228 T H E B R I T I S H H O M ( E O P A T I ~ I C J O U R N A L

i t quite plain tha t the more drastic methods should only be undertaken under skilled supervision. The chapter on Natural Stimulation of the Skin describes some very interesting but gruelling t reatments recommended by various authorities. Some of these, ffearried out inappropriately, could also be hazardous. The author states the claims made for these methods, but unfortunately does not discuss their creditability in any great detail. Finally, Dr. Ledermann illustrates the methods of Natural Therapy, at t imes combined with other treatments, by considering some case histories. They demonstrate a sensible approach to problems and avoid extravagant claims of miraculous cures.

The book is clearly written and should be of interest to all those who t ry to take an holistie view of medicine. I t appears to be aimed mainly at the health- conscious general public, but the author has gone to considerable lengths to produce references. As many of these are from relatively littie-known sources, they could form a useful basis for anyone wishing to take up a serious study of the subject.

M I C H A E L J E N K I N S

Encyclopaedia of Homceopathy. By B. Prasad Gupta. Privately printed; sole distributors: Homeeopathie Agency, PO Box 2639, New Delhi 5. Price: 35 rupees (imitation leather, rupees 40). Pp. 991.

This book is essentially a materia mediea, covering about 600 remedies in a fair amount of detail. There is also a repertory and a short medical dictionary. I t is not entirely clear what sources Dr. Gupta has used in compiling this work, but the main ones appear to be t tahnemann ' s Materia Mediea Pura and Chronic Diseases.

Some of the remedies are discussed in considerable detail. The English is often odd, and some of the author 's claims seem rather intemperate; thus, for Belladonna one finds tha t this remedy "according to m y repeated experience is definitely an infallible remedy for patients of High Blood Pressure to save them from going to grave".

A great deal of work has obviously gone into this book, and it would be churl- ish and unfair to dismiss it out of hand. At the same time, it must be said that i t is far from being a first-line materia medica. Probably it would serve best as an occasional reference source for use when the standard books fail to suggest a suitable remedy.

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