240 British Homceopathic Journal

fill this gap and act as the 'definitive' guide to the use of hom~eopathic medicines by the layman.

It follows the usual format of History, Philo- sophy, Guidelines for prescribing, Suggestions for a first aid kit, Descriptions of about 100 remedies and a 'Repertory ' of symptoms with possible remedies. The style is chatty and rumi- natory, with pleasant line drawings of plant remedies. It is easy to turn the pages and read things of interest. But, while it does contain more information than the shorter books, it often seems more confusing when there is a need to find a remedy for an exact situation.

This book, both in its size and target audience, begs comparison with The Family Guide to Homceopathy by Dr A. Lockie, published by Elm Tree Books in 1989. At s it is s more expensive. But Dr Lockie's book covers a much wider range of ailments, has more specific information about causes and self-help measures (such as exercise and nutrition as well as homoeo- pathy) and clear guidelines for seeking profes- sional help. Altogether it is more punchy, succinct and informative.

Finally, in The Complete Homceopathy Hand- book there is a brief section entitled 'Hom0eo- pathy in Britain Today' which is annoying. Firstly there is a slighting reference to hom0eo- pathy practised within the NHS. Then the author fails to mention the Faculty of Hom0eo- pathy founded in 1844 which represents doctors who specialize in homo~opathy, while stating that the Society of Homoeopathy founded in 1974 (whose members need no medical qualifi- cation) represents 'Professional Hom0eopaths' in this country.

A . W Y N N E - S I M M O N S

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Hidden Epi- demic. Jesse A. Stoff, MD, and Charles R. Pel- legrino, PhD. Random House: Random House 1989. (U.S.A.) 304 pages. ISBN 0-394-56956-3 (No UK distributor) $18.95.

It comes by many names: myalgic encephalo- myelitis (ME) and post-viral fatigue syndrome in the UK, chronic Epstein-Barr virus disease (CEBV) and chronic fatigue syndrome in the USA as well as 'yuppie 'flu' and 'raggedy Ann syndrome'. Its symptoms include extreme fatigue, especially of the muscles, depression, inability to concentrate, autonomic instability, a predisposition to multiple allergies, hypoglycae- mia and intestinal candidiasis. Variability of

symptoms over short periods is considered a diagnostic feature and the illness has a tendency to become chronic. There is no definitive diag- nostic test and the syndrome remains a medical enigma, with orthodox medical science having little to offer other than tricyclic antidepressants.

Dr Jesse Stoff is an eclectic, holistic physician trained in homeopa thy and anthroposophical medicine, while Charles Pellegrino is an evo- lutionary biologist who contracted the illness in a particularly virulent form and turned to his life- long friend, Stoff, for help. The book is a result of their joint exploration into the illness. Stoff writes objectively as the doctor trying everything to help and Pellegrino subjectively as the patient undergoing a long journey from debilitation and despair to vast improvement.

The authors support the hypothesis of a chronic, active Epstein-Barr virus as the causa- tive factor. They admit, however, that 'I t 's hard to see the beast. One can only follow its foot- prints. ' There is a good section on the immune system and how it can be damaged by viruses. The main thrust of the book is an examination of various ways a sub-optimal immune system can be stimulated to function better. A wide variety of stimuli are considered: a healthy diet (with several pages of suggested recipes), mineral and vitamin supplementation, specific exercises, stress management, creative visualization and the effect on the immune system of a new, positive psychological outlook (psycho- neuroimmunology).

Hahnemann and hom0eopathy are men- tioned, but the focus is on the use of specific homeeopathic combinations to bolster the patient 's immunity. For the average C E B V pat ient , I start by prescribing: 1 Argentum nitricum 6/Echinacea 2/Ferrumphosphoricum 8,

and 2 Erysiodoron 1.

� 9 seven drops of each three t imes a day.

Other homoeopathic combinations used as specifics are mentioned and there is the sugges- tion that the reader speak to his doctor about getting them prescribed. Regrettably there is no mention of the possibility of consulting a homeeopathic physician for a more individual- ized prescription. However, this book is written very much in the style of a self-help guide to recovery and there is little mention of consulting doctors or therapists of any kind.

The text is chatty and optimistic and the authors' sense of humour is evident throughout.

Volume 79, Number 4, October 1990 241

The book is aimed mainly at sufferers of the syn- drome, to whom it offers hope, inspiration and a wealth of positive, practical suggestions. It will be of interest to doctors, who could do well to use the book itself as a prescription for the vic- tims of this debilitating and refractory illness. It certainly merits a distribution in the UK.

B R I A N K A P L A N

Portrait of Indifference. A Supplement to Por- traits of Homeeopathic Medicines. Catherine Coulter. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books. ISBN 1-55643-077-9. $6.95.

Catherine Coulters earlier work Portraits of Homoeopathic Medicine offered an in-depth study of nine remedies, using the framework of Jungian psychology to present the essential characteristics of the constitutional picture in a comprehensive and very readable form. In this supplement to her work she has made a compar- ative materia medica of 15 remedies which include some manifestations of 'indifference'.

She starts by giving Webster's Dictionary defi- nition of the word indifference, which she then expands to expose some of the inner emotions which may be concealed by an appearance of indifference, reminding us of Hahnemann's exhortation not to be deceived by the outward manifestation of a condition, but to seek and treat the hidden and causative factors of disease.

Catherine Coulter's insight into the human condition through her Jungian work makes it possible for her to demonstrate the clues to the

dynamic situation which underlies a problem of apparent indifference. She differentiates between the genuine indifference which results from acute infection or shock, the masking indif- ference which conceals fear and vulnerability, and the assumed indifference which maintains an illusion of emotional stability. She points out the dangers of interfering with a fragile defence mechanism.

The value of the therapeutic process of history-taking is shown through the empathy of her questions which draw from the client the accurate description of his or her hidden emo- tions, and (p. 48) 'through acknowledging an e m o t i o n . . , cuts into the fragile transition from anguished despair to the calm acceptance which signifies cure'.

The work is well illustrated by examples from both human and animal clients, from mythology and literature. It ends with a chart of 14 of the remedies discussed. There is no index, but the chapter headings are in themselves rubrics.

It is excellent to see acknowledgement of the therapeutic relationship as an integral part of the healing process, and to find such a clear descrip- tion of the value of psychological factors in the choice of homoeopathic prescription. This book is of value to all students of homeeopathic medi- cine, to all medical practitioners and to the general public.

It suffers only from a problem of curling of the covers, but is well laid out with clear type face and paragraph spacing.

Catherine Coulter has produced an excellent and deeply researched work.

J O A N F O R D