Influenza: Brief Comments - Williams, Wolcott, Dewey, King, Schantz, Young

(Reference: Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy March 1919, Vol XI, No 9 pp 1003-1007)

Dr Dudley A. Williams, MD, Province, Rhode Island
Dr Williams wrote “With all the population panic stricken in this section, with the death rate very high and no “specific treatment” evolved by the old school, the homeopaths of this state have felt nothing but confidence in their ability to handle this as they have other epidemics. The application of the similar remedy works a cure in all curable diseases, and this has been beautifully emphasized in the handling of the influenza in this state as elsewhere. What a satisfaction to practice, in this time of anxiety and panic, a system of medicine that can give with a mortality rate of 2% or less!”

“My own death rate was 2.10% entirely in pneumonias. I did not lose a single case of influenza”

Dr Roy C. Wolcott, MD, College of Homeopathic Medicine, Ohio State University
Dr Wolcott commented that there has never been an epidemic where so many remedies are needed in the treatment of patients and he emphasizes the need to individualize prescribing so as to be successful.

 “At the present time, I have four children in one family suffering from influenza. For two Bryonia is the remedy; for another Gelsemium, and for the fourth Sticta” he wrote.

Dr W.A. Dewey, MD, Ann Arbour, Michigan
He saw two cases that died from pulmonary oedema suddenly brought on by Aspirin.

 Dr Cora S. King, MD, Washington DC
115 cases of influenza, lost one – a neglected pneumonia case that came to me after she had taken one hundred grains of Aspirin in 24 hours and had had a fatal nosebleed. By 1921 when Dr W.A Dewey, published an article entitled “Homeopathy in Influenza – A Chorus of Fifty In Harmony” in the same journal, this figure had increased to 350 with one death.

Dr Henry F. Schantz, MD, Reading, Pennslyvania
Dr Henry had been eight months in a general hospital when influenza struck. He wrote “I have a mighty regard for the homeopathic remedies... Gelsemium, Bryonia, Eupatorium, Silica, Hepar sulph. They do the work when indicated.”

Dr E. Weldon Young, MD, Seattle, Washington
Dr Young writes “Am pretty nearly down and out fighting the “flu” but am a better homeopath than ever after seeing its wonderful work in the epidemic. So far, not a death, and I am perfectly willing to give “similia” the credit for I know many others have done as well.”