the basic physiological functions. Due to their more stable patterns, he classifies the Tubercular and the Cancer miasm as mixed miasms in contradistinction to being a mixture of miasms. In his experience it is the mixed miasms that create the most serious and obstinate conditions met in practice. In the most severe cases of mixed miasm, in which advanced pathology has developed, he advocates the regular use of the appropriate miasmatic nosode in conjunction with other indicated remedies.
    Apart from the presentation of the theoretical model, the subject matter of this absorbing book is far ranging and, I am certain, represents the fruit of long and deep contemplation of every aspect of miasmatic theory and practice. The author considers the approach of Sankaran to the miasms, and concludes that the extra five miasms that he has proposed represent transitional stages along a continuum of disease rather than classic miasms in themselves, and that the term ‘pace’ in relation to this system is more appropriate. He also discusses the miasmatic tendencies existing within the three natural kingdoms: plants tending more towards psora, with some sycotic influences; animals overall showing a tendency towards sycosis and syphilis; the mineral kingdom being more related to psora and syphilis.
    The vital role of suppression in the origin and compounding of miasmatic disease is thoroughly dealt with and emphasised throughout the work. In this regard the author tackles the contentious subjects of vaccination and the suppression of reproductive function in an admirably uncompromising way. We are left in no doubt of the danger to health both pose. With great insight he proposes that in addition to Hering's Law there ‘is another law, a law of disease, which states that the suppression of the normal function of a vital system will often drive that function inwards to become pathological within the same system’.
    Excellent case histories are presented, each including a clearly motivated therapeutic strategy; these are extremely valuable and instructive. I was pleased to see the use of remedies in logical sequence, like moves on a chess board, each move being based on the indications thrown up by the previous potency and remedy. The judicious use of miasmatic, and when appropriate, bowel nosodes to elicit a response, particularly when a miasmatic block is encountered, is well illustrated.
    This is an important book. It is refreshing to revisit the theory of the miasms under the guidance of a seasoned homeopath with modern insight and interpretation. I am sure that it will stimulate much thought, debate and opinion. For instance, regarding the relationship between the three germinal layers and the predominant action of the three miasms—is the endoderm the prime target of sycosis, or is it rather the mesoderm, which is the most actively proliferative tissue in the body; is the effect of syphilis especially upon the mesoderm, or rather the ectoderm, which is the focus of neurosyphilis; and likewise, is autoimmune disease primarily a result of syphilis, or is it possibly initiated by sycosis, of which the very essence is self-rejection; is AIDS a new miasm, and if not, is it essentially syphilitic, or rather sycotic, a result of escapism, excess and promiscuity?
    I highly recommend this book to the homeopathic profession as essential reading. Both the inexperienced and the veteran homeopath will derive benefit from its study and be better able to employ the concept of miasms as a practical therapeutic mode. It is another fine feather in the Beaconsfield publishing cap.
Homeopathy (Faculty of Homeopathy, UK)

