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Preface to Skin Diseases: Their Description, Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment According to the Law of the Similars

by M. E. Douglass, M.D., Published in 1900 by Boericke & Tafel

Welcome to the republishing of M. E. Douglass, M.D.’s seminal work on dermatology. In this blog, we will be sharing the complete text of Skin Diseases: Their Description, Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment According to the Law of the Similars, originally published in 1900. This classic text remains a valuable resource for understanding skin diseases from a homeopathic perspective.

Preface:

Man is a composite being. We have the skeletal man; the muscular man; the arterial man; the nervous man; the venous man; and enclosing and protecting all these, the skin—our outer man. This outer man is the one in whom we all take a greater or lesser pride; the one that receives the greatest amount of attention; the one that more pains are taken to beautify and adorn than all the others; the one in which any imperfection is soonest noticed, and for which relief is most promptly sought.

The physician who can soonest remove disfiguring blemishes, heal diseased conditions, smooth and beautify the skin, is the one whose praises are the loudest proclaimed by the gratified patient.

In no other department of medical science is a reputation so readily made as in the department of dermatology, for the reason that patients can speedily judge whether the physician is likely to do them good or harm.

What not to do in treating skin diseases is an important thing to know. The physician must have a thorough knowledge of the general course and behavior of skin diseases, and it is essential that he should be proficient in the principles of general medicine, in order that he may treat affections of the skin intelligently and successfully. The reason for this statement will become apparent as we study the etiology of the various lesions. We will then find that it often is necessary only to treat the cause to remove the lesion; and in this branch of medical science, more than in any other, perhaps, we will find Hahnemann’s rule to treat the totality of the symptoms complained of by the patient as the only method by which we may cure our patient.

“The highest aim of healing is the speedy, gentle, and permanent restitution of health, or alleviation and obliteration of disease in its entire extent, in the shortest, most reliable, and safest manner, according to clearly intelligible reasons.”

“When the physician knows in each case the obstacles in the way of recovery, and how to remove them, he is prepared to act thoroughly, and to the purpose, as a true master of the art of healing.”

The author has been prompted to prepare this work by a conviction of the existence of an urgent demand for a work on Dermatology in our School of Medicine, which should embody the advances recently made and set forth the distinctive characters of our therapeutics in a rational and practical manner.

The work has been written in the first instance with the view of meeting the wants of the homeopathic practitioner in his daily dealings with diseases of the skin; at the same time, the needs of the medical student in preparing for his examinations have been kept constantly in mind.

The author has endeavored to present his subject in the most practical manner and with the fewest possible words consistent with an intelligible presentation of the same. To this end, he has avoided all theoretical and controversial discussions, which are of interest to the specialist rather than to the general practitioner or student.

7 W. North Ave.
May, 1899.

Disclaimer

The content presented on this blog is a republication of Skin Diseases: Their Description, Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment According to the Law of the Similars by M. E. Douglass, M.D., first published in 1900 by Boericke & Tafel. This classic work is now in the public domain.

Important Notes:

1. Historical Context: The information in this book reflects the medical knowledge and practices of its time. While valuable as a historical reference, some content may be outdated or superseded by more recent medical research and practices.
2. Medical Advice: The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
3. Accuracy: Every effort has been made to preserve the original text as accurately as possible. However, typographical errors or formatting issues may be present.
4. Intellectual Property: The republication of this text is done in accordance with the public domain status of the work. The original text and any modern commentary added are attributed to their respective authors.

By accessing and using this blog, you agree to these terms and acknowledge that the content is presented as-is without any guarantees of accuracy or completeness.