§ 20 - 6th edition

This spirit-like power to alter man's state of health (and hence to cure diseases) which lies hidden in the inner nature of medicines can in itself never be discovered by us by a mere effort of reason; it is only by experience of the phenomena it displays when acting on the state of health of man that we can become clearly cognizant of it.

 


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SUMMARY

Understanding the Curative Power of Medicines

Spirit-Like Power of Medicines

  • Invisible Nature:
    • The power of medicines to alter health and cure diseases is hidden and cannot be discovered through reason alone.
    • This curative force is described as "spirit-like" and resides in the inner nature of medicines.


Revealed Only Through Experience

  • Phenomena and Effects:
    • The curative power of a medicine is only revealed through its observable effects on human health.
    • It is through direct experience and experimentation, not reasoning, that this power becomes evident.


Importance of Observation

  • Experience Over Theory:
    • Understanding the healing potential of a medicine depends on witnessing the changes it induces in the state of health.
    • Practical observation of these effects provides the only means of truly recognizing a medicine’s curative capacity.