Not long after publishing Textbook of Veterinary Homeopathy as co–author, John Saxton has now produced a book on this difficult and controversial subject. As stated in the preface, 'the purpose of this book is not to rehearse in detail the arguments concerning the very existence of miasms', as the author very much supports the thesis that they do indeed exist. The aim is more to describe – in his own experience – how they work and especially how they can be a great help in the everyday work of a homeopath. It is clear that he has an immense knowledge of his subject and of homeopathy in general, and through many years of practising homeopathy has learned to master prescription in acute as well as chronic disease.
    He stays true to the classical interpretation as it derives from Hahnemann's discovery of the miasms and as further developed by other great homeopaths in the past. He also covers the more modern views of people like Rajan Sankaran and Jeremy Sherr. Even though many homeopaths now follow new schools in homeopathy that might be more 'in tune' with the time we live in, this book reminds us of the true origin of these new ideas, the basic knowledge that they are based on and which as such cannot be forgotten or ignored.
    I remember one of the very first homeopathic courses l attended in Denmark in the mid–90's, where John Saxton had been invited to speak for the weekend. One of the subjects was miasms, and as a very green homeopath this was like being thrown in at the deep end! But John managed to pass the information across in a way that made sense to me. The very illustrations he used then are included in this book. A series of triangles describe a model of ‘dis-ease' where the author proposes a theory that provides a means of understanding the functioning of the body in disease. The basic forces in the normal healthy body as well as in the diseased body are comprised of three entities: Production, Removal and Control. These three forces are compared later on to the three basic miasms: Sycosis, Syphilis and Psora, and how the presence of these three miasms influences the way in which the remedies are prescribed. According to the author, in any homeopathic remedy the relative proportions of the three forces will vary but will always be unique and constant. Throughout the book numerous cases illustrate the topic in a practical way. Both human and veterinary cases are presented.
    The first chapter takes the reader through the history of miasms, including the newer interpretations. This is followed by a description of the body in health and disease and especially how the miasms originate in the body, how they are related to chronic disease, and what happens when more than one miasm is present ('multi–miasmatic disease'). Next follows a chapter on the basic miasms as clinical entities, where the author elaborates on the function of the immune system in relation to present miasms, the creation and inheritance of miasms, the presence of acute and latent miasms, and through to the natural outlets of miasms. The newer miasms are described in a separate chapter, where the author discusses Sankaran’s views on the subject and how miasms such as those of typhoid and malaria relate to the three basic ones. He touches here on the concept of mixed miasms, although this gets a more thorough treatment in a later chapter. One of the very important topics is the role of suppression and how this can happen due to vaccination, allopathic or antipathic medication, or even homeopathic treatment.
    From here he arrives on the concept of miasms as therapeutic tools, how to recognise them, the miasmatic progress of cure, and considerations in disease prevention. At the end of the book the three basic miasms are described separately and in detail, including the clinical manifestations and remedies to consider. Again, the text is illustrated with suitable cases. The last chapter describes the miasmatic connections of the bowel nosodes, in which the author has a special interest. The book contains a bibliography and index.
    We live in a time of great change for homeopathy and a lot of new ideas are sprouting, making it even more difficult sometimes to choose which way to go. This book is very much true to the classical perception of miasms and as such is a perfect reference to the multitude of recent views on the subject. We cannot practice homeopathy without acknowledging the existence of miasms – especially in a modern society – if we want lasting results for our patients, and this book shows the way.
Newsletter, British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons  Top
 

NURSING FOR CONTINENCE, 2nd Edition
ed. Prof. Christine Norton, PhD,RGN
A decade has passed since Christine Norton's Nursing for Continence was first published.  It is invigorating to see the second edition of this very popular book. There have been many developments in the continence field during the intervening years and it is heartening to see the author involve other clinical nurse specialists in revising the content.  Particularly encouraging is the fundamental message that all contributors portray -- continence promotion gets results! -- and they all enhance the author's proactive approach.  A basic nursing theme, that continence assessment is a core nursing skill, runs throughout. ... In summary, the book is a must not only for nursing libraries but also for other professionals involved in all aspects of healthcare.   It is a very practical aide for learners and experienced workers alike.
Newsletter, Association for Continence Advice Top

This research-based, comprehensive and very practical book draws on the expertise of a panel of leading continence nurse specialists.  It covers the whole practice population, including enuretic children, new mothers with stress incontinence, and older men who have an enlarged prostate.  I am sure that this title, now in its second edition, will prove to be an invaluable resource for any general practice, not only to the practice nurse but to the whole primary care team.
Practice Nurse Top Find out more about the book

ORAL MORPHINE IN ADVANCED CANCER, 3rd edition
Dr Robert Twycross
The management of pain in advanced cancer poses great challenges for health care professionals - challenges which are not always overcome. ... With better knowledge, however, of the available treatments - not least oral morphine - the improvement in the results obtained can be striking. This excellent little book, now in its third edition, aims to contribute to this improvement in knowledge on the part of health care professionals. ... It is easy to read and understand, and the question and answer style makes it easy to locate specific information quickly. In short, excellent value for money and an essential part of any ward's library.       Journal of Advanced NursingTop Find out more about the book
 

