Even the external surface of the body, covered as it is with skin and epidermis, is not insusceptible of the powers of medicines, especially those in a liquid form, but the most sensitive parts are also the most susceptible.(1)
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(1) Rubbing-in appears to favour the action of the medicines only in this way, that the friction makes the skin more sensitive, and the living fibres thereby more capable of feeling, as it were, the medicinal power and of communicating to the whole organism this health-affecting sensation. The previous employment of friction to the inside of the thigh makes the mere laying on the mercurial ointment afterwards quite as powerfully medicinal as if the ointment itself had been rubbed upon that part, a process which is termed rubbing-in, but it is very doubtful whether the mental itself can penetrate in substance into the interior of the body, or be taken up by the absorbent vessels by means of this so-called rubbing-in. Homoeopathy, however, hardly ever requires for its cures the rubbing-in of any medication, nor does it need any mercurial ointment.
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SUMMARY
Sensitivity of the Body to Medicines
- The body’s external surface, even with skin and epidermis, can still be influenced by medicines, especially in liquid form.
- The most sensitive parts of the body are also the most susceptible to medicinal effects.
Role of Rubbing-in
- Friction and Sensitivity:
- Rubbing the skin increases its sensitivity, allowing it to better "feel" and communicate the medicinal effect to the rest of the body.
- Friction vs. Penetration:
- Friction (rubbing) makes medicines more effective by increasing skin sensitivity, not necessarily by allowing the medicine to penetrate into the body.
- Applying medicine without rubbing can still have the same effect if the skin is made sensitive beforehand.
Doubts on Substance Absorption
- There is uncertainty about whether substances, like mercurial ointment, are absorbed into the body through rubbing-in.
- Homoeopathy's Approach:
- Homoeopathy rarely requires rubbing-in medications and does not use mercurial ointments for its treatments.
