121 How often,
for instance, do we not meet with a mild, soft disposition in patients who
have for years been afflicted with the most painful diseases, so that the
physician feels constrained to esteem and compassionate the sufferer! But
if he subdue the disease and restore the patient to healthas is
frequently done in homopathic practicehe is often astonished
and horrified at the frightful alteration in his disposition. He often
witnesses the occurrence of ingratitude, cruelty, refined malice and
propensities most disgraceful and degrading to humanity, which were
precisely the qualities possessed by the patient before he grew ill. Those who were patient when well often become obstinate, violent, hasty, or even intolerant and capricious, or impatient or disponding when ill; those formerly chaste and modest often become lascivious and shameless. A clear-headed person not infrequently becomes obtuse of intellect, while one ordinarily weak-minded becomes more prudent and thoughtful; and a man slow to make up his mind sometimes acquires great presence of mind and quickness of resolve, etc. |