STUDIES OF HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Dr Douglas Gibson FRCP
This is a classic text in which author, editors and publishers have proved equally worthy of each other. It will assist the neophyte and established homoeopath equally in becoming more competent and reliable prescribers.
British Homoeopathic Journal        Find out more about the book   Top


TEXTBOOK OF VETERINARY HOMEOPATHY                                                             
John Saxton MRCVS and Peter Gregory MRCVS
Now here’s a question.  What can be any size and any shape, but always be exactly the same?  Answer: a hole.  Many veterinary surgeons may not know it, but they have a hole in their library, of the following proportions: 21 x 14 x 2 cm.  I am pleased to report that this hole has now been filled; by the Textbook of Veterinary Homeopathy.
    One of the briefs for writing this review was ‘to compare it with others of its type’.  This is difficult, because – as far as I am aware – there is no other book of exactly this type.  This book sets out to be, and is – to paraphrase the famous advert –  ‘exactly what it says on the cover’.  It is a textbook – a solid mass of information.  It is veterinary – it is written for veterinary surgeons, about veterinary matters.  It is homeopathic – purely and simply a distillation of the two authors’ deep and abiding knowledge of homeopathy and its application to animals.
    Book reviewers tend to fall into three categories.  Those who heap fulsome praise on every line of the book.  (Who paid for the review, one might wonder?)  Those who criticise the book with vitriol and undisguised loathing (prompted by jealousy and envy, maybe).  Those who are nit-picking and proudly reveal tiny typographical errors as if they were cardinal sins.
    This review falls headlong into the fulsome praise category.  There have been some very good books on veterinary homeopathy – the names Christopher Day and George Macleod immediately spring to mind here.  But this is the first real in-depth textbook of veterinary homeopathy written by vets, for vets, with total authority and conviction.
    And it is not an easy task.  The medical profession does not realise how lucky it is.  One single species to deal with – the human.  We vets have to deal with anything from stick insects to elephants.  And our patients have the unfortunate drawback of not being able to answer any questions we may want to ask them.  So, for example, in the section on ‘obtaining symptoms’ we have the heading ‘The herd/flock/kennel/cattery situation’, with the comment later, ‘the case-taking in these situations will of necessity veer towards the local signs’.  A neat example of the greater breadth, and also the greater limitations, needed by and imposed upon veterinary homeopaths.
    The fact that this textbook is written as an introduction to homeopathy for vets will obviously limit its market.  However, I’m sure many pet owners with a strong interest in homeopathy will also want this book – which may or may not be a good thing!  The most important point is that the book does what it sets out to do completely successfully.  For any vet studying homeopathy it will be indispensable.
    There are two main sections: the theory, and the practice, of homeopathy.  The theory section begins with the history of homeopathy, looks at research into homeopathy, discusses the source and preparation of remedies and then moves into the areas of the homeopathic view of disease and its manifestations.  There is detailed consideration of obtaining and matching symptoms – so vital in veterinary homeopathy, because of the communication problem between us and our patients.  Practical and constitutional prescribing are explained thoroughly, obstacles to cure are evaluated, and then miasms are mulled over.  Isopathy and bowel nosodes are given prominence, in particular the bowel nosodes, probably much underused by the veterinary fraternity, although one of the authors has almost made it his life’s work to change this situation!  The thorny question of vaccination is examined from the homeopathic perspective, concluding the theory section.
    The practice section begins with the warning that homeopathy can be a lonely road for the vet, and highlights the importance of training courses and the fact that ongoing help and support is available.  Each body system is then covered: digestive, skin, endocrine and so on, with additional chapters on surgery and first aid, behavioural problems, the geriatric patient and neoplasia.  There is always a problem when writing a chapter on a body system – do you itemise each disease seen in that system and then suggest remedies for that disease: or do you list remedies that are useful and then describe which diseases they will be appropriate for?  The authors solve this conundrum by giving an overview of each body system – its function and the general problems associated with it, followed by the major modalities and rubrics that are most important, and then the four or five major remedies likely to be of most value with an accompanying list of other remedies to consider.  This is, to my mind, an inspired way of formulating a simple, clear approach to a complex issue.
    As in all good textbooks, there is a general bibliography, a glossary of terms, a list of useful addresses, and a comprehensive index.  The publishers are evidently hoping for strong international sales, since the useful addresses list contains everything from a homeopathic pharmacy in Finland to a Canadian course in veterinary homeopathy.
    So, is there any sting in the tail of this review?  Not really – except that in this age when image and presentation are everything and style can triumph over substance, it has to be said that this is not a coffee-table tome.  No pictures, no attractive cover, no thrills, no surprises.  What you need is what you get – nothing more, nothing less.  Does that matter?  Not a jot.  It’s a well-written, clear, concise, factual volume which fills that hole in the veterinary library to perfection.
Homeopathy (Faculty of Homeopathy, UK)

