Graphites, my favourite remedy
BY J. T. Heselton

A clergyman of my acquaintance used to say: “Bryonia will cure nearly all diseases to which humanity is subject.” He was bilious in appearance and it was quite evident that this valuable polychrest suited him. Perhaps, however, if he had had a larger experience he would have modified his conclusion. Yet most of us have a fondness for some particular remedy. It has been so useful in our practice that we are tempted to give it to almost every patient who seeks our advice.

I confess to a liking for Graphites. Although I call myself a biochemist, yet I constantly use Homeopathics to avoid the trouble of combining tissue salts. Now, Graphites contains a modicum of all the biochemic remedies – except those of potash – more silica than lime. And after a careful analysis of Cowperthwaite’s provings my “keynote synthesis” is: “All affections of the outlets and skin with obstinate constipation.” Here are a few cases.

Not many doors away a child was given to crying night and day. The parents could get no sleep and the poor mite was worn to a skeleton. The only ailment of the child appeared to be obstinate constipation and unhealthy skin. An allopathic doctor was of opinion that it suffered from pernicious anaemia. He said he could do nothing and advised the mother to give it claret. As the wine did not stop the whining, the mother in despair brought it to me. No evidence of anaemia could I find, and I told her I felt sure I should be able to institute improvement. I gave Graphites 4x. The first night both parents and child slept well, and today there is no finer child in our neighbourhood.

A lady consulted me on behalf of a friend who suffered from obstinate constipation and piles. After learning a few particulars regarding the case I prescribed Graphites and Sulphur. In a fortnight I was told that the prescription was “all right”. And another convert was made to the ever-increasing army of homeopaths.

A Leeds traveler was much concerned about a persistent eczema on the hands and arms of his five-year old boy. He had taken his son to a chemist who had given  a “sure cure” for this troublesome complaint. Of course, he cured the child – by driving in the eruption. Ought not such prescribers to be transported to the coldest part of Siberia – six months – for their constant mal-treatment of the innocents? Nature, however, made another effort to rid impurities of the blood by way of the skin. This time a doctor fully qualified – and expensive – gave the patient medicine and lotion to defeat the designs of nature. He, however, failed in his purpose and a cure had to be sought in another quarter. And, once more, Graphites and Sulphur relieved the child and freed him from all disfigurement.

An old gentleman who had suffered all his life from chronic catarrh and obstinate constipation admitted that he had tried most of the nostrums advertised in the press. He also complained of sleeplessness which one member of the family told me did not increase his affability. He had sense enough, however, to reject all sleeping dopes recommended to him. Further, sometimes his catarrh took the form of a “stuffy cold”, one nostril being stopped entirely, and when this was relieved the other was affected. After a week’s medication with Graphites the old gentleman was delighted. And, now, swears he will never go back to the cow-drinks his doctor prescribed.

A lady who from childhood had had red blotches on her face, which were associated with obstinate constipation, told me she believed in Homeopathy, but her difficulty was in finding the correct remedy. She possessed about twenty one-ounce vials of medicine and two or three books on prescribing. After examining her collection I noticed she did not possess Graphites. Here, then, was another opportunity of showing what my favourite remedy could do. The blotches on her face disappeared in a few days and the constipation in a very short time became decidedly better.

A retired gentleman in Linocnshire had lumbago since the Great War. And despite numerous advisers he was much perplexed what to take for this distressing complaint. He had consulted two or three Harley Street physicians but he said they “did not touch him”. A relative of mine told him to try Graphites. To his surprise a few doses rid him of pain and he sent me a letter of fulsome praise for my splendid Homeopathic.

Graphites is not a cure-all – there is no such thing. But if its keynote is observed it will relieve five times out of six. And, when it is insufficient, a closer study of the biochemics will enable the student to be an invaluable help to those whose life has become an intolerable burden.