This chapter deeply explores the vitalistic foundation of homœopathy by defining and connecting the concepts of life, health, and disease. According to Roberts, life is not a material entity but a dynamic, spiritual, and invisible force that animates the physical body. It exists as a power or principle, rather than as a substance. This life force, or “vital force” as termed by Hahnemann, governs and maintains the functional harmony and integrity of all organs and tissues. Without this force, the body is mere dead matter. Life expresses itself through order, function, and purpose in the organism; thus, the presence of life is evident through the activities of the body, even though life itself is intangible.
Health, then, is the normal, balanced state of this life force. When the vital force flows freely and harmoniously, the body functions normally, and the mind and emotions are also in equilibrium. In such a state, the organs perform their roles with perfect coordination and purpose. Health is not merely the absence of disease or symptoms, but a positive state of well-being, where life energy is expressed without obstruction.
Disease, in contrast, is described as a disorder of the vital force. It originates in the dynamic plane, not in the material body. Disease is first a functional disturbance—a disruption in how the body operates, before any structural changes appear. It is only later that these disturbances can result in tangible changes, such as pathological lesions or degeneration of tissues. The mistake of modern medicine, Close notes, lies in identifying disease solely with such structural manifestations, ignoring the underlying energetic or dynamic imbalance. For homœopathy, the true disease is the totality of symptoms, which represent the inner disorder of the vital force. Once this disorder is corrected by a suitable remedy, the person is said to be cured—even if some physical signs or tissue changes may remain.
The author emphasizes that symptoms are not the enemy, but are instead the language of the vital force calling attention to inner disharmony. They are the only visible evidence of an invisible disturbance. Hence, a physician must not suppress symptoms without understanding their origin, as suppression only drives the disease deeper, leading to graver, often chronic or incurable, conditions. For example, if a skin eruption or discharge is stopped prematurely, the underlying disturbance may find expression in a more vital organ like the lungs or brain, leading to serious complications. This violation of the law of cure is one of the biggest dangers in allopathy and unprincipled medical practice.
Close discusses the role of microorganisms and pathology in this context. While modern medicine often blames bacteria or parasites as the cause of disease, homœopathy sees them as secondary agents. Their presence is possible only because of a pre-existing susceptibility or internal disorder. A healthy, balanced vital force resists the action of such agents. Thus, germs do not cause disease unless the body is predisposed to be affected by them. This concept of susceptibility is key to understanding both the origin of disease and the rationale behind individualized treatment in homœopathy.
The chapter also examines the difference between palliation and cure. Cure is defined as the complete restoration of health by eliminating the internal cause of disease and bringing the vital force back into harmony. It is gentle, permanent, and follows the law of similars. Palliation, on the other hand, is only temporary relief, often used in incurable conditions or when life cannot be saved. Close insists that even palliation, when necessary, should be done with remedies selected according to the homœopathic law, to avoid suppression. He warns strongly against the use of massive doses of drugs, sedatives, or mechanical means which suppress symptoms but leave the patient worse off internally.
Finally, the chapter urges the homœopath to deeply understand and reverence the laws of life, seeing disease not as an external enemy but as a manifestation of the vital force’s struggle to restore balance. Healing must work with the laws of nature, never against them. Suppression is an act of ignorance, while true cure is an art guided by law, observation, and deep insight into the patient’s totality. The physician’s job is to recognize the signs of internal disorder, understand the patient’s unique susceptibility, and apply a homœopathic remedy that resonates with the disturbed vital force to bring about genuine and lasting healing.