Vol. 1 No. 1 March 1978 (the first issue of Homoeopathica)
A homoeopathic thriller by B. R. Murray N.D.
In the tradition of the adventures of Dr. Homos which have featured in the journal of the British Homoeopathic Association, we invite you to join us in the hunt for the elusive remedy to the following story. You will find the answers tucked away on another page, but don’t peek until you have repertorised your own solution…
The office of Sam H. Mann, detective extraordinary, was on the first floor of a smart new building. There was a knock on the door and his beautiful. assistant “Hermy” Path ushered in a small sallow woman. “This is Mrs. Mona Grieve,” said Hermy, “She has an appointment to see you about her husband.” Sam watched the woman as she sank into a chair with a sigh of relief. She was a faded beauty, her face lined from years of drudgery and pain.
“Mr. Mann,” she began plaintively, “It’s my husband. He has given up his job and just sits around the house all day with the blinds drawn. He doesn’t care about the children and to me, he is an animal - a sexual demon. He wants to make love all night - it’s as though he doesn’t sleep.” She paused and crossed her legs wearily. “Lately he has been going out in the evenings and I just know he is down at that dreadful. massage parlour. And the things that go on there - I just know he has been unfaithful - not that I care! But I have had enough - I want a divorce.”
Sam calmed the woman and after Hermy had shown her out, they both drove over to see Joe Grieve. He had just finished a heavily salted meal and was wading through an enormous bowl of icecream. Joe was never pleased to see strangers and he invited them in with reluctance and all three went through to the lounge.
Joe Grieve was a tall, slim handsome man with a shock of red hair. His skin was fair and freckled with fine blonde hair on his forearms. He had slumped in a chair and fidgeted constantly. At first he was unwilling to talk, but became quite animated when Horny sat near and spoke to him quietly. He droned in a tired voice and. his speech was punctuated by a frequent, dry cough.
Sam outlined the problem with the marital situation and emphasised that the matter could be serious if the alleged infidelity was established. Joe did not seem interested in the proceedings and yawned sleepily. “I suppose there is something in what my wife says, but honestly, she has been so difficult to live with lately. She won’t have anything to do with me or the kids and she is always nagging. I just have to get out in the evenings and as I love a massage, I go to that sauna down the road. There’s nothing really going on with the masseuses, but given half a chance…” He broke off and stared hungrily at Hermy, beads of perspiration breaking out all over his face.
“I’m sorry,” said Joe “It’s my head - I get these killing headaches when I’m under stress - perhaps you had better go now .”
“Well that will do,” said Sam kindly and he and Hermy left the redhaired Joe nursing his head in a hot towel.
They drove slowly back to the office discussing the unhappy Grieves. “You know,” said Hermy, “That Joe Grieve has a classic constitutional problem that would be easy to remedy.”
“You’re right,” agreed Sam, “And his wife needs a little help too.” Later that week the Grieves called at the office of Sam H. Mann. They discussed the findings of the last few days and Sam explained the nature of Homoeopathic remedies. The Grieves each received a different remedy based upon their constitutional disturbances. After a week or two the divorce was forgotten and the Grieves lived happily ever after.
What were the two remedies Sam H. Mann had selected for the Grieves ?
SOLUTION TO THE CASE OF THE RED TERROR
Sam H. Mann gave the Red Terror Phosphorus and his wife, Sepia