Everything comes to the one who can wait.  When I attended my studies at the Homeopathic Professionals Teaching Group course in Oxford I heard for the first time about the book that these two authors were about to publish.  That was around three years ago, and now IT IS HERE!  At that time I anticipated a book that was well written and as complete as possible, but foremost I was looking forward to a modern book on veterinary homeopathy written by professionals for professionals – and I have got it.
      Although the book is written as ‘an introduction to homeopathic medicine for veterinary surgeons’ I think that it is capable of giving valuable information to even the trained and experienced veterinary homeopath. It is well written, and built up very logically.  Every chapter starts ‘from the beginning’, covering every aspect of the subject in an easy and comprehensible way, even for the untrained.  The constant comparison to and verification against conventional medicine is striking and works very well to explain the meaning of the different subjects in homeopathy.  Also (very bravely) the authors take up the subject of vaccination and its relation to the vital force and disease.
 … As already mentioned, I had been expecting this book for a long time and let me say that my expectations have been more than fulfilled.  It will benefit future students of homeopathy, and certainly practising veterinary homeopaths as well.  We can never call ourselves fully educated in homeopathy, and the study continues.  This book will stand proud on any veterinary homeopath’s shelf reminding us about just that!
Newsletter, British Association of Veterinary Homeopaths

Although there is an increasing interest in veterinary homeopathy – not least because of the determination of many owners to provide an effective and caring therapy for their companion animals, and the boom in advice on all sides – there is still a great need for really competent texts in this field.  Therefore it is a particular pleasure that two equally valuable books (see also 'Everyday Homeopathy for Animals', above) should have been published in England, both of which could well strike a chord here for German speakers.
    Theory and practice are handled separately in Saxton and Gregory’s ‘Textbook of Veterinary Homeopathy’.  The theoretical section knowledgeably presents the whole homeopathic spectrum, from the history of the subject, general considerations of disease, analysis of symptoms, obstacles to cure and constitutional prescribing through to the difficult issue of immunisation.  The discussion of all of these aspects is supported by easily understandable examples.  The authors mention with regret that there is still no comprehensive materia medica specific to veterinary homeopathy.
    The practical section is structured around the different body systems, covering the relevant diseases and conditions and the most appropriately indicated remedies in each case.  Remedies are not linked to individual species. 
Allgemeine Homoeopathische Zeitung (translation)

