50 Reasons for Being a Homoeopath

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50 reasons for being a Homeopath is one of the classical works of Dr. J. Compton Burnett. In this book he has discussed various conditions which are either labelled incurable or surgical by other schools of medicines and how some of these conditions can be managed with homeopathic medicines.

He has also discussed some of the cases and homeopathic approach in such cases and the use of some of the rare remedies.

J. C. Burnett, M. D. was a contemporary with R. Hughes, R. E. Dudgeon & J. H. Clarke and was one of the most potent influence on evolution of British Homeopathy. Early in his career, he attended the clinic of Dr. John Drysdale at Liverpool with friend A. Hawkes and J.H. Clarke that touched his fascination with organopathy. He is the acclaimed author of dozens books on homeopathy which includes "Consumption," "Liver," "Ringworm," "Gout," "Stunted Children," "Organ Diseases of Women," "Diseases of Skin," "Change of Life in Women," "Enlarged Tonsils" and "Tumours" etc.

This wonderful little book has found its way to the public in five editions. The opportunity has now been taken to arrange the index better and to summarize the medical controversy which caused the book to be undertaken. It was given, perhaps, too much prominence in former issues.

Briefly, the author, Dr. J. Compton Burnett, was born in the year 1840. He graduated with honours from an orthodox medical school. While he was working as a house physician his original mind was occupied in devising better curative measures for the patients admitted. Here he relates his experiences and his conversion from allopathic drugging to the homeopathic curative methods mentioned in the various cases.

But the book, containing his Fifty Reasons for being a Homeopath, was undertaken for a specific object.

About 1888, Dr. Compton Burnett had deservedly made his way in medical circles as a well-known London practitioner with the appointment as Physician to the London Homeopathic Hospital. By chance (but really on the purpose of his host "a genial Member of Parliament’’) Dr. Burnett met his host’s young nephew at dinner. This young man, "Dr. T.A.K.", had recently returned from Europe after a tour of the medical universities before going into medical practice in England. His uncle believed in Homeopathy and he wished his nephew to interest himself in it rather than the allopathic school of treatment and thought. There is no doubt he contrived the meeting for that purpose.

Dr. Burnett found the nephew "as full of scholastic conceit as an egg is full of meat ’’, and on young Dr. T.A.K. calling him a ‘‘ quack ’’, left the house in anger. In the result, however, he agreed to accept the challenge thrown out in letters passing between himself and the young doctor and, in course of time, gathered the cases together which you will read in the pages of this book. That alone is a tribute to Dr. Compton Burnett’s character and convictions.

We can imagine Dr. T. A. K.’s obstinacy must have been irritating to the older and prosperous successful London practitioner but only occasionally does some acerbity become noticeable in the argument ; when the young man, like so many other doubters, refuses to read the homeopathic books recommended or to take any steps to verify Dr. Burnett’s methods. There is ample excuse for the terms used.

Not only do the cases completely convince, but even in the searching light of fifty years’ further enquiry these homeopathic treatments sparkle with Truth. They have turned many a thinking man towards a better line of thought.

In Burnett’s time homeopathic physicians practised under great professional drawbacks, for it was not until long after his death, in 1901, that homeopathic science and the medical men who had the courage to explore it were recognized by the State as equal in all respects to their fellows in the Medicinal arts.

Having been asked to preface this edition I have naturally examined the cases again with the greatest interest. Even if Dr. Compton Burnett’s career was not so authenticated as it is, the perusal of these cases, the knowledge of homeopathic principles shown in them, the care and skill used in differentiating the right remedy for them, whether in serious cases or slight, no less than the literary style in which they are so logically explained to his sceptical and cynical antagonist, prove Dr. J. Compton Burnett’s right to be considered one of ‘the greatest medical pioneers of Homeopathy. He argues so reasonably. He cures so well.

His cases must convince any but the wilfully blind. They seem to cover exactly the discomforts and diseases which the majority of practitioners encounter in their usual work.

It is an inspiration to examine and enjoy the manner in which they were met and overcome. All practitioners, all Homoeopathists, will gain something valuable from a careful perusal of this book. With the aid of a modern Materia Medica greater scope is obtainable in developing the cures so skilfully obtained by this old Master of our art.

**Contents and Sample Pages**