John Saxton and Peter Gregory are both veterinary tutors connected with the Homeopathic Professionals Teaching Group, and realising that there was no text directed specifically at veterinary surgeons, they have produced this textbook of veterinary homeopathy.  Having said that, the first half of the book is essentially an introduction to homeopathic principles, using mainly farm and domestic animals as examples, and provides an excellent introduction to the field, regardless of whether your interest is in humans or domestic animals.
    Part 1 is entitled 'The Theory' and covers the history of homeopathy, the research basis of the therapy, the remedies, the homeopathic approach to disease, obtaining and matching the symptoms, prescribing, and obstacles to cure.  The problems of assessing symptoms from patients who can't speak and of treating farm animals on a herd scale are thoroughly dealt with.  Separate chapters are devoted to miasms, isopathy and the use of nosodes, the bowel nosodes and the homeopathic perspective on vaccination.  The chapters are well referenced with up-to-date studies
    The discussion of potentially controversial issues such as vaccination is well balanced.  The authors are always recommending the use of commons sense and experienced judgement in assessing any situation and particularly whether to involve conventional treatments.  They appreciate that there are often situations where a conventional approach should be used, particularly in acute emergencies, and that this can be used alongside the homeopathic approach.  Indeed, this is covered in the the first chapter ('Surgery and First Aid') in Part 2 of the book, which deals with the practice of homeopathy.
    The latter chapters discuss the practical treatment of problems in the various body systems, each body system being allotted its own separate chapter.  Here the main remedies that have been found most useful are dealt with in some detail.  However, the authors are at pains to point out that the book is not intended to replace a more detailed materia medica.
    As an introductory text on homeopathic veterinary medicine this book cannot be bettered.  All the topics important to the homeopath, veterinary or otherwise, are well described and at a suitable depth.  The book is easy to read, and in fact it was this feature of the book that impressed me most -- a potentially complex subject made accessible to the relative novice.  It is hard to fault the text and I can thoroughly recommend it.                           
Radionic Journal     Find out more about the book

TRAVEL FIT: Essential exercises for when you travel
Damian Honey, MCSP, SRP and Penny Catt, MCSP, RSP
This new booklet has been researched and written by two chartered physiotherapists as a guide for travellers on how to stay comfortable during travel and avoid skeletal or postural problems which may arise from sitting in a confined space for a long period.  This is a useful booklet for reference or to direct travellers to.  It is also of use to those working at a desk and sitting immobile for long periods of time.
Royal College of Nursing Travel Health Bulletin
                                                                            
Advice is given on good posture during travel to avoid stiffness and discomfort and general exercises to assist this are described.  The book refers to the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), rightly drawing attention to the fact that the risk of DVT is not confined to air travel or to economy class travel.  General advice is given to help to avoid this risk and exercises are described, including exercises carried out against resistance to increase venous blood flow.  All exercises are illustrated with photographs.  Finally there is an appendix giving information on the nature of DVT and the predisposing risk factors associated with it, with advice about measures in addition to exercise.  There is little to criticise about this book.
Travel Wise (British Travel Health Association)

Exercise Guide for Travellers ... A handy guide for travellers has just been published by two physiotherapists.  Penny Catt and Damian Honey are both chartered physiotherapists with neuromusculosketal experience and an interest in posture and exercise.  Their illustrated 40-page booklet has been written for 'anyone who is taking a long journey, whether by car, coach, train or plane'.  An appendix gives an overview of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus issues.                                                               Frontline
Top Find out more about the book

TUTORIALS ON HOMOEOPATHY
Dr Donald Foubister
Dr Foubister has managed in masterly fashion to compress his immense knowledge of virtually the whole field of this fascinating discipline, encompassing his life experience in clinical research with special reference to his own particular expertise in paediatrics.  Homoeopathy Today (UK) Top                  Find out more about the book
 

TYPOLOGY IN HOMOEOPATHY
Dr Leon Vannier
Typology is the classification of human beings according to their physical and psychological characteristics.  The information is used to assess the individual person's strengths and weaknesses in order to provide informed counsel for restoring health, preventing disease, and reaching his or her own natural potential.   Correlations abound with other whole-person therapies, and this volume concentrates on homeopathic remedies and the corresponding principal types to which they are similar.
    Dr Vannier describes eight basic protoypes, named from Greek and Roman divinities, with definite individualising traits. ... He goes on to describe how the type presents in each of the constitutions, followed by studies of homeopathic remedies commonly needed by people with the characterisitics of the prototype.  Often there is a central polychrest remedy which is frequently indicated as well as other adjunctive remedies.  Rarely existing as a single pure prototype, most people display characteristics of two to four of these classifications.  These prototypes are combined into metatypes which are also described in detail.
    The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs and drawings, showing many examples of each type so that the reader can effectively integrate visual examples with the other information.
    Typology in Homoeopathy is a unique, information-packed book which is off the beaten path of our collection of materia medica texts. It is a reference book which is easy to enjoy and yet, if studied in detail, can broaden our knowledge of the human condition.                                          
Resonance (USA)Top   Find out more about the book